Vannin' Home Forums Chevy General Discussion 1973 Chevrolet G20 350 model 97k miles

Looking a purchasing this vehicle.....need advice/thoughts. Single female that doesn't know much about cars or RVs. Need engine to be reliable to get from FL to PA and 250miles/week from Pittsburgh to Mechanicsburg. Went and saw it in person today. I love it, but unsure of the engine and reliability with 49years.

Of the 97k miles 20k were put on by current owners in the last 3 years. Please see attachments and info from current owners.

I have more pictures but can't get them on this post.

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/678887890014974/


This is our 1973 Chevy G20, we traveled for 3 years in this van and had a great time. We have officially moved into a home with a newborn but hope that somebody will enjoy this home on wheels as much as we did. This van has done many cross-country tours and has always been an amazing and reliable vehicle for us. They just don't make them how they used to.

OBJ-350 Watts of Solar
-3 Burner Stove -Large Closet
-Large Storage For Clothing -Floor Insulation
-OBJFull-Size Mirror
-Great Tread on Tires
-Hidden Safe -Wood Ceiling
-30 Gallon Fresh Water Tank
-4K TV -Couch
-Swivel Seats -Pull Out Bed
-Ceramic Tinted Windows Max Cool -Wooden Table
-360 Insulated/Black Out Window Covers
-Sink
-Full Size Memory Foam Mattress

What you don't know how to fix or repair you will need to pay someone else for. You'll not be able to get one of those extended warranties the phone spammers are so fond of pushing.
Keep in mind most major repairs are thousands and some parts on a '73 may be tough to find.
If you have the budget for repair go for it!

Welcome smurp03.

nikothenomad on here has a massive hightop campervan. She would be a great wealth of information for you on what to expect. Still rolling!

It is a very nice example of a Chevy C30 Campervan. Inside, and out. 1973 350/350 is about as basic technology and as dependable as you can get. No computer, fuel injection or electronics. There's an HEI distributor that eliminates the points ignition, that's it. On the early engines, keep oil and water in them, don't let them get hot, they run forever. I've had fuel pumps, water pumps, alternators fail. Vapor lock, and Flat tires too.

The engine, trans, rear end, suspension, brakes, electrical, all basic. Air. Fuel. Spark. Mount up and Go. Be Prepared. I put Brandon into a 97 pickup with an airbag. Good decision. Going big any Daughter's car would be an even bigger truck with a dozen airbags, but that's Papa Bear.

Well if you can pilot this Beast on a daily commute and afford the gas, I'd take it to and have a mechanic or trusted friend completely inspect it. Up on a lift, pulling wheels, verify drivetrain condition, any service history, there should be plenty, it would seem. The owner should welcome it, cost you maybe $50-$100. Unless you know someone.

Keep in mind that if not rebuilt, all of the bushings, ball joints, tie rods, any suspension wear component is 49 years old with 97K miles. It may need components, repair or replaced, as per the inspection. Or records. Or road test!

Yes it's a mechanical device and yes a mechanical device will break. So what. You likely will be unlikely to achieve much more than 10 MPG.
It's not aerodynamic and handles like a top heavy brick. Steering stabilizer and sway bars would help.

It will be a hand full in the wind and in a panic stop I'd feel certainly better about it if it had new Bilstein HD shocks with new 10 ply tires and completely new brakes front and rear from the pedal on down to brake lines all the way around. I run all the above plus Firestone airbags and Hellwig helper springs too on mine. I would not want to daily it 50 miles.
Here's one reason why.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XQP-jvvNjY
Good luck on the Van and if you want to you certainly can. Ahoy!

It's a good looking van. Like everything else in life. You will have pros and cons. Just trust your gut.

If I were you (looking for a reliable vehicle for the type of driving you plan on using it for) I would pass on it. It would make a nice classic truck to use for local classic car/truck shows and events but that would be it. There are plenty of reliable used vehicles out there that’s would work out much better for your needs not to mention the cost of fuel at today’s prices.

If One was having to consider such a vehicle as live aboard unit/50 mile daily commuter?

I didn't have to consider it as I had another vehicle when I lived in the Cabin Cruiser. It would really come down to mechanical condition as to the reliability and feasibility to safely daily such a vehicle. A mid 70's vehicle in good shape can be dependable, no doubt about that.

I drove a new mid 70's era 350 one ton Chevy flatbed shop truck daily for one year that would sometimes vapor lock in the heat, especially under load in the heat or climbing the loooong hill empty coming up out of Palm desert. That is when the fuel in the fuel lines and carb vaporizes and is no longer a liquid that will flow. A quirky carb thing, and that was with a manual transmission. You have to stop and let it cool down, that's for sure. Also a consideration with an automatic transmission generating much more heat into the system, under that load. If it gets too hot for too long an automatic is toast.
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It would have to be in super good mechanical condition. Possible. But it would not be ideal. Even with full coverage a total would not be fun. As I commuted 100 plus miles a day working in SoCal is when I got life insurance I saw so many bad crashes.

Your experiences may vary, Safety First! Good luck with the search!