Times gone by an old 65 C-10

[Racer2172]

Ok so the background on this truck. I bought it sight unseen back in 1999, shortly after being assinged to my first duty station in San Diego, CA. It was in my home town back in Colorado, I had asked my dad to find me another 67-72 chevy like the 68 I had in high school the 65 C-10 is what he found for a lofty sum of $700 bucks. After a month or so and having the tailights repaired so the truck was street legal, we set up a plan for me to meet him half way between him and San Diego which was Richfield, Utah. We met up I took possesion of the truck and started my return trip only about five miles into it began to have Carburetor issues, which was headed up Richfield pass when the temps were still rather chilly from what I remember, and when i discovered that the heater core had been bypassed so no heat. I managed to get the truck to run by feathering and pumping the gas rather continously the entire trip back which was close to 500 miles. After running some b-12 gas treatment through it ran great as any old 292 straight six you could ask with 4 on the floor and rather steep rear gears. 70mph was max and any temps over 75 the engine wanted to over heat. I drove it to and from work in San Diego for about 4 months with the clutch making noise, while replacing the water pump, then the fuel pump which filled the crankcase with gas, suprisingly an oil change and fuel pump later it ran but smoked a little, till the cluctch finally gave up the ghost. i pulled the transmission and clutch and later the motor which is the status it has remained in aside from some minor attempts at fixing things here and there. It has been stored inside and outside for the last 13 years now and I have held onto as I want to get it going again for my oldest son who is now 14. Fortunately being stored in CO and now Nevada it is fairly rust free. I found the original owners manual in the glove box along with the build sheet still partialy intact behind the seat. It is my son's truck and will be his first truck provided he maintains good grades and puts in the time and effort to get it running and driving. The only obstacle to that is he lives with his mom and we only get time about 5 weeks a year togethe,r so as long as i can keep him interested we might just get it running and driving by his 16th birthday which is Novemeber of 2014. We did get a good start on things this last week while he has been here. Pictures to come when i get home.

[International Texan]

Great story, can't wait to see some pics and progress.
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[Ta2Don]

Awesome Story, Welcome Aboard!!!

[Racer2172]

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Here is where we started last week
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[Racer2172]

Posted via Mobile Devicekid at work cleaning and original build sheet in thee seat
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[Racer2172]

Posted via Mobile Devicebath time
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[1963c-10]

great story and a great project to work on with your son.
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[Racer2172]

Time for an update. The son is back home with Mom, but we did get the front clip off and cleaned up. New gaskets came in for the motor. Oh and while perusing the good old craigslist this last sunday i brought home another 65 C-10 L6 believe to be 292 4speed that has some great parts if i can bring myself to tear it apart or it might just become the shop truck as it runs and drives the original AM radio even turns on. Its got some bumps and bruises and appears to be fairly rust free. Now just to find the time to get to work on these things. Pics to come on the parts/shop truck.

[Racer2172]

Long time since an update here, well the son never took an interest after the last post in 2013. He's out of school now and living the life at home with mom. For sentimental reasons and well after almost 21 years of owning this truck I still have it. It moved with me to Washington state and work got in the way of ever getting anything done. Fortunately since then I met an amazing gal who puts up with my car and truck hobbies and since we are now married we kept her place in Nevada and the truck is up there waiting in storage. Finishing up my last tour in the Navy in Arizona of all places so hopefully it will be back in the rebuild progress again soon. My younger daughter and step sons have show interest in these old trucks, so time will tell. Hopefully it wont be another seven years before another update. Funny how life changes and gets in the way of plans. But this old truck is the one vehicle I have owned the longest and as of now is over half my life.

[88Stanger]

Well, its good to have you back!
Thank you for your service!
Now get to work on the truck!! LOL

[Corts60]

Welcome back buddy! We all take breaks; I myself took about a 3 or 4 year break from posting on the site. But we all come back and it's nice to have the same folks around that have been here forever. Even if it does take another 7 years, hopefully we'll be here to post and jeer.

Exciting news your retirement is coming up soon. I got out of the USCG just under 9 years. If I would have stayed in, I would've retired in 2022. But that's ok, life has been good outside too. No regrets.

[Racer2172]

Well made the family trip north for Turkey day, while we were there I brought the old truck home to AZ, hopefully start making some progress again. Scored some free parts off another C10 builder.

[88Stanger]

Interested in your progress as you start, dont forget pics!! LOL

[Racer2172]

Not much new, still so busy with other projects and the job hunt havent had time to dig in yet did move the truck accross the back yard yesterday had to replace the last tire was on it from when I bought back in 99. It finally gave up the ghost and blew out. The paint job on said wheel that i did in 2007 is still holding up pretty well. Hope to get some things done on the old truck soon. Maybe this summer when the race car is parked i can get to it.

[The Rocknrod]

Good idea. Park the race car and work on the truck.