Summer Project

[jgillott]

Kicking off the summer with a new project. This old girl has been sitting in my garage since I got it in 1991 with the exception of a few times that I took it out here and there over the years. I'm almost sure that I haven't started it in at least 3 years or more. It's a 1979 Chevrolet C10. 305 V8 3-speed manual on the column. Really basic truck. AM radio, power steering, no AC. My father bought it new in '79 and parked it for good with 62K miles on it in 1984. It's all original including the paint. It even has the original fan belt, hoses, etc. It's been stored covered in a climate controlled garage so it's in really nice shape all around. I was looking in the maintenance book in the glove box and the current tires that are on it have less than 500 miles on them but the were purchased in 1982.

I couldn't get the old battery to take a charge but she fired up on the 3rd crank once I dropped a new one in this morning.

I think that I'm going to start first with rebuilding the entire brake system front to back. It still feels like it will stop, but I don't trust anything in that system with probably 39 year old brake fluid sitting in there all of these years. After that, I may do the same with the cooling system, new radiator, water pump, heater core, hoses, etc.

Here's another picture after I got it outside.

 

[Wayne M.]

That’s nearly show and parade ready! A head turner.
Mommy, why does he keep going from park to drive?

 

[jgillott]

Thank you sir. Ill snap a picture of the bed tomorrow. Never anything in it and I can still picture of my father on his hands and knees waxing the bed floor years ago. I'd argue it is probably one of the most original '70s trucks left around in this kind of condition.

I want to keep it as original as possible while making it able to be driven to and from shows etc. I don't think that updating that brake system will ruin the originality aspect of it.

 

[Wayne M.]

I don't think you'd have to touch any of the hard brake or fuel lines, just stick with OE stuff, and don't modify anything. I wish they still made a basic vehicle like that today.
I think that truck might be tagged as a reference vehicle for other restos.
I advise you to take a million pictures as you take stuff apart, like hose routing, clamp orientation etc etc. I guarantee people will want to see it.
Do you have the window sticker and other docs?
The only caution I can think of is to use the right old car oil. Us old timers remember those 305/350 cams had a rough time even back in the day.

 

[jgillott]

Yes, I have all documentation from the beginning including the original window sticker, his order sheet and invoice from the dealer, all manuals, and complete maintenance records. From what I can gather, the only non original parts on the truck are the alternator belt, the fuel pump which was replaced by the dealer in 1980, the tires, battery, and the radiator cap. All else is as it was delivered in May of 1979. It even has the original brake pads and shoes and the original windshield wipers. The original spare is up under the truck. He must have used it at some point since it has some wear, but it is still there.

I'm hoping to find rebuild kits for most of the stuff if possible and reuse everything I can.

 

[jgillott]

I just wanted to add that I had my dad with me yesterday when I fired it up. In fact, he was the one that started it and pulled it out of the garage. He's gone through a lot over the last couple of years especially with his health my mother's dementia and it was really cool to see how excited he was being in the garage with me yesterday. He smiled for the first time in a long time.........

 

[Deleted member 995608]

This made my day

 

[jgillott]

I was able to dust some things off this morning and take a few more pictures. You would be amazed how much dust gets on things, even when covered.

Here'sthe inside of the bed as I mentioned yesterday.

 

[jgillott]

Here are some interior shots.

Notice the old CB sitting on the floor. My father was so anal when he was young that he wouldn't drill the bottom of the dash to mount the radio. Also, he wouldn't let it sit on the rubber floor mat so there is a rug down to protect the mat....lol

Looking at the option list, this was the upgraded vinyl for 1979. If I remember correctly, the base vinyl had a checked pattern on the seating surface.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Looking at the option list, this was the upgraded vinyl for 1979. If I remember correctly, the base vinyl had a checked pattern on the seating surface.

Yup. I had a 79 K20 and it had an ugly checked vinyl seat.

 

[Wayne M.]

As an option, you can send the calipers and wheel cylinders out, have them rebuilt and sleeved in stainless.

 

[jgillott]

As an option, you can send the calipers and wheel cylinders out, have them rebuilt and sleeved in stainless.

Would you happen to have a source/company that does it?

 

[jgillott]

Trying to source some new tires as we speak. Original tires were BfGoodrich Lifesaver Radials GR78-15 with 1820# load rating and a 1" whitewall. Cooker tire has some equivalent but not exact. I'm thinking of picking up a cheap set of modern tires (not that anyone makes a whitewall anymore) for the time being until I get the bugs worked out and then pop for some new classic tires once I have it on the road. I'm afraid to drive it anywhere with the ones that are on it.

 

[JR]

Wow, just wow. Beautiful rig J.
I didn't even know these trucks were optioned with a 3 on a tree. What make is it?
I've only seen a 4 speed manual on this vintage, Muncie perhaps?

I've also got a hand me down from pops (67 FJ40) but it is NOTHING like this condition wise. Although someday, when the kids are grown and out of the house I plan to make her great again.

 

[JR]

Whatever you do on the tires, I would stick with radials. Some guys are so adamant on originality they will put bias plys back on. Coker makes radials that otherwise mirror many OEM bias plys (white walls, tread pattern, etc).

 

[jgillott]

Wow, just wow. Beautiful rig J.
I didn't even know these trucks were optioned with a 3 on a tree. What make is it?
I've only seen a 4 speed manual on this vintage, Muncie perhaps?

I've also got a hand me down from pops (67 FJ40) but it is NOTHING like this condition wise. Although someday, when the kids are grown and out of the house I plan to make her great again.

Off the top of my head, I think it is a Saginaw 3-speed. I'll have to confirm for sure once I get it up on the lift.

I love those old FJ40's. A buddy of mine had one years ago and I swear that thing would climb a tree if you let it.

 

[jgillott]

Whatever you do on the tires, I would stick with radials. Some guys are so adamant on originality they will put bias plys back on. Coker makes radials that otherwise mirror many OEM bias plys (white walls, tread pattern, etc).

I agree. I called them today since I didn't see exactly what I would want online. They seem to be super helpful. Anyway , I am going to go with a classic radial in the proper size once I get everything going. They are going to run somewhere in the $230 range each when it is all said and done and they may need a little lead time depending on exactly what I order.

In the meantime, my local tire store hooked me up with a set of cheap new 235/75/15 tires ($65 each) so I can at least get it down the road. I'm going to pull the wheels off of it here and just take the rims down to have them mounted next Monday.

 

[jgillott]

Here is the glove box option sticker. That trans is listed as code 1MM3. When I look up that number, it does appear to be a Saginaw.

 

[Wayne M.]

Would you happen to have a source/company that does it?

http://applehydraulics.com/brakes.htm
They're in Long Island.
When I was privileged to work on the NYC parade Imperial, we sent those wheel cylinders out to Apple. I've read about them as well. As can be seen on their site, it's a top notch operation, but they're pricey.
I thought they did stainless, but I see brass- even better.
There might be other sources too.

 

[jgillott]

http://applehydraulics.com/brakes.htm
They're in Long Island.
When I was privileged to work on the NYC parade Imperial, we sent those wheel cylinders out to Apple. I've read about them as well. As can be seen on their site, it's a top notch operation, but they're pricey.
I thought they did stainless, but I see brass- even better.
There might be other sources too.

Awesome . Thanks