New member, old truck with lots of issues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

88 Beater · 11-28-2011, 10:01 AM

This 88 C3500 is actually my brother-in-law's. My father-in-law bought it brand new in '87 and it's a very early build. It has 4-30-87 written on the radiator shroud so not sure if that's the build date but it would be about right based on when he bought it.

Anyway, the truck hasn't been used or maintained much the past several years (as you can probably tell from the pic) but it has a lot of sentimental value to my BIL and my wife. They grew up with this truck and it reminds them of their dad which I think is pretty cool. Since I need to work off some naughty points with Christmas coming and all, I offered to do a little work on it.

It has oil in the radiator - appears to be the cooler leaking. So I ordered a new radiator for it.

Also, it was running very rich so I went to check codes and the "service engine soon" light didn't come on when you turned the key. I figured the light had been on so long it burned out. After tearing apart the instrument panel, the bulb was fine so figured I'd look inside the ECM. What do you know - hopefully replacing this will fix a lot of its issues. It's burned up pretty good. I was surprised it ran at all like this. Also surprised (but glad) they're only about $100.

I'm sure I'm going to have some questions for you guys.

jb1016 · 11-29-2011, 12:30 AM

Welcome to the forum. Great truck with great history.

Shyguy · 11-29-2011, 11:21 AM

Welcome.

I see you are in Las Vegas so there should not be a lot of rust issues like here.

It is amazing what a good cleaning and polishing will do for one of these trucks.

If you run across any problems don't hesitate to post questions, there are lot of knowledgable people here, I have learned a lot from them.

tattoed71 · 11-29-2011, 04:06 PM

my radiator with the built in trans cooler broke sending water threw the tranny found a radiator on e bay for 78 bucks brand new free shipping. i was worried cause it being cheap but its holds up in my 91 ex cab i use as a car hauler. there good radiators if u havent got one yet

gregory5000 · 11-29-2011, 10:37 PM

Get your old radiator fixed. It is much better then the made in china radiators.

88 Beater · 11-29-2011, 11:16 PM

There's not a lot of rust which is good. Just light surface rust on the frame and of course the bed which is a little beat up. Once it's running good maybe I'll neutralize the rust and put some bedliner on the bed at least

Unfortunately the OE radiator is long gone and it's got one of the cheap Chinese ones in it now (which still looks pretty new). I found one at Summit for $139 and ordered it last weekend so I guess I'll try that. It sounds like maybe it would be a good idea to just not use the trans and oil coolers and put in some separate ones. Then at least you wouldn't have to worry about fluids mixing so much? Do many people do that?

11-28-2011, 10:01 AM	#1
88 Beater Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 32	New member, old truck with lots of issues This 88 C3500 is actually my brother-in-law's. My father-in-law bought it brand new in '87 and it's a very early build. It has 4-30-87 written on the radiator shroud so not sure if that's the build date but it would be about right based on when he bought it. Anyway, the truck hasn't been used or maintained much the past several years (as you can probably tell from the pic) but it has a lot of sentimental value to my BIL and my wife. They grew up with this truck and it reminds them of their dad which I think is pretty cool. Since I need to work off some naughty points with Christmas coming and all, I offered to do a little work on it. It has oil in the radiator - appears to be the cooler leaking. So I ordered a new radiator for it. Also, it was running very rich so I went to check codes and the "service engine soon" light didn't come on when you turned the key. I figured the light had been on so long it burned out. After tearing apart the instrument panel, the bulb was fine so figured I'd look inside the ECM. What do you know - hopefully replacing this will fix a lot of its issues. It's burned up pretty good. I was surprised it ran at all like this. Also surprised (but glad) they're only about $100. I'm sure I'm going to have some questions for you guys. Last edited by 88 Beater; 11-28-2011 at 10:06 AM.

11-29-2011, 11:21 AM	#3
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: New member, old truck with lots of issues Welcome. I see you are in Las Vegas so there should not be a lot of rust issues like here. It is amazing what a good cleaning and polishing will do for one of these trucks. If you run across any problems don't hesitate to post questions, there are lot of knowledgable people here, I have learned a lot from them. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

11-29-2011, 04:06 PM	#4
tattoed71 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: abilene,Texas Posts: 149	Re: New member, old truck with lots of issues my radiator with the built in trans cooler broke sending water threw the tranny found a radiator on e bay for 78 bucks brand new free shipping. i was worried cause it being cheap but its holds up in my 91 ex cab i use as a car hauler. there good radiators if u havent got one yet

11-29-2011, 10:37 PM	#5
gregory5000 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: elora tn Posts: 121	Re: New member, old truck with lots of issues Get your old radiator fixed. It is much better then the made in china radiators. __________________ 2001 GMC 2WD, 1998 Chevy K2500

11-29-2011, 11:16 PM	#6
88 Beater Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 32	Re: New member, old truck with lots of issues There's not a lot of rust which is good. Just light surface rust on the frame and of course the bed which is a little beat up. Once it's running good maybe I'll neutralize the rust and put some bedliner on the bed at least Unfortunately the OE radiator is long gone and it's got one of the cheap Chinese ones in it now (which still looks pretty new). I found one at Summit for $139 and ordered it last weekend so I guess I'll try that. It sounds like maybe it would be a good idea to just not use the trans and oil coolers and put in some separate ones. Then at least you wouldn't have to worry about fluids mixing so much? Do many people do that?



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.