Rockdrillers '63 K1000

[A.T. RockDriller]

LeftCoast...
I saw on the sales flyer that in '63, Powers celebrated their 100,000th serial #, kicking off a major expansion for the company.
Kinda' neat ...my serial # reflects that.
That's a great link.
No kidding about you wishing that PO hadn't parted out that equipment before sellin' it.
Now that I know what you're lookin' for...I'll keep an eye out.

[LeftCoast32]

You definitely have a keeper with your '63 K1000 (Very Cool History)!!!

[A.T. RockDriller]

Wow...

I finally decided that I should deal with the carb. deficiencies inherent to the factory Stromberg that came on the big-block V-6.
After a bit of research, I decided to try a Holley 500 on my 305.
I have to say, I wasn't expecting a whole lot of improvement.......but was I in for a treat.
So.......I found a 4412-2 core on a mid-70's Jeep Wagoneer with a V-8 for twenty bucks.
Other than being dry for a few years, this thing was in new condition.
I picked up a kit for a 650 double pumper....(it already has the 50cc acc. pump diaphragm included, saving me another $20). I trimmed the air-horn to throttle-body gasket so it matched up to the two bbl gasket, used the stock jets, changed out the power valve, using the 65" p-valve from the kit....and that's all she wrote. I saved the rest of the kit, which is almost enough for another carb. o-haul.
Now came the adapter to the Stromberg bolt patern.....
I came up short on the universal adapter from the parts house. None worked, despite what the counter-jockeys told me. I couldn't get ahold of my regular parts guy, NW Greaser, at the time. So I went searchin'....
I ended up at the local U-Pull it (Or I Will) and found a '65 LTD with a large two bbl pre-heat plate beneath the Auto-lite carb. Ten bucks and 1/2 hour of measuring and drilling and I had my adapter. I forgot to take pic's of the plate after drilling, prior to bolting it up.....but you get the idea, I'm thinkin'.

So...We've all enjoyed the feel of a big-block V-8 as far as off-idle response, general acceleration....overall torque that you feel....... starting at your foot and continuing up through the seat of yer pants....
The truck weighs in around 6K pounds....with the truck body and all the crap that I seam to "need" to carry around, and this thing feels like it weighs 3K pounds.
I increased my mileage by right at 3 mpg.
But as cool as that is, it's absolutely a pleasure to drive, at all speeds.

[62 Longbed]

The truck is looking Great !!! Like the new wheels also ...

I see you constintly in Gresham running around , but your usually going the wrong way ... We'll a catch up or get together soon I'm sure .. Summer is around the corner ... Take Care , Keep us updated ...

[A.T. RockDriller]

Longbed...
Thanks for the compliments.....I'll keep an eye out for ya'.
See you soon.

[RockTonka]

I'm psyched to hear that you like the Holley 500...we're at that point with my son's 66 351. Any more details/pics on how you modified the preheat plate?? The intake on the 351 has a different pattern than the 305, but maybe we could take your approach and make it work.
You've probably researched this, but we recently converted ours to HEI and were very impressed with improved starting and overall driveability characteristics. We're anxious to drop the Holley on!

[A.T. RockDriller]

Good day Rock..

I can't wait to convert my distributor....but for the life of me, I can't find a used '78 or '79 even-fire distributor. I'll probably have to break down and buy a re-man. Anyway....

I should have shot more pic's of the mod's on that plate.
With the 351 bolt pattern, you may be able to use the Mr. Gasket adapter that wouldn't work for me. The reason I couldn't use it was a lack of material on the manifold side that would have caused a big-assed vacuum leak. I suggest you check out one of the universal adapters....described as "adapts any 2bbl carb to any 4bbl manifold"......I think the last four numbers are 1937.
It looks like you could use a scroll-saw to remove the extra material on the Mr. Gasket plate used for other apps. You might be in business.
If not maybe I'll pull the one I fabbed and post some pic's.
I wish I could find a 351 manifold.....There are virtually "no" BBC V-6 parts in these parts.
I assume you would suggest swapping the distributor fairly soon...?
I would certainly encourage you guys to get that carb on the '66 as soon as you can.
He'll love the results.

[RockTonka]

We looked for a while and the closest we got was a complete motor for $200...we gave up and went with a Jeg's special.

We've looked at the various adapters...will probably end up modifying one to work.

Yea, you'll want to do the HEI soon. Same with the carb for us...they need each other.

[thirdstreettito]

Nice build! I love the truck! Keep up the good work!

[A.T. RockDriller]

Thanks, Bradley.
I'm heading back out to the barn to finish painting my dash.
Just spent a day repairing the radio cut-out damage from the P.O.
Good thing that's about all he did to it.

I figured I'd see how I liked my gray interior idea.....
We'll see how she looks. I'll post pic's.

[1971 GMC SHORTY]

Sweet Rig.. Digging on it
Posted via Mobile Device

[A.T. RockDriller]

All right all ready.....Update time.....

I've been tied up on multiple fronts and neglected my thread a bit.....
So here ya go.....

