What year is your truck?

[old cool]

Seriously. Ok, not talkin about title, vin, or body components. I'm speaking about trucks that have non orig motors, frames, etc. Everytime I step up to parts counter, the first question is, "What year is your truck?" So, I go through my usual comment, "The parts I need could be any number of years between early sixties to late seventies. You who have non matchers know what I'm taking about. You could have a casting date that ends in a "5" and that could mean 1965 or 75. You could put a 65 valve cover and air cleaner on a 75 engine and you might be stumped if you don't know your motors.

SO, here is my broad question regarding this dilemma: I know I can pull the valve cover and find a casting #. I know the basic engine components are probably the same; perhaps pistons are different. And I understand I can walk up to the counter and match parts. My predicament is that forums are separated from 60-66 and then 67-72 and so on. Are the forums separated because of body and interior parts, or are the smalls (like ball joints, harnesses, grommets, etc) different. I'm sure there's an obvious answer but I would greatly appreciate an explanation that makes this journey a little easier. (Presently, I need front end parts)

[casper71]

These forums are separated by body style. My truck is a 71 but parts are from 70-200? many parts interchange and you can modify your truck.

[TJ's Chevy]

Body style. I'm mean...it would be plain weird having a 1915-present FORUM...there's sooooo many members and enough threads as there is that if it was all one forum it'd be a stack of confusion...In this forum 60-66 chevy trucks..there are at least 200 threads. Then you have a ton of other forums in this club..but reason their separated is because of body style, amount of members, amount of threads, few moderators, parts interchangeability, and keeps it easier when it comes to finding threads.

[jtrichard]

could have a frankenstein forum for the really mixed up trucks

[old cool]

LOL. I understand the importance of narrowing the field. My question was aimed at getting answers to buying parts. If I can buy suspension or mechanical parts from 65 to 77 (as example) that would help and be much easier on me. Though great looking, I have a short bed conversion; possibly cab swap. I am seeking to buy front end components and I didn't know if there was a difference in 60's to 70s'. When I look in the after market catalogs, they have separated front end parts every three to seven years from 60 to 70. Just wondering how much bull I'm going to run into with other parts. Maybe there is no simple answer and I'm going to need to go a little deeper each time I need a part.
This forum is doing NOTHING wrong by separating into body styles or every few years. It's funny how writing something can be misinterpreted. Sorry bout that. PEACE!

[66LSx]

Motor/Transmission/Exhaust Parts: 2005 Silverado
Interior Parts(seats/belts/buckets): 2004 Silverado
Dash/Gauges/Lights: No bueno parts guy (custom Speedhuts)
Suspension/Chassis/Frame/Body/HVAC: 1966 C-10 por favor

wait... i no get to play this game ?

[Snailed]

There is no simple answer. Some parts fit only one year, others fit from 63-87 or possibly more.

Sometimes the changes that might keep it from being "correct" have nothing to do with if it will work or not. I use the NAPA dealer website to find a part and then can see what that part fits for vehicles. There are other databases like this out there and that might help you narrow down some of your parts. You gotta do your research and understand how stuff works, especially if you're cheap haha

[jtrichard]

it can be a ***** at the parts store if you get some new guy and your truck has had some frankensteining done and he dont know how or dont want to take the time to help figure out just what you have .....if you can keep a log of all the off year parts you have used and you will thank yourself later in life

[61_FL_Apache]

Heinz 57 actually!

[66Submarine]

Whatever the applicable year/model of what I'm buying parts for is! Parts stores generally kind of suck to begin with. The last time I went in one they didn't even have real u-bolts for a 1350 u-joint! And the time before that, a guy tried to sell me a 165º thermostat like I was driving a model T...

When I went into NAPA the other day to buy straight 90 weight GL-1 gear oil they didn't initially know what I was talking about. It was listed in the book and they had it in stock, but since they sell so little of it the girl at the counter didn't even remember it until I pointed it out.

There is a tremendous amount of interchange/overlap between years/decades, so you just need to determine what you have; for the most part it's real easy to visually tell stuff apart.

I.E., the front suspension stuff (IIRC):
60-62=torsion bars instead of coil springs
63-70=coil springs
71-72=disk brakes & 5 lug bolt pattern

I just order most of my stuff online now anyway, for the above reasons.

[Woogeroo]

welcome to the world of old trucks and 'previous owners' (PO).

old trucks are fun!

remember to write it down whenever you find out what year something is... me, I save the part numbers off the box tops. I'm a little OCD that way tho'.

-W

[1963c-10]

So are we getting requests for a hybrid forum? Both of my 63's are hybrids. Both have big blocks...one from a 58, one from a 69. Both have numerous parts from various other 56-66 trucks. One has a transmission from 58, one from a 67......I can keep going.

