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**drifterSpirit** lop guest User ID: 108013 09-19-2012 06:06 AM

2300 for this van, looks awesome with all the work he put into it, pretty low kms, looks like he knows what he is doing, only thing that worries me is it's a 1978, how long will this thing last before it croaks ?

please dont post if you dont know much about autos, thanks.

https://picasaweb.google.com/10819500703...directlink

X lop guest User ID: 112042 09-19-2012 06:11 AM

I don't know much but would bet more info is needed. Mileage/Km make model?

**LoP Guest** lop guest User ID: 108013 09-19-2012 06:12 AM

X Wrote:

I don't know much but would bet more info is needed. Mileage/Km make model?

did you even read the link all that info is there plus pretty much every little detail about the van with pics and detailed info in every pic

Jptdknpa

**RedRebel21**

All old vehicles will need some TLC, mainly with leaks. Oil pan gaskets, and rear main seals deteriorate with age. Just go through it, and make sure it doesn't have any significant leaks before you drive it around.

**Gym Nasium** · **Gym Nasium** Subscriber User ID: 121828 09-19-2012 06:15 AM **Posts: 7,708**

drifterSpirit Wrote:

how long will this thing last before it croaks ?

It has plenty of life left. It's kind of cool. I know plenty of surfers that would snap it up in a heartbeat. The new parts are wear and tear so it's good that they've been changed, and it appears that the thing has been left in very original condition. That tankless water heater is wayyy cool.

It appears that it's not a P.O.S. The price seems fair for what you're getting.

Further, that engine is so common it's not even funny. Finding affordable parts won't be a problem.

Do it. Jhikpghf

**Vegas**

Don't know about the van but whoever painted these rocks should be spayed and neutered...

[Image: 94EE_50594714.jpg]

**LoP Guest** lop guest User ID: 108013 09-19-2012 06:17 AM

RedRebel21 Wrote:

All old vehicles will need some TLC, mainly with leaks. Oil pan gaskets, and rear main seals deteriorate with age. Just go through it, and make sure it doesn't have any significant leaks before you drive it around.

thanks for the advice, but i was hoping someone who has some automotive knowledge can look through the info and pics provided and give me some more in depth perspective and opinion

**drifterspirit** lop guest User ID: 108013 09-19-2012 06:19 AM

Gym Nasium Wrote:

drifterSpirit Wrote:
how long will this thing last before it croaks ?

It has plenty of life left. It's kind of cool. I know plenty of surfers that would snap it up in a heartbeat. The new parts are wear and tear so it's good that they've been changed, and it appears that the thing has been left in very original condition. That tankless water heater is wayyy cool.

It appears that it's not a P.O.S. The price seems fair for what you're getting.

Further, that engine is so common it's not even funny. Finding affordable parts won't be a problem.

Do it.

wow great advice thank you, thats great to know the engine is not that hard to work on and there's lots of parts for it, I'm not the most mechanically inclined dude with cars, so it looks like a good buy where i can learn lots about parts and engines and appliances, thanks dude

**Gym Nasium** · **Gym Nasium** Subscriber User ID: 121828 09-19-2012 06:19 AM **Posts: 7,708**

LoP Guest Wrote:

RedRebel21 Wrote:
All old vehicles will need some TLC, mainly with leaks. Oil pan gaskets, and rear main seals deteriorate with age. Just go through it, and make sure it doesn't have any significant leaks before you drive it around.

thanks for the advice, but i was hoping someone who has some automotive knowledge can look through the info and pics provided and give me some more in depth perspective and opinion

Want more..? Google is your friend. Try it.

**Gym Nasium** · **Gym Nasium** Subscriber User ID: 121828 09-19-2012 06:20 AM **Posts: 7,708**

drifterspirit Wrote:

Gym Nasium Wrote:
drifterSpirit Wrote:
how long will this thing last before it croaks ?

It has plenty of life left. It's kind of cool. I know plenty of surfers that would snap it up in a heartbeat. The new parts are wear and tear so it's good that they've been changed, and it appears that the thing has been left in very original condition. That tankless water heater is wayyy cool.

It appears that it's not a P.O.S. The price seems fair for what you're getting.

Further, that engine is so common it's not even funny. Finding affordable parts won't be a problem.

