71 Ol' Blue

[71Sleeper]

Hello Everyone,
I just found this site about a week ago and have been glued to it for hours on end reading the ongoing builds. A little about myself, I am 34 married with kids and really enjoy classic cars. I am born and raised in Alabama and love to hunt, fish and watch college football.

This will be my third 67 thru 72 chevy truck. Owned a 72 step back in high school and a 67 in my air force days (pre-kids) which I spent a lot of time and money on. Got out, married and then kids. So guess what happened next? New bills and wife said truck had to go. Still sick to my stomach to this day about it. And then to add salt to he wound I was stuck with driving a little sidekick. Now 11 years later I have found myself a 71 c10 custom that is very solid and all original minus wheels. Found on CL from a local guy who got it from the PO in Owensboro, KY.

Now I have a very big decision to make. Do I keep it all original "OR" customize? The boat anchor 307 motor fires up and runs but has a knock in the bottom end. Don't really want to spend the money on the 307 when I have a great 64 327 double hump head set up that would be a perfect fit. But number matching and loads of documents on this trucks keeps me guessing on what direction to go. Interested in any input. Here are a few pics to see what I am starting with.

[FLDBRED]

That's a real nice looking truck! You could always pull the 307 and put it on the side if numbers matching is going to bother you. Leaving the 307 stock in your truck might not offer what you are after,and modifying it would ruin your numbers matching deal. Hey that's a "good" problem to have.

[71Sleeper]

Thank you FLDBRED, I kinda luck up on finding this jewel. Hurt a little on the price of $4k but the body is straight as far as I can tell. My plan is to strip it down to the metal and go back with the original 71medium blue with white top and bottom. The current paint was put on in 2004 and is a single stage which is faded pretty bad. I want to really drop this truck but haven't decided how far to go with it. Watching the other builds here has got me pumped!

[wyoziff]

Hey, nice truck. I guess you have to decide what you want your truck to be or what you need to do to sell it later for the most $$$. Don't feel bad about your price I've looked for years and I'm sure you know this since youve done it before, you go real cheap you'll be up to 4,000 in no time anyway if you buy a few high dollar parts, or have some body work done. I'm working on a 71 that somebody gave up on. It's my first rodeo. Any chance you could post a pic of the back of the gas pedal and how it attaches to the rod assembly? I think the guy may have cut the rod and I can't figure it out. Thanks

[71Sleeper]

I really don't plan on selling this toy. I have been in search for a good straight 67 thru 72 truck for a long time. I guess it being all original is slowing me down because I know there are some out there who would cuss me for modding it out. But I am already making out my wish list of parts and have the 327 in shop now being worked.

I will try and get the picks for you tomorrow.

[wyoziff]

Thanks, I would really appreciate that.

[VA72C10]

Welcome! Looks like a nice truck and I think 4K is a decent deal for a nice clean SWB. I don't think you need to worry on hurting the value with swapping the engine. This isn't a camaro or number's matching vette. That being said, save the complete 307 in case you ever do sell and the next owner wants to go back to 100% stock. On the suspension, an ECE 4.5/6 drop is a nice riding and looking drop which requires no modification to the frame. You can save the original springs/shocks etc if you want to also...

And before you strip it down and spend $$$ on paint...buff up a spot of paint or try to find someone who can buff it...you might be surprised how nice it looks. I've seen a old single stage paint job buff up to almost like new with a little work!

[CHEVY_BOI93]

wow thats a heck of a truck. nice find. it looks really clean!
if i were you i would keep everything stock. it looks pretty stock already. so why not keep it that way. maybe freshen up the interior and clean the rally wheels and give it a buff. and she'll look really nice...with the motor. just go with the 327 heads. or drop in a nice 350. give it some extra power with a 350

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice looking tuck welcome the greatest board on chevy trucks.

[71Sleeper]

Thanks Guys for the warm welcome and input.

Va72c10, I will look into the ECE drop. This is one item on my wish list. Do you have a recommendation on the rim size and offset for this drop that will tuck in the wheel well nicely?

So far on the motor is the Edelbrock performer RPM cam and intake, with a 670cfm street avenger, ceramic summit headers, with 2.02 DH heads. Of course the rotating assembly is all forged steel crank, rods and TRW flat top pistons.

Now, I am running the 3peed stock tranny for now with the 3.73 rear-end. I know the 3speed is not going to be in there long, but I don't want to convert to an auto. This is going to be a weekend cruiser and I like driving the standard for added enjoyment. The question is what would be a good standard upgrade to the 3speed? The engine guy said the 327 should be around 340 to 350 hp. So, I will need a tranny that would hold up to my lead foot.

[71Sleeper]

Guys, I need a power steering bracket and a low mount alternator bracket for a short water pump. Can't be a head mount bracket because of the DH heads. Any suggestions or help would be great.

[71Sleeper]

Soon it will be out with the old and in with the new. Should get my 327 from shop this weekend. But the bad is I have to work this weekend. So, maybe I can get the swap done next week.

[71Sleeper]

ttt

[chevroletracer350]

Man, that is a great looking truck.

Well, being me, I'd keep it all original. Even with the original motor in it. That's what I like, but not everyone is the same as me. Also, you have a second motor sitting there..
You could always drive it until it blows, then put the 327 in it.

All original is worth more most of the time I think, not to mention, neat as heck.
But if it's going to be your truck until the day you die, then do what you'd like with it.

I guess down to it - If it's getting bad and it's your DD, I'd put the 327 in it and work on fixing up the 307. I'd keep the stock stuff around, that way you can always put it back if you want to, or sell it.

[butternut1972]

Nice truck. I think you did good getting a good truck for 4k. I agree with VA72C10 try and buff it out first then enjoy it for awhile.

[71Sleeper]

If you only knew how hard of a decision it has been. Reading all the build post here, because I so want to customize this truck. I have an engine crate that I will be storing the 307 in for the future. This is a project truck that will only be a weekend cruiser. I will due as VA72c10 has suggested in only making changes that can easily be replaced with the orginal parts. That being said; I have drop springs, wheels, and new exhaust coming in the near future. As long as the wife gives her approval or if I can keep her in the dark long enough to get what I want. "It's easier to ask for forgiveness then for permission"

[71Sleeper]

Just a pic on some of the documentation on the 71custom. Even have the original bill of sale and i owe you slip. The first owner traded a 68c10 in on this 71c10 with a final purchase price (drum roll plz) of $1,738.00. The owe you slip states the that the owner wanted the white walls of the tires rotated inward and for bumper guards be installed on the front. Pretty cool having all this kind of documentation.

[1970 custom]

I just wished my was all stock like that I got a 70 custom I stumble across every thing original expect for motor no owner book bill of sell man I jealous of ya lol but u got one heck of a deal on that beauty nice truck
Posted via Mobile Device

[litew8]

Welcome from Iowa. Nice truck! Looking forward to seeing what you do.

--
What's the bed look like? It's a SWB correct?

[71Sleeper]

Yes it is SWB here is a up close pic.

[71Sleeper]

ttt

[71Sleeper]

The big brown truck showed up yesterday with gifts. Well, not really gifts more like luxury spending on new toys.

[71Sleeper]

bump

[David67]

that shot looks familiar!! great looking truck! can't wait to see what direction you go with it.

[Zoomin]

Stock or modified? A solution to this is to simply buy another truck. Restore this one and mod the other. By the time you get this one fixed, you're going to have a pile of parts that you are going to have to sell or use on another truck, right?

No charge.