New Member and New 68 Project
 

I bought a 1968 swb from a guy. Im not sure the engine specs..but it's definately not stock! quite a lope when idleing. He said it was a 350/.30 over /eldebrock intake with holly double pumper . He said it pushed a 400 turbo tranny w/ratchet shifter...it shifts hard and at 2500rpm. It does have a 12 bolt 5 lug axle..he said it was 4.11 gears..?? I do know its geared high because im pretty much at an idle at 70mph.
I paid $1000 bucks for the truck. Cancer has tacken out the rocker panels but thats it. other than no grille or bumpers, I dont think its too bad! Anyone have any sugestions, or comments?

Welcome from Dallas. What's the estimated rpm's @ 70? If it has 4.11's it should be screaming. My beater w/3.73's turns 3000rpm @ 60-65 w/28" tall tires out back. I'm not sure, but if I read the post correctly your rpm's were "at an idle @ 70mph", which would point more to 3.08's. Since the state is so damn big, where are you in Texas?

I live in midland..Now Im not sure what my rpms are at at 70 since i just fixed my spedometer! My wife said I was doing 75 cause she was behind me and my tac showed a little over 3000. Are the 12 bolt rearends posi?

Welcome from Cedarhill, Mo. Sounds like you got a good buy on your truck for a $1000. These are great trucks and there are alot of parts available for them.

They came with open rears standard & you could get posi's optional.

The tag in the glove box said it came with posi/and 400 small block...but.....the glove vin doesnt match the cab vin..so im kinda confused. Anyway..its the fastest vehicle ive ever owned!

Howdy cowboy
 

welcome, from San Antonio,
WOW, my first welcome ever!!!!
Hey I have a few 68 parts, including a sharp 68 grill, and a repairable painted front bumper.
I've got other stuff look here:
photos.yahoo.com/sonnymoonfortwo :bowtie:

welcome from ohio,

Looks like you have a big block 396 truck,good find for 1k

Posi
 

Just Punch It !If It leaves two Black marks then Its a posi:bowtie:

4.11 was not available with the 400 engine(396 or 402)

no small block 400 til 70-80 and none in trucks til 75-80

being that its listed as a 400 on the SPID, it sounds like the glovebox door or cab is later year than the truck, should be listed as 396 in 68, 68 was the first year a BB could be ordered in trucks.
make sure that the VIN code on the SPID label matches the VIN on the door jamb VIN plate, (not the model code which wil be CE10704 if its a factory 68 swb step, if was a fleet bed then is a CE10734 truck)


if it really is a BB truck then it iwll be a 3.07 rear which explains the idle at 70

and posi G80 was not available with 3.07 ratio yet til 70 or 71
4.11 is super rare to find example of in 67-72 trucks, came with M10 O/D tranny option and not available with the 396

sounds like your truck's entire drivetrain has been cusotm built by someone with extra $$$ and time

welcome to the forum

The guy I bought it from said he had the rear end rebuilt back in may 2002. He said they put 4.11 gears in it and the total cost w/ labor was $480.00. From the looks of the pumpkin plate..it has been removed...I do need to re-test it though. I cant take off peeling rubber due to the stahl converter...or just typical holly adjustments! lol .I wish i knew the actual specs on this monster machine. =P
The actual vin on the door and title is CE148S

Welcome the more Texans the better!!!!!!

SWINGSAX68 if cowboy is not interested in the grill I just might be

Welcome from Central IL, sounds like you've got a neat truck!

TJ

I found a 68 grille from bbs1965 for 30. He lives in arlington. Not sure if he still has it or not. How much for your grille SWINGSax68?
Im also having front end problems. Every once in a while when i back up and turn, one wheel turns and the other stays!! then i have to kick my tie rods to get my wheels to cooperate with eachother. The only loose part i see is the isler arm..just very little movement like the bolts are loose that hols it to the frame.

Welcome from California

WOAH!!! Front tires pointing in oposite directions is not a good thing...at any speed.
3000 RPM's at 70-ish sounds an awfull lot like 3.07's to me. That would also explain why you cant spin them out of the hole...the confusing part is though, a high stall converter would induce tire spin, not hamper it.
Lookin forward to some pics of your rig.
Here is why I say 3.07's, this is my 350 powered 69 GMC...TH350 tranny, 28-ish inch tall tires, and a 3.07 nasty-@ss freeway gear.

Welcome to the 67-72 Chevytruck message boards.

welcome it sounds like you got a pretty good deal my truck wont spin much of the line either it has a big block 366 tall deck performer intake and pretty good size cam headers and 3 inch flows 2000 stahl the rear is out of a 82 short w/6 banger probly real high gear but it squirles sideways when it hits second gear at about 3800 so its all good to me

hmmmm
 

well,
Chevyman, Cowboy,
I emailed Cowboy on the grille and other things, I hadn't seen the posts yet, and I have the price upped to $50, But like I emailed to cowboy, we can talk about prices, so $30 sounds fair.....You all just need to catch me when I am in San Antonio, weekends are best.:D :bowtie: I got other stuff just check the link below, I also have a few things I don't have pics of.....just minor things., one good door panel, fuse box, some wire harnesses, engine mounts, front brake lines, fuel lines, a crappy radio in the dash, Door glass...etc., Back-up lamp brackets, 2 3-speed columns. It's like a partial whole truck, man!!!!!! I would like to keep the wheels so when I get fed up with it I can send it away. But let me know guys!!!!!!

What I'm looking for are the shift indicators for an auto steering column, the pointer and Indicator.
thanks
-Roger

Cowboy.....
 

Lets seal the deal!!!!!!!!!!! You have mail!!!!!

welcome
 

Welcome from S.C.