1963 C-10 SWB BBW Fleetside in NC

[TheBlueBomber]

Looking good! I know you have a lot of time in those vents. Good work!

[1963c-10]

Vents completed and started install. My time did not go as planned this weekend, but I was able to get the manual vents removed and the cable vents in. Still need to drill the new holes, but the hard work is done.

So new seals and stainless steel hardware installed.

[1963c-10]

The old vents remove easily. There are 2 bolts that hold the handle mount in place then 6 screws to remove the vent housing.

I have undercoated the inside of the housing where the new vent will go. This should help with any future rust issues and help the water drain better.

Once the new vent is in, you will notice the top and bottom holes are the only ones that line up. I use the same hardware from the manual vents to do the install. I place the top and bottom screws in to hold them in place while I drill the new holes. The bottom 2 side holes will need to be drilled to except the screws. The two upper screws on the sides of the vent assembly will need to be enlarged just a hair to accept the two bolts. You will also see that the cable access will need to be trimmed in the kick panel. More picks of install to follow tonight.

You can see in the pic where I'm using an awl to mark the new lower side drill locations and the cable access hole.

The screens will be the last thing to get installed after the vent assembly is installed and the cables are adjusted.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Looking good! I know you have a lot of time in those vents. Good work!

Thanks Austin. Several days of an hour or two here and there. Mostly due to the dry times with the undercoating. The rest is pretty straight forward. I have dealt with leaky vents in the past and they are no fun in cold weather or if its raining. Time consuming, but a nice upgrade.

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice job bud! I likes!

[1963c-10]

I'll get the rest of the install done tonight. I had my 5 year old niece over last night and she was dealing with a sunburn from this weekend, so didn't even make it out to the trucks once I got home.

I did have enough time to pull the factory auto trans crossmember out and get a few coats of degreaser down. I'll get it cleaned up and done this week.

[Captainfab]

How's this look? 7/16" hole at 2-1/2" center to center

[1963c-10]

Looks perfect John......I really appreciate the help with the bracket. Can't wait to get it bolted on the 348!!!!

[1963c-10]

Got the top alternator bracket ordered yesterday. Captainfab did an outstanding job on the lower as pictured above....can't wait to get another project crossed off the list.

Completed the vent install yesterday night. I'll have to get pics up later.

[1963c-10]

And a few pics of my exhaust clearance issue. Not the best pics, but I think they cover the issue. Frame clearance isn't any problem, but hitting the mounts is. I think it'll be custom headers or fenderwell headers for this truck.

[TheBlueBomber]

Ugh... i feel your pain. I'm going to try running spacers to ease my clearance issues. But mine is oil pan on cross member issues, not manifold on mount... is it on both sides or just on that one?

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Ugh... i feel your pain. I'm going to try running spacers to ease my clearance issues. But mine is oil pan on cross member issues, not manifold on mount... is it on both sides or just on that one?

The 348-409 guys have been great on this also. We've been going over several options and I'm trying to narrow it down now.

[1963c-10]

Looks like this will be my best alternative. This will completely open up the sides and eliminate the clearance issues at the mounts. This pic is a 409, not a 348, so there are some minor differences, but you get the idea.

[TJ's Chevy]

That's a good looking mount.

[1963c-10]

I ordered a 348/409 horseshoe mount from speedway motors. Part # 1353272. My 1958 block has the provisions for this mount. The bottom two holes are drilled and tapped, but my builder should be able to handle the other two holes. So know its just figuring out the frame to horseshoe mounts. But this definitely solves the side clearance issues.

You can just barely see the provision in this pic between the timing chain cover and the front driver side freeze plug. Same on the passenger side of the block.

Now it does create other problems that can be fixed....it will want to line up right where the frame provision is for the oil filter clearance. So I'll have to address the frame there, but that's minor compared to the exhaust clearance issue I had.

Slowly but surely, I'll get the puzzle figured out and make it easier for the next guy who wants to tackle a 348 or 409 in his 1st gen c-10 truck.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

That's a good looking mount.

