New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

I am fairly new to the forum and have decided to find a square body project truck. I have located a 1987 GMC SWB 2WD 350 Auto. It has been sitting under a tree in the guys yard for about ten years. He says it was running but the transmission went out so he parked it. It is all original, paint, interior, engine everything. It has the aluminum wheels and all power options. My concern it that it is fuel injected and has been sitting for a long time. I am not a mechanic for fuel injection but I do know the basics for rebuilding a truck. The plus for me is that it has not had any modifications at all so I have a clean slate. I was going to attach a picture but could not figure out how. My questions are, is this a good year to start being fuel injected, what is a fair price for something like this (he is asking for $800)? Any help would be appreciated. I'll keep you posted if I get it and can figure out how to post pictures. Thanks.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

:welcoem: to the site take a look here
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201224 Those are pretty basic instructions, except for the computer doesn't have to be on at all times. I think he was talking about the server has to be up.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Hmm. I paid $1100 for my 80 short square that had a 350 and a turbo 350. It was advertised as sort of running (would run for a couple minutes and die) and had a dent in the passenger door. That was about 8 months ago. a tranny is gonna cost you about $850 unless you do some of the work. I paid $1400 but I went with a 700R4 (tranny went Tango-Uniform withing 50 miles of me getting the engine running right). And the injection may or may not be spendy to fix. But still, I don't think you can really go too wrong spending less that $1000 on one of these trucks running or not.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

.......buy it!!!!

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

a picture is worth a thousand words but a texas truck is generally rust free so it sounds like a good deal.
You would prolly have to drain all the fuel and change the oil/ filter and add new gas. You should prolly dry crank it a bit as you would a new motor and see where that leads you. You will prolly wind up going for new oil pan and valve cover gaskets too in short order

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Based on the description you gave... I would more likely buy it unseen for that price. There are some nice advantages for being an 87'...

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Thanks for all the help guys. The seller will not be available until this weekend for me to go look at it in person. In pictures it seems like it is a good buy. There is no rust or body damage that I can see just super dirty. I am working on the pictures so should have them up today.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

I did a download to the attatchment so lets see if it works.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Definitely a deal. Looks like a little elbow grease will make that shine right up.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice. ADDED PICS.
 

I guess it worked. Here are a few more. The only damage I see is low on the passenger fender and not that bad. With a good pressure wash I think it will look a whole lot better.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

I think you would be pleasantly suprised. Where is Cibolo, anyhow? (I am not trying to cut in on your deal, but just curious). FWIW, I paid more than that for an '87 roller, so you are making out.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Go for it... That's a helluva deal for a pretty cherry looking truck. '87 is the first year for TBI. That's a big plus.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Cibolo is just north of San Antonio.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project. ADDED PICS.
 

ttt

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Looks like it is pretty straight ans rust free. After a wash, buff, and interior cleaning, you should have a pretty nice truck.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

BUY IT!!! It looks as though it will clean up great. wish it was on the east coast

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Welcome to the site, neighbor! I live on the NE side right now, and just bought a house down the road from you in Marion. I have had my '86 for about 10 years...

I'm going to disagree with most of the folks on here and say it isn't automatically a great deal. It would be if it was a running truck, but after 10 years, I would be willing to bet that he can't start it. I would go into the deal assuming that it needs an engine and a transmission because he can't prove otherwise. Unless he can make it run, price it accordingly.

At the very least, make sure it will turn over. The engine could be seized after sitting that long. I would also look under it and make sure it isn't rusty from sitting so close to the ground.

Oh, and remember, these trucks are everywhere in San Antonio. If you can't get this one for a reasonable price, there are plenty more out there.

What car is that in your avatar? I have a '37 Chevy in addition to the truck.

Slonaker

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Thats a steal buy it! Although i would try to talk him down a bit first but it is a steal at that price! 87 shortbeds seem to be the only trucks this body style that hold there value.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

I wish I lived in Marion. Thanks for the reply. He said I could bring a battery but I think it will be best to change some fluids before I try to start it. May just see if it turns over and go from there. There are alot of these trucks in SA but this one catches my eye because it has all of the original pieces there to make the truck like I want it. All original with a slightly lower stance and maybe some big billet wheels, although I would not get rid of the original wheels. My avatar picture is my 47 Chevy sedan when I bought it. I am about half way through the build and wishing I never started it, street rods are nice but a costly pain to get finished. It will be a real nice car when its done and you dont see to many of them so I'll keep on truckin through it. The 86 looks nice, we may need to get together someday if I get the truck so I can get some ideas. Thanks again.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Yup looks like a good start...Full load too..:metal:...You would be supprised what a good wash job will do.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

I have been wishing I lived in Marion for a very long time. We just happened to find something we could afford after searching for a long time.

I understand what you are saying about the appeal of an unmolested truck. I wanted the same thing, and spent over a year finding one. If you like it, buy it. It is only $800. That is the most you can lose, and that's a good thing. :) If that is important to you, it is worth the money just not to spend a year looking like I did.

I'm happy to help if you get the truck. Let me know.

Slonaker

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

Thanks Slonaker. I am looking forward to going to look at it this weekend. I will keep you posted.

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

i like that its all complete and is also an A/C truck . it looks like my 88 v30 when i first saw it with all that crap on it . youd be surprised what a little cleaning up can do .
the guy that sold mine said the engine was shot but just turned out to be a cracked flywheel . you never know you might be as lucky as i was . even with no working engine or tranny the truck is worth $800 (from what i can see in these pics) . probably price up and engine rebuild or replacement engine /tranny and go from there to see if its worth it .

good luck

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

worth $800 in parts alone

Re: New guy looking to buy first square body project, need advice.
 

So...did you get the truck?

Slonaker