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Builds and Journals This is where the magic happens. Photograph & document your GMC build progress for posterity. NOTICE - Photobucket will delete your pics after a time. Use another host if possible. |
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My 1963 GMC Bus
Back Story:
This bus was in my family for about a decade. My dad used it as a mini-camper, hauler, temporary house when in Missouri. The last time it ran was in 1991. The water pump went out on it, and there were no replacement gaskets available. One thing and another, my dad parked it on my Grandpa's property and there it sat for 30 years. It functioned as a junk storage unit and mouse dwelling. It has one of the 305 V6 engines in it. My dad says it started up great every time, never let him down. He would drive 55-60mph for gas mileage - the big RVs would pass him on the flat stretches. Going up the mountains he maintained 60mph while passing all the RVs that were struggling. --- Fast forward to 2021, my uncle pulled it out of the forest with his tractor, and we hired someone to tow it to my house. I took 4-5 pickup loads of mouse nest/trash to the dump and hosed out the interior. The valve and cam covers are rusted out, the mouse nests really did a number on them. The rest of the body and frame look surprisingly good, and all the glass is intact. I was going to put another engine in it, but I've read such good things about this V6 I'm going to give it a shot. Maybe some JB weld to patch the valve cover a small bit at a time, then make/buy another cover for the camshaft. First step will be removing part of the head to inspect the cylinder and gasket, just in case something went wrong while he was messing with the water pump. |
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Re: My 1963 GMC Bus
If the engine runs well, I'll consider investing in a new set of valve covers. For now, I want to get it igniting/combusting as cheaply as possible.
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Re: My 1963 GMC Bus
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Re: My 1963 GMC Bus
Definitely one of the neater projects I've seen. It looks like your dad parked it right after filling it up at the station and drove off with the gas handle in the first pic!
To view some links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Maybe you should introduce yourself with a new topic? Mouse pee ate right through those valve covers too. You can find replacements on Ebay from time to time, or you might be able to pick up an entire spare engine off Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks. It's always good to have a spare. Maybe you don't need it now but in 20 years when they've all been scrapped by kids trying to hot-rod them you'll be glad you had it for spare parts. Like James said don't crank it even a little without draining the fuel. Who knows what's in the tank. Just stick the line from the fuel pump into a gas can and run it like that. I bet the fuel pump needs replaced too. They're not expensive, but the diaphragm goes out quicker on the new ones. Hard to find quality parts anymore (for any car, really). Also check the exhaust pipes for mouse nests. You can snake them like a plumbing drain. I'll bet good money once you get the valve covers sealed and cover the crank it'll fire right up like the old days. Probably smell like murdered skunk for 10 minutes or so, but once she warms up you'll have a good reliable engine. These suckers do not quit. Let us know how it goes To view some links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Maybe you should introduce yourself with a new topic?
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Step by steps: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Some people are like slinkys. Not worth much but funny as heck when pushed down stairs. __________________ If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. |
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Re: My 1963 GMC Bus
Looking forward to this one! definitely needs a good cleaning of the top end before firing up. Also probably a good idea to start with fresh oil (high ZDDP/zinc) and filter, might be a lot of water in the oil. Possibly prime the oil system before firing up by driving the oil pump through the distributor hole. The V6s have a hex drive for the oil pump, a socket should fit with a long extension I think? Just don't drop the socket in there
To view some links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Maybe you should introduce yourself with a new topic? Good luck! |
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Re: My 1963 GMC Bus
Hoooo boy this is not what I expected, but I'm glad I checked. I'll check the other side next.
To be honest I don't know if this is buildup or melting/welding. The really interesting one has a scoop in it where the valve was hitting, so I'm assuming buildup. The white piston had a cylinder completely full of ash. |
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Re: My 1963 GMC Bus
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Ed Snyder Medford, Oregon 1962 1000 Pickup 401M & Muncie 318 with overdrive 1962 K1000 Suburban 401M & SM420 1967 CM1500 pickup 351E & NP435 |
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Re: My 1963 GMC Bus
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#9
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Re: My 1963 GMC Bus
I bought 2 used V6 305's for $500, the seller is going to arrange freight soon.
One of the engines is missing a piston, it will be solely for parts. I think pistons are difficult to find, so having 5 extras will be handy. The other engine has no clutch, but I have a supposedly good transmission on the bus already. Maybe a new clutch isn't a bad idea. |
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