Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Padget · 05-16-2007, 03:54 AM

Hiya all, I just bought an old chev pick up, I really have no idea what it is yet. The registration book says its a 1972 Chevrolet C10.

Firstly this looks like a great site I've learnt more in 10 minutes here than I have in he last month of owning this truck. I'm in South Africa so I've no idea what type of spares I'll be able to get to fix her up. What I need is a reliable work horse so this ain't going to be no show gal.

It had no wiring loom no electrics, and has a small amount of rust, the upolstry is shot and the paint work is RO5 grey. I've managed to get it running and all the spark plugs are now burning a a healthy colour, I've wired up some electics so that I have Lights indicators and brake lights I've tightened the gear selectors up so she goes into gear, and I'll let you Know how I get on.

I'll post some pics soon so some one can tell me what it is that I have bought.

GREASEMONKEY72 · 05-16-2007, 04:51 AM

to the board

theres loads of info here for you pick at all you want, cant wait to see pics of your truck

RACINJASON22 · 05-16-2007, 05:14 AM

To the board from Central, Pa, USA

You will love this place it rocks

Can't wait ta see pic's!

RJ22

Padget · 05-16-2007, 05:18 AM

When I bought the truck in the paper work was an old photocopied spec sheet from a Chevrolet 3800 1972-1978 with the tech specs, such as the points setting, the cylinder firing order, and after weeks of banging my head thinking that this related to my engine I had, I finally gave up and threw it away.

I'm not a mechanic, but I have owned and loved Honda 750 fours all my life, I remarried a few years a go and with the new wife the bikes have all gone. So this truck is going to be my next project and as I sold my car to help my wife get the car she wanted, this truck is just going to have to keep running.

So I'm appling some basic motor cycle maintenance to a Chev truck and crossing my fingers.

The engine would only fire on No. three so I started from there putting leads to the spark plugs one by one, listening by ear until I had it running on all six . I then used a dwell meter to set the points gap. The points were set at about 1mm now its a lot less than that but the dwell angle is now at 32 degrees which feels about right. The carburetor by this time had blown all its gaskets from the back fires and the pre ignitions and lord knows what so I took it apart cleaned it out polished the inlet and stuck it back together, using a paper clip to hold the float in position. Once back on the manifold, I turned the fuel air mix screw in fully, and backed it out one and a half turns.

I started her up and she came to life eventually, I then backed out the air screw on the carburetor another one turn to get it to stay running while I cranked the idle down by 2500 rpm, and then with a home made rev counter from a Morris I turned up the fuel air screw until the engine revs started to die a bit then backed it out a quarter turn. Still using the rev counter, I then loosened off the distributor mounts and turned the whole body of the distributor clock wise then anti clock wise until I had the highest rpm.

I then went back and adjusted the carburetors fuel air mix and idle speed, and repeated the whole operation with the distributor. The vacuum advance retard doesn't seem to be working although I replaced the vacuum tube, so I have advanced the distributor about 5 degrees from where I had it at best set and locked it down at that. I'm hoping that the small advance will give me an easier start when cold, and take out any dead patches where the advance retard vacuum is not working. I have the engine now idling at around 850 rpm, and if i put my hand over the exhaust pipe it bumps against it very nicely with the occasional hick up about every 10 seconds, my hand is coming away clean and wet and smells hot and wet with a small hint of petrol, so its running a little rich which at this stage is OK. I'll get the garage to fine tune it with all their gizmo's when I have the money

I've taken the truck for a Test drive and wow! Its running very nicely thank you, the speedo goes up to 80 miles an hour and on the flat it goes up to about 72 of those miles an hour. Up hill the truck is showing its age and slows a little, but for normal use it seems to sit at 50 mph very comfortably and has loads of power left. There was a bit of smoke to begin with but that cleared up after it did about twenty miles. Back home all four spark plugs are burning a nice brown colour. There is some black oil in the threads of the lower end of the spark pugs and my guess is that the rings are on their way out or just well worn for its age.

I'm guessing that some of the oil sweeper rings on the pistons are a little worn, and hence the small amount of smoke and the loss of a little power up Hill. I'm wondering if its worth at a latter date having new rings fitted or having an oversize re bore. I'd really like some feed back on that.

