$500 trucks are still out there

[jayoldschool]

I need to blow out my lines, too. My truck just won't run. New tank, new sender. I know the pump works, it will run on a jerry can plumbed into the pump. Has to be a plugged line.

[jdl71]

Originally Posted by 64nlo

if you get new front fenders, I would like to buy the old rusty ones. they match my truck and I want orig paint instead of primer black..

I will keep that in mind, but the drivers side is really bad. And I think shipping them would probably cost more than they are worth.

[LostMy65]

Followed your signature link to here.
How's it coming along?
You said the ad said 66, but it is actually a 64 as you wanted.
Why did you want the year 64?

[jdl71]

You might be sorry you asked:

My grandpa bought one used around 66 or 67 I would guess, my dad told me "when it was a couple of years old". Straight 6, 3 speed, no trim or chrome anywhere, am radio and deluxe heater. (I remember the three levers). Dad got it after grandpa died and traded it in on something (no idea what which is unusual because I can remember every car we owned from the first time I had memories) in the early 80's. I was probably 10 or 11 but loved that truck, and have loved the body style ever since. It was white, longbed fleetside. I had a mighty mouse sticker stuck to the glove box. It also had some kind of cobbled up trailer hitch. Someone fairly local bought it from the Chevy dealer my dad traded it in at and it was around for a while, but by the time I could drive I had lost track of it. About 15 years ago or so we were cleaning out a room in the house I grew up in after my mom had died and I found an insurance card or registration or something from the 70's with the VIN on it. I set it somewhere so I could "get it later" and never did. I've long given up on finding that truck but I've owned several others over the years but had never had one just like his. This is probably as close as I will ever get. It's green, but can be painted, has thrift air heater, which can be changed, but it's a 64 long fleet, no trim, painted grill, 230, 3 speed.

As for how I'm getting along. I've got another thread somewhere about a bog in the carb or ignition I'm fighting. I've gone through the brakes, pretty much everything is new except for one or two steel lines. Once I get it drivable I will tag and insure it and start on some body work.

[jdl71]

One thing I forgot. I said I had given up on finding it, and I pretty much have, but every time I see a '64 long fleet for sale on ebay, craigslist, whatever, I try to get a look at the dash to see if there is a faded glue outline of Mighty Mouse.

[LostMy65]

Not sorry.
Glad you shared.
Grandpa trucks are the best memories.
.
I was very little when my Grandpa got his 65.
We went everywhere in it. Lots of camping.
My uncle got it in the mid 70's. Now my cousin has it.
My cousin is currently bringing it back to life.
Here is an old pic:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...28#post5566328
.
I recently found an even older one with my Grandpa - taken in the early 70's.

[LostMy65]

$50 for an online find lost vehicle private investigator is how I found my old 65 again.

[jdl71]

I've seen that picture before. Love it. I've been through that and the other nostalgia threads end to end several times. Been through yours at least twice as well.

I really am not that interested in trying to find it. It was getting rough the last few times I saw it and that would have been 84-85 at the most recent. I would imagine it's been made into something else by now. I have absolutely nothing to go on either other than this picture and you have to look close:



Yes, that is I on the Massey lawn mower and my dad's pinto in the background. The first car I have memories of. That would have been around 74-75 I'd guess. The pinto was a '74 bought new. Seeing that picture again brought back one more memory. On the back glass of the camper there was a sticker with a snake and "don't tread on me". Seems like that was big in the 70's.

[LostMy65]

You're probably right. Finding it might be a disappointment.
.
Right around 74 my parents also bought a pinto brand new - same color - but ours was a station wagon with the fake vinyl wood down the side. :-)

[jdl71]

My mom's cousin had a Pinto wagon, but no wood grain. It was the Rustier shade of brown or bronze or whatever. I always thought those cars were cool. I followed the Pinto also, it went away about 5th or 6th grade. An older kid in high school bought it, whom I am still friends with to this day. No idea where the car is and haven't asked him about in 30 years or so, but I harbor a secret desire to have one of those also. Just don't let it get out. lol. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[LostMy65]

Thank you, too.
'Don't tread on me' and 'keep on truckin' were the two stickers I remember most. Well, the oval STP also.
Not to mention the peace symbol.

