what am I in for?

[newtochevys]

just acquired a 74 silverado single cab 2x4.  I have only seen the truck once and did not pay close attention to much other than the body lines and paint and interior all seemed to be very well taken care of. the pick up has been in a garage for about three years. I was told it ran well up to the day it was parked after the owner died, it has been parked since in a garage. being more of a ford person all my life i don't really know about chevys. i was wondering what i may be in for. i know the obvious stuff as i work on all my own toys which includes two older broncos. i was just wondering if there may be anything that is more a chevy specific problem that i may look for in this pick up. like i said i havent looked at it. i dont even know what engine is likely to be in it. whatever help you can pass down would be greatly appreciated. thanx

[Irish_Alley]

three years you got bad fuel to take care of. the only other bad problem is the cab corners and rockers but besides that as long as you change the oil/fluids and keep fuel in her she will out last you just like she did her old owner (unlike a ford lol j/k) also watch your hood springs oil them so they wont bend your hood one day

[newtochevys]

i knew the oil and what not but the hood springs never crossed my mind. thanks a lot. am i correct in assuming it most likely will have a 350? and if so what tranny? turbo 350?

[Blazin]

Being a 74 it could be a 350, 400, or if your lucky a 454. As far as transmission if its an auto it could be a TH350, or a TH400. If its a stick it should be an SM465 3 speed with low.
As far as sitting around, and age in this case. I would check all the brakes, and brake lines over well. Caliper could be stuck? Wheel cylinders could be dried out. Same type of stuff as on any brand though. Battery, belts, hoses, fluids, tires, etc. Rodent condos in the heater box?
Is it C10, or C20?

[Irish_Alley]

if its a v8 yes it a 350 or a 7.4 bb if its a l6 your looking at a 4.1 or 4.8. your prob looking at a th350 or th375 for the trans. the th350 will be a square with a corner cut off while the 375 will be a weird looking shape

[newtochevys]

what is the difference between the c10 and c 20? i am not savvy at all on Chevy lingo. its a long bed single cab auto 2 wheel drive manual windows and locks. that is about all i know of it as i have only seen the pick up once. i am going to check it out tomorrow on my day off. what all besides the VIN can i look at to ID this truck and the components that are in it?

[newtochevys]

ok i am extremely ignorant to chevys i guess. i was just informed that c10 is a half ton and c20 is 3/4.lol. Its is a half ton so a c10.

[cvbear]

There should be a sticker inside the glovebox that lists options.  Some of them will be coded but it is easy to finds lists that explain the codes.  The sticker will also list the VIN.  Be sure it matches the one on the dash.  I learned this trick the hard way.  Check for rust inside the door frames, in the rockers and the cab corners.  If it has dual tanks be sure they are both hooked up. 

[Blazin]

Also C is two wheel drive, K is 4 wheel drive.

[Irish_Alley]

except for blazers k5 could be 4 or 2wd 
the difference in 10 and 20 is just springs, same frame same axles with more lugs and bigger springs

[newtochevys]

thank you for all the help gentlemen. i was wondering if anyone knows of a website that can help me decode the VIN

[Irish_Alley]

right here go to the main site 73-87chevytrucks.com and you will see vin numbers. right now i think its down i just tried it
but post it on here we can help you out

[newtochevys]

CCY144F311425 its a 1974 chevy cheyenne c10

[RCCoors]

1974 Chevy 2wd 454 V8 1/2 Ton Pickup made in Flint Michigan. Serial number 311425

[slammed79]

If the 454 is in there than I'm uber jealous. I don't care if gas is 4 bucks a gallon, I'd love another bigblock square! I didn't see if you mentioned if it was a shortbed or long bed?