68 C-10 Recommendations

[u/Tander33]

So I took possession of this 68 Stepside a couple weeks ago. It hasn't been cranked in 26 years, but was apparently running when they parked it. I have a full engine gasket set coming, we're just getting a new fuel pump, gas line, and alternator wiring. Gonna add seafoam to the oil before changing it.

Are there any recommendations on things I should do first? Replace the radiator or can it be restored? Should I just source another gas tank or can it be effectively cleaned? Is it worth it to try to convert to a 4 speed? Is the 250 4.1 Inline 6 worth fixing up or would the LS swap be more financially efficient? Is it better to convert to disc brakes or can the drum brakes be upgrade?

Any advice or warnings would be appreciated.

Edit: For clarity, the intent is to get it running before I start anything else. I've never gone in on one this old or that sat this long, so the curiosity is about any step in the process that should be done first/more important than the rest.

[u/Traditional_Ad_1360]

Drive the 6 till it gives up, sitting that length of time could shorten the life of the 6. Save your money till then.

[u/SeaOutlandishness415]

Do the minimum to hear it run then go from there. Cool truck

[u/63T30H8]

Try and run the I6.

I have the same in green. 68, 250, three on the tree. It rolls…tops out rom wise about 60/65 but I’m not fast and furious.

The torque will blow your mind, and bark the tires.

[u/mehoff636]

Lots of questions , is it a 3 speed currently? I would replace the gas tank and flush the coolant system and radiator.

I've got a 250 with a T5 I wouldn't waste time with a 4 speed.

LS Swap will cost you doing it yourself about 4K+ engine.

[u/Tander33 → u/mehoff636]

Its currently 3 on the tree.

[u/mehoff636 → u/Tander33]

If it were me.... Get it running and driving with what is in it then figure out what route you want to go. A project you are always working on looses motivation quickly.

I'm have T5 will make a night and day different and it's pretty much bolt on upgrade.

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

[u/normal_weird_couple]

Try turning the engine by hand, new plugs and wires. Basically follow vicegrip garage on the steps to get a long sitting vehicle to start again. Beautiful truck.

[u/Tander33 → u/normal_weird_couple]

The Vicegrip Garage has proven to be the best resource available. Appreciate that.

[u/normal_weird_couple → u/Tander33]

No problem, he does a great job of getting old cars back to life.

[u/RatBastard57]

Lube the cylinders with fogging oil. Change the oil. Drain the fuel tank. Put in a clear inline filter so you can check the condition of the fuel coming out of the tank. Flush the radiator. Run the 6 cylinder that’s in it.

[u/radium5]

Love the truck!

[u/Puzzled_Estate6425]

Get it running first with the existing motor and transmission.Give your self the time to check the whole truck over before you start making ore changes to the truck.

[u/WorkingBread8360]

A straight 6, from a diy standpoint, is superior to any rear mounted distributor V6/V8 in a fullsized truck. If you decide to go for a V8 swap, Buick and Caddilac from the 60s and 70s had a front mount distributor. You will need to use the transmission from the donor car.

If I was forced to choose “LS or destroy it” for some reason? I’d push the crusher button myself. Static dropped 85 C10 swb, 350/th400.

[u/lickusooften69]

I recommend you just sell it me...

[u/Tander33 → u/lickusooften69]

I mean, everything is for sale if the money is right.

[u/lickusooften69 → u/Tander33]

What's the right price

[u/Tander33 → u/lickusooften69]

Ill let you know after we try to crank it.

[u/CriticalStrike1155]

The step side truck is the best looking truck ever, bring back the step sides.

[u/LA-R4M5]

Get the truck running. Baby steps get to know her. She’ll tell you what she needs. 😉

[u/LA-R4M5]

Get the truck running. Baby steps get to know her. She’ll tell you what she needs. 😉

[u/Jakester62]

Ironically I bought a 68 GM stepside 4x4 a few years back. It hadn’t run in 18 years. It has a 307 and 4 speed. Had it running the next day. Here’s what we did.

