Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

Okay, so here's my story. I lucked into getting a 2WD 1963 GMC 1000 with a utility box, a 305 V6, and a 4-speed standard tranny. It's been sitting for 22 years in some guy's back yard, just kinda rusting away. I spent about 2 weeks (spread out over 6 months) getting the engine back up and running. I had to rebuild the carb, take apart the valves, rewire the alternator and the spark system... It was a lot of little things.

Now I have the engine back up and running, so, y'know, whoo. My next problem is that I have no brakes and no clutch. I seem to have fixed the brake problem for the time being (I'll do a full bleed once I get this thing back on the road), but the clutch is dead. By dead, I don't mean that the actual clutch doesn't work. Mostly, I am having trouble with getting any pressure on the clutch pedal. And when I say there's no pressure, I mean zero pressure. The pedal drops like a rock.

I think that I need to bleed the clutch as well as the brakes, but I can't seem to find where the bleed valve is. Can anyone help me out? Even if I have to rebuild the MC, I still need to bleed the lines, but they split in 2 directions, so I have no idea where to look.

Additional info: The clutch is hydraulic, and the master cylinder for it pulls from the same reservoir as the brakes. When I pump the brakes, I can see air bubbling up through the fluid. When I pump the clutch, nothing. However, if I take the lines off of the bottom of the MC, both pedals pump fluid.

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

From one utility box fella to another...
Well....the easy way to remedy that one is to get under there and crack the line at your slave cylinder...about 3/4 of a turn and then go up and start dumping fluid into your reservoir....to keep it topped off....and give it a while.
After a bit the fluid will trickle down to the slave cyl, and the air will work its way up to the reservoir and bubble out.
When you see fluid dripping from your cracked line, tighten her up.
You don't need to touch the pedal during the process, just make sure it's at the top of the throw.
That should give ya some clutch....
Good luck and where are yer pictures.....?

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

Thanks, that's actually not a bad idea. I have, however, found my problem. The master cylinder leaks too much on the clutch side, so the guy who had the truck before me reversed the brakes and clutch lines... I thought that was a little strange, but at least I have my problem solved for now.

As for the pictures, it's a little dark now, but I'll upload more when I get a chance.

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

Cool truck

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

Has some nice hubcaps too.

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

Yeah... It has 3 different types of caps, so I think I'll just leave them off until I can get a matching set.

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

Check that again, I believe you have a GMC 1500 3/4 Ton truck there. Check the GVW on the tag. It will say 5000 for a 1/2 Ton and 7500 for a 3/4 Ton.

Bill

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

Huh... you're right. It does say 7500. According to the registration, it's a GMC 1000... I guess I'll have to fix that when I get the title signed over. Thanks for that. I just took it for a ride today. All I had was the emergency brake, but man, did it feel good to get that thing moving after 6 months. The engine's snappy, the tranny's tight, and the clutch moves smoothly. I'm glad the guy who had it before was a mechanic.
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Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

Nice truck do you still have it? Mine could be its brother!

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

Nice engines I love them GMC V6s...

Mike

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

What a Beauty

Re: Need Help: '63 305 V6
 

I don't know about MT but in calif the heavier duty the truck the more the tags are, leave it as a 1/2 ton and be happy.