Author Topic: 1976 Chevy C20 2WD - Project Questions  (Read 2332 times)

Offline smentzer

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1976 Chevy C20 2WD - Project Questions
« on: December 05, 2013, 11:09:33 am »

Greetings everyone - new forum member here.

I recently came into possession of a 1976 Chevy C20 2WD that has been in my family since it was originally purchased new. It has been sitting around various southern California backyards for about 12 years, and it shows. The body is straight, has no major/deep rust and has 80,000 original miles.

Specs:
L6 292 4.8 engine
3 speed on the tree
No AC, No PS
3/4 ton, 2WD
Differential is unknown (haven't checked)

My goal is to make this thing a 'driver'. I don't want a show truck, and I am not terribly interested in keeping everything period correct. My budget is limited but flexible and I am in no huge rush to 'finish' quickly. There are a LOT of things to do on this truck ... exterior, interior, driveline, etc.  I used to wrench back in the 90's, and have a boatload of tools and mechanical experience.

All fluids and wear items on the engine have been replaced, and it is running great. Sounds good and has good power response.

The biggest issue this car has is that the column shifter gets screwy sometimes. While I prefer a stickshift, I would like to go automatic with this truck..... perhaps a TH350, which are cheap and plentiful in my area.

I am guessing that this is going to require the following.
- New starter
- Flex plate
- Plumb the trans oil lines to the radiator.
- Replace radiator w/ auto trans model.

What I *don't* know are the intangibles.

- For the steering column, how much of a mess will this be? Do I need to find an automatic compatible replacement?
- I a guessing the linkages are incompatible, is there a source online for buying them?
- Will I need a bellhousing adapter? From what I have read online, a TH350 should bolt right up to the manual 3-speed just fine.
- Will I need a different trans crossmember?
- Will I need to have the driveshaft altered? I believe both the manual 3 speed and the TH350 were slip yoke, but I don't know if they were roughly the same length.
- What *other* stuff am I going to enjoy during this process?

All help and suggestions would be appreciated! This is the 1st step in getting this great truck back on the road.