Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Cal, I'd just rebuild the I-6. I watched a Youtube video where a guy rebuilt a 225 Slant-Six and wound up with it putting out 250 HP. As the Slant-Six was down to 90 HP in 1974 from the 150 it'd had in 1969, there is a lot of horsepower to be unlocked in old I-6 engines.
MFM,
I have also considered what you are saying.
The forensics suggest that it has only 61K miles on it. The engine needs a valve job because of use of unleaded gas eroded the valve seats. The rear main oil seal is leaking, and this likely oil soaked the clutch.
Disc brakes, new tires and I have a functional truck. Will spend about $1.5K on replacing the rotted out bed with an upgraded one made of oak.
Not a lot of money, practical, and basically a OEM truck that is 56 years old that has not been modded.
Because it is in barn find condition, keep it as a rat-rod. Only add cast iron headers, an exhaust, HEI, and an intake manifold and carb. Pretty much mild mods to add reliability and efficiently.
At my rate of usage this truck could be a daily driver, but it will get used as a second vehicle, and could stay in this form for decades. “Stage 2” crazy truck mode might never-ever happen and might be just a daydream. Who knows the future, but I like to think ahead.
The cast iron headers and exhaust could be recycled to a 250 that is high powered.
I do think owning and driving an old vintage truck is mighty cool by itself. Keeping it near OEM brags about being a barn find, and not for a lot of money it conveys mucho style and besides is practical.
Maybe there will be a day to go crazy, but pretty much I speculate that would be way-way in the future.
Understand I have a stage one plan, and then a plan “B.”
If I am right about the history that the truck was ordered as a “camper” and was used for hunting, fishing, or camping it would explain the factory ordered auxiliary helper springs, the California Highway mirrors, the HD clutch, the step rear bumper, and the lack of the Panoramic rear window (has a very retro small rear window).
I believe the truck has only 61K on the original motor and at my rate of driving/cruising it could take decades to hit 100K on the odometer. No rebuild is required except the head. Know that the C-10 was last registered and on the road in 2007 (New Jersey). Pretty much it sat for 15 years off road.
How cool is that?
Cal “The Gas-Guzzler.”