'62 Chevy C-10: dad's new ride

[a_d_a_m]

A deposit was left this afternoon and we will be picking this up on Saturday morning:

http://images.craigslist.org/00909_2RfsJxQaJ3D_600x450.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/5F5A4CAC-5639-41D9-BECF-3EDA08FED37F_zpsdqbxat9a.jpg

It's got a Caddy 425 mated to a TH350 out of a '71(?) El Camino, running back to a 3.08 posi. Ain't the quickest, or most desirable powertrain, but it'll roast the tires and sound good doing it. Most of the underpinnings are '86 C-10, and all the suspension crap is new; been lowered 5/5. It's got new gauges inside, a new head unit, and seats out of a 2006 Silverado.

It's remarkably solid, having spent all but the last couple years in South Carolina. :D

Most pressing issues:
-Temp gauge, ammeter, fuel gauge all need to be wired
-Reroute tranny cooler lines (they're just not to our liking)
-Likely needs new battery (v-e-r-y labored when turning it over - may also need a new starter, but the battery is clearly not up to par)

To be addressed eventually:
-Hook up stereo, maybe a couple speakers instead of the single center dash one
-Reinstall the bench seat, or find a slimmer set of seats. (the 2006 Silverado front seat is very thick and puts the driver too far forward/upright; not friendly for fat people like myself [though not an issue for dad]. Of course, this is par for a regular cab pickup, and was expected.)

[martyo]

Very cool!

[345HP87SSAC]

Like it!!!!!!

[Blk Mamba]

Was your dad born in 62, I've always wanted a '51 Dodge.

[Zack]

Satin Red is the ticket!

[Mr. Man]

Buddy of mine has a '65. All original with the 327 and 3 on the tree. It's quick, but getting through the tree is a major slow down. Trying to get him to upgrade to a 4 speed on the floor.

[martyo]

Buddy of mine has a '65. All original with the 327 and 3 on the tree. It's quick, but getting through the tree is a major slow down. Trying to get him to upgrade to a 4 speed on the floor.

If he updates he should add more than one gear....

[a_d_a_m]

Very cool!

Like it!!!!!!

Satin Red is the ticket!
:beer:

Buddy of mine has a '65. All original with the 327 and 3 on the tree. It's quick, but getting through the tree is a major slow down. Trying to get him to upgrade to a 4 speed on the floor. My dad probably won't go the stick route, though I would if it was mine. At the very least, a 4-speed auto would be nice.


Was your dad born in 62, I've always wanted a '51 Dodge. No, he was born in '52. Though sort of not really coincidentally, his first ever car was a '62 Chevy (Biscayne).

[RubberCtyRauder]

That's pretty cool Adam! Wow your dad started driving when he was 10. :D

[a_d_a_m]

Wow your dad started driving when he was 10. :D Ha, not really, he got his license in '68 and picked up the '62 on the cheap.

Though he did tell me that my grandma had a '66 Country Sedan (not the Squire) that he used to sneak out and take around the block for fun when it was brand new. :banana2:

[chief455]

Caddy motor in Chevy truck is the ****nit!
4L60E behind it for cruisin = WINNING!
Great looking truck :beer:

[a_d_a_m]

Thanks. Not sure if a 4L60E would be easy enough to hook up; a 700R4 may be easier, no?

[chief455]

Thanks. Not sure if a 4L60E would be easy enough to hook up; a 700R4 may be easier, no?

probably, no computer needed at least - just a cable? BTW - 1993 f-body cars had 4L60 non electronic trans in them. stronger than 700R4, I believe...

[a_d_a_m]

Doubt this thing will ever make power beyond the capability of the 700R4. Reliability is more important, as Dad wants to daily drive this thing. Yes, even in the winter...though he's keeping his Ranger for snowstorms and other wicked weather, and the Mustang for the really nice summer days.

[martyo]

probably, no computer needed at least - just a cable? BTW - 1993 f-body cars had 4L60 non electronic trans in them. stronger than 700R4, I believe...

Yes and they bolt up to the non-LS applications. The trick is finding one of the earlier 4l60 models.

[a_d_a_m]

Pictures posted below, with an update...

[a_d_a_m]

I was on three hours of sleep when we set out for Columbus. Two and a half hours later, we were there, did the title notarization, blah blah blah. Seller put some gas in the truck before we left, but it wasn't full and the gas gauge doesn't work. Oh well.

