New prospective truck need help though

[dadirtyrolla86]

Hey People,

 

Umm I don't actually own a Gmc yet but looking too. There is one for sale down the road but I need soem help in what to look for.

 

First off I know what to look for look for in a quality vehicle but not in a older truck, secondly I am a 19 year old certified welder looking for soemthing to do on the weekends.Here is the what the guy told me

 

its a 1980 GMC Sierra stepside

- the miles are unkown, he said he's a young guy he knocked up his old lady and he has to sell one of his toys, but he said that the guy you bought it from had a 350 put in with a shift kit and the turbo tranny. It had a straight 6. I looked in the odmeter and it read i think 155,??? miles.

- the paint was also done kinda spotty, the truck looks really solid for the most part, not the orginal as the kid said it was all done about 10 years ago.

-There is no leaks or drips that I can notice, granted i am in the winter session of michigan and the vescosity i am sure isn't running liek a garden hose. he said there maybe a oil drip but he's never noticed a puddle of any sorts.

-The interior isn't like a new lincoln but neither is it like omg it looks good wich isn't a major selling point.

 

His asking price $1,700 o.b.o~~~~ but heres my question>>>>>

 

-I am going to take a magnet over there, my dad said its a good idea since its been repainted, what are some hot spots on that year? I heard the cab corners I am guessing the stepsdie end of it but any other ideas and what do you guys/gals think of this?

[citydriver]

On a '80, I would check the rocker panels, doors and fenders around the wheel wells and the hood at the leading edge. The bed should also be checked especially near the steps on the side. If it's 4 wheel drive I would look closely at the frame around the steering gear, a weak spot on the frames is around the steering gear mounting holes. As far as the oil leak, could be a rear main or valve covers or both. The milage is not really an issue anymore if the engine and tranny were swapped out, the actual milege on the power-train is, and you may never be able to find that out. You should let it run till it gets to operating temp. and look for smoke, BLUE is oil, WHITE is coolant and will have a sweet smell to it, BLACK is usually cause its running a rich fuel/air mixtue. Check the tranny fluid for color and odor, it should be red WITHOUT a burnt odor. MOST OF ALL, BUYER BEWARE. It is over 25 years old, and may need come TLC. Just depends how much time and money you want to spend. GOOD LUCK