Newbie 1964 GMC Build

[Rusteeze64GB]

Hello, I am glad to have found you guy's Where do I start? I have been wanting an old truck for a long time. My Dad has a 1963 Chevy Truck shortbed w/ stepsides but, is not ready to hand it over,( my great grandfathers old truck) and I am not ready to wait. So, I decided to look around a see what I could find. It is funny I was not originally looking for a truck. I wanted an old car to work on but could not find one in my price range. So, this 64GMC fleetside was calling me $975. Basically, when I bought the truck the man that had it said it had not ran in a few years and was at a body shop getting paint before he stopped driving it. Long story short, I had got myself into a little more than I wanted and the man's story was incorrect but hey, you always remember your first. I have 3 kids and have been with my wife for 9 years. Time is more an issue than money. However, I am not doing a frame up full on restoration. I am looking to just put something together that looks nice and I can drive to work on Fridays and maybe an old car show here or there. So, I did not set a budget and I am not planning to spend thousands. The engine was rusted so I am going to tear it apart and maybe rebuild later. in the meantime, I did get a great running 250 inline from Chevyguys on the board. He even fired it up for me before I took delivery. He lives right up the street from me what are the odds. The plan is to have this 250 I6 engine dropped in this week after cleaning and paint. The goal is to have the truck running by the end of October beginning of November. The biggest issue after the engine being put in is the the hacked up wire harnnes under the dash that is currently in the truck. I am hoping I can clean it up and make it work until I am ready to rewire teh truck. Wish me luck. So, if I can get this right I will post up some pictures of my current progress stay tuned for more pictures.

Picutre One - Truck when I first got it doors were in the backyard w/ all the other parts and I still needed to buy glass

Picture Two - Old Engine looked okay until I tore into it

Picture Three - sanded the body and Primered front and outside of the bed

Picture Four - Truck with Glass

Picture Five - Grille from Terd Fergeson... Thank you

[Rusteeze64GB]

First pic - Old Engine

Second pic - I6 250

Third pic - 2 Friends helping with removal of old

Fourth pic - Empty bay

I have done alot of cleaning after the engine was pulled. I also have painted the firewall black after sanding and cleaning. I also plan to do the wrinkle paint on the side panels in the engine bay The 250 has been cleaned and painted should go in by Tuesday October 6th. I will have more pictures later

[MacAttack]

Welcome to the looney bin.



Nice start on your rig!

Mac.

[BR3W CITY]

looks like a pretty clean truck to work with. Hell, for only $975 seems like you got a good deal even if the motor was stuck.

[Rusteeze64GB]

Yeah that is what everyone that has seen the truck in person has told me. There is no rust in the cabin. The rockers, cabin corners, doors all rust free. There is alot of dirt under the truck that I have been working at slowly but rust is a 5 out of 10 on this truck. Got lucky there. I know it definalty helps knowing that this truck has been in Az for the last 10 to 15 years. Dry as hell if not drier.

[markeb01]

That's a great plan, and nice starting point. Set a small budget and simple plan, and then anticipate spending 3 times as much! It always seems to end up that way. You've already saved a bundle getting a rust free cab - rust repair is expensive. Spent 18 months at MCAS Yuma decades ago, I know what you mean about drier than hell. Great for rust free sheet metal, not so friendly for humans.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the board

[creep]

Nice find! In case you don't know yet, you should check out www.6066gmcguy.org. Tons of info on there.

[Rusteeze64GB]

Picture of the firewall painted black.

[62 Longbed]

Welcome to the boards !!! Looking Good , Keep the pictures coming ..

[4dranch]

Welcome from West Tn.
Nice rig you got there.

Ooh. and lets see some pictures of your dads truck.

[Rusteeze64GB]

I will work on them pictures of my Dad's truck.

[Rusteeze64GB]

Here are some new pics. I put the I6 250 from Chevyguys in the truck yesterday. I did some cleanup and paint. It looks good. I need a new coil and a little more degreaser but, it looks great otherwise. Now I need to rewire under the dash and I need a new engine harness. After that, then we have a brake job then register this bad boy. hopefully I can drive it once a week to work by November. That is the goal. Finally, I will just peck at it until I reach perfection. I am glad I got a good engine that is half the battle.

