VW_Factor
Registered Member
Not that this is going to be a "build thread". Simply a way of introducing myself, and my father's truck.
This truck has been around for quite some time. Trying to do the math, but I can't really recall how old I was when he first purchased it. Not really important I suppose, but it was nearly brand new.
400sbc, TH350, NP205 I believe (it operated like an all-wheel drive, putting the shifter into the traditional 4H or 4L would lock the front and rear, otherwise it operated like an open diff). Its since been switched out for a more tradtional TC, unknown at this time to me. Still has the original Posi unit in the rear. No idea the gear ratio rear or front, but the truck came with a tow package. Engine oil cooler, trans cooler separate from the rad.
Many many years later, it certainly doesn't look new anymore. Eventually, the looks became unimportant, function was key.
It was purchased in California and eventually made its way to Oregon Coast. When the smog equipment began to fail it was simply removed. Exhaust system began to rust into nothing, the muffler and cat were falling off. My buddy and I got some Hedman headers for my fathers birthday and installed them. So it ran open headers for a couple of weeks until we could afford some mufflers hah.
We got around to installing a 3 inch body lift. Back when I was younger, I wanted to see it be huge and all. My father wanted 33's and still be easy to climb into.
A/C failed and being on the Oregon coast, decided to remove it.
First wreck I ever had was in this truck. Hit some washboard on a gravel road went sideways into some trees. Tore up the running boards and bent a wheel. Removed the running boards, and got "new" wheels.
Original trans suffered a break down around this time. Splines striped off the input shaft. Replaced the trans, which just so happened to be manual shift for some reason. My father hated it for years until he came to find it to be beneficial in certain situations to start off in 2nd.
Years of being on the Oregon coast, took its toll on the sheet metal. The tail lights are screwed into the inner panels, as the outer portion of the rear fenders have fully rusted away. Things such as that. There are dents and war wounds all over in various areas.
17 years later, my father had ended up back in California. he did some small things to it, like replace the window regulators that had rusted away, and put in a good electric fuel pump. The ignition switch was completely busted so he went with the switches and momentary push button start.
Never drove it much at all, it sat still, dormant for 6 or 7 years at this time.
I finally drove down to pick it up. Being what I would consider a modern redneck I have no plans to restore the body or attempt to make it look pretty. Simply function. The flexplate is chewed up to hell for whatever reason (looks like the starter is brand new). Took off the inspection cover so I could move the flexplate to where the teeth are better. I wouldn't normally consider this, however the QJet carb looks like he replaced it maybe a few years back and it starts up immediately. I don't think I've ever seen an old tired engine of any sort fire that quickly. (Still the original 400ci engine). Holds maybe 3 to 5 psi at idle and maybe 10 to 15 spun up to 2000rpm. I understand the 400 has a tendency to oval out its mains reducing oil pressure.
Runs super strong, quick throttle response. Has tons of blowby evidence, but not much smoke if any escapes down the exhaust end of things.
I've worked on this very truck when I was a "kid". It introduced me into the Chevy/GMC truck world. This one has over 300k miles on it, and as far as I am concerned, still rocks. Dependable as ever.
So, immediate plans are to replace that stupid flexplate (lord only knows how it got so friggin chewed up), and replace the front crank seal (popped and started blowing oil halfway on the trip). Remove the rest of the interior carpet in the rear cargo area, and begin rhino lining. Rust be damned!
This truck has been around for quite some time. Trying to do the math, but I can't really recall how old I was when he first purchased it. Not really important I suppose, but it was nearly brand new.
400sbc, TH350, NP205 I believe (it operated like an all-wheel drive, putting the shifter into the traditional 4H or 4L would lock the front and rear, otherwise it operated like an open diff). Its since been switched out for a more tradtional TC, unknown at this time to me. Still has the original Posi unit in the rear. No idea the gear ratio rear or front, but the truck came with a tow package. Engine oil cooler, trans cooler separate from the rad.
Many many years later, it certainly doesn't look new anymore. Eventually, the looks became unimportant, function was key.
It was purchased in California and eventually made its way to Oregon Coast. When the smog equipment began to fail it was simply removed. Exhaust system began to rust into nothing, the muffler and cat were falling off. My buddy and I got some Hedman headers for my fathers birthday and installed them. So it ran open headers for a couple of weeks until we could afford some mufflers hah.
We got around to installing a 3 inch body lift. Back when I was younger, I wanted to see it be huge and all. My father wanted 33's and still be easy to climb into.
A/C failed and being on the Oregon coast, decided to remove it.
First wreck I ever had was in this truck. Hit some washboard on a gravel road went sideways into some trees. Tore up the running boards and bent a wheel. Removed the running boards, and got "new" wheels.
Original trans suffered a break down around this time. Splines striped off the input shaft. Replaced the trans, which just so happened to be manual shift for some reason. My father hated it for years until he came to find it to be beneficial in certain situations to start off in 2nd.
Years of being on the Oregon coast, took its toll on the sheet metal. The tail lights are screwed into the inner panels, as the outer portion of the rear fenders have fully rusted away. Things such as that. There are dents and war wounds all over in various areas.
17 years later, my father had ended up back in California. he did some small things to it, like replace the window regulators that had rusted away, and put in a good electric fuel pump. The ignition switch was completely busted so he went with the switches and momentary push button start.
Never drove it much at all, it sat still, dormant for 6 or 7 years at this time.
I finally drove down to pick it up. Being what I would consider a modern redneck I have no plans to restore the body or attempt to make it look pretty. Simply function. The flexplate is chewed up to hell for whatever reason (looks like the starter is brand new). Took off the inspection cover so I could move the flexplate to where the teeth are better. I wouldn't normally consider this, however the QJet carb looks like he replaced it maybe a few years back and it starts up immediately. I don't think I've ever seen an old tired engine of any sort fire that quickly. (Still the original 400ci engine). Holds maybe 3 to 5 psi at idle and maybe 10 to 15 spun up to 2000rpm. I understand the 400 has a tendency to oval out its mains reducing oil pressure.
Runs super strong, quick throttle response. Has tons of blowby evidence, but not much smoke if any escapes down the exhaust end of things.
I've worked on this very truck when I was a "kid". It introduced me into the Chevy/GMC truck world. This one has over 300k miles on it, and as far as I am concerned, still rocks. Dependable as ever.
So, immediate plans are to replace that stupid flexplate (lord only knows how it got so friggin chewed up), and replace the front crank seal (popped and started blowing oil halfway on the trip). Remove the rest of the interior carpet in the rear cargo area, and begin rhino lining. Rust be damned!
