'68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)

[Happy_dan]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

But......I like Coors Light.........

Sorry. LOL.

I just know that Kevin likes IPA's

[KevinK7]

Haven't updated in a bit...
- I had posted previously about an issue with the rebuilt carb. I did contact the vendor, and after checking a few things on my end, I sent it back to them to look at again. I need to follow up with them to see where that is.

I did however get the Fawn upholstery from SMS, and seat is now redone. Going to get that back in the truck, ...and wait for the carb

I was lucky that by chance a good friend (less than a mile away) noted his neighbor does upholstery work. They stopped over Sunday to take a look, I dropped the seat of Monday night, done in less than 24 hours

[Happy_dan]

Looks great!
Drive it here.

[68bowtie]

Dude. Seriously. That seat looks amazing. It's a pet peeve of mine when you can spot an aftermarkert seat by the wrinkles because it's not "tight" enough. That looks great! Color looks spot on too.

[KevinK7]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

Dude. Seriously. That seat looks amazing. It's a pet peeve of mine when you can spot an aftermarkert seat by the wrinkles because it's not "tight" enough. That looks great! Color looks spot on too.

Thanks Tim
I actually commented to the guy who did it, how tight it fit. He said it was 'fun', that it was like bus seat material.
I got the seat back in the truck last night, you should see it with the seat belts
I'll grab some pics once I get it back out of the garage...

[68Gold/white]

Cover looks good!!!

Does your seat have the coil springs in the bottom, too???

I have a salvage yard seat out of a 68 C30, has coils in back only. After having learned A LOT here, about seats recently, seemingly anything goes with seating.

[KevinK7]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Cover looks good!!!

Does your seat have the coil springs in the bottom, too???

I have a salvage yard seat out of a 68 C30, has coils in back only. After having learned A LOT here, about seats recently, seemingly anything goes with seating.

...this is gonna sound odd, but I have to check lol
I am thinking not, but I need to confirm.....and I was there with the guy when he was putting the upholstery on the bottom ... : )

[LT7A]

I'm enjoying this thread. Thanks for all the info on repairing the steering wheel and the pictures. That's a really cool truck that you got. The engine compartment looks great. And I'm glad that you're going easy on the old paint so that you can preserve it. I'll keep following!

[KevinK7]

Thanks for the comments, you brought this thread from hibernation, I haven't posted in a while since my focus has shifted to my garage build.
Not too many updates with the truck, just been driving it now and then when the weather is good.
A couple things to note:.
I don't think I followed up on a 'carb' issue I had. I had my original carb rebuilt, then had some issues with float sticking, dumping fuel all over. It turns out the pickup 'sock' on the sending unit was completely 'disinigrated', and you can imagine where those pieces ended up, yes even with filter inCarb. Once I replaced that, issue resolved, truck has been running fine.

The only other update I can think of (and I don't even have any pics of it on the truck) is the tailgate. With the utility bed, I did find a "READING" tailgate, but wanted to change it. So, I found a 'donor' stepside gate and with the help of a friend we did some cutting and welding.
My truck came has a "Special Paint" code, and what appears to be darn close match is Ash Gold used on the '68 Camaro (it has more of a green hue than gold), so that's what I painted the gate with.

The donor as it was in the junk yard:

[yuccales]

Fantastic build/clean up thread! Under hood before and after pics amazing. The tailgate is awesome! Love that truck!

[68Gold/white]

I think old timers used to refer to "ANY" alcoholic liquid (with the potential to be consumed) as Gasoline, (obviously not real gasoline...). Hair tonic, mouth wash, beer whiskey...long time ago...LOL

[68Gold/white]

Thanks for posting all this info!!!
You've inspired many here to possibly build a utility truck as a driver, I like the idea, and your direction!!!
I hope the condition of the engine is good enough to use on a regular basis.
When I get my big 6 (396, LOL) going, I plan to use a later Quadrajet with an electric choke.
I was wondering about your plans on the brakes? half tons (like mine) had 11X2 drums, front and back, and are sketchy at best (my C10 will get converted to disc). 3/4 ton trucks however had larger drums and shoes. I don't nkow if theres a measureable feel of improvement in the braking of 3/4 ton brakes...or not. I gues theres parts available to convert 3/4 tons also???
Don't throw that old air cleaner away, they are not common. Thene on my 68 396 is sketchy...

I'm thrilled that you have a 68 Golden, also. Will be looking forward to your work on it, as well.
Thanks
Jeff

[KevinK7]

Thanks for the comments
Jeff, I am still running the factory (drum) brakes, I haven't even touched them and they are still fine. Plenty of pad left, and honestly at normal driving speeds (ie I ain't racing this thing) it stops just fine. I did however purchase a C20 (8 lug) Disc conversion kit (I can't recall who from, but will check if someone wants that info) but I have held off installing since the truck has been fine without.

