New Here...and '83 c-10 Short Bed question

[dmjole]

Hi all--this is my first posting here, so I apologize in advance for any confusion or insufficient knowledge or etiquette here. I have been reading this forum for about a month or so to get information about working on my vehicle, and have found this forum very helpful.

I have a 1983 short bed C-10 (inline 6 cyl, 3 speed manual transmission--L, 1,2,3). It's a 2wd vehicle, and used to be a U.S. Forest Service fleet truck (still has Forest Service green paint job on it.) It has a 2bbl carburetor on it, and was originally sold as a High Altitude vehicle (the vacuum line map sticker near the radiator shroud is very legible still!) Power Steering, no AC. It has a trailer hitch on it, and we drove this truck from the West Coast of the USA to the East Coast and back again--the 2nd time (Ohio to Oregon) pulling a trailer.

It's got over 200,000 miles on it...and we just learned today that piston #3 has very little compression, and it's probably time for a rebuild. I also know that I need to replace the front rotors, the radiator, and the water pump (got a little leak up there).

What I want to know is this--What would you folks say is going to be an average re-build cost? Do I dare tackle it myself? I do not have easy access to a shop, nor machine tool experience.

I am thinking that it may be time to find a new home for our truck, which has been like a son to me and treated us well. What is the market like for this vehicle? I am located in Washington State, in Tacoma (south of Seattle).

[bigarmzz]

Originally Posted by dmjole

Hi all--this is my first posting here, so I apologize in advance for any confusion or insufficient knowledge or etiquette here. I have been reading this forum for about a month or so to get information about working on my vehicle, and have found this forum very helpful.

I have a 1983 short bed C-10 (inline 6 cyl, 3 speed manual transmission--L, 1,2,3). It's a 2wd vehicle, and used to be a U.S. Forest Service fleet truck (still has Forest Service green paint job on it.) It has a 2bbl carburetor on it, and was originally sold as a High Altitude vehicle (the vacuum line map sticker near the radiator shroud is very legible still!) Power Steering, no AC. It has a trailer hitch on it, and we drove this truck from the West Coast of the USA to the East Coast and back again--the 2nd time (Ohio to Oregon) pulling a trailer.

It's got over 200,000 miles on it...and we just learned today that piston #3 has very little compression, and it's probably time for a rebuild. I also know that I need to replace the front rotors, the radiator, and the water pump (got a little leak up there).

What I want to know is this--What would you folks say is going to be an average re-build cost? Do I dare tackle it myself? I do not have easy access to a shop, nor machine tool experience.

I am thinking that it may be time to find a new home for our truck, which has been like a son to me and treated us well. What is the market like for this vehicle? I am located in Washington State, in Tacoma (south of Seattle).

i'm sure nearly everyone that will chime in here will say the same thing.....put a 350 in it....for the cost of rebuilding a 6 cylinder, you could have a 350.....everything will bolt right up (may need a larger radiator)

sounds like you got yourself a decent short bed....a friend of mine once called the 81-87 short bed trucks the "57 chevy's of trucks"....there very desired and getting harder to come by

post some pics

-bigarmzz-

[Blue Beard]

Have to agree, a crate motor 350 could be had for about $1200 having someone rebuild the six would probably be more.

I have an 81 with the six, auto. Debating on where I want to go with it.

[John39671]

Sent you a pm

[1FaastC10]

might also help to post in the right forum, this forum is for buying and selling parts. your question should actually be postedhere

welcome to our addiction.

[dmjole]

Okay, I will move this over to the correct thread.
I also have a picture that I will put up here.