New to old trucks, just joined. Questions about a probable purchase.

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Iamthewalrus

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2019
Posts
26
Reaction score
7
Location
Austin
First Name
Austin
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
5.7
Hey all! Glad to be here. I’m new to these old trucks. My knowledge about working on them is basic, but that’s a big part of why I want to buy one. I really want to learn. My questions are about a 1983 c20 I’m looking at buying. Looks like I can get it from the guy for $2k-$2.5k. It runs, has a 350, turbo 400 transmission, very little body damage. Doesn’t seem to have any bad rust, no frame cracks. Interior is in decent shape. Took it around the block and other than a sticky throttle seems to be in good working order. Will take a bit of TLC to get it road ready, but not much work. Curious to see if you think I should jump on this as a first project based on the price and current condition. I’ve got a video to show the truck, but I can’t figure out how to post it via tapatalk. Would appreciate pointers on that if I can do that. Thanks in advance!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Frankenchevy

Proverbs 16:18
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Location
USA
First Name
Jeremy
Truck Year
Square
Truck Model
CUCV
Engine Size
Small
Looks pretty good. Hard to tell from the video, but when you passed the passenger side exhaust it sounds like a lifter ticking. Could be nothing, could be an exhaust valve that needs to be looked at, could be a leak. Thin flanged headers do tend to leak more commonly.

Edit: not that any of that should deter you. For your stated purposes, it should fit the bill.
 
Last edited:

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
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Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350
Welcome. Sounds like a decent truck based on your description. At work so I can't view the video. Post up some pics if you can. But if it's as solid as you say, grab it.
 

TubeTruck

I'm from Boston. Deal with it.
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
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Location
East TN
First Name
Denis
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
Suburban K10
Engine Size
LQ9
Looks and sounds like a nice truck. Good base to start from
 

Charlie

Mopar by Birth. Chevy by Choice.
Joined
Aug 2, 2017
Posts
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Location
Euless, Texas
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Cheyenne 10 LWB
Engine Size
350/TH350/AC/4 BBL Quadrajet
:welcome:
 

WFO

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2017
Posts
3,688
Reaction score
5,035
Location
Texas Panhandle
First Name
Dan
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Welcome from the Texas Panhandle. Looks like a pretty good deal to me.
 

Old77

Administrator
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Admin
Joined
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Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
:welcome:
 

animal

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
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Posts
5,603
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Location
Georgia
First Name
Lee
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
c10 silverado
Engine Size
350ish
:welcome:
 

1973c10

Full Access Member
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Location
Oregon
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Welcome aboard
 

Dan Miller

K15SG
Joined
Sep 11, 2019
Posts
385
Reaction score
577
Location
Indiana
First Name
Daniel
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K15
Engine Size
350
Welcome from Indiana !! Nice starter truck , I like the brushgaurd
 

mrburitto

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2018
Posts
168
Reaction score
190
Location
Casa Grande, AZ
First Name
Cody
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K20 Cheyenne Camper Special, C30 Crew Cab Dualy
Engine Size
350, 496
Welcome from AZ. I would jump on that myself. I don't see very many with a turbo 400. The beefier trans isn't "necessary" for average street driving but its nice to have.
 

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