70 c20

[rob67]

I found a 1970 Chevy C20 and I think it has the wrong motor in it. The block casting number is 3849852 which translates to a 283 from the latest 68. Could this be the right motor for this truck? The other number I found on the engine was F0323D, don't know if that tells anything or not. It is sitting just down the road from me for the last couple of years. I am interested in it, but not if it is a hobknobbed peice of work. The VIN is CE2408xxxxxx (Maybe CE240B?). Also, what should I expect to pay for it? It looks like it needs a lot of work (sitting for at least 2 years, oils leaks everywhere under the hood, etc).

[Shyguy]

Your are right the casting number does indicate it is a 283 built from 64-68 for cars and trucks.

What is the number on the front of the engine on the passenger-side just below the head on the small flat area? It will shed more light on what engine you have. It should be something like V09030CNN.

I have a 1971 C-10 and that is the number on the engine in my truck which is for a 1970 engine used in a car.

Danny

[rob67]

It is F0323D. That is the number stamped on the plate on the passenger side front of the engine. I thought a 283 seemed kind of small for an 8 lug truck, but I don't know anything about these years.

[Shyguy]

The book I have does not go back far enough to decode your number, F0323D.

I bought a '67 C-20 last year with a long step-side. It had the original engine in it which was a 250 l6. It had a granny 4 speed. I think the rearend was a 411 or around there.

Since then we have taken the cab, front clip, transmission and steering gear off and put it on a '69 short bed frame. Also we put a 250 l6 in it out of my daughter-in-law's grandpa's truck.

As I think back I would have liked to have kept it original because it was somewhat rare, but we wanted to do the change over which gave my son and I time to work together.

Danny

[rob67]

I don't care about keeping it original as much as I don't want to get it without knowing what has been done with it. The deal is that it has been sitting down the road from me in front of a little garage for at least 2 years, maybe longer. So, I have all these tools now and nothing to do with them since I upgraded both my cars to 2006s, so I thought perfect time to start on a new project. I had a heck of a time researching who owned it. I finally found the name of the person who rents the garage to another guy. When I called him, he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about, but then it finally clicked with him. He said "that's right. I rented that out to a guy and he hasn't paid me the rent for about 2 years. If I can't get my money from him, I will get a lein title and the truck is yours." So he was going to give it about 2 weeks before he did anything. So keep your fingers crossed. If nothing else I can part it out, but I hate to see it just sitting there, when it could be fixed and used.

[old Chevy guy]

If the price is right it dosent matter as much whats "been done to it" as much as what your gonna do to it.The 283 is a great motor,I had one I put in my 61 apache and that motor towed that truck around just swell and it was pretty quick too! Not too much top end but that was the gearing.When that 283 got tired I put a 350 4 barral motor in and it was quicker but still topped out at only 75.

[rob67]

I guess I will have to wait on the reply as to the price for now. Will a newer style seat fit this truck? I ask because the seat will definitely need to be replaced since springs are sticking up everywhere.

[Shyguy]

Yes, a newer seat will fit just fine, you may have to drill an extra hole or two.

I put a 60/40 split seat out of a 92 in my '72 Chevy pickup about 6 years ago.

I just put bucket seats out of a unknow year mini-van in my '71 long stepper and '67 short stepper. I had to drill 3 holes for each seat and re-inforce the cab floor from underneath.

Danny

[rob67]

I went to look at it again today. The guy selling it left the keys for me at a neighbors house. It runs a little rough, but not too bad for sitting for 2 years. So I am thinking, not bad. He only wants 750 for it. Then I was sitting in the seat, and he called me. "don't try to go anywhere with it, the tranny needs to be rebuilt." That did it for me. I don't want to be rebuilding a tranny. It is one of those things I have the ability to do, just not the desire. So the search continues.