We headed back to Cleveland without much incident. The truck looks absolutely straight going down the road.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/28E172EB-8DDC-4820-A331-7E7E476BF00D_zpsvytea12s.png

And my dad likes it.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/066FB75E-16F7-4D96-B3D0-5AA10367607F_zpsxcrt5n0x.jpg

We stopped off to get gas and found that it took 13 gallons after we'd gone 150 miles. Since the tank wasn't full, I'm guessing this thing gets close to 14-15 on the highway without overdrive.

At the gas station, I saw a little coolant leak that appeared to be coming from the lower radiator hose, but the clamps were tight. May be a hose going bad, but it's definitely a minor leak.

Then, the truck wouldn't start. We found a loose battery cable and were able to get that snugged up without incident and home safely...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/B74C18FD-81D2-4472-9CFF-D6841BB3EBF2_zpsq9enkck5.jpg

We unloaded the back, which was full of spare parts (original bench seat w/Mexican blanket, cab mounts, trim rings, 5 Corvette rally center caps, etc. etc. etc.). Here's a shot of the bed, which was made from church pews!
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/427B7DF4-B6CE-4E42-B71E-81CD64B00E89_zpsr1cmc3fi.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/4CBB2F04-B426-4F7C-95E1-9F3FF67E665C_zpsr5eyl1qj.jpg


We also decided to take it out for a celebratory beer + wings. On the way there, I took a couple pictures.:beer:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/7A4B5086-30EC-4AC7-BD3B-3E98138C7A91.png_zpsyz0dydqy.j peg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/FC80E45C-C4F7-4ADB-9C3B-51067A67E303_zpskzylkicm.jpg

[RubberCtyRauder]

Looks even better than the first pics when he was just considering it. I would recommend getting it oil sprayed if he is going to drive it in winter. Those old cars trucks were always rust magnets with all the nooks and crannies of real stamped steel. I'm not sure what is available in your neck of the woods but a few places down off 224 and 44. And it's clean oil, one place uses hydraulic oil I heard, another uses a rust inhibitor, Around $55 for first time (they have to drill holes and plug them in the doors, rockers etc. (not visible from outside)

[a_d_a_m]

Good tip; I'll run that by him!

[RubberCtyRauder]

It's totally worth doing it, it drips for a few days after, but if done yearly it really keeps year round cars/trucks solid from Ohio winters. If you don't find anything up you, let me know..There is a place in Ravenna called Long's Oil Spray, you can google them, they have facebook page too for info. they are open sat. and sun. 7-5 during the season which is now.

https://www.facebook.com/Longsoilspray

[345HP87SSAC]

Instead of a 700 R4 Look into a 200 4R. Folks will say blah blah blah but the 200 has closer ratio for 1 to 2 2 to 3 shifts. The 700 is better for highway geared rear ends with weaker motors that rev.

My 200 stood behind my 406 for years with a 3500 stall and never an issue after the line pressure was set correctly. Also the 200 are easy to find and many have the dual pattern bell housing.

Just my 2 cents.

[345HP87SSAC]

Gearing for the 200-4R
First - 2.7405404:1
Second - 1.567567:1
Third - 1.00:1
Fourth - 0.673913:1
Reverse - 2.07:1

The gearing for the 700 is:[citation needed]

First - 3.059:1
Second - 1.625:1
Third - 1.000:1
Fourth - 0.696:1
Reverse - 2.294:1

[a_d_a_m]

There is a place in Ravenna called Long's Oil Spray, you can google them, they have facebook page too for info. they are open sat. and sun. 7-5 during the season which is now.

https://www.facebook.com/Longsoilspray Good to know. Since I'm on midnight shift until December, it'd be a good little day activity for me and an excuse to put some miles on the truck! :D


Instead of a 700 R4 Look into a 200 4R. I'll let Dad know.

[Mr. Man]

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/11988298_990339224356159_20499 63664125072868_n.jpg?oh=c58adc 84fa705e1ce8bb8274d22ede86&oe=56CAD051
Here's a pic of my friends ''65 at our local cruise night.

[a_d_a_m]

Nice, what's he got under the hood?

I found out that the trim pieces behind the doors (pictured on both trucks) are actually a fleetside option only, that were later added to dad's stepside. I think they look good.

[Mr. Man]

Nice, what's he got under the hood?

