1966 1-ton project

[geasson]

I recently bought a 1966 GMC one-ton with factory stake side bed. It only has 9800 miles on it and I believe that when you look under the cab and under the dash. The motor is a 305 V6 with a 4-speed. The seat and floor mat are original. The bed is rotted and I took it all off today.

So, far I have had to pull the gas tank, FULL of rust. A new tank and sending unit has been ordered. I watched all the videos and read all the stuff about cleaning a tank and decided that mine was too far gone.

Attached are a couple of pictures before starting on it. More to follow. Not sure if I will restore or just get it running and drive it. No dents, no rust holes ANYWHERE.

[aerotruk63]

Very nice historic piece. Pictures for reference under the hood would be handy.
Give it a bath!

[geasson]

Had a good weekend working on the truck last weekend. New tank and sending unit install and finally running, not well, but running. Carburetor is in desparate need of a rebuild, that may be next. Not sure if I will try and to it or find someone to rebuild it. The attached pictures show the original floor mat (cleaned), and some other pictures of the underside. The PO says that the 9800 miles on the odometer are original miles.

[geasson]

A couple more pictures

[TJ's Chevy]

Hi an welcome! Very nice truck there! A common upgrade on these 305's is to convert to a 500 cfm holley 2 barrel and dual exhaust. Also an HEI helps a lot as well. Makes for a nice little increase in power and you can put some better mufflers on there(if you want a different tone). I did a 600 cfm 4 barrel mod on my 305, dual exhaust, HEI with the msd 6al box. With flowmaster 40's it pulled way better than stock and sounded great! Currently doing a complete reseal and light rebuild on it. Rebuilding carbs is fairly easy long as you keep in mind how things come out and put them back in the same way. Also be sure to set things to spec. I would also pull those valve covers and make sure all the valves are in spec as well. .012 intake and .018 exhaust. It is a common thing for some shade tree mechanic to sinch them down and then the engine will perform poorly. Have any questions don't hesitate to ask! And if your not subscribed here: http://6066gmcclub.com/index.php I would encourage you to join us!

[geasson]

THanks for the info, I am subscribed to the 6066 page as well. I will post some pictures and info as well. I am not sure what I am going to do with my truck, keep it or sell it. I have too many projects, but this one was a unique piece. My Dad was a GMC dealer for 47 years, starting in 1954 and we had a wrecker
with a V6 that we drove forever.

I am going to get the bed on my truck sandblasted and painted and new wood and then decide what to do.

[jesseo]

Love it. I just bought a 63 one ton. Need to pick it up next week and find out what straight six I have. I will be following your progress for sure.

[clemdaddy]

Nice find... always had a soft spot for those one ton'ers. Finding an original bed that straight is next to impossible... Congrats

[geasson]

Haven't had a chance to do much on my 1-ton, the fall was really busy and now I am trying to put my CJ2A back together. Too many projects and not enough time. I still plan to get the bed sand blasted and possibly powder-coated and then put in new wood.

Contemplating rebuilding the existing carb or putting on a new Holley. Opinions???

[LostMy65]

Clean truck.

[geasson]

I need to rebuild some of my original stake sides. Anyone know where you can get the nuts that go onto the carriage bolts? They leave a flat surface that locks into the wood.

[Captainfab]

I'm not quite sure I understand what these nuts look like. Are they flange nuts? Can you post a picture?

Originally Posted by geasson

I need to rebuild some of my original stake sides. Anyone know where you can get the nuts that go onto the carriage bolts? They leave a flat surface that locks into the wood.

[DPowers]

Here maybe?
https://shop.stafast.com/t-nuts

[Captainfab]

I thought of those, but I just don't think those will work with carriage bolts

Originally Posted by DPowers

Here maybe?
https://shop.stafast.com/t-nuts

[Moarplease]

Whiz or wiz nuts. Also called serrated flange nuts.



Adam

[geasson]

This is what the fasteners look like.

[Moarplease]

That's a It backside. Screw or bolt head on the inside?

Adam

[Moarplease]

If it's an actual carriage bolt then that special bolt is no longer produced I'd bet.

Adam

[geasson]

That is the back side of what appears to be a carriage bolt. They look like a special tool is required to put them in.

[Moarplease]

Not exact but a sex bolt or barrel bolt would work well.

Adam

[Captainfab]

Those are a specialty nut that takes a special socket or spanner wrench to install them by grabbing the 3 notches. I have not seen anything like those before. If you need them, they will likely need to be custom made. They really wouldn't be that hard to make.

[clemdaddy]

i've seen those on old wood side racks before and i think that the 3 holes are punched so that they become a spike on the other side. as you tighten the bolts they stab the wood to prevent it from turning... of course, i'm usually wrong.

have you removed one yet?

[Bomp]

Welcome, cool truck, I'm in.

[coyn]

They're not exactly the same but I have used T-nuts to do something similar in wood parts that I have made in a previous job. They lock into the wood and allow you to bolt through them. They work very well.

https://www.amazon.com/Hillman-Group...5868899&sr=1-1

[geasson]

I have not removed one yet. It looks like the carriage bolt was pushed thru the hole and then these were screwed on with some sort of special tool. I need to get one out to see what they look like, but I wanted to see if anyone had rebuilt original stake sides.

Thanks for all the good info and input. Your help is appreciated.