My first 60-66 truck. Garage find. PO 39 years.

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by 1971 GMC SHORTY

What a Beauty Red Seat a Bonus

What can you tell me about the red seats? I am not at all familiar with the 60-66 trucks. I like the seat a lot. Are reproduction covers being made?

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by georgieb51

What can you tell me about the red seats? I am not at all familiar with the 60-66 trucks. I like the seat a lot. Are reproduction covers being made?

Red seat thread here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=red+seat

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by georgieb51

I have watched some of those Vice Grip garage videos. They are very entertaining to say the least. I had no idea they would travel to do work on a truck for a guy like me. I am guessing he would have to drain the gas tank at least?

The biggest mistake people make firing up engines is trying to use the old gas. That is a sure fire way to scuff pistons and stick valves. Old varnished fuel is an engine killer.

I’m sure he’d do more than just drain the fuel. Lots of things need checking before driving something that sat that long:

Wheels bearings
Brakes and hoses
Cooling system and hoses
Belts
Tuneup and carb adjustments
Electrical / wipers
Change trans and engine oils
Check/replace tires
Replace fuel filters
And more

[georgieb51]

Thank you Corts60. This is the kind of thing that I will pay attention to as I get her back on the road. I especially appreciate your last item on the list-- "and more". That covers a lot of territory!

[bigmoe]

For what it would cost to have a garage go through it and get it road worthy I would pay to have it shipped home or rent a trailer and go get it and do the work yourself at home. If you flew up to drive it home you couldn't even take tools, jack, spare parts with you. Even if you did get it roadworthy that's a long way to go in an untested truck. I would want to drive it around locally for a while to get the bugs out before striking out. I've been stranded on the side of the road in the middle of no where on a Sunday before.

[LostMy65]

If you have a truck that could tow it on a trailer, that's the route I'd go.

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

For what it would cost to have a garage go through it and get it road worthy I would pay to have it shipped home or rent a trailer and go get it and do the work yourself at home. If you flew up to drive it home you couldn't even take tools, jack, spare parts with you. Even if you did get it roadworthy that's a long way to go in an untested truck. I would want to drive it around locally for a while to get the bugs out before striking out. I've been stranded on the side of the road in the middle of no where on a Sunday before.

Thank Bigmoe. I have to agree with you. I would really have to find the right mechanic to get things ready enough to drive this truck home, and I too doubt I want to have any adventures this time of year. But I would like to get it running enough with brakes so that I could drive it to wherever a trucker could pick it up. The truck is now in a garage in a residential neighborhood and I doubt a car-hauler of any size could get near it. In the past I have had to drive trucks to wherever there is good access for a tractor-trailer.

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by Corts60

The biggest mistake people make firing up engines is trying to use the old gas. That is a sure fire way to scuff pistons and stick valves. Old varnished fuel is an engine killer.

I’m sure he’d do more than just drain the fuel. Lots of things need checking before driving something that sat that long:

Wheels bearings
Brakes and hoses
Cooling system and hoses
Belts
Tuneup and carb adjustments
Electrical / wipers
Change trans and engine oils
Check/replace tires
Replace fuel filters
And more

I agree with you about the gas. No way am I going to even think about doing anything with this truck until the gas tank is drained and fuel lines cleaned out, and perhaps a new fuel pump installed. Messing around with old fuel is nothing I want to do. I am guessing the fuel tanks come out rather easily by first removing the seat?

[Johns 66]

Nice find....great buy.....As I tell myself its the journey not the destination ....enjoy the journey

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

Nice find....great buy.....As I tell myself its the journey not the destination ....enjoy the journey

I agree with you. Life is all about the journey. And sometimes I forget that.

[franken]

I'd probably start making a list of what needs to be done to it.

Fluid change for engine, trans, and diff
New radiator and heater hoses and a flush, then new coolant
Grease all fittings til new grease comes out
New brakes, hoses, and maybe lines
Full tuneup
Rebuild the carb, flush lines, hot tank the tank
Probably replace the fuel pump
Tires
Etc.

Just the above list plus whatever I've forgotten will add up.

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by oem4me

Having some work done ahead of a cross-country trip sounds like some potential fun, but does not guarantee a trouble free ride. I'ts kind of impossible to guess at how much or how little prep the trucks needs at this point. Hiring a reputable transporter to carry the truck home eliminates all those questions. No, you won't get same experience, but that might end up being be a good thing? Just something to consider.

I appreciate the feedback. I am leaning more in this direction. But I would still like to find someone to get it running so I can deliver it to a transporter. Right now it is in a residential neighborhood and no way to get a transport in there.

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Nice find! I would have it transported, too risky to drive without fully going thru vehicle. Here is what you'll soon discover. Most are not this original. Uncommon to have super straight body, a clean original paint interior with original upholstry. Uncommon to have excellent original wood in bed. Uncommon to have the original un rebuilt 283 ( still has correct dark gray engine color ). This era truck were commonily sold with very few options compared to the heavily optioned '67-'72's. Options on yours appear to be the custom comfort option, V8 option and 3 speed overdrive option. Unfortunately the full syncro didn't appear on pickups till around '67 on some models, so you will have to get use to full stops on the non synchro box, or consider an upgrade to the full synchro 3 speed O.D. (not an easy find) but there out there.

