New '63 K20 project

[Newtooth]

The project bug has bit me again this year. My dad found this old truck parked for over 20 years on a ranch in the middle of the desert.
I'm having a hard time locating GM info on this old truck.

The numbers match and so it is original and in good condition.

The Trim ID tag on the kick panel has this info:
GVW 7600 LB
Trim STD
Paint 500 A

The rear leaf springs have ten leafs. Is this original or did someone change the springs?

What does the A indicate in the paint code?

It has a 283 v8 but how do I know if it is the original motor? The radiator seems too small for a v8.

How many of K20s were produced in '63?

Thanks for any help and have a great day!

[Newtooth]

Resurrection pics:

[Newtooth]

Rear leaf spring. I think there are too many leafs for a 3/4 ton.

[1963c-10]

500A was jet black....just the factory paint code. Nice looking truck and looking forward to more pics of the build.
On the rear leaf springs....probably added as overload springs by the previous owner at some point.

Heres a link to the paint code: http://www.paintscratch.com/touch_up...0L-(1963).html

[LT1 Burb]

Now thats pretty cool.

[b.sharp]

My factory 64 K20 has 6 rear leafs. I think 1963-c10 might be correct. Added as overload springs at some point in time. That radiator looks like it os for the 236 I6 engine. I think the V8 radiator would have been a lot bigger. Looking forward to more pictures. I wish I still had factory steel wheels for mine.

[61K10]

you saved another one! welcome to the form.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

Nice find

Is there an engine under the hood somewhere

Yes that is a radiator for the 230 I6.

The original owner could have ordered the truck with those springs, or they could have been changed sometime in the last 50+ years.

[rusty76]

I'm in. Neat truck.

[Newtooth]

Have you ever seen such a packrat nest? Cactus is in every crevice including my hands. First stop on it's journey home was the quarter car wash. Was going well until the owner of the car wash showed up. He was a nice guy and I promised to clean up my mess. It took about $10 to spray down the bay and push all that cactus/crap down the drain. Still, better than my backyard. As I pull this truck apart, cactus falls out everywhere. A dead rat fell out of the seat and my dog grabbed it. My wife went ballistic.

[TJ's Chevy]

When I looked at the engine bay I was wondering where the engine was...then I noticed..and I almost yelled "WHAT THE HELL"!!!!! LOL! Man! There was some happy rats living in there. Glad you have been able to clean her up. Nice 4X4 and look forward to watching the build!

[bhc41051]

Chevrolet had rear spring packs of 6 leaf (1900lbs rating) and 8 leaf (3150 lbs. rating) for the K20's

Originally Posted by Newtooth

Rear leaf spring. I think there are too many leafs for a 3/4 ton.

[Newtooth]

I assumed with the 7600 lb gvw that it was a factory upgrade but like you said, it would only have 8. Is there a single wheel 1ton?

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Newtooth

Have you ever seen such a packrat nest? Cactus is in every crevice including my hands. First stop on it's journey home was the quarter car wash. Was going well until the owner of the car wash showed up. He was a nice guy and I promised to clean up my mess. It took about $10 to spray down the bay and push all that cactus/crap down the drain. Still, better than my backyard. As I pull this truck apart, cactus falls out everywhere. A dead rat fell out of the seat and my dog grabbed it. My wife went ballistic.

Ok this made me laugh !!
I know if that had happend to me, I would have just assured my wife that the NEXT dead rat I found, would totally be hers.
No need to fight the dog for it....

LoL

I do not, however recommend saying this to your wife, as your results may vary....

[RANDY COX]

Originally Posted by mcmurphy

ok this made me laugh !!
I know if that had happend to me, i would have just assured my wife that the next dead rat i found, would totally be hers.
No need to fight the dog for it....

Lol

i do not, however recommend saying this to your wife, as your results may vary....

lol???

[b.sharp]

Where are the additional pics? We need more pictures of the progress...

[Newtooth]

Made some progress this last weekend. disassembly always seems so quick and easy. I finally bought better gloves to keep the cactus out of my hands. Here are some new pics.

[b.sharp]

Man, I wish my K20 looked that good. I have a loooong way to go to make something out of mine. I need a good truck to put on the frame. I am looking but they just aren't around here anymore.

[1963c-10]

Cactus....glad I don't have to mess with it. Glad its cleaning up good for you. Looking forward to more updates. Is that the windshield broken over the engine?

[Newtooth]

I had allready stripped out the inside of the cab. the windshield came with vintay ge cracks so I cut the rubber and kicked it out. Believe me, broken glass is easier to deal with that all that cactus caked to the top of the engine. There are many tipes of cactus. apparently, packrats like the microscopic needles that feel like fiber glass. I have to use the best tweezers and a bright lite to find those little devils. As you can see, the breakdown area is in the dirt. As parts are cleaned, they will be moved to the garage. I have to work fast. It will get grazy hot soon here in Phoenix.

[tkeduk8r]

Been lookin for a 63 k20 for many years.... subscribed!

[Newtooth]

I have my truck down to the frame and drivetrain. After checking the engine #s, my 283 was out of a '66 chevelle. Since the radiator apears to be factory with appropriate mounts, etc I assume the original engine was a six. From the Chevrolet price and facts book printed Oct 1962, there were 3 engine options listed on several pages for the K20; 235, 261 and 283. There seems to be some issue of dispute about the 261 available in '63. Can anyone help me to determine what engine would have been the original for complete restoration?

[b.sharp]

What do the fender emblems look like? Do they say k20 or just 20? Mine are missing and haven't seen another one. Thanks. Again, great looking truck. I will be watching hopefully to figure some things out about my basket case k20. I basically have a running gear and need to put the rest of the truck together from parts.

[Newtooth]

It just has the 20 above the red bow. probably the same one they used for the C20. will post some new pics soon.

[Newtooth]

It,s not easy to find solid info on this truck. Took a few days to confirm that the rear end is original. It has the Eaton ho52. It looked way to big for a 3/4 ton but was the factory unit. Does anyone know how many of these beasts were produced in 63?