From Lurker to Member '86 C10

[JoeR Jr]

In 1973 I was 7 years old. My Dad took me for a ride to the dealership in Fort Montgomery, Ny to pick up his new truck. He bought a mustard colored, bare bones C10. It didn't even have power steering. He sold it in 1986, and it was so rusty you could toss a wet cat right through it!
I've always liked them, but never had a reason to get one. This weekend I came across a deal that I couldn't pass up. A 1986 C10 with a 4.3L and a TH400 Trans. I worked as a Tech for GMC in 1986, and I don't remember that being a combo, but they certainly made this one. It has a 2.73 open diff, and VERY little rust. The head gasket is very blown, and the guy drove short trips like that for a year.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. Leading contenders are a 4BT Cummins swap, or maybe a modern engine, like a 6.0L/4L80E combo.
I've gotten some GREAt info here already using the Search function. I saw mention of someone that rebuilds the quarter glass mechanisms for these trucks, but couldn't find a name. Can anyone point me to that person? I'm in need of that for sure!

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[Charlie]

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

 

[Snoots]

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from Georgia

 

[Crispy]

That is one chewed up gasket. I thought mine was bad haha. You tear into it just to see how bad it was or are you going to fix it and drive it while you consider your swap?

Welcome to the board, the truck looks like its in great body shape.

 

[donnieray]

Welcome! Nice truck.

 

[animal]

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Welcome! What about putting a big block in it?

 

[JoeR Jr]

That is one chewed up gasket. I thought mine was bad haha. You tear into it just to see how bad it was or are you going to fix it and drive it while you consider your swap?

Welcome to the board, the truck looks like its in great body shape.

That's a perfectly valid question! My wife asked me the same thing.
The silly answer: It is broken, and I'm an addict(if it's broken, I must fix it), and there's no 12 step treatment program for us.
The real answer: Now that I know what's wrong with it, I'll fix it and wheel it around until I decide to start on it.

Welcome! What about putting a big block in it?

That's a possibility! I haven't even started shopping yet.


To everyone else, Thank you for the warm welcome! I do appreciate it.

Joe

 

[1973c10]

Welcome

 

[Old77]

 

[JoeR Jr]

Spent last night finishing up the head gasket and giving the truck a solid once-over. Found lots of little stuff that had been messed up over the years. Broken wires, missing bolts, and one torque converter bolt cross threaded, and not nearly tight. I was able to get the threads fixed through the flexplate hole. It has the TH400 with a lockup converter, but it's not locking up. I'll have to educate myself how that thing operates and get it diagnosed.
I also spent a lot of time flushing the oil out of the cooling system. Dawn dish detergent and lots of fresh was have it fixed up.
I also noticed it has all fresh rubber brake lines and new ball joints. Tomorrow I'll flush the brake fluid, get it registered, and take it for a nice ride.

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[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[B.K. Cunningham]

I vote Aye on the 4bt idea.

 

[Rusty Nail]