Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

This truck carries some history. I am the third generation in my family to drive this truck since my grandpa purchased it brand new in 63. I have been slowly doing little things here and there since I was 15 years old.... now 37 and looking forward to my son or daughter to be the 4th generation Williams to enjoy this vehicle. So to start I pulled the I6 292 out my senior year in high school auto class and put a 350 I built into it. I left the stock transmission and most other stock parts in so after several years later I am back at it. In the next several months..... maybe years I will be fixing it up to drive. I will post my build as I go.

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

One of the first things I figured I would want my kids to have was something I never had in this truck and that’s a little safety. So I found a front seat out of a 2002 Chevy suburban. I had to do a little fab work but they fit great. As you can see the center console/ seat sits a little high in the front. I will be pulling it back out and cutting the legs down to make it fit. These seats are perfect because not only did I gain the built in seatbelts but I also gained the luxury of power seats.

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

The next couple things I wanted to do were for safety and luxury as well. As you can tell from most of my posts this will be done on a cheap budget. I had an old truck on the farm that a guy wanted, he had a 78’ Chevy that I could rob parts off for my 63. So we did some swapping. With the help of non other than Cpt. Fab, a lot of you know him on here for his parts. I added power steering, power brakes and a hydraulic clutch for the soon to swap NV3500 transmission. I pulled the whole front clip out of the 78 and bolted it in adding disk brakes and radial suspension.

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Here is a picture of the hydraulic clutch master cylinder mounted on the bracket from Cpt Fab.

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Over the next couple weeks I will be installing the NV3500 transmission I have out of a 90’s 1500 pickup. I also have the rear end out of the 78’ Chevy that I want to mount up. I ask that if you are reading this and you have ideas or tips or see something I did that won’t work or you have seen or know will fail, please by all means let me know. I always appreciate a little insight and wisdom.

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Grandpa's truck! Good for you!

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Thanks, as you know from your 65 it’s always fun working on something with history!

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Awesome truck. My wife is from Burley and her sisters family live and farm in Paul. Hope to see it sometime.

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

I am actually from Paul as well. Hopefully soon it will be rolling around!

Okay, so I lowered the engine back in and went to bolt it to the new front cross member and my engine mounts don’t line up. Could use some tips here. I replaced the whole front cross member out of a 78’ Chevy gaining the disk brakes. I used the same engine mounts that I had in it prior to pulling the 350... these are actually the same engine mounts that the original l6 292 rested on. They have been moved to the forward location so my new transmission, the NV3500 shifter will be in the same location. I got the left side mount bolt in then moved to the right side and the engine mount sits about 2” too high on the mount. Any ideas what will work?
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

should only require you to drill the mount in the crossmember

I didn’t have to drill any holes on the cross member it’s self or the frame. The holes all lined up. The mounts are mounted to to cross member and frame. The bolt hole just wouldn’t line up on the rubber mounts on the engine itself.
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

The Motor mounts sit on top of the frame rail and bolt into the frame and the cross-member.
If the mounts are not upside down or flipped side to side and they bolted up to the old set up.....you are doing something way wrong.

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

The original engine mount brackets are not designed to be used in the forward location. Having the later model crossmember changes the equation some but the center to center measurement of the holes in the brackets for the bolt into the mounts is likely not the correct distance. For the forward location, I always recommend the '67-'72 small block engine mount brackets. those are designed to be used in the forward location.

I have been looking online and have seen these. The only thing that made me leery about them is the cross member is out of a 78. But I think they should work and I am going to order a set. Thanks man, you have always been a great source of info.... hope you seen one of your brackets holding the brake booster/ hydraulic clutch master cylinder to the firewall!
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Well another productive weekend. I was going to stab the engine and transmission in but the motor mounts I ordered that stated the rubber mounts came with them... well they didn’t. So I decided to put in the rear axle from the same 78’ Chevy I got the front end off of. We unbolted the old one after bracing it and taking measurements to get the correct pinion angle. Then stripped the cleats off both axles, put the new one in place, tack welded everything in place then removed it and welded it all up. Everything bolted up really nicely. Went from 4.11 to 3.07 gears. That should make a difference!

Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Trying to figure out how the heck to add pictures. Not a fan of this new format.
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Now I am sitting here in a sling after having my bicep re-attached to my shoulder and a rotator cuff repair. Typing this all left handed.... not my dominant hand! So things are probably going to slow down a bit.
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

I'm sorry. That stinks. Hoping for a quick recovery.

Well 3 months with a 1lb lifting restriction then the next 3 months will build up from there. But I also have a couple hella good friends that are going to assist me in my one arm restoration! So this build will continue!
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Don't over do it, take it easy and heal, the truck and all of us will be here when you are able to continue!

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Haha, well you sound like everyone else who knows I have a project in the shop. And you’re right, I just get so dang bored. About 6 years ago I had my bicep re-attached to my left arm. A week after surgery my wife pulled in the driveway and since I didn’t have the shop at the time she caught me putting the under bed gas tank in. Boy was I in trouble! I think I will try and stay away from it; probably good advice

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Well, I decided to order a wiring harness. Too many wires are looking like they are 57 years old! I decided on the Speedway 910-64022 harness. Some other people on here have spoken highly of them. Have any of you guys used one of these? I am a novice at electrical so this will be a little bit of a challenge.
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

I bought the same one for my 57 truck. It’s a nice harness.

Glad to hear. I have yet to see a bad review. Can’t beat the price.
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

I probably should have asked before I ordered... but has anyone used car parts.com for fenders? I ordered both front full fenders for 300$. Guess we will see how well they fit. I have decided to go a little deeper into this project than originally planned. Also ordered a replacement floor pan for the drivers side from LMC along with some other parts. Now I am craving getting out there but have to hold off till the shoulder heals

Well I got back to it this weekend with the help of my 10 year old boy. He is great help! He will be the 4th generation Williams to drive it and it makes this build so much more enjoyable having him being a part of the build. A true blessing from God. The engine is nothing too special as far as power but it runs strong. Not bad for a budget build.
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

your motor looks great !! , so cool about your son working on the truck with you too .

Well I couldn’t take it any longer, had to do something on this project. With the help of my boy... and of course Hank the dog you see in the pic we started to remove some rust. I am no body man and am learning as I go. I got the outer rocker panel of without too much hassle. I think I can even reuse it since it didn’t have a rust issue. I think I need to cut a little deeper to get rid of all the floor panel rust though. Hope I don’t mess this part up. All new territory for me.
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

I have decided to take this build to the next step. I figured I will never have this truck torn apart like this again.
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I have never painted before but it is a good time to learn. I had the wire harness installed and was about to drop the engine in when I decided this old truck needs some makeup. I pulled the front clip off, besides stabbing the engine and transmission in will be a lot easier with it off. I will probably head out to the shop today and pull the windshield. Got my order in yesterday from Eastwood with all my sanding materials. I will be starting my painting in the cab and the engine compartment.
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Got the windshield out today. Scotch bright did the trick on the dash. Little more on the back wall and roof then to the doors.
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Are you painting with the original colors?

Yes, I want to keep it looking just like grandpa purchased it as far as colors. Schows was able to pull all my paint codes up.
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Well today I pulled the bed off the frame and started sanding the exterior of the cab. What was GM thinking with the wonderful rain gutter on the roof?! I think I got all the rust out of it and all their silicone. That was a pain. Other than that I think things are coming along. Added an 80 gallon air compressor to the shop, that has been a big help. Now that the bed is off I will put all new suspension in the rear end. Might as well since it is so accessible now. Never thought I would dig this far into this truck but it has been a fun learning experience.
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Re: Grandpa’s 63 C10 build
 

Need some help from y’all. Looking at door skins for my truck and the ones I am finding are 60-66 Chevy trucks. Nothing specific for the 60-63. We all know us working on 60-63’s have a unique issue when it comes to doors and windshields.... any tips or advice for doos or full door skins?
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Shaved the gas cap and that’s about it for this weekend. Honey do’s in the yard now.
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