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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: Topkat on September 22, 2015, 09:23:37 pm

Title: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on September 22, 2015, 09:23:37 pm
Hi. I have a 1985 Chevrolet Silverado SWB 2WD that I have owned for the past 12 years or so. The truck has always been a great truck but I moved to another city about eight years ago and I had to leave the truck at my parent's house since I had no place to park two vehicles at the time. I currently have my '07 GMC crew cab  up for sale so that I can take on another business endeavor. I would like to go and get my '85 and start using it as my daily driver again as I am single and don't need the extra room. My question is this since the truck has not been started in quite a while besides obviously draining and changing all fluids (oil, rear end, gas,and coolant) what else should I be looking at in order to get this truck back on the road where it belongs? I am going to put a fresh battery in it and change the plugs and plug wires. I just want to make sure that she's as reliable as she's always been. Before I parked it I had my mechanic look at it and he confirmed that it was running in tip top shape.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: zieg85 on September 22, 2015, 09:40:46 pm
Carefully inspect the tires and due to age, if it were me, I would replace them.  Front brake hoses are common to be needed as well.  You have everything else pretty much identified
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on September 22, 2015, 09:46:42 pm
Carefully inspect the tires and due to age, if it were me, I would replace them.  Front brake hoses are common to be needed as well.  You have everything else pretty much identified
Thanks! The tires was actually one of the first things on my list. I had a set of Futura's that I put on but NEVER again. I think just to be on the safe side I'll change all of the rubber hoses. Thanks again!

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Captain Swampy on September 24, 2015, 09:28:50 pm
Pull the plugs and crank it to build oil pressure so the cam and lifters get oiled before you start it. I'd drive it a couple days on the old parts and then change them. Let everything get working again so you don't foul out a new plug.
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on September 24, 2015, 09:39:36 pm
Thanks Captain Swampy. I do need to drain all of the fluids first though, right?

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Captkaos on September 25, 2015, 07:37:39 am
Get it running first then check all the wear parts.  If it has just been sitting I would check all the fluids to make sure they appear ok and if so I would get it running before draining them all (so you don't waste money if you have a cracked block or if you have to pull the motor.  Once you get it running to your satisfaction then I would change all the fluids.  Check the brakes, vacuum hoses, radiator hoses, power steering hoses and tires.  Make sure it can drive and stop before committing it to daily service, then enjoy.
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on October 04, 2015, 08:46:47 am
Hi. I have a 1985 Chevrolet Silverado SWB 2WD that I have owned for the past 12 years or so. The truck has always been a great truck but I moved to another city about eight years ago and I had to leave the truck at my parent's house since I had no place to park two vehicles at the time. I currently have my '07 GMC crew cab  up for sale so that I can take on another business endeavor. I would like to go and get my '85 and start using it as my daily driver again as I am single and don't need the extra room. My question is this since the truck has not been started in quite a while besides obviously draining and changing all fluids (oil, rear end, gas,and coolant) what else should I be looking at in order to get this truck back on the road where it belongs? I am going to put a fresh battery in it and change the plugs and plug wires. I just want to make sure that she's as reliable as she's always been. Before I parked it I had my mechanic look at it and he confirmed that it was running in tip top shape.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

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Well, I lifted the hood on my '85 yesterday and I saw at least two or three mice/rats (couldn't tell which because I was trying to get out of the way, lol )running around. I have to admit this has me a little discouraged because now I know that there is an even bigger problem. What should I do?

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: zieg85 on October 04, 2015, 09:39:45 am
They are more scared of you!!  Look for damage and report back
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: frotosride on October 04, 2015, 10:55:21 am
Think like a small woodland creature and look for nest and chewed wires in the most ridiculous places.
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: VileZambonie on October 04, 2015, 11:58:09 am
Listen to captkaos, just get it running and then do a multi-point inspection. Don't waste your money replacing parts and fluids for no reason.
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on October 04, 2015, 12:19:25 pm
They are more scared of you!!  Look for damage and report back
Will do

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on October 04, 2015, 12:20:02 pm
Think like a small woodland creature and look for nest and chewed wires in the most ridiculous places.
I will.

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: roundhouse on October 04, 2015, 01:58:57 pm

Hi. I have a 1985 Chevrolet Silverado SWB 2WD that I have owned for the past 12 years or so. The truck has always been a great truck but I moved to another city about eight years ago and I had to leave the truck at my parent's house since I had no place to park two vehicles at the time. I currently have my '07 GMC crew cab  up for sale so that I can take on another business endeavor. I would like to go and get my '85 and start using it as my daily driver again as I am single and don't need the extra room. My question is this since the truck has not been started in quite a while besides obviously draining and changing all fluids (oil, rear end, gas,and coolant) what else should I be looking at in order to get this truck back on the road where it belongs? I am going to put a fresh battery in it and change the plugs and plug wires. I just want to make sure that she's as reliable as she's always been. Before I parked it I had my mechanic look at it and he confirmed that it was running in tip top shape.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

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Well, I lifted the hood on my '85 yesterday and I saw at least two or three mice/rats (couldn't tell which because I was trying to get out of the way, lol )running around. I have to admit this has me a little discouraged because now I know that there is an even bigger problem. What should I do?

