New '66 Owner - In Over My Head?

[Island66]

Hello, everyone!

What a great community here. My name is Brandon and I live on Whidbey Island, Washington. I have wanted an old truck for several years and yesterday my beautiful wife finally relented and let me bring home a 1966 GMC C25. It has a V6 305 with a 4 speed. In the interest of full disclosure, I know next to nothing about vehicle maintenance or restoration. I have never owned a carburated vehicle. I have never owned a vehicle without power steering. I have done oil changes, a couple brake jobs (discs only), and changed the serpentine belt on my wife's Toyota. That is the grand extent to my ability. I can follow directions, but this is new territory for me.

So on to the truck. Here are a few pics from her "better angles".









So much like me, she isn't too bad looking, given enough distance. But there are problems.

She has a leak in the radiator. Not a huge one, but once the truck is hot, it spurts a little from... somewhere. Really hard to tell from where.

There are also other leaks... I have put a photo below of where I think they are coming from (based upon the puddles in my garage). The red circles are where the fluid appears to be coming from.



Apart from the leaks, she probably needs a carb tune / rebuild. Unless I set the choke really high, she will die when I press the accelerator from a stop. With enough choke, I can make that go away, but it brings her idle very high.

And finally, the turn signals are not working. Brake lights are good. I know that troubleshooting will probably require pulling apart the steering column, which is a little intimidating, based upon what I have read.

I am not looking for a show truck. I just would like a decent runner. I only have basic tools, but I also have access to the local base Auto Hobby Shop (I am a Chief in the US Navy), which has lifts and every tool under the sun. I really just need some advice and information. I can follow directions and figure out a diagram.

Once I figure out the mechanical issues, I have a lot of body issues to sort through, until then, I BEG FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE!

[tommyduncan]

These trucks are fairly simple so it's not a bad place to start mechanicing(is that even a word)?
The hardest part is finding parts... or finding which parts work that are listed for something else entirely.

I would search a little higher up for those leaks. Get it fairly clean and let it run long enough to see where it comes from. The two places you circled still could be leaks but that is likely where it collects on the engine on its way to your driveway.

As far as the carb...they aren't too hard to rebuild. Look for fetchmeapepsi's build. He is in a similar situation as you and is figuring it out with a little hard work and persistence.

The turn signals are hard to find parts for. You might have to go with an aftermarket unit that clamps to the column. Trucks not much older than these came with them so it doesn't really look too out of place.

[WDShaffer]

Good ole primer job--hiding who knows what. I've found Simple Green and pressure washer help. However, you absolutely need to keep the distributor covered, as it takes many cycles to get the decades of gunk off.

[Funky61]

Welcome Brandon! Hope you enjoy your truck and how's about more photos of interior and engine compartment.

[Island66]

Originally Posted by tommyduncan

I would search a little higher up for those leaks. Get it fairly clean and let it run long enough to see where it comes from. The two places you circled still could be leaks but that is likely where it collects on the engine on its way to your driveway.

Thanks. That dawned on my last night. I am going to give her a once over in the next day or two and hopefully find a more accurate location.

Originally Posted by tommyduncan

As far as the carb...they aren't too hard to rebuild. Look for fetchmeapepsi's build. He is in a similar situation as you and is figuring it out with a little hard work and persistence.

I've read his build. Great stuff. I need to figure out what carb I have and order a rebuild kit, I guess.

Originally Posted by tommyduncan

The turn signals are hard to find parts for. You might have to go with an aftermarket unit that clamps to the column. Trucks not much older than these came with them so it doesn't really look too out of place.

Interesting. I will have to look more in to that. Thanks for the help!

[Island66]

Originally Posted by WDShaffer

Good ole primer job--hiding who knows what.

See pics below. She looks like she came from the rainy Pacific Northwest. I want to get the motor running well, first, but bodywork is definitely coming.

[Island66]

Originally Posted by Funky61

Welcome Brandon! Hope you enjoy your truck and how's about more photos of interior and engine compartment.

Here ya go! She's rough. The floors, rocker panels and cab corners are all really bad, too.





































As you can see, I've got quite a project!

[Island66]

And my apologies for the massive photos. I will scale future ones down.

[Cayoterun]

Welcome to the site.
I think you'll find this group as helpful, and "know how", as anywhere you look. I'm sure you and Pepsi will get acquainted, and go thru this learning curve together. He sets a good example of guts, determination, and patience, which is the biggest "tools" you need on these old work horses. They are even fun to work on because of their simplicity. Parts is the challenge.

Best wishes with your new addiction. WARNING, there's no cure!!!

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Originally Posted by Cayoterun

Welcome to the site.
I think you'll find this group as helpful, and "know how", as anywhere you look. I'm sure you and Pepsi will get acquainted, and go thru this learning curve together. He sets a good example of ignorance, stupidity, and unsafe behavior, which is the biggest "tools" you need on these old work horses. They are even fun to work on because of their simplicity. Parts is the challenge.

Best wishes with your new addiction. WARNING, there's no cure!!!

Haha I fixed that for you Coyote

Welcome to the forum! That's a good looking 66! I wish mine were a white top!

It sounds like you and I are in the same boat mechanically. Thank goodness these trucks are very easy to work on.

You get confidence as you go along. And maybe you break something or do it wrong? It's OK! you can just do it again and do it right because everyone on this forum will chime in and help.
Thats a great looking truck you got there. And with the wife supporting you I'm sure you're going to have a blast! Enjoy every minute