Half-Ton Hauler

[velojym]

Got the wiring issues patched up for now, though there are a few ancillary systems that need attention, like the 4-ways, etc. Earl has returned to short-haul/recreational use for now, and we took him to the lake today, hauling a raft and other lake toys. Zoe loved it, as she really likes my truck (hey, she's 5. Sitting up front with Daddy is one of the greatest things to her).
Jacquie found that she missed having a functional truck around, and likely will be more supportive when I get the money together to go deeper.

I'm in a computer network admin program now at a local university, and hope that I'll be able to better afford what I'd really like to do with Earl.

[velojym]

*sigh*
So, there's a drain somewhere. Battery is dead after Earl sits for a day or two.
Going on the back burner until I can pull the engine and redo everything.

[scorpion]

Ya know, one of the best investments I've made is a Battery Tender.  Before I was able to redo my wiring and exercise my rigs demons I'd plug it in between uses and let My electric bill keep it charged.  Worked like a charm and probably didn't even use that much elec.  You can get one that will regulate itself for $50 - $80 bucks I think and it'll last for years.  I'll also admit, having a trickle charger as well as the block heater has changed the game on the coldest days in the winter too.

[velojym]

I have one of those, though it's a small one I picked up for my wife's Vino scooter. It's hooked up right now, but after a day and a half, I didn't get anything at all out of the battery. So, I figure the drain is more than the little trickle charger can keep up with, so I disconnected the battery tonight, leaving the charger hooked up.
If the battery (brand new) isn't any good, I'll be hauling it back to the parts store tomorrow.
Otherwise, I have a mess of hacked wiring to dig through to fix this thing right, as I'm getting a little miffed at chasing down every new little problem every time I get the last one fixed, and really just need to gut this puppy and start over.
Besides, the engine has a couple of oil leaks, an exhaust leak, and there's some surface rust on the inner fenderwells.

I also need to pick up a proper battery charger, since ours was inadvertently sold at a garage sale.

[velojym]

 After leaving it trickling overnight, Earl started up as usual, but now... I have fuel squirting out the line leading into the carb, and it's also leaking out of the clamp holding a cheap inline filter, a few inches up from the pump.
I disconnected the battery (verrrrry carefully) and once again closed the hood. Cripes.

I'm picking up some IT certifications, and hopefully will find some decent paying work soon, so's I can afford to do a proper fixup on my ol' truck. (while learning how in the process).

[velojym]

So, by "proper fixup", looks like it'll be easier than some restorations, as Earl is pretty rust free... but if I'm pulling the engine and going in, might as well do it right.
While I have the engine out, resealing it and the like, I'm coming up with a list of things I should do while I'm in there.

-clean the engine bay, including some surface rust on the inner fenders and replace the battery tray
-replace brake hoses, other "soft" parts, such as engine mounts, bushings, etc.
-shocks... easy enough to do anyway, but might as well put 'em on the list
-wiring harness. I considered a bumper-to-bumper harness, but I don't think I'll need all that. Engine compartment is where all my real problems are.
-As for the engine, it runs strong, so I figure pulling the top end, giving it a good look-see, and replacing all the seals should do for now. Maybe a nice 383 or ls job later.

I'm sure there's lots more, and it'll still be pretty slow, between work and school, but I'm really hoping that it won't be forever before I can really get Earl to be the truck I want him to be.  heck, it's already been too long.

[velojym]

Been a while since my last update. I've been studying from zero to an IT degree while working full time at a local ISP. I picked up some fuel line and rebuilt what the P.O. had in there. It was pretty rotten.
While pulling the bad hose out, I found the remains of the former metal line. Looks like it was broken off a few inches from the fuel pump. I went ahead and clamped the new one on in the same place, but I will have to remedy that at some point.


I also had to buy a new battery charger, and it's hooked up right now.
While getting the charger, I found 5ft. of PEX for a little over a buck and picked it up. A few minutes with a hobby knife and my doors are closing securely as GM intended.

