Finally got a running 65 C10

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1low4x4

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couple pics
 

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bucket

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Yall act like the LS platform is some space age tech when in reality its at least 26 year old tech that is still mechanical at its core, youd think they were putting tesla batteries in these trucka the way yall talk

That's not it at all. In your first post, you talked about the best bang for your buck to make it reliable. Anyone that has done or seen an LS swap done properly knows that it's not cheap at all and MUCH more involved than sticking with a basic small block. Therefore the best bang for the buck is likely a basic refresh on an existing small block. Old and new tech has nothing to do with it really.

You also said that you liked having a running and driving project. If you go the LS swap route, what's the chance you will finish it? Selling a truck with no drivetrain is not the best way to get your money back on it.

So with all that said, everyone was giving opinions and suggestions based on your first post.
 

1low4x4

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I guess it will make you all happy to know that as of last night I decided to continue the 283 build since i received all the 400 in parts i bought for it.

Today I went to horrible freight and bought an engine stand, got it mounted with hardware store bolts, removed the intake, pan, replaced the crank seal, and oil pump and pickup tube.

I want to do one of those comp thumpr cams. I need to buy a new oil pan, and a newer intake manifold. The massive oil leak was due to them expansion plugging the old 1" hole on the back by the distributor known as the oil tube hole....I'm not doing that this time
 

1low4x4

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That's not it at all. In your first post, you talked about the best bang for your buck to make it reliable. Anyone that has done or seen an LS swap done properly knows that it's not cheap at all and MUCH more involved than sticking with a basic small block. Therefore the best bang for the buck is likely a basic refresh on an existing small block. Old and new tech has nothing to do with it really.

You also said that you liked having a running and driving project. If you go the LS swap route, what's the chance you will finish it? Selling a truck with no drivetrain is not the best way to get your money back on it.

So with all that said, everyone was giving opinions and suggestions based on your first post.
I disagree. They make brackets for ;literally everything LS. Around here you can get a running on the stand 5.3 with trans, TUNED computer for $1500, then all you need is move the crossmember back, some motor mounts, its not even that hard or expensive. Ive got 500 in parts or morew right now on the 283 and if I go cam thats another 500 something for the kit at least. The 3 speed trans is NOT gong back in this truck whether LS or 283. So thats another cost. Not to mention the new intake manifold I'll need to do it right since its set up for PCV now

I just think opinions are fine but it came off negative. Like dont let your bias against LS make you sound like a nancy
 

1low4x4

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With all that said, how do we determine if this is the original engine? I dont have any codes in the glove box, the engine number is 3789817. Its been completely gone through andn honestly doesnt look bad at all
 

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Finally! I could afford a running driving 60s pick up. I sold my 2022 Honda CB 1000 R to get this. Went from doing 160 miles an hour on the freeway to 55 lol.

My first truck was a 64 GMC suburban, I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. I’ve had several, none of them running, all project trucks, all sold before they realized their potential.

Introducing pokey. 1965 Chevrolet C 10 stepper. Factory 283/3 speed three on the tree. She has some rust in the usual places, but the hood is solid. I took the windshield out today, getting a new one tomorrow and it’s completely solid all the way around so I’m happy about that.

I paid 8000 for it which around here is pretty standard. Changed the belt after it left me stranded, changed the water pump after it started leaking the other night. Added some lights under the dash. Changed a leaky rear axle shaft seal. Removed the purple tint off the back glass. Painted the Chevrolet on the grill and tailgate. Sanded the white paint off the little piece by the door that somebody had sprayed.

Other than that, I’ve just enjoyed the hell out of it, had it for a couple of weeks now. She’ll do 70 something, probably faster if you wanted to blow it up with high RPM. She likes 55 the best. I’ve put 800 miles on it in in just a few weeks.

I was going to do the roadkill thing and just patch up this 283 drive train as I went but to hell with that, it really needs an automatic transmission with overdrive and honestly, the best bang for the buck to make it reliable is an LS. I’d love to have it with a 5.3 or something. So that’s what I’m going to start saving parts for. Any tips and tricks are welcome. I know there are people that make harnesses for the transmission and engine that deletes all the BS.

