COMPARISON · THE SHOWDOWN
OPEN LABOR PROJECT
VEHICLE A
▼
Chevrolet
C10
350ci V8
VS
VEHICLE B
▼
Chevrolet
C10
292ci I6
Real labor data. Real maintenance costs. Real recall counts. No subscription, no paywall — free for every wrench-turner.
01
Specifications
Year
1986
1986
Engine
350ci V8
292ci I6
Drivetrain
RWD
RWD
Transmission
automatic
manual
Fuel
gas
gas
04
Cost of Ownership
★ WINNER
5-Year Maintenance
$12,237
0.20 $/mi
5-Year Maintenance
$12,352
0.21 $/mi
🏆
ADVANTAGEChevrolet C10 — Saves you $115 over 5 years (1% less in routine maintenance labor)
Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.
05
Maintenance Breakdown
Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.
TH350/TH400/700R4 Transmission Failure
— hrs$1,625 / 5yr
— hrs$1,625 / 5yr
Frame Rust and Body Mount Deterioration
— hrs$1,398 / 5yr
— hrs$1,398 / 5yr
6.2L Detroit Diesel Injection Pump Failure
— hrs$1,050 / 5yr
— hrs$1,050 / 5yr
Oil & filter change
0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr
Carburetor Fuel System Degradation
— hrs$650 / 5yr
— hrs$650 / 5yr
Tire rotation
0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr
Small-Block V8 Intake Manifold Gasket Leak
— hrs$569 / 5yr
— hrs$569 / 5yr
Rear brake pads
1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr
Front brake pads
1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr
Differential fluid
1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr
1.5 hrs$530 / 5yr
Steering Gearbox and Linkage Wear
— hrs$368 / 5yr
— hrs$368 / 5yr
Brake fluid flush
0.7 hrs$240 / 5yr
0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr
12V battery
0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr
Wiper blades
0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr
0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr
Water pump
3.5 hrs$226 / 5yr
3.5 hrs$226 / 5yr
Exhaust Manifold Cracking (Small-Block V8)
— hrs$210 / 5yr
— hrs$210 / 5yr
Intake manifold gasket
4.5 hrs$230 / 5yr
3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr
Spark plugs
0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr
0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr
Coolant flush
1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr
0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr
Oil pan gasket
4.2 hrs$170 / 5yr
3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr
Fuel filter
0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr
Engine air filter
0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
Alternator
1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
Valve cover gasket
1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr
1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr
Power steering flush
0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr
Serpentine belt
0.3 hrs$80 / 5yr
0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr
Starter motor
1.0 hrs$70 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr
Thermostat
1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr
1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr
PCV valve
0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr
06
Active Recalls
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.
07
Fluid Capacities
Chevrolet C10
ac_refrigerant · R-12
brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3
coolant18.00 qt · GM 1899-M or ASTM D3306
engine_oil5.00 qt · API SF/SG
power_steering2.00 qt · GM 9985010 or Dexron II ATF
rear_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5
transmission_auto12.00 qt · GM Type A Suffix A
washer4.00 qt · windshield washer fluid
Chevrolet C10
ac_refrigerant · R-12
brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3
coolant17.00 qt · GM 1899-M or ASTM D3306
engine_oil5.00 qt · API SF/SG
power_steering2.00 qt · GM 9985010 or Dexron II ATF
rear_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5
transmission_manual3.50 qt · GM Type A Suffix A
washer4.00 qt · windshield washer fluid
08
The Verdict
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Across cost of ownership and recall count, neither vehicle pulls decisively ahead. Pick on personal preference — drivetrain, transmission feel, brand loyalty, or the engine that puts a smile on your face.
Open the full dashboard for either truck
Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.