I did actually find a '79 Pontiac even-fire six distributor....did the proper mod's, and stuffed it.
Wow. It did fine with the OEM distributor, but it really takes on a new level of drive-ability with the HEI. No need for pic's. (It looks like an HEI Distributor)

[thirdstreettito]

Any video's?!

[A.T. RockDriller]

My next mission was to get the dash straightened out.
My interior is in pretty good shape, however the paint has surface rust all over it .....The only thing I had done up to this point is the '03 Tahoe Seats and console/box from a '89 Burb.
I found a stock '63 AM radio (non-operable) for $10.
I removed the face-plate and took an aftermarket AM-FM stereo....cannibalized it.....and then slid the OEM faceplate onto it for looks. (pic's to come later)

So.....My radio opening had been enlarged (with a hammer & chisel) and two more holes had been drilled by the PO. I really needed to get the radio installed so I tore it apart and grafted a repair panel in place.....did the finish work on it and scuffed it up for some paint.
When I paint the truck, it'll be frame-off and I'll repaint the interior. For now, however, I shot it with the windshield in place, mostly to cover up my body-work.
My next task will be some speakers.....and I'm working on that right now.
I'll post pic's on that later.
I also took care of my heater controls and Cig lighter.

[A.T. RockDriller]

Yes....I fabbed the cigar lighter & radio knobs.
Tune in later for close-ups (and yes....video's, Bradley)

[A.T. RockDriller]

Well I'm about tickled $hitless....
Yesterday I drove down to Dayton and picked up a low mile 1968 351E V-6.
I caught this thing on it's way to certain doom. The fella that sold it to me was probably the nicest farm boy I've ever met.....and he didn't penalize me for my wanting it so bad, as he sure could have.
Most of the info I am finding say's this is the real deal if you want to retain the V-6 and want a bit more power.
Jollys site says I'll go from 165 hp and 270 fp of torque to 220 and 320 respectively without any further mod's.
I'm thinkin' that's worth the effort.
I actually drove a '65 with a boosted 305E (draw-through) a month ago. The guy was partin' the truck , and I was ponderin' buying the engine for the turbo set-up. It was a fairly cheesy job with some unneeded restriction at the already restricted intake.....and it still went like a scalded cat.....
Instead of buying that one, I started making plans to do a remote mount blow-through on my 305..............But now, with the recent developments...

I sure would think the 351E would respond well to the blow-job.

I also brought this '72 home yesterday.....but that's another story.

All in all....I guess it was a pretty good day.

[A.T. RockDriller]

Originally Posted by A.T. RockDriller

All right all ready.....Update time.....

I've been tied up on multiple fronts and neglected my thread a bit.....
So here ya go.....

I did actually find a '79 Pontiac even-fire six distributor....did the proper mod's, and stuffed it.
Wow. It did fine with the OEM distributor, but it really takes on a new level of drive-ability with the HEI. No need for pic's. (It looks like an HEI Distributor)

Here is the pic's of the HEI mod's.

[richards72chevy]

Cool truck i like the utility bed.

[thirdstreettito]

Turbo! Yay!

[RockTonka]

Originally Posted by A.T. RockDriller

Well I'm about tickled $hitless....
Yesterday I drove down to Dayton and picked up a low mile 1968 351E V-6.


I also brought this '72 home yesterday.....but that's another story.

All in all....I guess it was a pretty good day.

I'd say so... Good job!

Are you gonna rebuild the motor or are the miles low enough to just drop in??

The 72 looks clean

[A.T. RockDriller]

Oddly enough, Rock, I'm pondering that right this minute.
It will surely get an o-haul when I install the boost system.....which will be happenin' this winter, but I may clean it up....check it out....reseal it....paint it red.... and dump it in.
I just popped the intake off of it 'cause I was curious.
Holy $hit....you wouldn't believe the size of the ports on this thing.
I'll post some pic's of it tommorow.
More later...
Thanks for the comments......all of you fellas.

[fryer1979]

Love that 4x4, very cool.

[glos55]

The 63 is awesome! It has that brute of a look to it. I would love to have it to drive in the Michigan winter here! I'm sure it would laugh at 3 foot snow drifts!!!! Cool Truck!

[A.T. RockDriller]

So on the 351E .....
I scoped it out a bit and am planning on stuffing it as is....sort of.
I checked into new motor mounts....there sure aren't any left in this world....
as far as I can tell.
A feller on another part of the board said he did some research and found that the late '70's jeep mounts were pretty close and with some minimal work would fit.
FTR...they're "Energy Suspension" part #2.1102G or "Anchor" #2280.
I priced them through Carquest at about $7.50 per side....I was tickled.
Then I called Schucks...(O'reilly) and they said they would cost $3.50 per side (lifetime guarantee)........Both made by Anchor.
I hate to split hairs for a few bucks.....but I sure did.
Anyway.....stand by for a report on the actual fit and mods required.

[Vintage Windmills]

I have a 305 v6 and a 351 so I am subscribed! Nice trucks Rockdriller.