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Need some advice on purchase

77crewcab

1/2 ton status
Joined
Feb 9, 2004
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Lubbock, Texas
I have the opportunity to buy a 83 4WD burb with 6.2 for $500. It has sat for a while and been used for interior parts but all the diesel stuff remains mostly untouched. It was parked because the pump wasn't working right and needs a rebuild. The fuel tank was dented up moving it with a forklift, the transmission/tc has been removed. All I really want it for is the diesel swap. The engine spins free. So what do ya'll say? Is it worth it? I have been looking for a while and this is the best deal I have come across. I am a diesel mechanic by trade so getting it running is no problem, I can even get the pump rebuilt for free.
 
Do it, take the good parts off of it and recycle the rest. You'll probably make most of your investment back from a recycler.
 
With the price of scrap around $185/ton... you will get at least a couple hundred back for scrapping the body if you had to ditch it quick. You could get more if you take the time to part it out and have a free diesel swap. If possible try and get a compression test on the motor before buying it though.
 
I will probably go through it with fresh rings and bearings if nothing else. In addition to being able to get the pump rebuilt, I can also have the heads freshened up, shortblock rebuilt, injectors tested/rebuilt all for free or at cost of parts. I did notice that the underhood harness has been hacked/cut/removed, but mostly dealing with the a/c and stuff. All the under dash harness, guages are gone. Both 10 bolt axles are there though the front has the hubs missing, I don't know the gearing as the glovebox door is also gone. The interior is pretty much shot/previously removed, not much to use. But I was wanting a good candidate to make a Burb trailer like what was posted here not long ago. It also has a tailgate which I am not crazy about but could use parts from it on my Blazer. Basically I would have the diesel engine, all accesories, radiator, hydroboost, a/c box assembly, exhaust (partial), the body and frame. As I said the fuel tank is dented but not punctured, so I could even use it in a pinch until I found another one. It had a auto trans. The real question would be to use a 700 or 465. If I did the 700, would I only have to swap convertors or would something need to be done internally? With the 465 I would just need a clutch/flywheel. I am really thinking since this came up to put it in my K5 and use the TPI engine I was planning for another project.
 
I just made a similar deal on a '83 K20 parts truck tonight... but we were able to start it and check compression. It has a little white smoke coming from the pass side tailpipe so a new gasket set will be thrown on the motor before it finds it's way into my friends 'burb. The tranny is toast, but still can move under it's own power though barely.
 
Well I sealed the deal today. I am supposed to borrow a trailer from a buddy Saturday and go pick it up. Upon further inspection, the body itself is pretty rusty other than the front clip. I plan to just take a torch, cut the A pillars and cut strait across the floor and through the frame rails. Then using a crane lift the front end away from the rest of the burb. Remove exhaust, rear axle, big side windows, and scrap the rest.
 
Well the guy called back and said he has changed his mind and doesen't want to sell it. Said I can come get my money back anytime today. So I guess I am on the humt for another 6.2 or maybe a 4bt and will just run the TPI engine in the meantime.
 

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