My next planned upgrade is exhaust, but going with factory 396 manifolds turns out to be a bit of an issue since there are a limited number of vendors who make the dropDown pipes.
I didn't want to go to a full 'concours' system (ie cost) adding I was planning to keep the current routing where they dump out in front of rear tires under utility bed. I also didn't want a 'frankenstein-ish' chopped up system. I ended up contacting Waldron's exhaust (out of Michigan) and they were willing to sell me what I needed, from the manifolds back, about 4-5'.
Those pipes showed up a couple weeks ago, along with an order I placed for a set of FlowMaster FlowFX mufflers. I am hoping in the next month or so to tackle this, so I'll add here once I complete.

Kevin

[68Gold/white]

I'm looking forward to seeing what those pipes look like.

I'm a little surprised that the interior was fawn. I do know it was the primary interior color of 67 (correct me anyone?). I'm not sure if I've ever seen a 68 with Fawn...awesome job!!!

Carry on!!!

[68bowtie]

Fawn is what my 68 came with from the factory too.

The tailgate looks nice!!

[nicklear36]

Love the seat

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

Thanks for the comments, you brought this thread from hibernation, I haven't posted in a while since my focus has shifted to my garage build.
Not too many updates with the truck, just been driving it now and then when the weather is good.
A couple things to note:.
I don't think I followed up on a 'carb' issue I had. I had my original carb rebuilt, then had some issues with float sticking, dumping fuel all over. It turns out the pickup 'sock' on the sending unit was completely 'disinigrated', and you can imagine where those pieces ended up, yes even with filter inCarb. Once I replaced that, issue resolved, truck has been running fine.

The only other update I can think of (and I don't even have any pics of it on the truck) is the tailgate. With the utility bed, I did find a "READING" tailgate, but wanted to change it. So, I found a 'donor' stepside gate and with the help of a friend we did some cutting and welding.
My truck came has a "Special Paint" code, and what appears to be darn close match is Ash Gold used on the '68 Camaro (it has more of a green hue than gold), so that's what I painted the gate with.

Cool. Those are good details. I think a lot of us can appreciate not going full concourse - leaving the frame attached, and fixing up what is there. For luck on the garage build too.

[68Gold/white]

I'm posting here to allow others to visit this thread, which is sooo cool!!!
The Ash Gold color doesn't look too far off from the Anniversary Gold (since you have a anniversary 68 You will know for sure). The anniversary color is a dull gold color, and doesn't get any better looking with age.

Where did you get your carpet? I'm sure you had to cut the shifter hole?

My htought on anything needing attention in future might be the valve guide seals. WHen my 396 was together and running, they were part of the oil problem...

Thanks again!!!
Jeff

[KevinK7]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

I'm posting here to allow others to visit this thread, which is sooo cool!!!
The Ash Gold color doesn't look too far off from the Anniversary Gold (since you have a anniversary 68 You will know for sure). The anniversary color is a dull gold color, and doesn't get any better looking with age.

Where did you get your carpet? I'm sure you had to cut the shifter hole?

My htought on anything needing attention in future might be the valve guide seals. WHen my 396 was together and running, they were part of the oil problem...

Thanks again!!!
Jeff

Jeff,
Thanks again for the comments.

I ordered the carpet from StockInteriors.com. When I was looking into it, I was 'price comparing' with ACC (Reference image below). I ordered the 80/20 LOOP, High Hump, with Mass Backing (sort of like jute padding on the backside) and indeed DID need to cut for the shifter.


The '68 'Anniversary Gold' is more gold than "Ash Gold". Being a Camaro guy, I've seen a number of '68's in Ash Gold and it's more greenish. Over time, as with the Utility truck, the green seems to fade more towards gold.
I need to grab a pic of the new tailgate since there are areas on the utility body that were covered by the lift gate brackets, it's a close match.

As for the valve guides, there is a tad bit of smoke when I start it, so the seals are probably due for replacement .

Kevin

[loudchevy]

You cleaned this C20 up nicely! Well done.

[KevinK7]

Originally Posted by loudchevy

You cleaned this C20 up nicely! Well done.

Thanks Scott , ...but what you're doing to that '70 is amazing. I am always SO impressed with the skills members on this board have, unreal

[68Gold/white]

Glad to see someone else appreciating that C20 of yours!!!

I hope you can work on your 68 Gold pickup soon!!!
Jeff