62 GMC build

[tommyduncan]

Here are some pics of my 62 that I finally got home.

It was sitting for 7 years.<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
I originally thought a barrel nut fell into the engine and it was parked. It was going to need engine work so I bought two parts motors.<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
I later found out it was a piece of all-thread and it was too long to fall completely into a cylinder. It was making a bunch of noise (probably holding an intake valve open) so he parked it.
..after making a deal and paying him for a not running truck he called to tell me he got it to start.
Even though I had it towed home we had it running and driving at his house! He jokingly told me the price goes up for a running truck. I jokingly reminded him that I already paid him and transferred the title so he must be wanting to buy it back for more than he sold it for.
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It was really dusty from sitting so long in the desert but it was in covered parking so no major rot other than the tires.
Once I got it home I fixed a few things and swapped a few parts to stop some leaks but EVERYTHING works!
So I started cleaning...
Before...
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I waxed the right side of the hood just to see if it would clean up. Not too bad but I need to get some better stuff than the dried up old Turtle Wax® that I had laying around.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

That's a great lookin truck after the spit and polish. Three original hubcaps too. Hold on to those like they're gold. They're worth more per oz lol

[tommyduncan]

That's a great lookin truck after the spit and polish. Three original hubcaps too. Hold on to those like they're gold. They're worth more per oz lolThanks Pep. Your build was one of the inspirations to keep the V6.
...I have all 4 caps. I didn't put it on the spare.:egyptian:

[Funky61]

Congratulation TD! Looks like you really scored on this one. Those look like original style seat belts?! What size are those clipped rims? X2 on the hubcaps...

[tommyduncan]

Congratulation TD! Looks like you really scored on this one. Those look like original style seat belts?! What size are those clipped rims? X2 on the hubcaps...
Thanks Funk...
Those wheels are 16.5"s. I'm gonna get some 07up Econoline wheels soon. They are 16" and don't have the nubs.

[Foley]

Incredible nice truck TD. Sounds like you made a very good deal. Covered and sitting in the desert climate means NO rust!! Did it come from the Boulder City-Las Vegas- Southern NV area? I'm always curious as to where these finds come from. I'm also saying good job on the detail work of the . I really like the color scheme on your truck and very happy to see another one brought back from the morgue to live another life. Are those the original seat belts do ya think? Foley

[tommyduncan]

Incredible nice truck TD. Sounds like you made a very good deal. Covered and sitting in the desert climate means NO rust!! Did it come from the Boulder City-Las Vegas- Southern NV area? I'm always curious as to where these finds come from. I'm also saying good job on the detail work of the . I really like the color scheme on your truck and very happy to see another one brought back from the morgue to live another life. Are those the original seat belts do ya think? Foley

The owners manual was in this truck and the original owners name and address was written on it in pencil. I could barely make out the address but I entered it into my navigation ap on my phone and it is a good address. L.A. Not far from Venice Beach. I also saw another name on a receipt from 1979 that was in an LA suburb(I forgot which one). The next owner had receipts from Van Nuys and from Boulder City in 1987. He worked for the park service and was an avid fisherman. I was told by the last owner that the fisherman never took the camper off and as a result didn't drive it much. The guy I bought it from had it 10 years. He bought it just to take his dogs out because it was getting too hard to get them in his old Jeep. He took the camper off the day he got it and it was never used again. He said I could have it but I don't need anymore projects.

As far as the seat belts I don't know but I see a lotta light green paint were there are chips and on the bottom of the cab so I doubt they are original. Who knows for sure? Next time I am under it I will look a little closer at how they are mounted.

[tommyduncan]

Decided to tackle the fuel tank today...
It smelled really bad and the previous owner used a stick to see how much fuel was in the tank. He said it came out black the other day when he tried it:ahhhh:

Removing the tank wasn't bad except it was nearly full of the nastiest, stinkiest stuff that actually burns your skin the second it touches it.
I hosed it out and drained it repeatedly and rusty stuff still came out of it. So I decided to pull the sending unit...<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
Pretty obvious why this one doesn't work (other than it wasn't designed to gauge rusty caustic goo)
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Luckily for me Tuckers is pretty close by and had everything in stock.<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
It went together fairly easily except the o.d. of the new fuel filler tube was larger than the original so the old clamps were no bueno. I had some laying around so no biggie. I also forgot to put the gasket over the fuel sending unit so I did that step twice:goodluck:
A quick stop at NAPA after Tuckers got me a new fuel filter and some new fuel line. Their "Gold" line look just like Wiks filters and that is a good thing! None of the part numbers I have worked for a new canister so I used the old one that I crushed a little while removing.
Please don't lay under my truck until I can locate a new one.<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
...and I apologize if my rust free floors have you jealous but it's about time I got a good one! My other project just hit 12 years and to most it looks worse than when I got it.:lolsmack:

