Basic questions about a barn find...

[MrTucker]

First off - My name is Tucker, and I'm a lurker. I've been cruising the 67-72 boards for a while. I drove a '69 GMC lwb when I was 16 and have missed that thing ever since my dad sent it to the junkyard (still haven't forgiven him, ). I know nothing about 47-54's

Anyways...

I've come across a killer deal (free!) on a 53 GMC that's been sitting in a barn for about 18 years, but out of the barn for the last 4. It's been described as being in "good condition with maybe a few dings and scratches here and there". It was also dubbed with the classic "it ran well when parked" line.

My question isn't "can it be saved" - they all can be saved.

My question is what do you think it would take to get the original motor/trans running again? All I know is that it's equipped with an I6, and a hydromatic auto trans. Full motor and trans rebuild?? It's been in Northern Montana, so its been subjected to some pretty extreme cold.

I've also heard that rebuilding the original I6 and Hydromatic is crazy expensive - is this true??

Ultimately I see an MII IFS, 350/700R4, 9" rear end and some 18/20's in this trucks future - but I'm just curious what it would take to get the original equipment running...