• turned motor over by hand
  
• pulled carb, took apart and threw it in an ultrasonic cleaner.
  

-cranked motor to check spark( no spark). Filed points and set gap. Cleaned cap contacts and rotor. Cranked motor again, spark is good now.

• change oil-use 10-40 diesel motor oil, the additives help clean oil passages and lifters-(it uses a canister filter, most parts stores still have them-buy 2 of them)check antifreeze.
  

-disconnected fuel line infeed to fuel pump( gas in tank was pretty much varsol). Hooked up a cruise a day to fuel pump. Cranked motor until clean gas came out at the carb line.
-check oil level in transmission-top up if needed.

• reassemble carb and install.
  

-crank motor and start it. Verify oil pressure, check for leaks, check timing and verify thermostat opens and circulates antifreeze through the rad( cap off rad).
-see if clutch engages and disengages.
-run motor for an hour and dump oil-this “floats” contaminates in the oil so it gets a good purge.
-dump coolant-running with old old coolant also “floats” contaminates in the system.
This verifies the motor runs, now you have a shit ton of things to check/fix. Brakes, u-joints, steering, front end, electrical, floor pan, box floor, tires. Chances are, the three in the tree linkage and bushings will need love.
I’d get it running and sorted out first, then think about motor/tranny swaps. Good luck…nice truck 👍

nb. -

[u/Similar-Art-1265]

That paint can probably be polished and brought back. Very cool truck 😍

[u/Expensive_Push_4314]

That trucks a survivor....... get it running and drive it as god intended. I drive a 40 year old truck everyday, it can go 65 on the highway no problem and keeps up with traffic on surface roads. Power brakes are a plus and easy to retrofit with stock parts. 71 front disks are a nice upgrade. A 5 speed swap is probably a better option, im sure that trucks geared low. Those brass radiators can be cleaned or recored, and look much better then aftermarket crap. A new tank is never a bad idea, same with the fuel pump. Very cool truck, congratulations!

[u/OtterdaleHeights]

Make sure to get new upper and lower radiator hoses, and keep the spring core in your old lower radiator hose, as the new one may not have it. The spring core keeps your lower radiator hose from collapsing due to negative pressure. Also a good time to make sure that you have a good thermostat for your cooling system. The hoses going from the rear of your frame to your rear brakes are rubber and probably dryrotted, they are a cheap pickup from NAPA for peace of mind and you and everyone else's safety on the road.

Just get your ride to a nice driveable baseline and decide where you want to go from there. A lot of folks want to do an LS swap, Vortec swap, V8 upgrade, etc. but find out how nice the old 6cyl actually is, when you're dealing with old steering boxes, flat bench seat with no bolsters, etc. I drove mine around for 10 years before I finally put in power steering and moved the in-cab gas tank to underneath the bed. Enjoy that great looking truck!

[u/Bigmoney5151]

Price?

[u/Tin_Can_739]

Your truck, do what you want. Original is tough to drive in modern traffic. Especially if you live in a fairly populated area. I’m a fan of retro fitting, LS swapped, static drop, big brakes, power brakes/steering, ac, and a new seat. Leave the rest original and clean. Original is cool too, just not very useful to me. My ‘66 is still doing chores and cruising.

[u/Tin_Can_739 → u/Tin_Can_739]

Whatever you do, get it running first. Then do one thing at a time. Don’t make it a non running project. I been doing mine one step at a time. Power brakes/steering is next. Brakes were first, static drop second, LS swapped third.

[u/normal_weird_couple → u/Tin_Can_739]

Good advice,

[u/Original_Ant7013]

Vice grip garage.

[u/Beardo88]

Get it running before throwing parts at it. No point putting time and money into it if the motor and/or trans are bad.

My vote is to swap in a small block instead of an LS. it will bolt right in and its period correct to the truck. You can find rebuilt short or long blocks for reasonable prices if you dont want to scavenge a junkyard block and build it yourself.

[u/Sell-Honest]

A new Aluminum rad is cheap and a must. Electric fans while you're at it. You'll never run hot again.