1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

I bought this 1969 C-20 here in Santa Fe at the end of last year. It has the less than common 3-53 diesel. The story is that the engine was installed by Sandia Detroit Diesel after they purchased the truck new from Ed Black's Chevrolet Center, Abq, NM in January 1969. I have the owner's booklet showing this business bought the truck new making the story plausible. If anyone knows anything about it, please post your memories. Any old pictures would be amazing to see although there's a slim chance anyone would have them. I'll post picture links as I get time this weekend including the first small project dealing with the split rims. Larger image:
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Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

I wanna see more pics please....

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Here are more pictures including some of the engine...https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mstRNRDxS...52.20%2BPM.png
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Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Here's some of the paperwork, interior and emergency shut-off for some scenarios including runaway backwards running. Note they messed up the original registration and put 1959 instead of 69. That's corrected on the 70 and 71 registrations which I have. That's an interesting plate they made for the warranty, althought maybe that's a common thing.
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Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Here's some info on the no-spin diff...
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Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Thanks for the pics, nice truck. What trans is it runing?

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

I'm liking your truck! Seems you have some great documentation with it. How does it run?

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Thanks, the engine runs well and starts well below freezing. It's not quiet of course and not a speed demon.
Which transmission? That's a good question. How do I identify it? It's a 4-speed with a separate hi/low range and the first gear is a stump puller. I'll need to get underneath to see what was done. I'll eventually take a picture of the glovebox specs which I believe show the 4-speed option although it's unknown if it's still a normal one. They pulled a 350 for the 3-53.
My first small project replaced the split rims with some regular rims bought from Orval Wimberly down in Los Lunas, NM. I put some pictures from that below.
I blocked up the whole truck and took the valve cores out before doing anything. Penetrating oil helped, but each nut was really tough to remove. I thought I would break some studs and thankfully didn't.
I finished just before the rain started that day in the last image.
I'm not sure what I'll do next, but these inexpensive new tires beat the super old ones which had slow leaks.



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Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Much better choice for wheels. When you get a chance, take a couple of pics of the trans and auxiliary box. Would love to know more about your drive train.

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

I would bet its a SM465 just as in the gas trucks, those transmissions are very bullet proof for weight pulling.

Very interesting truck, nice to see it has landed in someone's hands that is helping it make history.

What kind of fuel mileage do you get and what was the total miles when you acquired it?

Keep the story going, this one is rare for sure.

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Very cool, definitely a one off truck

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

As far as mpg, I've not had a chance to calculate that although the previous owner said they got something amazing over 25. It was higher than that maybe because I thought it was crazy high and discounted it.
Here are some pictures of the engine, fuel system and gearbox from underneath. Maybe this set up will be familiar to some. Oil leaks, yes. Apparently the 3-53 is known for making a mess.

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Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Here's another of the other side and driveshaft input. I don't know the exact number of miles. I'm sure the odometer turned over.

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Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Very awesome! I love old Detroits. Nothing sounds like them. When it's time to "run the rack" be sure to do some reading and watch videos if you're going to do it yourself. You'll also need a couple special tools to set the injector heights.

Sweet truck.

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

After installing a new fuel pump on the 3-53 and seeing no pressure (the pressure valve on the side looked good after pulling out/reinstalling), I used a cheap electric and was going again. Seems to run even better now, but that could be my imagination. The old mechanical pump was leaking fuel from the front.
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Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

That is one cool old truck. Could you imagine the fuel cost per week on that thing back in the 70's? Probably less than lunch.

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Very impressive truck

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

I was watching engine masters today and they ran an electric vacuum pump on the crank case of a race car motor to control oil leaks. I wonder if that would work for you?

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

That's an interesting idea. It seems some of the oil dripping down was diesel mixed with grime when the old pump was leaking, but there are still two oil leaks.

Re: 1969 C-20 with 3-53 diesel
 

Old Harleys and Detroit Diesels: If you hang a picture of one on the wall, you better put an oil pan under it. ;)
That is a cool old truck.
There's a mid 70's 4x4 Chevy running around here with a 3-53 in it. That thing sounds great. I spent 20 minutes talking to the owner about it in the hardware store parking lot.