I may be leaving the 73-87 and joining the 67-72

[SRH916]

I have an opporotunity to buy a 72 gmc sierra lwb fleetside for about 4k. there is about 7k in the engine of this thing, but money is tight. body is straight, paint is getting "tired" interior is nice. Any questions I should ask before taking the plunge?

[SRH916]

Oh ask me questions and I will try to get answers. Just trying to make sure I am doing the right thing.

Thanks, and hopefully I will get to know this side of the forum alot better soon.

[berencam]

The engine looks rebuilt? I would ask for machine work receipts, and all the new bearings, gasket receipts as well. Around here, a rebuilt engine means nothing more than a rebuildable core. No one knows how to do them right.

[chevy72blu]

Looks pretty nice, but I cant see much. Im sure you know the drill with rust checking...

For 4k, I would expect at least a halfway decent interior. Whats it look like?

Trans? Rear? Options? Give us some more info

I second the notion on the reciepts

[SRH916]

its a 355 they have all of the reciepts for the rebuild, polished intake/carb, com cams 280, hooker long tubes, the trans is a turbo 350, new radiator, rear is unknown. dual flowmasters it was an ac truck. P/S, new disk brakes brake booster, all of the electricals work. its just a seat cover so its a little unknown. Glass is good.

I am buying this through a friend who is getting it as a packaged with a 79 trans am 455. This isn't his "cup of tea" but it sure is mine

here is the link to the ad

http://images.craigslist.org/0101090...2d5a00b27f.jpg

[SRH916]

Oops that was just another pic.

here is the actual linkhttp://sacramento.craigslist.org/car/717949469.html

[SRH916]

Any specifics that I should look for that would make the deal?

[chevy72blu]

What is your plan with the truck? Personally, I wouldnt purchase it if I wanted to daily drive it. That isnt a wild cam, but it sure feels like it at idle. I swapped one out for a Comp 272H on my old 355. Driving such a loose converter with little vacuum for the power brakes, poor MPG and no AC = not a DD IMO. Fun weekend truck though. It will be fun and looks good (at least from what ive seen). Have you driven it yet? When I was 16-17, I didnt give a damn about MPG, streetability, A/C, etc when it came to making decisions - I wanted power. Period. But, I drove my 72 every day and after the WOW factor died down on the go pedal, it started to become a hassle. Just some things to think about.

[oldgold70c10]

Originally Posted by berencam

The engine looks rebuilt? I would ask for machine work receipts, and all the new bearings, gasket receipts as well. Around here, a rebuilt engine means nothing more than a rebuildable core. No one knows how to do them right.

There is a salvage yard around here that rebuilds engines. A guy from my work went to look at one, and said that when he first saw one, it was nice with bright orange paint, no rust, etc. But when he got close, you could see the paint was sprayed right over the oil leaks and dirt. Bottom line, the only way you know its rebuilt is if you did it your self, or have reciepts, etc, from the guy that did.

[SRH916]

the guy that I am getting the truck through has been buying and selling classic cars particularly mustangs since he was 17. he knows what to look for, and i trust him. I havent seen it in person yet, but i trust him, he said i would be impressed too, and from seeing the cars he has gone through I think I will be. It should be a step up from my truck. Only thing I need to decide is one of two paths. either: 1. New paint, and upholstry, or 2. Shorten frame, paint and Upholstry.

[chevy72blu]

Originally Posted by SRH916

the guy that I am getting the truck through has been buying and selling classic cars particularly mustangs since he was 17. he knows what to look for, and i trust him. I havent seen it in person yet, but i trust him, he said i would be impressed too, and from seeing the cars he has gone through I think I will be. It should be a step up from my truck. Only thing I need to decide is one of two paths. either: 1. New paint, and upholstry, or 2. Shorten frame, paint and Upholstry.

If you have the tools, desire, and patience - shorten her up! I did it to my 3/4 ton 72... The only real hard part is finding a bed. If I did it over again, I would section my LWB, but there is no way I would have done a good job when I was 14-15

[SRH916]

wow, you started earlier than me. I have a friend with all of the expensive tools, and a machine shop to go to to work. From the looks of the pictures there is a compartment in the bed though. I'll have to keep my eye out as I get closer to paint.

[SRH916]

wow, well I checked out your thread, and our trucks may end up identical. haha I have been eyeing a few bbc cores just sitting in the back of the shop. I know how to do the work, and I interned at their shop for a bout 2 years. Lets just say they owe me.

this is official as of this morning. going to have to wait a week though since I am in Tahoe. Only other thing I can think that I would want to do is throw a 700r4 in there since gas here is getting closer and closer to $5 a gallon...