Going to look at 1978 Crew Cab truck...what to look for?

[Jobe72]

Hey guys,

I have a 1972 GMC and I'm going to look at a 1978 Chevy Crew Cab, guess that is what it's called...4 door long bed truck.

Anyway, I'm not familiar with this generation truck, is there anything I should look for to try and get the truck started up? I'm taking a battery and some gas, truck has been sitting for a few years but was in service regularly until then for a landscaping company.

Are these usually 3/4 ton trucks or did they come 1/2 ton too? Typical engine size? 350 or 454? Obviously the owner knows nothing about it, selling off his in-law's estate.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Bryan

[brothers69c-10]

ctually all of these crew cab longbeds were 1 tons. I've seen the mboth with small blocks or big blocks, just usually depends on how the truck was ardered from the factory. Sounds like you know enough to tell the difference between small block and big blocks, So from the year probably a 350 or 454 unless the motor has been changed at some point. If you know how to work on your 72's motor you should be able to get it started. I don't think i would drive it. I personally would just take some gas and a battery as you stated and see if it fires by pouring a little bit of fuel down the carberator. I personally like to change the oil and prime the oil pump up before i run an engine very long after its been sitting for more than a year or so. Others may tell you differnt just my personal opinion.

If there is no fire pretty quick after pouring some gas down the carb, then that would tell me there is no spark. I'm pretty sure that 76's have HEI and not coil and points. Maybe take a little multimeter tester with you to check to make sure you are gettting 12 volts to the coil if this problem should arise.

[Palf70Step]

I believe there is one or two for sale in the board classifieds

[trout]

Originally Posted by Jobe72

Are these usually 3/4 ton trucks or did they come 1/2 ton too? Typical engine size? 350 or 454? Obviously the owner knows nothing about it, selling off his in-law's estate.

they were from the factory 4 door duallys(1 ton) and 3/4 ton that were single rear wheel and all were long beds

[Skellington]

I know these trucks came in 3/4 and 1 ton from the factory. The 1/2 ton crew cab trucks you see on the forum are all custom. Some spray on electrical contact cleaner helped me when i got mine going after sitting for 7 years.
Good luck on the truck

[Jobe72]

It's not a dually so probably 3/4 ton?
Thank for the rips, I know a thing or two about bringing dead cars to life, usually old caddys.
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[Skellington]

SRW could be 3/4 or 1 ton. Mine surprised me when i saw a 14 bolt full floater and some massive leafs. It is a 1 ton SRW.

[nekkidhillbilly]

could be either 3/4 or 1 but crews all have the same frame unlike the other trucks

[Mr. 250r]

Like any square body check to see if there's rust and how bad mainly the rockers, cab corners will show it, floor pans, behind/in front of rear tires, wheel wells, underneath etc anywhere there's basically thin metal lol, check the interior and make sure no wiring is messed with i stay away from those trucks and under the hood to see if anything looks out of place or wrong look up pics of them to get an idea if your not 100%

[sbrooks]

So did you ever get the truck. It wouldnt happen to have been the blue and white one that was on craigslist in north west san antonio huh?