The 1978 Chevy trucks were fitted with a number of different engines, depending on the truck model. Some Chevy models, like the K10 and K20 trucks, were fitted with a six-cylinder engine that offered a 250-cubic inch displacement. Another K20 model truck featured a six-cylinder engine with a 292-cubic inch displacement. K10 and K20 models also were available featuring an eight-cylinder, 350-cubic inch displacement engine.
The K10 and K20 models with the 250-cubic inch engine displacement offered 105 horsepower and 185 foot-pounds of torque. The K20 model with the 292 cubic-inch displacement offered 120 horsepower and 215 foot-pounds of torque. K10 and K20 models with the eight-cylinder engine offered 175 horsepower and 275 foot-pounds of torque.
Chevrolet offered several different transmission options for their 1978 trucks. The K10 and K20 models made during 1978 were fitted with a three-speed manual transmission, a four-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic transmission.