1964 GMC Model 1002 build journal

[tbucketnut]

Thought I would start a build journal for my newly acquired truck. Not sure the direction it is going to take but here are a couple pictures of the before.
Truck is a long bed with factory 305E engine and SM420 transmission and Dana/spicer44 rear end, power steering.
Truck had been painted blue and is now black, the original color was light green. It is wearing Ford hubcaps.
I know I want to retain the Big block 6 cylinder sm 420 transmission.The rotted out bed wood was covered with some sheet metal. First order of business is to give the engine a service: ie oil change then tune up and adjust the valves to spec.
I'd like to start slowly towards collecting some correct parts, it is missing the air cleaner.
Steve

[tbucketnut]

Picture of the original bed that is pretty well rotted out.
Also, found some damage under the truck on the forward most cross member, the one that the radiator mount is on. Appears somebody used it as a tow point sometime in the past and ripped one side right out of the frame rivets, the radiator is being supported by the lower hose. I missed this completely when I was giving it a once over, would of been a great speaking point for lowering the price of the truck. Luckily, with the help of members here, I was able to locate another one quickly.
Steve

[tbucketnut]

Back for another report:
Yesterday spent the day removing the damaged front cross-member and the four rivets that once secured it to the frame, I attached a picture of that mangled mess. I'm going to have the radiator pressure checked just because it was knocked out of its lower hangers. It is a nice three core and it looks like it has escaped carnage. Speaking of carnage, I found some more damage by the drain plug, the oil pan has been pushed it, and probably was the reason somebody broke the cross-member trying to unstick the truck in the past. There was a small hole in the pan and somebody in the past had ran a sheet metal screw into the hole with a piece of rubber. The drain plug couldnt be remove unless the sheet metal screw was removed first, probably the reason the oil was as black as I ever had seen before. Because of this, I'm sure the oil hadn't been changed since Christ was a child. I will have to hunt me down another oil pan.
Anyway the goal is to get all these things sorted out before I put it on the road and see what else needs to be done. Next week I will be dropping the oil out of the SM420 and Dana/Spicer 44. Then after welding the hole in the pan, I'm checking brakes then it is top side for tune up/valve adjust/compression test and new coolant. A big shout out of thanks to Cliff (LizziesmeistersV6) for sending me a correct air cleaner. BTW, if any of you GMC guys need a sm420 rebuilt, I'm up here in the pacific northwest, my home shop is setup to go through these, would be willing to trade labor for some parts I might be needing in the future. I always have one ready to go.
Steve

[tbucketnut]

Got the truck purring like a kitten, love the sound of those solid lifters. Valve adjustment was way out, loose on some tight on others, fluids changed: oil, new mineral oil in the trans and hypoid gear oil in the rear. Radiator mounts changed, coolant flushed. Before I put it on the road, I have to get a look see on the brakes and find the leak in the master cylinder. Then have a rebuilt kit coming for the power steering control valve, it is leaking badly, might stick a little brake fluid in the ps resevoir to swell the seals and see if that helps. Found an oil bath air cleaner from a member here, thank you sir. Also, after the valve adjustment I ran a compression test, most had 115 psi, two with 100. Thinking it could use the valves ground and some new guides. BTW, it took almost 7 gallons to fill the cooling system, 3 gallons of concentrate anti freeze. Good god, these engines could of never over heated. What a monster. Welded up the oil pan pin hole.This truck has needed tlc for awhile, now it is going to get a full cab off, after I get to see what all it will need. Probably start in the spring.

Steve

[tbucketnut]

Sunday spent the day picking up the shop from the mess I made the week before. It is a good time to find all the tools that you have looked for but couldn't find because you left it by the bench grinder or on the press plate. Wasn't able to settle in on a truck name yet, but I have the family brain storming now.

I had to buy a new door actuator on the driver's side, so now I do not have to roll the window down and reach out the window to open the door from the outside. My seal kit on the power steering control hasn't came in yet, so I havent checked out the brake system, so no maiden voyage yet, but the truck starts and idles well.

Here is a little project I have to finish before getting serious on the 64 GMC, it is a little 235 for a buddies 52 5 window I'm assembling for him. In the mean time the 64 lives here under the carport
Steve

[tbucketnut]

Tackled the leaky power steering pump today, found that the leak was on the return nipple, somebody in the past had tried to fix the leak by welding it. Ended up disassembling the pump, putting a seal kit into it, glass beading the housing. I then ground off the bad weld job around the return nipple and then braised it. Threw some rattle can semi gloss black on it and reinstalled it. No more leaks in the pump. Getting close to getting it back on the road, tomorrow I'll look at the brakes, then if they check out it is time for some street trials.

[tbucketnut]

Good day in the shop today, got a lot accomplished. Pulled the front wheels off and then the front hubs and brake drums off for a look see at the brakes. Brakes looked good but the last owner didnt drive much as evidence of all the cobwebs in the brake backing plates. Was able to get some oil seals and pulled the bearings out for inspection, cleaning and repacking. Got it all back together and put on some GMC hubcaps I got cheap from an 80s truck, threw the old ford hubcaps in the trash. Went out for the maiden voyage, and returned unscathed. Truck drove out really well for a 55 year old girl.

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Next up is into the cab to remove the seat to give the cab a good cleaning.

Steve

[Ed Snyder]

Originally Posted by tbucketnut

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Good day in the shop today, got a lot accomplished.

Next up is into the cab to remove the seat to give the cab a good cleaning.

Steve

Looks awesome, Steve -- keep up the good work!

[LordNatedawg]

Originally Posted by tbucketnut

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Got it all back together and put on some GMC hubcaps I got cheap from an 80s truck, threw the old ford hubcaps in the trash. Went out for the maiden voyage, and returned unscathed. Truck drove out really well for a 55 year old girl.

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Next up is into the cab to remove the seat to give the cab a good cleaning.

Steve

Get those hubcaps out of the trash. They have a use. My GMC came with Ch*vy hubcaps. I use them to hold spare nuts and bolts. Lol.

Congrats on the maiden voyage!

[tbucketnut]

Nate, never thought of that, great idea.
I'm calling my son this morning, he is going to be 35 and tell him I got schooled by a 19 year old. see at 61 with many years of wrenching, I learned something new, thank you for that.

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Steve