Lots of problems.. need help.

[Bowtie Bomber]

Ok, first problem I'm having right now is that my dad decided to give me some nice aluminum GM rims and tires for my 82' K 2500, which is nice, I had before old rusted steel rims and 4 tires that where different brands all around. Anyways, the rims bolt on nicely and everything is looking good until I go to take it for a test drive.. That's when you know what hit the fan. I back up about 3 feet and then my rear tires just start spinning. And it felt like my front brakes just locked up on me. So I take the rims off and look to see what's the deal.. well the rotors spin nice.. but then I look at my ball joints (4wd for those who don't know(it's a 2500 come on)) and I see fragments of aluminum on it! Then I look at my rims and theres a nice groove on the inside of them, there ok, nothing that can't be worked out. But dang there the wrong offset.

So I'm already pissed cause I love those rims. They make that truck look nice (I'll post pics later). So then my grandma feels sympathy and goes and buys me some wheel spacers for me as a surprise. Well, there aluminum spacers with grade 8 bolts in them and at $210 total.. I feel bad that she did that for me.. But I don't know if I can trust them is all.. Cause me being a "raging" 18 year old I'm gonna do some burn outs here and there and maybe some power slides in vacant parking lots.. I'm just scared they'll pop off on me and send my whole project down the drain. And I've been working on it since 15 and I'll be giggered it I wreck it do to them dang spacers failing on me.

Also that and my truck is smoking for some reason. The valve guides are good, they're brand new heads. I think it might be some blow by but I'm not sure yet.. I think it's just because the truck sits from time to time because I only work on it during the weekends. I'm not entirely sure. But it stops smoking after I drive it a little. Then it runs flawlessly.

Also my right tail lights don't work right.. they don't blink when I put on the turn signal, nor do they go bright when I put on the brakes or go in reverse. The left side works great though, just he reverse light doesn't work either.

So anyone have any suggestions?

[VileZambonie]

Are they bolt on wheel adapters? If so just make sure the mating surfaces are cleans and that you torque them in sequence to specifications using a torque wrench.

What color is the smoke? Is it just when you start it?

Check your flasher and check your bulbs first.

[Bowtie Bomber]

Are they bolt on wheel adapters? If so just make sure the mating surfaces are cleans and that you torque them in sequence to specifications using a torque wrench.

What color is the smoke? Is it just when you start it?

Check your flasher and check your bulbs first.

Yeah they're bolt ons. I'll make sure to clean the surface and I have the torque specs with me.

The color is a faint white. It looks like youre exhaust on a cold winter morning, but it's Florida and it was high 60's I believe. It goes away real quick though, I just reckon it's an old motor and like such it's typically normal to have some oil burning when you first start them up after awhile. I think I'm gonna go through the bottom end again and either hone it or bore it out. Not sure what I want to do yet.

The bulbs are all brand new. But the wiring harness for the tail lights is a complete mess. Spliced wires everywhere. I think I'm just gonna either buy a new one or go to the junk yard and get one in better condition. Cause I kinda need my brake lights working.

But I'm not worried about the smoke or wiring, I'm really concerned if those spacers will hold.

[Captkaos]

As long as you bolt them on and torque them to spec they should be fine.  If they were GM rims, what kind are they?

[Blazin]

If they are not hiting by much grind the calipers. I have done this on several of my 3/4 4x4s to fit 15" wheels.

[VileZambonie]

The hub adapters are fine as long as you torque them correctly.

White smoke is either ATF or coolant.

Oil is bluish grey so pay close attention to the color and see what it is for sure.

[Bowtie Bomber]

The rims are off an 87 Silverado with a straight front axle 4wd (supposedly).

Well, we put on the spacers nice and tight, torqued them to what they where supposed to be. But now my front tires are rubbing my fenders by 1.5 inches or so. But it's fine, I have a 3 inch body lift blocks that have been laying around. I'll raise the bumpers with it when I do it so it doesn't look dumb.

And the truck's not smoking anymore, took it for a run later this evening and it runs great now. That thing is so moody, but hey it fixed it's self so I won't complain.


All that's left now is my tail lights..That and my sunpro tach decided to stop working. I know what it is, I'll just fix it later.

[Blazin]

The 87 rims fit any pre indipendant front end truck without clearance isues.

[86 chevy silverado]

SOME white smoke is normal, your motor produces a certain amount of water while running, thats why you will see water dripping out of tailpipes. Excessive white smoke that produce clouds and sweet smell is coolant.

[Bowtie Bomber]

The 87 rims fit any pre indipendant front end truck without clearance isues.

Yeah they should, but like I said "supposedly". I'm starting to thing they where off a newer truck with the front independent suspension 4wd setup.

other that, all I have left is tail lights and to fix my carb issues. The floats sticking so I'm just gonna go ahead and take the 780 Holley off and rebuild it. Either that or down grade to a 650 spread bore Holley. Gas is killing me. But it's worth it.

EDIT:

Also, what timing do you think my cam should be at? Summit won't tell me. I was thinking around 12 advanced or so. But I'm not sure, I'll let you pro's decide.



I have to roll with this cam until I get my lower end reworked. Then I can get my lunati in there.

[VileZambonie]

That's a pretty mild cam. Set your total timing to about 36° and see how it does.

[Fordeatinz71]

yea, i'm willing to bet those wheels were off a newer IFS rig with the deeper offset.  even with adapters you might end up with some funny looking offsets looking down the side of the truck...because even looking down the side of a IFS rig the offsets are slightly different...the front wheels stick out farther. 

as for your taillights, if you don't have the money for a better harness right now, just rebuild yours.  it's not that hard man.  just get a multimeter and start checking wires at the back.  when you find the ones you KNOW go to each component, trace 'em back to where they are spliced/broken and repair them.  if you wanna get fancy, even use the same colored wire as the factory did. 

you been doing this for a while you know, real trucks are built, not bought!

[Bowtie Bomber]

you been doing this for a while you know, real trucks are built, not bought!

I can assure you this truck is built. I have over 3,000 dollars of my money in it. It was sunk in a salt water swamp so I had to get a whole new body cause the old one was rusted through. Everything I either rebuilt or had to buy new. I just have to get this thing done because it's gonna be my ride when I get my licence (had to wait till 18) so I have limited piddle around time left.

and Vile, set it like yah said, it mostly did the trick. Some miniscule pinging noises, probly needs to be retarded a little bit.