I almost bought a new battery but luckily I looked for something in the other truck and forgot about the one that came out of the other other other project, my daughters Cherokee. SCORE!:yeeuh:

Next is to clean up the 500 Holley, remove the choke plate from a doner carb and install it, and figure out the throttle linkage, choke linkage, and fuel lines.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Thanks Pep. Your build was one of the inspirations to keep the V6.
...I have all 4 caps. I didn't put it on the spare.:egyptian:


Aww man! I'm glad I could help with the decision. They're really great engines when you use the torque they have. They wont spin 90,000 RPM but they'll tow two houses up the grand canyon at 50 mph. 55 if you put wheels on the houses. :D

Really digging the pics too. Did you buy a whole new tank to go with it? That one looks extra clean.

[tommyduncan]

Yep, new tank. The piece of mind will be worth the expense. They aren't very expensive really.

I am learning the V6, or rather the Hydramatic. I've been holding it in gear and the performance is much better! The power is fine. I'm a Jeep guy and they are known for their low speed torque so it isn't much different.
It can be hard to start and it stalls at the worst moments. Considering I haven't touched the carb or distributor I'm not unhappy with it. Mostly amazed it runs as good as it does!

[Foley]

Thank you for the pictures and blow by blow on the fuel system. Who was the supplier for the new tank? That will be my next project in the "start up", and I'll have something to refer to. I'm working on a 23 year barn storage situation so it'll be real interesting to see what kind of gobly gook is in that tank!

[tommyduncan]

Tuckers in Las Vegas. They are a mail order company and so far they have what I need in stock.

A couple things I can think of...

Make note of the length of the filler neck before you disassemble it. The replacement hose I bought was quite a bit longer than the one it replaced. I pushed it farther down the neck of the fuel tank and pushed the other part farther into it to achieve the same length as original.

Assemble everything mentioned above before you install the tank in the vehicle. Then raise up the opposite end of the tank to get the fill assembly through the hole in the body. The hose clamps are difficult to reach when it is in position . That is why you want it close to the original length and already tightened.

I WD-40ed the grommet in the body to allow the fill tube to slide through easier.

This is what worked for me but it is the first one I have done so there might be better ways.

[tommyduncan]

I decided it was time to soften the ride a little.
As I mentioned before its days of hard work are over and I wouldn't mind it sitting a little lower. It has a lotta rake and it is still pretty firm with too much rebound.
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I already removed the quarter eliiptic helpers which has no effect on ride height but did effect ride.<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
Next to go are these coil over/helper spring/shock absorbers...<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
I have a pair of stock Jeep(TJ) rear springs but I already know they are too soft.
I also have a pair of newer Jeep(JK) springs for a 4door Rubicon. They are longer and a thicker coil. Neither of them look like much compared to the stock spring.
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I had a couple sets of shocks with potential but the KYB gas adjusts are pretty close to the right length.<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>

So I slapped it all together... The 50 year old bolts didn't give too big of a fight and I'm not bleeding:goodjob:

BEFORE
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AFTER
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[tommyduncan]

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[Funky61]

Now that's a Great shot! Nice work TD.

[BarryGMC]

Look for a set of 1/2 ton coils. The 67-72 chevys are pretty easy to find.

[tommyduncan]

Now that's a Great shot! Nice work TD.Thanks! ...cell phone camera. I was trying to get a sunrise shot but the rain chased it away. Maybe rainbows are to make up for it?

Look for a set of 1/2 ton coils. The 67-72 chevys are pretty easy to find.I will look for some. I was mostly experimenting with what I had on hand. I have a 63 1/2 ton but I'm selling it back to my friend I got it from. Maybe I can get them from him...