The next job is to repalce the exhaust gasket if I can find one out here, as I did the last one some perminant damage trying to get the engine working when I was using the photocopied spec sheets. the firing order is not 1,5,3,6,2,4 Its 1,4,2,6,3,5 Can some one tell me is the timing 180 degrees out on the cam shaft or something, or is this anouther type of engine all together?

Padget · 05-16-2007, 05:21 AM

Thanks for the welcom Guys, I'm learning new stuff already. I'll take some pics later when my wife gets back with the camera, and learn how to post them then.

Padget · 05-16-2007, 05:24 AM

All four, all six ! never had a six before !

RACINJASON22 · 05-16-2007, 05:32 AM

I was gonna ask about the 4 but I see you stated 6 know

Sounds to me like ya got a good head on your shoulder there. Engines are engines and what ya know about one kind CAN be transfered over to most of the others.

I'm mostly into SBC's so I'm not much help on the inliners but, I do like em"

RJ22

86swb · 05-16-2007, 06:29 AM

Welcome to the board from Western Kentucky.

*rage'nrat638* · 05-16-2007, 07:29 AM

welcome to the board from chicago

your pal mark

L0WRIDE · 05-16-2007, 07:34 AM

Welcome to the board from New zealand

BACKYARD88 · 05-16-2007, 08:58 AM

from South Texas.

krue · 05-16-2007, 09:08 AM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

shaneschevys · 05-16-2007, 10:00 AM

Welcome from FT Worth TX.

jsbgump · 05-16-2007, 10:02 AM

Welcome to the board from Texas

**John Fabris** · 05-16-2007, 01:44 PM

Welcome!!!!

Padget · 05-16-2007, 01:49 PM

Okay just took a few pics this is what I bought

msgross · 05-16-2007, 02:30 PM

That's a GMC grille in the US, someone might have added the bowtie to the hood.... nice short bed...
welcome

Padget · 05-16-2007, 02:47 PM

Thanks Thats cleared a few things up

1lowdiesel · 05-16-2007, 02:49 PM

nice rig welcome from jersey.

i actually have relatives in the cape of good hope.

redneckgirl · 05-16-2007, 02:59 PM

Welcome to the board from Maryland!!

**Ron 586** · 05-17-2007, 12:23 AM

Welcome to the board from West Tennessee.

CAL 58 GMC · 05-17-2007, 11:08 PM

Welcome to the board from central California!

**Canadian694x4** · 05-19-2007, 08:24 PM

Welcome To The Boards From The Great White North!

LUV2XCLR8 · 05-20-2007, 08:00 AM

From West TN

ZUBZ · 11-24-2011, 05:45 AM

Nice truck Padget, wherebout in South Africa are you? We could maybe network as I recently purchased a 1970 C10.

05-16-2007, 03:54 AM	#1
Padget Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 6	Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Hiya all, I just bought an old chev pick up, I really have no idea what it is yet. The registration book says its a 1972 Chevrolet C10. Firstly this looks like a great site I've learnt more in 10 minutes here than I have in he last month of owning this truck. I'm in South Africa so I've no idea what type of spares I'll be able to get to fix her up. What I need is a reliable work horse so this ain't going to be no show gal. It had no wiring loom no electrics, and has a small amount of rust, the upolstry is shot and the paint work is RO5 grey. I've managed to get it running and all the spark plugs are now burning a a healthy colour, I've wired up some electics so that I have Lights indicators and brake lights I've tightened the gear selectors up so she goes into gear, and I'll let you Know how I get on. I'll post some pics soon so some one can tell me what it is that I have bought.

05-16-2007, 04:51 AM	#2
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA to the board theres loads of info here for you pick at all you want, cant wait to see pics of your truck __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME

05-16-2007, 05:14 AM	#3
RACINJASON22 GEARHEAD Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CENTRAL,PA Posts: 2,284	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA To the board from Central, Pa, USA You will love this place it rocks Can't wait ta see pic's! RJ22 __________________ 72 SWB 2WD MY PROJECT 72 LWB 4X4 FUTURE PROJECT SUBSCRIBE HEREBOARD VENDORS HERE NORWOOD MEET SURVIVOR! Last edited by RACINJASON22; 05-16-2007 at 05:15 AM.

