dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Greetings!

I have been a fan of 64-66 chevy trucks since the first time I rode in my dad's ton dump bed when I was 5. That truck was the first vehicle I drove, changed brakes, water pump and did an oil change on.

Since then I have had 8 c10s and a 65 gmc SWB. All of them where made road worthy and sold.

This one is for me!

I was looking for a V8, LWB, 4spd. I though that's what I bought but, because it didn't run correctly (and I didn't look closely enough) I wound up with a 5 spd. That's ok, because it works very well and I think I will enjoy the mileage increase it offers.

MAN! That was long winded!

On to the plan:

I want to pep up the 307 a bit in it, put in a 73 6 lug disc brake cross member, patch up the myriad of rust holes, relocate the gas tank, turn it into a flat bed (I will explain this later) and paint it.

The good:

86 IROC 5 speed
very strong running 307/HEI/4bbl from a 69 chevelle
aluminized dual exhaust
oddly enough, the entire front clip is basically undented and rust free

The bad:

way more rust than I saw at initial inspection
someone tried to weld in sheet steel in the bed and burned through any
possibility of saving it, hence the flatbed.
windshield is shot
someone hacked the wrong sized whole in the dash for a stereo


What I have done so far:

cleaned the stock gas tank and sealed it
new fuel pump
new sending unit
sent quadrajet for a rebuild (it ran great but had to be primed to start)
bought a 94 silverado bench seat, seat belts
bought 3rd brake light from 96 suburban
rebuilt brakes
fabbed by own shifter stalk from 1/2 round bar (first whack at something like this)

I will post pics soon. I can't seem to find the dang thumb drive with all the before pics.

The next things on my list are:

scrap the bed
weld up the rust hole in the drivers door post
rebuild the hinges
weld up the bad spots in the floors

I should have that list done in the next two weeks and will take pics along the way.

dantimdad

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

You've got a good plan of attack!

I am a big fan of budget stuff. Those builds are the most fun because you don't raid your bank account, and you have to use your brain to figure out how to make it all work on the cheap.

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Waiting to see your pics. :metal: I used to run up your way to Fredrick's equipment, hadn't been in a while, need to make a trip soon.

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Thanks guys!

Well, I found the thumb drive and it's corrupt. I will take current pics tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I need to sell/trade the original seat. I repaired the springs, cleaned and painted the lower frame. The back is in pretty good shape so I left it covered.

I might have carpet for it tomorrow. I have been told the carpet from the 94 silverado I got my new seat from will fit with some slight trimming. I think I can get it for $20 and clean it. The only thing left to buy for the interior, besides paint, will be vinyl for the door panels and arm rest (building those) and the visors.

I bolted in the new seat last night, it fit perfectly. Just had to drill the rear mount holes then bolt it in. I wish everything went that easy.

:)

dantimdad

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Hey, chevyrestoguy, lemme know if you want to get rid of the firewall/cowl block off plates. I removed the dog house heater and am cooking up an electric system.

dantimdad

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Score!

I fixed the laptop of the daughter of the guy who runs the salvage yard. In turn he gave me the carpet for my truck!

I will be uploading pics soon.

dantimdad

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

OK, here is what the brakes looked like when I got it and after I rebuilt them:

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...85684424_n.jpg
http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...84229369_n.jpg

I am pretty sure you can see why it wouldn't stop!

Here is a pic of the truck when I first bought it:


http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...92995998_n.jpg

Sorry I don't have more before photos. I will take more as I progress.

dantimdad

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Found a pic of the seat before and a video of the engine when I first got it running.

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...seatbefore.jpg

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...h_IMG_0002.jpg

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Nice truck, gotta love those white/black combos ;)

Looking forward to your updates!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Thanks!

I do like black and white as well, but, my son wants candy apple red with tan interior. Being that I'm color blind, I'll defer to the artistic 11 year old that helps me wrench on the truck. :)

dantimdad

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Another score!

The driver's front door post is rusted out where the check strap goes. I fixed a guys computer who happens to be a tool and die maker where they make auto body and chassis parts. He's going to fab up the drivers door post for me for free.

Then, it'll just be a cut and weld operation. This was going to be the only visible patching I had to do so I wanted it to look good and they don't make that as a patch panel.

I sure hope my luck holds out on this build!

dantimdad

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Great looking truck. Keep us updated as you work on it.

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

I got the carb back from the rebuilder yesterday.

