today Saturday I finally got back to trying to start the engine. Last time it would not turn over. The battery was charged up I thought but i took it back inside and recharged it before today. I then today took out all the spark plugs and squirted some light oil into the cylinders. Went inside and got the battery. With the plugs out we turned the key for a half a second a couple times and it turned over. Then we turned the ignition on for a few seconds to maybe get the oil into all the right places. Since the thing hasn't been started in years I was relieved.
The gas in it is maybe 6 years old - who knows. It might present a problem for the next step of actually starting. There is not much gas in the tank so I could easily dilute the old gas.
Interesting to work on the old beast. I climbed into the engine compartment to work on the plugs. Sit on the front metal that goes over the radiator. So anyway I reinstalled the plugs and then hooked up the battery. Kristen had got to cleaning out the front and wanted me to get her the canister vacuum so she could suck out all the little crap from the rust bucket. plastic bags had rot in the sun over the years and pieces were all over. All kinds of junk to throw away. It now looks pretty good inside.
So back to the engine. I got in the drivers seat and Kristen in the passenger seat. I turned the key and it turned over pretty well but did not start. I pumped the gas pedal many times trying to prime it and get a lot of gas into it but no luck. The ignition clicked a few times so that was not good.
During her cleaning, Kristen had found a can of starting fluid. I got out and took off the air cleaner top and sprayed into the carb. Then I had Kristen crank it and it started! We let it run a few minutes and I thought it would sputter and die but it did not. I had to shut it down since there is no water or coolant in it.
I'm going to change the coolant in the 1997 truck and put the old fluid into the 73. Then we can try and restart and maybe drive it around the parking lot.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
Attempt to start
Kristen wanted to work on the truck. I was reluctant but I decided to. I thought we should try to start it. Took the battery out to it, hooked it up and it only made a clicking noise. The battery must be low on power. Then we tried jumping it with the other truck and no battery. It started to turn but would not properly crank. Will try again some day with charged battery and jumping.
A guy at work (that has built a lot of engines) suggested spraying WD-40 into each cylinder to make it turn over easier. It has been sitting so long everything is dry. So with that we should at least get it to turn a few revolutions. If it starts it will be a minor miracle.
A guy at work (that has built a lot of engines) suggested spraying WD-40 into each cylinder to make it turn over easier. It has been sitting so long everything is dry. So with that we should at least get it to turn a few revolutions. If it starts it will be a minor miracle.
Friday, November 11, 2011
First blog on the old truck
Old truck
Old truck
11-11-11
Worked about an hour in it. Got left rear tire and brake drum off and it was bound up. Had to reverse the adjuster. It rotates ok now. No broken springs.
Took off left front tire. The bake was froze up a little after spraying some spots with wd40 and prying the pads apart the wheel rotates ok. I bet that it would freeze up again once used.
Took right front wheel off the ground and it spun so I didnt take it off. Done for today. All wheels spin.
11-7-11
Still trying to get a wheel off. Spray with rust stuff.
Finally got right rear tire off the vehicle after using a 3 foot crow bar to pry between wheel and the drum from behind. Spent an hour or so.
10-26ish 2011
Kristen and I try to get right rear wheel off using a 7 foot 2by4. It is stuck.
Background
1973 Chevrolet Silverado fleetside pickup truck, C10. Originally had a 350 cubic inch engine but now actually has a 1975 305 c.i. block. Same stroke but smaller bore.
Been idle a few years since the tranny was rebuilt. Sat idle basically the last 9 years or maybe 2002. Maybe late 2001.
It is a rust bucket. Side panels eaten away. Bought it in Indiana for $500 off a big dealers back lot before it was for sale. It was junk then.
The motor is in very bad shape. It has gas in the oil. The dipstick reeks of gas. Probably a hole in a piston. Oil chamber overfull. Smokes bad but it will start or at least it has.
Good thing I spent $900 on rebuilding the transmission, huh?
How long will it take and how much more money? Can I do it on the parking lot? Am I crazy?
Old truck
11-11-11
Worked about an hour in it. Got left rear tire and brake drum off and it was bound up. Had to reverse the adjuster. It rotates ok now. No broken springs.
Took off left front tire. The bake was froze up a little after spraying some spots with wd40 and prying the pads apart the wheel rotates ok. I bet that it would freeze up again once used.
Took right front wheel off the ground and it spun so I didnt take it off. Done for today. All wheels spin.
11-7-11
Still trying to get a wheel off. Spray with rust stuff.
Finally got right rear tire off the vehicle after using a 3 foot crow bar to pry between wheel and the drum from behind. Spent an hour or so.
10-26ish 2011
Kristen and I try to get right rear wheel off using a 7 foot 2by4. It is stuck.
Background
1973 Chevrolet Silverado fleetside pickup truck, C10. Originally had a 350 cubic inch engine but now actually has a 1975 305 c.i. block. Same stroke but smaller bore.
Been idle a few years since the tranny was rebuilt. Sat idle basically the last 9 years or maybe 2002. Maybe late 2001.
It is a rust bucket. Side panels eaten away. Bought it in Indiana for $500 off a big dealers back lot before it was for sale. It was junk then.
The motor is in very bad shape. It has gas in the oil. The dipstick reeks of gas. Probably a hole in a piston. Oil chamber overfull. Smokes bad but it will start or at least it has.
Good thing I spent $900 on rebuilding the transmission, huh?
How long will it take and how much more money? Can I do it on the parking lot? Am I crazy?
11-11-11
Worked about an hour in it. Got left rear tire and brake drum off and it was bound up. Had to reverse the adjuster. It rotates ok now. No broken springs.
Took off left front tire. The bake was froze up a little after spraying some spots with wd40 and prying the pads apart the wheel rotates ok. I bet that it would freeze up again once used.
