And It Begins....

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Richard-Ellis

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
Arizona
First Name
Richard
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7L
I recently purchased a 1980 Chevrolet K20 Scottsdale for cheap as it was sitting behind the fire station where I work part-time in the mountains of Arizona. I know it needs work and I hope I can utilize some of the information on here and the lessons learned if people are willing to share.

I have some plans for this truck as I currently ride my motorcycle to work as I am a Flight Paramedic. Now that winter is around the corner, I want to make sure I can have some reliable transportation for the snowy and icy conditions we will surely face this year.

It smokes grey/blue smoke in puffs during idle and the starter is toast once I fire it up and run it even for 5 minutes. It has an oil leak around the pan, and on the left rear valve cover, I believe. I can surely list all of the concerns I've found so far, but my biggest is the smoking and the starter (which is a simple fix). When I get home I can take some pictures. It has a 350 5.7L with a 3-speed automatic transmission which I hate and it is 4x4.


These trucks are definitely a labor of love and I'm ready to do the work but I do not want to go overboard with the repairs as I ultimately would like to do a full frame off restoration and put a Cummins 12v into it along with the accompanying parts which will compliment a diesel. I understand this is no easy task, but good things come to those who go out and get it.

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donnieray

Talks to dogs and trucks.
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Posts
592
Reaction score
429
Location
Roanoke Rapids NC
First Name
Donnie
Truck Year
84,85,86.
Truck Model
86 C10, 84 K10 MM7 NP833 option truck, 85 K10.
Engine Size
350,355;350.
Welcome. Looks like a fine project to me. You are at the right place for helpful information as well.
 

Honky Kong jr

Super Sarcastic Man
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Posts
14,968
Reaction score
9,794
Location
Denver,PA
First Name
J-me
Truck Year
87
Truck Model
V10
Engine Size
Lil BB 407
:welcome: Good start you got there.
 

1987 GMC Jimmy

Automobile Hoarder
Joined
Jan 23, 2016
Posts
5,848
Reaction score
2,387
Location
Mississippi
First Name
Jesse
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V1500 Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Welcome and nice truck! I'd start by doing a compression test on it (wet and dry) to see if the piston rings are shot. Smoke right at start up typically means valve seals, but it sounds like this a pretty constant thing.
 

Camar068

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2014
Posts
4,185
Reaction score
3,066
Location
Kentucky
First Name
David
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K10/LM7 5.3/4L60e/np208/3.73/32"
Engine Size
10 yrs Air Force
Great start and welcome
 

74 Shortbed

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Posts
6,306
Reaction score
1,412
Location
*
First Name
*
Truck Year
*
Truck Model
*
Engine Size
*
Welcome to the site, nice project..
 

1973c10

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Posts
6,376
Reaction score
24,013
Location
Oregon
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
454
Welcome
 

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,273
Reaction score
8,759
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
:welcome:
 

B.K. Cunningham

Full Access Member
Joined
May 23, 2017
Posts
247
Reaction score
173
Location
Spokane, Washington
First Name
Bryan
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
25 Hundred
Engine Size
350
welcome, my 74 smokes on start up as well. usually only one puff of blue smoke.
 

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