Who's familiar with old trucks?

Ive never dealt with old trucks or carb'd motors..

So in 02 my father passed away and i got this truck from him, which has been sitting since.

its a 1966 GMC pickup 2wd stepside, w/an inline 6 and 3-on-the-tree.

Its been sitting for 7 years now, and has some bad rust issues. Im about to start ordering replacement body panels for it(fenders,floorboards, rad supports, pretty much everything). Although its very rusty, maybe too rusty, i want to restore it because my father wanted to as well. Two years ago, i did a tune-up to see if it would run. It did! After running for about ten minutes, the radiator blew. I then removed the whole front clip to begin resto., but thats as far as I got..

I also got(free) a 327 on a powerglide out of a late 60's Caprice(i think thats what its out of?). I believe the motor is siezed?? Basically, I'd like input on what I should do! Ive never dealt with carb'd motors, nor worked on anything this old. Maybe you guys have some advice for me? I'd like to do a front disc swap, move the tank from inside the cab to under the bed, and convert from column to floor shifter. Should I stick with the stock inline 6 and do all the body work, then choose what route to go for motor/trans? Tell me what ya think.. Only pic I can find of it right now, ignore the f150, I sold that lol.

Resto mod with LT1 engine and 6 speed
Or look for a mid 90s rcsb truck and put the cab and bed on it. It would be more comfy, as good if not better on gas, fuel injected and abs.

What he said except consider an auto if you want to keep the cost down. You could also use a '73-87 frame. You might even be able to just bolt in the front cross member and get discs with it. I'm not sure about a '66 but this is an easy swap for a '67-72.

I'd start on the cab (floor) first and see how it goes before spending time on the rest.

Sell the 327 and transmission. Build a 502 Big block, inject it, throw a Turbo 400 or a built 700r4 behind it. Do the body work and leave it with that cool hot rod primer, I forget what you call it. Oh yea--- Tub it, back half it, ford 9 inch and the fattest steam rollers you can find.

Hi Paul

I go back to the days of your father's truck and the 327 engine. Without a doubt the 327 was the best small block Chevy ever made. They ranged from 250 HP to 365 HP and that is stock.

This is what I would do: Fix the body, throw the powerglide away; that is Chevie's all time worst transmission. I'd have the 327 rebuilt and find yourself a 4 speed transmission. Easy swap, no electronics. If you don't get the 4 speed right away, just use the 3 speed. You would have to find a bell housing, buy clutch etc., exhaust and motor mounts; but other than that it is an easy straight forward swap. Carburetors work fine.

I would say installing an LT1 with all the electronics etc. would be a nightmare. Building big block engines sounds good, but your talking a lot of money.

Anyways, that's my 2 cents


Tom

Thanks for the input guys! I was told that the 327 was a great motor, and through some reading found out it was an option on this truck, which is why I'd like to end up running it! I'd like to restore it back to "new", but with an updated suspension/brake package.. I think these trucks can look pretty cool! I just dont know much about them..

Heres some pics ive saved to my computer of similar year trucks.. my inspiration! I know 2 are fleetsides, but are both SO badass..







love love love this truck! Clearly its a project truck but whoever owns pulled off a look that is awesome!

Cool truck, and a great project with deep meaning.

I say do a resto-mod. Fix the body, replace the radiator, and drive it with the 6 until you can afford to build the 327 and then just through a built turbo 350 (CHEAP AND BULLITPROOF) or a 700r4 in it and call it done.

Here's one with an updated suspension. Note the wheels.



More about it:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=179289

Forum:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php?f=6

I've been down this road before:

1) Put in a cooling system that can handle the small block in place of the one designed for the 6.

2) Replace the brake system including rear brakes and all the lines which are probably going to blow any minute.

3) Move the fuel tank and run new lines and filter.

4) Do a full tune-up including plugs/wires, cap/rotor, filters, fluids, belts, and hoses.

5) Upgrade the wiring so that everything in the truck actually works. Also make sure the truck is running a 12 volt system instead of 6 volt if you want easy repairs later on. This is also the time to make sure all the lights and such work and fix any that don't.

6) Then you can drive it from parts stores to body shops and work on getting the body taken care of at your own pace. Durring this period it'll be easy to see what need to be repaired/upgraded as far as suspension and interior.

7) Once the body gets to a point where you feel happy to let it stay for a bit drop in the freshly rebuilt 327 with a th350 or th400 (with the chevy or multifit bell housing)

Most would disagree with my order but it comes from having to restore a car while also using it to get me where I need to go. Plus I was on an insanely small budget and could only spend a couple hundred a month. If you would rather just let it sit while everything gets done skip step 4 since it'd be a waste to tune-up the 6 and not run it at all.