Special Tools????

[68chevystepside]

i just got a 1968 Chevrolet C-10 Stepside. I just wanted to know what special tools i will need for this truck. I am going through automotive training @ a comminity college. and i get a discount from Matco. Please let me know.

[krue]

If you've not fooled with vintage vehicles you'll need to discover Standard size tools, your metric tools won't work. What you'll need mainly depends on what you're gonna be doing. For general maintenance a good basic tool kit will be plenty.

BTW Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

[72swb_327stroker_?]

well you will need 1/2", 5/8" and especially a 9/16" deep and shallow sockets....
oh, i thought you said what tools will you especially need...
as far as i know, none, its a chevy!!!!!!! lol

[jugernot]

A good air compressor and air tools are a nice plus. I think a Craftsman 263 pc. Mechanics Tool Set Sears item# 00933263000 Mfr. model# 33263 would be nice

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ools&adCell=A3

[jugernot]

Nice Avatar, I drive over that bridge everyday.

Originally Posted by 72swb_327stroker_?

well you will need 1/2", 5/8" and especially a 9/16" deep and shallow sockets....
oh, i thought you said what tools will you especially need...
as far as i know, none, its a chevy!!!!!!! lol

[72swb_327stroker_?]

Originally Posted by jugernot

Nice Avatar, I drive over that bridge everyday.

thanks, until i can find my dang camera cord its here to stay.
i've been drooling over project lemon drop for ever, and i never noticed you were in novato!!!!!! any chance of a norcal get together that you know of?

[68gmsee]

A couple of long extensions both 3/8 and 1/2, a good 1/2 inch breaker bar (you'll find out why), and good 3/8 and 1/2 universal swivels. Good set of 1/2 inch compressor sockets will help. I use them all the time, and not just with the compressor, because they're deep and sturdy.

Here's some others:

Tool to cut or grind off rusted metal bolts and sheet metal, analog meter, I have a digital one also, and the standard vacuum, timing, pressure testers.

If you can't afford to buy everything at one time, for the most part you can get by working on these old trucks with just a standard set of tools.

[Longhorn Man]

tools for drum brakes is about the only thing that comes off the top of my head.

[stope4]

It all depends on the definition of "special" but as with Longhorn, brake tools for drums are "special". You will need those. Standard size wrenches and sockets (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", shallow and deep), brake line flare wrenches, socket adaptors to go from 1/4" to 3/8", 3/8" to 1/2" and the reverse, socket extensions.

[cruiserman]

Distributor hold down bolt wrench comes in handy . Balancer puller & installer also.

[hotrodhomi]

pickle fork was my most recent "special tool" I purchased unless you count the new cordless saw and right angle drill I bought to take with me to the wrecking yard. I would make sure you get a good fluke muti-meter.

[see ten]

Welcome to the board! Try this thread for starters.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=279193

Seriously, All these guys are dead on. Basic hand tools will take you a long way with these old trucks. My tool collection usually increases whenever I have a job that requires a tool I don't have.

[1fun71]

When I work on mine this is the first tool I reach for.....

Then a big hammer..

[tcb-1]

a bfh, a first aid kit, and some Tylenol!!!

pickle forks, brake pliers, torque wrench, gasket scraper, set of socket swivels, brass head hammer, and a 12 pack of Pabst. (I'm an old school beer drinker......)

[cdowns]

one of the best tools for the money is a factory service manual// available thru most vendors on this board for around $25

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by cdowns

one of the best tools for the money is a factory service manual// available thru most vendors on this board for around $25

amen. period.

[Chevyman680063]

Might want to make sure your tetnus shots are up to date too if it's got any rust, and an ice pack for when you bust your knuckles.

[Matt_ks]

A Big Can Of Wd40!!!!!!

[shifty]

any tools you don't have that are specialty tools can usually be found at your local auto parts store.

example: if you are working on front steering/suspension and you need to remove the pitman arm or ball joints, you can rent a $30 kit with all three forks to remove them at your local auto parts store (i got mine @ Advance Auto Parts)

things like the specialty brake pliers are $5 at auto parts store.

these trucks are pretty easy - like stated before, if you have one of those molded plastic tool kits you get at Costco (like the ones made by Channel Lock, etc.) literally they'll do almost everything you need to do. one some things - like steering stuff - you might be running to the auto store to get 15/16", 1", 1-1/16" sockets, but they're only $15.

i recommend investing in a nice cordless 18v impact wrench/impact driver. they go for $150-250 on eBay for a good one, just make sure it has "electronic brake" and variable speed control is a good feature also. you want something with ~150ft lbs of torque (or more). i just got a nice Dewalt one for $190 shipped on eBay, brand new in box with two batteries, 310+ ft lbs of torque, and it will literally shear off a rusted nut if it can't twist it off first

anything to keep me from smacking knuckles is good - but everythin in these 67-72 trucks seems to use 9/16" or 1/2", and some things use 7/16", 5/8" and 3/4" (cab mounts) and the occasional weird 11/16" nut. All of this comes in any tool kit you get at the store, though.

JUST DONT BUY CHINESE TOOLS

[krazy_texan]

i would say a homemade distributor wrench depending on how close your engine is to the firewall and how tall you valve covers are and the most important thing a 12 pack of cold beer

[Frizzle Fry]

The window crank clip remover dealio is a nice one to have.

[chrislehr]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

The window crank clip remover dealio is a nice one to have.

TRUe.dat