'68 Longbed Stepside First Car

[ChevyNewb]

My son and I are attempting to clean up this '68 stepside. Not sure we have the skills, but we will learn as we go!

[ChevyNewb]

Day 1 consisted of cleaning up the mostly clean interior and an attempt to get some of the sidepanels off. Realized I need something to cut the rusted bolts off. Hoping my Dremel with a cutting wheel will do the trick!

[ChevyNewb]

Got myself some air tools. But got the wrong size cutting wheels
Maybe get the bed off this weekend. 2 hours to get the door panels off to get to the side mirrors. Good times.

[Pop's C-10]

Invest in grinder..you can you bigger cut of wheels that will last longer & a wire wheel for tha frame & such..

[ChevyNewb]

took the advice on the grinder. we got the 4 bolts and the improvised C-clamp holding the bed on off in no time. Need some help getting the bed off the frame, but we are there.
Anyone have advice on getting the side fenders off? Can't get the grinder in there enough to grind them and don't want to jack up the outside trying to cut the heads off the screws. Have tried PB Blast, but doesn't seem to get it done...

[ChevyNewb]

Went to work on getting the grill off. Thank God the bolts in front weren't rusted. Before and after shots. The body is in great shape and really just needs sanding and painting.
Figured out it has a Pontiac engineNot sure if that is blasphemy or not

[ChevyNewb]

Pontiac engine...

[ChevyNewb]

Only spot of missing steel I have found. Think I have a guy for that...

[ChevyNewb]

full day. bed off the truck and both stepsides off. Pics of the grinder king in action.

[ChevyNewb]

Few more of the frame and such...

[BuiltwithIvy]

everything looks in pretty good shape, Instead of grinding it all off, I would go purchase a wire wheel and knock the rust off and put a coat of POR15 or some other rust inhibitor. I personally used a spray can with a hammered finish and it turned out great with a little effort, keep up the good work!

[Pop's C-10]

post pics of tha motor, cause a 3.8 would be a V6..looks like they jus used a shroud that fet that rad..cause that is wayyy to small to be in a truck

[ChevyNewb]

Pic of the motor...
Friend of mine said the same thing about the Por15. We are going with that on the frame, but needed to get the bed crossmembers off, most of them weren't really holding anything on
Thanks for the advice

[Pop's C-10]

I've never seen a 3.8 in a full size truck & it's really a buick motor...does it run?..how does it drive asfar as power wise?

[ChevyNewb]

Turned over when we had gas in the tank. Owner said it "slipped" when going into gear. I have the option on a 67-68 Chevy engine. Have seen a few choices locally as well. I am really not a great motor head, will have to plan this out prior to getting her finished...

[ChevyNewb]

Still working on the frame sanding, grinding, blasting. Got my POR15 tho!
So much to do on the truck, gotta prioritize. dont know how you guys do these over and over

[ChevyNewb]

Ok, got the side off that had the most rust. Sandblaster was constantly clogged, thanks Florida humidity...

[ChevyNewb]

Pay no attention to the radiator fluid on the ground...looked empty to me!

[ChevyNewb]

Ok, here is the question of the day. I have found a Chevy small block 350 for sale locally. would that be too much torque for the 350 tranny? how do I make sure that it IS a 350 tranny. The modular location appears to be the 350. Engine guy help please!

[Pop's C-10]

You would have to get a chevy trans..tha one bolted to that trans...either get a chevy turbo 350 or a 200 4r overdrive..which will bolt up to you trans crossmember & you won't have to move it or get a new drivshaft..

[ChevyNewb]

thanks Pops. The tranny looks like the pictures of the TH350 I see in the manual. We are still a bit away from the engine going in...I will keep researching.

[ChevyNewb]

We are now so far out of our comfort zone...interior is out, drive shaft is pulled. still need the gas tank and the rest of the electrical out, but I r skeered to do it
Pull the master and the bolts and we are down to the frame...

[ChevyNewb]

Hey anyone have any super tricks for removing door rubber? long process by hand, heat gun maybe?

[ChevyNewb]

Stupid ignition. "turn to acc, insert a metal rod, turn and pull the ignition out" ya right! lol
only thing left on the cab at the moment. good times

[ChevyNewb]

Good progress today. Made a small cab dolley and got the cab off the frame. Cleaned up the frame and the cab. soooo close to painting the frame...