Author Topic: Need advice  (Read 10347 times)

Offline Topkat

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Need advice
« 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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Offline zieg85

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #1 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
Carl 
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Offline Topkat

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #2 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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Offline Captain Swampy

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #3 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.
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Offline Topkat

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #4 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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Offline Captkaos

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #5 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.

Offline Topkat

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #6 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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Offline zieg85

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2015, 09:39:45 am »
They are more scared of you!!  Look for damage and report back
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline frotosride

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #8 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.
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #9 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.
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Offline Topkat

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #10 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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Offline Topkat

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #11 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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Offline roundhouse

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #12 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!

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.....


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Offline Topkat

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #13 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?

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
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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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: Need advice
« Reply #14 on: October 11, 2015, 07:42:55 am »
mice chew on wires, insulation and foam from the seats, snakes just chew on mice
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