[tommyduncan]

I took the intake and valve covers off to see if the all-thread that was in the motor did any obvious damage<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
No sludge!
The intake gaskets were wet with fuel and the bolts weren't very tight. The vacuum line going to the tranny was loose also.
I decided to change the plugs while I was rooting around in that greasy mess. I was about half way done when I noticed this<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
I pulled a plug out of each spare motor and they were long like the new ones so I proceeded. I also checked part numbers on Rock Auto and didn't see a year difference.
When I was done it ran and shifted much better!

I also wanted to lower the front a little so I turned the torsions down some...then I went some more just to see how it would look. I decided to put the TJ rear coils in...<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>
I like it! The nice thing is I can put the stock springs and shocks in the rear and crank up the torsions in about 20 minutes and it would be back to a functioning ¾ ton truck.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Original plugs were 3/8 inch so they didn't smack the pistons. Lots 305s had probs after someone stuck long plugs in them and they hit the pistons.:ahhhh:

[tommyduncan]

Original plugs were 3/8 inch so they didn't smack the pistons. Lots 305s had probs after someone stuck long plugs in them and they hit the pistons.:ahhhh:
This is the first I have heard of that! I think I will go pull one and see if it is smashed shut? It is still running great...

[FetchMeAPepsi]

That's what I heard from another member thats an old timer. After posting that I did a little lookin. I see here (<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>)it says 3/4 inch plugs, then Pete says they're too long here (<br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>).

I say take a peek at them and see if they're hitting and put the rumors to rest for good.

[tommyduncan]

Rock auto lists both lengths for our engines and the ones I pulled out of the parts motor are long, not smashed, and showed evidence of a fairly long life. On the other hand the shortys out of my truck where showing no signs of discoloration or anything else so they appeared to be working fine also. Hmmm....

I imagine the gap would be smashed shut in pretty short order and it wouldn't run very good if anything was making contact?

[tommyduncan]

Someone on the other site suggested I look at the spark plug section on Jolly's site. I was already looking on his site but didn't know they had a spark plug section . This topic wasn't addressed but while looking at his engine page #2 I did find this:

"LONG-REACH SPARK PLUGS New, long-reach spark plugs have greater surface area
in contact with cooling passages. These cooler running plugs stay cleaner so they last longer."


This led me to believe they always had long plugs. Then I found this in the same article:

"SIMPLIFIED CARBURETION Highly efficient two-barrel carburetor rations regular-grade
gasoline to the engine. Simple design means easy servicing -- & it's seldom required."

Wasn't the 2 barrel introduced in 62'?
Maybe they changed the plug specs at the same time?

That same article also has a pic of a Magnum style engine so who knows?

[tommyduncan]

I didn't realize it had been so long since I updated this. I started having photo bucket problems and that led to procrastination problems:headscratch:...all fixed now!

I think I posted elsewhere that I had a small under dash fire. It turns out it was the ammeter. I removed it and the under dash oil pressure gauge that accompanied it and pulled the engine harness. I decided to swap to an alternator while I was having fun. Turns out one of the spare motors had all the brackets and another project had a CS10 alternator...
Total cost= a few bucks to replenish wiring supplies and spray paint:thumbsup:

From this:
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...and this:
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To this:
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[FetchMeAPepsi]

Total cost= a few bucks to replenish wiring supplies and spray paint:thumbsup:


Few bucks?!?! Now you speaka' my language! (how bout a vegemite sammich? <br><font color='red'>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?</font><br>)

Great price and it lets you add more taxing things to your system if you care to later on (ac, etc).

Man I wish Cecilia's paint looked so good :bananadance:

:cheers:

[tommyduncan]

While laying on the floorboards working on wiring under the dash I placed my hand in the center of the seat to get up and...RIP! I guess the heat had an effect after all? Oh well. Not sure I'm crazy about the blue anyways?
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Since I already ordered a carb adapter I decided to carb spray the 500 and slap it on since it didn't look too dirty and came off of a 305 V6. Big improvement without even adjusting it:ahhhh: best $50 I ever spent!
I later messed with the linkage and got close to full throttle. I still haven't rebuilt it or installed a choke...

