1988 Chevrolet S-10 Base from North America - Comments

New radiator.

Valve cover gasket.

Bench seat cracking and splitting.

Grinds in reverse.

Hard to start when hot.

Rough shifting.

Strange growling from left rear, probably wheel bearing.

Drivers floor starting to rust.

Engine and tranny mounts needed.

Front shocks need replacing.

Idler arm and tie rod ends are worn.

Replaced bed with one from another S10.

The truck gets me from A to b. it's a reliable engine, sometimes called the "Iron Duke". I got the truck for $400 from some shady mechanic who was happy to see it go. The engine has 150,000 and seems strong, you know what they say, chevys never die, they only go faster, and its true. It would be a cinch to drop a 305, or 350 in it. I love having a manual, but GM just doesn't have a clue about them. It grinds in reverse, and shifts roughly if you try to shift to first before coming to a complete stop. when you get going its not so bad, This truck screws on the highway! Iv always wanted a Chevy, and it didn't dissapoint me! Would I have wanted the 2.8, or 4.3... god yes, but for now the four tech does alright. It's an old Chevy beater, but I know she'll be there to get me home! The truck is the strip model, Only has fuel and speedo. No cigarette lighter which is a b***h because I can't hook up my personal CD player! No power steering. It's a true adventure trying to parallel park with no power steering, and a manual. Its got a new bed off another S10, because the old one rusted out. If you're looking at this site and trying to decide if you should buy this an S10, or for that fact any Chevy, go ahead and get it! It's a good truck, and you can find parts anywhere. don't be discouraged if its got the four tech, give it a tune up and shes all set! chevy for life!

I think the owner of the S-10 with the rough shifting trans. and grinding reverse gear has a problem with clutch not fully disengaging. The transmissions in these trucks operate very smoothly when the clutch is in good working order. A possible remedy might be changing one or the other of the slave cylinders or maybe both. The simplest is probably to check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir first.