1969 C20, CST. 396, 21,000 mile documented Survivor

[Dmoore]

I just mounted 4 Michelin's. LT265/75/R16 LTX A/T2.
I had only one taking more total weight than I would like. It was asking for 6.25 inside & 3.00 on outside. These wheels all have some degree of run out. The others not bad at all. I will Road force balance that one Monday see if I can match mount it and get that higher weight requirement down.

[Dirt's72]

Some examples of what I believe to be the correct air filter for that truck.


https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=827291

https://www.classicindustries.com/sh...-1240902125242 Product #M3361

https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=289643

At least they look just like mine. Mines all covered up and dont want to dig it out.
And I must say I agree with you on the bumper guards. No thanks

[Dmoore]

Ok experts, Is this the correct air cleaner assy for a 69 396???

[Steeveedee]

Looks like the the one on my '70, but way nicer.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Dmoore

Ok experts, Is this the correct air cleaner assy for a 69 396???

First I'd like to say welcome to the board and that you have a great low mileage truck that you just don't see anymore.
As far as the air cleaner, the lid appears to be correct but I don't ever remember seeing that type of air horn base on these trucks. It reminds me of a passenger car base. The base that I think it should have has a longer horn that is usually oriented towards the left side of the engine. Also, the base would not have a provision for a heat riser for 69.
I think I have a air cleaner assembly that came off a 69 396 that I can take a picture of and post here.

[Dmoore]

Thanks for your input Dave that would be great!

[Dmoore]

Originally Posted by Dave

First I'd like to say welcome to the board and that you have a great low mileage truck that you just don't see anymore.
As far as the air cleaner, the lid appears to be correct but I don't ever remember seeing that type of air horn base on these trucks. It reminds me of a passenger car base. The base that I think it should have has a longer horn that is usually oriented towards the left side of the engine. Also, the base would not have a provision for a heat riser for 69.
I think I have a air cleaner assembly that came off a 69 396 that I can take a picture of and post here.

I pulled this photo of a 396 engine from a 69 Chevy truck full line brochure. I'm guessing that would be the correct air cleaner assy. It's looking more and more like someone helped themselves to various items on this truck during it's life, auction stint, etc.

[Dmoore]

I am also guessing there were Calif emissions such as this A.I.R. system on this one pictured.

[factorystock]

Yep, that looks like it. Even has the correct decals for '68-'69. This is why we on the forum hold time capsule vehicles in such high regard. To find a vehicle that was basically left alone its entire life is a rarity and were all eyes when a low mileage survivor vehicle pops up. I believe air pumps were used on 1/2 tons in CA only, but other states are possible.

[Steeveedee]

Yup, that's the A.I.R. pump on top of the engine. Never seen real-life stock exhaust manifolds painted orange, though. Also, the A.I.R. manifold doesn't seem to have a pipe to #2 cylinder. Maybe it's just that the picture is fuzzy.

[Dmoore]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Yep, that looks like it. Even has the correct decals for '68-'69. This is why we on the forum hold time capsule vehicles in such high regard. To find a vehicle that was basically left alone its entire life is a rarity and were all eyes when a low mileage survivor vehicle pops up. I believe air pumps were used on 1/2 tons in CA only, but other states are possible.

It is my belief that this truck is indeed a low mile original, signs are all over it, but like I mentioned, some parts were swapped by a low life who wanted them for his truck. I've seen it with low mile cars in many examples. Well shouldn't be too hard to find the correct air cleaner base I wouldn't imagine

[Dmoore]

The AM/FM radio is another example.

[factorystock]

The engine code should be

[jocko]

Yeah, ya gotta watch out for those lowlifes that swapped out their original GM AM for a same-year GM AM/FM... (I promise I have kept the old AM on the shelf, just in case ).

A few thoughts on mileage claims since original mileage has been such a large topic in this thread. For the prices these trucks are selling for these days at auction or even in just regular old ad sales, the "I believe it to be correct" mileage claims mean less and less - even when the claims are unknowingly valid. I also believe the mileage could certainly be correct/original for this beautiful truck based on the few pictures, but since it's been such a large part of this thread, I have to ask - does the owner of the truck have any documentation that backs up the claimed mileage? These trucks are old enough now that there are more than a few high quality 10 year old restorations that look like slightly weathered originals today (or put another way, that look like non-HD use originals looked in 1982..). Again, based on the condition of the truck, I don't expect that to be the case here at all - but with some of these trucks in Vette territory at auction (some well beyond the price of the average Vette), I'd submit mileage claims mean very little nowadays without documentation. For example - IF this truck were up for auction and I was willing to pay a premium for a low mileage truck without documentation of the miles, I'd want to understand the mirror evolution before plopping down a small fortune. If it had the original mirror holes in the doors - that would actually be a good indication of the truck's originality given that the currently installed mirrors weren't available when this truck was new, but I can't tell in the smaller pics - are there mirror holes in the doors? With or without mileage documentation, this truck's high value point is its exceptional condition. And since I'm not in this game to flip on BJ or Mecum, just to enjoy these old trucks because they remind me of when I was a teenager driving them, condition is really all I consider when buying, I'm not too concerned about the actual mileage (for me, I'm more concerned with actual mileage when buying a much newer, but not brand new, truck - and with that extra odo digit, the 'is it rolled over' question doesn't apply unless my low mileage truck has over a million miles on it). BUT, BUT(!) if there is valid documentation to prove low miles, then it does sincerely bolster an old truck's value on the market these days when the condition supports the claim. What I'm saying is that the owner of this truck has a gold mine on his hands with or without documentation for miles. If documented, then in the auction and private seller arena, his gold mine is a little deeper.

