Questions and Answers

Very Old Chevy S-10 Pickup Q. Hi Vince: I've got a 1987 Chevy S-10 Pickup truck with the V-6 engine in it and 180,000 miles. I had the engine replaced at about 120,000 miles and the transmission rebuilt recently, and I've been doing some smaller repairs on it myself for fun and to learn more about cars. My question for you is: what should I be looking for in terms of repairs and/or component replacements to make sure this truck:

1. Is safe on the road.
2. Doesn't leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere.
3. Doesn't have some component that is slowly deteriorating in some hard to detect fashion that will lead to big or expensive repairs later.

I'm not looking for step by step how to information. Just a checklist of things to do and look for.

Thanks, I'm glad I found your site.
Tom

A. On a truck this old with this many miles on it, my first thing would be looking for rust and rot. Then anything with rubber. Check the frame for rust & all the body mounts. These rubber bushings will most likely be rotted. Also there are rubber bushings in the front end control arms, engine and transmission mounts. Then look at the ignition system, water pump and fuel pump and the wiring. All these will leave you stranded somewhere.