I appreciate the reminder of what makes this truck special. For instance I had no idea that black valve covers are correct although in the engine photo I could barely make out a label on on of the covers with a 283 on it. It helps to have someone else top point out what I am not familiar with. I have never had a truck with 3 speed overdrive.

[LT1 Burb]

Originally Posted by georgieb51

I appreciate the feedback. I am leaning more in this direction. But I would still like to find someone to get it running so I can deliver it to a transporter. Right now it is in a residential neighborhood and no way to get a transport in there.

Some transport companies have rollbacks to run around town and deliver to yards so that is no big issue. I am 2 weeks away from shipping my kids car to Colorado Springs. If it was attractive enough I could consider taking my hauler and some tools out, drop her car, get yours running, and head back.

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by LT1 Burb

Some transport companies have rollbacks to run around town and deliver to yards so that is no big issue. I am 2 weeks away from shipping my kids car to Colorado Springs. If it was attractive enough I could consider taking my hauler and some tools out, drop her car, get yours running, and head back.

I like the idea of having a rollback pick up the truck and deliver it to the transporter. That makes a lot of sense in this situation. Where are you located? I too have a nice set-up for hauling: a car trailer with a winch on it, and a 1995 GMC K2500 with a 454 (and only 60,000 miles). But it would be more cost effective for me to hire a transporter than to drive out myself-- unless I want an adventure. Maybe we could make something work.

[LostMy65]

Wasn't there a thread here recently where someone had their truck transported and I guess they climbed all over the hood and dented it up?

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Wasn't there a thread here recently where someone had their truck transported and I guess they climbed all over the hood and dented it up?

Yes, that was LT1Burbs beautiful truck I believe.

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Wasn't there a thread here recently where someone had their truck transported and I guess they climbed all over the hood and dented it up?

I missed that one about the hood. But i had a story in here a few years back where the transport that was hauling my 1970 K10 SWB rolled over and all 9 vehicles were declared totaled (my truck was declared totalled) and I had to fight the insurance company to get her back. I am still working on that truck, but I at least got her back. I learned the lesson about getting insurance on trucks before they go anywhere. A wonderful fellow on the board here named Dieselwrencher helped me get her back. So transports are not always a happy story.

[notsolo]

Nice Time Capsule, Congrats...On a long Haul purchase, .I had to have a non op truck moved....move it or loose it situation. I hired a local towing / body shop come and pick it up with a roll back.... The transport driver picked it up from them. Couple $100 more this way but worth it...Good Luck..

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by notsolo

Nice Time Capsule, Congrats...On a long Haul purchase, .I had to have a non op truck moved....move it or loose it situation. I hired a local towing / body shop come and pick it up with a roll back.... The transport driver picked it up from them. Couple $100 more this way but worth it...Good Luck..

When I started this thread I was hpoing to find an actual name of an actual mechanic or shop in the Colorado Springs area that would be able to work on this truck and do all that it needed to have done. I would still not mind finding that person or shop but many of you have written about the idea of having a rollback take the truck to a transporter. I am thinking this might be what I will do. Now if I could only find a transporter located in CS that I could have the truck delivered to ai would be all set. Thanks everyone.

[notsolo]

Anything is possible if your not pressured to have the truck moved. Keep looking for a skilled mechanic to wake her from her beauty sleep.

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by notsolo

Anything is possible if your not pressured to have the truck moved. Keep looking for a skilled mechanic to wake her from her beauty sleep.

Thank you notsolos. The owner has offered to let it stay in his garage until Spring 2021. I thought this was quite generous and would buy me some time to get it all organized.

[5Tractorguy]

CO is a ways out... but give Phil Lewis a call from Double M Transport (603)- 842-0022. He's located in Alton, NH... leases through Star Fleet, hauls vehicles in between loads. Also has a winch on his trailer so if you don't get it running in time, he can yank it onto the trailer. Can also get into residential neighborhoods (as pictured below). Great guy to do business with. Had him bring my service truck back from OK earlier this year and was very happy with the price and service. Maybe he can help you out.

[georgieb51]

Originally Posted by 5Tractorguy

CO is a ways out... but give Phil Lewis a call from Double M Transport (603)- 842-0022. He's located in Alton, NH... leases through Star Fleet, hauls vehicles in between loads. Also has a winch on his trailer so if you don't get it running in time, he can yank it onto the trailer. Can also get into residential neighborhoods (as pictured below). Great guy to do business with. Had him bring my service truck back from OK earlier this year and was very happy with the price and service. Maybe he can help you out.


Attachment 2053680

Thanks Jake. I will definitely give him a call. Sounds like he could do what needs to be done!

['65 chevy lover]

Good find! Sounds like a great deal!!