TwoFiftyShifter's '64 GMC budget project

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Haven't gotten any parts since last time, might be getting some more sheetmetal next week though. I clamped the only stepside fender i have onto the bed and the step too. Also put on all of the slot wheels. Lookin cooler!

[TwoFiftyShifter]

The going debate for me now is whether to do a motor swap. I want to slap this thing together and drive it in the fall..... That's my short term goal. The 230 runs pretty well and I'm debating on keeping it in there for NOW, or since I'll have it in the garage with the front clip off anyway, stick this baby in there:



That's a good running 400..... Should bolt to the bellhousing, right? I'm not really sure what's involved with a motor swap.

[Captainfab]

That 400 will bolt up to the belhousing you currently have. You will however need to get a flywheel that is for a small block 400. All other small blocks up thru 1985 can use the same flywheel, except the 400 because it is externally balanced. You can have a standard flywheel balanced for a 400 at a machine shop, or buy an aftermarket one. If the correct flywheel isn't used, you will have a serious vibration which can also cause other damage. If you need any other help just holler.

Oh and the truck's looking good! I really like aluminum slots....

[LILRED66]

Easy Off oven cleaner will strip the paint and shouldn't hurt the chrome.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Looks like I will get something else for it this friday...... A pretty nice grille support and set of hood hinges, I offered a guy in jersey $100 for both and we're gonna meet. Do you think that's a fair deal? Here are some pics.

Also, are there any more front clip metal parts other than fenders, innder fenders, grile support, and those two rad braces? My truck has so much rot up front I can't tell what's all eaten away near the radiatior.







Also, is there a big difference in GMC/Chevy grille supports? Just a matter of drilling holes?

[joe231]

I didn't have to drill any holes on our '66, have had both a gmc and chevy grill on it, the 60-63 may be different....i think that grill support is well worth $100 by it's self..

[TwoFiftyShifter]

The guy also has a solid det of inner fenders for $100. Does that sounds like a good deal to anyone else? Repro inners are $130 a peice on LMC so I think it's a deal.....

[joe231]

Originally Posted by TwoFiftyShifter

The guy also has a solid det of inner fenders for $100. Does that sounds like a good deal to anyone else? Repro inners are $130 a peice on LMC so I think it's a deal.....

i would say yes, much better than the re-pops and less than half the price

[protrash64]

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Got parts galore yesterday. Bought a nice grille support, nice inner fenders, both cowl panels, and a set of hood hinges for $175. I will have pics soon. A friend of mine happened upon a BN radiator support, and gave it to me, I just owe him some beer. He has a 67 SWB so he has no use for it. The front clip is mostly there now. I still need to gather the following - Both Doors, tailgate, steps and a passenger side step fender. I might get a better hood too, but those aren't cheap.

[TimE]

Sounds like it's coming together nicely for you. The core support deal is killer and the price for the other parts sounds good too.

So what have you decided to do motor wise?

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Not quite. I love driving Junior, my parents 57 SWB 235 w/ 3 on the tree, and the 230 runs well and is the original motor, so I'd like to keep it.... But the 400 is what it is. My only other car is a 4 cyl VolksWagen, so I'm craving the V8. I would say its 75/25 that I put the 400 in there. It seems to be a simple swap, so I'm leaning toward the 400. I wonder if the stock 3 on the tree will hold up to it If I taker easy?

[TimE]

IMO, the 3spd should hold up fine unless you put sticky tires on the back and hook it real hard. As long as it spins, it should be fine. If you were to break it, in my area anyway, they are easy to come by and pretty cheap.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Yeah, we have a second one here too. We also have a TH350 pulled ffrom a running driving car (was hooked to the 400) so maybe the motor swap isn't the question now, it's a tranny swap..... I do like to bang gears though, and Muncie's aint cheap.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Took some pics of the parts. Now I have most of a front clip.







I'm gonna start working on the brakes soon, the rear axle needs everything, at least one wheel cylinder is leaking, but I think that might be the reaon I have no brake pressure, it is a single master cylinder afterall.

