Keep it or junk it???

[Soggydog]

About 6 weeks ago,the chevy p/u in my sig was totaled when someone pulled out in front of me. His insurance company finally called me about the truck today. I'm happy with their offer and accepted it but I have the option of retaining the truck for $200. The frame is bent beyond feasible reair.My plan is to pull the running 110k mile 4.3 v6 and put it in my 79 elcamino project (which currently has an earlier version of the same engine that needs a rebuild), list the truck for parts on craigslist and whatever is remaining after a month will be scrapped.
I have a small block 400 I'd like to build for the elcamino if my plans to budget ratio ever lines up but getting the elcamino out of rented storage and on the road would motivate me to give the old car some priority.

 

[cptbarkey]

as long as you got free storage and the motivation to do it, for $200 keep it.

 

[nwjones18]

I think you plan sounds good..

 

[dishdude]

$200 for a good powertrain you know the history of is a deal. You'll probably get $150 in scrap for the carcass, so it's really $50!

 

[John_Conrad]

another vote to keep it put it in the el camino, that's a cheap build..and it'll give you some time to build the 400.

 

[blupupher]

Sounds like you have a plan for it. Buy it back for $200, pull the drivetrain, and if tires and rims are in good shape those too.
Sell the truck for scrap, if the rims and tires are nice, sell them on craigslist, probably make your $200 back on those alone. Once you build the 400 and install it, take the 4.3 out and sell it, coming out ahead.

 

[SteveSRT8]

The last service vehicle here we had totaled was 2 years ago. We had to pay 600 bucks for it.

Pulled out the cleaning equipment first. Got 5 grand for it.

Then we sold the seats, doors, rear end, engine, trans, etc. Made a ton of money on it. I was very skeptical of the idea but feel very differently now!

 

[BrocLuno]

There's more than $200 worth of parts in that chassis

 

[Lyman]

Keep it for sure

 

[Nick1994]

Definitely keep it

 

[eljefino]

Good idea to mullet over. The Elky will bring you much joy even with the v6.

 

[Soggydog]

Thanks for the replies.
The body of the truck was fairly beat up when I got it in march. Its as stripped as you could get it except the W/T package. Almost every body panel had a dent somewhere. Tires are dry rotted on steel wheels
A Co worker gave me the truck after it wouldn't start from sitting up for three years. The odometer didn't work so milage and maintenance history are unknown but it did run well once i changed the fuel pump and distributor.The engine is leaking oil slightly from the front seal but not bad enough to bother with. It has the wide ratio (meaning super low 1st gear) NV3500 manual transmission. I'll keep the original 4 speed Saginaw in the elcamino till I put some power in front of it. The 86 vintage 4.3 that's currently in it moved the car fairly well before the #5 lost compression. It was fun to drive.
I'm going to call the insurance company tomorrow and tell them I'll keep it.