67 Plain Jane C10 396 build

[ghalperin]

Two weeks ago I picked a very original 67 step side.


Check my post in the Introduction Section for details.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=711786

I've had good luck finding original parts to put it back to stock. The engine appears to be a replacement. I was told that the engine has less than 20,000 miles on it. It does run very well. The coolant is nonexistent and the red rusty crap in the radiator was starting to weep from the head gasket. My plan was to replace the head gasket and run it. On my way home from the parts store with the head gasket set, a freeze plug blew out behind the bellhousing.

So, I had a decision to make. Pull the engine and trans and reseal them. Or, put a different engine back in. Since it's not the original engine, I've decided to replace it with something else. I like the basic bare bones idea of the 3 on the tree, although I'm not a fan of no OD.

So I couldn't go with a 350 like every other hot rod, so I looked for either a 327 or a 396. My goal was to find a period correct stock looking engine. Last week I drove to Pismo Beach chasing a big block, but came home empty handed.
I wasn't having any luck finding an appropriate 327 and then I ran across a Craigslist ad for a 68 396, pulled from a 68 C10.
I bought that engine. 68 Hipo block 396 with 67 427 heads. It wasn't the complete engine that I was looking for, but it comes from a good source with a known history. It does have a RV cam, stock exhaust manifolds and a factory Holley manifold. I picked up a set of Big block stands.

I do plan on stock wheels with COPO caps, disc fronts and lowering.

Now I have some parts to find:

Single belt water pump pulley
Flywheel
Clutch kit
V8 transmission cross member
V8 column shift linkage
Overdrive cable and t-handle

[ghalperin]

Here's my 396:

[68bowtie]

subscribed! i like the plan. how low are you going to go? i assume you're going to keep the wheels/tires that you have on there...

i have a set of bbc alt brackets on my "random and miscellaneous" sale thread. i'm told they are for a lwp but i'm not positive. i pulled them from a 396 with a bunch of top end parts from a mid 70's big block.

[ghalperin]

Thanks for the offer on the brackets, but I'm looking for this style:



I plan on making my engine look just like that.

I plan on 2 1/2 spindles with either 1 or 2 inch springs on the front and somthing similar in the rear. I'm staying with the 15 inch steel wheels, but I may go a little wider to 7.

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

subscribed! i like the plan. how low are you going to go? i assume you're going to keep the wheels/tires that you have on there...

i have a set of bbc alt brackets on my "random and miscellaneous" sale thread. i'm told they are for a lwp but i'm not positive. i pulled them from a 396 with a bunch of top end parts from a mid 70's big block.

[ghalperin]

Dazza Photoshopped the COPO caps, yellow wheels and lowered height:

[ghalperin]

I've been busy buying parts:

ECE front disc with 2 1/2" drop spindles
ECE 2" drop front springs
Holley 750 vacuum secondary carb
Saginaw 3 speed with Overdrive
COPO poverty hub caps

Please send me a PM if you have anything on my want from the first post.

[Maddoxdb]

Sub'd.... I'm really diggin this truck! Plus I need some motivation to work on my 67!! Later, Dustin

[6t9camaro]

I like it!!!

[Mapearso]

Nice truck! Was this out of AZ? Saw something very similar a couple weeks ago that went quick!!!

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by Mapearso

Nice truck! Was this out of AZ? Saw something very similar a couple weeks ago that went quick!!!

That's the one, Craigslist Scottsdale.



It was a weird purchase. I almost thought it was a scam. No phone calls, no negotiation, no deposit, cash on pick up only. The listing got flagged, but I had already started communicating via email. I was lucky that I had a friend that lives close by, he went immediately and bought it for me. I actually had it shipped to me overnight and had it the following day.

[ghalperin]

Yesterday I found my clutch linkage, due to a WTB ad here in the parts section.



Today I picked up a complete original engine. It's a never opened 1969 396 out of a C30 Longhorn.

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by ghalperin

Yesterday I found my clutch linkage, due to a WTB ad here in the parts section.



Today I picked up a complete original engine. It's a never opened 1969 396 out of a C30.

looks like that one's got all the parts you need! are you going to drop it in or rebuild it?

[tommys72]

Coming up with all kinds of good parts quick for this one

[ghalperin]

I just got back from vacation to find a few parts on the porch. I now have most of my clutch and shift linkage. I also picked up an OE gas pedal.



Does anybody know if I can use the I6 bellhousing, flywheel, clutch and starter?

[ghalperin]

I'm still collecting parts. CPP has this kit floating in the bay. 5 inch springs. 1 1/2 inch blocks. The price was pretty good ($380 shipped) and as part of the deal, they threw in the spring retainers when I picked it up.

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

looks like that one's got all the parts you need! are you going to drop it in or rebuild it?

Since it's never been apart, I'll have the heads redone with hardened valve seats, before I drop it in. It's supposed to have about 50K miles, so I doubt if it needs more work.

[randy500]

Originally Posted by ghalperin

I just got back from vacation to find a few parts on the porch. I now have most of my clutch and shift linkage. I also picked up an OE gas pedal.



Does anybody know if I can use the I6 bellhousing, flywheel, clutch and starter?

Yes you should be able to use all those parts. Unless the I6 was a 292, that might be external balance, don't know about the balance on those, but if 250 I6 all that will work. You do need a V8 bellhousing crossmember though, it sits forward of where the I6 one does and is a different bend, there is a thread here explaining the difference.

I like your truck and love the 396 all stock look concept, very cool. Very nice looking longhorn 396 you acquired too!

I have the V8 crossmember if you need it still.

[randy500]

One more thought, I believe you now have a 1-piece driveshaft and you will need a longer one when you install the V8 crossmember, I think even in 68 that combo used a 2-piece driveshaft as the later models ones do.

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by randy500

Yes you should be able to use all those parts. Unless the I6 was a 292, that might be external balance, don't know about the balance on those, but if 250 I6 all that will work. You do need a V8 bellhousing crossmember though, it sits forward of where the I6 one does and is a different bend, there is a thread here explaining the difference.

I like your truck and love the 396 all stock look concept, very cool. Very nice looking longhorn 396 you acquired too!

I have the V8 crossmember if you need it still.

Thanks for the input and offer on the crossmember, but I did pick up a V8 crossmember. The engine in it is a 250, so I'm stoked to be able to reuse all those parts. I also picked up an original 4 core radiator (that was rebuilt to 5 core and came from the same Longhorn) along with the shroud. Now I'm trying to locate the 3/8 fuel line with sending unit and the big block throttle linkage. My parts list is getting pretty short.

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by randy500

One more thought, I believe you now have a 1-piece driveshaft and you will need a longer one when you install the V8 crossmember, I think even in 68 that combo used a 2-piece driveshaft as the later models ones do.

I do have a one piece drive shaft. I know that moving the engine forward would require the drive shaft to be lengthened, but adding the overdrive would require the drive shaft to be shortened. Those two mods may cancel out any drive shaft mods, but I'll tackle that one after the 396 and OD are installed.

[ghalperin]

I picked up my overdrive lockout cable.

[ghalperin]

My shopping list is getting pretty short. I just picked up an original matching rear sport bumper with brackets.

[ghalperin]

I installed the rear bumper. It looks so much better than the old step bumper and it's about 40 lbs lighter.





FYI - that old step bumper weighs 80 lbs. Good ridance.

[68bowtie]

bumpers make such a huge difference in appearance. it's a match made in heaven in my opinion. very nice...

still liking those chromed caps over the factory white caps?

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

still liking those chromed caps over the factory white caps?

Personally, I like the contrast the caps give to the white wheels.
White caps would blend in too much.