82 chev 3/4 wrecker

[Old Truck Man]

Sometimes we need a push to get a stalled project going again. I have a 83 chevy wrecker. The 350 had bad rod bearings so its been setting a few years. and in 2018 I never bought a single vehicle however I did sell 4 trucks. That changed New years Day. I went to a car hoarders estate auction. and Ive been wanting a 59 or 60 Pontiac 389 engine. And I bought a 60 Pontiac 4 dr with a 389. also bought a 390 ford T bird engine and a 56 GMC truck 316 Pontiac engine and stick trans. I managed to load the two engines in my 66 GMc with a couple of cable come a longs. That left the Pontiac setting since 1970 rockers touching the ground. So The next day I went to work. Pulled a 305 from a 86 truck. Pulled the 350 out of the 82 and installed the 3o5. took me two days. I drove the 82 two miles to the river & back. Then took it on its maiden voyage to Missouri to fetch that tin indian home. Used my tow dolleys under the front wheels. made the trip without any trouble. That 389 mill is going to find a new home in a chevy truck. backed by a SM 420 granny 4 speed.

[cadillac_al]

The old girl's got style, and solid too.

[Palf70Step]

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

The old girl's got style, and solid too.

I paid $275 for the Pontiac. I only want the engine. It needs everything. and its a more door. doesn't have a title. The interior would cost plenty. Not something I would be thrilled to drive. so it will bite the dust. Its really not a good parts car because there aren't too many folks needing parts from a 60 Pontiac. I think a demo derby car is its fate. That's why I like trucks. On a 60 thru 66 truck. new floor mats. seat cover, cardboard for glove box & sun visors and a quart of paint and you have a interior. and I can do that myself. I have a complete 62 olds out back 4 dr Htp. solid complete car. and ive never sold a part from it in ten years.

[Dead Parrot]

With the somewhat thaw in trade with Cuba, maybe some of those old car parts would sell there. They seem to have a nice ability to keep pre-embargo cars running.

[andyh1956]

Too bad that Pontiac wasn't a '59 Impala, you coulda used the fins on your Wrecker!
I know where a Pontiac engine is w/ an Iron Auto from an early GMC. Was up in the hay loft of an old barn & the barn has fell in. That engine's in there someplace...

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by andyh1956

Too bad that Pontiac wasn't a '59 Impala, you coulda used the fins on your Wrecker!
I know where a Pontiac engine is w/ an Iron Auto from an early GMC. Was up in the hay loft of an old barn & the barn has fell in. That engine's in there someplace...

Yes quite a few GMC trucks had Pontiac engines and hydromatic trans. I sold a 55 GMC last year that had the 287 engine and a three speed stick trans. They never put any 389 engines in GMC trucks. In 57 you could get a 347. but in 58 it was a small bore with a 370,s stroke 336 cu in. and in59 it was a smaller bore yet with a 389's stroke still 336 cu in.

[andyh1956]

Thanks for the tutorial! Always was interested in those Pontiac GMCs but was never around any

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by andyh1956

Thanks for the tutorial! Always was interested in those Pontiac GMCs but was never around any

When I was a teen there was this older guy always drove Pontiacs and Buicks. He was a big tough guy. Nicknamed Scatter Brains. Was a logger. He owned a 59 GMC log truck and had installed a 389 four bbl engine in it. That truck could smoke the 10.00-20 rear duals. He drank a lot. He always had a dead skunk nailed to the wooden truck bed at the back. I asked him why he kept a dead skunk on it. He laughed and said when the cops stop me I go stand right by that skunk. They cant smell if im drinking. They don't hang around very long.

[Evldoer]

That wrecker looks familliar- I seem to recall helping some character load a small generator into a truck that looks just like it. The guy said he was going to go pick up an old pontiac.
In return I received a nice tour of the fellas collection of treasures! That was one of those rare days when you are reminded that there are still some good people out there!

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by Evldoer

That wrecker looks familliar- I seem to recall helping some character load a small generator into a truck that looks just like it. The guy said he was going to go pick up an old pontiac.
In return I received a nice tour of the fellas collection of treasures! That was one of those rare days when you are reminded that there are still some good people out there!

Yep I enjoyed the time we spent together. And I managed to sell you some parts to boot!

[Old Truck Man]

Used the old 82 wrecker quite a bit lately. My sons tuck burned so I towed it to my place. I bought a derelect B farmall and winched it from a thicket on to my tilt top trailer. and I bought a 88 chev 4 wheel drive at a estate auction and towed it home. also towed a 67 T Bird home from Peel Ark. It was a slow pull over a couple of those mountians.

[Old Truck Man]

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