The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 63 chevy c10 motors

Hello all. I'm brand new in here but have been reading posts for several weeks. This seems to be the place I keep coming for info so I signed up finally so I could ask some questions. I recently bought a 63 Chevy c10 stepside as a project for my Dad and I to take on. It runs but needs work. I paid $1000 for her and she goes straight down the road. We had a 64 c10 when I was a teenager that we wanted to restore but times got tough and eventually, down the road she went:(. I've been searching and wanting another one ever since. I'm having a real hard time figuring out the motor though. It's a line 6 with the engine block numbers of GM3877178. I read all kinds of stuff in here and we're trying to tune this baby up. The numbers come back as a 230 or 250 but how do I tell the difference? She's gonna get driven by my Dad for the time being and we'll fix her up as we go so any help would always be greatly appreciated. Thanx everybody and I look forward to learning all I can in here.

There are two ways to tell the difference. Check the engine code off the distr pad, probably will have to clean it off to see it. The other is to bring one of the pistons up to TDC and check the top, if it is a 230 it will be flat, a 250 will be dished. If and providing it's all OEM.

Larry

might be a little tough to see thru the plug hole, but hopfully you can. i would get it tuned up and worry about it later. good luck.

Thanx guys. I was asking because I don't know if tune up parts (plugs, oil filter, etc) are different between the two. I ordered a new valve cover and gasket because the old one is cracked real bad and sucking air. That seemed to be the same at the parts store regardless of the 230,250, or even 292, but I'm not sure about the other stuff. I'll check the numbers you're talking about behind the distributor. Can you look inside of a plug hole or are you talking about taking off one of those side plates below the head? Thanx again you guys are a huge help. This is gonna be so FUN!

Hey also......can you buy replacement side windows somewhere? My drivers side window is busted out. The hardware all seems to work though. And can you buy replacement roofs or roof patches? Mine is rusted through in some spots near the drip rail on both sides. Water is coming through into the cab. The rest of the cab is good though so I hate to scrap the whole thing. Thanx.

you might check ebay for side glasses. i have sold them before on there and they don't bring much so you shouldn't have to pay much. just wait for some fool to start them low, like me, and bid. don't do a buy it now. might check the parts for sale section here, but i bet no one will want to fool with them for as little as they seem to bring.
cab is a tough one, might be easiest to swith it out if it's too bad. good luck.

Thanx guys. I'll check.

As for the cab, even if they don't make patch panels (which I don't think they do) and the cab is in as good as shape as you say it is, any competent body/resto shop can repair the holes with the correct gauge steel.

Unless you are independetly wealthy, you'll find that it is cheaper and easier to make repairs instead of buying everything you will find you are needing for the truck. If you can come cross an old truck or car you can find the sheet metal to make the patch repairs you'll need. Just cut out a section of a door or roofline that will fit best for you and lay it in with some welding. There ais always someone that has doors or glass or about anything else you may be needing to get it back together. I have a 62' down at the farm and for the price of shipping I'd send them to you if you can't find a glass shop to make you some replacement windows.
Good luck with your project and this is the place to get answers to anything you may need to know about. Some of the best folks in the world around this site and they love these old trucks like you do.

i' have a 63 also, as for the cab....craigslist is good unless you live in MN which, Colettesbro is a good seller on here for things of that sort. something will come up.

There is a place on ebay that makes glass for you truck. I think a complete set is around $200 for side and back glass and they come tinted. LMC truck also sells the glass pretty cheap but I don't know about the quality. Most of there stuff is imported and you know how that goes. they also have a patch for the front of the cab now but just the top, not underneath where they seem to get the most rust.

Nice truck dude. Thanx for the info everyone. I got my eye on a cab that's in great shape near my house. I had a buddy go ask the guy to sell it to me and he said, "$100 and it's yours." I'm so stoked. I got another question though. I have a 1/2 ton short bed stepside that by all accounts hasn't been modified. It has 6 lug wheels though which seem to be maybe 3/4 ton from what I have read in here. Does this make any difference or does anyone have an answer for why I have them. Did these come stock on some trucks? It seems like 1/2 ton trucks had 5 lug wheels so I'm a little confused. Has someone modified this beast? Later.

Six lug is correct for 1/2 ton in the sixties. 3/4 tons had eight lugs, so you are good to go.

Ah thanx. I thought something was up so that's good to know.

chevy didnt come out with five lug on 1/2 tons until 71 when they came out with front disc brakes.