The "Wrecker"

[Alan's Classic]

What will be going on soon.

[mrolds88]

Alan, if you convert to the disc's (which I would too) you should need to replace the front wheels too. Up through 71 ( I think might have been 72) they used 1/2" studs, after that they went to 9/16".

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

What will be going on soon.

That's some super nice parts!

[eldogg]

Thanks a lot! Now I want a wrecker again. Looking good.

[aggie91]

That will be nice!

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by mrolds88

Alan, if you convert to the disc's (which I would too) you should need to replace the front wheels too. Up through 71 ( I think might have been 72) they used 1/2" studs, after that they went to 9/16".

The donor is a 83 P30, Thank you for the info.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

That's some super nice parts!

Originally Posted by eldogg

Thanks a lot! Now I want a wrecker again. Looking good.

Glad I could help.

Originally Posted by aggie91

That will be nice!

Thank you Sir.

I researched the engine and it's a GM Goodwrench crate
350 Cubic inches 4.00" Bore, 3.47" stroke
8.5:1 compression ratio.
250 HP @4300 rpm
350 ft. lbs of torque @ 3600 rpm
( These Numbers obtained with a Quadrajet Carb,1 5/8" headers , and an Edelbrock Performer intake part # 2101)

Engine consists of the following parts:

Block -part # 10066034, casting # 10066036
2 piece rear main seal 4 bolt main
Crankshaft- # 3932444
Nodular Iron 1985 and older flywheel bolt pattern.
Powdered Metal Connecting rods- # 10108688
Cast Aluminum Pistons-#12514101
G.M. High Volume Pump Oil Pump- part # 12555284
Hydraulic Flat tappet Camshaft- #14088839
Intake Lift-.383" Exhaust Lift-.401"
Intake Duration @ .050"- 194 Exhaust Duration @.050"- 202
Lobe Seperation-112
This cam Has a mechanical Fuel Pump Lobe.
This is a low end Torque oriented camshaft.

Cylinder Heads- part # 14034808, casting #33417369, 1.94" Intake valve, 1.50" Exhaust Valve, 76cc Combustion Chamber, 7 Bolt style Exhaust Flange Standard, 85' and prior intake manifold bolt pattern. Perimeter bolt style Valve Covers. This head is very similar to the old #882 castings from the 1970's

Also got the wrecker in the shop for a little while.

[Alan's Classic]

Picked up some west coast mirrors today and hung one temporarily to see how it looks.

[Bomp]

Aaargh, can't stand drillin dem der holes.

Take it you've sat and scoped'em out to see how much you can see. If they work then they're a keeper.

[Bomp]

Looks good Alan.

[ChickenCityHotRods]

Man I love wreckers! My uncle has been in the business for over 40yrs so I have it in my blood a little. Can't wait to see you make some progress on this thing.

[ChickenCityHotRods]

If you ever have a little free time you should ride up to Chattanooga and check out the International Towing and Recovery museum. There are some nice restored wreckers of all sizes there.

[flashed]

Alan,the bodyshop sent the doors home with me today if you still want to look at them for your truck.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Aaargh, can't stand drillin dem der holes.

Take it you've sat and scoped'em out to see how much you can see. If they work then they're a keeper.

Briefly, they should work if I decide to install on the new stuff I got today.

Originally Posted by Bomp

Looks good Alan.

Thank you sir.

Originally Posted by ChickenCityHotRods

Man I love wreckers! My uncle has been in the business for over 40yrs so I have it in my blood a little. Can't wait to see you make some progress on this thing.

Originally Posted by ChickenCityHotRods

If you ever have a little free time you should ride up to Chattanooga and check out the International Towing and Recovery museum. There are some nice restored wreckers of all sizes there.

Thank you for the heads up on the museum. I never knew it was there

Originally Posted by flashed

Alan,the bodyshop sent the doors home with me today if you still want to look at them for your truck.

Thank you but I got some doors, cab and front clip today.

Shannon and I went and picked some parts off a 1969 GMC up today. The cab, inner fenders, rad support and sheet metal has surface rust and minimal rot. The outer rocker is the only parts that have any holes to mention. The cab has a new windshield and gasket.

I also picked a C30 roof skin with cab lights that I might put on this cab. The only problem is the cab has perfect patina and if I did the roof it would mess up the patina.

[Ta2Don]

It is about to get Real!!!

Still Spying...

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

It is about to get Real!!!

Still Spying...

I hope so.

I washed everything with a red pad and Ajax.

[flashed]

Thats some good looking sheetmetal you found .

[jkeating1]

dayum! That's a whole 'nother truck. I see a frame-off restoration coming!

BTW---You are bringing a tear to my eye! I spent most of 1971 and 1972 driving a dark green '68 C30/Holmes 440 around southeast Texas. Some of the best times of my life. It was a 307 2bbl, of course no overdrive, and prob a 4.10---it was literally foot-to-the-floor most of the time (typical kid driving a company truck). That little engine never skipped a beat!

[Bomp]

Does the Ajax leave any type of film after rinsing?

[ljackson]

Cool truck. I saw one in a Scrap yard last week. It has had a much harder life that yours.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by flashed

Thats some good looking sheetmetal you found .

I agree it is pretty solid for this area.

Originally Posted by jkeating1

dayum! That's a whole 'nother truck. I see a frame-off restoration coming!

BTW---You are bringing a tear to my eye! I spent most of 1971 and 1972 driving a dark green '68 C30/Holmes 440 around southeast Texas. Some of the best times of my life. It was a 307 2bbl, of course no overdrive, and prob a 4.10---it was literally foot-to-the-floor most of the time (typical kid driving a company truck). That little engine never skipped a beat!

This one won't be a frame off. Although all systems will be gone thru the bed isn't coming off.

on bringing a tear to your eye.

Originally Posted by Bomp

Does the Ajax leave any type of film after rinsing?

No film is left just a little dust if not rinsed well.

Originally Posted by ljackson

Cool truck. I saw one in a Scrap yard last week. It has had a much harder life that yours.

I've seen a decent holmes hed for sale for $900

I cut the donor roof off today. The front corners are paper thin. Still deciding if I will use it or not. There was a NOS cab light kit on ebay for $240. While it was a little pricey I debated too long. I went to get it and it sold.

[Alan's Classic]

Here's the light kit I missed out on.

[65 wonton]

Seems it would be alot easier to use the light kit from the donor rather than the whole roof panel. Just drill 5 holes (OK and the mounting holes) and swap the wiring over.

Dave.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by 65 wonton

Seems it would be alot easier to use the light kit from the donor rather than the whole roof panel. Just drill 5 holes (OK and the mounting holes) and swap the wiring over.

Dave.

The donor roof has raised pad where the lights sit. I was wanting to make it look correct, but you might have a good idea. I might try it the way you mentioned and see what it looks like. That way it won't disturb the paint. Thank you.

[65 wonton]

Now see, there in lies presumptuousness.

I've never seen a top with molded bases for the running lights. From my '66 to my modern '06 they were all just smooth lids. Now, I can understand why one would want to preserve the original molded roof lights. I've read a lot of your posts and I was wondering why you did not take the easy route. Now I know you were aspiring to loftier aspirations.

Any way you could post a pic of the molded base? I'd like to see it, others too I presume.

Love to read your posts.

Dave.

[Alan's Classic]

Here ya go Dave