The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 64 C10 driving question

Hey fellas and ladies,
I'm thinking about purchasing a 64 Fleetside LWB, but it's located in Amarillo, Texas, and I'm in DFW, Texas. Anybody think that this truck would make the drive okay?

Here's some things I took into consideration.
1) It's cold outside, that should help keep cool
2) It's a 235 I-6
3) I would make several stops along the way (gas stations, truck stops, eating establishments)

Anybody tried a long drive like this? I don't want to try it and have it overheat, but I don't want to pay the outrageous shipping charges. Any input will help, thanks! Also, can anyone explain to me the silver plate that went on the cab behind the doors that said "Custom." I honestly have no idea what it is lol. This truck doesn't have them, and I didn't know if all these chevy's did at one point, or if their were certain ones - like a Chevy Custom Cab or something.

Here's the specs:
ALMOST ALL OF THIS IS PURE STOCK
1964 Chevrolet C10 1/2 ton
original 235 I-6
3 spd on the floor
Fleetside LWB
2WD
I don't know what else - Thanks!

Why the heck wouldn't it? :confused: That is not a long drive by Texas standards.

If you have no idea of the mechanical condition and roadworthiness of a truck then how are we supposed to give you advice on it?

Sounds like you should hook up a trailer before you go to Dillo'.

The custom moldings are not standard on all trucks of that vintage. Typically only the big window 60-66 cabs had that designation.

That's what I thought.

Well, as far as mechanical wise - it runs good, the guy said he's never had a problem with it. He drives it once a week or so around town to keep it good. All the brake lines and fuel lines are good, he said he's never had a problem. This is a big risk already going all the way out there. If it doesn't go, that sucks, lol. But really, I think it should be fine. Thanks for replying.

It all depends on how well the truck has been maintained. Check the rad. hoses & water pump. Jack up the front end & spin the wheels. Listen for noisey or loose bearings. Make shure the fuel system is clean. Check all safety items, tires, signal lights, & stop lights. Carry extra oil& water. Have another vehicle follow you. It gets cold & lonely broke down on the road.

Get some tools and some duct tape and GO FOR IT!!!

Could be a ton of great memories and stories on a roadtrip like that...not to mention you're gonna have a 64 baby!

A '64 should have a 230. I say pay up your AAA bill and grab a cell phone and some JB weld and go for it!

I doubt that it has a 235 in it. It's probably a 230 and if it runs on at least 5 cylinders, she'll make it with out any problems. I drove my 64 with the old 230 down the interstate for two years before I dropped in the 350. You could see if it would make it all the way to Iowa if you want to.
Have fun and good luck.
Scott

I drove my 66 GMC from San Diego to Washington DC and back 18 years ago.. just make sure it's got plenty of oil, water and good tires, hoses and belts.. enjoy the drive.

Haha, I love reading those posts. Yes, I noticed later that it should've said 230, not 235; but I figured nobody would notice Anyways, I think I've decided on goin to UHAUL and getting one of their travel trailer things. It's 49.95 for the whole trip, and if there are any problems with the truck, I can just tow it home. Thanks again,

Stephen

I drove my 1966 from Dallas to central Virginia about 9 months ago, with around 600lbs of stuff in the bed. The 250 did great, but I stopped about every 2 hours for fuel & oil. My biggest complaint was how sore my back was from my worn out bench seat.

What kind of gas mileage do you guys get with a 230 in that? I called ChevyDuty and a guy said 8mpg. Although I'm sure it'll be low, it shouldn't be that low. I've got an 81 with a 350 Crate and it gets about 9. I could be wrong, but how can this little 230 I-6 get worse gas mileage? Thanks,

You should get quite a bit better mileage than 9 mpg. My 64 292 with Carter 4 bbl gets 15 or so...not much different than what it got with the Monojet. It's got 4.10 gears in it and I don't run it consistently (if at all) over 65....usually cruise at 60.

I've driven "older" cars cross-country several times after buying them via the net. I've never had a serious problem. The worst one I had was losing a fan clutch in an 81 Monte Carlo. (I had bought it to tow a U-haul trailer with my son's stuff from North Carolina to Utah.) I had to change the clutch in the parking lot of a NAPA store. Took me 20 minutes. Oh...and I had to change a starter once in a parking lot. Dirty job, but not real difficult.

I've found these trips to be fun and a real adventure...like when I was a teenager and I'd start out on a "trip to nowhere" in a ratty old car and have to fix it with baling wire and waterpump pliers. Makes me wanna do another road trip.

I should add that I drove my 64 "Ugly Truck" on several road trips last year, including 2 trips to the Bonneville Salt Flats...once it was used as a prop in a movie. I had more trouble with my health than with the truck's.

1960-66 Chevy / GMC Truck Buyers Guide

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/buyers_guide_60_66.htm

I drove the 59 from Ca when I moved to GA in 1982 pulling a biiig U-Haul trailer. Only problem I encountered was I ran out of gas between Kingman and Flagstaff but only about a mile from a station. Luckily I had a 5 gal gerry can and dumped it in the tank and cranked her up. Mileage was way down from the normal 11-12 mpg because of the weight and mountains climbed.
My son and I drove the same truck from here in GA to Santa Barbara and back this last June, man what a blast we had and I highly recommend the experience. We lost the bearing on the generator in Albuquerque. Local Carquest had a rebuilt on the shelf but two days later the bearing in that one went south in Flagstaff. Had to spend the night waiting for a replacement to come out of Phoenix and all went well from that point until we got back to GA on July 4. Averaged 11.6 mpg on the entire trip with only a few items in the bed.

Hey guys,
Thank you for all the posts. Thanks to woogeroo for that link, I didn't know Stovebolt had that. I will be sure to inform ya'll when I get it next week and put some pictures on here or in the gallery. Thanks again!

I gotta '66 model with a 292 and overdrive. I get about 13-14 mpg on average. I'd probably do better if I stepped down the primaries on my 4 barrel one stage and dropped the float a little.

Woogeroo has pretty much covered it all in his "buyers' guide" section as to what to look out for. Be sure to check all electrical stuff before you take off. Last thing you want to do is find out you have no headlights when yo got an hour left in your trip and the sun just went down!!!

-ftyler

Dad bought a 64 with 230 and 3 speed new. Got about 14-15 mpg, iirc. With a topper and a teardrop camping trailer, we went all over the Colorado rockies. Just don't try to drive it over 65, and you should be okay.

just wanted to say that i have a 64 and i love it!and uuumm im goin to sleep now

Hardy,
I am in Amarillo and would enjoy seeing the truck. I am not interested in buying the truck, so you don't have to worry about me stealing it from you. Email me at phil@sageoilvac.com. Maybe we could meet up when you get here and I could help you evaluate the truck.

Good luck!
Phil