[Rusteeze64GB]

Made some progress on the 64 yesterday.
1. Put the starter in the engine after having it checked
2. messed with the engine harness
3. Put on Powder coated Battery Tray
4. Put on the power steering bracket and pump.
5. Put radiator support back on after rust cleaning and paint
6. Put a little satin black paint on the passenger side just to see if I like it.
7. bought a new horn relay
8. Had the ingnition switch tested and lubed up
9. trying to figure out why she wont start
10. Added 6 blade fan instead of 5


Hoping to get gas tank and seat soon. Need to do brakes and get truck running then I will be going straight to the DMV to get plates and registration. Then I will peck at the truck until I am satisfied.

[Rusteeze64GB]

So, I am now onto the brakes. Truck is running good. Need tune up but, it starts on the first key turn, everytime. When I opened the master cylinder it was dry. Just for giggles I put some brake fluid in there. Pumped the brakes a few times and I got a firm pedal, and it did not go all the way to the floor. I did notice when changing the gas tank that the parking brake is disconnected too. When the truck is running and I pull forward a little the pedal stops half way but when I press the pedal again it goes to the floor even more than the first time. By the third of fourth time pushing the pedal it touches the floor board. I am wondering if I bleed the brakes, will my problem be fixed. I am going ot get the drums off and replace the hardware and change the wheel cylinders but, like most I am trying to do this on the cheap. I do also believe I have power brakes on this truck so I do have 2 vaccum lines I need to hook up. Is that going to effect the brakes if the lines are not hooked up. Please see previous pics the power brake booster is on the drivers side. Get me some opinions on how I should approch this. I want to do the brakes and lower the truck a next weekend. Maybe take it around the block.

[blackmopar]

absolutely bleed the brakes - it will be an improvement - explanation tells me you have air in the lines, especially if you literally had a dry master cylinder.
if you have vacuum lines not connected than you should have a helluva air leak - which would degrade engine performance (you mentioned thinking you need a tune up) and would not engage the booster so you would have a firm pedal (like when your car stalls and you apply the brakes) but the disconnected vacuum lines shouldnt cause pedal mash - thats air IMO

[Rusteeze64GB]

Well it has been a while since I have updated this thing. I tell you, man you think you can do this for 700-1000 and you end up 1400-2000 into in a heart beat. Well to repeat my story briefly. I bought the truck for $975 1964 GMC. I have done all of my own work, including the used but nice running engine from a new found friend on the forum. The 975 came with Surface rust and a siezed 235. I knocked that rust off and put a 250 in then got into my project. I am not going to lie I have cut corners. What I mean by cut corners is used parts in better condition than I had and not ordered factory original parts. I am a detail oriented guy so I know that time and TLC would go a long way. I want to say thanks to Chevyguys for the help and parts he provided. This board has helped me in so many ways.

So, I only wanted a decent twice a week driver that would be fun to take for a drive on the weekend or to a car show to park and wander like a lost soul wishing I had a 77 firebird. However, I think I have made great strides. If I had to guesstimate I have probably dumped about 700 into it. I am looking at maybe spending another 500-700 after brandnew carpet, doing the seat, exhaust shop for tips and new tires and registration and plates, also including other odds and ends.... Then, down the road I will proabably do a nice $1000 paint job. Color scheme Exterior Burnt Orange, with Brown interior. So anyways here are a few pictures.

Rest of to do list:

Interior $50.00
Black Suede for Arm Rests $15.00
Tires $350.00
Side Mirrors $50.00
Brake and Blinker Bulbs $15.00

and I am sure other stuff will pop up and my bill will be more. I will send more pics when I am street legal and driving. Probably around July - August.

[63sbssbbw]

Looking great Rusteeze
Got to love it when elbow grease pays dividends
keep up the good work
T

[aboz]

Gotta' paint my baby black like that! That can't possibly be a rattle can job? You do it yourself?

[DPowers]

Looks great

[Rusteeze64GB]

That is a rattle can job. I took all the rust off and I used a real expensive primer about $15 per can. I used 3 cans. The devil is in the details my dad worked for Sea Ray boats for 20 years in final finish. That is were I got those skills from. Prepping is the single most Important detail. I used rustoilem satin black. I have used 8 cans. I need to get one more to do my tail gate. I just took my time and laid down even layers. It looks pretty good. At least until I am ready for a real body shop. Thanks for the compliments guys

[fryer1979]

I did a rattle can job on my '79 Camaro with the same Rustoleum satin black, and it turned out great, even added some satin white GM style stripes to it. Cool project you got going there.

[protrash64]

Nice work!! Hope to see it cruisin' around soon.

[tapeworm]

Even if you 2K into it when you are done, you are still doing good. Cheap fun-I like it!

[C-10cutty]

good work.