'66 GMC TRUCK - Shortbox Wideside
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'66 GMC TRUCK - Shortbox Wideside - 2/14/2007 9:20:40 PM
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woozie006
Posts: 13
Joined: 1/3/2007
Status: offline
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1966 GMC SHORT BOX WIDESIDE CUSTOM CAB
ENGINE
327 C.I. purchased from S&S Performance Engines in Spokane, WA. Factory 1968 specs (since it is a '68 block, crank and heads) with an upgrade to an Elgin Pro-stock RV2 cam and a 3-angle valve job. The engine has all new internals and has been assembled using Fel-Pro gaskets. The engine came as a long block and has been fitted with the following equipment: 1) High volume/high pressure oil pump 2) GM HEI distributor with custom cut race plug wires 3) Weiand intake manifold 4) Center dump "ram-head" exhaust manifolds w/ heat riser on passenger side 4) Holley 600 vacuum secondary carb w/ electric choke 5) Aluminum flex fan 6) Chrome accessories (oil pan, dip stick, timing tab/chain cover, air cleaner, valve covers, oil breather) 7) New water pump 8) New fuel pump 9) New alternator (internally regulated). The engine was put into the truck when the odometer showed 08050, so the engine has only 922 miles on it to date. It was put in late August 2006 by me. I have several pictures to show at your request. I properly broke the engine in but have not fully opened the engine up to see what it will do yet, but I do know the truck had no problems going 70mph down the freeway. The bad with the engine -- I was retorquing the valve covers not too long ago and pushed the T-handle clamps a little too far and broke a stud off of one. I have not fixed this yet as I was not going to worry about it until spring when it was warmer out. The stud did not break off clean with the head, its just a matter of pulling the cover and gasket off and getting a pair of visegrips around the stud and backing it out. That is the only thing I am aware of that is negative with the engine.
TRANSMISSION
The transmission is a TH-400. It is a 1969 vintage based on the research I have completed. The transmission has been gone through, fluid changed and a B&M shift kit has been installed. I only installed the stage 1 kit but still maintain all the directions to change that over to a stage 2 kit if more snap is desired. When I installed the kit I changed all filters and checked all gaskets to double check that they are not leaking. I did that at the same time I installed the engine, so late August '06. I have not had any problems with the transmission since I've owned the truck.
OTHER DRIVETRAIN NOTES
In late June 2006 the brakes were redone. This vehicle has manual four wheel drum brakes, no power assist. The work completed to the front end includes- new wheel cylinders, new front drums, new front wheel bearings, new front seals, new front brake hoses, and all new self adjusting / spring hardware. The work completed to the rear includes- new brake shoes, new wheel cylinders, new axle seals, fresh gear oil, and all new self adjusting / spring hardware. This work was completed and the truck was parked for a while because I was traveling for work so the brakes have about the same number of miles on them as the engine does. In Sept 05, a new custom dual exhaust was added to the truck. This includes 2-1/4" pipe from each manifold custom bent to the mufflers and then 2-1/2" pipe out the rear of the truck. Also included is an "H" pipe addition to equalize engine pressures. The truck does not have power steering or power brakes. I have not had a problem steering or stopping so an upgrade to me wasn't warranted. The front suspension components were replaced by the previous owner. There are air shocks on the rear, standard suspension in the front.
INTERIOR
The interior is painted a silver color. The truck has a LEAK FREE sunroof installed. The dash has been left original with the exception of the installation of a CD player and speakers in the front kick panels. Add ons include a tri-gauge cluster to monitor engine vitals (I never did trust warning lights), a tachometer on the steering column, and a late model GMC steering wheel. All lights in the interior are functional, yes including the dome light. The seats are late model GM Yukon buckets with the center console turned around. The drivers seat is a power seat, however, the wiring needs to be revisited -- it shorts out and blows a fuse. I never used it so it didn't bother me. The heater and defrost DOES work however I disconnected the heater core from the radiator. The unit is still on the truck, just the lines are not routed through the heater box. I did this because eventually I was going to remove the heater completely. The clutch pedal is still in the cab, it is just depressed against the firewall. The parking brake handle is still there as well, although the parking brake is disconnected. The gas tank does not leak and can not be smelled from the interior. The sun visors are old and are showing their 40 years of service, they could use a good refreshing.
EXTERIOR
The truck is a "custom" cab so it has the extra trim features around the windows and door area. The trim is in excellent condition with only a few very small dings, you can count the number on one hand. The chrome on the front end needs to be redone. The bumpers are marked up however they are still shiny. The grill and headlight doors are not corroded, but are showing their age as well. They, like the front bumper, still maintain a shine. The GMC letters in the grill have been rechromed. They just need to have the red stripe placed in the middle. The rear bumper is shiny but will need to be replaced. Similarly, the tail light / back up light assemblies will need attention as well but are functioning. Body wise, the front RIGHT fender needs to be replaced. The front corner was dented and some beginning filler work was started. It has since been covered with a white primer and sealed. From 10 feet away you can't tell anything has happened. The tailgate is an original but has a handful of smaller dings. The sides of the truck have small rock chips as expected from being driven. The paint is old, it was done many owners ago. It is a Toyota white with a blue pearl clear coat. I have the paint numbers. The hood has a small patch of paint missing from having vinyl flames removed. The hood also has a slightly bent corner. It's not creased but if you look close you can see the right side of the hood doesn't follow the cowl panel profile exactly, it is slightly bowed up. The hood is a '66 Chevy hood, not a GMC hood (only differences are a slight profile change and different turn lamp assemblies). The rocker panels are ok, as are the cab corners. The inner cab corners are filled with foam, not by me. The drivers side floor board has been patched very poorly, it will need to be replaced if you want it perfect. The box has patch panels above the rear tires, done by the previous owner. They seem ok, I have not had any issues with them. Other than that, the box sides are clean. The inside of the box has rhino lining applied. It is an older job and has some areas that have peeled off but over all it does protect the box and if cleaned up with some Armor All or other vinyl cleaner, it is presentable.
The glass is "OK". There is purple tint applied to the rear window (small back window), the glass inside the doors are ok but are originals and the windshield has etching on the passenger side from some wiper event in the past. There is new weather stripping around the doors but the weather stripping around the windsheild will need to be replaced, it is very old and dry rotted and has large chunks missing. I never drove the truck in winter or in heavy rain so the cracked stripping around the windshield never bothered me! The tires are ok, they have about 50% life left on them. The rims are six bolt pattern. The brake drums are painted Chevy orange. There are NEW inner fenders on the truck. They are not cheap ones, they are the more expensive true replacement parts.
OTHER NOTES
I have owned this truck since the early summer of 2004. The reas
 Attachment (1)
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