7/5/17
Took apart the steering wheel tonight to investigate why my turn signals were not working. Things inside looked OK. The turn signals worked just fine after reassembly. It must have been a minor problem.
Took apart the steering wheel tonight to investigate why my turn signals were not working. Things inside looked OK. The turn signals worked just fine after reassembly. It must have been a minor problem.
6/18/17
Starts right up, runs pretty well, shifts and drives straight too. STOPS too! Now I don't have to push it around anymore. Needs better tires. The freshly cleaned fuel tank needs a new sending unit but the pickup tube and tank filter are clean. Next, I'll try to get the brake lights and horn to work.
Starts right up, runs pretty well, shifts and drives straight too. STOPS too! Now I don't have to push it around anymore. Needs better tires. The freshly cleaned fuel tank needs a new sending unit but the pickup tube and tank filter are clean. Next, I'll try to get the brake lights and horn to work.
6/10/17
I pulled the seat and gas tank out of the 63 today. Gas smells like varnish. I'll drain the tank and reinstall after a gentle cleaning. The fuel system will be the last step to get the 63 running around under it's own power. Then I'll look at the electrical system.
The inside of the cab is a disaster zone. Absolutely filthy. The inside of the cab is very original except at some point it was painted black.
I pulled the seat and gas tank out of the 63 today. Gas smells like varnish. I'll drain the tank and reinstall after a gentle cleaning. The fuel system will be the last step to get the 63 running around under it's own power. Then I'll look at the electrical system.
The inside of the cab is a disaster zone. Absolutely filthy. The inside of the cab is very original except at some point it was painted black.
6/8/17
New rear wheel cylinders were installed and the front wheel cylinders were rebuilt. Then all brake components were inspected and cleaned. The master cylinder was cleaned and rebuilt as well and now the brakes work well.
Next, I'll install a clean gas tank and clean all the fuel lines.
New rear wheel cylinders were installed and the front wheel cylinders were rebuilt. Then all brake components were inspected and cleaned. The master cylinder was cleaned and rebuilt as well and now the brakes work well.
Next, I'll install a clean gas tank and clean all the fuel lines.
6/1/17
Before I sell this truck, I want to make it run and drive safely. I finally got the engine running and it seems to be good. The engine is a 1971 250ci. It needed a new harmonic balancer and distributor. I had good spares in storage. It seems to run well enough but could use a better carburetor and new spark plugs.
Brakes will be next.
Before I sell this truck, I want to make it run and drive safely. I finally got the engine running and it seems to be good. The engine is a 1971 250ci. It needed a new harmonic balancer and distributor. I had good spares in storage. It seems to run well enough but could use a better carburetor and new spark plugs.
Brakes will be next.
1963 Chevy Custom C10 SBFS BBW
The 1963 C10 trucks are very popular. The 1963 models kept the classic wrap around windshield but came with a new frame and independent front coil suspension. This truck is the most popular style of all because it has a big back window and it's a short bed fleet side. Having the custom trim package is a bonus. It's very straight but needs rust repair at several key places.
My current plan is to make it run, stop and drive safely. I will let someone else tackle any restoration. It has a clean open title.
My current plan is to make it run, stop and drive safely. I will let someone else tackle any restoration. It has a clean open title.
Here are some photos showing the condition as delivered to me on 2/23/17. Rusty but VERY straight.
Features of this C10 truck
Highly sought after 1963 short bed fleet side
Custom model features
- Custom steering wheel (horn ring is broken but steering wheel is in good shape)
- Aluminum grille (missing one headlight bezel)
- Stainless windshield trim
- All the side trim is there (PS front fender trim has been pinched)
- Stainless sail panels in excellent shape
BIG back window
Very straight body panels
This truck has never been modified or restored.
The original spare tire hanger is still there.
Yes, there are several rust areas that need attention.
It currently has a 1971 250ci engine and column shift 3 speed transmission.
Highly sought after 1963 short bed fleet side
Custom model features
- Custom steering wheel (horn ring is broken but steering wheel is in good shape)
- Aluminum grille (missing one headlight bezel)
- Stainless windshield trim
- All the side trim is there (PS front fender trim has been pinched)
- Stainless sail panels in excellent shape
BIG back window
Very straight body panels
This truck has never been modified or restored.
The original spare tire hanger is still there.
Yes, there are several rust areas that need attention.
It currently has a 1971 250ci engine and column shift 3 speed transmission.
This 1963 has a clean open SC title. It needs rust repair at the usual places. The truck body panels are very straight. I doubt it lived a hard life based on the very few dents it has. I keep it inside my shop out of the weather.
The GOOD:
1963 Custom short bed fleet (never been apart)
Big back window
stainless sail panels
aluminum grille in very nice shape (missing 1 bezel)
stainless windshield trim
custom steering wheel (broken horn ring)
windshield washer squirter
has original spare tire hanger
original wheels
all the stainless trim is there and most is very nice - but front PS fender trim has been pinched.
doors are very good
The BAD:
windshield is scratched
rear glass is badly cracked (something slid in bed and hit the glass)
door windows don't roll up and down
metal floor installed over bed wood
passenger front fender has been swiped - not too bad but hard enough to pinch the stainless trim but not rip it off.
plenty of surface rust (worst place is DS A pillar at top corner of windshield)
needs rust repair of the following areas
cab floor
cab corners
hood rear corners
front fenders
entire DS A-pillar needs rust repair
The GOOD:
1963 Custom short bed fleet (never been apart)
Big back window
stainless sail panels
aluminum grille in very nice shape (missing 1 bezel)
stainless windshield trim
custom steering wheel (broken horn ring)
windshield washer squirter
has original spare tire hanger
original wheels
all the stainless trim is there and most is very nice - but front PS fender trim has been pinched.
doors are very good
The BAD:
windshield is scratched
rear glass is badly cracked (something slid in bed and hit the glass)
door windows don't roll up and down
metal floor installed over bed wood
passenger front fender has been swiped - not too bad but hard enough to pinch the stainless trim but not rip it off.
plenty of surface rust (worst place is DS A pillar at top corner of windshield)
needs rust repair of the following areas
cab floor
cab corners
hood rear corners
front fenders
entire DS A-pillar needs rust repair
The PS fender has been scraped hard enough to pinch the trim flat and deform the fender slightly.
Rust hole where DS A-pillar meets roof.