'70 CST/20 Dead Engine
 

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forums and need some help. I just picked up a CST/20 with a stock 350 engine. I scored one sweet deal of a truck, it has very little rust although some in the usual places like rocker panels, lower rear of the cab etc. Someone rubber undercoated alot of panels, which really seems to have helped.

So, first question: Did these CST trucks come from the factory equipped for campers? I hear it stands for Custom Sport Truck, but not sure what this really means to make it different from a C20. This had a second battery which was wired to a connector in the drivers side of the bed for the camper. It also has 3 gas tanks, a geared loading mechanism on the bed in place of a tailgate, and all kinds of wiring that I'm not sure if this was done stock or from the original owner.

Next question would be the engine. I bought this for such a great price because it wouldn't start. Well, after trying various things and noticing some problems, I have found out it has thrown a rod, and punctured the oilpan. So, I'm trying to weigh my options here. I could put in a 350 I have from another truck, rebuild this one (if possible) or part out the engine since it is original.

Any suggestions to get this beast driving again?

Thanks,

Jake

welcome from SD. where are you from?
I dont know much about the options affair, I'm sure someone here will have some info on that. as for the engine, put the other 350 in it. with a rod out the pan I feel the cost to repair will be quite extensive. you would need a crank, set of rods, pistons, rings, brgs., gaskets etc.... not to mention the machine shop bill.
by all means, DO NOT PART IT OUT. sounds like you have an interesting peice of history there. it needs to be on the road.
JMO, Todd

Welcome to the forum.
I may know where the confusiopn lays on the 10/20 deal.
Up to 1970, all 1/2 ton trucks had 6 lug wheels. Then in 71, when the disk brakes showed up, they went to 5 lug. The 3/4 ton was 8 lug back then, and just recently did they start 6 lug 3/4 ton trucks.
The CST does in fact stand for Custom Sport Truck, it was the top of the line option package, but in reality, it is mostly bright trim and nice scroll work in the vinyl. CST's while not being so much rare, but hard to come across. Seems most were strip down trucks untill 71 when the Cheyenne hit the market, after that, seems they were all loaded with lots of options.

You can't beat a new 350 Goodwrench crate engine for price (1200 bucks complete), quality (it's 100% brand new) or warranty (3 yr 50k miles).

Welcome from Memphis, Tn. I agree with 68c15. Keep it on the road and put another engine in it. Good luck and keep on truckin'..............Jerry

Welcome To The Board!

The engine
 

No, I meant parting out the engine. The truck is definitely going to stay on the road. I was thinking of putting a new crate or rebuilt 350 back into it and selling parts from the blown engine. Think there is demand for original engine parts? Someone I know already has dibs on the manifolds...

You guys will be jealous because I bought this for $200. I'll have to take some pictures.

Opinoinated
 

I will interject my opinion here. I like em stock. So even though the motor may be scrap, all the components on it may still be fine. I did a similar job on a nice 72 of mine, and I bought a crate 350 from Chevrolet. I then deeply cleaned, and repainted all the original manifolds, valve covers dampener pulleys, air cleaner etc. Other than the #'s on the motor it looks like the original, and thats how I prefer them to be.

OK, I need to snap some pictures I'll try to get them up soon, but my truck does in fact say on it CST/20 underneath that it has the 8:350 emblem. Is this a rare truck? I can't even find any replacement emblems that say CST/20 only CST/10

They aren't re-popping the CST/20 or CST/30? emblems. I have seen the C/10's and CST/10's availible from almost every 67-72 parts vendors. It's just like the old C/20 emblems, they're hard to find in good shape. I think those were only on 69 through early 70 trucks. Mine was made in early 1970 and it has the older C/20 emblems with the 8-350 sitting right under it. I bought a C/20 emblem off eBay a couple months ago for only a buck!

Welcome Aboard !!!
 

CST/20s are quite rare; I owned a '69 for quite a while (20 years).

As for the engine: Goodwrench 350 swap. Only problem with them is mounting power steering pump (was on my '69), but with a little ingenuity, it worked.

Take a look on the glove box door, there should be a decal telling you what options the truck has. Also look behind the seat for the build sheet, could be in the springs in the seatback.

Good luck with your fantastic new purchase !! $200 for a great pickup is a complete steal !!!

Welcome from MN! :bowtie:
.....as far as keeping it on the road, I would throw the running 350 in for now-then save up some $$ for later!

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi. I don't know of a lot of demand for sb parts. As far as rarity, as far as I can tell it doesn't really affect the value very much.

Welcome to the board from south Mississippi (again). Glad to have you on board and sounds like you got a unique truck there.

Thanks for the welcome and the information guys! I threw some pictures of this truck up: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=118139

whoever sold you that for 200 got robbed

Welcome to the board fom southern oregon and good luck on your new project..