El Palomito-My 1964 C10 SWB BBW Fleetside

[pestwagon]

A few years ago I purchased a 1966 Shortbed Big Back Window Shortbed, 292 4 speed on floor all original Chevy Pickup for $2000. Over the next year I pulled and resealed the original motor, removed / replaced the tranny, put in new U-joints and changed the differential fluid. 4 new tires and new brakes (drums) and the Grey Goose (named by the C10 King - "Rene"-made it's way up and down Highway 5 in Central California, with it's 3.0 rear gears and 10x 31 inch rear tires, it would fly at 75 all day long...

And then a horrible accident happened to me, I broke the left rotator cuff tendons (supraspinatous) 3 cm and needed $85K surgery to fix it. I felt I could no longer drive the 4 speed and non P/S Grey Goose. So in April of this year I sold it at Turlock Swap Meet to Rene, who dubbed it The Grey Goose.

Well the Grey Goose was eventually sold to Delmo, where in resides presently in Southern California. I have been looking for a new bird since the Goose left the flock. Let me humbly introduce to you all for your viewing pleasure "El Palomito" The White Dove"

El Palomito is a 1964 Big Back Window Shortbed Fleetside, lovingly cared for by a gentleman in Modesto California for the past 10 years. She sports a 350 (Vortec Heads) Dual exhaust, 350 Turbo Tranny Automatic, Soft Ray glass all around and a POSI rear end (not sure on the ratio yet!) She's a little tired and needs some mechanical improvements, and this thread will document them.

But here's where he started...
Cost me $5K, was asking $6500.

[LostMy65]

Nice looking truck.
What are some of your plans for it?
Posted via Mobile Device

[pestwagon]

Short term plans are to make El palomito safe. He pulls to the left when you hit the drum brakes. Pulling the hand brake reveals a broken front E-Brake cable , missing rear cables. The PO must have put in the POSI rear end from a junk yard, as the rear cables were severed as well. So, FIRST item will be a working Emergency brake system. I need:

1. Front Emergency brake cable (good used OK)
2. Both rear emergency brake cables
3. Connecting hardware/directions/brackets/etc.

Anyone have some good used parts???

Then second improvement will be a 6 lug disc brake front brake conversion probably with a power brake booster and dual master cylinder. Again I am in the market for those parts...

[C/10 King]

Wow Steve, that looks a lot different from the last time I saw it! It also looks like it's screaming for some chrome bumpers and grill, plus a slight altitude adjustment with some slotted polished mags could head it in the right direction and make it look real sporty. What a great start my friend!!!! Boy! I have some big plans for your truck and your wallet.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by pestwagon

Short term plans are to make El palomito safe. He pulls to the left when you hit the drum brakes. Pulling the hand brake reveals a broken front E-Brake cable , missing rear cables. The PO must have put in the POSI rear end from a junk yard, as the rear cables were severed as well. So, FIRST item will be a working Emergency brake system. I need:

1. Front Emergency brake cable (good used OK)
2. Both rear emergency brake cables
3. Connecting hardware/directions/brackets/etc.

Anyone have some good used parts???

Then second improvement will be a 6 lug disc brake front brake conversion probably with a power brake booster and dual master cylinder. Again I am in the market for those parts...

Know I'm late, but just today saw your new acquisition--MAN, is it a sharpie! I just love that tinted glass, esp. with that color. What a start and with such a great starting price! Just making it comfortable and safe--sounds like both will cost quite little--can offer years and miles of enjoyment.
Good luck with that shoulder; looks like you've got the transportation issue already under control.
sam

[jocko]

NICE truck! I've never seen the mid-90's tailgate band treatment on a 60-66, looks like it fits right in there. Any idea if it had to be modified at all to squeeze in or was it a simple stick on? I like original stuff, but this is a very nice subtle custom treatment.

Wow, truck looks very solid, what a GREAT starting point. Can't wait to see how it develops. Congrats!

[pestwagon]

Jocko it WAS stuck on with lots of double stick tape, I already removed it! I'm gonna re-do the tailgate to look origional with either black or possibly silver letters. It DID look OK but I really like the original look.

Took out the non functioning speedo cable and front and rear E brake cables today. Still need to find parts! Anyone??

[westcoast5]

nice truck!

[Iron-Butt]

nice truck

[pdxhall]

New emergency brake cables run from about $15 to $30 bucks each depending on what you need. About $100 for a complete set.

[glos55]

5K was a great deal!! Glad you survived the accident and are still here with us!!! Looking forward to progress pics!

