63 Fleetside Chevy C10 build

[diablo03]

Hi Guys!

I'm new to the boards, but I have always loved these classic trucks. I have always done my own work to my cars and never been afraid to tackle a big project. This will be my first attempt at a project this big but slow and steady wins the race.

I have some plans for this truck but nothing drastic. I would like to make this my general DD and keep it mostly stock.

These boards seem like a great wealth of knowledge (yes I know how to use the search button) and I hope to learn a lot from them.

I work as a Paramedic so I don't always have a lot of time (family also) but I will keep this project going until it is done.

Any comments are always welcome.

I picked her up on 4/30

now for the pics.

[hopped up]

Welcome! Nice truck! I'm jealous you have spotlight and a/c!!
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[diablo03]

got the cab cleaned out today. hopefully next week I will get some more work done. with my jobs, this will be a slow build, but I will keep this thread updated.

[Alan's Classic]

Welcome aboard, You'll have your hands full, but were here for ya. Do you know how too weld? Since your making it a DD will you do the body later? Don't forget the brake lines. They get very crusty and brittle as old as they are.

[bhc41051]

It's going to be a nice project.. Four speed, gauges, A/C. spotlight, what's not to like? I've never seen the bottom of the seat with a sheet metal bottom like that...

[diablo03]

I am hoping to do the cab and mechanical first. Make it legal and driveable. Then ill work on the body. I am currently learning how to weld with a friend and am researching what kind of welder I will need to do the job.
Thanks for the positive comments. Hopefully tomorrow I will see if the electrical system is working and finish cleaning out the cab. I also hope to clean out myo work area so I have somewhere to put stuff as I'm working on it.....(sadly this house has no garage...next one for sure will)
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[diablo03]

As a side note...any suggestions for the welder?

And these trucks had no passenger side door handle????
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[da_bears_da1]

Originally Posted by diablo03

As a side note...any suggestions for the welder?

And these trucks had no passenger side door handle????
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First welcome aboard! This forum is great and ton's of material and great members. If you haven't read the the FAQs you should check them out. They are a very good resource!

I had never welded before my project and bought my welder in January so know where you are coming from. You will want to buy a MIG welder. On the Paint and Body work section on this forum are a lot of threads on MIG welding.

A lot of members have bought the Hobart 140 and are happy with it. When I did my research I decided I wanted either a Lincoln or Miller. My two finalists were the Miller 211 and Lincoln 180C. The good part to the Miller is it will run off of 110V or 220V however it is $200-$300 more. I bought the Lincoln instead. One side note it the Lincoln is sold both as a 180T and a 180C. The T stands for tap and C is for continuous. I wanted the C because it allows you to make fine adjustments to either power or wire feed. While I did not need that at first,after 3 months of using it I now make fine adjustments based on the area I am welding. What you will find is that there are areas on the cabs that the metal is thicker than others.

I am by no means a welding guru but just wanted to share what is working for me. You should also stock up some spare metal and practice for a few days before hitting the cab. I now look back at my practice welds and smile because they really did suck.

Good luck!!

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by diablo03

As a side note...any suggestions for the welder?

And these trucks had no passenger side door handle????
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If you mean arm rest, you are correct they did not come stock.
I am pretty sure they were offered as a factory, or dealer installed option, but dont quote me on that.
The doors are "drilled" for the arm rests, but finding the stock "floating" clip-in nuts for the arm rest mounting screws is tougher than I seem to be as I have had no luck with that.
I did however install the urathane headlight snap in nuts and will see how well they hold up to the constant pressures of use.

[1963c-10]

Great looking 63. Always glad to see more 63's here. Looks to be a complete truck.

[diablo03]

It's almost a complete truck. Thanks for the advice on the welder....I need to look into getting one soon.

Progress so far (not much)
Clean out some of the cab...man was it dirty and dusty. swept out most of it today though. got some good news that the electrical stuff still seems to work. got the headlights to turn on, power to the tails. wipers work. and engine tried to start over.

Bad news. had trouble at the DMV. Trying to get in touch with the PO. seems to be some issue with the title and he needs to sign something.

now for the pics. The last pic is one i found online. I was thinking the final truck will either be like that (fleetside of course) and maybe be black on top.....or an electric blue with black accents....suggestions?

Other pics are just pics of the rust and reason I need to find a welder sooner than later.

[diablo03]

So i talked to the po. Seems like we should get the title worked out....
Need to work on getting the bed pulled off so I can start looking at cleaning the frame off....not sure at this point if u will do a total frame off restore, but I will at least pull the bed off.
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[diablo03]

Can anyone identify the Chrome part that has duct tape on it in the firat picture of this last batch....it has two wire coming off of one side.

Any help would be.appriciated. thanks
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[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by diablo03

Can anyone identify the Chrome part that has duct tape on it in the firat picture of this last batch....it has two wire coming off of one side.

Any help would be.appriciated. thanks
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They look like fleetside taillight assemblies. A better pic would help

[diablo03]

It would help if I unducttaped them....whoops I feel stupid now
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[diablo03]

OK, I have the title thing all worked out now. it's time to get back to the planning of the truck....looking for the country style mirrors and having no luck....anyone have any idea where i can get some of these?

[diablo03]

Tested gas tank today with soap test...seems like it held up good. Next step is to get that back installed, get some gas. Figure out what to do with the seats, Then grab a battery and see if we can get this thing started. With a little luck this thing will be running by the end of June and then I can start on the rebuild.

Still no luck with the mirrors....
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[diablo03]

Ok, got a new battery tonight and seat covers. Need to order the fuel tank filler neck from lmc and the engine belt. Anyone know what engine this is? I think its the 292 but I'm not sure...anyone tell from the pics?
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[63 Spud]

It looks like a 292. The tall side covers and offset engine mounts make it easy to distinguish it from the 230/250. Good luck on your project.

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by diablo03

Ok, got a new battery tonight and seat covers. Need to order the fuel tank filler neck from lmc and the engine belt. Anyone know what engine this is? I think its the 292 but I'm not sure...anyone tell from the pics?
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The IL6 292 and 250 were almost identical, if there is a way to tell them apart just by looking at them, I could not tell you what that would be.
The engine serial number is stamped on the head lip, and I am pretty sure you have to pull the valve cover to see it. It should be on the passenger side, near the firewall; if memory serves.
If you look at that, you can usually do an internet search and find what size it is.
There is also a site:
http://www.stovebolt.com/
and it is pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about Chevy IL6 engines.

Hope that helps you.

[diablo03]

So lmc order placed....hopefully that will be in next week and I will be able to install the gas tank and maybe have the seats done by then....this truck might be running by the end of the month...
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[diablo03]

Got my lmc order today. Got the gas tank installed. Found this on the drivers side. Anyone have any idea what it is?

[bama63]

looks to be the remains of a tank selector valve,may have had dual tanks at some point ,or even still there somewhere under the bed.

[diablo03]

Originally Posted by bama63

looks to be the remains of a tank selector valve,may have had dual tanks at some point ,or even still there somewhere under the bed.

Ahhh, yes. The previous owner did have dual tanks at one point. I still have the holes drilled in the sides of the bed.

Hope to have the seats done this week and then we can see if it will fire up!

[19666Trucker]

There west coast jr mirrors. Cipa 47500 found them on Amazon
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