[tommyduncan]

I've been looking for 07+Econoline wheels so I can run the stock caps and 16" tires. I've followed some leads but nothing panned out.
I saw wheels on my friends Dodge work truck that I like as long as the ugly center cap is removed. I thought I would maybe eventually get some of these and modern 17" tires after I found some of the Econoline steelies so I could have 2 different looks for the truck.
While searching eBay and Craigslist I kept finding them for $400-600 a set. No bueno!
While traipsing through an automotive shop to do my job I found a filthy set out in the dirt with spray paint on them...$100 later and they were mine!:yeeuh:
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I trial fitted them and realized I would probably need a 1" spacer in the rear.
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I also wanted to run a tall rear tire since it is geared so low. I found a set of 265/65/17 for $50 that would get me going.
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With a 1" spacer in the rear the 265 easily fit. I will eventually run 275/50/17 in the rear and I still haven't decided on the front. The front rubs slightly at full lock with no spacer. I haven't seen where yet.
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My next project is to bead blast the wheels so they will have more of a retro look. I will probably leave the outer 5/8" shiny and possibly the center also. They(with a little help of some muriatic acid) would have the dark grey cast look.
I am also considering a powder coat that the coater tells me will look just like aged magnesium...
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I also have 2 horn buttons that I want to use the centers out of to make my own center caps.If it comes out good I will need 2 more. I have some old jeep slot mag caps that screw to the rim but they aren't wide enough to clear the rear hubs.

[tommyduncan]

Few bucks?!?! Now you speaka' my language!

Great price and it lets you add more taxing things to your system if you care to later on (ac, etc). yeah, I'm trying not to get too financially deep into this one. It keeps it fun. Ironically the things that are cool about this truck are also it's limitations. Hard to find parts for engine, quirky trans that not many people know how to work on, early model suspension with no aftermarket support(unless you convert to 6 lug), power steering and brakes that would be a shame to delete for something modern, etc...
I know it sounds like I'm complaining... I'm being realistic. The power drums work great and so does the power steering(even though it is 108⅜ turns lock to lock), the paint is nice enough to get looks but not worry about, and it makes decent power and shifts good enough
Man I wish Cecilia's paint looked so good :bananadance: It looks good from a few feet but there are a lotta chips(some silver dollar size) and what little body work there is was done pretty badly, as well as the cheap paint job with no primer under it. If I hit this with a pressure washer it would be missing much of it's paint and the 2-tone under it is a really ugly combination, not to mention some of the new colors over it.

I don't think I have $2000 into this truck and I enjoy the heck out of it. I have about that much in all the missing trim and back seat for my 63 Nova SS convertible project.

[jbgroby]

You know I've seen many a different paint jobs on the 60-66 series, but never saw that one before, its different.

On the "getting to $$ deep part", don't think of it like getting too deep. I look at it like a hobby, I don't spend money on other thing (bars/drinking, dating, vacations etc.) if you are not in a rush, you won't miss the money. My paint job is costing me $3500 it has taken 2 years, I've fix and or replaced all the stuff in between, Just my two cents worth.

[tommyduncan]

You know I've seen many a different paint jobs on the 60-66 series, but never saw that one before, its different. "Different" is a nice way to put it:poke: I would like it better if it didn't have side trim. I have thought about 2 toning it above the trim but having the white wrap around the hood "nostrils" similar to how it does now. What to do with the paint line where the front of the trim ends and meets the grill opening is the hard part. Originally I wanted to do that because the stripes are bubbling but since the rest of the paint isn't great either I probably won't do anything. Ford has a newer black with lots of flake in it that would look good if I did do it, or maybe gold?

On the "getting to $$ deep part", don't think of it like getting too deep. I look at it like a hobby, I don't spend money on other thing (bars/drinking, dating, vacations etc.) if you are not in a rush, you won't miss the money. My paint job is costing me $3500 it has taken 2 years, I've fix and or replaced all the stuff in between, Just my two cents worth.I completely agree with all of this! I only occasionally drink, don't do drugs, don't gamble(huge problem in these parts),have a paid for house and a decent job= disposable income.:thumbsup:
My problem is I have an addiction... a hobby addiction! I have this truck, a 63 Chevy truck, a 63 Nova convertible, a Jeep Wrangler, a Jeep Cherokee project (that belongs to my daughter but the work/expense is all me), two dirt bikes, mountain bikes, and I camp/hike pretty regularly. Time, space, and priority is mostly my problem! Whenever I think about getting carried away on the truck I remind myself that the money would get the Nova one step closer. It is also a better investment...
In time I might get deeper into the truck. It is still used as a tool at the moment.