New truck time with a twist

[Ridgewalker]

My 05 Lariat is still running great but I am starting to think about my next truck.

Here is the twist, my step-dad passed a few years ago and left me with several
cars and one truck in a storage shed. The truck is a 76 GMC Bicentennial half ton that has never
been hit. It needs the motor refreshed and the brakes gone thru but is otherwise
in great shape.

I am thinking about starting on it to make it my "new" truck. I would
go thru it similar to what I did with my 67 442; new paint, re-do
the interior, ditto for the drive line. Basically when I get done it would be new again.

I think this could be a workable plan. As a bonus I can work on a 76,
not so much on a 2013. I work from home so I don't have a commute,
when I travel for work I use a rental and most of my personal driving is local.

What say you? I'm thinking this is a less expensive way to go vs. a new rig
and it would be a fun project.

For your viewing pleasure here is a pix of the 67, it was a fun project and is
an even better driver.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Sweet 67.

 

[reb]

Good looking Olds. I'd say do the same thing with the GMC. You'll have a better truck than a new one.

 

[ncnurseryman]

Love the olds. My first car was a 1969 cutlass paid 500.00 for it. Painted dark jade green with gold metal flake and double lined gold pin stripes. I put a new black vinyl top and a set of headers. I was just getting ready to put one some Chrome wheels when I wrecked it.
It would be cool to have another one but you never see them anymore. I say go for the truck build.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Will the valves on the '76 survive unleaded fuel? I can't recall exactly when the change-over occurred. Running a lead additive is a pain.

The 442 was/is awesome. It'll run faster than you really want to drive it.

 

[94BULLITT]

Honestly by the time you rebuild the motor or drop a cheap crate motor in it, and everything that goes with it, have the trans rebuilt, redo the brakes (I would replace everything from the master cylinder down), fix the steering, suspension,new tires, and any other problems, redo the interior and have a paint job you will have the price of a new truck in a old truck even if you do it yourself. You will still have a old truck that get bad gas mileage and is not as comfortable to drive. Get yourself a pen and paper and go look at the old truck and write down everything it needs and see how much it will cost. If it has a lot of sentimental value then go for it.

Will the valves on the '76 survive unleaded fuel? I can't recall exactly when the change-over occurred. Running a lead additive is a pain.

The 442 was/is awesome. It'll run faster than you really want to drive it.

He will have to get hardened valve seats.

 

[Clint S]

Most vehicles do NOT need hardened seats. Seat erosion is most common on engines that are run under a hard load for extended periods of time, such as those used in tow vehicles. If you are just using the truck for a run around a little hauling every now and then you will be fine. Hauling a camper across the country maybe not. I had a 70 Pontiac 400 for quite a few years and the same for my buddies 67 Ford 390. Did not change the seats and no issues. IIRC Chevy started induction hardening seats in 71 and by 75/76 all seats were hardened on all vehicles due to mandated unleaded fuels and converters.


I say go for it. Old trucks are fun easy to work on and can, if tuned correctly get mileage comparable to newer ones.

 

[texasjohn]

Well, me, I drive everything I have until it completely dies ..engine or transmission...at least 200,000 mi or better...so, me, would continue to drive Lariat, leave other vehicle in storage until your Lariat dies, then decide if you want to rework it. Sounds like you are handy and not afraid to tackle stuff.....so keeping the Lariat running for a long time should not be a serious problem. OTH, if you are one of those guys who gets an "itch" and just has to get a different vehicle, then you'll do it anyway. Sounds like you have multiple transportation options, so you will never be completely without wheels.

 

[94BULLITT]

If you rebuild that old motor you may want to put a hydraulic roller cam in it because Chevy's love to eat cams.

Most vehicles do NOT need hardened seats. Seat erosion is most common on engines that are run under a hard load for extended periods of time, such as those used in tow vehicles. If you are just using the truck for a run around a little hauling every now and then you will be fine. Hauling a camper across the country maybe not. I had a 70 Pontiac 400 for quite a few years and the same for my buddies 67 Ford 390. Did not change the seats and no issues. IIRC Chevy started induction hardening seats in 71 and by 75/76 all seats were hardened on all vehicles due to mandated unleaded fuels and converters.


I say go for it. Old trucks are fun easy to work on and can, if tuned correctly get mileage comparable to newer ones.

You can run without hardened seats for a while but with unleaded gas it will beat the valve seats. He would probably be best off buying a new set of vortec heads, it would be cheaper than having the old heads redone.

 

[Bob77064]

Good looking 442.