1983 GMC Astro cabover restore and semi work

Here is some motivation for you.

 

That's cool. Just Im the one with the crawls recalling one of those in particular during my time. It had nothing except the scream of that turbo to shift on.

Your pictures are pretty close to dead on. Good work!

 

My first truck- 1969 Titan 90 with an 8V71, 13 speed, R170 with a tag axle. Big injectors, 2,500 RPM, she was a screamer! Bought her about 1974, traded her in on a brand new Road Commode in November 1977.

 

I had a suicide mack once. For a while. I don't know how I got away with it. Just plain scared.

 

Oil capacity depends on pan size. Should be 9-11 gallons. I'd dump 8 gallons,then start checking stick.

 

The one's with 350's where I was at took 48 quarts. They had a lube-refiner bypass filter, element #750. That is a black metal can, with a band clamp on it, look for one. Some the trucks just a bit older with less HP than yours took much less. It should start OK with 3 batteries as long as it's warm.

 

You did not ask but if it were my mine I would want to here it run before I spent money to possibly through it away. Grab a drain pan and an 1 1/4 wrench for the drain plug. Loosen it enough to see whats there. If it has a little water or anti-freeze hold the plug close to the pan and drain it off plus a quart or two.
On top of the fuel pump is a solenoid. Take the wire off of it, 3/8 wrench, add batteries and crank it intel you have oil pressure for 30 seconds. Hook the wire back up and start it.