The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Buy high, sell low?

Now that I'm confined to a wheelchair driving a stick is not possible, and my attempts at finding an engine rebuilder in Seattle was futile. That means the plans to convert my GMC panel to automatic and use it as my wheelchair van are finished. Game over.

I now have a collection of parts for sale along with the truck with a blowing headgasket and a spare engine sitting in the back. I have been watching the market plummet, but that isn't an issue. I need to sell all this stuff for "fair market value" or the State will audit with a threat toward my housing and medical benefits. Don't want an extra year's paperwork, so I'm asking the bolters: What do I ask for a dented work truck that's totally worn out and needs rebuilding, but comes with all the parts you'll need? And how do I unload this in Seattle, where you can't get engine work done?

Hedgehog, sad you have to sell the panel truck!
I’m sorry to hear that.
Good luck on it.

Hy Hedgehog, very sorry to read about your current condition! I took a quick look at your build, you have done a lot of work on your truck. Have you tried asking in the forums for advice/recommendations on engine rebuilders in your area? You need someone who is a specialty builder, not a production shop, the engines in these trucks have been out of production for over sixty years and will require specialized treatment and parts not in common supply. If you ask here if someone would be willing to help you rebuild your engine, or at least evaluate it to see what it is going to need and check on parts availability. Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

Steve - So sorry to hear about your situation with the wheel chair and your truck. I would first like to 2nd 3B's suggestion to reach out to fellow North West Pacific Bolters. There are, from what I can tell, quite a few and perhaps they can offer you some guidance/help with an engine rebuilder or even someone interested in the truck itself? It wouldn't hurt to post an ask for engine builder help in the Whole Wild West Coast forum. You never know unless you ask.

I too refreshed my memory on what your truck looks like, at least from your most recent 5 year old YouTube Video showing some of the truck. It and earlier videos showed a pretty solid looking truck, perhaps showing it's age a touch here or there, but overall in pretty good shape. In your situation where needing to sell the stuff at "fair market value", it still comes down to what folks are willing to pay for what you have. That in itself is considered "fair market" IMHO.

I know we don't normally offer more than a suggestion to check out this current Tech Tip on the topic, but I would offer this LINK that kinda gives a past 5 year history on similar trucks offered/sold that may help you in deciding an asking price.

If and when you do decide on an asking price, please feel free to post an ad in our Trucks For Sale Swap Meet forum. Be sure to read the Swap Meet General Guidelines as well as the Simple Tips and Guidelines to help make the most of your ad. Please also feel free to PM me if I can be of any help with developing/posting the ad. Best of luck sir!

Dan, that link to classic.com was precisely what I was looking for. Thank you.

There used to be a specialty engine builder working in the back of Autosport Seattle, but he retired. Action Machine is just north of the city limits, but they also don't do teardowns or rebuilds. I was referred to a guy named Don at a local repair shop who "really know his stuff" and specializes in older vehicles. That conversation went something like this:

Me: I need a rebuild of a 1955 GMC inline six.
Don: Shouldn't be a problem, GMC and Chevy are identical.
Me: They're not identical, everything forward of the firewall is different. Longer block casting, bigger radiator.
Don (annoyed at being corrected): Then parts are going to be hard to find.
Me: I have two long blocks, the 248 is in the truck and the 270 is in the back.
Don: Never heard of a 270 inline. Where ya gonna find a new headgasket for that?
Me (stunned that this expert has never heard of the GMC 270): Fel-Pro sells full gasket sets. I have two sitting here beside me.
Don: Are you restoring this truck to stock condition, for car shows and such?
Me: Nope, it's gonna be my wheelchair van.
Don: Then you're gonna want an automatic trans.
Me: Got the Speed Gems kit to make that happen. Adapter plate, flywheel, starter. Haven't purchased the 4L80 yet.
Don: You'll need to replace the rear gears to keep up with traffic.
Me: I had Randy's Ring&Pinion do that in 2001.
Don: I'm gonna decline, it sound like a project that will never be done. Can of worms.
Me: I only want you to rebuild the engine, nothing more.
Don: That's a no from me. Good luck, buddy.

I was left with the impression this "expert" is a scam artist who was looking for ways to make this very expensive. I've spoken to other vintage vehicle owners in the area and most have gone DIY due to the absence of professionals. Some of them sold their vehicles before the prices bottomed out.

The final decision to sell the whole mess came when I realized I can't do basic maintenance from a wheelchair. I can't even see the engine over the top of the fenders, and doing a chassis lube requires assistance to get up off the creeper and back into the chair. While I appreciate the suggestion to seek advice in the PNW bolter forum, I'm no longer looking for a rebuild. Cancer always wins in the end.

Hedgehog, that was quite a story.
I see now how a rebuild isn’t the solution now.
I’m looking forward to your posting it for sale here, and
would love to see it in person, as we visit Seattle from time to time.
I looked at one similar a few years ago, but didn’t buy it.
I seem to remember that it had 9 or 10 feet in the back and 5 feet wide.
The 270 would be just the cat’s meow for it!
C

Steve - Thanks for the reply back and clarification on the local builder fiasco. You're just one of many Bolters that have run into something like this and understand how that can be frustrating and less than helpful. My suggestion on placing an ad in our Swap Meet stands, as does my offer to help as I can in achieving your goal. Best of luck sir!

Hello,

New poster here who is also in Western Washington (Enumclaw). Recently picked up a 1951 5 window and signed up for the knowledge (been reading a ton of build threads) and perked up when I saw someone post locally.

You might try calling Mike from Auburn Auto Machine (253)735-5267 http://auburnautomachine.com/. You'll probably have to look outside the Greater Seattle Area to find someone. I don't think it will be cheap either.

Thanks, MM, but I'm afraid that time has passed. Selling the truck, parts, and any tools I won't be using again.