05-16-2007, 05:18 AM	#4
Padget Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 6	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA When I bought the truck in the paper work was an old photocopied spec sheet from a Chevrolet 3800 1972-1978 with the tech specs, such as the points setting, the cylinder firing order, and after weeks of banging my head thinking that this related to my engine I had, I finally gave up and threw it away. I'm not a mechanic, but I have owned and loved Honda 750 fours all my life, I remarried a few years a go and with the new wife the bikes have all gone. So this truck is going to be my next project and as I sold my car to help my wife get the car she wanted, this truck is just going to have to keep running. So I'm appling some basic motor cycle maintenance to a Chev truck and crossing my fingers. The engine would only fire on No. three so I started from there putting leads to the spark plugs one by one, listening by ear until I had it running on all six . I then used a dwell meter to set the points gap. The points were set at about 1mm now its a lot less than that but the dwell angle is now at 32 degrees which feels about right. The carburetor by this time had blown all its gaskets from the back fires and the pre ignitions and lord knows what so I took it apart cleaned it out polished the inlet and stuck it back together, using a paper clip to hold the float in position. Once back on the manifold, I turned the fuel air mix screw in fully, and backed it out one and a half turns. I started her up and she came to life eventually, I then backed out the air screw on the carburetor another one turn to get it to stay running while I cranked the idle down by 2500 rpm, and then with a home made rev counter from a Morris I turned up the fuel air screw until the engine revs started to die a bit then backed it out a quarter turn. Still using the rev counter, I then loosened off the distributor mounts and turned the whole body of the distributor clock wise then anti clock wise until I had the highest rpm. I then went back and adjusted the carburetors fuel air mix and idle speed, and repeated the whole operation with the distributor. The vacuum advance retard doesn't seem to be working although I replaced the vacuum tube, so I have advanced the distributor about 5 degrees from where I had it at best set and locked it down at that. I'm hoping that the small advance will give me an easier start when cold, and take out any dead patches where the advance retard vacuum is not working. I have the engine now idling at around 850 rpm, and if i put my hand over the exhaust pipe it bumps against it very nicely with the occasional hick up about every 10 seconds, my hand is coming away clean and wet and smells hot and wet with a small hint of petrol, so its running a little rich which at this stage is OK. I'll get the garage to fine tune it with all their gizmo's when I have the money I've taken the truck for a Test drive and wow! Its running very nicely thank you, the speedo goes up to 80 miles an hour and on the flat it goes up to about 72 of those miles an hour. Up hill the truck is showing its age and slows a little, but for normal use it seems to sit at 50 mph very comfortably and has loads of power left. There was a bit of smoke to begin with but that cleared up after it did about twenty miles. Back home all four spark plugs are burning a nice brown colour. There is some black oil in the threads of the lower end of the spark pugs and my guess is that the rings are on their way out or just well worn for its age. I'm guessing that some of the oil sweeper rings on the pistons are a little worn, and hence the small amount of smoke and the loss of a little power up Hill. I'm wondering if its worth at a latter date having new rings fitted or having an oversize re bore. I'd really like some feed back on that. The next job is to repalce the exhaust gasket if I can find one out here, as I did the last one some perminant damage trying to get the engine working when I was using the photocopied spec sheets. the firing order is not 1,5,3,6,2,4 Its 1,4,2,6,3,5 Can some one tell me is the timing 180 degrees out on the cam shaft or something, or is this anouther type of engine all together? __________________ Old Chevs never Die

05-16-2007, 05:21 AM	#5
Padget Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 6	Thanks Thanks for the welcom Guys, I'm learning new stuff already. I'll take some pics later when my wife gets back with the camera, and learn how to post them then. __________________ Old Chevs never Die

05-16-2007, 05:24 AM	#6
Padget Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 6	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA All four, all six ! never had a six before ! __________________ Old Chevs never Die

05-16-2007, 05:32 AM	#7
RACINJASON22 GEARHEAD Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CENTRAL,PA Posts: 2,284	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA I was gonna ask about the 4 but I see you stated 6 know Sounds to me like ya got a good head on your shoulder there. Engines are engines and what ya know about one kind CAN be transfered over to most of the others. I'm mostly into SBC's so I'm not much help on the inliners but, I do like em" RJ22 __________________ 72 SWB 2WD MY PROJECT 72 LWB 4X4 FUTURE PROJECT SUBSCRIBE HEREBOARD VENDORS HERE NORWOOD MEET SURVIVOR!

