1978 3/4 ton 4x4 GMC camper special

[JohnnyCanuck]

First of all hi to everyone, really enjoying the forum, been lurking and borrowing ideas and techie stuff so figured I better join up.  I bought this truck two weeks ago, this is the 2nd '78 GMC I've owned over the years.  This one is in real decent shape, original paint too, the original crank packed it in last year, the 454 has 3,300 kilometers.  I have a new dash and gauge bezel coming, needs a good cleaning and cutwax.  Has a 14 bolt rear end (10.5), front end was rebuilt when engine was done.

It has a weird brake problem, when you step on the brakes, the back brakes lock up, soon as you release the pedal it's fine.  It has a new brake booster/cylinder, I think it might be the wheel cylinders, still checking on what it might be.  I have a ramjet set-up coming for the intake that should work better than the current set up.

Also trying to find an OE grille, not having much luck but I have some feelers out at various auto-wreckers.

[1979C20]

The rear brakes are adjusted too sensitive, you need to close them up a bit.

[bake74]

The rear brakes are adjusted too sensitive, you need to close them up a bit.

     x2, also to check your wheel cylinders if they are leaking or evidence at all that they were leaking, replace them, way better than to be driving and have them lock up.   Also welcome from California.

[slammed79]

I got nothin to add to that except welcome from AZ and if I track down a good 78 GMC grille I'll let you know!

[zieg85]

Welcome from NW Indiana

[beastie_3]

welcome. what is on your heater hose, a filter?

[Canadian 4X4]

Welcome from a fellow Canadian!

[JohnnyCanuck]

welcome. what is on your heater hose, a filter?

It's a circulating heater, circulates the coolant thru a heater that helps it to start when it's cold.  It has block heater so not sure why he installed them, I'm taking it out.

[bake74]

     Didn't noticed this before, why is the air cleaner top on upside down ?  Is this for something I don't know about, or just to let the dust in more.

[reload]

     Didn't noticed this before, why is the air cleaner top on upside down ?  Is this for something I don't know about, or just to let the dust in more.

It's faster.  Learned it in high school, so must be true 

[JohnnyCanuck]

     Didn't noticed this before, why is the air cleaner top on upside down ?  Is this for something I don't know about, or just to let the dust in more.

It's faster.  Learned it in high school, so must be true 

When the engine was done, the truck wasn't get enough air, the fellow that did the work said it was quite boggy.  The carb was off the original 400, he rebuilt it, no difference.  He flipped the lid, it helped, he took the snorkel off and it ran fine.  It's not a good setup, I'm looking at an after-market dual snorkel setup to close everything up and still get enough air, I just need to ensure it will run in the winter properly.

[1979C20]

I flipped mine upside down because it would bog at WOT. After I flipped it it helped, but now I get all the hot air off of the engine ): I put an open element on it now, used on of the air cleaner spacers to get it off of the accelerator pump linkage.

[jaredts]

Flipping the breather lid is to make the secondaries sound cool!

[reload]

Flipping the breather lid is to make the secondaries sound cool!

Agreed

[thirsty]

Everybody used to flip those in high school. I never noticed any increase in power just a decrease in mileage because it sounded cooler and I was always standing on it.