[pestwagon]

bought all 3 cables today on EBay $130 total. 2 rear brake cables and the front E cable. Now here's the stupid question...there seems to be another cable that needs to connect the 2 rear cables to the front one...not sure where to find it or what I need...anyone know?

[pestwagon]

I purchased a Jeep intermediate cable off Ebay and it worked!! I am happy to report My Palomito is much safer now with a working parking brake lever!!

Now to get the speedometer to work (there is no drive gear or driven gear in this TH350 tranny) Aghhhhh!!!

[duallyjams]

we need pics

[kieth]

I found transmission drive gears on line at __________ I think it was a jaguar conversion place.....will look and then give you the link......Kieth

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by kieth

I found transmission drive gears on line at __________ I think it was a jaguar conversion place.....will look and then give you the link......Kieth

Was it >> http://www.jagsthatrun.com/ <<?
sam

[pestwagon]

So, I unbolted the tranny extension and discovered no drive gear on the out put shaft. Also the drive gear/ "bullet" was missing from the TH350 as well. Went to my buddy Joey at Westside transmissions in los Banos. For $20 he gave me a 20 tooth driven gear/bullet set up, the 7 tooth drive gear and the little clip to keep the drive gear in place. (Actually he gave me the parts and I insisted he take the $20). I have a 3.73 posi with 27 inch tall tires, that's what the calculator called for (7 tooth drive 20 tooth driven).





While I was at it I discovered once the drive shaft was out that the rear Ujoint was binding, so I went to O'Reily Auto Parts and for $30 I bought 2 U joints and a large C Clamp and my 15 year old son Jimmy and I di the U joints together yesterday...great father son time together....Got a working speedometer now!

Next up will be the radiator/shroud.

[Dinos63]

congrats nice find!!!

[duallyjams]

What color was the 7th tooth gear ?

[TopFuel1966]

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/sp...n_______va.htm

[aggie91]

Man that is a great starting point for a nice project. Looks like you got a great deal for $5k and you only had to do a few low cost items to make it safe.

Looking for more updates on this one. I agree with Rene, it does call out for chrome bumpers and grill. I like the white with all the trim.

[pestwagon]

Its been a while since I posted but here's where the truck is at now...


I found an original aluminum grill in Northern CA , a full 1966 dash gauge assembly (with tach and vacuum pod) , a brand new steering box for P/S, a CPP P/S Box conversion (new) with mounting bracket and steering column adapter, and 2.5 inch Western Spindles (dropped) with 6 lug 1.25 inch rotors and bearings all for $400. I also found a set of 15 x 8 slotted mags for $100. I sold the gauge pod with vacuum gauge for $400 shipped on Ebay. I bought wiper blades on Ebay for $35 and a new chrome antenna for $55.
I found a chrome front bumper from John in Stockton for $125.00.
Here's a picture of the aluminum grill and new chrome bumper with rounded head bumper bolts.




I also needed a new radiator, and found a Aluminum Champion radiator on Ebay for $142.00 shipped to my door ( Christmas sale). Perro13 (member) in Stockton sold me a fan shroud for $50 and radiator brackets to mount the shroud for $80. See picture.

[pestwagon]

I found a 1964 fleetside chrome bumper in San Jose craigslist, complete with mounting brackets and filler panels for $80. The chrome is driver quality with a few dings and there is a trailer hitch ball. Even the correct bolts from the factory were included! Brackets were sand blasted and painted semi gloss black. Filler panels are in grey primer but will be white soon. See pics:

[pestwagon]

Remember the new steering box and CPP P/S kit and dropped spindles and rotors? This past weekend I installed a fresh new front end, all MOOG components (new inner and outer tie rods, new pitman arm and idler arm, and new upper and lower control arm bushings). I installed a P/S pitman arm, and the new P/S gearbox and new rag joint. P/S pump and lines were off a 1975 Blazer in the local junkyard for $50. Effortless single finger steering now. Got to get a front end alignment at the local tire shop now. Greased up all the fittings. The new disc brakes and 6 lug rotors will perform well. Still need to install the brake booster, proportioning valve and master cylinder and brake lines (this weekend) so I haven't driven it yet. I wanted to see how the truck sat on its new dropped spindles and factory height coil spings. Pictures show BOTH front coils had been torched/broken. The passenger lower control arm was bent beyond repair (scored one in the local junkyard for $40) and ALL the balljoints were shot. Rene I listened to your advice!

Note the broken coil springs


The new gear box installation


Voila, El Palomito has a new stance!

[C/10 King]

Steve that looks fantastic!!!!!! I can wait till you get the slots polished and mounted!