my 65 coming alive

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by jdl71

I saw that, but I thought it looked like it had a Chevy dash, although hard to tell. And I thought GMC's all had a V-6 until 66.

I think your right, My 64 GMC's plate only has the GMC V-6 listed.

[dragon65]

So i have verified the vin as a gmc.....no vin markings under rocker driver side frame rail where all chevys had the vin stamp. Gmc did come with 250 stock. The dash cluster is not yet installed since my wiring is not yet started but it is the circular guages. All gmc accessories such as orig seat belts with gmc markings...tail gate...grill...hood...horn button...even the glove box insert which is different from chevy. I did my homework before the purchase 3 years ago.

[dragon65]

Back story:
The truck was purchased by an older couple new. The gentleman died after 15 yrs of driving it, and his wife parked it in their delapadated garage where it sat for 15 yrs. I bought it from a guy who was 16 when he bought it to restore in 1995. The roof gutters were bad so were the pillars as seen in the one pic where they were removed. And the inner roof was saved ...donor pillars added and inner roof reinstalled. He took every nut and bolt apart and bagged and labeled most items. He meticulously restored the frame and did minor restoration on the motor and had the upper seals and valve seats done to accept the unleaded gas which i have the mechanics receipts for. At that point he had a baby and all restoration stopped. The cab sat on top of completed frame held on with straps and no roof skin with a tarp on it for 10-11 years. I bought it after 2 years of searching for a truck that i felt i could handle for restoration. I loaded all 10 boxes, fenders,doors, and everything minus windshield and odds and ends that i am now hunting down as I reconstruct. I had to replace the cab corners, rockers, weld the donor roof skin on. I had some metal replacement on the door corners and overall a really heavy duty sanding and priming multiple times. Thats the basic back story to the point where I am now which is all painting is done and mostly reconstructed with the exception of the bed. I stored the bed on my front porch until everything was reconstructed over the last 2 months. The bed will be worked on as soon as the cab is wired. Then i can feel comfortable that if the bed takes a couple weeks or more the cab and interior will be protected as a full unit . I bought this truck because in 1975 i had a 64 chevy c10 with a 454 in it with stack exhaust piped towering over the cab. I had dragons hand painted on the front hood and tailgate. That truck was my first real encounter with something that drove like a rocket and turned everyone's heads as i passed by. Those momories inspired this build!!

[TJ's Chevy]

What are the engine numbers? I may be able to verify if its a GMC or Chevy engine.

[dragon65]

Block numbers lower rear pass side 4877178 c
Exhaust manif. 3859381
Behind distributer 4888f16

[TJ's Chevy]

The block Casting # doesn't seem to come up. 230 will have flat top pisonts and 250 will have dished. But anyhow it really doesn't matter what cubes it is right now. To make a 230 a 250 you just need a crank, rods, and pistons so your not in bad luck. lol

[dragon65]

Well here's the inside....everything points to 250. The position of the fuel pump and the fact that the other notables with a 250 including motor mount location. Also the mechanical work done notates it being 250. If you look on GMC paul his info also verifies my comparison of the motors as 250. I am in no doubt.
I am just very impressed that you TJ have worked your 6 cyl to produce that kind of performance

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by dragon65

Well here's the inside....everything points to 250. The position of the fuel pump and the fact that the other notables with a 250 including motor mount location. Also the mechanical work done notates it being 250. If you look on GMC paul his info also verifies my comparison of the motors as 250. I am in no doubt.
I am just very impressed that you TJ have worked your 6 cyl to produce that kind of performance

Thanks. lol I'm an inline 6 guru but only thanks to the guys who shared their knowledge with me. 230's an 250's have Identical blocks and that's the thing I don't like about them. Especially when I can't seem to figure the casting #. But, If your sure its a 250 is probably is. lol So we can get down to your original question....Good low price to make your 250 a little more peppy. Well to be honest the power gain to money you spend Will be more than an SBC. But since you have a stock motor recently rebuilt I'd leave it stock internally until it needs rebuilt again. Here's what I would start with:

500 edelbrock or 390 Holley 4 barrel
Clifford or offenhouser intake. I prefer the clifford over the offy cause its made better and you can mount the carb any way you want, plus hooking up the water heating system is Much easier. Only downfall is the price. Clifford is going to cost you $417 plus shipping. Offy runs $289 at Summit Racing. Problem with the offy is it is basically the same size as the single barrel manifold and the 4 barrel can only be mounted with the primaries towards the valve cover or driver's side fender putting the throttle mechanism in weird places. Clifford you can mount the carb with the primaries towards the radiator and that puts the throttle mechanism in a much better place. People who have used them have not said too many bad things about either so the decision is up to you their.
Headers:
Either a shorty tube set from clifford which run $399 plus shipping.
Or a set from Tom Langdon which run $277 plus shipping. Again I've heard good results from both. I own and like the style of the clifford headers better, but again...they are over $100 more and Tom's are just as good.
HEI: There's a ton of places to get an HEI. I got mine from Speedmaster on Ebay for $70 and it has a 65K coil. Worked wonderfully and never gave me problems.