[old cool]

Thanks for the encouraging words. Woog and 63-10, I think you're able to read between the lines. I had no idea hybrids (great metaphor to sum up my dilemma) could be taken to such levels. Moreover, that a seller would leave out all his/her research and discoveries during the sale. I learned a lot from this deal. Sad-to-say.
I promise to put up pictures soon so you all can see what a decent looking truck I have. It just has a few surprising leaks, pops, whines, and carbon problems.
Back to the issue at hand, I will take your advice Woog and document all numbers and save parts as they come off the truck. But, I have to reiterate, I'm having little to no luck using the web. I enter my part numbers and sometimes get linked to ebay; sometimes no results at all. Too bad there isn't a reference book that would list drive-line and suspension numbers by year. That would be "awesome" (as my grandson would put it).

[old cool]

OH, before I forget 63c-10, the word "hybrid" is much more pleasant than Frankenstein. The later is enough to shorten a good nights sleep. not kidding.

[supercharged]

Originally Posted by old cool

OH, before I forget 63c-10, the word "hybrid" is much more pleasant than Frankenstein. The later is enough to shorten a good nights sleep. not kidding.

I prefer the term Kustomized

[Pappyx3!]

I worked on the tech line for an electrical mfr, a co-worker use to call them Hoopties, and another guy called em a Jonny Cash.

Part of the enjoyment of having an old truck is that you have many choices, you can restore to OE, you can restore with light modification or you can go plain crazy and build with whatever you want. Like AMC did back in the day!

Because it's worth repeating, keep your records, I keep an Excel spreadsheet on all the repairs I do with part numbers, vendors and information regarding the Year Make Model of the vehicle it came from.

Enjoy your ride!

[1963c-10]

They have vintage dealer parts books that come up from time to time on ebay....butthey normally fetch well over $100 each.

I try and use original parts wherever possible. If I have a bad fender for example and I know they are the same from 60-66, I don't mind using an off year of the make. Its still an original fender. May not be a 63 part, but will do the job and better than a foreign reproduction part. Some parts we have to reproductions on. Sometimes a reproduction is the answer until a good original part can be found. I also keep track of what year parts I use on various projects....normally its for my own reference, but if I were to see a truck, the next owner would know where to pick up pieces that I left off at.

I also visit different areas of the board for different issues. Alot of the 63-72 frame parts are the same so if I can't source a 60-66 part, I go to the 67-72 board and start there.

This board has so many good areas to view, engines & driveline, electrical...etc. There is a forum for just about every topic or question and don't forget to use the search engines here and the FAQ's sections are a must read.

[1963c-10]

Also...don't be afraid to post a thread with "help ID ____ part". Alot of mysteries get solved this way here. Especially when dealing with 50 + year old trucks.

[Woogeroo]

old cool :

in my case : 1965 Chevy C10 step side pickup.

over the years I've learned that the pieces are all Chevy, but what years?

engine block : 1992 5.7L(350 c.i.) / no mechanical fuel pump, so has external electric fuel pump... but! it has a holley carburetor and edelbrock intake. (originally the '92 engine was throttle body fuel injected).

An HEI distributor... with a engine module from a '85-'87...

steering column is from a 1971 chevy truck, automatic, non tilt column.

transmission is an automatic 3 speed, TH350, so around 1966ish or later...

externally regulated alternator is listed as a 1969 in the parts books.

power brake booster is actually 1965, but the dual pot master cylinder for the drum brakes is 1969.

no emergency brake cable or the associated parts when I bought it, I had to "hybrid" that together as well in the style of a 1966-1972 style setup.

I didn't know any of this when I bought it, these things I've found out over the years as things broke and needed replacing.

nope, you are not alone!

old trucks are fun!

-W

[old cool]

You guys are nice. Great forum! God bless.

[66Submarine]

Well, it's a '49, '50, '51, '52, '53, '54, '55, '56
'57, '58' 59' automobile
It's a '60, '61, '62, '63, '64, '65, '66, '67
'68, '69, '70 automobile...

Something like that?

You'll know it's me when I come through your town...

[Pappyx3!]

Originally Posted by 66Submarine

Something like that?

You'll know it's me when I come through your town...

You got it!

[64shortbox]

How about this. My 64 C10 will soon have brand new door seals from a Honda. The windshield squirter nozzles are from a Ford truck, the Radiator Overflow/Windshield reservoir is from a Ford Exploder we won't even get into the 350/350 combo or the 73 C10 disc brake set up, the 72 van tilt or the 1964 Chrysler New Yorker A/C vents etc., etc.