1967 1200 new project

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lee1967

New member
I bought a 1967 1200 pickup site unseen out of oregon. It is a great truck but it needs some attention to be more driveable. It has the original drum brakes and what appears to be a v6 original engine. It is my understanding the truck was a forestry truck and has 79k original miles. I love projects but engines ans such are above my paygrade so I need some help.

1. If I have the engine rebuilt what is a best guess on how much it will help the power in the truck?
2. Do I replace the front axle and add disk brakes or is rebuilding the drum brakes the way to go? The truck as it sits stops but it can be dodgy
3. The gearing in the truck is really low so much so that is goes about 25 miles an hour in 3 gear. How big a project is it to re-gear the truck or is that just a stupid question?
4. Lastly the truck has a terrible turning radius. It requires at least 2 lanes to make a right hand turn and about 15 turns of the wheel. Is that common or a sign of a problem?

My goal is for the truck to safely run 65mph on the highway

thanks for reading.
 
Congrats and welcome to the forum. Stock engine wouldn't be a v6. Those trucks came with v8 or inline 6 engines. Need to make a more detailed and definitive assessment of your equipment and condition of said before much advice can be given. Best way to start that ball rolling is to post a bunch of pics of your new treasure for us to look over.
 
Like sb74 wrote if it is a v configuration and has International on the valve covers, you've got a v8.
Those 1200 were ok at 65 out of the factory. I have a 68 1200 v8 with 4.90 years in it and it'll cruise along at 70 all day long.

I think that some pictures under the hood and of the id tag in the drivers side door jam will help us identify things.
 
Sorry for my ignorance. I have uploaded some images. I believe it is a 6.
 

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None of the gauges work which should not be a huge problem but the gauge to the right of the speedo has been swapped to something more modern. Can anyone tell me what should be there?
 
Quite a beast. No need for apology. You've come to the right place to learn. Pics are the best way for you to help us help you along. Engine is an inline or "straight" 6. The cylinders of a v engine are split equally on either side of the block. The aftermarket gauge is for engine coolant temperature, and that's exactly what it replaced.
 
lee1967 said:
I bought a 1967 1200 pickup site unseen out of oregon. It is a great truck but it needs some attention to be more driveable. It has the original drum brakes and what appears to be a v6 original engine. It is my understanding the truck was a forestry truck and has 79k original miles. I love projects but engines ans such are above my paygrade so I need some help.

1. If I have the engine rebuilt what is a best guess on how much it will help the power in the truck?
2. Do I replace the front axle and add disk brakes or is rebuilding the drum brakes the way to go? The truck as it sits stops but it can be dodgy
3. The gearing in the truck is really low so much so that is goes about 25 miles an hour in 3 gear. How big a project is it to re-gear the truck or is that just a stupid question?
4. Lastly the truck has a terrible turning radius. It requires at least 2 lanes to make a right hand turn and about 15 turns of the wheel. Is that common or a sign of a problem?

My goal is for the truck to safely run 65mph on the highway

thanks for reading.
Click to expand...

So now that we have a little more info, I'll offer some thoughts regarding your original questions. These are in no particular order. The reason your gearing is so low is to make the most of what your I-6 can put out. Its not a hi-po motor by any stretch and never will be even after a fresh rebuild. It simply wasn't designed for performance. If you switch to more friendly highway gearing, the engine will probably fall on its face during acceleration. Your front axle is most likely a closed knuckle design. They were not designed to give a tight turning radius. Even the best drum brakes can't come close to disk brakes for stopping power. Given the truck's present collection of components, I think your goal of 65 mph is probably a max speed and not a comfortable one at that. If its really that important to you, I think your looking at an entire drive train swap.
 
Great feedback and I totally agree. Earlier today I actually spoke to a mechanic who can do everything you outlined. We are going to meet next Thursday to go over a plan.
 
I have been looking at donor late model pickups. It is looking more and more like I am going to do a wholesale swap of the chassis with all running equipment. The truck runs and drives great for what it is but I just cannot manage driving it in the city as it sits. Is there any value in the original parts?
 
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