So that's what I would start with. Add some more fuel and spark and split the exhaust and you'll get more performance and mileage(if you can keep your foot out of it lol) and enjoy a meaner sounding engine.

Here's some links to the parts:

Intakes:
Clifford: http://www.shop.cliffordperformance....-42-4501WH.htm
Offenhouser: www.summitracing.com/parts/ofy-5416

Headers:
Clifford: http://www.shop.cliffordperformance....rs-52-0011.htm
Tom Langdon's: http://www.langdonsstovebolt.com/sto...ategory=412417

HEI: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Chevy-In...hUUma~&vxp=mtr

[TJ's Chevy]

This has almost 50 more cubic inch. lol But here are some videos of my 50 year old 292 with a 600 edebrock, clifford intake, clifford headers and HEI.
When I got the HEI:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkYh2IzgxKo
Warm up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b3OpLWMb4E

Screaming it: Keep on mine it is stock internally(50 years old) lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw_9eGLhhzk
And older vid on that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoiM0nIA_7c

And gotta have a burnout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifh4eU5bUAo

[dragon65]

Pretty helpfull links there Tj, thank you. I think you helped on my decision making process. I will be addressing that type of upgrade once I get the bed ready for mounting.
Great information!!

[Classic v6 GMC's]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

I think your right, My 64 GMC's plate only has the GMC V-6 listed.

Straight 6's in GMC's started in 1964. The Plate only list what engine came in your truck. We had a 64 GMC with 230 and it listed it on the plate.

[dragon65]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1445981954

Sorry guys i just realized i had the plate in my safe
Here it is

[dragon65]

Now that makes it official!!
Along with the vin tag and title of course

[jdl71]

Very cool story. Thanks for sharing.

[TJ's Chevy]

Good to know!

[dragon65]

I appreciate the responses from all.......its nice to share the process we all go thru with these trucks.

[dragon65]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1446064195

Did the power steering conversion but kept the manual brakes until i drive it a bit.

[TJ's Chevy]

Cool! I'll be doing A/C on my 66. Manual steering and May do P/B. Not sure yet.

[dragon65]

I had the misfortune of not being able to drive my beast until recently and only around my yard but disc front conversion and power brakes are in the future if I can finagle the funding and keep it cheap aside from not being totally mechanically versed in that type of work im willing to take the plunge. Ac for me would be a luxury add for an occasional driver. I hope to get the wiring harness in this weekend along with the rug after. Hopefully I can then put her to bed for a bit and get the bed prepped and painted......

[Captainfab]

If you don't have to have dropped spindles and springs, a power disc conversion can be done for $5-600.00.....maybe less if you're resourceful.

[dragon65]

Captainfab,
Thank you sir for the information....does that round about figure include the master cylinder you think. I am definitely resourceful. I have read so many comments and needed information from a lot of your postings and I very much appreciate your input on my thread. I would have purchased my power steering conversion bracket from you but I got lucky and found a bracket was already part of my "truck in a box" purchase.
I don't believe I will be using drop spindles on my build simply because I like the old style "stance" these trucks came with back in the day. Also I have leaf springs in the rear so makes things a bit more involved I believe.

[Captainfab]

Actually having leaf springs can simplify changing to 5 lug. It isn't exactly the correct way, but most times there is enough movement in the leaf spring bushings to be able to bolt up a '73-'87 differential without moving the spring pads.

I don't know the availability there in PA, but what you need is a '73-'87 donor C10. That will give you just about everything you need for power disc brakes and a 5 lug differential.

[dragon65]

Yup,,, I thought about switching the rear but decided to try and keep the truck as complete as I can. Especially with 33, 000 miles on the engine. I just refinished the cluster today and wired to the point where most switches are in and she turns over with a key

[dragon65]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1446406933

Finally got the dash redone. Partial wiring complete...truck starts with key but wont shut off...lol.

[dragon65]

I meant the gauge cluster....dash is far from done