[dtkarst]

They are still out there! I like the look of the plain jane trucks for some reason, always remember them the most as a kid. My 66 GMC was a $500.00 pickup and it was bought from my current town which is my hometown at the same place my dad bought his 72 Monte Carlo brand new in 72, which he still has. Having some trouble getting mine started though. They seem to pop up when you arent looking.She was parked in 1980 when the rear end carrier messed up and hadnt seen sunlight until I came along. Old tube type tires still hold air too!. heres a picture of her

[jdl71]

I've been following yours also. That was a great find.

[gar187er]

you cant find decent trucks around the rust belt for $500..... you guys get spoiled in the west and mid west!!

[hotrod66]

Originally Posted by gar187er

you cant find decent trucks around the rust belt for $500..... you guys get spoiled in the west and mid west!!

True but there still a degree of rust on them, usually just sheet metal. not many have structural rust though.

[jdl71]

Time for an update. Here's where I'm at now: Brakes gone through, pretty much everything was rusted up junk. I bought 2 new drums, had the other 2 turned, 4 new wheel cylinders, all new shoes, hardware kits, hoses, master cylinder and I think there is about 2 sections of steel line I did not replace.

Bought a couple used 235/75-15 tires for the front. At the moment I have 7.00-15 mud tires on the back that are about 35 years old. I actually like the look of them, they have good tread, one has a tube in it, but one is at least and inch shorter than the other. Not sure why so I'm keeping my eyes open for a couple more used 235's for the time being.

On to the engine. I have another thread going about a lean off idle stumble I can't see to get straightened out. Rebuilding this engine was eventually on my list anyway and the 230 in my parts truck seems to run pretty good so I yanked them both out.





Spare engine on the stand after an initial power washing:





Accessories removed, wire brushed, sprayed with brake kleen and another soaking of degreaser ready for another washing:



After second washing:






Before I get flack for the color, NAPA was already closed for the day, so I was limited to the selection at NoRielly. I did not want Chevy orange, and trust me this is NOT Ford blue:

[jdl71]

This paint lays down pretty good for a spray can, good coverage and I only used about 2/3 of a can. Of course now that I've got the engine cleaned up I don't want to put greasy nasty accessories back on it, so next on the list is to clean up and paint pullies, mounts, etc. Then reassemble and drop it in.

[TJ's Chevy]

Hmmm...that paint looks familiar. lol

[jdl71]

Is that the same color you used?

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by jdl71

Is that the same color you used?

If its Dupli color "Royal Blue" then that's the same color. lol

[jdl71]

The valve cover that was on this engine was pretty close to that color. The flywheel cover and shield looked like they may have had a bit more green tint to them, but this was good enough for now. What did you do with your trans and bellhousing? I'm thinking of using cast blast, I've used it before and thought it looked pretty good.

http://www.seymourpaint.com/product/cast-blast/

[TJ's Chevy]

I used dupli color royal blue on mine. Bell housing is the same blue color as well as the inspection plates. Had some clear laying around so I even clear coated the darn bell housing! lol Video from several months ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyFyOxJddJQ

[jdl71]

Cool.

[jdl71]

A modest update. Doesn't look like much, but its an afternoon and an entire evening of cleaning, cleaning and cleaning, and spray painting. Haven't decided if I like the faux chrome valve cover yet. I wanted a little bit of retro rodding look and I had a can of this laying around but not sure if that's what I was after or not. Thinking I should paint the breather cap blue and see if that looks better. Or maybe put the matching blue valve cover on. Open to comments.

Should have all my gaskets tomorrow so I can put the rest of the accessories on.

[Palf70Step]

The combo looks real good!