1979 GMC Van Vandura Long wheelbase 5.7 litre V8
Summary:
Get one
Faults:
Slight petrol leak on the engine - tightened the fuel line not a problem.
Speedometer doesn't work.
General Comments:
I love this truck, it's a real eye catcher especially with the lights.
Drives wonderfully as the engine was rebuilt 4 years ago.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th July, 2004
2nd Oct 2008, 22:22
In reply to the above comment, the 400 engine was only available in the 1 ton vans, and 1979 was the last year for them, so your installation, while pretty rare is probably original.
My 1979 Van got about 18-20 mpg on the highway, doing about 55 mph.
City mileage varied a lot, 12 mpg was typical but it would go as low as 8 if the load was very heavy and traffic was very slow.
I was okay with the mileage because the truck can do a lot of work for the gas that was used.
22nd Sep 2008, 16:20
I bought a 1979 GMC Vandura a couple of years ago. The engine was rebuilt so I've not had any problems other than replacing a master cylinder and soldering a broken contact in the solenoid. I had a problem starting it whenever I drove it for a long time when it was hot. It was a wire contact in the solenoid that was the problem. It had cracked at the solder joint and when it would get hot it would break the circuit so the vehicle would not start. Since fixing this I've had no problems. This is a great van. Mine is a full one ton so I can carry a lot of load. I can fit 14' long boards inside up to 30 pallets which is what use mine for now. I like the body style. 70 vans were the most fashionable. It has good power. Mine has a 400 engine. I don't know if this was the original engine but it works well in this van. I don't know what my gas mileage is but it isn't great. Anybody know what these were rated for?