Ken's 1966 C10 Short Fleetside build

[Kenfuzed]

Hi everyone, I've been a lurker here for years but just picked up this truck a couple months ago so I thought I should start documenting my build.

This will NOT be one of those meticulous frame-off resto's that several others have done so well. Rather this will be my attempt to take a pieced-together truck and make myself a daily driver... one that I will actually feel like driving daily.

I'll start with the basics, the canvas I am starting with:
1966 C10 short fleetside.
Straight 6 250 and TH350.
The previous owner installed a mid-70's disc brake front end.
Rear is still a 12 bolt 6 lug.
Interior is fairly complete, unblemished bench seat, orig AM radio, all gauges work. The window felts and seals are shot. The PO installed a new fuel tank and sender.

Body is straight, no rust to cut out and it shouldn't take too much to get it into shape. Exterior is a faux-patina. The bed floor was replaced with a steel floor from a newer truck so I'll stick with that since it is functional for me.

The PO added a drop spring kit but I'll be updating this to improve the ride.

Here are some pics of where I'm starting.

[Kenfuzed]

Here is my laundry list of parts I've either started collecting.

- Drop spindles and new springs. Ordered.
- Rear 5 lug conversion. Ordered.
- SB 350. This is currently being built with mild street performance in mind, shooting for ~325hp.
- Debating a 700R4 but we'll see how finances hold up.
- Budget paint job. I'm not interested in show quality paint since I plan to make this my daily ride and I don't want to worry about babying it. The truck is also parked outside but it's California so other than sun it won't take too much weather abuse. Still searching for a decent shop.
- Door window felts and seals. Already have, will wait until the paint to install.
- Already replaced door handles and mirrors.
- Debating if I want to spend the money on original style side molding. Currently the body is smooth.
- Wheels, I'm planning 17x8 front and 17x9 rear gray center 5 spoke style wheels.

That should be a good start. Currently trying to track down all the creaking noises to further make this a comfortable ride.

[pdxhall]

Welcome to the forum. That's a very nice truck to start with & it sounds like you've got a great plan. Good luck. Can't wait to see the progress on this one.

[Grizz1963]

Cool username !!

Nice truck. If course I am biased.

I wish we had the right people over here who could build engines to order, yours sounds like a great compromise for power vs useability.

[1963c-10]

Welcome and great looking project.

[TJ's Chevy]

Welcome aboard! And good looking truck!

[Bigru]

Welcome and nice truck!

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Cool username !!

Nice truck. If course I am biased.

I wish we had the right people over here who could build engines to order, yours sounds like a great compromise for power vs useability.

Thanks, I've actually followed your build thread for a while and really like how you document both what you are doing to your truck and how you really use your truck as well. One of many inspirations I've found here.

I've actually been lurking around this forum for a few years but didn't join until buying this latest truck. This forum has been a great resource.

[Kenfuzed]

I picked up these original sill panels at the swap meet yesterday. One of the few affordable deals out there at only 10 bucks for the pair. Some stripping and polish should make them presentable.

[Kenfuzed]

Not much progress but I did accumulate more goodies. A set of 2.5 drop spindles and 5-lug conversion axles. I love it when Christmas comes early. I still need to find a deal on some stock front springs that I can cut once I determine the optimal height.

[Turtleman]

I'll follow this.. mines a long fleet thats a daily driver also.. its hard to do a restore when you drive it each day.
I see your master cylinder is bolted on the firewall, was that a PO project?
and do you know what model it is?

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by Turtleman

I'll follow this.. mines a long fleet thats a daily driver also.. its hard to do a restore when you drive it each day.
I see your master cylinder is bolted on the firewall, was that a PO project?
and do you know what model it is?

Not sure of the brand but the PO purchased many parts from places like Classic and LMC. The MC and booster mount to the firewall and appear fairly new. All the steel brake lines are also new so one less thing to deal with. The PO had switched out the front from a mid-70's truck so it has disc brakes already. I won't know until I pull it all apart if they used 71-72 or 73+ (hoping it's the latter).

Closer pic of the MC/Booster.


I still need to buy the wheels before I install the 5-lug axles since I don't have an extra set of 5 lug wheels for the rear. A local has these wheels in 17x8 front and 17x9.5 rear at a good price.


My engine should be done in a couple of weeks. Moving up to a SB 350 w/Vortec heads to add a little more fun to my commute. Still shopping for all the accessories to make the swap as painless as possible. I need to pick up a larger radiator and bracket, and some manifolds.

So many plans, so little time in the day.

[Dinos63]

nice clean truck, great start

[mjs94080]

nice truck!

do you know what size drop springs are in front and back?

and

is that a 3 in a Tree column shift, 3 speed tranny?

Originally Posted by Kenfuzed

Hi everyone, I've been a lurker here for years but just picked up this truck a couple months ago so I thought I should start documenting my build.

