The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk need advice

hey guys, i sold my 79 GMC yesterday and started searching for a drivable Stovebolt, and found a 69 GMC that i would really like to get. the guy said it runs good and drives well, but makes noises at highway speeds(don't know what kind of noises yet, i will update you all ASAP.) and from everything i can find about the 305 and 351 v6s ( which i can't tell what engine it is either, the guy says it is a 300 v6 but i am leaning towards a 305) they weren't designed for high speeds but more for slow stump pulling and such hard slow labor, and that these engines don't have harmonic balancers on them. he seems to think it needs new main bearings because of the sound it makes,but i also read that the bearings in this engine don't tend to wear out too easy and it doesn't make those noises just at cruising speeds. I haven't seen it or driven it yet, but i am planning on seeing it tomorrow, so i can give you guys more info then. what i do know is he wants 1800 for it, it has no dents but it does have some rust but not bad, new tires and rims all the way around and the odometer shows 152,000 miles. is this truck worth it in your opinion? I hope i have been clear enough for you guys to understand my ramblings.




thanks in advance,




Indy

around here (Northeast) a running/driving truck with a solid body (and frame i presume) is worth $1800.

The 305 V6 is darn near bullet proof. IMO. Noises at highway speed could be just about any moving part on the truck. Could be a $50 fix all the way to mega bucks. Unless you are prepared for a money pit or capable of doing ALL the mechanical and body yourself I would pass. There are plenty of late '60s pickups around Oklahoma. Wait and look some more for a better one to pop up. JMO

What is "some rust but not bad"? One those cabs, there isn't much support when rust gets bad in key areas. I heard it's common that when the floor and rockers get rusty, you can replace them, sure, but then there is a good chance of the windshield posts twisting and then it's nearly impossible to get the doors to fit. I know a guy that was building one and it took him 3 tries to find a cab he could get the doors to fit on.

Without pictures it's impossible for us to tell you a decent value, and values can change a lot over different areas. I would trust Justhorsenround's opinion as he's closest to your area.

Are you set on a '69 GMC or is it just any year truck you're after? If you're dead set on that truck that may help sway your decision and value, but if you're not then you can wait for a better one to come along.

like i said i haven't been over to look at it yet, but will see it this evening. rust and bodywork don't concern me as i am looking for a work truck that i can tinker with while driving and enjoying it. i am not set on the 69, but i do like the 68-9 gmc body style.

A fellow looking for an 1800 dollar truck most folks would tell him to go to a junk yard and pull one out. For your stated purpose that is probably a good price with a new set of tires and wheels.....I'd say the decision will be based on inspection today. Keep us posted so we can all learn.

on the way to work this morning I passed a small engine/equipment dealer - they had a 8hp snowblower outside with an $1800 price tag on it...

the question is........what is it worth to you..

hey Martin, nice that we found someone that will trust a law man...
just joking

Hasn't taken my advise yet!

just got home from testing it...... I am now the proud owner of a 1969 gmc 1/2 ton longbed fleetside pickup!!! i tested everything and even found the source of the elusive sound: the coil wire was loose and was arcing onto the engine block, thus making a horrible sharp snap. had that fixed in two minutes but i still tested the engine for knocks or a pinging sound and everything checked out, even the rust wasn't as bad as it looked in the pictures, only one hole in the floorboard by the gas pedal and it is about the size of a grapefruit. other than that it is very solid. the interior is immaculate, the seat has no tears,no fading or cracking anywhere, and even the power steering works without hunting or swerving all over the road. both doors open and close like a new truck and line up nicely, the original paint just needs some turtle wax and even the door rubber is still soft!! the wood bed is in excellent shape(if you are wondering the truck is baby blue with a white top and doesn't appear to have been repainted) the engine was refurbished( painted, new gaskets all over, spark plugs, wires, coil, dizzy, points, condenser, new carb, new alternator, all new hoses, new radiator,and even an original aftermarket a/c unit that has been restored.)tranny shifts flawlessly and the 305 v6 purrs like a kitten and leaks no oil ! and now to bring it back to earth some ,there are minor things that need to be done, such as the brakes need adjusted and a wheel cylinder leaks in the back, and the turn signals have a bad ground, fuse or flasher, or a combination of all of those

this is still probably the best 1800 i will ever spend!!!!!




Indy

Sounds like you done good! Congratulations!

Congratulations on your cheap find!!! lets get some pictures!!!

Sounds as if you made a good choice in spite of the warnings. I saw the ad on Craigslist. I never was a fan of that color scheme but it can be changed later if you choose. Get the brakes functioning properly and drive the dickens out of it. One thing I do remember about the 305 V6 I had was it loved the gas station.

thanks all, i wasn't convinced it was a bad deal until i actually went and saw it for myself, and i am quite happy with it. i try to live by the law of Rudyard Kipling's story of the mongoose Rikki Tikki Tavi: go, see, and find out



Indy

second on the list for the truck is to get a more fuel efficient carb, if the one that is on it is not good on gas,





Indy

by the way, the gvw is 5200, is it a 1/2 or 3/4 ton? i am assuming 1/2 but want to be sure.




Indy

Many people figure putting a smaller carb on something like this will help fuel mileage, but often with these old trucks you won't get good mileage no matter what you do, and you have to live with what you get.

A "more fuel efficient" carb doesn't really exist in most cases, is what I'm trying to say.

I may be wrong, I was once, but short of a $2500.00 fuel injection conversion (and that might not even do it) you are pretty much stuck with poor mileage. They were made to work not sip gas.

i know that these trucks were built when gas was cheap, and that this engine even then was a hog, so i am prepared for that. my aim is to try to gain a couple mpg is all, maybe 3 to 4 mpg, nothing extravagant. i know that by adding true dual exhaust with glass packs can help some, and fine tuning the carb helps. anything else that i am not thinking of? also, this thread is what got me to thinking about gas mileage improvements.


https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=917209




Indy

Indy, 5,200# would be a "heavy 1/2T" if 6 lug, or a 3/4T if 8 lug .... and as said above, you won't improve the fuel economy beyond what can be achieved with proper tuning of the stock setup

Bill

ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks Bill!!!! it has 6 lugs so it turns out to be a heavy half, good to know




Indy

Engine questions should be posted in the engine forum.