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I always find snakes under the hood of mine that sit for months


But that means no mice.....


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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on October 04, 2015, 02:35:39 pm

Hi. I have a 1985 Chevrolet Silverado SWB 2WD that I have owned for the past 12 years or so. The truck has always been a great truck but I moved to another city about eight years ago and I had to leave the truck at my parent's house since I had no place to park two vehicles at the time. I currently have my '07 GMC crew cab  up for sale so that I can take on another business endeavor. I would like to go and get my '85 and start using it as my daily driver again as I am single and don't need the extra room. My question is this since the truck has not been started in quite a while besides obviously draining and changing all fluids (oil, rear end, gas,and coolant) what else should I be looking at in order to get this truck back on the road where it belongs? I am going to put a fresh battery in it and change the plugs and plug wires. I just want to make sure that she's as reliable as she's always been. Before I parked it I had my mechanic look at it and he confirmed that it was running in tip top shape.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
Well, I lifted the hood on my '85 yesterday and I saw at least two or three mice/rats (couldn't tell which because I was trying to get out of the way, lol )running around. I have to admit this has me a little discouraged because now I know that there is an even bigger problem. What should I do?

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I always find snakes under the hood of mine that sit for months


But that means no mice.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
LOL, thanks but that's of no help! I hate snakes worse than mice.

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Irish_Alley on October 11, 2015, 07:42:55 am
mice chew on wires, insulation and foam from the seats, snakes just chew on mice
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: p7387 on October 19, 2015, 11:22:26 pm
Hopefully the mice did no damage to wires
As far as the interior goes if they nested somewhere good luck getting the horrible stench out.
I had this issue once with an older sedan, they destroyed the headliner. Short of gutting the interior i had no luck completely eliminating the smell of urine and rot.

This might be good for another thread if it hasn't been addressed before
Short of the basics of traps any suggestions for keeping mice at bay during storage?
I have heard fabric softener sheets help, I have also considered a ultrasonic repeller if the vehicle is in a garage with an outlet
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on October 20, 2015, 08:39:01 am
Hopefully the mice did no damage to wires
As far as the interior goes if they nested somewhere good luck getting the horrible stench out.
I had this issue once with an older sedan, they destroyed the headliner. Short of gutting the interior i had no luck completely eliminating the smell of urine and rot.

This might be good for another thread if it hasn't been addressed before
Short of the basics of traps any suggestions for keeping mice at bay during storage?
I have heard fabric softener sheets help, I have also considered a ultrasonic repeller if the vehicle is in a garage with an outlet
Thanks. The interior is actually in really good shape. I just saw them when I popped the hood. I would still like to know how to keep them away from my truck until I can move it. And you're right hopefully they haven't caused any damage under the hood.

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: SuburbanHunter on October 20, 2015, 03:22:16 pm
to keep mice out.... moth balls. Has worked great for me under my house. BUT they eventually 'wear out' and need to me replaced.
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on October 20, 2015, 04:49:28 pm
to keep mice out.... moth balls. Has worked great for me under my house. BUT they eventually 'wear out' and need to me replaced.
Thanks!

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: frotosride on October 25, 2015, 06:49:41 pm
.....I would still like to know how to keep them away from my truck until I can move it.

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My vote... Use snakes they are great at like we discussed earlier.
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Captain Swampy on October 25, 2015, 10:10:54 pm
So did you get it running yet? I wouldn't change the fluids until you get it running. Sure hope you got rid of the mice. They're filthy little things.
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on October 26, 2015, 07:56:20 am
So did you get it running yet? I wouldn't change the fluids until you get it running. Sure hope you got rid of the mice. They're filthy little things.
Not yet, I still have a few things to take care of but I'll keep everyone posted.

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: philo_beddoe on October 26, 2015, 08:41:11 pm
As soon as it starts to chug over just floor it! That'll teach those mice!   Just kidding, dont do that.   But do watch for small fires from mice nests.   
Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: Topkat on October 27, 2015, 04:12:31 am
As soon as it starts to chug over just floor it! That'll teach those mice!   Just kidding, dont do that.   But do watch for small fires from mice nests.
Lol,thanks!  Any idea where the nest might be? I don't know where they would hide.

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Title: Re: Need advice
Post by: philo_beddoe on October 27, 2015, 06:56:42 am
Air cleaner/carb area, often you'll find acorns on top of the manifold or in firewall area. Use flashlight and look under dash/glovebox etc.  mice dont live in there continuously, they come and go.  If they are in there now you could smell urine.  Look for little droppings.   Keep us posted...