[Dmoore]

Jocko thank you for your input. The mileage is documented on 2 titles and is stated as actual. There are other original papers such as insurance riders, bill of sale, that state the mileage as well. This truck was in a large collection with other similar Chevy trucks in Ill. When the man passed and the entire collection was auctioned off. This particular truck was sold at a Kruse auction. Current owner has the flyer. I never doubted the 21,000 mile odometer for a second after spending the first 5 minutes with this truck. I have been documenting extremely low mile Mopar muscle cars for decades. Many of which I have owned and a couple that have sold at auction for big $$$ that were not mine.

As I stated in previous comments this truck has had a few of its original parts removed by unscrupulous individual or individuals that owned the same year truck. No doubt about it. It is not going to take much to procure these items and get them back on the truck. With you guy's help I am well on the way!

[Dmoore]

Originally Posted by factorystock

The engine code should be

Thank you!

[jocko]

Originally Posted by Dmoore

Jocko thank you for your input. The mileage is documented on 2 titles and is stated as actual. There are other original papers such as insurance riders, bill of sale, that state the mileage as well. This truck was in a large collection with other similar Chevy trucks in Ill. When the man passed and the entire collection was auctioned off. This particular truck was sold at a Kruse auction. Current owner has the flyer. I never doubted the 21,000 mile odometer for a second after spending the first 5 minutes with this truck. I have been documenting extremely low mile Mopar muscle cars for decades. Many of which I have owned and a couple that have sold at auction for big $$$ that were not mine.

As I stated in previous comments this truck has had a few of its original parts removed by unscrupulous individual or individuals that owned the same year truck. No doubt about it. It is not going to take much to procure these items and get them back on the truck. With you guy's help I am well on the way!

That is awesome to hear - what a gem. And I'm glad the new owner is taking the time and interest to put the few little things back to stock - just like this truck should be.

[Dmoore]

The new owner is my dentist. He doesn't have a clue as to what is correct. He has known me for over 40 years and trust me to make it correct. It's the only way I know.

[Dmoore]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Yup, that's the A.I.R. pump on top of the engine. Never seen real-life stock exhaust manifolds painted orange, though. Also, the A.I.R. manifold doesn't seem to have a pipe to #2 cylinder. Maybe it's just that the picture is fuzzy.

Steeveedee the manifolds were painted with the engines and burned off quickly.

[Steeveedee]

I don't remember that from my time at an assembly plant or dealerships, but I'm not going to argue it. That was a long time ago.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by Dmoore

Steeveedee the manifolds were painted with the engines and burned off quickly.

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I don't remember that from my time at an assembly plant or dealerships, but I'm not going to argue it. That was a long time ago.

You are both correct apparently. I wonder if the practice was abandoned at some point.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by jocko

factorystock was referring to steel wheel color silver (earlier) vs white (later).

Jocko, this is one of those rare period photos that shows the wheel color transition on a dealerships lot, the white wheel '69 must be a new arrival. Still has argent silver painted hubcap. The white painted hubcaps, too match the white painted wheels, came soon after this. This is another example of how '69 was so confusing.

[Dirt's72]

Jocko rehashes a good point about if the original mirror screw holes are visible on the door. Also what is the white plastic piece on the side of the carb? Those hood hinges and release latch on the radiator support are some of the cleanest I've seen other than on Pete's restored K20.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Jocko, this is one of those rare period photos that shows the wheel color transition on a dealerships lot, the white wheel '69 must be a new arrival. Still has argent silver painted hubcap. The white painted hubcaps, too match the white painted wheels, came soon after this. This is another example of how '69 was so confusing.

Cool picture indeed.

[Dmoore]

Originally Posted by Dirt's72

Jocko rehashes a good point about if the original mirror screw holes are visible on the door. Also what is the white plastic piece on the side of the carb? Those hood hinges and release latch on the radiator support are some of the cleanest I've seen other than on Pete's restored K20.

That white piece is the choke pull off.