Keep What I got... Or buy another project...

[cmcolfax]

OK Chebby guys... I know you all have an opinion on everything... so...

WHAT I WANTED:

When I bought my pickup a coupla months ago I really wanted a manual transmission'ed, carb'ed V8 with minimal electronics.

WHAT I GOT:

89 2WD Chevy 1500 with the 4.3L and a 5-speed (unfortunately it is NOT the NV3500).

I paid $800 for it and put about $200 in to it to get it driving safely (See brake issues threads in Tech.)

It runs decent, shows 243K on the clock body is fairly straight and solid, with the exception of one cab corner rotted thru and some dents in the bedsides.

PO claims the motor was rebuilt at 200K and claims a "new" clutch.

It's ugly as sin. Was white, but has been rattle canned with black spray on bedliner.

In every nook and cranny, but NO prep work or masking done. Just sprayed on.

WHAT I FOUND:

Found an 85 2WD 1/2 Ton Chevy with a 305 and a TH350 for $500.

Current owner says it runs and drives, but the "carb needs adjustment" and it "has no reverse"; 70K original miles.

Body is straight and solid, original mid-80's two-tone brown and tan paint.

Found a complete carb-to-oil pan 350/TH350 combo just pulled out of a running, driving 78 1/2 Ton chevy for another $500.

Found a set of re-done heads from an 86 350 truck, an Edelbrock performer cam and lifters and a set of Edelbrock chrome valve covers for another $200.

(These parts were supposed to be for his own truck project, but he found a 454...)

So... WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Would you keep what I got?

Or buy all the pieces and build (mostly - I can deal with it being an auto) what I wanted?

It would primarily see use as a weekend hauler, yard truck, and back-up DD if my Grand Cherokee is down for maintenance or repairs and the weather is not nice enough to drive Wrangler.

I figure I could easily sell the 305, and the "bad" TH350, as I put the new rig together.

And then sell the 89 when I was done.

-cmc-

[babyJay]

I'd say go for it! Sounds like a nice combination and closer to what you really wanted to begin with.

P.S. You're gonna need something to drive when the trans goes out on that G.C. and you don't have $1800 to have it rebuilt. I own 2 of them.

[cmcolfax]

UPDATE

The truck got sold yesterday while I was at work.

(I am a fireman and work 24-hour shifts.)

If a deal seems too good to be true... it probably is.

And if something seems like a good deal... don't hesitate.

I still have the motor/tranny combo lined up.

And the other parts.



OH... and the clutch the crapped in my 89...

And I am back to looking for a mid-80's.

(What years had the "stacked" quad-headlamps?)

-cmc-

[cmcolfax]

Originally Posted by babyJay

P.S. You're gonna need something to drive when the trans goes out on that G.C. and you don't have $1800 to have it rebuilt. I own 2 of them.

Yeah... I know the 42RE's are not known for their durability. It currently needs the rear output seal replaced (been leaking for about a year)... which I can't do until I have a "back-up" DD.

Heh.

-cmc-

[flamingbig10]

81-87 but I would go with 81-86 since there's minimal electronics and the 87 has fuel injection

[dammitmitchell]

84 is the first year of the mandatory cat converters..
i love my 83!

[cmcolfax]

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

81-87 but I would go with 81-86 since there's minimal electronics and the 87 has fuel injection

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

84 is the first year of the mandatory cat converters..
i love my 83!

Thanks guys...

So I guess I am on the hunt for an 81-86.

Cat's are not a huge deal here... no emissions testing in Central VA.

As long as all of the "required components" are there you are good.

If ya know what I mean...

Heh.

-cmc-

[slugish]

check craigs list in your area .Im from Charlottessville , just west of you. ch,ville had a few for sale when Ilooked yesterday . Great thing about these trucks is that they are still plentful now & very reasonably priced compared to the 67-72's , which in a few more years they will get harder to find (in decent shape) which will warrant higher prices. Don't think Ihave seen anyone on the forum from Richmond before. Itravel all over va. on my job & see these generation trucks all the time for sale . Wpould be glad to be on the lookout for you .

[N2TRUX]

My suggestion is spend as much as your budget will allow on a clean body. You already know you can find decent deals on motors and transmissions. You can't find "good deals" when it come to paint, body, and rust repair.

Spend a little now, or a LOT later.