Delivery and Starting of my New 69 GMC

[LongBox]

I mentioned in an earlier thread that I found a real nice 69 GMC 910 with 53,000 miles on it. It's from an estate sale, and yesterday, I closed the deal with the original owner's granddaughter.

A friend and I went to take delivery, and to attempt a start. I was very, very happy when the seller handed me a large box of books and papers, including a GM Factory Shop manual for the 1969 GMC light-duty trucks, the original Protect-O-Plate, the folder that was given to the Grampa when he bought the truck, and about an inch thick pile of receipts for service and parts over the years.

So, on to the adventure of starting this thing. The woman told us that it had not run for two years, but that her dad, who was a mechanic for the telephone company, had told her that he had put it away properly. I bought a new battery (Group 34 fit perfectly), took up my volt/ohm.ammeter, a timing light, some tools, and a spray bottle of fresh gasoline. Took off the aircleaner, sprayed carb cleaner into the inlet filter opening, put the gas line back on the carb, sprayed some gas into the carb, and turned the key. Turned over nicely, but no fire.

Measured, and had voltage at the coil. Coil measured and both primary and secondary windings had continuity. Off came the distributor cap, looked really clean in there. We had a spare "uniset" so took out the points/condenser, and subbed in the spare set. Put the cap on, and tried again. No fire.

Decided to clean the two terminals on the coil, and while I was busy doing that, I remembered that I had not put the wire back on the point set in the dizzy. Cap back off, hooked the points up, cap on, key turned, and SUCCESS! Idles smoothly, engine very quiet, no bad smoke out the back, all dash gauges operate, and oil pressure gauge needle goes to the middle of the scale.

Called it a day at that point, locked it all up, and now waiting for the local motor vehicle registration authority to approve the title transfer, as they would not take copies of the wills and death certificates.Hopefully, can take care of that by Tuesday, but I am getting excited about driving this thing, cleaning it up, and will post more pictures as soon as I can.

[LongBox]

When I got this truck, I managed to get some nice paper with it.

Trying to upload some pictures, but keep getting a security certificate error message. Will try one at a time, see if that helps.

The shop manual:

[LongBox]

and the Protec-to-Plate:

[57larry]

sounds like a good deal.

[71swb4x4]

Rick, the pictures of the truck don't seem to be loading...

[LongBox]

OK, here's some pictures. Right now, the truck is parked in a place where it's difficult to photo, (garage close on one side, and brush on the other). Also, I have not had time to clean it up yet.

[LongBox]

Couple more pics:

[randy500]

Cool truck. I like the dash panel, its very clean. I noticed some odd things under the hood and wonder if its because the truck is Canadian.
1. Fuel filter, nerver seen one like that before.
2. Reinforcements under the engine wiring harness gutter screws.
3. Blocked off hole on the upper firewall to the right of the master cylinder.

Can anyone comment on those?

[ratty69]

Very nice truck! For a local vehicle, that looks pristine. Must have been garaged since new and never winter driven...

[LongBox]

It is pretty damn nice condition. It was garaged until 3 years ago, and the PO was a mechanic for the BC Telephone company. He left a lot of notes, and old receipts for parts. He often wrote the mileage on the receipts, so the 53,400 miles appears to be correct.

The floor, at least on the driver's side, is just like new, and I'm hoping to get "collector car" insurance on it. (It has had that status all along, but if the vehicle is sold, you must re-apply).

It was an estate sale, so unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity to ask about some things, so I guess I'll just have to enjoy finding everything out the hard way.

The previous owner bought it in late 69, and had a lightweight camper put on it in early 1970. It was used for camping trips in BC, and not for anything else.

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by LongBox

Couple more pics:

I cant wait to put my old quadrajet back on my truck. Very nice find by the way! I would be reel happy bringing that one in!