1997 Chevrolet p-30 step van $5,500

[gosimpletravel]

1997 Chevrolet p-30 step van 16 foot
$5,500 220000 miles, Entemann's delivery vehicle, one owner supposedly.

Looking at this for a build out. I've read a lot on here but it becomes a blur after awhile.

From what I read this seems end of life for the current 350 motor. Yes / No?

Also from the seller: It passed emissions in November, but the engine light has been going on/off on its own. Motor and transmission are strong however the engine leaks oil from the rear motor seal about 1 quart every 6 weeks.

So, what does the rear main seal cost to replace? Not doing this myself.

What else should be done when the engine and trans are separated?

[cadillackid]

from my experience.. bread companies run their vans literally into the ground.. the check engine light coiuld be anything.. usually somethiung emission related like a bad vacuum hose to the EVAP canister or O2 sensor, etc...



if thats the original motor its definitely up therei mn age esp since that van did a ton of stop n go and likely some idling too..

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

rear main seal
transmission front pump seal
transmission rear tail shaft seal transmission filter.
check and or replace oil pump and bottom end internals while the oil pans is dropped.
they could very well try to sell you a rebuild job but you can get the pan out of the way enough to drop the rear main cap and just replace the seal while in the vehicle.
they will probably want to pull the whole thing. so why not a rebuild while its out.
with that being said?
5500 is to high with that amount of mileage. in my opinion

[cadillackid]

For what it costs to pay a shop to rebuild a 350 you go and snag a crate motor

That kind of mileage the valve guides and seats / seals will be shot. That means full head rework. There will be ridging in the cylinders so that’s a bore and oversize. Rear main leak is a usually a sinking crank so now you need bearings maybe a crank turn..

Go to jegs and get a basic long block crate motor and be done

[sportyrick]

That's a little pricey for that many miles, that body would have to be cherry, and the check engine light might be low oil pressure, gauge? You could get a crate motor from GM with a little pep, say 350 horse, just for some left lane passing in the middle of the night you understand. It wouldn't set you back much more that all that oil leak/bottom end repair stuff and everything would be brand new. Every time you started it you will smile, "lookout highway I've got somewhere I gotta be".

[peteg59]

While I agree with others on an engine R&R, the next weak link will be the transmission. Unless it is fairly new, meaning well under 100K mileage wise.

If the body is tight, no rot, then the van might work. But factor the cost of an engine and transmission into the cost you pay, then ask yourself: Is it worth it?

Good luck...

[gosimpletravel]

Thanks to everyone that replied to this. Ends up, someone else bought it. I'm still looking for the inexpensive, great running step van.