Grandfathers old 66 pickup in need of some TLC...

[Fasterthanyou]

So my grandfather past away like 15 years ago and this truck has been sitting for longer than that. It appears to be in great condition. It's a bas model c10 with the inline 6 and I think an automatic?
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jonprevost/album?.dir=/d91c
If that album doesn't work let me know and I'll fix it.
I'll get more pictures in a couple weeks when I can jack it up and pop the hood. My grandmother wants to see it running again. I figure since it's a pickup, nothing fancy, just your normal restoration that isn't about getting things perfect. I'm not doing a frame off resto unless the cabin has to come off for patch panels. Even then the frame will only be sand blasted and POR-15'd.
The truck has coils at all 4 corners and except for the rust spot, has nothing major from my initial inspection.
It'll be painted the same color, no flashy chrome bumpers on this oldie, white and green! I don't want to sink more than 6g's into the project and right off the bat there needs to be body work, paint, a new windshield, a patch panel welded into the drivers side front fender, a gas cap, engine and trans.. unless the internals of this one are rust free but even then I might as well slap in a sbc and a th400 (the th400 I already have). I might even sell it for a th350 and cash for the sbc.
Any ideas/opinions? Somebody want to make me an offer I can't refuse, lol. This WILL be used on a regular basis so the sbc idea might be tossed out for either a vortec inline 5 or 6. I'll keep the original motor but it might be cost effective to get a newer powerplant. I'm not afraid of wires and EFI :wink: . I've always thought the idea of replacing an older inline 6 with a newer one would be pretty cool and in good spirit. Besides, a turbo is SO easy when all the exhaust ports exit on one side :lol:

[calhoon]

That's a really nice truck, it has alot of potential. I like your idea for a new inline 6, probly has more power than the original anyway. Or you could go old school and pick up a GM 350 shortblock for like $1200, drop a holley on it, and forget about computers. That's more power and it migt even cost less than the six.

[SteveR]

Nice looking truck. It's the same color and in the same condition as my '55. My personal opinion would be to leave the drivetrain stock. Everybody knows a 350, everyone knows EFI, so I think the stock motor and trans will suite the truck more.

[enRo]

I LOVE that style. Good luck with it man!

*Edit* Looks like its an automatic

[PDubs87Z28]

Thats a nice truck! you should def. think about the inline 6 because thats something no one really thinks about and it would probably be reliable as well....or a 350 would be cool too. But go for the style man.....it looks like it has that old school collum shifter manual, i don't know what you would do with that.....best of luck man it looks like a good old school fixer upper

[The Fixer]

She's got potential, but I'd be worried since it's been sitting in the grass and leaves for that long if there's a frame and floor left under it. :shock: IMO, if it's clean underneath, see if you can get the original I6 to run again. Pull the plugs, spray some WD40 down the holes, and try to spin the motor over with a breaker bar and socket on the crank bolt. If it turns easy enough, check over the fuel lines, put some fresh gas and new plugs, wires, and points (I guess it's got points, no HEI in '66) in it and see if she'll run.

Good luck!

[NJSPEEDER]

if you plan to drive it on a regular basis i woudl say a mild 350 and a 700r4 would be a nice route to go. i have a few buildable trannies sitting here if you want one, just stop by and grab it.

in teh one pic it looks like 3 peddles? could it be a 3pd manual? give me a call, i would be interested in getting a look at it with you. maybe we can come up with a few ideas.

later
tim

[Fasterthanyou]

Thanks guys, I think it's a great looker and am excited about the restoration. Maybe I'll get Paul in on this to help out 8) .
I can get a 4.2L vortec inline 6 complete for under $1000. I'm going to call up some places and see if they'll sell the trans, wiring harness, driveshaft, and exhaust manifold with it for a good deal. I'd rebuild the original motor later in life when the inline vortec comes out for my T-bucket project (it's a dream in the works).
A mild 350 with the 700r4 is also very logical with some TBI. I hate carbs, don't get me wrong, they're okay for something like this stock engine, but I'm not swapping a motor in with a carb, it's just not cost effective when TBI can be had at the jy's complete for $100. Add a $50 electric fuel pump and a return line, call it good :) .
It does have 3 pedles and that's why I wasn't sure if it's an automatic. I thought they stopped the manual on the column in the 50's, maybe not.
Like I said, I gotta roll it out and see the undercarage condition. I hope it's not rusted out :? but I'm ready for the worst.

[NJSPEEDER]

if the frame is rusted you can always go with a tube frame. :) have it look stock and handle like a new vette :)

later
tim

[Teds89IROC]

that's a cool truck, it'll be awesome however you restore it..can't wait to see it all done 8)

~Ted