My Introduction - 1965 GMC Short/Wide

[johnny mac]

I've posted in a couple threads already so I thought I would do a formal introduction. I was looking for a winter vehicle and picked up this truck exactly one month ago today. I was looking for a 60-66 model Chevy truck because if I was gonna buy myself a truck it should be one with style.

I found this 65 GMC on Craigslist, made a deal and drove it home. It has a somewhat built 350 that has been bored .30 over and Holley 600. It also has a Th350 automatic tranny. But it also is manual steering and manual brakes. There is plenty of rust but I won't worry about that until I upgrade my brakes and steering.

In the short amount of time I have had it I have been working to get it winter ready.

Here is how it looked when I bought it. I am NOT a big fan of camouflage...



Here is how it looks today. I am keeping a running ledger of my expenses. In regard to paint, I have about $27.00 in it. I sprayed some Rustoleum satin black to cover up the camo. Some people have told me they liked the camo paint. I don't.







Here is a shot of the interior:



Motor:





I think I got a fair deal at $1400.

John

[rbar]

I would say you did get a fair deal. Congrats on the buy.
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[Mad Rods]

Nice truck!... I have that same shifter.
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[rcbildr]

Nice truck!!! The camo paint job is actually one of the better ones I've seen.

[CRGRS 66]

welcome to the board, nice GMC, ya the camo was not working at all

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by rbar

I would say you did get a fair deal. Congrats on the buy.
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x2....and I say throw a Batman decal on the door...j/k ...it does have a kinda stealthy look now though...have fun with it

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. That was a nicely done camo pattern, but I wouldn't want it on my truck either. Looks like a nice truck with a lot of work already invested.

[MOTOIMPAIRED]

Welcome to the forum.

[westcoast5]

nice!

[bj383ss]

Very Nice Truck. The valve covers and carb would set you back $600. So the you got the rest of the truck for $800. Not bad. I dig the black paint as well. The camo only looks right on the squarebodies.

Bret

[1963c-10]

Welcome....great looking truck. I like the black better.

[kieth]

Welcome to the board, rule......especially short wheelbase fleetside gmc's and I am not prejudiced......ha ha......here is a link to my build If you need any answers that are unique to a gmc message me here or call me 918-446-2245 will be glad to answer any questions about grilles, instrument panel, dash, interior colors, all that stuff that is unique to our

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...5158&k=c93wLV9

You will have a lot of fun working on your truck. Looks like you got a smokin deal.....oh and I have another gmc, a 65 swb that I bought as a parts mule.....Kieth

[johnny mac]

Thanks for the warm welcomes! I have already started planning what I want to do to the truck. I want to address the manual brakes, steering, and eventually lower it a bit - possibly an axle flip. So much to do and so little money. lol What ever I decide to do it will be with a very small budget.....

Originally Posted by Mad Rods

Nice truck!... I have that same shifter.
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The love the shifter. For me, I think it was a major selling point.

Originally Posted by kieth

Welcome to the board, rule......especially short wheelbase fleetside gmc's and I am not prejudiced......ha ha......here is a link to my build If you need any answers that are unique to a gmc message me here or call me 918-446-2245 will be glad to answer any questions about grilles, instrument panel, dash, interior colors, all that stuff that is unique to our
http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...5158&k=c93wLV9
You will have a lot of fun working on your truck. Looks like you got a smokin deal.....oh and I have another gmc, a 65 swb that I bought as a parts mule.....Kieth

Thanks Keith. I may take you up on the offer as I have a million questions. The link to the photo's will definitely come in handy.


If anyone is like me, most posts are worthless without at least one or two photo's. So here is a couple photo's of when I painted my truck. I was getting a few weird looks and stares from passing traffic as I painted my truck in the driveway.

I painted one coat with a roller and brush, let it dry for a couple days and then gave it a once over with sandpaper to knock down bumps, ridges, etc.



I then masked everything off and sprayed with my HVLP sprayer.

[johnny mac]

Well I learn something new everyday. I had a transmission pan leak so I picked up a gasket and filter for a TH350 at the local O'reillys. I drop the pan and discover that the gasket looks nothing like what is on my truck. After a quick internet search I have learned that I have a th400 transmission. So back to the parts store to get a gasket and filter that will fit. I then learn that the th400 capacity is 2 quarts more than that of a th350. So I go back to the parts store again. sheesh.

Now time for a rant/
I have now tried 2 different rubber gaskets and cannot get this stupid pan to seal. I am staggering the bolts when tightening and torquing to the correct ft lbs. In addition, it is a major pain because there is no drain plug so tranny fluid pours out the pan when I am removing it. I try to "direct" the fluid into my tub but my aim is usually a little off. I have had it. I have one more trick up my sleeve that I will try tomorrow to get the pan to seal. Hopefully it will work because I don't want to have to pay someone to fix this leak.
/rant

ok, I feel better now. I'm going to bed.

[donthekawguy]

Sometimes those pans are a little tough to seal. Make sure all the holes and the gasket surface are as flat as you can make them. Then when you tighten the bolts just go a smidge over hand tight. I have never used a torque wrench on a tranny pan and never had one leak after pounding the gasket surface flat.

[Terry12]

1400 bucks.....that's a great deal....just the engine alone. Black looks way better.
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[bj383ss]

Johnny,

If possible try to get a cork/rubber gasket. Buy some Gasket Maker made by Permatex (its in a white tube, blue card and it is brown)and glue the gasket on the pan with it. Make sure you line up all the holes. Let is set for about 10 minutes and then put it on the truck. This is how I was taught to do it. I never have a leak from the pan anyways.

Bret