76 Wrecker
 

A few weeks ago me and a buddy picked up a 1976 c30 with a Holmes 440 wrecker for $600 bucks. It has seen better days. It looks to have started out as a police wrecker Robbinsdale, MN. It was bought at an auction by a man named Steven, who used it as is personal rig for buying auction cars. Since getting it home it, seems that he had a thing for horns. We have counted 9 so far. We are replacing the clutch currently. Then to un-stick the brakes. As we got it running stepped on the brakes and they never came off.

This thread is mainly to document our progress but advice is always welcome.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Love it! I looked for something similar before finding my flatbed. I'm glad I have a flatbed, but still wouldn't mind owning a wrecker someday.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

That is pretty cool .

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Classic 70's!!!!

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

that is awesome I hope you keep this thread updated i would love to watch the progress:metal:

put some airbags on the front and it could double as a snow plowing truck

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Still having trouble getting the transmission splines to line up into the clutch. Might need to find a transmission jack. As for using it as a snowplow we had about an inch loading it on the ramp.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Nice truck... there is a guy around me that has one of these and a flatbed )Squarebodies) still in service

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

I've seen that one on Craigslist! Thought it was the one my dad had a few years ago, but his was a 79.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

There is still a number of them in use around here too. Most are the later 81 and up style.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

I see a several of these newer styles still in use around here. a few a year on craigslist aswell. i love to see the 73-79s in use

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Good new we got the trans back in. Took a bit to line up the splines. Just need to install the driveshaft and unstick the brakes.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Friday we picked up a donor for the cab. Came with some other good stuff. Like a 4x4 sm465 and a np205. The cab will need some rust repair in the cab corners but the floors are there.
Also some questions?

Did they move the shifter forward on the 4x4?
This cab dose not have a removable trans tunnel will that cause problems later?
How dose titling work? This cab is newer and has a 17 digit vin. We did get a title.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

I can speak for CA only as far as the title goes. You just plop the cab on the old frame. You would just register it as what ever year the actual cab is, not the rest of the truck, or tow truck in this case.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

I'm not sure about a title in your state, but the shifter location will be the same. Most of the trucks after 1981 did not have a removable trans tunnel. It is inconvenient but not really that big of a deal.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

As of yesterday it stops. Clutch is done but may need some adjustment. We gave it a test drive that went well. Found out it has a limited slip which most likely a gov lock. Not sure what the rear gear ratio is maybe 4.10 or 4.56. More work to come.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Long time no update. A lot has happened. Swapped cabs. Didn't end up using the red one as we found a better one.

Attachment 1937547

We found the engine had 2 flat cam lobs, so we dug deeper into the engine. It had a ridge at the top thicker then a finger nail and was going to need to be bored over. So instead I used a good vortec block I had. A quick hone, plus new rings and bearings and its good to go. Its running a set of vortec heads and stock L31 roller cam. An Edelbrock Performer intake and 650 carburetor top it off.

Attachment 1937548

We also used the serpentine belt setup from the vortec. The fan sits in the shroud like factory. Photo was from before the shroud was put back on.

Attachment 1937549

Still a lot to do. The wiring is temporary to get it moving, because it's useful for moving stuff around. So we put it back to work. I'm thinking it needs a hand throttle or high idle solenoid to up the rpm for when using the pto winch. It's a bit slow.

Attachment 1937551

Attachment 1937550

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Dig it

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Got some more done on the wrecker. The front grill is installed and bumper back on. Even used the truck to move the bumper inside as it is not light.

Attachment 1940435

Attachment 1940433

Still need to get the cab lights reinstalled, but I'm procrastinating on drilling holes in the roof. Also debating reinstalling the visor as I like it both ways.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Nice!!

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

Looks tough! I hear you on the visor. Not a big fan usually but could seem more appropriate on a wrecker.

Re: 76 Wrecker
 

I think the visor would be great on a wrecker.