My 66 Service Truck Build Thread

[LostMy65]

350 is in:
.


.
I originally intended to go with the newer mounts and the 79 exhaust, but then decided to go with RamHorns and the traditional mounts. I didn't want to go into modding so much at this time - My primary goal this winter is to get back up and running. Maybe this summer, when I pull the cab, I may do the mods needed to use the newer mounts.

Here is the thread where I was helped by CaptainFab regarding the newer mounts:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=432176

[markeb01]

Very cool truck, I’m glad you saved it and have a fun project for such an affordable price. I know about the difficulties making progress in the cold. When I did my front suspension swap years ago, it took me almost a month because the temps ranged from 10 below zero to a high of 18 above. I dressed like the kid from “Christmas Story”, and even then could only last about 20-30 minutes at a time.

I like the idea of the service bed, it’s certainly practical if you have an interest in something like that, and they are rarely seen any more. Are you intending to keep it this configuration, or switch to a conventional step or fleetside model? Looking forward to more progress updates.

[LostMy65]

The Service Box is original - yep!

It was a County truck. The Original Paintjob is County Orange.
You can see it there on the firewall in the pic above.
The service box is also county orange under the black.

I used to be a carpenter, I had an 81 chevy with a Service Box, and I loved it - everything where you need it.
Even years after I moved on to Architectural Design, I still had the 81, with all my tools in it.

I'm keeping this thing with the Service Box.
Then when I find my 65, I'll have this truck for running for parts and to the wrecking yard.
Atleast, that's my long term goal.

Either way, I can see this thing looking really cool, and particularly unique with the Service Box.

Can you visualize deep wide wheels under that box?

[padresag]

what is architectural design?
ron

[LostMy65]

I'm sorry,
I now do Architectural Home Design / House Plans / AutoCad.

[irish1966]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

I'm sorry,
I now do Architectural Home Design / House Plans / AutoCad.

I miss Autocad. I did mech engineering.

[LostMy65]

Maybe someone can help me with this latest issue;

While working on my 66, I seem to get really sore and tire much quicker than when I worked on my 65 back in 84.
Did something change on these trucks from 65 to 66?

[66-PMD-GMC]

Welcome to my freaking world

[LostMy65]

Hooking things back up.....

Got help regarding all the hose clutter here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434796

[LostMy65]

Just bought this today:
8-Lug Discs
.


Thanks to those who posted in this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344516

[LostMy65]

Still hooking things back up.

Moving onto the wiring this weekend.

It's amazing how hacked up the wiring gets on these old trucks over the years.

Again, my goal is to get back up and running.

So, on my down the road todo list will be to clean up the wiring.

[LostMy65]

My links for future reference:
http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/Truck_gauges.html
http://www.64moneypit.pages.qpg.com/...cks/index.html

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Just bought this today:
8-Lug Discs
.


Thanks to those who posted in this thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344516

I love the disk brake stopping power!

[Dudewith4x4]

Looks great man. I really hope you find your 65.

[allengator]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Maybe someone can help me with this latest issue;

While working on my 66, I seem to get really sore and tire much quicker than when I worked on my 65 back in 84.
Did something change on these trucks from 65 to 66?

[LostMy65]

Well...
I'm pretty stoked!
Fired the 350 up today - just a couple cranks, and it fired right up.

I am having an idling problem; fluctuating quickly up and down.
I'm guessing it's starving for fuel.
I'm thinking this because as I close the butterfly the engine smooths out and idles good.
.


.
I'm off to search the forums to see if I can find a solution.

[LostMy65]

Searching the forums gets me thinking I have a vacuum leak somewhere:

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

If you suspect a vacuum leak, simply put your hand over the open carburetor. If there is a leak, it should smooth out. If no leak, it should die when you deprive the carb of any air.

The motor ran great in the 79 suburb I pulled it from.
I removed a lot of emission hose garbage, and the engine idles out smoothly when I close the butterfly as in the pic I posted above.

[pmkrew]

that "butterfly" your fooling with in the pic is your choke... check your vacuum lines, sounds like you may have a slight leak if nothing else has changed it sounds like the culprit...

[Captainfab]

Yep, sounds like a vacuum leak to me. Check all the ports on the carb, including on the back.

[LostMy65]

^thanks guys.

First thing tomorrow, I'm going to check all the ports - including the back.

Searching the forums I found a couple ways to test and find vacuum leaks.
If I can put a rag over the top of the carb, and the engine keeps running, then it's surely a vacuum leak.
But even so, I'm still going to do the suggestion posted in the forums on how to find the leak. That is to spray carb cleaner at one location at a time, if the engine races, then that's where the leak is.
I actually knew about spraying carb cleaner to find leaks, I had just forgot about it. I'm getting old.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

^thanks guys.

First thing tomorrow, I'm going to check all the ports - including the back.

Searching the forums I found a couple ways to test and find vacuum leaks.
If I can put a rag over the top of the carb, and the engine keeps running, then it's surely a vacuum leak.
But even so, I'm still going to do the suggestion posted in the forums on how to find the leak. That is to spray carb cleaner at one location at a time, if the engine races, then that's where the leak is.
I actually knew about spraying carb cleaner to find leaks, I had just forgot about it. I'm getting old.

Don't forget that you have an "emissions" carburetor, you have most probably yanked all the emission crap off so yes, vacuum leaks are very likely. Also, the motor sat while you were doing your build so it is entirely possible that you also have junk in the fuel bowl and elsewhere inside the carb.
I would suggest using what you have for now and saving your $ getting a period correct carb, a 67 Rochester 4bbl.

[LostMy65]

Ok, I found the issue.
After re-checking all hoses, and spraying carb cleaner to check for leaks, all was good - no leaks.
So back to the forums I searched.
After more searching, I read it could be a bad EGR Valve. The solution was to either buy a new EGR Valve, or create a block plate - I created a block plate out some sheet metal.
.


All is good now.
It idles so smooth
I took it for a short run up the road and back - runs great - drives like a Tank.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dudewith4x4]

Glad you got it running man.

[LostMy65]

I have a lot of play in the steering.
After some checking, I found the issue is related to the Pitman Arm.
I'm now leaning toward just doing the conversion to power steering.
(the 63-66 arm is pretty pricey)


.
(When I go to do the power steering upgrade, I'll most likely get the adapter bracket from Captainfab)

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I like the idea of the service bed, it’s certainly practical if you have an interest in something like that, and they are rarely seen any more. Are you intending to keep it this configuration, or switch to a conventional step or fleetside model? Looking forward to more progress updates.

I found some pics of my old 81:
So yes, I surely have an interest in service bodies.
Good thing about the 81; I sold it to a friend over in Bend, Oregon.


My wife thinks the service body is ugly on this 66, but I just like the practicality of it so much, I'm keeping it.
Especially because it came from the factory with it, built special, and painted counted orange.