77 Chevy C10 ... what would you do with it?

[asuchrisc]

First time poster here, so bear with me. I work at a dealership and someone traded in a 77 Chevy C10 longbed. The 350 in it runs like a top and the tranny shifts fine. This truck has never seen a bottle of wax in it's life apparently. I'm not really mechanically oriented, but I have the services of the dealership technicians and the pocketbook to cover them. I only paid $250 for it, so I figured what the heck. So I ask you all, what would you do with it? Restore it back to original? Make some kind of beast of a truck out of it? Or scrap it for the value of the metal?

Chris

[joesgarage71]

Clean it up get it mechanicaly sound, throw some sand bags in the bed and use it for a winter vehicle. Store your regular vehicle every year.
 

[hotrod24]

i agree

[VileZambonie]

If you scrap it we will kill you.

Now that being said, fix it up, put some nice wheels and tires, do some updates and drive it.

[asuchrisc]

If you scrap it we will kill you.

Now that being said, fix it up, put some nice wheels and tires, do some updates and drive it.

That part was just a joke... please don't kill me. I live in West Texas, so winters are mild to say the least. I've been able to salvage certain parts from the "cash for clunkers" trade-ins so far... alternator, battery, battery connectors, etc. Is there anything else I might be able snag off of a newer model (93-99) 350?

[DnStClr]

Welcome to the site ASU guy. I'm not sure that there's a lot of parts from the 93-99 models that you can use for the 77 unless you're looking to rip out the seat and mod it for newer seats. Or maybe an engine/tranny upgrade- but that's going to be a pretty big job for you to do. Throw some pics up so we can see your truck!  $250 is a great price! 

[bfofish]

Unfortunately all the cash for clunkers are required to have their engines seized with Liquid Glass.

The CARS Act requires that the trade-in vehicle be crushed or shredded so that it will not be resold for use in the United States or elsewhere as an automobile. The entity crushing or shredding the vehicles in this manner will be allowed to sell some parts of the vehicle prior to crushing or shredding it, but these parts cannot include the engine or the drive train.

Liquid Glass
40% Sodium Silicate Fluid
DESCRIPTION
Designed for engine disablement procedures with the CARS Program, CARS Liquid Glass is a solution of 40% sodium silicate (SiO2 and Na2O) and water also known as liquid glass.
APPLICATION
CARS Liquid Glass is used by auto dealerships only for engine disablement to comply with the CARS Program. In order to receive the rebate, the engines must be completely disabled and inoperable.
The procedure is as follows:
1.
Drain the oil from the engine and dispose according to environmental regulations
2.
Install the drain plug
3.
Drive or move the vehicle to the area of disablement
4.
Pour approximately 2 quarts of CARS Liquid Glass through the oil fill for the oil pump to circulate it through the engine. 2 quarts should be sufficient for most engines
5.
Replace the oil fill cap
6.
Start the engine and run the engine at approximately 2000 RPM until the engine stops. Typically this takes about 3 to 7 minutes. As the solution starts to effect the engine, the operator will have to apply more throttle to keep the engine at 2000 RPM
7.
Allow the engine to cool for at least one hour
8.
With a fully charged battery or auxillary power, attempt to start the engine. If engine doesn’t operate in idle the procedure is complete.
9.
If the engine will operate in idle, repeat steps 6 and 7 and retest
CAUTION
CARS liquid glass is an alkaline product. Always wear goggles and gloves. Additional protective clothing should be worn to prevent CARS Liquid Glass from coming in contact with the skin. For safety reasons do not operate the engine at a high RPM during the procedure.

[joesgarage71]

 If you do the cash for clunkers remember that they will consider the monies you get off a new one as income and you will have to pay taxes on it next year.

 And No we will not kill you, we will find you and install a Visor on your truck to teach you a lesson.

[VileZambonie]

I actually lol'd Jo!

Think of how many people are regretting their cash for clunkers deal now! Many people had no idea they had to pay that as income!

[asuchrisc]

As far as the clunkers goes, as long as they run before hand, then it's cool. I'm not taking an engine out though, way too much effort, time and legal issues. Once we get the green light from the gov't to seize them, we do them very quickly. Many of them have been coming in stripped anyways, but didn't know if I could gank a seat or something tough to find, nothing major though. As far as pics go, I'll take some and post them tomorrow. I have pretty much decided that I am going to restore it (mostly) and probably buy a crate engine ( http://www.tandlengines.com/chevy_sb_aluminum_383_tk.html ), upgrade the tranny and throw a posi-trac in it. Then it's a matter of the cosmetics (which are in dire need). Somehow the previous owner got this thing to pass inspection this year. But that is what the guys at the dealership want me to do, I'd take any good advice on this thing.

[choptop]

Id like to see pics of it. Where in West Texas are you located?

[1980c10]

you could always grab a 90's chevy truck steering wheel they are easy to take out and I think they are much more comfortable than the originials. I would resore it back to make a nice driver make the way you like it. parts for these trucks are dirt cheap.

[asuchrisc]

Pics of the truck...







I know the truck is a little rough, but I think in a year's time it'll sound good, look good and drive good. I checked the glove box and looked at the option codes. It has the 3:73 rear end with locking rear. I am already eye-balling a 700r4 tranny. Thoughts?

[choptop]

Not a bad looking truck at all. I think I have a good front bumper for it.

[devious]

nice lookin truck man, should be a easy turn around for restoring it.

I spot a K5 in the lineup in the background o_O