The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Build Thread- '66 GMC 4000 Horse Van to Food Truck

Howdy

This is going to be a build thread for the journey of turning my newly acquired 1966 GMC 4000 'Imperatore Horse Van' into a mobile food truck. Many updates, will created sub folder on photoshop to link to. Plenty of interesting moments I'm sure to follow!

Help is always welcome, whether input or hand & foot. If you want to get your hands dirty shoot me a PM, I'm always up for cheap help! Beers and BBQ on me of course!
Comments always welcomed, I'm just a shade tree wrencher with a crazy idea and the willingness to try!

Plan in a nutshell is:
6.6 LBZ Model Duramax Diesel Engine Swap
6 Speed Allison 1000 Transmission
Tom Woods Custom Driveshafts
Caliper conversion front axle
Dana S26-190 Rear Axle

Rust Clean up/Panel Replacement/Repair
Large Concession Window on Passenger Side
Remove wood interior, replace wood floors
Stud out SS walls & Steel floor
Replace drop down tail table wood with Stainless Steel
Kitchen Equip & such
Ball Hitch for Trailer Smoker
Primer exterior & Vinyl Wrap

I'm sure many things will change from what I first imagined but this is where I'm starting from. Cheers!

Link To Photobucket Album

Today when I had some time to get over and work on the truck a bit I decided to find the engine stamp and check out more info on the 305V6. Ran into a problem when my engine stamp showed 3050i907, everything I could find didn't mention 'i' in the lettering.

Anyone shed some light on this engine stamp?
Picture of Engine Stamp

I also threw the battery charge on a battery in the bay (had about 1.5v on it, it's toast of course) dribbled a bit of gas in the carb and worked the butterfly, turned the fan blade and got the crank to turn, checked oil which was clean (surprise!) but had definitely lost some viscosity. For the fun, I boosted the charger and got lights on the dash, cigarette lighter got hot, radio worked and the engine turned!!!
Not nearly enough to catch on it's own but with 2 fresh quarts of oil poured into the crank for some thickness and some starter fluid I think she may fire up!

Not worried about driving anywhere under it's own power, the clutch is out, pedal shoots to the floor if you even look at it. Looks like a nice hydraulic leak from a hard line has to do with it. But would be cool to hear the engine fire up once before I yank it.

Well that was all for today, there was enough mice crap to keep me cleaning for hours.
Will be starting on rear area teardown tomorrow after trying to fire once more.

PLEASE WET DOWN that mouse crud,before you sweep/clean it up! A fellow "Bolter" got really sick,from breathing that dust,and it took him almost a year to recover from it!Symptoms similar to pneumonia! Please post your engine/trans. on the "Parts For Sale" thread,here,in the "Swap Meet" section of the "Bolt". Some guys consider these V-6's as "Boat-Anchors",but there are others that really do respect and admirer these engines! Sounds like your truck is going to stand-out,at all the "Meets"! Good-Luck,and Please keep us posted!

wear a mask & use a germicidal cleaner, it'll kill all kinds of nasty little bugs that can hurt & or kill you. plus it'll remove that lovely smell you may have..joe