New member from Colorado Springs

[Bradstark]

I wanted to introduce myself and my new truck. I bought this beauty last Thursday for $1,700 and am so excited to start working on it. I believe it has been a Colorado truck for the last 20 years.

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[Ed Snyder]

Originally Posted by Bradstark

I wanted to introduce myself and my new truck. I bought this beauty last Thursday for $1,700 and am so excited to start working on it. I believe it has been a Colorado truck for the last 20 years.

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Welcome to the forum! We like photos, so please post more. And let us know what engine and transmission you've got too.

[George Bongert]

Originally Posted by Bradstark

I wanted to introduce myself and my new truck. I bought this beauty last Thursday for $1,700 and am so excited to start working on it. I believe it has been a Colorado truck for the last 20 years.

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Welcome to the forum Brad! You got yourself a sweet deal on that truck! Too bad that I don't have the luck to stumble into something like it, but then Wisconsin winters are very unforgiving when it comes to body rot on vehicles! Wisconsin uses far too much salt and deicing brine on its roadways. Have fun with your truck, and enjoy it! You've got a real treasure there!

[Bradstark]

I had a chance to clean the truck this weekend. It had plenty of grease and mouse droppings. It has the 305 engine. I'm not sure about the transmission. The engine does have a slight ticking noise (probably valve adjustment needed) but appears to be strong and runs pretty well. It stalls and based recommendations from this club, I'll install a Holley 500cfm. I have cars that do not have power steering and it doesn't seem to be a problem. I can barely steer this truck. I'm not sure if that's normal, considering the hunk of iron sitting on top of 20 year old tires - but I will probably do with power steering.
Thanks for replying Ed. Here are a few additional pictures.

[lizziemeister'sV6]

Congrads - food for thought I would not go with a Holley 500 unless you do mods like better exhaust (duals) and do a good tune-up with GOOD points,condensor,plugs and rotor. Dual exhaust is a MUST with a Holley 500 because what goes goes IN must come OUT.

[Jim A]

My son and I hauled some hay home yesterday. 27 bales @ 100+#.
Trip was a piece of cake with original 1bbl and no power anything (I am 82).
Made me smile once again after 50 years.
If I were you, I would get to know your new truck a little bit before you "start working on it" beyond basic maintenance.

[Sabesimpson]

Welcome!!!

[Ed Snyder]

Originally Posted by Bradstark

I had a chance to clean the truck this weekend. It It has the 305 engine. I'm not sure about the transmission. I will probably do with power steering.
Thanks for replying Ed. Here are a few additional pictures.

I see from your photo that you have a 4 speed transmission. If reverse is to the lower left in the shift pattern, you have the more common SM-420. If reverse is to the right and down, you have the much less common NP-435, first available as an option in 1966.

Three of my trucks happen to have the optional power steering. The one that needs it the most, the '62 4x4 Suburban, is the one without it. Even with the 12" wide tires, though, I have no trouble driving it. I actually prefer the simplicity of not having it -- one less component to maintain.

[Bradstark]

Wow - thanks for all of the replies. I really appreciate. For me (and with significant pushing from my wife) job number one is getting the truck in working and safe condition. I really need this truck to move on its own and out of my driveway to another garage I have. It can come back and forth - it just can't sit in one spot during the winter.

George... thanks! I think she's a beauty too. I really wasn't shopping for this truck. I will sometimes look on Craigslist for idle entertainment. I saw this and couldn't believe it, so I called the guy and he was super nice. I don't like working with grumps, but he was great. He got it from a guy that owed him money, and he just wanted his money back plus a little.

Lizzie... the existing carb is flooding the engine with fuel. The previous owner bought another WW carb, and failed - so I was left with the option of getting this carb rebuillt or going with a Holley. I just felt that the quickest way to get back on the road was to get a new carb.

Jim... There is no way you can steer this truck safely in Colorado Springs traffic unless it's Sunday morning at 3am and you take the turn from the lane on your left. A manual steering box was around $500. I power steering unit is*$800... so I wussed out and got went with the power steering. I have experience restoring cars, and don't believe in gutting the life history from truck. Sometimes, you just have to make a choice and move forward.

Ed... thanks for the advice on the transmission. I'll look at it in the morning.

Thanks everyone. I love this truck. It's gone to a good home. I'll keep it as original as I can, and I throw away nothing. So... there's always the option of going back after it gets up and running

[Funky61]

Welcome to the forum Bradstark!

Looking forward to more photos of your neat new truck, Enjoy.