Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet K10 or the Chevrolet K10?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Chevrolet K10 is cheaper to maintain — about $5,423 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 250ci I6 and the 5.7L V8 350?

Across 30 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Chevrolet K10 or Chevrolet K10?

The Chevrolet K10 has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Chevrolet K10 has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1987 Chevrolet K10 vs 1997 Chevrolet K10 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1987

1997

Engine

250ci I6

5.7L V8 350

Drivetrain

4WD

Transmission

manual

automatic

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

—hp

255hp

Torque

—lb-ft

330lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

9.2s

Quarter Mile

—

16.8s @ 82 mph

Top Speed

—

105 mph

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

—

4,800 lb

Max Towing

—

10,000 lb

Max Payload

—

1,850 lb

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$6,519

0.11 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$11,942

0.20 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEChevrolet K10 — Saves you $5,423 over 5 years (83% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

Piston Ring Wear and Oil Consumption

— hrs

— hrs$1,453 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Differential fluid

2.0 hrs$680 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$440 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$580 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

1.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

Head Gasket Failure from Overheating

— hrs

— hrs$1,015 / 5yr

Intake Manifold Gasket Failure (Vortec 5.7L)

— hrs

— hrs$715 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.6 hrs$210 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks and Cooler Failure

— hrs

— hrs$520 / 5yr

Spark plugs

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$240 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$189 / 5yr

Water pump

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

5.5 hrs$219 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$140 / 5yr

Alternator

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$143 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

— hrs

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

Fuel Pump and Filter Clogging (In-Tank Setup)

— hrs

— hrs$227 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.0 hrs$84 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$132 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Distributor Cap, Rotor, and Optispark Moisture Issues

— hrs

— hrs$195 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Transfer Case and Transmission Mount Deterioration

— hrs

— hrs$158 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Chevrolet K10

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake1.50 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant18.00 qt · GM 1899-M or equivalent

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SF/SG

front_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering2.00 qt · GM Part 1050017

rear_diff4.20 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.20 qt · GM Type A Suffix A

transmission_manual3.50 qt · GM Type A Suffix A

washer4.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid

Chevrolet K10

ac_refrigerant · R-134a

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 3

coolant18.00 qt · GM 6277M

engine_oil5.00 qt · API SJ

front_diff3.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering1.50 qt · GM Part 1050017

rear_diff4.20 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.20 qt · GM Dexron III

transmission_auto12.00 qt · GM Dexron III

washer4.00 qt · Windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1987 Chevrolet K10

250ci I6

Chevrolet K10 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$5,423 over 5 years)

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.