The 283 has a really good oil leak, and the transmission, besides being three speed leaks gear oil really badly. The shifter has gotten stuck a few times, I’ve had to unstick it. Needs to be rebuilt with bushings, but honestly, I’m just ready to get rid of it. It’s kind of a chore to drive anywhere but the highway.

If I can get power steering on it, with an LS and auto trans this thing would rock more. I want to keep the truck on the road as much as possible. Going to be replacing some floorboards and rockers at some point but only if I can do it in two or three days and then drive it. I like to be able to drive it to the gym Every day. I’d like to get all the stuff for the LS swap so it’s down a minimal amount of time, waiting on stuff like driveshaft changes, etc. only.
I used to have a 65 Suburban. I was 3rd owner of it after I purchased it from my dad. Loved it, but had to sell it.
 

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There should be a flat pad with numbers and letters stamped here (if it's not been decked before), then you can look that up and should provide more information on what it originally was in/power rating/etc
You must be registered for see images attach
 

1low4x4

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There should be a flat pad with numbers and letters stamped here (if it's not been decked before), then you can look that up and should provide more information on what it originally was in/power rating/etc
You must be registered for see images attach
TTI27BK
 

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I used to have a 65 Suburban. I was 3rd owner of it after I purchased it from my dad. Loved it, but had to sell it.
Here's my signed glove box door. Paul LeMat, Bo Hopkins, and Candy Clark from American Graffiti. They came to Sedona for the American Graffiti car show
 

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bucket

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I disagree. They make brackets for ;literally everything LS. Around here you can get a running on the stand 5.3 with trans, TUNED computer for $1500, then all you need is move the crossmember back, some motor mounts, its not even that hard or expensive. Ive got 500 in parts or morew right now on the 283 and if I go cam thats another 500 something for the kit at least. The 3 speed trans is NOT gong back in this truck whether LS or 283. So thats another cost. Not to mention the new intake manifold I'll need to do it right since its set up for PCV now

I just think opinions are fine but it came off negative. Like dont let your bias against LS make you sound like a nancy

A complete running 5.3 and trans for 1500 is way cheaper than most areas, or at least the areas I've been in. But even with that, I'm assuming it's a 20 year old engine with high miles on it, and probably with a cobbled junkyard harness. That doesn't necessarily scream reliability. I understand they make brackets to bolt it in, but that's the cheap part. You've still got the accessory drive system to worry about as that stuff was designed for different underhood packaging. Then the cost of the overpriced headers for LS swaps. And then the fuel system too, that ain't cheap. There's a lot of cost involved that many people don't think about. And in the end, you still have an old basic 5.3 with a bunch of miles on it.

Personally, I have nothing against the LS platform. But I do have a problem with "cheap" LS swaps. I'll leave it alone now.
 

legopnuematic

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1low4x4

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A complete running 5.3 and trans for 1500 is way cheaper than most areas, or at least the areas I've been in. But even with that, I'm assuming it's a 20 year old engine with high miles on it, and probably with a cobbled junkyard harness. That doesn't necessarily scream reliability. I understand they make brackets to bolt it in, but that's the cheap part. You've still got the accessory drive system to worry about as that stuff was designed for different underhood packaging. Then the cost of the overpriced headers for LS swaps. And then the fuel system too, that ain't cheap. There's a lot of cost involved that many people don't think about. And in the end, you still have an old basic 5.3 with a bunch of miles on it.

Personally, I have nothing against the LS platform. But I do have a problem with "cheap" LS swaps. I'll leave it alone now.
fair enough, I forgot about fuel. I'd have to probably get rid of the brand new behind the seat tank
 

1low4x4

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guess its bored 60 the pistons are marked 060
 

bucket

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I'm getting old,

T I I 2 7 D K

Looks like DK is '63 or older, with 2bbl and automatic. There should be a date code on the block, if you want to narrow it down. What is the head casting #? They are later heads, with accessory holes.

guess its bored 60 the pistons are marked 060

Any cross hatching still visible in the cylinders?
 

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