Have the chance to pick up a 1983 GMC Sierra....

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  • Koinonia

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    Was curious of anyones experience with this vehicle?

    Not sure if it's a long bed or a short bed, but I think it is a long bed. Owner says it runs, but smokes. (Didn't give me conditions of when it smokes, such as when started, for how long it smokes or if it clears up. Its a V8, and he uses it to haul firewood once in a while, and the AC doesn't work.

    The next time I'm down at his place, he is willing to let me drive it around a bit to check it out.

    Anyone have anything good/bad in regards of things to look for in this vehicle? I don't mind having a project in front of me, if I get it for a decent price. He is asking $1k for it. (Then I do Title and Registration and Inspection)
     

    TexasR.N.

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    Early March I picked up a 1981 Chevy C20 for 1300. Had the TH350 trams rebuilt for 400.00 point being they are cheap to work on. 1981 was transition year where some computer and more emissions were added (IIRC) so you'll have this on the truck being its an 83.
    As far as smoking, could be something as simple as valve seals.
    I thoroughly enjoy ours. Also check out GM Heritage Center - Home there is some good info there as well.
     
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    Koinonia

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    Appreciate it, TexasR.N.! I will see about getting some pictures of it this next weekend, and see if I can get some more opinions on it!

    It's something I'd love to have as a second vehicle.
     

    mitchntx

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    Seat springs and fabric from dragging ass getting out.

    Door hinge pins wear and cause the doors to sag.
    Once they do, the door panel inside gets trashed from slamming it.

    Ball joints.
    Rear drum brakes
    HVAC system can be problematic.

    Porno red interior ...

    Driveline is typically pretty robust.
     

    Younggun

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    Up through 87 is typically pretty cheap to work on. I love then older Chevys.


    I'd pass on a V6, take if it's got a 350.
     

    TexasR.N.

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    Pull the V6 drop in a 350 :)
    Mine as she sits waiting for me to finish putting her back together.
    4e1770a70955d591106cfda6190656bb_zps3a25c261.jpg
     
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    Younggun

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    Or have a little fun and go 383 or 400SB.

    If your gonna swap engines, might as well swap some parts in the process.
     

    karlac

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    Bought an '83 3/4 ton GMC, brand new, in 1983. 454 V8, fleet side, still look back on it as the best truck I've ever owned. I was running O&G leasing crews in three states at the time and put a lot of miles on it, including a good deal of farm and ranch work. Also was the first truck I ever owned that I didn't work on, or ever put a wrench to, Didn't really need to.
     

    atticus finch

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    Was curious of anyones experience with this vehicle?

    Not sure if it's a long bed or a short bed, but I think it is a long bed. Owner says it runs, but smokes. (Didn't give me conditions of when it smokes, such as when started, for how long it smokes or if it clears up. Its a V8, and he uses it to haul firewood once in a while, and the AC doesn't work.

    The next time I'm down at his place, he is willing to let me drive it around a bit to check it out.

    Anyone have anything good/bad in regards of things to look for in this vehicle? I don't mind having a project in front of me, if I get it for a decent price. He is asking $1k for it. (Then I do Title and Registration and Inspection)

    Price sounds good if it still runs & all the lights & so forth still work properly. The smoke as others have mentioned are likely the valve-stem seals. Back in those days chevy used a small O-ring seal, which didn't take too long to dry out from heat and start leaking, hence the smoking.
    If/when you test drive it, note when it smokes. Step on the gas and it smokes, most likely rings, especially if it subsides or stops when you let off the gas. If it smokes when you let off the gas but doesn't when you accelerate, then it's likely the valve-stem seals. Not a costly fix, use the far better umbrella seals.
    If you do an engine swap, ie to another small-block. It isn't too much of a cost difference between a 383 and a 350.
    The 383 will pay for itself in improved gas mileage due to it's better torque curve. I went from a 350 to a 400 s/b & went from 8 mpg to 11 mpg, although there were some other things I did which also made that happen. I also would suggest if you do put a 383 in it, use the std length 400 rod not the std s/b 5.7" rod, it's a little better suited for a street driving torque curve.
    If it's a dual-tank (gas tanks) model, the transfer switch under the bed does fail eventually and the replacements are not too good. Mine is a `75 & I installed a manual selector valve to eliminate that.
    That likely has the GM breakaway hood, which means it likely is bent in the middle. That doesn't mean the truck is bent, it's the hood. You can replace that easily enough. OIL the hood hinges!
    Turbo 350 trans is a good one, reliable and easy to deal with. If by some reason it has the SM465 (granny 4-speed) , when you're in second gear, which will actually read 3rd on the handle, when you're in that gear lift off the gas and make sure it stays in gear. If not you have SM465 desease. There is a fix but the trans has to come out and apart for it. If it's solid those are anvil trannies.
     

    Koinonia

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    Well, got a chance to look at it and drive it today. Sounds great, no engibe knock or tap, the drivers head gasket is spitting smoke same color as exhaust. (Easy fix with that much room in the hood. Windshield turns out isnt broken, and the ac just seems to be a seized clutch. Another easy fix.). And, last of all, it turns out to be a short bed. Looked like a long bed.

    Truck Walk around. - YouTube <--- Video walk around. It's on an iPhone, and I didn't film the right way, and I turn the camera a couple times, so.... Watch at your own risk! Haha.
     
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    Koinonia

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    Correction to previous post: it is not the Head Gasket, its the valve cover gasket.

    However, the smoke issue is still an unknown but suspected piston rings.

    Tempted to get a crate engine to swap out, and do a rebuild myself on the one currently in the engine.

    The only thing im really concerned about is the smoke. Its considered an antique according to the exhaust emmissions test rules, but is there anything else they could get me on for the smoke?

    I dont mind driving around a smoking vehicle, but dont want to get tickets for it.
     

    winchster

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    Older than 26 doesn't get emission tested. Unless you're just pouring smoke I doubt they say a word.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
     

    Koinonia

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    Appreciating the input, guys.

    Owner has made his mind up to sell it to me, and has given me two months to make the final decision. (Though, I doubt it'll take me that long. I get paid this Friday....)

    Here be the question. Pay off credit cards (last remaining debt), or Buy truck, and pay off cards In 3 weeks?
     
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