tell the guy that you found an 80 something long bed c10 running v8 automatic for a couple hundred bucks because they are a dime a dozen, cheap to maintain, and your bike fits perfect, and you are gonna pick it up, that way he other jumps at your offer or you go get one of those. Based on what you have written about your needs and the pictures and stories from the owner, it sounds like your being jerked around.
Up here 3 or 35hundy wouldnt be too bad a deal. I guess it all depends on how much you want to put into it to make it right for a daily driver. Personally I would re-build the brake system MC, wheel cyl. and any lines that look shoddy. wireing as mentioned above ..(because when some one elses shitty work burns down your investment it totally blows) engine..with the spread on those compression checks..its not going to be a daily for very long..at least not in good health. add up the costs over and above your purchase price and see what you will have into it Im thinking 3,500...Truck 1,000 to 1,500 engine (you do the assy, and installation) wireing.........$200 (get a new harness or at least the engine bay if thats all thats bad?) Brakes........160$ so so.. so you will have a 5,360 dollar daily..than work out the body work and interior as you drive it. safe side of money...5,500 $.
I don't know about a lot of you guys, but that truck for $3500 doesn't sound crazy to me. A master cylinder and a brake overhaul should set you back around $200 for all necessary parts, and even some extras. OK, so the motor smokes. Mine has been smoking for the past 5 years and still runs like a clock. Oil pressure and compression are probably better indicators of how soon the engine needs to be replaced than whether there is visible smoke on acceleration. People always complain about what is wrong with a vehicle for sale. It's a (asking) $3500 truck. ohhh it has some bondo, oohhh the motor smokes a little, ... oh the driver's window is cracked.... What do you expect for $3500? Cadzilla? It's a 58 chevy apache, big back window, short bed, step side... pretty desirable. If you find one without all the stuff you're complaining about with this one, it'll be $8K
If you're going to run a magnet around the sheetmetal, (recommended) be sure to wrap it in a layer of soft cloth so it won't scratch the paint!
good point. very true. don't know much about how much compression should be or what is considered bad or good, what can i conclude from those numbers? i do understand i'm buying a 52 year old truck and it will need some work, but this looks like a damn good starting point to me. i won't be able to do any major work til next summer, and even then won't be able to do a complete rebuild til the summer after that, but from what i've seen it looks like the truck should last til then, especially if i get the 305 heads next summer. really appreciate everyones input here.
Yeah, mine had a fist-size hole right behind the driver visor. I don't imagine this truck at that price would last long up here, but it's getting harder to sell stuff so there are some deals coming out. If you aren't in a huge hurry, wait him out that $500. It'll come in handy when you are fixing the little stuff on your truck. If he doesn't bite, theres always the next one.
The numbers may be a teeny bit low, but they are all within 10% or so of each other. It may be smoking because it hasn't been driven or run very much. Some Marvel's and some easy driving time may cure that right up. But even a little smoke does not necessarily mean you'll need a new engine in the next six months. The price sounds fair. And like others have said, figure $200 for new brakes and to be on the safe side, $200 for a new wiring harness. So long as the trans and rear end is good, you should have a decent driver for under four grand. Not bad considering. Wish mine was a big back window!
You got to remember its got to pass inspection round here. Might be the same problem that you had with your bike this spring.
Show up with the $3000 in cash. Maybe that will get him thinking... Heck show up with $2800 cash and go from there... Make sure he's got a title to turn over if he bites down hard on your dough, though...
Like I've said before, the trans is my main concern but I think I'm going to try this one out. Talked to him again today for the first time since Saturday and he still won't budge on that price. Supposedly there's another guy looking at it that will pay what he's asking but has to clean out his shop first. Whatever. I want the truck so I told him I'm going to look at it again and if I like what I see I'll buy it. He's holding it for me through the weekend so I'll let you guys know what happens! Toyguy - Safety shouldn't be a problem with this one. One more question for you guys, what transmission would be best for this motor that would give me a good highway cruising speed without breaking the bank? I'd prefer to keep it a manual. Thanks again for everyones input.
A Saginaw 4 speed would seem to give you everything you're looking for. Manual shift, and better highway cruising speed (but rear end gear matters more). You'll also get less rpm loss between shifts. That loss is probably less dramatic in a higher and faster revving 283, but in my three speed six that lag kills otherwise decent acceleration. I found a couple just now on my local craigslist for $200 and $250 to give you an idea. Both were listed as good and working.
Will that trans bolt right up? Where can I find some good glass and a master cylinder? Most likely gonna pick it up this weekend.
I like carandtruckshop.com or lmctrucks.com for truck parts. You should be good to go with the Saginaw 4 speed if you alread have a manual trans 3 speed.
turns out this guy actually had a state issued rebuilt title on the truck and never mentioned it. he tells me it was in an accident and had to have the frame straightened. i ended up not getting it, and getting pretty much the opposite of what i wanted........ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5836946#post5836946
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