Best place for truck parts for 1971 Chevy?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Hi. I have a 1971 Chevy short-bed fleet side and it's about time I restore it. What do you recommend for a quality parts source?


Thank you...................

[Grumpy old man]

Become a member and use the classified parts section of this forum !

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Become a member and use the classified parts section of this forum !

How do you become a member Mr. Grumpy Old Man?

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Hi. I have a 1971 Chevy short-bed fleet side and it's about time I restore it. What do you recommend for a quality parts source?


Thank you...................

Agree with above and for repro parts either Wes at Classic Heartbeat: http://www.classicheartbeat.com/ or GMC Pauls: http://www.gmcpaulstruckparts.com/

Both are longtime members here. Skip LMC, etc. save for the few items these member vendors don't carry.

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

How do you become a member Mr. Grumpy Old Man?

Top center of the page "subscribe "

[1972BlueC20]

I use www.classicparts.com

Always had good results with them, however original is always best If you can find original parts in good shape.

[oldertruckfan]

I recommend the salvage yard and the members here. OEM all the way

[68bowtie]

welcome to the forum! post some pics of your truck. original swb 402??

[ho70]

also there is a vendors link. Try to support those who support this board. I have had great success with classic industries and the classified section for used parts at good prices

[cdowns]

your local auto parts stores have loads of parts for these trucks that are not scares nor rare

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

welcome to the forum! post some pics of your truck. original swb 402??

Yep. Bought it 26 years ago for $2500. Has A/C too (I hear the AC mounts for a 402 are a small fortune)..........The important decals are intact. I have all the paperwork when new, right down to the warranty. Owners manual looks like new. I'm the 2nd owner.

Motor was rebuilt in 1993 with 396 heads (larger ports). The truck has 143K miles (45K on motor), and the transmission continues to shift as clean as the day I bought it.

Got lucky again three years ago. After 20 some years looking on occasion, I placed a Craigslist ad for a new bed, as mine was thrashed. Got a hit, just 10 minutes away, and for $1200 I got a bed (and front bumper) with an inside that wasn't used. There might be two or three small dents you have to look for. It's about 97% clean. The exterior is about 87% clean. It's down to metal. It didn't have a tailgate but no problem, mine is near perfect anyway. Starting to see some surface rust on the bed now (Nevada, always in garage), so it's time to spend some dough. Actually talked to a guy today.

My truck is nothing to look at. It was Okra, but it was painted white between owners (car lot). It has holes where I've removed stuff (two sets of mirrors, both rejects) and a CB radio antenna on the cab. I haven't washed anything other than the undercarriage and engine for well over a decade. Most of the interior still looks new. Interior needs a new seat, glove box, duct hoses, paint and some work on the instrument cluster, but I imagine it just needs some light bulbs. Heck, I still have the radio.

Really, the only thing it doesn't have are the heat shields and stove pipe.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I'm not familiar with gears, but they're high as heck. High RPM cam. 10/1 compression with the 396 heads. Was 8/5 with the old. Apparently the original heads had already been tapped. I bought the truck with 97K miles.

I really can't burn them off from a dead stop, or at best, not much. But be sure it gives a nice chirp into second gear. Steady gas and it wants to fly, and even wants to gain speed heading up steep hills. I can't say I'm unhappy with the way it drives.

Just need to restore it. Figure it will run 18K. I can't do the body, paint and seat. My theory is, "any light any angle". I don't want to see a flaw, otherwise it's not worth doing, my opinion. I've waited 26 years. That and I'm anal as (*&(*&!. That said, I kind of liked having a diamond in the rough.

No plans to show it, but I retire soon. Probably will on rare occasion.