No, it’s got a 350 with a 350 transmission. I wouldn’t have minded a 6 though, they are some pulling little engines.
Vent windows!
I’m guessing we got 10-11 mpg on the way home, as it was quite thirsty!
yeah, thats about right.. Check your ignition timing and make sure the advance is working correctly. These old chevy engines weren't known for their gas mileage since back then they weren't driven very far and no one really bought a truck or car and cared about gas mileage. You got lucky ,, that's a well cared for truck. These old things would rust out sitting in a garage.
It’s got some rust in the usual places, but not too bad. I’m planning on sandblasting a few spots and trying to save the front fenders. Mostly on top of the wheel wells.
Get yourself a rust converter product that has Phosphoric acid in it. It goes by many brand names and I like it in a hand held spray bottle for better coverage. Spray it under all your wheel wells or any place you see rust and it convert the rust back to steel and prevent any more rusting even if it gets wet. Since its an acid, do not get it on any paint , chrome, stainless or glass. Try not to breathe in the spray , will dent your smelling capability for a day or so. If it gets on skin, no biggie , just wash it off.
That’s my plan. The floorboards are in good shape, as is the bed. The truck was always parked in a barn until the last two years, when my my mother in law got it, so it’s been outside for two years.
A thirsty 4 barrel? Those year 350’s have good innards I’d run some Sea Foam thru the oil system to clean out as much sludge in the system as possible (especially in the pan), freshen up the easy gaskets, wires, etc and then work on a good tune. If you really are going to drive it look for the leaks in the harder to reach areas as you can and if you can stand a $1K investment swap out the carb for something like the Holley Sniper FI kit … easier to tune … better mpg … better starting and drivability.
I ran two cans of Sea Foam when I filled it up for the trip home. Accelerator pump in the carb is pretty much worn out, so a rebuild is in the works. This truck is original except for a GM replacement crate 350, so I’m gonna stay with the carburetor.
Try adding a can to the oil right before you change it. Run the engines 15 to 20 minutes at temperature and drain the oil … and a good part of any “stuff” that has settled in the oil system (especially the oil pan).
Schweet truck!
Looks like it’s coming along well!
Holy smoke, that’s amazing!
The sanding was time consuming, but it wasn’t a bad job. I’d imagine it was the first time those door panels had been off in 47 years, so they were kinda sticky.