Yeah....just make sure you don't have any timing chain cover leaks before installing....haha.

[1963c-10]

Back bed panel ordered (the original one is rusted out on the bottom angle strip...its gone). Steel floor will get removed and still need to replace the rear bed sill. Working on a set or OEM tubs if we can work shipping out. And have a set or NOS tail light lens's and bezels ready for install.

[1963c-10]

Captainfab....here is a better pic of the mount. The frame adaptor is what I'll need made.

[61K10]

if you use that front mt what will that do to your power steering mt? are you going to even have P/S? sorry as i don't remember. I modded my stock ft horseshoe for my p/s as you could do. it never ends lol.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by 61K10

if you use that front mt what will that do to your power steering mt? are you going to even have P/S? sorry as i don't remember. I modded my stock ft horseshoe for my p/s as you could do. it never ends lol.

The 348 didn't come with power steering. Has the original single groove pulleys. I hadn't really considered it, but will look at the mounting locations tonight. It shouldn't be an issue though as its a very common mount used for installing the 348/409's into 55-57 chevy cars, 28-34 model fords and 49-54 chevy trucks. I'll do some more research on the 348/409 forum also.

I'd eventually like p/s on both trucks, but have always had manual steering on all my 60-66 trucks.


The alternator bracket I had Captainfab machine was used in particular to allow p/s clearance in the event I decided to install it. I do try and plan ahead for future options, so thanks for bringing it up.

[J Williams]

Looks like a great project, Big fan of the 63 C10. I will have to put up a post on my 63 build. Mine will be extremely slow though since I do not have an abundance of cash flow. I have to get this truck done though my grandpa bought it brand new and gave it to me when I was 15 now 31. I cant wait to watch what you do with yours for ideas on mine! Good luck and thanks for posting everything.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by J Williams

Looks like a great project, Big fan of the 63 C10. I will have to put up a post on my 63 build. Mine will be extremely slow though since I do not have an abundance of cash flow. I have to get this truck done though my grandpa bought it brand new and gave it to me when I was 15 now 31. I cant wait to watch what you do with yours for ideas on mine! Good luck and thanks for posting everything.

Welcome to the forum J Williams. Thanks for stopping in on the build and for the positive comments. Mine are slow builds also. Time and money being the biggest factors. I do what I can myself to save money. A little dickering on parts and swapping/trading parts helps a bunch. Looking forward to seeing your 63. I have a 63 stepside build going also.

[markeb01]

Don't know if this matters at all, but years ago I used one of those saddle mounts in my 54 Chevy sedan with a 283. Hurst was the standard of the day, but Ansen came out with a modified version that extended the passenger side tab forward an inch of so (where is rested on the biscuit) and this allowed running a mechanical fuel pump, which the Hurst mount did not. Just FYI for what it's worth.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Don't know if this matters at all, but years ago I used one of those saddle mounts in my 54 Chevy sedan with a 283. Hurst was the standard of the day, but Ansen came out with a modified version that extended the passenger side tab forward an inch of so (where is rested on the biscuit) and this allowed running a mechanical fuel pump, which the Hurst mount did not. Just FYI for what it's worth.

I've thought about that also. I'll know more once the mount shows up, which if UPS is correct, should be today. I'd like to retain the mechanical fuel pump, so may be more modification in order, but I've got Captainfab helping out on the machining end

[1963c-10]

Hey Markeb01....I actually found a NOS Hurst mount you were talking about on ebay. ANd up for sale at $450.....maybe you should have bought a few. Interesting thing is I was hoping they'd show install instructions and they did. The Hurst install shows a "thick spacer" between the mount and the block. I'm guessing this allowed the clearance for the mechanical fuel pump.

I got the Speedway spacer in....great looking product. But, as you brought up, it has clearance issues at the fuel pump. The spacers would solve this issue. I need to put this project on hold a few weeks as its really side-tracked my step side project. But give me 2-3 weeks and it'll resume.

I have some extra transmission linkages that I think would work as spacers from an old Hurst floor shift kit.