Step brother got burned lately

[chevlady]

My step brother got burned lately,he bought a 1985 C10 with some problems.I warned him not to buy it on the spot.Story is he wanted one and running good.Seen it for sale and I said to look it over good.No,he buys it and does not listen to me.One issue is in the rear end,humming like crazy and he thought that is good.Told him that is a ring and pinion or a carrier bearing going out.This truck is going to kill him,has a built up 434 in it and going to cost him.Has received 2 speeding tickets this year.Finally the gas gauge did not work,found a broke wire which was a simple fix.The rear end problem is now getting worse and took the differantial cover off today.Ring and pinion is tore up including the carrier bearings.I saw someone was into it,set up too tight.Now talking him into dropping a 350 in it and he is learning that he screwed up on his bad buy overpaying.

[flashed]

Sometimes experience is the best teacher ,he should have listened to you .

[chevlady]

Yes,I know better not to buy on the spot and check the vehicle out before buying.It is going to cost him,the ring and pinion and carrier bearings are not going to be cheap.Still wants the 434 in it,has a 1200 CFM carb on it that is too big for it and this is a street truck.Going to spend money on a 600 CFM or less carb too.

[hatzie]

I assume you mean 454.

I'd grab a whole salvage yard 10 or 12 bolt axle before I re-built the unit under the truck. You can find em for $250-$300 with a warranty that'll work just fine. New U-bolts for the springs and universals on the driveshaft and maybe some brake parts.

What did he pay for it if I may be so bold?

[Man With A Gun]

Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement.

[chevlady]

Originally Posted by hatzie

I assume you mean 454.

I'd grab a whole salvage yard 10 or 12 bolt axle before I re-built the unit under the truck. You can find em for $250-$300 with a warranty that'll work just fine. New U-bolts for the springs and universals on the driveshaft and maybe some brake parts.

What did he pay for it if I may be so bold?

He paid $3,000.00 for it.This one has a 434 small block in it.I found the housing is junk too.I told him a friend of mine has a 12 bolt ready to go in for $250.00.Plus I see some electrical issues later on,wiring is butchered up under the hood in certain spots.

[hatzie]

This may not be as bad a thing as it looks on the surface.

$3000 for a running and marginally driving shortbox C10 with a decent body is only a little high. They are popular rigs. Add in the good running 434 stroker, if the PO was truthful about that, and it's probably an OK price.

A real 434 stroker will likely be built with an aftermarket block like a Dart Iron Eagle or World Products Motown with a raised camshaft bore. It can be done with a SBC 400 block but the stock cam height makes the rods an adventure and boring a stock 400 to 4.155" is questionable.

A decently running 434 stroker, if the PO wasn't lying about what's under the hood, can probably be sold for plenty more than the cost of a good running 350 with a decent Rochester Quad on top plus the 12bolt truck axle. It'll just take some time to find a buyer.

Repairing the wiring can be a learning experience for him. Lots of folks are frightened of wiring. Because they have no patience. Fixing vehicle wiring, properly, builds patience. Patience is a good thing for a young'un to learn early on. Vehicle electric isn't a bad thing to have in his mental toolbox either.

[chevlady]

Originally Posted by hatzie

This may not be as bad a thing as it looks on the surface.

$3000 for a running and marginally driving shortbox C10 with a decent body is only a little high. They are popular rigs. Add in the good running 434 stroker, if the PO was truthful about that, and it's probably an OK price.

A real 434 stroker will likely be built with an aftermarket block like a Dart Iron Eagle or World Products Motown with a raised camshaft bore. It can be done with a SBC 400 block but the stock cam height makes the rods an adventure and boring a stock 400 to 4.155" is questionable.

A decently running 434 stroker, if the PO wasn't lying about what's under the hood, can probably be sold for plenty more than the cost of a good running 350 with a decent Rochester Quad on top plus the 12bolt truck axle. It'll just take some time to find a buyer.

Repairing the wiring can be a learning experience for him. Lots of folks are frightened of wiring. Because they have no patience. Fixing vehicle wiring, properly, builds patience. Patience is a good thing for a young'un to learn early on. Vehicle electric isn't a bad thing to have in his mental toolbox either.

The engine block is an aftermarket Dart block.The engine was out of a race car,my step dad built it for the original owner.He has the paperwork on record.It needs a new wiring harness under the hood,counted over 20 butt connectors used.

[Sik66]

Sounds like was a decent deal if worst issues it's got is a noisy diff and wiring?....motor itself prolly make it worth it by sounds of it....easy fix,9" diff and complete wire kit....

[Dead Parrot]

Your step brother needs to decide if he wants a race truck(sounds like what he bought) or a daily driver(sounds like what he needs).

As other have suggested, probably cheaper to buy a ready to go rear end then start a repair process on the great unknowns in his current one. Would also be a good time to get the gear ratio that matches what he wants to use the truck for. That one you found for $250 sound like a good possibility.