Finally got a running 65 C10

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1low4x4

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The only option I think I have is having a professional put exhaust on it and route it out the back or the back sides with some of those really big magna flow mufflers.
 

DoubleDingo

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You did overcam the 283. Might even be too big exhaust. It doesn't have any form of forced induction
 

1low4x4

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I don’t think it’s over cammed or over exhausted, I just didn’t realize with these cams you have to bump the rpm so high. I really think rear exit exhaust will help her out on the loud front

I drove 55 on some nice backroads yesterday, for a 3 hour trip and 55 is really where the truck wants to be, 2500 rpm. Anything else is forced. 15 mpg at 55.
 

1low4x4

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AI has no idea lol
 

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1low4x4

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Slow season for the small time self employed tradesmen. Not a lot of playing money. Think I'm still gonna tackle the rockers when things take off again. Haven't done anything to it, other than drive it. Still not leaking, and I even checked that it still had oil. In fact, it doesnt seem to have ANY oil consumption or loss, which is surprising
 

1low4x4

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I lied that thing burned a quart and a half since I check it last which wasn’t that long ago lol

200 miles on it today and 10 miles to the gallon at 55 miles an hour. Not really sure why it got better last time but whatever. Only problem I had other than extreme fuel consumption was it died on me and upon quick inspection on the side of the highway the the heavy ignition wire had fallen out of the distributor cap. Where it clips on the blade.

Hopefully by this time next year, it will have an engine that doesn’t burn so much oil, and a much more friendly Transmission and maybe gear ratio. I really want to take this thing further than two hours away from the house, but it’s too costly and risky in its current form. I mean, it’s not leaking any oil, the cooling system is great, the manual transmission is not going to leave you stranded, but it leaves a lot to be desired on long trips. We’re gonna fix that
 

1low4x4

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Starting to look around for a 200r4 candidate to rebuild. Can I just get an ididit automatic steering column and be good? What linkage will I need to find from the column to the trans?
 

DoubleDingo

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Starting to look around for a 200r4 candidate to rebuild. Can I just get an ididit automatic steering column and be good? What linkage will I need to find from the column to the trans?
I'd suspect that your current rods could be used to make up a suitable linkage for a column shifted 200r4 or any other automatic for that matter. Already has the correct bends to get down to the bottom.
 

bucket

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Starting to look around for a 200r4 candidate to rebuild. Can I just get an ididit automatic steering column and be good? What linkage will I need to find from the column to the trans?

I would assume that it's far easier to use a factory automatic column. But I'm also guessing that those are really hard to find.
 

DoubleDingo

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I would assume that it's far easier to use a factory automatic column. But I'm also guessing that those are really hard to find.
I'd have to look at my shop manuals, but I don't think there were any automatic transmission trucks of this era. Just floor shift heavy duty 4 speeds and column shift 3 speeds. He'd have to source an Action Line truck for an automatic column, or newer.

Couldn't the 3 speed column work? Yeah, it wouldn't have the pull detent to keep it from being bumped into a different gear, but maybe it could be adapted for auto?
 

bucket

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I'd have to look at my shop manuals, but I don't think there were any automatic transmission trucks of this era. Just floor shift heavy duty 4 speeds and column shift 3 speeds. He'd have to source an Action Line truck for an automatic column, or newer.

Couldn't the 3 speed column work? Yeah, it wouldn't have the pull detent to keep it from being bumped into a different gear, but maybe it could be adapted for auto?

They were available with Powerglide auto. I'll see if I can find some info to back that up.
 

DoubleDingo

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But like I said, it's not common at all.
Might be easier finding a column from a car of that era than a powerglide truck
 

1low4x4

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Well, the current column is shot, and the lower bearing is gone, and it’s gouged on the shaft. I saw a comment the other day on one of the fb pages that people said it’s not worth rebuilding the columns, go ididit and be done with it.

My 64 gmc suburban had factory auto, power glide. And yeah, I ruled out trying to find a decent auto column almost immediately
 

bucket

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Well, the current column is shot, and the lower bearing is gone, and it’s gouged on the shaft. I saw a comment the other day on one of the fb pages that people said it’s not worth rebuilding the columns, go ididit and be done with it.

My 64 gmc suburban had factory auto, power glide. And yeah, I ruled out trying to find a decent auto column almost immediately

Well to be fair, most of the people that say it's not worth rebuilding the original and go with an Ididit, probably have never had a column rebuilt (yeah, you can send it off) nor have they ever installed an Ididit column either. There was a recent thread here about the installation hassles of an Ididit column in a squarebody... the consensus was that it wasn't worth it and a factory column would be better.

Now, I realize that's an apples to oranges comparison. Squarebody columns are FAR easier to find. But my point is that more research would be a good idea. Especially if you can find pictures and details of installs. A good used GM column from some other vehicle may actually be a far easier install. And cheaper too. Or maybe an Ididit column actually is the better option. I don't know. I just wouldn't be so quick to trust the Facebook warriors.
 

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