Rare 70 CST/10? Keep or Sell?

[briscuba]

Hi,
I am on the fence about restoring or selling my 1970 CST 10/400 Badges. I have been told it's kinda rare, and been offered some good money. It has matching numbers original BB 402/400TH. A/C, PB, PS, SWB. Black w/green interior. Runs and registered. Rough body, but turns heads...

My fear is not being able to find another down the road if it is in fact among the rare models for that year. So I ask the experts (love this forum!).

Suggestions? Comments? Pics below.

Brian

[Mindl3ss]

For me it comes down to what my end goal is.

Personally, I like the idea of an engine swap, a few other modifications to make it more personalized. If I had any kind of truck with original engine I would feel bad about pulling the history out of it unless it was tired and unusable.

That's why I went with a pickup that already had the engine swapped years ago and was so far gone I wouldn't feel bad doing what I want with it to make it my own truck.

That being said, if you don't care about having an original motor in there then I'm sure you will find someone out there who truly appreciates it for what it is and will give you a decent amount for it. Take that money and buy yourself something that works for what you want. If you have a history with this truck and want to keep it because of that, by all means. If you just wanted a truck to work on and modify, you can find a blank slate somewhere probably for less than you will sell this, and use the extra to do what you want.

[briscuba]

Great points! I actually have a 67 C10 SWB without a motor. The idea of personalization is very tempting to me. Although, I am a nostalgic car enthusiast and love a good original restore as well. Thanks.

[specialtyretail]

Blue engine??? Later model thermostat housing? Just little stuff I know, but people will ask about things like that. Cool old truck...

[LockDoc]

-
How about a picture of the SPID on the inside of the glove box door? I would keep it and fix it up myself.

LockDoc

[D.PASSMORE]

Snap a shot of the spid and put it on this thread. I think then it can be determined - how rare...

[briscuba]

I have only had the truck this year. Odd that someone did a rebuild (most likely) and painted it blue. I think it has history in Arizona on a ranch - probably utility purposes so folks didn't think of engine color. I've checked the numbers on block - BB402 1970 truck.

[Mindl3ss]

Originally Posted by briscuba

I have only had the truck this year. Odd that someone did a rebuild (most likely) and painted it blue. I think it has history in Arizona on a ranch - probably utility purposes so folks didn't think of engine color. I've checked the numbers on block - BB402 1970 truck.

I'm not sure on big blocks, but a quick search will tell you.

With small blocks there is a partial VIN stamped on the block near the water pump.

That will tell you if it is a true numbers matching or just a period correct replacement. Unless it was restamped when swapped.

[briscuba]

No SPID in glovebox. I did find about 50 pieces of original sellers sheet. Some numbers were useful, others unreadable. That's the unfortunate part!

[67swb72klb]

if it is a original big block,black and a swb and not too rusty it's a keeper (in my book)

[Cash3481]

Speciality retail hit it on the head that there are two noticable items easily spotted. The SPID (if its original) will tell a better story if the ViIN matches and is legible. Here are a few other thoughts.

1. I would not remove the engine until the other one is ready to go in. Ask me how I know?

2. I would look under the truck truck and see if the original BB exhaust hangers are riveted to the crossmember above the rear end. If they are there, I would not do anything to the truck and sell it for a truck already converted to an LS. Youll make enough to buy one.

3. Run the block numbers.

I hope its an original truck with a few things incorrect that you can fix. I love seeing people find these uncommon trucks out there that havent been on the road for a long time. Its also very nice seeing running trucks driving around.

[briscuba]

Yeah... minor rust on passenger floorboard. Arizona does preserve pretty well. I am bummed that paperwork is so scattered or missing. I love the mention of BB exhaust... I'll check on that. Great answers!

[leftybass209]

How bad do you need/want money vs. how bad you want the truck is what it comes down to. If you don't need money, or room at your house, then why get rid of it? An original BB short fleet is a desirable combo. I know you said it's an original BB truck and I will take your word for it, but if I were in the market, I'd scrutinize every detail because everything about it screams engine swap.

[big_al_71]

keep it and restore it..

[leddzepp]

Sell it and buy something else.

[briscuba]

Is there another way to verify if the BB is original other than the stamped numbers and letters on the front of block? Believe me, I am the number one skeptic! Numbers do indicate 1970 truck 402 - which would have been original. Long shot it was swapped with same cubic inch, same year...

[Cash3481]

Originally Posted by briscuba

Is there another way to verify if the BB is original other than the stamped numbers and letters on the front of block? Believe me, I am the number one skeptic! Numbers do indicate 1970 truck 402 - which would have been original. Long shot it was swapped with same cubic inch, same year...

Check the Carb number:
It will be hard to find the correct one just lying around! This doesnt make it for sure because they may have already added the brackets and pulleys from a period correct truck (more common and more avaliable)

Dont have the ones for a 70 handy.
Some one will post additional block info. shortly.

[briscuba]

Carb is from a 72 Chevy. My guess is that it was changed when rebuild happened. Truck has headers too, no heat riser. Carb doesn't match.

[jocko]

the coolness of the original truck (black w/green int(!), big block, and swb CST) make it a nice keeper to restore. You seldom see black with green interior, and it is a very striking and distinctive combo when resto'ed. However, the missing SPID and lack of supporting documentation means it doesn't matter what it originally came with. If you can't verify the original RPO list, and you're interested in originality of a unique truck, I'd sell it. Skeptical that the original motor is in it - I may have missed it, but did you verify the stampings/castings to prove it COULD have been the original motor? Apologize if I missed that in the thread somewhere. If you want to keep it forever, regardless, then hang onto it and do whatever you like with it, restore or hot rod, have fun with it! Lack of SPID kinda frees you from the "urge" to remain original, because it won't make you a dime in the resale without it, even if it is original. Remember, doesn't matter if it IS original, only matters if you can prove it when you sell it. If you can't piece the original stuff together from the various docs you have, then I'd sell it unless you LOVE it and just want to keep it and drive the wheels off it. That's what they are for anyway!

[Joesjunk]

Factory big block trucks will have the larger removable center hump in the floor

[briscuba]

Couldn't agree more about the SPID conversation. Nothing at all in the glove box! There was one (SPID?) in the coils of the bench seat that basically crumbled away... When I pieced it together I saw if was for a small block (350) C10. Crestfallen... Then I found under the seat another one stuck to the floorboard and in pieces. I put it together like a jigsaw puzzle and it shows (in pieces) 1970 CST option BB402. Happy days! Seat musta been changed. It's in pieces in a ziplock bag. If I knew numbers better I could decipher more of it. Wish I could clean the paper too - it's dirty and greasy. I am afraid to handle it. Lots of "hope", little evidence.

[Bigdav160]

I thought partial VIN's on the block were only for cars (at that time period) not on truck engines.

[specialtyretail]

Can we see a pic of the drivers side engine mount/header tube relationship? Thanks, Fred.

[briscuba]

Fred... I don't have a pic of that, but can take one. What were you looking for?

[70cst]

Interesting thread.