Hey guys. I've been looking for sometime to add a truck to my collection of cars. I wanted a GM product because that is all I own, and diesel is what to get into.

Well I found a 97' 3500 stake body for sale really cheap near me. Well when I called the guy to ask about it, it got a little weird but not too much for me to handle. Basically it's a super clean truck, 130k miles. But issue is that he said there was a lifter noise and some mechanic he hired began to pull it apart and never put it together. He mentioned that it ran strong befor but now turbo and a lot of upper motor and hoses are off. I haven't looked at the truck yet so I do t know what the full damage is but I need some info for if I look at it.
I have read up for weeks on issues with these trucks and how to test them when you go to look at them, but this one isn't running at the time. It's only listed for $1500 and I don't mind doing some work. But should I just walk away?
It's kind of hard to find one with this low of miles around me, most are $2500 with no start issues and 280k miles

 

Keep in mind you will be buying a non running truck worst case scenario you will have to replace the engine there are places that sell low mile take out military engines for around 2 grand.So If you want a Diesel bad enough that sounds like a pretty good deal but keep in mind a 6.5 is not a Cummins,Powerstroke or Duramax in the power department but they will out perform any gas burner plus way better fuel mileage.