Do it.

wow great advice thank you, thats great to know the engine is not that hard to work on and there's lots of parts for it, I'm not the most mechanically inclined dude with cars, so it looks like a good buy where i can learn lots about parts and engines and appliances, thanks dude

**LoP Guest** lop guest User ID: 108013 09-19-2012 06:20 AM

one thing i'm a bit concerned about is the oil leak he talks about in one of the pics, is this a hard/expensive fix ?

https://picasaweb.google.com/10819500703...8677128514

"5.7-liter V8 (190 hp (142 kW) @ 3600 RPM, 300 lb·ft (407 N·m) @ 2400 RPM). Pretty good condition...low oil leak thourgh oil pan gasket...oil consumption is around 0,5l for 7000km - own experience. 1 year old carburateor, new distributor, Vacuum Advance, ignition cables, timing is ok, petrol consumption is aprox. 20l/100km. (I did 16 in summer to 27 in winter -40°C). Spare V belt and ignition sparks incuded..."

**LoP Guest** lop guest User ID: 93948 09-19-2012 06:23 AM

since its post 1973 it must be smog'ed first before it can be sold, ask for a printout of the smog findings, because the biggest issue is getting it smog done.
Everything else can be fixed but a gross polluter will break the bank.
If it can not pass, stay away.

**Gym Nasium** · **Gym Nasium** Subscriber User ID: 121828 09-19-2012 06:25 AM **Posts: 7,708**

LoP Guest Wrote:

one thing i'm a bit concerned about is the oil leak he talks about in one of the pics, is this a hard/expensive fix ?

https://picasaweb.google.com/10819500703...8677128514

"5.7-liter V8 (190 hp (142 kW) @ 3600 RPM, 300 lb·ft (407 N·m) @ 2400 RPM). Pretty good condition...low oil leak thourgh oil pan gasket...oil consumption is around 0,5l for 7000km - own experience. 1 year old carburateor, new distributor, Vacuum Advance, ignition cables, timing is ok, petrol consumption is aprox. 20l/100km. (I did 16 in summer to 27 in winter -40°C). Spare V belt and ignition sparks incuded..."

Not a huge leak... If you're referring to the "oil pan gasket" leak, then it's not a huge fix. If it bugs you, it can be handled at the next oil change.

**LoP Guest** lop guest User ID: 108013 09-19-2012 06:33 AM

Gym Nasium Wrote:

LoP Guest Wrote:
one thing i'm a bit concerned about is the oil leak he talks about in one of the pics, is this a hard/expensive fix ?

https://picasaweb.google.com/10819500703...8677128514

"5.7-liter V8 (190 hp (142 kW) @ 3600 RPM, 300 lb·ft (407 N·m) @ 2400 RPM). Pretty good condition...low oil leak thourgh oil pan gasket...oil consumption is around 0,5l for 7000km - own experience. 1 year old carburateor, new distributor, Vacuum Advance, ignition cables, timing is ok, petrol consumption is aprox. 20l/100km. (I did 16 in summer to 27 in winter -40°C). Spare V belt and ignition sparks incuded..."

Not a huge leak... If you're referring to the "oil pan gasket" leak, then it's not a huge fix. If it bugs you, it can be handled at the next oil change.

wow cool thanks, good to know, i found a few reviews from a car review site, looks like it gets great reviews from people who have owned them for a long time they say they last forever!!!

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/chevrolet/van/1978/

"Yes, these vans are great for reliability. As long as you don't know the oil pan out of them, those old 350s will run forever. They're great engines, but lack in the hp and tq department. I solved this by having the 350 in mine bored and stroked out. I bought mine new, it was my first brand new car that I paid for myself, I special ordered it, with power steering, power brakes, a long wheel base and the 4 barrel 350. It's a panel at that, no windows on the side at all, and only one side door."

**LoP Guest** lop guest User ID: 121568 09-19-2012 06:39 AM

looks like a good deal, like was said keep an eye out for leaks. If the oil looks like new and doesn't smell of a chemical additive , it should last a long time. probably get decent on fuel economy(if it's running right around 16 to 18mpg) with power to pull it up the hills. those older chevys are a little cold natured till it warms up, but will always start and are easy to work on, parts are cheap and plenty in the states.