Another 65 Stepside Project

[Gaber65Stepside]

Hi everyone-

I'm new to this site, but so far an excellent site with many similar projects, resources, & inspiration! Looks like I'm one of many who is doing an off-frame restore of a 65 stepside. Truck was from Alabama and "ready for paint" but in reality needs a lot of work before getting to that stage!

The six cylinder/3-speed manual/12-bolt drive train is from a newer truck, but I'm having a tough time finding out from what exactly. Looks like a 250, but if anyone has some insight - here's the numbers:
Engine: Casting #'s CON2 > J128 > 473483, Stamp #F1218TAB
Transmission: Casting #'s Case - GM7 3858986, 7 bolt cover- 3858882 > J225, Tail - 3860042, stamp #S0310.
From what I can find, it could be a mid-70's 250 with Saginaw 3-speed.

Here's a few pics...
As delivered:

Cleanup:

Sandblasted:

Applying KBS Coating:

Frame done - ready to start engine & tranny:


The cab has typical rust, so I have most of the floor, rocker, & cab sheet metal. Gonna have the cab sandblasted & start welding in panels soon. More pix later & will be checking out other threads for ideas & progress!

Thanks for this site!
-DG

[da_bears_da1]

aboard! I just replied on my build to your post. You are making great progress on your truck. The frame is looking good!

What are your plans? Keeping the motor, suspension, trany or doing something else. We love pictures so keep em coming.

[Gaber65Stepside]

Thanks!
The suspension was in great condition and had quite a few new parts. I tore the tranny apart & aside from needing new gaskets & seals, it's A1. The motor had strong compression all around & ran great. I'm still gonna strip the motor to the block and see how I feel from there. It's tempting to update suspension, newer auto, 327, etc. but so far, I'm thinking mostly stock with a few upgrades.

The "as delivered" pic is misleading. There's a lot of cracked bondo on the other side with a mess underneath, but worth rebuilding versus trying to find a new cab.

[Ta2Don]

Good looking start! You are gonna love this board, the folks are great and there is a wealth of info out here!!!
Ditto on what DaBears said about Pics...

[Gaber65Stepside]

Thanks, Don
You are right about the pix. I've been checking out many projects here (including yours, of course!), and they are fun and helpful.

Couple more pix...

Interior: The guy I bought it from had the seat redone nicely, but I'm not sure about red for the color yet.


Tranny all cleaned up, waiting for seals, o-rings, gaskets:


Suspension cleaned up up nicely:


Heading up to "Back to the 50's" car show at MN state fairgrounds today to see what I can scavenge at the swap.

[Gaber65Stepside]

Recent updates...

.040 pistons & standard bearings; new valves...

I went ahead and rebuilt the original carb, starter, alternator and distributor. Replaced bushings, bearings, brushes, etc. as needed. Cleanup's the biggest pain!

Engine in chassis...

A little paint & chrome and it's finally taking shape!


Time to start replacing sheet metal on the cab...

-Don

[JWheeler331]

Looking good so far.

[hopped up]

Great job soo far! I need to find myself a stepper too
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[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. Excellent progress, you're really moving along. Engine looks great. Are you going to run an electric fuel pump, or is the chrome cover just to keep junk out? That's also a very nice looking seat. Hopefully the red color is something that will fit with the theme/style of your truck.

[Gaber65Stepside]

Thanks!

I'm going to install an under-bed gas tank with electric fuel pump. I decided to go with red, so the seat will fit right in. I checked out your build thread - great links and progress pics - I look forward to reading more of it!

-Don

[1963c-10]

Welcome, and great work on the truck so far. Keep us posted on this build.

[McMurphy]

Well Hello there !!
Welcome to the site, and looks like you are off on a running start so far!!

Looks great, I am guessing you found out what size your motor is since you were able to get the parts needed, what is it?
You really got that bad boy blinging !!

Hope to see more from you in the days ahead on this one, look forward to seeing what you do with it, since you are obviously a very motivated builder

[Gaber65Stepside]

Hi Michael-
Thanks for the positive feedback. I checked out your Photobucket albums from your link - nice chrome & detailing on your 63!

My engine block is a 250 from a 78 Chevy C10. The head appears to be from something else, since the plug seats are flat and not tapered like the newer 250's, and it's not integrated. I ordered the valves for a 250 and they matched and fit perfectly, so I don't think the head is from the original 230.

I'm able to put in quite a few hours during the summer because I teach and have most of the summer off - once school starts I don't usually have much time.

-DG

[Gaber65Stepside]

Instead of paying $15-45 for a vacuum advance line, I came up with an easy alternative for my inline 6/Rochester 2 barrel using parts I had lying around (also available cheap).

1. Replace the existing compression fitting at the base of the carb with a 3/16 inverted flare brake fitting.
2. Grab a 3/16 brake line, and leaving one fitting on for the inverted fitting on the carb, bend to fit from carb to distributor.
3. Connect the vacuum advance line to the vacuum advance using a chunk of tubing (probably longer than this one).
4. Clamp down with a cushion support clamp.
   

[Modges'66]

Nice work!
Welcome to the forum!
Forge ahead!

[Bomp]

Nice clean work on the motor and frame.
Along for the build.
Subscribed.

[Gaber65Stepside]

Thanks, Bomp!

I'm about half-way done replacing the floor pans, cab corners, rockers, etc. on my cab (pics coming soon). Your build (and videos) have been helpful - and fun!

Well done...

-Don

[da_bears_da1]

Everything is looking great! Looking forward to watching your build.

[Gaber65Stepside]

Finally finished my major house remodel job, so it's back on the Chevy for a while.
Here's a couple floor "before & after" shots...

[Gaber65Stepside]

The cab also had one damaged area with a good amount of bondo (near the gas tank hole in the cab). As you can see, the previous body work pretty much sucked, so I removed some of the bad metal, formed a new piece, & hope to finish up the cab soon & have it sandblasted.

[Gaber65Stepside]

Oh yeah, decided to go with the under frame gas tank. I bought the Blazer tank kit. Pretty simple install, just remove spare tire mount, a small chunk of the frame, & basically bolt it in...

[Bomp]

Nice patch work. Lookin good

[TJ's Chevy]

Finally saw the build and glad I didn't miss it! Lovin that 6 banger man! Awesome! I hopped up my 292.

[Gaber65Stepside]

Nice... gotta love the sixes!

[Gaber65Stepside]

Stripped down & painted the cluster inside & out. Gauges & speedo tested fine before teardown. Bomp's right about taking pictures during the process for the rubber placement & wiring - It was apart for a few months while I worked on other stuff. I obtained the colored lenses from a craft store & cut to fit. I was able to polish all the original black plastic dash knobs (not pictured) to a decent finish using rubbing compound, but haven't found a lighter yet - most are chrome.

Also a shot of the heater control box - used a black matte finish & my wife's label maker for the text...