Finally got a running 65 C10

[1low4x4]

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.

 

[1low4x4]

Here’s a few more

 

[1low4x4]

And some more

 

[1low4x4]

Moar

 

[DoubleDingo]

Nice find! I know LS is the big fad, but the small block is plenty reliable and can get good mileage when properly tuned. It being a short bed truck, it's like a car with a bed. I say that because you could install a decent small block, th400 or th350, and 3.55 gears and you'd easily get 14-16 mpg's and have plenty of speed if you wanted it. You could even run 3.42 or maybe 3.08 with a th400 or th350 and you'd be fine.

My old Mean Green had a crate 350, sm420, Dana 60 with 3.54 rear, and it hauled @$$ and got decent mileage (14-16 cruising 65-70) for a 65 C20. 2600 rpms was 70 with 29 or 30 inch diameter tires.

Drove it everywhere. It was reliable as heck, and didn't ever leave me stranded.

I'd hate to see you swap in LS just because of reliability when there are many reliable engines out there. If you want computer controls go LS. If you want good old school and less modifications, small block is it.

 

[bucket]

In the mean time, you can adjust the clearance between the shift levers at the end of the column and it's very simple. There's a collar that can rotate to take up the slack. That should take care of the shifter getting jammed.

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I believe that many column shifters have been abandoned simply because people aren't aware that the levers need adjusted every decade or so.

 

[bucket]

Also, @DoubleDingo post is spot on. Personally, I'd likely seriously consider doing a basic refresh on the 283 and swap in some form of overdrive trans. Either that or build a very healthy small block and disguise it as a stock 283.

 

[DoubleDingo]

In the mean time, you can adjust the clearance between the shift levers at the end of the column and it's very simple. There's a collar that can rotate to take up the slack. That should take care of the shifter getting jammed.

You must be registered for see images attach

I believe that many column shifters have been abandoned simply because people aren't aware that the levers need adjusted every decade or so.

It's easy and corrects a lot of bad behavior issues with the column shift.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Nice truck and welcome! I'm a big LS fanboi so if you plan to drive the hell out of it, that gets my vote. I LOVE the hot 5.3 I put together for my '85.

That said, I would eventually like to build something with an older smallblock too. I've got my name in the hat for our survivor '67 CST at work and if I get it, the 327 will get a refresh with a mild cam and I'll swap a T5 in place of the 3OTT and just keep it a cruiser.