I found out that the trim pieces behind the doors (pictured on both trucks) are actually a fleetside option only, that were later added to dad's stepside. I think they look good.Originally came with a 6cyl. He found a 327ci in great shape and swapped it in. The 327ci was optional in '65 so it is in keeping with the OEM. He has changed the front brakes to disc and upgraded to a duel master cylinder for safety. Loud exhaust system is the only other mod so far.

[martyo]

I hope he enjoys it!!!

[a_d_a_m]

Originally came with a 6cyl. He found a 327ci in great shape and swapped it in. The 327ci was optional in '65 so it is in keeping with the OEM. He has changed the front brakes to disc and upgraded to a duel master cylinder for safety. Loud exhaust system is the only other mod so far. If he's ever thinking of dropping it, the Belltech kit really is nice. I can't believe how good the ride is.


I hope he enjoys it!!! Oh, he already is...
He's 20 years younger already.

[chief455]

Nice, what's he got under the hood?

I found out that the trim pieces behind the doors (pictured on both trucks) are actually a fleetside option only, that were later added to dad's stepside. I think they look good.
those trims, your dad's mirrors, the small back window and roof type visor = way sweet truck

[a_d_a_m]

We actually need to address the mirror situation at some point. Not only are they pretty useless, but they stick out so far that the truck doesn't fit through the garage door. We could fold them in, but that's inconvenient since it's gonna be driven frequently.

Thinking about a peep mirror with convex glass, it might not be great, but at least it'd show more than these...

[chief455]

We actually need to address the mirror situation at some point. Not only are they pretty useless, but they stick out so far that the truck doesn't fit through the garage door. We could fold them in, but that's inconvenient since it's gonna be driven frequently.

Thinking about a peep mirror with convex glass, it might not be great, but at least it'd show more than these...

bring them tighter into the cab - I hated little car mirors on my trucks. those are for a camper - but you'll like the size vs small round ones.
either way, great score, and it looks low enough to me = nice stance as is.

[a_d_a_m]

We were looking at the way they're mounted, and even bringing them in (and affixing a small convex on the driver's side) wouldn't really do with how they're mounted. We may have to get creative.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Based on the pics, it almost looks like there is a Jam nut on the straight pieces that come off the door, right where the curve pieces maybe silde into them. Like maybe it can be loosened and slid in, but it looks like the lower one in is as far as possible. So maybe he can take the straight pieces off and shorted them and put them back on, either at the mount area or the threaded area? it's stainless so threading by hand wont be easy,He;s a toolmaker, he can do anything :). anyway, it would be a good idea to take them off anf the cab trim and put some rust inhibitor etc.behind them and reinstall. You could go with regular mirris, but that would mean possibly drilling new holes and having old holes still there.

[a_d_a_m]

Minor update on this:
The truck has been sitting in a garage for the winter, with only minor progress being made. The wiring...was much worse than we initially thought. As such, a Painless wiring harness was purchased and will be installed this spring.

[a_d_a_m]

After a long period of no progress whatsoever, the ignition system (minus the key) and fuel pump are wired and loomed. A new heater blower motor was installed, as well.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/straightonchaser/Mobile%20Uploads/88308A98-8A5E-49C5-99B9-A5E28909B998_zpsdhzclyny.jpg
Next step will be the head/taillights, then onto finishing the interior.
After that, the motor comes out to fix the massive leak...or replace it with something better.

[a_d_a_m]

It runs! We took it out for a 50-mile shakedown run with no unpleasant surprises. All gauges work, wipers, HVAC, lights, everything. Cruises great and handles like it's on rails.
AqPMy_03dGM

I need a beer.

[RubberCtyRauder]

It runs! We took it out for a 50-mile shakedown run with no unpleasant surprises. All gauges work, wipers, HVAC, lights, everything. Cruises great and handles like it's on rails.
AqPMy_03dGM

I need a beer.

where's the like button

[a_d_a_m]

where's the like button This is a pretty good substitute:
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--UKEcUSAU--/18cfxfz26ssgzjpg.jpg

[a_d_a_m]

Hard to not enjoy cruising this thing around town...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/Mobile%20Uploads/AF821DB4-8342-49D3-BB54-72FEC1BAABEE_zpscxpusgk0.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/Mobile%20Uploads/3DAD8FC4-24CE-43BA-B7D8-69FDD1F256FE_zpsnuzbrbv2.jpg