Something a bit different for ZombieEngines. A 4WD 1/3 ton, V6, 5 speed manual, GMC Pickup Truck! True to ZombieEngines standards it was dead, or nearly so when acquired. AKA inexpensive.
This virtually rust free truck was acquired from someone we know. The odometer stopped working 10 years ago at 46K. It was used as a farm/ranch truck.
Shortly after purchase the ignition module inside the distributor burned out. First I purchased the wrong one. The next one I purchased lasted about 20 miles. The screws holding it to the distributor base plate let loose. Maybe this was why the original one died. I ordered a better than original AC Delco module and replaced the sheet metal screws holding it down with machine screws and nylock nuts.
The front end is a bit messed up but it seems to be entirely cosmetic.
The brakes are very poor. You can stop with enough advanced warning. Not safe in traffic. When you hold your foot on the brake you can hear a hiss and the engine speeds up. Thinking it is the brake booster.
When you turn the ignition on or off a troll kicks the dash about 10 time. Very annoying. Something with the air blend door I think.
There is another dent above the drivers side rear wheel.
Has a bumper hitch and round trailer wiring connector.
The truck has a toggle switch for power and a starter button in the ash tray. Kind of interesting but the wife suggested we put it back to factory. I pulled the steering column apart to get the old ignition lock cylinder out. YouTube helped with that.
When I exposed the wiring I found this. I don't see where any wires have been cut but I also don't see how it goes together once I remove the added switch and button.
The blue and black female connectors go to the male connector on top the steering column. Dropped the column to get better access but it is still tight for my king sized mitts.
It is easy to insert the black connector but the blue one is problematic. I accomplished it by removing the 'starter switch' from the top of the steering column.
I managed to get the truck started using the modified old lock cylinder but was unsure if the bits past the lock were not damaged.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
The parts in the above image are wrong , they are for a tilt wheel. Need to order this one.
Today I finished tearing down the steering column, The videos on youtube must all be for tilt wheels. Mine had screws from the bottom holding the upper housing to the lower. There was minor plastic damage where the last guy tried to pry it off, as did I. Removed the hi/low and ignition switches again.
The gear shown above is missing a tooth in my column. I am removing the wheel lock mechanism. It is pushed up by the key switch action and pushed back down by a spring. The spring is weak. Getting rid of it may also make the key a bit easier to run. Yes I am cleaning everything up.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Today and yesterday I put the steering column back together. Used silicon grease on the moving plastic parts. There is a bit of a gap between the wheel and column but I can live with that.
Need to be sure that one installs the rod for the hi/low beams and the metal bit that connects the blinker lever to the blinker mechanism inside the column prior to installing the lock plate.
Used a AC Delco switch and the key comes out without the lever mechanism. So as mentioned above I did not the steering lock pin and the key release lever.
Ran it around a bit, dash cluster not installed, and had a friend verify that the booster is dead.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
The brake booster is in. Works well but will work better when I get around to bleeding the brakes. Pulled the idle air valve, aka IAC, and busted the clip on its electrical connector. The gasket between it and the carb fell apart. Quite brittle.
Engine runs well enough to drive but not great. Next week I plan to do the plugs wires cap and rotor. Maybe a new IAC.
Have a out of balance wheel on the left front or maybe it needs shocks. Will try rotating that tire to the back.
Seems that only the speedo, volt meter and oil pressure gauges are working. If the others are moving they are not going back to zero. I figured I would need to get into the dash again. No big deal but I think they were working when I took it apart.
Removed 2 seat covers which were hiding quilt batting, a blanket, and a pillow. Found the seat adjuster and now I have enough headroom.