Took right front wheel off the ground and it spun so I didnt take it off. Done for today. All wheels spin.
11-7-11
Still trying to get a wheel off. Spray with rust stuff.
Finally got right rear tire off the vehicle after using a 3 foot crow bar to pry between wheel and the drum from behind. Spent an hour or so.
10-26ish 2011
Kristen and I try to get right rear wheel off using a 7 foot 2by4. It is stuck.
Background
1973 Chevrolet Silverado fleetside pickup truck, C10. Originally had a 350 cubic inch engine but now actually has a 1975 305 c.i. block. Same stroke but smaller bore.
Been idle a few years since the tranny was rebuilt. Sat idle basically the last 9 years or maybe 2002. Maybe late 2001.
It is a rust bucket. Side panels eaten away. Bought it in Indiana for $500 off a big dealers back lot before it was for sale. It was junk then.
The motor is in very bad shape. It has gas in the oil. The dipstick reeks of gas. Probably a hole in a piston. Oil chamber overfull. Smokes bad but it will start or at least it has.
Good thing I spent $900 on rebuilding the transmission, huh?
How long will it take and how much more money? Can I do it on the parking lot? Am I crazy?
Old truck
11-11-11
Worked about an hour in it. Got left rear tire and brake drum off and it was bound up. Had to reverse the adjuster. It rotates ok now. No broken springs.
Took off left front tire. The bake was froze up a little after spraying some spots with wd40 and prying the pads apart the wheel rotates ok. I bet that it would freeze up again once used.
Took right front wheel off the ground and it spun so I didnt take it off. Done for today. All wheels spin.
11-7-11
Still trying to get a wheel off. Spray with rust stuff.
Finally got right rear tire off the vehicle after using a 3 foot crow bar to pry between wheel and the drum from behind. Spent an hour or so.
10-26ish 2011
Kristen and I try to get right rear wheel off using a 7 foot 2by4. It is stuck.
Background
1973 Chevrolet Silverado fleetside pickup truck, C10. Originally had a 350 cubic inch engine but now actually has a 1975 305 c.i. block. Same stroke but smaller bore.
Been idle a few years since the tranny was rebuilt. Sat idle basically the last 9 years or maybe 2002. Maybe late 2001.
It is a rust bucket. Side panels eaten away. Bought it in Indiana for $500 off a big dealers back lot before it was for sale. It was junk then.
The motor is in very bad shape. It has gas in the oil. The dipstick reeks of gas. Probably a hole in a piston. Oil chamber overfull. Smokes bad but it will start or at least it has.
Good thing I spent $900 on rebuilding the transmission, huh?
How long will it take and how much more money? Can I do it on the parking lot? Am I crazy?
Old truck
11-11-11
Worked about an hour in it. Got left rear tire and brake drum off and it was bound up. Had to reverse the adjuster. It rotates ok now. No broken springs.
Took off left front tire. The bake was froze up a little after spraying some spots with wd40 and prying the pads apart the wheel rotates ok. I bet that it would freeze up again once used.
Took right front wheel off the ground and it spun so I didnt take it off. Done for today. All wheels spin.
11-7-11
Still trying to get a wheel off. Spray with rust stuff.
Finally got right rear tire off the vehicle after using a 3 foot crow bar to pry between wheel and the drum from behind. Spent an hour or so.
10-26ish 2011
Kristen and I try to get right rear wheel off using a 7 foot 2by4. It is stuck.
Background
1973 Chevrolet Silverado fleetside pickup truck, C10. Originally had a 350 cubic inch engine but now actually has a 1975 305 c.i. block. Same stroke but smaller bore.
Been idle a few years since the tranny was rebuilt. Sat idle basically the last 9 years or maybe 2002. Maybe late 2001.
It is a rust bucket. Side panels eaten away. Bought it in Indiana for $500 off a big dealers back lot before it was for sale. It was junk then.
The motor is in very bad shape. It has gas in the oil. The dipstick reeks of gas. Probably a hole in a piston. Oil chamber overfull. Smokes bad but it will start or at least it has.
Good thing I spent $900 on rebuilding the transmission, huh?
How long will it take and how much more money? Can I do it on the parking lot? Am I crazy?
11-11-11
Worked about an hour in it. Got left rear tire and brake drum off and it was bound up. Had to reverse the adjuster. It rotates ok now. No broken springs.
Took off left front tire. The bake was froze up a little after spraying some spots with wd40 and prying the pads apart the wheel rotates ok. I bet that it would freeze up again once used.
Took right front wheel off the ground and it spun so I didnt take it off. Done for today. All wheels spin.
11-7-11
Still trying to get a wheel off. Spray with rust stuff.
Finally got right rear tire off the vehicle after using a 3 foot crow bar to pry between wheel and the drum from behind. Spent an hour or so.
10-26ish 2011
Kristen and I try to get right rear wheel off using a 7 foot 2by4. It is stuck.
Background
1973 Chevrolet Silverado fleetside pickup truck, C10. Originally had a 350 cubic inch engine but now actually has a 1975 305 c.i. block. Same stroke but smaller bore.
Been idle a few years since the tranny was rebuilt. Sat idle basically the last 9 years or maybe 2002. Maybe late 2001.
It is a rust bucket. Side panels eaten away. Bought it in Indiana for $500 off a big dealers back lot before it was for sale. It was junk then.
The motor is in very bad shape. It has gas in the oil. The dipstick reeks of gas. Probably a hole in a piston. Oil chamber overfull. Smokes bad but it will start or at least it has.
Good thing I spent $900 on rebuilding the transmission, huh?
How long will it take and how much more money? Can I do it on the parking lot? Am I crazy?
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