[jgarverick]

Looks good man. I know how tough it is to find decent parts up here in the land of salt.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

UPDATE!
It's been awhile since I posted in this thread, I figger I'd update it. Last time I posted I had no working brakes or lights, well now I have both of those. However, I have decided to tear the front end down and replace it, I have a whole front clip from south carolina, inner fenders, chrome grille, grille and rad support. I'm gonna be prepping those for paint and putting them on. I also decided that I'm gonna tear the 230 out and put the 400 in it. I did some measurements and it looks like the 400 will mostly bolt-in. Not exactly sure about the distributer clearing the firewall, I'm gonna have to search that. Anyway, this IS an upstate NY truck for 45 years now, so I have some rust repairs before I slap the V8 in there and start painting.

The truck is going to be painted Navy Blue, it's original color, but I was thikning of painting the inner fenders navy blue instead of black. What do you guys think of this? Thanks for looking!

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by TwoFiftyShifter

UPDATE!
It's been awhile since I posted in this thread, I figger I'd update it. Last time I posted I had no working brakes or lights, well now I have both of those. However, I have decided to tear the front end down and replace it, I have a whole front clip from south carolina, inner fenders, chrome grille, grille and rad support. I'm gonna be prepping those for paint and putting them on. I also decided that I'm gonna tear the 230 out and put the 400 in it. I did some measurements and it looks like the 400 will mostly bolt-in. Not exactly sure about the distributer clearing the firewall, I'm gonna have to search that. Anyway, this IS an upstate NY truck for 45 years now, so I have some rust repairs before I slap the V8 in there and start painting.

The truck is going to be painted Navy Blue, it's original color, but I was thikning of painting the inner fenders navy blue instead of black. What do you guys think of this? Thanks for looking!

Thanks for the update. V8's perches mount in the forward holes on the frame. V6 & V8 perches are different. You can leave the perches where they are but it will be tight on the firewall to dist. I've seen several mounted on the V6 perch. This small block is mounted to the rear.





This is mine mounted to the front.



If you move it forward you might have to lenghten the drive shaft depending on the trans you run. Also think about fan to radiator clearance.

As far as the inner fenders I'm partial to have them the body color.

[aerotruk63]

Now this will start something, sell off the 400, keep the six and modify it as you go along. You'll be surprised at the power and torque you can get out of a six. And the parts are cheaper too.
You must have a horseshoe up your ... to find all these parts so cheaply especially up north here.Course this advise all goes in the toilet with the great finds your discovering! No interior pictures?

[TwoFiftyShifter]

HA! Can't really sell the 400, it isn't quite mine. My dad pulled it out of a car a couple years ago, so If I told him I wanted to sell it and keep the money he wouldn't go for it, but he thinks it would be cool to stick into my truck. Yeah I get some good deals and free stuff too, my dads been building hot rods since he was 14 so he knows tons of people for that stuff. The interior is nothing special, I'll be sure to get a pic of it soon.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

You know what, I'm still not set on the V8. I'm kinda low on cash, and I want to be able to put the front end back on and drive it soon..... I'm thinking of keeping the 230 for now.... I bought a chrome valve cover for it and haven't put in on yet.... I can clean her up nice and rebuild the carb. I just know the radiator and clutch and possibly the transmission will just need replacing shortly after the 400 goes in there. I don't know what I want!!

[aerotruk63]

Find a head off a 194. it's a closed chamber head so it'll up the compression a bit. I'm pulling out my 6 cyl HEI unit if you want it I can send it to you. Look around for headers for your 6 and if your lucky a four barrel intake and carb something with a vacuum secondaries. Lot's of modifications you can do to a six using small block parts.

[aerotruk63]

This is what I started off with! Your not far off from mine, K maybe yours is better! Picture is from 1987.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Man that is too cool! The 63 grille is my favorite of any 60-66, GMC or Chev. I'm pretty set on keeping the 230 now, I even have an offenhauser 4bbl intake.... What do you want for the 6cyl HEI?

[aerotruk63]

Look at it this way I'm not going to be using it and it's just one more thing on a shelf with other things. Pay for the postage and it's yours. Seems like the way this thread is going. Keep it cheap and keep it fun.