1962 GMC truck

[benwantland]

So here's my story:

I am a college student at the University of Iowa, and yesterday I skipped class to go look at a 1969 Chevy Nova in Minnesota... It was a 3 hour drive and it turned out to be a 79, not 69, and basically, was not anything that I wanted to spend money on.

Well, my grandparents live in northern Iowa, about an hour away from where I was at, so I figured I might as well go and talk to them. They asked what I had been doing, which led to us talking about old cars, and my grandpa told me he had a 1962 GMC 1-ton truck with a V6 that he would give me. At this point it was 8:30 pm and totally dark, so I did not get to see it. Nonetheless, I am now trying to locate a decent hitch system for my truck so I can tow this thing home on my buddy's car trailer.....

I am pretty sure the engine will need a rebuild; my question is, can I get standard rebuild parts for this engine? Any performance parts? (I'm thinking not) And just what can you guys tell me about little things that I should know, like will I have to have hardened valve seats installed to run unleaded gas?

Thanks for your time.

[golds'64]

Ben,
Little things? Rust
V6? 305 V6...Parts are still available
Hardn seats?Iv'e asked this before.it seems to depend on who you ask.
Hope this helps some.

And check out Jollys site.
http://www.favorites.com/%7Ejolly/GMCTruck.htm

[icknay]

i'd recommend getting rid of that six-cylinder (i'm assuming it's the stock engine, which would not be a V6, but rather an inline six) and swapping in a small block V8.

[benwantland]

Originally posted by icknay
i'd recommend getting rid of that six-cylinder (i'm assuming it's the stock engine, which would not be a V6, but rather an inline six) and swapping in a small block V8.

Thanks for the reply man, but I think I will keep the V6. And, yes, it is a V6.... but it's okay, b/c you seem to be a chevy man. Keep in mind, back then, chevy and GMC actually kind of did their own thing. For more GMC V6 info, see http://www.favorites.com/%7Ejolly/305V6.htm

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

WANTED 305 v6 valve adjuster screws. e-mail with any information on where to find them PLEASE.

[icknay]

Originally posted by benwantland

Thanks for the reply man, but I think I will keep the V6. And, yes, it is a V6.... but it's okay, b/c you seem to be a chevy man. Keep in mind, back then, chevy and GMC actually kind of did their own thing. For more GMC V6 info, see http://www.favorites.com/%7Ejolly/305V6.htm

wow, i didn't realize...
and i'm sorry, that reply sounded kind of arrogant.

[Demmit_Hemmit's 65]

NOT ARROGANT.........JUST TRUE.........

[benwantland]

Originally posted by icknay


wow, i didn't realize...
and i'm sorry, that reply sounded kind of arrogant.

Sorry man, I didn't mean to sound arrogant... I said the same thing to my grandpa when he said it was a V6, since I hadn't looked under the hood; it wasn't until I did some research that I realized it actually was a V6.

[Long Knight]

benwantland

Sounds like the best kind of deal to me. My truck use to belong to my grandfather. There is a lot to be said about handing the iron workhorse down a couple generations.

Assuming it is kept inside, you should have a great truck to work with. I know you mentioned you were in school, but don't let the upfront maintenance cost to get it going discourage you. It really doesn't take much to get these old trucks running. I was in college when I got my truck and you just add to it when you can.

As far as the valve seats go, if you have the heads re-done the hardened seats will be installed without question. Sounds like a fun project. Post some pics sometime if you can!

[benwantland]

Hey everyone, I just got the first couple of pics back of my truck. They are on my site at http://www.geocities.com/benwantland/gmc.html. I will have some more pictures sometime within the next week or two; those were at the end of one roll.

[Long Knight]

What kind of car is that in the background?

[benwantland]

I think its an old AMC Rambler..... maybe about a 1962??? I don't really know. It used to be my mom's car years before I was born; I think it was retired because the cylinder head warped severely.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Hey Ben, If the grille is original, like most likely it is, you have either a '64 or '65 Truck. I'm an old GMC enthusiast from way back and love these old trucks. If the engine runs good, I wouldn't worry too much about the old valves. Old V-6's are great engines, but do have some drawbacks, one being gas milege. They're pretty rough on gas. But if you don't put on a whole bunch of miles and you super-tune the engine, you should do OK. My old 305 in a half ton was getting about 16 on the hi-way, which is pretty good for a V-6. Bill.

[benwantland]

thanks bill. I'm not too worried about gas mileage. I think the truck will most likely wind up serving as a dump truck sometime in the future, although I forgot to look closely and see if it had a PTO to run a hydraulic pump. Does anyone know if I can still get a PTO kit for that trans? oh by the way, I put up a couple of more pics.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Ben, New PTO's still should be available, but I would try to get a used one from a junkyard. I have one for sale but it is a 2-Speed PTO for an older 5-Speed trans.

[kennyw]

Just incase you have not found the 6066 GMC Truck email list I would suggest you look it up (the link is on Jolly's 6066 GMC website front page).

There is a lot that can be done with the V6 engine for performance and the email list has some guys with experience using these motors for dragracing... Nothing for off the shelf speed products however.

But looks like a great truck. The old 1 tons didnt see as many miles on the winter roads as the 1/2 and 3/4 tons so they tend to be in better shape concerning rust.

[BG62]

It's the oringinal 305D V6 from my 1962 GMC 3\4 ton
Im selling all external parts or complete.Engine is no good,blew up on the 210 freeway .
3 speed Hydramatic transmission still attached to block.transmission needs work.I live in Los Angeles Area.
Need parts let me know.$130.00 \ BO for everything if you can pick up.
bryangreene74@hotmail.com

Check it out

http://www.geocities.com/bombtoke/62GMC.html

[GloryHound]

Did they keep using that engine after 66? According to my literature on my 69 it was not available but some things slip by marketing especially back then! The torque you can get out of those engines is impressive for stock! When I had my S-10 and slammed a 283 into to if I had known about those V-6's I might have done something a little different!

[C10 - C90 Bill]

'69 was the last year for V-6's in the GMC smaller trucks. They went into the mid 70's in 2-Ton and larger trucks. But it is true that '67 to '69 GMC trucks with V-6's weren't as common as the ones in the '60 to '66 trucks.

[dtlilly]

That looks to be a cool truck to spend your money on. I am a transplant from the 67-72 board, as I own a 71 short 4x4 fleet, but really like this body style. Good luck on the rebuild and more importantly, concentrate on getting through college. I am graduating with a Marketing degree from the U of Memphis in May, and hope to get a good job to be able to spend more on my truck. Keep her between the ditches brother

[68 Suburban]

I had a 67 pickup with the 351 V-6 in it. Everyone said that the pickups could not get the 351, but I had the build sheet to prove it. What a stump puller!

[GloryHound]

dtlilly....

Stay away from the women and you'll have more money to spend on your truck! Trust me I love her dearly but when she starts talking about a 2000 dollar couch set that we need to save for and I wanted to save for a power disc brake conversion.........


Pow to the moon Alice!!!!


Then I find out I'm sleeping in the front seat of my truck. I love it and all but it does nothing for a good nite's sleep!