hello - i recently joined the site. i just got an 86 c-10 lwb, 305 v-8. i'm trying to get it running well enough to be a relatively dependable daily driver. i'm having an issue right now with the truck wanting to stall when i start it up.
background info - since the ruck is an 86, the original carb had a bunch some extra emissions stuff. the previous owner replaced the carb with another q-jet without some of the emissions sensors,etc. - for one, there is a dangling wire that i think is from the coolant temp. sensor. i'm wanting to know if this will lead to any problems or performance losses. if so, what options do i have other than trying to find the carb that originally came with the truck. i would consider an aftermarket carb.
now on to my current problem -
when i start the truck, i let it warm up (how long should this be?) it idles fine in fast idle. then i hit the throttle lightly to disengage the fast idle. when i do that, the idle speed goes down, but then starts to stumble a bit. when i put it into reverse (most noticeable in reverse) , the truck starts idling down until it eventually dies unless i give it some throttle. if i get moving right after i shift, i can get moving. same if i get into drive quickly. when i'm at a light, it stumbles but won't die (yet). however, sometimes i don't have this problem - idles fine at lights, no stumbling. one thing that i have noticed, is that the oil pressure gauge jumps around as it stumbles. i don't know if one thing has anything to do with the other, but it seems wierd that the oil pressure drops as the idle goes down -
i hope this isn't too long. i'm just looking for suggestions. it may be that i need a carb rebuild, or new carb. recently had it at a mechanic who said the idle was high and adjusted it down some. seems like it started happening around the same time. any help is much appreciated. thanks.