It's just incredible to be able to turn the key and not hit the gas and have it purr like a kitten. :D

Whoever worked on the truck before needs to be slapped. The rebuilder didn't believe the truck even ran before until I showed him a video. It was completely packed with sludge and missing a metering rod!

Well worth $120.

dantimdad

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Sometimes I have to stop and just know when it is time to pay a professional to do the job. Trial and error is ok sometimes, but you would never see me rebuilding an engine; it just isnt in my skill set.
I can tear a carb apart, clean and rebuild it, but adjusting it is something I get someone who knows to do for me.

Good looking project you have! :welcoem: to the board, hope you keep us posted !!

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Well, we would make a good team. I can rebuild an engine but, have never successfully rebuilt a carb.

I definitely know my limitations. However, I constantly push myself to learn new things. The rebuilder is selling me a buildable carb for $50. I am going to get a kit and try it just for grins.

So far, on this build, I have learned to weld, forge and properly adjust a quadrajet.

I am going to learn to lay down candy too. I plan on starting with a fender and do it a couple times down to bare metal and back until I am comfortable enough to shoot the whole truck.

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

UPDATE:

I took a couple pics for you to see where I am at:

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...dad/engine.jpg

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...imdad/seat.jpg

The seat looks like it's got dirt on it in the pic but, it's very clean. You can also make out part of the shifter I built.

I took it for a drive today at it runs like a scalded dog! :D

dantimdad

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

looks good

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Thanks!

It's a start. The plan is to, since it's mechanically sound now, pull the body panels and start repair work on them and pull the engine and trans and start on the detailing on them as well.

Should get started next weekend.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

You are going to love that seat. To me, those are the most comfortable seats for any truck. A touch on the firm side, but very comfortable. I've got one in my '55. It's a solid bench (not a 60/40) with cloth upholstery and a flip-down armrest. I have looked everywhere for another one like it, and have yet to see another one. I'm guessing that it was for a standard cab.

As far as the blockoff plates, as soon as I get my A/C stuff hung back on the firewall, I'll definitely sell them. I got them to keep the critters out while I'm doing my build. My cab is an A/C cab, there are are holes everywhere in the firewall.

You're making good progress!

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Thanks, chevyrestoguy!

It was, indeed, a regular cab. I really like the armrest feature and, you're right, the seat is VERY comfortable. I know where there are 5 or 6 of them in fair to very good condition. Too bad you're not closer.

Well, I am going to start patching next weekend and it will prolly take 3 or 4 weekends to get to the firewall. If you have them by then, cool. If not, I'll fab up plates.

I am going to fabricate an electric heater system so the firewall will be smooth except for a wiring passthrough, brake booster and steering column.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Pretty sure the 68-70 El Camino have seats like that, with head rests. I thought I had one, but the junk yard guy did not want to part out the rig it was in since the car was mostly complete.
Too bad too, because it was in primo condition.

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

I was explaining my truck to a friend and I realized, in the middle of it, my truck sounds like the Johnny Cash Cadillac song:

66 C10 LWB
69 Chevelle engine
73 Corvette intake and carb
94 Silverado seat, carpet, seat belts
96 suburban 3rd brake light
86 IROC 5 speed transmission
mid 80's HEI distributor and alternator

plan on (or have bought):

69 dual float bowl MC
73 c10 6 lug disc cross member
78 cadillac power antenna
76 c20 sway bar

LOL! My truck suffers from mulitple personality disorder yet it's functional.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Here is the first section of rust to be fixed:

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...ostbefore2.jpg

And cutout:

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...ostcutout2.jpg

Tomorrow I am taking the cut piece to a metalworking friend to be reformed.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

I got a few things done on the truck this weekend.

I installed one of the visors from the silverado. The only issue is that it doesn't swing to the side. The only way to mount it causes it to hit the ceiling before it can make it all the way sidways. But, I am going to leave it. It works great as is.

I got my third brake light mounted. Just need to wire it in. It honestly looks like it was designed to go where it is.

Also, the shifter I built works great. It just had an unnerving flex when I put the truck in reverse. I took a piece of 3/16" plate and welded it to the flat portion of the shifter stalk and then ground everything pretty smooth. It's rock solid now.

Plans for next weekend (after the CBI show and swap meet) are to weld in the patch for the door post and the dime size holes in the cowl bubble, install the passenger visor, all the seat belts and wire the third brake light.

