The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Very Newbie 64-66 general ?s

Hi guys,

I am totally new to the old trucks (have a 54 belair and have had some other old cars) and I have some general questions on identification. There is an old rustbucket C10 in the back of my mechanic's shop that he is looking to unload. It looks to me to be a 64-66 but I can't tell which. It has a V8 and a floor shift manual (I am guessing the 4 spd with granny?) Where are the vin #s on these things? Is there a site where I could decode engine, options, etc? Without a vin, is there a good way to determine what kind of engine or year it is by sight? I would love to turn this thing into a daily driver if it turns out to be worth it.

One last thing, it is over 100 degrees here darn near everyday. Have any of you put aftermarket A/C in these things? Does it kill mileage and performance? What kind of cost does it generally entail?

Thanks a million for all of your answers.

Dan,

Look under "Specifics" at http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/buyers_guide_60_66.htm . This is a good place to start.

Don't know about the A/C other than there ARE some aftermarket add-ons.

Rance

Dan,

64-66 trucks are all very similar. For a VIN decoder, try http://www.americanclassic.com/paint_test.asp. The only way to tell the small blocks apart is to check the stamped number on the pad on the front passenger side of the block, or the casting numbers. In '64 I think the only v8 offered was a 283, but it could have been switched.

I can't help with A/C.

Brian

If you look at the emblems on the fenders you can tell 64 will be a Bowtie with the series under it, 65 will be a rectangle with a Bowtie and series to the right and it will be on the cowl panel instead of the fender, 66 will be a rectangle with a Bowtie on top and the series number below. The enigne is more than likely the 283, Transmission might be a three speed that was converted to a floor shift or could be the SM420 4speed the way to tell there is look at shape a 4speed will be real square shaped and the three speed will be shaped long and slender like an automatic.

Open the door on the driver's side, and look on the roof rail. The VIN probably is there.

Doug 57.

To id the engine go to www.mortec.com . It will tell you where to look for the casting numbers.

Dan,

As HEAVY METAL mentioned, look at the emblems to identify the cab. A great place to see these for comparison is from any of the catelogs such as Chevy Duty or LMC.

Rance

With a v-8 a/c will work real good in one of these. You can buy a kit or make it up from salvage yards & swap meets. These are great trucks Especialy for daily drivers.

Hi guys, Thanks for all the info. I decoded the vin. This thing is a 65, it is in really rough shape but it runs. Floorboards and rockers totally shot. This guy wants two grand for it, pretty steep. Can yall tell me where to find the paint code info?

On the kick panel of the drivers side is a riveted tag about 3x3. On it is the paint code.

Brian

i wouldn't give 500 dollars for a truck with floorboards and rockers totally shot unless i was capeable of fixing them myself.i will cost a fortune to get a bodyshop to fix it.

A/C became optional equipment on our trucks in '65. Obviously if it is done very neatly it's factory. Should be two round vents in the center of the dash with some other misc. vents scattered around with a/c appropriate controls. I agree with what zenish is saying. If you can fix it yourself, then go for it, but, if you're going to have to send it somewhere, be aware that the price tag is going to gain some weight real quick.

Matt

There are a few companies around that sell kits for ac units for 64-66 trucks that mount under the dash.. if that is a concern.

-W

Dan,

Another way to get some good price comparisons is to go look up 63-66 trucks on ebay. Then switch over to Completed auctions to see what they are really selling for. I use ebay like this to price stuff all the time.

Rance

2K is an awful lot for a truck in the condition you seem to be describing. If it does not have a clear title then walk away as Texas is pretty strict when it comes to titles. If this is the first truck that has caught your eye then I would suggest waiting as there are thousands of them out there. Buy one in the best shape you can. That truck sounds like a $500 beater to me.