78 Silverado, Thoughts- Concerns-Suggestions

[solidaxel]

Here is the rest of the story!

I purchased this truck in 79 from the family of a neighbor and it has been mine and my wife's daily driver until last week.

The reason being it has 289 thousand miles and is all original except for two transmissions two water pumps and three fuel pumps and three alternators and one carb overhaul, lots of spark plugs and one coil, one AC compressor 134.
The oil & filter changed regularly (3K), anyway you get the story!

It is a factory black 350/350 SWB and for "some reason" the valve seals went south about 10 years ago, so it puffs a bit on start ups and uses oil about a qt. in 600 miles.

The oil pressure is in the mid 45# area and gives me NO trouble with anything, EXECPT for the same fuel mileage it has since I purchased it in 79, 10 MPG.
This is a Heavy 10 and it has lived its whole life in the desert southwest and there is no body damage or rust, and everything still works, but the drivers window regulator is very hard to roll up and down.
The paint is getting a little thin is a lot of places but it will still shine with some wax.

Here is the question and I respect the views of this forum, I hang out in the 47 to 59, and the folks will speak there mind and have proof to back it up!

Do I replace the engine and trans with a 40K 5.3 and 4L60E repaint the truck and keep it for my grandson, or do I get rid of it as a excellent survivor as it sits, or do I replace the drive train and redo the suspension (rubber). This was all was done about 15 years ago with 3/4" spindle and spring and hanger drop and 17" wheels.
Did I say that I already had the 5.3 drive train, brackets, Howell harness new Sanden compressor, and TBSS manifolds.


O K lets hear it !!
Thanks