Aubject lines was originally "Mr Truck..." - but I welcome answers from anyone!
I have found a 1971 3-horse van (International Loadstar 1600)for sale. It has under 80,000 miles on it and looks to be in good shape as far and the chassis and box go - not rusted through anywhere, all wood in box is sound except window trim, floor is solid, cab interior is imaculate - original applstery is in perfect shape. Gas engine, electric ramp lift. The engine was blown last November - before that it was in regular use. The owner took it into an international repair place whos said it could run as much as 6,000 or 7,000 to rebuild the engine. The owner did not ask about the possibility of putting another engine in (the obvious thing to do), and the repair place did not offer, so they do not know how bad the engine is, though they did do a compression check and it appears all but one of the cylinders are the same, I just called Frank DiBella dealerhship - they have the same year and model truck on consignment, asking $10,000.
The van I am looking at is advertized at $1500, and I suspect I could talk them down.
Is putting a new (salvaged) engine in a reasonable option? I am also assuming it would be wise to replace all hoses and fuel lines, get a brake job.... anything lese that shopuld be done based on trucks age (tires look pretty good). Do you have any thoughts on internationals in general?
I realize that without seeing the truck this is hard to answer., but how much should we expect to put into a truck of this age to make it safe?
Posted 2005-05-31 8:28 PM (#25914 - in reply to #25902) Subject: RE: 1971 International Loadstar 1600: comments, anyone?
Regular
Posts: 99 Location: Florida/Georgia
I did not think you could blow up a old international gasser V-8 ( 348ci?). They are rugged,dependable and VERY noisey vehicles to drive in, at least thats how I remember the old one I use to drive. Being that its a 1971 then it only got a direct drive 4spd so don't expect cruise speed greater than about 55mph. If the DEALER ( aka thieves ) wants $7k to rebuild then any good machine shop would be about half of that, or check the salvage yards for a sound engine/parts, that Model and engine was around for years
Posted 2005-05-31 9:34 PM (#25915 - in reply to #25914) Subject: RE: 1971 International Loadstar 1600: comments, anyone?
Expert
Posts: 2689
At 34 years it is OLD.
So am I, though not 34.
It is likely to be a "project", but you can probably get things like brake and clutch linings from NAPA. One other thing you might want to check into is whether or not you have to register it as a "Commercial" vehicle in your State. Despite the national CDL there seems to be some variability on what has to be registered as commercial and what insurance policy can be written on vehicles that are so registered.
Posted 2005-06-01 3:26 PM (#25961 - in reply to #25902) Subject: RE: 1971 International Loadstar 1600: pictures!
Member
Posts: 15
Location: Great Falls Virginia
Trying to attach pics... hope it works.
The photos do not show how clean this truck is: there are NO tears or splits in the apolstery. There is no serious rust, even in the wheel-wells and along the bottom of the panels. The box is in good shape - only the window frames need replacing.
I offered $1000 and they took it! If nothing else, I can take the box off and use it for storage and its would be a deal!
1971 International Loadstar 1600: comments, anyone?
