My Barn Find GEM. What do I need to do to get her on the road?

[benbloom]

Hi all, happy to say that I just purchased my 4th 67-72, and its by far my coolest yet. This is the most original truck I have ever seen, no rust whatsoever anywhere, and no dents on the body AT ALL (original paint).

A couple points i need advice on, firstly, if i am going to wash away that layer of white chalky oxidation is that going to damage the paint? how can i protect that original color?

How do i find out which engine it has (cubic inches)

also its not running, i obviously need to change the fluids and gas, but how about the transmission oil or differential oil?

I bought this truck for 4500, in the San Francisco bay area. Think that is a fair price for something this original and straight?
thanks for the help everyone!

[benbloom]

Also, is this just going to take a 12 volt battery or are some of these 6 volts?

[too much stuff]

Nice score! I would just give it a soap and water bath to start with and see how it looks.
These are all 12v systems.

[hugger6933]

Nice truck, they are all 12 volt.

[custom10nut]

For the paint. One loft the Xperia will know how to get the "chalky" stuff off and not hurt your paint. I think they use CLR, because it'll clean, but not damage, and stop the rust.
Change all your fluids. Even if they look"ok". With the moisture and temp changes where you are, condensation will build up in the fluids.
Change your points, plugs and wires, taking note what they look like when you take them out.
Also do a complete inspection, and change out of your shoes, drums and brake cylinders, and change your brake fluid.
Check the casting numbers on the block for the size.
Tires, change them, as the rubber breaks down an belts will separate and the worst possible time.
If you do the work yourself, for about $500 you'll be safely on the road, and the envy of many..
I hope that one day I have your kind of luck finding such a truck.

[In The Ten Ring]

You basically bought the 1967 GMC version of my truck.

That is a 250 straight six engine. You can tell by the fuel pump being closer to the front of the engine than it is on the 292.

I hope you keep it all original, there are not many stepsides and even fewer with the spare tire on the side.

[Joesjunk]

Nice find, if it was running when parked it should run again. Do you know why it was parked, and how long ago?

[Willie Makeit]

As far as the paint, it looks to nice to use CLR on just yet. Start with Dawn dishwashing detergent and hot water. May need to really scrub it 2 or 3 times to get the aged dirt off. Once it is clean you can tell more about the paint. I would think a good rubbing compound followed by a good wax would make her shine.

[benbloom]

Long as i have it, will absolutely keep it original. no bull**** with this one, id like to keep it that way. Will use clr in certain places, and i plan to use #7 on the body, or at least read up more before i touch it.
was parked for 15 years, not sure why, but hoping it will run!
Also the tires look brand new and hold air well, is it ill advised to drive on those after 15 years?

[NASTY-LSX]

WOW, your so lucky!! I never find deals like That.

[too much stuff]

Hope you get it running, I don't think I would chance tires that old.

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by benbloom

Hi all, happy to say that I just purchased my 4th 67-72, and its by far my coolest yet. This is the most original truck I have ever seen, no rust whatsoever anywhere, and no dents on the body AT ALL (original paint).

A couple points i need advice on, firstly, if i am going to wash away that layer of white chalky oxidation is that going to damage the paint? how can i protect that original color?

How do i find out which engine it has (cubic inches)

also its not running, i obviously need to change the fluids and gas, but how about the transmission oil or differential oil?

I bought this truck for 4500, in the San Francisco bay area. Think that is a fair price for something this original and straight?
thanks for the help everyone!

wow that thing is AWESOME. i agree with most the others...

1. soapy wash and then rubbing compound. for the surface rust spots i like clr and 0000 steel wool, it may take a thin amount of the green paint off, leaving the black primer (check out the first post of the tiffany thread). i like the look of it. i don't like when people shoot clear over it, it just doesn't look right. a good waxing occasionally is the best way to preserve it (imho) and keep it looking original. the paint lasted 48 years, it should last a few more.

2. i think you got info on the engine, to be sure you can check the casting on the side of the block (pass. side above the starter i believe on I-6's).

3. defer to others on the mechanical advice.

4. $4,500 is a good deal for that truck in this area. i wouldn't say you stole it, but it's a good deal. you don't come across them very often in that condition, congrats on the find!

[LongBox]

Congrats on a great find, and a great price. Extremely nice truck. Agree with the decision to preserve it, rather than mod it or rod it.

Make sure you do not run any old gasoline through the pump, carb and engine. It could very well varnish up things like the little valves in the pump, the jets in the carb, and the valve stems. As for the tires, if they are dry rotted, you can usually tell by looking carefully on the sidewalls and in the tread grooves. You will see fine cracks and checking. But, if they are 15 years old, and you plan to drive it, buying new just makes good safety sense.

[72kool]

nice looking truck! im sure it will be treated perfectly and well enjoyed.

as for the tires, is it the end of the world to run them? no. alot of people do.

but this is a high risk, low reward situation. tires do not hold up over time. as stated before. you run a risk of blowout causing costly damage to your gem of a truck , or worse, to you or somebody else from a tire failure while driving.

also, not that people always listen, dot regulations state you can not run tires older than 7 years old on the highways. (this could be state -state variations but a general standard to my knowledge) and can actually get you a ticket if you are pulled over. not often do they if you are not a semi, but still can.

keep us updated on this great truck

[steelhorse]

Great score.

[benbloom]

Thanks for the advice everyone, will keep you updated, hoping to get it running this week!

[truckster]

Do not run 15 year old tires. Just don't. Maybe you'll get away with it, but they're waiting to blow up on you... If you never drive more than a few miles or over 35 or 40 MPH, maybe.

My Blazer has a folded-over left rear quarter from the tire that separated at 55 MPH. That was one of 4 blowouts I had between my motorhome and my Blazer on the cross-country trip from hell. I did a lot of research after that, and I highly recommend getting new tires. It's relatively inexpensive insurance. I won't run anything older than 6 years from date of manufacture now.

[Hart_Rod]

Nice score

[davepl]

This stuff was amazing 30 years ago, though I haven't tried it since:

https://smile.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-...rds=color+back

It removes the oxidation and take you down to rich color in a single step, but you MUST then wax it to preserve it or it'll oxidize quickly again in a week or two. But to get down to the color, it must do it chemically rather than with abrasives, because it's no real work.

And get new tires!