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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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'68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
I've been posting for a while and some may have seen some of the pics, but I thought why not, lets' start a 'build' thread.
I wouldn't call this a real "build" thread since I didn't have plans to completely tear the truck down, but I figured why not post some of the work as I go along. Living in NY, with my brother in Las Vegas (NV) I realized real quick, I was better off looking west and shipping back east. Being a 'Camaro Guy' I've had a couple 1st gen's shipped east and you definitely learn to appreciate the lack of rust on vehicles from the southwest. Anyway, I stumbled upon a "1968 Chevy 3/4 ton with Utility Bed" on CraigsList Here are some actual photos from the ad: ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I made the phone call, struck a deal and had the truck shipped from California to my brother's in Vegas, where it sat for a while. Initially, I wasn't too keen on the utility bed, already thinking about pulling it to put on a factory bed. When the truck showed up at my brother' he told me how clean (and rust free) it was and said I'd be crazy to start 'messing' with it. I already knew it was a 396 4 speed, but when I saw the SPID, I also realized it was "Special Paint" (of which I still don't know what specific color it was, but oh well ![]() ![]() In October of 2019 I finally saw it first hand (along with a '68 50th I picked up, but that's for another story) and I just though the truck was SO cool ![]() We flushed out all the old gas (had to change the fuel pump too) but the darn thing ran great! All I had done was put a set of (Wheel Vintique 16" steelies) wheel and tires on it and drove it around for the week or so I was visiting my brother. Here it is at DMV in Vegas for inspection ![]() Even a trip out to Red Rock Canyon ![]() ![]() Then in November of 2019, it was loaded up (with two others) headed back east to my house in upstate NY... ![]() ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Trucks were picked up on a Tuesday evening in Vegas, arrived in NY Friday evening. We assisted in unloading and got them in the new garage...
![]() I drove the 'utility' here and there (still hadn't done a thing to it), and on one trip the carb started acting up so the work began... To step back a bit, I never had plans to "restore" this truck, just clean it up and drive it as it is. The more I looked into things, the more original I was finding it. Original, numbers matching motor, trans, carb, distributor, heads, intake, etc. etc. I've done a few Camaros, and to find something with all it's original parts as this would have been close to impossible. Anyway, I pulled the carb, sent it out for rebuild and started getting into other things at that time...
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Removal of lift gate...
One of the first things I did was to remove the lift gate...
![]() ![]() Fast forward, ..I pulled the step bumper off the 50th I got... cut the ends off, narrowed he center section and fab'd up some brackets to mount it... ![]() ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Engine bay detail...
I started out with the typical dust bowl...
![]() Aftermarket cruise control, manual choke added, extra horn and one heck of a wiring nightmare... ![]() After cleanup... ![]() ![]() Even the original heater box was in two pieces... ![]() Luckily I found an original, cleaned it up and installed... ![]() ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
![]() ![]() Amazingly dent free valve covers... ![]() ![]() ![]() Rebuilt Carb... (Kudos to J&J Carbs of Fullerton, CA) ![]() ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Interior...
While working on the engine detail, ...I started on the interior...
- recovered the dash pad, added underdash lighting, intalled retrosound radio, restored steering wheel, install carpet, etc etc. ![]() Dash pad vinyl replacement... Link to the details: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=dash+pad ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th Last edited by KevinK7; 05-26-2020 at 11:18 PM. |
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#7 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Turlock, CA
Posts: 8,669
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Quote:
![]() Looking great so far. Can you share some details about the steering wheel refurb? That turned out fantastic. Subscribed...
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Please help my sister in law with her battle with cancer https://gofund.me/902f6fce Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) SOLD Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh) SOLD |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Md
Posts: 2,475
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Nice transformation, good things take time. I noticed the wiring under the hood, Scary! Interior looks great also.
