"new" truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mjsmith1223 · 08-13-2003, 03:26 PM

Just a couple days away from picking up my "new" truck. It's a 1986 GMC C1500 High Sierra. It originally had a 305 in which someone let the oil run dry and it seized. The motor was replaced with a 350 from a 1978 Blazer. Getting a new windshield tomorrow and a new tranny pan gasket early next week. Options: FM radio, TH350 automatic transmission. That's it. No more. This truck is as spartan as they come. Vinyl flooring and upholstery, no headliner, 2-40 a/c (2 windows rolled down, 40 mph). The front clip is in great shape. Very little rust and no dents. The box is in really good shape as well. No dents and only a couple of rusty spots. Very rare to have that little rust in Michigan. The drivers side cab corner will eventually need to be fixed as that is rusted. The passenger side of the cab has only a little surface rust that could be sanded out and fixed.

Just a couple of things to be fixed right away: The choke is not working properly. It has a divorced choke system that doesn't seem to be opening up like it should as the engine warms. The carb is really dirty so I'll try cleaning it first to see if it's just stuck on some grime. After that, I'm not sure, choke thermostat maybe? Any experts on fixing divorced chokes around here? Also, the water temp gauge never got hooked back up. I'll just have to find the wire and the sender and re-connect them. Might have to get a new sender as the transplant motor may not have one installed. The paint is pretty faded so I'll try rubbing that out to restore some shine to it. In a few years I'm thinking of shaving all the exterior trim and painting it anyway. Just need to decide on a color.

Pics will be posted as I can get them.

Mike
Grand Haven, Mi

AirMale · 08-13-2003, 04:25 PM

Welcome to the board! We would love to see some pics when you get your new truck. Sounds like a great find not having much rust... you lucked out!

apstguy · 08-13-2003, 04:42 PM

Welcome!

bigblock73 · 08-13-2003, 10:40 PM

Welcome to the board!

but.....

mjsmith1223 · 08-14-2003, 11:02 AM

Patience, patience....

Pics will be coming next week. Truck is in the glass shop today for a new windshield and we'll have it up on a lift early next week for a transmission pan gasket and putting the exhaust system back on. Right now it just has a cherry bomb hanging off the Y-pipe.

Mike
Grand Haven, MI

LOHRTBT · 08-14-2003, 11:14 AM

Welcome!!

Stingray42 · 08-14-2003, 12:41 PM

cool!

78SilveradoSWB · 08-14-2003, 04:26 PM

Wilkommen, Welcome, accueille, acceptus, benvenuto, youkoso, feestelik inhalen!

mjsmith1223 · 08-31-2003, 11:50 AM

Finally got pics. Here they are:

And the requisite engine shot:

Mike
Grand Haven, MI

08-13-2003, 03:26 PM	#1
mjsmith1223 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 94	"new" truck Just a couple days away from picking up my "new" truck. It's a 1986 GMC C1500 High Sierra. It originally had a 305 in which someone let the oil run dry and it seized. The motor was replaced with a 350 from a 1978 Blazer. Getting a new windshield tomorrow and a new tranny pan gasket early next week. Options: FM radio, TH350 automatic transmission. That's it. No more. This truck is as spartan as they come. Vinyl flooring and upholstery, no headliner, 2-40 a/c (2 windows rolled down, 40 mph). The front clip is in great shape. Very little rust and no dents. The box is in really good shape as well. No dents and only a couple of rusty spots. Very rare to have that little rust in Michigan. The drivers side cab corner will eventually need to be fixed as that is rusted. The passenger side of the cab has only a little surface rust that could be sanded out and fixed. Just a couple of things to be fixed right away: The choke is not working properly. It has a divorced choke system that doesn't seem to be opening up like it should as the engine warms. The carb is really dirty so I'll try cleaning it first to see if it's just stuck on some grime. After that, I'm not sure, choke thermostat maybe? Any experts on fixing divorced chokes around here? Also, the water temp gauge never got hooked back up. I'll just have to find the wire and the sender and re-connect them. Might have to get a new sender as the transplant motor may not have one installed. The paint is pretty faded so I'll try rubbing that out to restore some shine to it. In a few years I'm thinking of shaving all the exterior trim and painting it anyway. Just need to decide on a color. Pics will be posted as I can get them. Mike Grand Haven, Mi

08-13-2003, 04:25 PM	#2
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	Welcome to the board! We would love to see some pics when you get your new truck. Sounds like a great find not having much rust... you lucked out! __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

08-13-2003, 04:42 PM	#3
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,087	Welcome! __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

08-13-2003, 10:40 PM	#4
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Welcome to the board! but..... Attached Images

08-14-2003, 11:14 AM	#6
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	Welcome!! __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

08-14-2003, 11:02 AM	#5
mjsmith1223 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 94	Patience, patience.... Pics will be coming next week. Truck is in the glass shop today for a new windshield and we'll have it up on a lift early next week for a transmission pan gasket and putting the exhaust system back on. Right now it just has a cherry bomb hanging off the Y-pipe. Mike Grand Haven, MI

08-14-2003, 12:41 PM	#7
Stingray42 Woot. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stouffville, Ontario Posts: 2,291	cool! __________________ Clarkson 96 Chevy RCLB 4.3 2WD

08-14-2003, 04:26 PM	#8
78SilveradoSWB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 1,615	Wilkommen, Welcome, accueille, acceptus, benvenuto, youkoso, feestelik inhalen! __________________ Mitch 1978 Chevrolet Silverado C 10 454 BB, TH400

08-31-2003, 11:50 AM	#9
mjsmith1223 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 94	Finally got pics. Here they are: And the requisite engine shot: Mike Grand Haven, MI __________________ 1986 GMC C1500 High Sierra w/ mid-70's-ish 350 & th350 tranny 1976 Wellcraft 19.5' cuddy, Chevy 250 I6 -- FOR SALE



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