JohnTaurus
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2020
- Posts
- 152
- Reaction score
- 158
- Location
- Mississippi
- First Name
- John
- Truck Year
- 1974
- Truck Model
- C10 Custom
- Engine Size
- 250 CID Inline 6
Maybe I won't get beat up too much, but I'm a Ford guy. Every GM product I've had (up until this one) was a disaster.
That out of the way, I have a 1974 Chevy C10 pickup, Custom (model name), long wheel base with a 250 CID Inline 6 and a 3 speed manual (column shift).
I bought it a couple of months ago, mainly because the cab isnt rusted beyond surface patina, it has the 6 cylinder and it belonged to my cousin. I paid $1,500 for it. I love the truck.
Since I've bought it, the following has been done:
Front brake pads, one caliper replaced, the other repaired and reused. Rotor-hubs replaced. Stops well for what kind of system it has. Also got a brake fluid flush.
Exhaust: the butterfly valve in the exhaust manifold was jammed 3/4 closed. The old manifold had a very poorly repaired crack. My (other) cousin and I replaced the exhaust manifold, and installed a muffler. Most bolts replaced, anti-seize used on all.
Ignition: the immediate previous owner had upgraded to electronic ignition, how ever he stretched the old wires (that were designed for a points distributor) on to the new style distributor cap. I ordered a set of AC Delco wires for an early 4.3L V-6 and used them with immediate success, lol. Spark plugs replaced with AC Delco.
New tires in the factory correct size were installed last week on the old steel wheels. I plan to upgrade to rally wheels eventually (I abandoned the idea of refinishing the original wheels and paying $115 + for a set of original center caps). Tires are GoodYear Wrangler TrailRunner all terrains. Very pleased with them thus far.
New headlights with halogen bulbs in aftermarket glass lenses, new taillights, also aftermarket but using mostly conventional bulbs (only the 4 side markers are LED). Both sets replaced out of necessity, not just for the upgrade (but I took the opportunity to modestly upgrade).
Misc small repairs like new GM authorized door lock replacement cylinders/keys, oil/AC Delco filter, and so on.
My future plans for the truck are:
Replace water pump, upgrade to electric fan, replace the front and rear suspension with heavy duty products, like these AC Delco heavier duty shocks I found.
Replace the clanky old 3 speed with a 5 speed overdrive manual transmission out of a 88-90s C-series pickup.
Replace the seat with buckets from a newer GM full size truck or SUV with lap and shoulder seatbelts integrated into them. Try to see if a stock Tahoe middle console not between it and the dash) will work with the floor shifter, haha.
Further in the future:
Upgrade to multiport fuel injection.
Swap front clips with an 88-91 Suburban/K5/HD truck before paint/body, but there are two Fords in line ahead of it for that stage, haha.
This is a work truck also serving as a semi-daily driver (I'm usually in my Focus SVT or my old Taurus for extended highway runs). I plan to keep it with an Inline six, manual transmission and RWD. Even after paint/body, it still won't be lowered or otherwise unusable for what it was built for.
I needed something more robust to drive when I'm on dirt roads, fishing, camping, etc, places that could much more easily damaged a car. Eventually, I plan on a new Ford Bronco for recreational use, but the C10 will still have a place. I do enjoy the truck, and that old 6 cylinder sure lived up to its reputation of durability, it survived that heavily restricted exhaust for a long time until I decided to replace the manifold.
Hope to make some new friends here, I sure love my old truck, and I want to share that with like-minded people. Not to mention, benefit from the vast collection of experience you guys undoubtedly have with these trucks.
Looking forward to replies!
That out of the way, I have a 1974 Chevy C10 pickup, Custom (model name), long wheel base with a 250 CID Inline 6 and a 3 speed manual (column shift).
I bought it a couple of months ago, mainly because the cab isnt rusted beyond surface patina, it has the 6 cylinder and it belonged to my cousin. I paid $1,500 for it. I love the truck.
Since I've bought it, the following has been done:
Front brake pads, one caliper replaced, the other repaired and reused. Rotor-hubs replaced. Stops well for what kind of system it has. Also got a brake fluid flush.
Exhaust: the butterfly valve in the exhaust manifold was jammed 3/4 closed. The old manifold had a very poorly repaired crack. My (other) cousin and I replaced the exhaust manifold, and installed a muffler. Most bolts replaced, anti-seize used on all.
Ignition: the immediate previous owner had upgraded to electronic ignition, how ever he stretched the old wires (that were designed for a points distributor) on to the new style distributor cap. I ordered a set of AC Delco wires for an early 4.3L V-6 and used them with immediate success, lol. Spark plugs replaced with AC Delco.
New tires in the factory correct size were installed last week on the old steel wheels. I plan to upgrade to rally wheels eventually (I abandoned the idea of refinishing the original wheels and paying $115 + for a set of original center caps). Tires are GoodYear Wrangler TrailRunner all terrains. Very pleased with them thus far.
New headlights with halogen bulbs in aftermarket glass lenses, new taillights, also aftermarket but using mostly conventional bulbs (only the 4 side markers are LED). Both sets replaced out of necessity, not just for the upgrade (but I took the opportunity to modestly upgrade).
Misc small repairs like new GM authorized door lock replacement cylinders/keys, oil/AC Delco filter, and so on.
My future plans for the truck are:
Replace water pump, upgrade to electric fan, replace the front and rear suspension with heavy duty products, like these AC Delco heavier duty shocks I found.
Replace the clanky old 3 speed with a 5 speed overdrive manual transmission out of a 88-90s C-series pickup.
Replace the seat with buckets from a newer GM full size truck or SUV with lap and shoulder seatbelts integrated into them. Try to see if a stock Tahoe middle console not between it and the dash) will work with the floor shifter, haha.
Further in the future:
Upgrade to multiport fuel injection.
Swap front clips with an 88-91 Suburban/K5/HD truck before paint/body, but there are two Fords in line ahead of it for that stage, haha.
This is a work truck also serving as a semi-daily driver (I'm usually in my Focus SVT or my old Taurus for extended highway runs). I plan to keep it with an Inline six, manual transmission and RWD. Even after paint/body, it still won't be lowered or otherwise unusable for what it was built for.
I needed something more robust to drive when I'm on dirt roads, fishing, camping, etc, places that could much more easily damaged a car. Eventually, I plan on a new Ford Bronco for recreational use, but the C10 will still have a place. I do enjoy the truck, and that old 6 cylinder sure lived up to its reputation of durability, it survived that heavily restricted exhaust for a long time until I decided to replace the manifold.
Hope to make some new friends here, I sure love my old truck, and I want to share that with like-minded people. Not to mention, benefit from the vast collection of experience you guys undoubtedly have with these trucks.
Looking forward to replies!
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Last edited:
from northern IL!
I definitely prefer the round eye front clip over any of the others. 
