Advice on a truck

Egon · Mar 27, 2002

Bob:
Those years of GM trucks the body panels rusted badly. I had a 88 3/4 ton with the 350 and auto. The flat deck is better for hauling than a regular box. Sounds like the starter solenoid is shot but a new starter and rad shouldn't kill you as parts for those years are relatively inexpensive and easily obtainable.There's even lots of room to work under the hood. The six is a good motor and goes back for many years. Biggest item could be suspension/steering parts and windshield if it has to pass an inspection for road use.
Go by your instincts.

Egon

cowboydoc · Mar 27, 2002

If it runs and moves down the road and stops how can you go wrong for $500? That's not even one months payment on a new one.

Rowski · Mar 28, 2002

If it passes inspection, I think its more than worth it.

Gomez · Mar 28, 2002

As others have said, if it passes inspection, it's worth it. The starting problem may be something as simple as the solenoid, which is a relatively inexpensive repair. Good luck, it's nice to have a "work" truck that you don't have to worry about getting a scratch on.

Bob_Trevithick · Mar 28, 2002

Well, good news and bad news..

I thought it was an '87, but it's really an '84.

But the good news is that it was inspected and on the road as recently as last November. We're having a master mechanic look it over with a fine-tooth comb before deciding.. but I think it will be fine.

Thanks again for all the help.. you guys are super!

Mosey · Mar 28, 2002

The 292 was offered in 1987, and certainly in 1984. You'll have to get the engine serial number and go to a parts store to find out if it's a 250 or 292. Good luck.

StoneHeartFarm · Mar 28, 2002

Bob,

Before I bought my 87 GMC I checked out the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. (NHTSA) On their website you can enter make, model and year and read what complaints have been filed. For the 87 GMC pickup the only thing I could find was weak suspension.

You could also hit Walmart or the Auto store and pick up a Chilton's or a Hanes manual. It would at least give you some idea of what to look for.

SHF

fishman · Mar 28, 2002

Bob,

I went through a couple of starters on my 250 ci in-line. They were $29.95 with exchange at Auto Zone. Those old trucks are cheap to repair.

Egon · Mar 28, 2002

John:

And a fellow can even do all the repairs and tuneups themselves without having to be hooked up to a computer that's located God knows where. And chances are the tools required will all be in English sizes. And best of all you can sit in beside the engine to work on it instead of going by feel, using mirrors and having long skinny rubber arms to reach important items like spark plugs.

Egon