The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1967-1972 truck issues

Seems as if this is the best place for this topic...I'm currently looking for a 1967-1972 2WD shortbed, set up for a manual transmission. Before I commit to anything, I'd really appreciate it if some of the more seasoned GM guys could refresh my memory on the major issues with these trucks, i.e. bad rust spots and anything that I should run away from. Any info would be welcomed.

72-350..... Soft Camshafts!!!!

What do you mean by a "soft camshaft?"

If memory serves me the camshafts were of Mexican decent with the case hardening being somewhat lacking ...

J.H. - I would hope that by now any 72-350's still in operation would be on an aftermarket cam or even a third one ... Hopefully made in Taiwan or some other third world country that exploites it people ...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com

click on

Message Boards

67-72 Message Board <- for asking and answering questions

67-72 Parts Board <- for selling parts of or whole trucks

The stovebolt page rocks... but there is a higher percentage of '67-'72 truck guys right there... or at least a more active and vocal bunch.

I also recommend chevytalk.com - the 67-72 trucks section.

http://www.chevytalk.com also has a classifieds section...

the stovebotl page here has the 'swap meet click link above' which has parts and whole trucks for sale.

http://www.oldchevytruck.com <- nothign but old chevy/gmc trucks for sale.

When you buy a truck, be sure to check out the 'links, then parts, click on Links, above' section here at the 'bolt.

I hope this helps.

-W

Check the rocker panels under the doors, and the floor in the same area. My '72 has serious rust in those areas. Taillights get rusty and may fail. I replaced mine. Lower edges of the front fenders retain mud and rot.

I own a '72 and these are the worst problem spots on mine. I'm not restoring it, I just try to keep it drivable.

The right side, under the batery is the worst. also look at and around the battery box.
Boo

What the guys said AND check the top corners of the firewall in the engine compartment as well as around the top of the windshield/cab area.

I recently bought a70 stepside. Greatest truck
I,ve ever had. Rides & drives as good as any
newer truck. I,m haveing more fun than an old
retired mechanic should be aloud to have. These
are less prone to rust than some others but
like the other posts be shure to examine all the
normal places.

It looks like you guys in this thread should write upa 1967-1972 chevy/gmc truck buyers guide for the stovebolt page here...

-W

Not a bad idea! Some good advice here, and enough to make me glad I live in California.

Soft cams.....they were not hardened correctly 100000mi + they come apart

My 350 Has an Isky cam,lifters,roller rockers
They come from the country of Gardena and are made without animal testing or human suffering...... NOT THAT I GIVE A [censored]!

Good thing about the 67-72 series is that just about all the parts have been repopped. But like the AD parts, only the latest of the sheet metal parts are any good. And there are vendors all over the place, even a lot of frills available now.

You'll find several of us at the 67-72 board, and some of us have started up www.myoldtruck.com which is a lot slower paced for us in the plains.

Yep Most of the 67-72's I've seen have big holes there. I guess between the acculmination of mud and dirt, plus the radiator overflow, and the EVAC overflow tubes dump thier fluids out right there makes for a rust prone area. I think not all the trucks had thier hoses there, but Mabye not all of them.

Funny, I've seen more and more companies making repair panels for the passenger side only!must be a really big problem.

Just my 2Cents