1966 C1434 SWB Custom Cab

[CustomCab66]

I have the center mount tack welded in place right in the middle so time for test fit #1. So far right in track

[CustomCab66]

I removed the center of the arches and from there I'll Just go straight to the frame. Welding it out now so all I need is about 3 inches of straight pipe on each side. To Be Continued

[northern 85]

Looking good!!!

[CustomCab66]

So wiring day is close. I used the instructional at LS1 Swap.com to convert the original harness to a stand alone harness back when I first bout the LS combo. Yesterday I installed the harness and hooked up all the sensor related stuff in the engine compartment. I ran the harness into the cab using a stock grommet hole for the original engine harness. Time to bust out the soldering iron and shrink wrap

[CustomCab66]

Also I have the pre and post fuel filters and necessary fittings on the way from Summit Racing. To Be Continued

[CustomCab66]

Big thanks to bj388ss for the use of his engine hoist to do the swap.

[CustomCab66]

Couldn't help myself I had to see what it sounded like with open headers. I tied some wires to a 12v source and added fuel. I bumped the starter over and the engine came to life. YES IT RUNS!!!!!!........ Well only briefly because I haven't finished the cooling system. I'm on the down hill slide now

[northern 85]

Very nice!! I like the flasher too!!

[CustomCab66]

Originally Posted by northern 85

Very nice!! I like the flasher too!!

Looks just like a photograph directly out of the GM brochure even after 51 years

[CustomCab66]

Almost ready for a test drive. The yellow wire hanging around the alternator is actually a trigger for the electric fan that I haven't installed yet. So for now it's just hanging out

[jimmythompson1964]

That LS looks right at home

[CustomCab66]

Got the lower radiator hose sorted out. Fan shroud had to be trimmed in order to clear the power steering pump shaft. I had to trim 3/8" off of the radius of the fan to keep it from rubbing the bottom of the fan shroud.

[northern 85]

Awesome , congrats! We need a vid now.

[CustomCab66]

Some more pics, I need to sort out the exhaust before my ears start to bleed. I'm so happy with the way it turned out. Once my pocket book recovers from the cheese I spent getting it running I may add a new LS1 hot cam or some comp cams grind and take it for some tuning.

It seems to pull real nice as it is. The LS is actually an LM7 truck motor which is LS based but everyone calls them LS1. It is essentially the same thing except it's an iron block vs an aluminum block. No overheating, oil pressure seems to be par, and the charging system works flawlessly.

Need to sort out the tach wiring at a later time but the speedometer is a different story. The 4L60e uses an electric speedo when these old trucks use a mechanical one. It's ok I'll just use my gps for speed when traveling.

[jimmythompson1964]

Looks good under the hood

[CustomCab66]

Originally Posted by northern 85

Awesome , congrats! We need a vid now.

I didn't know that I could post a video. I get right on it once I wash it up and polish the wheels

[CustomCab66]

On February 2nd 1966 A.D. Woody Jr. took delivery of a black 1966 Chevrolet C-10 at Crabtree Chevrolet Company in Glen Rose Tx. A.D. Ordered it with all the custom trim packages and deluxe interior. A.D drove the 66 until 1978 when he purchased a new Chevrolet truck. The truck was stored on an old pole barn until 2004 when an old high school friend of A.D's purchased it. Shortly after I found the 66 C-10 up for sale in Hico Tx. . I bought the truck from the second owner and continue to drive it till this day.

I met A.D years ago after purchasing his old 66. A.D. was a carpenter by trade
during his younger days and eventually he was the town mayor and later on a member of the city council. During my travels this week I learned that A.D. had passed in 2014.

I stopped by Crabtree Chevrolet where the building and the sales lot sit empty today. In squished my face up against the glass and saw the parts desk and service department labeled with old peeling paint. The once shiny checkered tiled floor is dusty and broken. I saw a bookshelf with tons of old service manuals and parts manuals. When I met the original salesman Scott Crabtree Jr who originally sold my 66 he told me that the dealership closed its doors in 1970. I was hoping to take the 66 by his house to show him but he wasn't home. Next time I'm up in his neck of the woods I want to see if he wouldn't mind signing my protect-O plate next to his original signature form 1966.

I parked my 66 in the old sales lot and took some photos from across the street.
Sorry if I'm geeking out here guys but it was a very fun trip. I put 300 + miles on the truck and the LS ran awesome.

[DPowers]

Very cool

[CustomCab66]

With the 4L60e in place I was able to run 70 for the entire trip. Tach read 2100 RPM at that speed which is a huge improvement over the old TH 350 which ran 3100 RPM at 70.

LOOK what I found halfway between Stephenville and Glenrose on TX67. This 65 still has the 283 in it or at the very least it's a V8 wearing 283 intake and valve covers. It's all intact under the hood and WOW even has the deluxe steering wheel.

[CustomCab66]

This was also sitting on the same spot of land. Amazing find

[bj383ss]

Those are some very cool pictures. I don't know how you find all these trucks everywhere. I really like that 58-59' I am kinda getting a soft spot for those. I can't decide if I want to get a 59' or a Squarebody.

Bret

[northern 85]

You are not geeking at all these are the stories that need to be shared. Awesome!!!

[CustomCab66]

Back out in the garage working on the fan shroud. It’s tough workin with this stainless. Aluminum is easier to bend and much lighter. Just doing the best with what I have available

[The Rocknrod]

You found those trucks in Iredell?

[CustomCab66]

They were halfway between Stephenville and Glen Rose on 67