[velojym]

Well, it works, and it ain't leaking. Fired Earl up for the first time in a long while, checked the charge, kept a close eye on the fuel line, and seeing no leaks or other immediate dangers, I pulled forward a few feet to check the brakes.
A little weak, but they've been sittin'. I could still stop just fine, so I went back into the garage to grab Earl's insurance card, and hopped back in for a short ride.
The engine happily burbled along (love my exhaust) down and around the hill to the dead-end, by the boat ramp. I turned around in the gravel lot and found Earl to be a bit sluggish. Engine sounded fine, but then I noticed a little rear wheel spin and some extra drag since the complete stop. Erk. Front brake(s) locked up.
I shifted into reverse and backed up a few feet, hoping that would help a bit, and it did.
I was able to limp home up the steep hill, grateful that the engine still has good oomph, and back into the driveway. A quick sniff check told me that the left front brake was the stinky party, and will need some attention if I want to cruise down the highway anytime soon.
Between getting the door strikers fixed (anyone need some 1/2" PEX? I still have plenty left!) and getting Earl running under his own power again, I'm thinking it's been a pretty decent day.

However, I'm still running into signs of a corner-cutting shadetree monkey engine installation, and still wonder whether I oughta keep picking away at this, or whether it'd be easier to start from the bottom up with the engine out.

I also have a few other tasks that don't pertain directly to the mechanicals: the windows and power locks have quit working altogether, except for a weak effort by the right glass. The steering wheel still has the wobbles, and my parking brake cable is missing. So is the left fuel tank. Paint is starting to peel (cheap paintshop job) and I'm wondering whether I should bother with eventually getting a good quality job done... or shoot for patina. That's for the future, though, and as slow as Earl and I take things, it could be a while. Come to think of it, I oughta probably get something for those spots, just to protect the metal in the meantime.

Current dreams revolve around an LS 383, or at least a 5.3... reality probably has me sticking with the current mill, cleaned up, checked out, and left otherwise as-is.

[Irish_Alley]

with the brakes. i just replaced my brake hose on my 94. never understood how they "collapsed" but upon further investigation i found the problem was actually with the metal bracket in the middle of the brake like

this bracket will rust and on the inside between the bracket and hose the rust has nowhere to go except into the hose. this will pinch the hose and will restrict the flow. at a stop sign i could press the brakes then release them only to not have the truck move for about 5 seconds, enough time for the fluid to past threw the pinched line.

[velojym]

Thanks. I'll definitely look into that, too. This weekend, I'm planning to get the truck up on jackstands so I can check out both sides. I'm considering picking up seal kits for my calipers, and just looking over the rest to see what needs to be done. I didn't think about the clip causing an issue, so I think I'll just go ahead and put those lines on my shopping list. Given the state of the carb fuel line, there probably isn't much rubber on Earl that doesn't need a little help.

[Irish_Alley]

i never had to rebuild a caliper, would just by a new one. but check things out before you buy parts. If you find one tire is locked up if you loosen the banjo bolt to release the pressure and it does start turning your problem should be the hose. if it doesn't release then its the caliper.

[velojym]

Good point. Thanks.

[velojym]

As the parts are pretty inexpensive anyway ($12.00 for reman caliper at Autozone, $16 for hoses), and I have a friend who's willing to show up to help, I'm gonna replace both sides at the same time. I know it'd be more economical to just take care of the "trouble" side, but so long as I have the front end up and a spare pair of hands, I'll just get it all outta the way. Also gonna repack the bearings while I have 'em out. That last may be a given, but I figured it was worth mentioning anyway.

I don't see anything that tells me I have heavy duty brakes, and the data plate in the glove box tells me I have IJ50 power brakes. This doesn't seem to translate to anything for available brake parts, but the above mentioned price is indicated for the non-heavy=duty brakes. I'll check the width of the disc in the morning, as I understand the only two systems available had either a 1" or 1.25" (give or take) disc width.

[Captkaos]

There are 2 sizes for the 1981-87 trucks 1" and 1.25".  (pre 1980 only had 1.25")
It should be listed on you glovebox as JB_

[Irish_Alley]

if you can just take your old one in when you get the new one do a visual comparison. not to mention core charge