<$1500 Truck - What to look out for

[cawb352]

the CPI system is the first gen vortech. it is horrible to repair. they have a common problem with the fuel spider that makes it dump fuel so bad it actually starts to add to the oil level. Pre-vortec trucks(TBI) are great simple, cheap, easy to maintain and repair. I have in the stable right now my dd 98 Jimmy-vortec 4.3, my 91 ext cab bg'd n bd'd 2.8 tbi, and a half assembled 88 4.3 tbi truck.

[slammin.e28]

$1500 truck, don't watch out for anything. It's a $1500 truck. If it's Japanese, it won't need anything. If it's American, it will need everything.

[n0m4d]

I have never had a CPI system get that bad, but I have replaced 2 to alleviate hard start and gas mileage issues. The poppets get all eat up by the alcohol in the fuel blends. The replacement spiders switch it to MPFI which was used through most of the 2000's and is very trouble free. It costs about $350 (less for the 4.3) and 4hrs but it results in instant hp and gas mileage improvements. I usually do it when I replace the intake manifold seals. My Suburban didn't need this done till about 215k. TBI is also super reliable I just was never able to get great gas mileage in any TBI vehicle I had. I get 17.5 highway with my 'burb right now.

Each beater truck has its pro's and con's and quarks, just stay away from old GM diesels and International Scouts and you should be fine.

the CPI system is the first gen vortech. it is horrible to repair. they have a common problem with the fuel spider that makes it dump fuel so bad it actually starts to add to the oil level. Pre-vortec trucks(TBI) are great simple, cheap, easy to maintain and repair. I have in the stable right now my dd 98 Jimmy-vortec 4.3, my 91 ext cab bg'd n bd'd 2.8 tbi, and a half assembled 88 4.3 tbi truck.

[JasonC]

the CPI system is the first gen vortech. it is horrible to repair. they have a common problem with the fuel spider that makes it dump fuel so bad it actually starts to add to the oil level. Pre-vortec trucks(TBI) are great simple, cheap, easy to maintain and repair. I have in the stable right now my dd 98 Jimmy-vortec 4.3, my 91 ext cab bg'd n bd'd 2.8 tbi, and a half assembled 88 4.3 tbi truck.

Really... It isnt that hard of a repair. Anyone who can turn a wrench can have it replaced within an half hour. It maybe a little longer on the ones with the plastic intake. But still isnt a hrd job, or a horrable thing like you're making it out to be. And like said above, it can be changed over to the newer style too.

Op, like mrsleeve said, dont be scared of the first gen vortch with the CPI. Hell, even my 4x4 4 door blazer shaped like a box and automatic got 21mpg on the open road, and thats with a crazy man driving!

[tonerrrr]

Cool, good to know! Now that you guys mentioned the 4.3 I'm seeing a lot more of it ha!

[urbancynic]

73-87 c10, cheap and parts are plentiful

No kidding.... $20 plug wires, $30 master cylinder, so on and so forth. And all of it is available at your FLAPS.

I love mine.

[tonerrrr]

Alright, just checked this one out: http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/2911418090.html - 94 Chevy S-10 extended cab - $1600 w/ the 4.3 Vortec

Guy started it, ran fine, engine bay was clean, whole thing was pretty clean. Has the extended cab, ready for towing, and tool box which is a plus.

It had a little bit of smoke, very little, as in not enough to see 2 ft from the pipe as it dissipated but after 5 minutes of talking while it was running it went away. Is that pretty much normal for these older trucks and this engine? Also looks like a small leak around the driveshaft/transmission.

He said he was pretty firm on the price but said he could do $1500. What do you guys think?

[mrsleeve]

for 1500 yeah go for it

the little drip from the tail stock is normal for almost anything

Touch of blue smoke on start up after they have set for a while is normal as a little oil leaks down the valve guides. Not a damm thing to worry about.

I had an old 93 that I beat the living shit out of around the farm,for 120k miles. it had a 193k on it when I sold it a guy that needed some help. and its still going now 10 years later (not a DD though) and it had a little puff of oil burn on start up when I bought it 70k on it. Never got worse even after a life of hell.

[tonerrrr]

for 1500 yeah go for it

the little drip from the tail stock is normal for almost anything

Touch of blue smoke on start up after they have set for a while is normal as a little oil leaks down the valve guides. Not a damm thing to worry about.

I had an old 93 that I beat the living shit out of around the farm,for 120k miles. it had a 193k on it when I sold it a guy that needed some help. and its still going now 10 years later (not a DD though) and it had a little puff of oil burn on start up when I bought it 70k on it. Never got worse even after a life of hell.

Awesome, thanks for the validation! I'm going to give the guy a deposit right now and pay/pick it up tomorrow. Since the listing didn't have pictures it seems like this one was under the radar! :D

[DaveSmed]

I'm a little late to the party, but it seems like you found a prime candidate in your price range.

It's a 4.3 S10, every part for it is dirt cheap, plentiful, and its a damn reliable package.