1979 C10 Diesel.....

[frenchy51]

Couldn't pass this orphan up when I saw it on CraigsList. Original owner '79 C10 LB with the infamous Diesel 350....My plans are to some day LS it......
Looks nasty but it's very rust free and solid. Should be a fun build!

[frenchy51]

More pictures:

[natedogg]

Cool. Those olds 5.7 diesels came in 78-81 C10's only. I've seen a handful of them over the years, but all was converted to gas engines. I personally have never seen a squarebody with a running olds diesel.

[fordguy40]

Nice score...looks like a clean, unmolested rig.

[frenchy51]

Originally Posted by natedogg

Cool. Those olds 5.7 diesels came in 78-81 C10's only. I've seen a handful of them over the years, but all was converted to gas engines. I personally have never seen a squarebody with a running olds diesel.

And this one runs and drives but it has NO power. I know it's a shame to pull the diesel but an LS would be so much more driveable.....I'll leave the diesel emblems to remember it by and give the engine a proper burial. (-:

[LT7A]

Very interesting. There is a lot more known about diesels than when that engine came out. I wonder if you could do a few tweaks (turn up the injection pump?). Your list of trucks indicates that you have some with good power. I would be curious what kind of fuel mileage you could get with that motor. Might make it worth keeping the old gravel grinder in place.

I like the truck. Good grab.

[Corts60]

Originally Posted by natedogg

Cool. Those olds 5.7 diesels came in 78-81 C10's only. I've seen a handful of them over the years, but all was converted to gas engines. I personally have never seen a squarebody with a running olds diesel.

I daily drove my olds diesel in my '78 square for a long time. My threads for it are in my signature.

[1976gmc20]

I used to have a topper exactly like that. It was on my 76 when I bought it, but the rear door was already gone. I hauled it around for a while then finally got tired of climbing up inside to get out my saws, and all the dust sucking in. It sat in the yard for few years until we moved, then we hauled it to the dump because the back half by then was all rotted out.

[Corts60]

Any update on this old girl?

[frenchy51]

My current plans are to keep the diesel engine in it since it runs pretty well. I've started Body work, which is minimal, no rust and just a few dents. Then I'll paint it in the original Charcoal Metallic, spruce up the interior, and probably put it up for sale. I'll post pictures when she's done.

[frenchy51]

It is finally done and up for sale in the classifieds. $15,600.

[frenchy51]

more

[frenchy51]

More pictures -Diesel 1979 C10 LB

[kwmech]

I'd be looking for a 403 for a swap. I worked on a ton of those back in the day and am done. Biggest issue was the head bolts breaking on the right cyl head. You knew right away when the heater stopped working. I did about 3-4 of the 403 swaps and they were a sweet ride, kinda like a sleeper, they would really scoot

[Low Elco]

Wow! Nice cleanup! Plus for the CA peeps- Diesel vin gets you around smog, so I'm told.

[frenchy51]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Wow! Nice cleanup! Plus for the CA peeps- Diesel vin gets you around smog, so I'm told.

Yes-No smog checks ever with "D" on the title.....Insert engine of your choice.

[Corts60]

That turned out really nice. And I’ll bet that truck will get 20+ mph all day long. Easiest way to keep from breaking head bolts is to install .010” thicker head gaskets to lower compression and don’t hot rod the engine. It’ll last a long time with the right treatment. But it’s not for everyone. My guess is it will be hard to get your asking price with the diesel in it. You can get a lot of nice finished gas trucks in that price range. Most people will want to get rid of the diesel so paying $15k and still having to do an engine swap = too much in my opinion.