New guy with a 1964 GMC that knows nothing :)

[nathankershaw]

Hi,
I'm Nathan, originally from England now living in North Hollywood.
I've had XR4Ti's as my play cars since moving here but I have a need to start racing dirt bikes again.
My friend came across this truck while clearing out a ladies back yard.
It's been buried since 1993.
I got all the paperwork sorted, tags and got AAA to take it home.





My wife and dog approve



Cleaned off the bed

[nathankershaw]

So on all the paperwork it say GMC but no model.
I can't open the front drivers door yet.
This is the only ID tag I've found so far.



Anyone know what it is?

[nathankershaw]

Just some more pics.
Any info you guys in the know can see from the pics would be appreciated.





It has a booster that says "FOMOCO" on it.



Is this power steering original?

[nathankershaw]

The passenger door glass is broken.
This is a 64. The one in my local yard has the torsion front suspension.
Do the glasses inter change?

Thank you for any info.
She an awesome truck and can't wait to get her road worthy.
I'll start reading on this forum now!
It's like going back to school! lol.

[b.sharp]

The door glass from any 64-66 chevy/gmc will work. The vin number will be inside the drivers door jamb. You will need to get that door open to find it. Good looking score. It's a plus the wife likes it and as long as the dog gets to go for rides it will like it much more. Good luck with the truck, there is a vast knowledge on this board and most answers can be found here if not all.

[nathankershaw]

Originally Posted by b.sharp

The door glass from any 64-66 chevy/gmc will work. The vin number will be inside the drivers door jamb. You will need to get that door open to find it. Good looking score. It's a plus the wife likes it and as long as the dog gets to go for rides it will like it much more. Good luck with the truck, there is a vast knowledge on this board and most answers can be found here if not all.

Yeah I figured it would be inside the drivers door jamb.

I'm working my way down the FAQ's now

[63 Spud]

It looks like you scored. The truck has some nice options. 3/4 ton Custom Cab GMC with all the trim, side moldings and it even has all 4 hubcaps. Also has factory power steering. One thing I haven't see for years is that radio shack CD ignition box mounted on the inner fender. Good luck with your new project.

[Pappyx3!]

Nathan,

Congrats on a Great find! Look forward to seeing what you do with it. Welcome to the forum.

[Jeff La]

Nice truck and welcome aboard

[BigSix]

That is a good find. The power steering all being there is a huge plus. If anything needs rebuilding (lets assume it could all be gone through) you can use Lares.com like I did...treated me well and build it all in the US. The brakes even look to have original power! I too just picked up a 65 4x4 (8600lbs model) and am learning every day!

[Woogeroo]

neat truck, welcome to the madness.

-W

[TJ's Chevy]

Cool truck! And welcome to the forum! Looks to have power brakes and power steering! Two rare options. Look forward to watching the build!

[duallyjams]

it has a chevy hood

[jtrichard]

as dually said it has a 63/66 chevy hood .. the glass out of a truck (60/62) with torsion bars will NOT fit ... the 60 to 63s had a wraparound windscreen (thats just for you being from jolly ole) so the side glass is different .....THE ONLY one that will fit is the back glass... it had a cabover camper on it before.... right side saddle tank with its own gauge..... pretty much unmolested thats very nice... the power steering is factory .....the power brakes could be org. or some one has added it later since the booster has that nasty word on it

[notsolo]

Nice score, the torsion bar truck you spoke of might be a 60-62.... door window glass and windshield's are different 60-63..... 64-65-66 are the same.

[factorystock]

Here is my educated guess. The original owner bought this truck to be a recreational vehicle. It has the tell tale signs of hauling a camper, large rear view mirrors, hooks on side of bed, add on extra fuel tank installed under bed( round hole cut out in front of right rear wheel ) and stabilizer bracket on front cowl near winshield. He ordered it as a 3/4 ton with automatic, power brakes steering, and the "Custom" option to make driving easier. Most trucks were not set up this way in 1964, most were set up with very few options (as cheap as possible to get the farm or business chore done).This was the mid 60's the beginning of the camper pickup boom in this country. My eye tells me the rear wheels are period aftermarket wide base one piece 16.5", can't tell the front wheels, picture not close enough, but wouldn't be surprised if the fronts were original multi-piece 15". As for specifics, it is model 1502, 3/4 ton wideside. Automatic is a 2 speed powerglide. Rear axle is Dana 60 with 4.10 ratio. Original color is either light green or Terrace Blue, can't tell with out a better shot of the original paint under hood area. Here is a '63 1502 (very similar except for wrap around windshield and different door design)back in the day doing what it was bought for(and correct '62-'66 GMC hood).

[nathankershaw]

Thank you SO much for the info so far.
I'm going to pick up some trim removal tools today to get the drivers door trim off and get that door open.

Ask for pics and ye shall receive! lol.

The rear wheels are bigger.




Fronts:





Going along with the pleasure theme as well


& the paint.

[hopped up]

Nice truck! You'll find all the info you need on this site. I'm not too far from north Hollywood, let me know if I can be any help

[nathankershaw]

8 lug!
That seems like overkill! lol.

[Woogeroo]

half tons are 6 lugs, so yours is a 3/4 ton or larger...

-W

[Vernski]

Hi Nathan welcome to the forums lots of info at this site, also here is a link to a GMC site with gobs of info you might check out enjoy...Vernski

http://6066gmcclub.com/gmcguy/

[nathankershaw]

So when my friend found the truck he got the motor turning freely. Lots of oil and very green coolant. Aweosme!
Then removed the plugs to turn it over on the starter.
Was fine for a short while then it locked up.
I then took over at this point after the truck arrived at my house.
After 24hrs with a mix of Seafoam and ATF in the cylinders, I removed the starter on my friends advice, turned the motor backwards and after much slippage and bruised knuckles she came free.
BUT....
I only have about 10degrees movement in either direction now. It stops going forward and going backwards.
I slackened all the valves so the rockers weren't pushing them down during the cycle but she's still stopping on something.
Disassembly it is then!

Dirty top end!




Heads off tomorrow!

[1971 GMC SHORTY]

Rust in Cyl Stopping Motor From Turimh

[nathankershaw]

Originally Posted by 1971 GMC SHORTY

Rust in Cyl Stopping Motor From Turimh

I see you're in the valley.
Do you ever head down to Bob's on a Friday?

[nathankershaw]

Got the heads off.
The cylinders are all good but plenty of crap inside!