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http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635605 |
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#9 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Quote:
- column turn signal switch replaced. - heater blower motor, replaced. - radio harness and wiring - underdash auxilary lights added (from a '67 Camaro : ) - wiper switch, headlight switch ...replaced. - rewired all the rear wiring in the utility bed for the brake/tail lights. - added underhood light Redid the engine harness too, added the tach coil- pickup and 12V wire for the Pertronix, all bundled into the existing harness,so you don't even see them. Pretty much the case for wiring, hours upon hours, and you don't see hardly any of it ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#10 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Quote:
https://www.amazon.com/PC-Products-P.../dp/B0815KTCKR In a nutshell, you seemingly 'make it worse' before you make it better : ), use a hacksaw or similar to open up the cracked areas, fill the voids with the mixed epoxy and let it sit. From there, it's sanding, grinding, more sanding, etc. It takes time, but the epoxy sands relatively easily. It's just tedious with all the curves, etc. but you get there. My truck wheel didn't look 'that' bad starting out, but when you look closely, there are more cracks than you think. It's a bit unnerving hacking away at it (making it look worse than when you started), but you need to open the areas up for the epoxy. Anyway, after all the sanding, prime and paint. On my Camaro wheel, I did use a sprayer (and basecoat...clearcoat) which I'd recommend. For the truck wheel, I used a 'rattle can' and cleared over and it will be fine. My apologies, I forget who on the board here ID'd the Nissan paint code that pretty darn matched the Fawn interior color. I found Duplicolor in a rattle can, so I used it. Note these are not full size cans, get TWO if you're doing this. ![]() Here's some more pics of the process... ![]() ![]() Since I didn't take as many pics as I should have on the truck wheel, here's some from a '67 Camaro wheel I did years ago.
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
I wasn't planning on doing anything with the paint/patina, but a tested a light scuffing with a scotchpad. In no time, I did half the hood.
I'm amazed at how much 'crud' came off. I'll be searching around to see what others have been doing with the patina, but I think I'm going to try lighly polishing it, I just don't want to remove what little paint is left lol ![]() ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#12 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,123
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Subscribing to follow along. You're doing some nice work....
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"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Iowa
Posts: 251
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Subscribed. Amazing work on that clean old truck. The before and after pics of the engine bay are incredible
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Winnipeg, Mb
Posts: 487
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Looking Good! Subscribed
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#15 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
OK, ...so a brief update.
While I awaited my tach order from Brother's, I continued with the wheel reinstall. Then installed a set of Bilstein shocks, I never took any pics. ![]() ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#16 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
...the Brother's tach conversion kit finally showed up. This was the last piece I was waiting for. I even picked up a clock from a member here, so that was already waiting.
The excitement was building, I finally had everything to put the cluster back together. I flipped it over, put the lens in, the cluser back, the gauges, had the wiring all set, etc. Flip it back over.............................................. : ( How the heck did I not see this! .....................wrong lens!! I called Brother's, and they sent out a new ...TACH lens, which put things off another week. ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: New Boston, NH
Posts: 456
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Is that a Coors light in one picture. I am shocked.
Also, in the instruments, it looks like the teach needle is red? Just the picture? See you Wednesday! |
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#18 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Quote:
Coors Light? lol ...could have been. Must have run out of Hudson's or Smokey Quartz ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: New Boston, NH
Posts: 456
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
You would never run out of those. Post #9 has a Coors Light bottle. Probably used it for gasoline. LOL. I know you didn't drink that
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#20 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,123
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
But......I like Coors Light.........
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"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: New Boston, NH
Posts: 456
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
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#22 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
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 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: New Boston, NH
Posts: 456
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Looks great!
Drive it here. |
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#24 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Turlock, CA
Posts: 8,669
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
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.
__________________
Please help my sister in law with her battle with cancer https://gofund.me/902f6fce Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) SOLD Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh) SOLD |
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#25 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Posts: 643
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Re: '68 C20 396 4sp Utility ...resurrection :)
Quote:
![]() 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...
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'68 C20 Utility 396 4sp (BuildThread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806904 ) '68 C10 50th |
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