So I go to get the 66 today. Do all the necessary PA paperwork and go out to the truck. It starts right up the owner pulled it out for me and we swap plates. Pay the man and part ways. I get about 2 miles and I cannot get it in any gear. It seems the shifter collar that holds it down(I'm not sure of the technical term) came loose. No problem I pull over and pop it on but cannot get it to twist and lock oh well I can drive it anways. So I get to the nearest gas station and prepare to fill up. The truck really dieseled when I shut if off too. Hmm what is this coming out under the front of the truck? Oh its green and nice I have a leaking radiator. Its coming out pretty easily from the seam at the top tank. I call the owner not being confrontational or anything just to let him know. No biggie he says he'll check it out if I pull it out of the way when he gets off work(I was stuck in front of the gas pump). Well now it won't start a few very weak cranks and nothing. Try to jump it and still nothing. So I call triple-A and ask for a tow. The driver shows up with a jump pack and the truck starts. I drive it back to the owners to figure out what I want to do. Needless to say I am extremely dissappointed since I wanted to have it here. Oh well thats my rant.

So I'm wondering what would you do? Obviously I need a new battery but as far as the radiator goes? Any feeling on that stop leak stuff? I'm kind of wary of using it but if it gets me home. My other option is my buddies truck and tow dolly and then send the radiator out to be repaired. Any thoughts?

 

Do it right, send the radiator out to be repaired, the stop leak is good for a temp fix, to get you home, but I wouldn't leave it. It gets better, welcome to the world of slicks, if it aint broke yer not driving it right!

 

I know the frustrations you feel at times. Everyone on here has at some point. Don't let it get you down. Think of it this way, the truck was telling you not to drive it for a bigger reason then the ones you found. I always dig a little deeper after something like you experianced. Call it voodoo or what ever but normally there is another reason she didn't want to drive.

 

Everything except the radiator is an easy fix...if it's a stick shift, it needs new shift lever bushings at the bottom of the steering column under the hood, the shift collar is available, too. You can add a can of Bars Leak to the radiator, and change the cap to a 4 pounder with a release lever.

Nothing is easy at first, and once some of the problems are worked out, you'll be proud of your truck.

 

Thanks for the support guys I do appreciate it I'm working out towing it home since I'd feel better working on it here than trying to rig stuff and hope it doesn't break on the way home. I'll keep you all posted.

 

project40, shes just telling you that you will need to earn her respect. i bought my 66 on a saturday afternoon, took her home and went for a ride on sunday, stoped at the local mcdonalds to get a shake and she got hot started to buck and died in the drive tru.I couldnt restart so had to have her towed home. She was talking to me. sence then we have a pile of miles with lots of improvments.
Power disk brakes, dual exaust, even put a c6 in her and changed the rear gear ratio, she took me to work for almost two years and got me from california to Idaho and my current job without missing a beat. I bought a K car for milage just so I could spend some more time and money on her. Somthing about these old turcks that grabs hold of you and wont let go. I now am at a point I need to chose to go big block big horse power or smallblock econmy, but eather way I know she will keep on truckin, your just
begining your treck, in many ways I envy you, half the fun is just gettin there. This is a great forum all the info you will ever need is here. good luck, above all have fun, and enjoy her, take care of her. these old trucks need love to. And they pay it back tenfold.