05-16-2007, 06:29 AM	#8
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome to the board from Western Kentucky. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

05-16-2007, 07:29 AM	#9
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA welcome to the board from chicago your pal mark

05-16-2007, 07:34 AM	#10
L0WRIDE Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,166	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome to the board from New zealand __________________ 49 CHEVROLET 1/2 TON, 52 CHEVROLET SEDAN 62 HARDTOP NOVA 65 CHEVROLET BB LWB FLEETSIDE 90 CHEVROLET EXTRA CAB CHEVY ONLY - NZ Chapter http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=137984

05-16-2007, 08:58 AM	#11
BACKYARD88 On the fast track to nowhere.. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Splendora, Texas Posts: 5,316	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA from South Texas. __________________ -Mike Owen- Support the board here! 71 Chevy short fleet build thread Double D Norwood, Houston, Cecilia, Jackson, Monroe and counting

05-16-2007, 09:08 AM	#12
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

05-16-2007, 10:00 AM	#13
shaneschevys Its always something! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FT Worth,TX Posts: 4,992	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome from FT Worth TX. __________________ 79 p10 stepvan 72 Short Fleetside 72 Suburban 67 GMC One Ton Flatbed 64 Short Fleetside 57 Chevy 2DR Hard Top 57 Chevy 2dr wagon 65 f* short fleet 63 C 60 Flatbed Member of the patina club**

05-16-2007, 10:02 AM	#14
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome to the board from Texas __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616

05-16-2007, 01:44 PM	#15
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome!!!! __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB



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05-16-2007, 01:49 PM	#16
Padget Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 6	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Okay just took a few pics this is what I bought Attached Images __________________ Old Chevs never Die

05-16-2007, 02:30 PM	#17
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA That's a GMC grille in the US, someone might have added the bowtie to the hood.... nice short bed... welcome __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

05-16-2007, 02:47 PM	#18
Padget Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 6	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Thanks Thats cleared a few things up __________________ Old Chevs never Die

05-16-2007, 02:49 PM	#19
1lowdiesel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: central jersey Posts: 763	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA nice rig welcome from jersey. i actually have relatives in the cape of good hope. __________________ 69 4wd V6 20k orig miles!! 05 ccsb 2wd Diesel 500hp bagged and soon to be stock floored. 01 rcsb chevy 2wd 6bt cummins :devil:> build xtremediesel.com

05-16-2007, 02:59 PM	#20
redneckgirl Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bel Air, Maryland Posts: 4,853	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome to the board from Maryland!! __________________ The place where you made your stand never mattered. Only that you were there... and still on your feet. Stephen King

05-17-2007, 12:23 AM	#21
Ron 586 RIP Mr Ron Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Sandy, Tn. 38221 Posts: 8,166	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome to the board from West Tennessee. __________________ Ron (Mr Round Tuit) Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle TN Message Forum TN Facebook Group SETN Truck Show My Photobucket

05-17-2007, 11:08 PM	#22
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome to the board from central California! __________________ Classic Trucks Link http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...uck/index.html 1958 GMC.Project Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=162816 1966 Chevelle Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=443576 Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrNKo8F7Zw#GU5U2spHI_4

05-19-2007, 08:24 PM	#23
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,306	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Welcome To The Boards From The Great White North! __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 20 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada! - 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 2 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 13 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 6 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

05-20-2007, 08:00 AM	#24
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,470	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA From West TN __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

11-24-2011, 05:45 AM	#25
ZUBZ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 354	Re: Hi I Just bought an old chev pick up in SA Nice truck Padget, wherebout in South Africa are you? We could maybe network as I recently purchased a 1970 C10.

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