Picked Up a Pick-Up

[M.D. Holloway]

This presented itself to me and I bit. I figure its a good vehicle for my son to use. 1998 Chevy Silverado extended cab 4x4 with a 5.7 V8, tow package. No rust, new front end, water pump, fuel filter - no leaks anywhere. Higher than high miles - 241,000! but I got it for well below KBB and I did spend a little time pouring over it. From what I can tell the engines are pretty simple to work on and many things I have read suggest that they are sound.

I would post a pic but my computer is being stupid.

What can I expect to see fail on this truck? Anyone have any experience with these?

[fastfredracing]

Yep, sound trucks, and pretty easy to work on for the most part. Lots of stuff will fail, but it is a GM product, and nearly everything is cheap to buy, almost always in stock, and easy to work on .
Fuel pump and intake manifold gaskets, and the fuel injection fuel rail/injectors are some of the bigger ones that'll get ya, and rust.. How are all the fuel, and brake lines? If you see any crusty ones, might as well bite the bullet, and replace them all now instead of doing them one at a time as they leave you stranded , or without brakes. The rest of it is simple stuff. Alternators, belt tensioners, water pumps, every once in a while I replace a power steering pump, The transmissions are pretty tough, but I have replaced a few of them over the years.
I think the setup where the exhaust manifolds meets the y pipe sucks eggs, and they always develop leaks here. Usually end up replacing both manifolds, and the y pipe if it has a bunch of miles, and rusty .
Congrats, show us a picture of it , and I'll show you a shot of mine tomorrow, I bought a real roach this time, but it was so cheap for a 2009 2500 hd, that I could not pass it up.

[wdfifteen]

I just discovered a TSB for lubing the driveshaft where it enters the transmission. The prob manifests as a clunking sound when you release the brakes after a stop.

[GWN7]

Buy power steering hoses for it. I put 3 sets on my 98. About every 60K

[M.D. Holloway]

For some reason I can't seem to upload pics but I did take your advice and examined the hoses closely as well as any point that could leak. All looks sound so far. There won't be many miles put on it so I shall attack these issues one at a time.

I have read where the gage clusters (oil pressure to be specific) can go on these. Seems to be a cottage industry of folks who will actually come to your place and replace them for $100.

You ever seem this problem? Seems like a decent solution?

[RANDY P]

my 5.7 took a **** at 269K. Watch your oil consumption, they will drink at that age. If you overheat it you will crack the heads- thin cast, wouldn't be surprised if you have HG fix inside there already.

New GM crate long block approx $1.8K delivered 2 year 24mo. GM warranty regardless who installs it. Still on my original exhaust manifolds and TBI unit. Fuel pumps are known to go south. SPend the $$$ on a fuel pressure gauge, timing light and the computer software to read the ECU. You can diagnose drivability issues EASY with that stuff.

Besides the long block I've eaten a temp sensor,steering box, and MAP sensor that checked OK by the book, but when scanned by computer you can see it was off.

Reliable trucks+ dirt cheap to maintain, just not very powerful.

PS I honestly think these trucks are destined to become a classic like the 68-72 style is...

[M.D. Holloway]

The thing seems to have crazy power, not fast but I bet I could pull down a house! I will keep an eye on stuff...thanks Randy.