I will take pics of where I am tomorrow if I get home before dark... I ran out of light today.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

I figured out the shifter knob and got it mounted to the stalk. It's back in the truck now but, I can't decide on a finish yet. It's made out of a wooden doll head from Hobby Lobby and happened to be 50% off this week! :metal:

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/shifter1.jpg

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...d/shifter2.jpg

Total cost for the shifter stalk and knob: $8.00

I also got some rust patches welded in. Pics of that tomorrow.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

I can't stand idiot lights and I don't want to replace the speedo on the truck so I am adding a Tach, oil pressure, water temp and voltage meter.

Here is the way I mounted the oil pressure and temp gauge:

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...tempsender.jpg

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...dad/gauges.jpg

The panel isn't mounted yet so I can paint it. The temp stays at a constant 185. The oil pressure sender isn't hooked up yet. I had to use PB blaster on the water temp sender to get it out and it hasn't soaked in enough on the oil one yet.

I'm pretty happy with the way it looks. I have something special in mind for the tach install.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

OK, I got the oil pressure sender installed and the lighting hooked up.

Gonna have to change the bulbs out for LEDs. The light is way too yellow for my taste.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

small disk of colored plastic in the bulb well will change it to any color you like.

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Haven't updated this in a while and should have.

I have located all the rust. There is way more than I originally noticed!

But, I have made some progress.

I plugged the heater ports, bled the brakes and drove to my buddy's shop.

I also picked up an electric fan that I will mount tomorrow.

The big news is that the truck ran incredibly well. In fifth gear you barely have to touch to gas and you are at 70. I kept catching myself in a 50 zone and had to slow down.

The temp stayed right on 180 and the oil pressure is good.

I can't wait to get all the patch panels in so I can take it all apart for body work and paint.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

I am going to replace all the visible fasteners with stainless button head bolts.

I polished them tonight.

Here is the process:

Chuck the bolt in a drill

Then run the drill and sand the head with 800 grit sandpaper.

Next, using green polishing compound on a loose cotton wheel, run the drill and press the bolt head to the wheel to polish.

Finally, run the bolt in the drill agains a cotton towel.

The whole process takes about 15-20 seconds a bolt.

Here are comparison picks:

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...mdad/photo.jpg

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...dad/photo2.jpg

The results are worth the effort for sure.

I did 108 in different sizes in about 45 minutes.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Steven
First of all, great project, I am looking forward to following your progress.
Very nice result on the stainless fasteners. I just picked up 18.8 button head cap screws for my valve covers, am going to see if I can achieve the same result.
Craigerrr

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Thanks!

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Finished the welding/grinding part of my cowl smoothing project and got it test fit with the new polished button head bolts.

Sorry for the quality of the pics, the iphone sucks at taking photos.

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...mdad/cowl1.jpg

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...mdad/cowl2.jpg

Obviously, I need to polish the washers and line them up better when I do the final install. But, I am really liking the look.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

BTW, I have done all the welding with a $99 HF wire welder with .030 Lincoln flux core wire. Before I started on the truck I did a couple test pieces, ground them smooth and used filler primer and sanded it. I then tossed them out behind the shed and left them for two months and let them weather. Then I beat the tar out of them with a body hammer to try and make the welds fail and they didn't. I wasn't about to do this project and have the welds fail.

I would love to have a true mig welder and will probably get one sometime, but, for now, I am happy with my results.

Next up is ordering and installing the kick panel patch and the floor board patches.

Then I start stripping, grinding and sanding.

I am getting excited!

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

I was having second thoughts about not using the fleetside bed and going flatbed until I removed it today.

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...5-16-43_33.jpg

The dummy who welded in a metal floor burnt up the front panel of the bed and pretty much the entire perimeter of the sides and the panels where the tail gate mounts. Makes you wonder what people are thinking when they "fix" something.

Anyhow, I am going to HF this week and pick up an engine hoist and get crackin' on engine, trans and cab removal so I can clean, wire wheel and paint the frame.

My buddy is fabbing up the steel channels for the flat bed rim and I am making up strips to hold the wood down that have hidden bolts. I want a very smooth look.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Looks like you got your truck from a family member of the guy I got my truck from.(same type of "fixin" skills):haha:
It starts out a small build but it grows. Your doing great. subscribed.:metal:

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Any progress is just that "progress", just keep going! Looks good so far! The fix will be yours this time, make it like you want it.

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Thanks guys!

I have had a vision for a long time and back burnered it because I thought the truck was in better shape. Now that it's a complete reboot, I am going with what I wanted in the first place.

I should have more pics up this weekend.

Steven

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod
 

Pics of the back half of the frame now that it's painted.

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/o...ad/photo-1.jpg

Re: dantimdad's 66c10 budget resto mod