This will NOT be one of those meticulous frame-off resto's that several others have done so well. Rather this will be my attempt to take a pieced-together truck and make myself a daily driver... one that I will actually feel like driving daily.

I'll start with the basics, the canvas I am starting with:
1966 C10 short fleetside.
Straight 6 250 and TH350.
The previous owner installed a mid-70's disc brake front end.
Rear is still a 12 bolt 6 lug.
Interior is fairly complete, unblemished bench seat, orig AM radio, all gauges work. The window felts and seals are shot. The PO installed a new fuel tank and sender.

Body is straight, no rust to cut out and it shouldn't take too much to get it into shape. Exterior is a faux-patina. The bed floor was replaced with a steel floor from a newer truck so I'll stick with that since it is functional for me.

The PO added a drop spring kit but I'll be updating this to improve the ride.

Here are some pics of where I'm starting.

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by mjs94080

nice truck!

do you know what size drop springs are in front and back?

and

is that a 3 in a Tree column shift, 3 speed tranny?

I believe the front springs are 3+ drops, they seem lower than standard 3's. After my engine swap I have a set of new drop spindles to install and need to find some 1" drop springs.

Automatic tranny.

[Kenfuzed]

Anyone know if this part is available? Top bracket for V8 radiator.


I am installing a Champion 3 row radiator and there is currently no bracket in the truck other than what is spot welded onto the old mismatched car radiator.

Also if anyone has other options for mounting this radiator please let me know.

[Kenfuzed]

New radiator arrived!

[Kenfuzed]

Started pulling the inline 6 out today. Spent most of the time wrestling with the trans crossmember bolts, then couldn't get the crossmember out before running out of light. I'll have to pull out the bigger BFH tomorrow or try spreading the frame with a bottle jack. I think the PO must have got a running start and jammed the transmission in because it is really jammed between the top lip of the hump on top and the trans mount.

[Captainfab]

I take it you are pulling the engine and trans as a unit? Is the bellhousing crossmember still in there? If not, you should be able to unbolt the trans from the crossmember and slide it forward, up and out. To remove the trans crossmember it is easier if you remove the top braces from each side. In original form those are riveted to the lower member of the crossmember. I always remove those rivets and bolt it back together.

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I take it you are pulling the engine and trans as a unit? Is the bellhousing crossmember still in there? If not, you should be able to unbolt the trans from the crossmember and slide it forward, up and out. To remove the trans crossmember it is easier if you remove the top braces from each side. In original form those are riveted to the lower member of the crossmember. I always remove those rivets and bolt it back together.

No bellhousing crossmember, the PO had already switched everything over to a Turbo 350 trans and the rear member has bolts instead of rivets. However that thing was really jammed in there... but hammering it out with my trusty BFH finally convinced it to move. I will be grinding down the corners of the member before putting it back in to make future changes easier.

[Kenfuzed]

So today I continued the engine pull and it didn't go any smoother. After finally getting the trans crossmember free I started pulling out the engine/trans as a single unit.

The truck is lowered so I had it up on ramps so I could get under it to free the member and driveshaft. I soon found out that I couldn't pull the engine up and over the front radiator support frame around the same time my load leveler seized. The 1 ton lift (another mistake) reached its max height, and to make things worse (yes they got worse) I couldn't back the truck off the ramps because the low stance of the front end doesn't have enough clearance to pull the legs of the engine lift back out. Oh the frustration and expletives!



Oh did I mention that I'm doing this all alone? Yeah, I tend to do things the hard way.

So back to the stuck engine and trans dangling up in the air like a 500lb pinata.
As mentioned the load leveler broke, the handle snapped off and then the screw shaft seized with the load being almost vertical. So I jacked up the tail of the trans. This didn't help much because I still couldn't get the engine up and over since there was no way I could jack up the tail that high.

Then I had an idea that actually got me over the hump. I decided to shore up the transmission in place there in the engine compartment with wood supports and separated the trans and engine right there. I don't recommend anyone else do this but giving the situation and working alone, this worked for me. With the weight now off the rear of the leveler I was able to get it to begin moving again. Bingo, up and over and out of the truck!


File all this under "how not to do things", but thankfully it worked out. Now on to the new engine.

[pimpston65]

Interior is fairly complete, unblemished bench seat, so when ur ready to sale that bench seat im ur guy!!!

[Kenfuzed]

Despite all the frustration pulling the engine the day was highlighted by the arrival of my new engine. SB 350, ~328HP, lots of chrome, and a thing of beauty IMHO.

Once I get the engine compartment cleaned up this baby is going in!

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

Interior is fairly complete, unblemished bench seat, so when ur ready to sale that bench seat im ur guy!!!

The seat is actually in pristine condition but I'll be keeping it

[Kenfuzed]

Painted the firewall today. Also found a local shop named Bills Hot Rod Co that specializes in brackets for SB350's. Picked up a chrome alternator bracket and special bracket for the P/S pump. Continued some prep for installing the new engine... but I'm sure I forgot something.