New Project, Many Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jbboater · 04-05-2006, 09:01 AM

Just bought a 68 swb chevy truck. I have been looking over this board for days and have already found answers to many of my questions. But a few I have not had any luck with.

Patch panels- What company or vendor has the best quality. I notice gmc pauls claims to have heavier stock than the rest. I need pieces to repair the wheelwell on a fleetside, rocker (inner outer) cab supports, cab corners and lower front fenders.

Welder- Planning on purchasing a mig, any input on size requirements,brand etc?

What is the "tower"? I am planning on removing the 250 six and dropping in a bbc mated to a turbo 400 or maybe an overdrive auto (suggestions) but it seems this "tower" relates to the engine size?

Thanks for the help, sorry if I missed any of the answers in other posts but I did try to find.

**Yukon Jack** · 04-05-2006, 09:41 AM

Welcome to the board. You will find the vendors on this board sell good quality parts. I have enjoyed buying from Ed with Mothertruckers, GMC Pauls, Tim with Christian's Classic Trucks and I believe I have also bought from Wes at Classic Heartbeat. You will find that each of these places are extremely knowledgeable about these trucks and that sure is nice when you have questions.

The towers are what the engine mounts attach to. The towers are different between the 6 cylinder, sbc and bbc.

jbboater · 04-09-2006, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

I have found a 77 Suburban 2WD c20 that has the motor-tranny I want (454 Turbo 400). I was hoping to use the PS, front crossmember (to convert to power discs), and air conditioner. I now realize that this truck has the 8 lug wheels. Can I salvage any of the front end or is it all useless to me?

chevy_fatman · 04-09-2006, 07:51 PM

from PA! since your swb is a C-10 (5 lugs) then the 8 lugs stuff is mostly useless to you, what you need is 5 lug stuff, you could sell or trade the C-20 suspension for a half ton stuff.

rtsmith · 04-09-2006, 08:02 PM

I would recomend a solar model 2175 , 220v welder I've had one and using it for over 15 years it welds upto half inch steel and aluminum handles any body panels you need to weld, just my opinion, good luck and welcome from Pa.

Brainchild · 04-09-2006, 08:09 PM

Get the best welder you can afford,you won't regret it.I bought a Lincoln Handy Core at Lowes,and I like it really well.Good welder for under $200,but I wish I had bought one with a gas hookup.Lincoln makes good welders IMO,I have an Arc by them also,good gear,decent price.

mblackburnjr · 04-09-2006, 08:35 PM

One thing i didnt realize at first when i swapped my 6 cyl 3 speed to 350/350 was that the crossmember for the 3 speed is rivited in. I had to hammer & chisel those bad boys.......just a heads up if yours is a 3 speed also.

Brainchild · 04-09-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mblackburnjr

One thing i didnt realize at first when i swapped my 6 cyl 3 speed to 350/350 was that the crossmember for the 3 speed is rivited in. I had to hammer & chisel those bad boys.......just a heads up if yours is a 3 speed also.

Yup all standards are that way.PITA!

04-05-2006, 09:01 AM	#1
jbboater New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: RI Posts: 50	New Project, Many Questions Just bought a 68 swb chevy truck. I have been looking over this board for days and have already found answers to many of my questions. But a few I have not had any luck with. Patch panels- What company or vendor has the best quality. I notice gmc pauls claims to have heavier stock than the rest. I need pieces to repair the wheelwell on a fleetside, rocker (inner outer) cab supports, cab corners and lower front fenders. Welder- Planning on purchasing a mig, any input on size requirements,brand etc? What is the "tower"? I am planning on removing the 250 six and dropping in a bbc mated to a turbo 400 or maybe an overdrive auto (suggestions) but it seems this "tower" relates to the engine size? Thanks for the help, sorry if I missed any of the answers in other posts but I did try to find.

04-05-2006, 09:41 AM	#2
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Re: New Project, Many Questions Welcome to the board. You will find the vendors on this board sell good quality parts. I have enjoyed buying from Ed with Mothertruckers, GMC Pauls, Tim with Christian's Classic Trucks and I believe I have also bought from Wes at Classic Heartbeat. You will find that each of these places are extremely knowledgeable about these trucks and that sure is nice when you have questions. The towers are what the engine mounts attach to. The towers are different between the 6 cylinder, sbc and bbc. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

04-09-2006, 07:16 PM	#3
jbboater New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: RI Posts: 50	Re: New Project, Many Questions Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I have found a 77 Suburban 2WD c20 that has the motor-tranny I want (454 Turbo 400). I was hoping to use the PS, front crossmember (to convert to power discs), and air conditioner. I now realize that this truck has the 8 lug wheels. Can I salvage any of the front end or is it all useless to me?

04-09-2006, 07:51 PM	#4
chevy_fatman Where's my beer? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I live in the state of denial.... Posts: 5,621	Re: New Project, Many Questions from PA! since your swb is a C-10 (5 lugs) then the 8 lugs stuff is mostly useless to you, what you need is 5 lug stuff, you could sell or trade the C-20 suspension for a half ton stuff. __________________ Paul How do you make the invisible, visible?.........You take it away.

04-09-2006, 08:02 PM	#5
rtsmith Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: york pa. Posts: 46	Re: New Project, Many Questions I would recomend a solar model 2175 , 220v welder I've had one and using it for over 15 years it welds upto half inch steel and aluminum handles any body panels you need to weld, just my opinion, good luck and welcome from Pa. __________________

04-09-2006, 08:09 PM	#6
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Re: New Project, Many Questions Get the best welder you can afford,you won't regret it.I bought a Lincoln Handy Core at Lowes,and I like it really well.Good welder for under $200,but I wish I had bought one with a gas hookup.Lincoln makes good welders IMO,I have an Arc by them also,good gear,decent price. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

04-09-2006, 08:35 PM	#7
mblackburnjr collector of vintage rust Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: southern ohio Posts: 421	Re: New Project, Many Questions One thing i didnt realize at first when i swapped my 6 cyl 3 speed to 350/350 was that the crossmember for the 3 speed is rivited in. I had to hammer & chisel those bad boys.......just a heads up if yours is a 3 speed also.



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