just need to rage

[68c10owner]

Im so tired of this truck. Every day I wonder if Im going to make it A-B. I just had the transmission rebuilt and that thing fought me the entire way. now my fuel pump is bad. Easy enough, got me a new pump and gaskets but I cant get my damn hands in there because of all of the smog crap. Its too low to get under it so I have to jack it up which makes it too tall to go from the top. Now I`m stranded until the wife gets home in 2 hours so I can run out and get rtv to keep the damn gasket in place so it will stop folding over. It just fights me on every turn. Its my own fault for thinking a 30yr old truck for a daily driver was a good idea.

Rant over, just needed to vent a little.

[kalbert]

Originally Posted by 68c10owner

Its my own fault for thinking a 30yr old truck for a daily driver was a good idea.

This. There are a lot of guys on here who have daily driver pickups, I don't know how they do it! They're either lying to us and by "daily driver" they mean "I go to the home improvement stores every other Saturday" or they have a hell of a lot more free time and money than I do to keep the thing on the road. Or maybe it shouldn't be on the road...

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by kalbert

This. There are a lot of guys on here who have daily driver pickups, I don't know how they do it! They're either lying to us and by "daily driver" they mean "I go to the home improvement stores every other Saturday" or they have a hell of a lot more free time and money than I do to keep the thing on the road. Or maybe it shouldn't be on the road...

It really is my only vehicle. I`m stuck at home now until the wife gets home. I bought it because my 97 gmc got totaled and I didnt get squat for it and this is what I could afford at the time. I`ve had several squares as daily drivers over the years but they were a little better off than this one. for what I paid I cant expect the most perfect thing. I know how to fix all of this stuff which is another reason I bought it but I didnt expect to constantly have to do something to it. And since Im recently unemployed I do have the time but with no check coming in I dont have the money. I hated spending the $22 for the fuel pump.

[Liberty]

Originally Posted by kalbert

This. There are a lot of guys on here who have daily driver pickups, I don't know how they do it! They're either lying to us and by "daily driver" they mean "I go to the home improvement stores every other Saturday" or they have a hell of a lot more free time and money than I do to keep the thing on the road. Or maybe it shouldn't be on the road...

It's not cheap, it ain't easy... But my 82 is my daily driver. The paint and wood bed suffer so the power train may live. Atleast the interior is near perfect, plus my ETR radio is on its way back from repairs!

Honestly my only complaint about my truck is the absolutely horrendous gas mileage.

[Blessed66]

Been there, brother. Unemployment and all. Things will get better.

Just always remember that it's best to walk away, vent, dig back in when you've cooled off and keep your eyes on the end of the tunnel. I've gotten rid of stuff out of anger I'd have wished I'd cooled off before pulling the trigger (94 Z28 with a bunch of money tied up, '72 LeMans with a 455, '83 short-wide with a 383, '74 Nova, the list goes on).

'Tis better to scream in frustration than cry in regret.

This applies to a lot more than cars, too.

[Malo83]

Originally Posted by kalbert

This. There are a lot of guys on here who have daily driver pickups, I don't know how they do it! They're either lying to us and by "daily driver" they mean "I go to the home improvement stores every other Saturday" or they have a hell of a lot more free time and money than I do to keep the thing on the road. Or maybe it shouldn't be on the road...

Hate to burst your bubble but my 32 yr old truck is my DAILY DRIVER. I am the original owner, wanna know how we do it? we don't, just keep up with the maint. and repair as necessary, yeah it's a little harder with these Cali trucks, just changed my water pump this past summer and yeah it was a pain in the A$$, but this was only the second pump, didn't cost me a thing, all the parts that I have changed are LifeTime parts, granted they are a few dollars more but in the long run you will always come out ahead, '68c' it's been a while since I replaced my fuel pump but I went out and looked under the hood and i'm wondering what the difficulty is, mine sits between the smog pump and motor mount, bolts are a straight shot and fuel lines, I do remember the cam actuating rod gave me fits keeping it the block while mounting the new pump but some white grease held it up long enough to get it mounted, might want to bump the motor to get on the flat spot on the cam so the rod isn't trying to push down on the pump, good luck with the smog

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by Malo83

'68c' it's been a while since I replaced my fuel pump but I went out and looked under the hood and i'm wondering what the difficulty is, mine sits between the smog pump and motor mount, bolts are a straight shot and fuel lines, I do remember the cam actuating rod gave me fits keeping it the block while mounting the new pump but some white grease held it up long enough to get it mounted, might want to bump the motor to get on the flat spot on the cam so the rod isn't trying to push down on the pump, good luck with the smog

Your right, bolts are right there and I unbolted it from the top using a wobbly and a extension. The problem Im having is holding the pump against the plate, pump rod is on the backside of the cam, and starting the bolts. I have to install it from the bottom and I cant get both hands in there with the smog pump in the way. and I cant just rest it in place and try starting the bolts from the top cuz the pump wont cooperate. Ive been wrenching on these older cars and trucks long enough to know when I need a second pair of hands.

My CEL light is on with a code 54 which leads to a mixture control solenoid which Ive had a hard time finding a replacement but Im hoping that fixing the PO`s hatchet job on this particular connector will fix it. Otherwise Im just going to have my buddy "smog" it for me. Ive had a couple other smogger squares but never had to mess with the emissions of anything I`ve owned in the 23yrs since I bought my first car. It`s a slow process with me since I dont have all the tools I need to diagnose everything but Im getting there.

[Jake Wade]

Roll the engine over until the fuel pump rod is at its farthest distance from the fuel pump arm, this will help you installing the pump.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Jake Wade

Roll the engine over until the fuel pump rod is at its farthest distance from the fuel pump arm, this will help you installing the pump.

That's an important part of the trick^^^

There is a bolt hole in the front of the block that goes all the way through to the fuel pump rod area. There's short 3/8" bolt in it as a plug. Remove this bolt and put a longer one in its place.
Push the fuel pump rod up against the cam and rotate the engine till the pump eccentric low spot is against the pump pushrod. This lets the pump rod seat as far back as possible in the cavity. Just like Jake said.
Snug the temporary long bolt down against the push rod and it'll hold the push rod in place until you install the pump. Then you don't have to fight with the (&*#$^% pump pushrod.
Be sure to remove the long bolt and put the short one back in when you're done.

The M4ME wasn't bad to deal with till you started removing emissions equipment.

[Eyegore]

Feel for ya, been there; done that!


One day you'll tell everyone that it was the best truck you ever owned.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by Eyegore

Feel for ya, been there; done that!


One day you'll tell everyone that it was the best truck you ever owned.

There are days where I actually say to myself, "I love this blanking truck". Then crap like this happens. I mean, Im glad i figured out why my truck was surging on the freeway and why it smelled so bad of gas lately even though I saw no fresh puddles. Just not enjoying trying to fix this stuff constantly. I havent even been able to figure out why my fuel gauge doesnt work and that has cost me a few walks to the gas station with can in hand.

[hatzie]

Try a thin layer of grease to hold the gasket in place.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Try a thin layer of grease to hold the gasket in place.

I dont have any. I sold all my tools and stuff a while back because I planned to get away from older cars and stop messing with hot rods for good but I got the bug when I actually had cash in my hand to buy something. Now I`m having to buy all my tools over again and havent gotten around to needing rtv yet. If the smog pump wasnt there I`d be driving it right now. There is just no room and Im not tearing it apart any more than I have to. I got the old one off pretty easy. I can get the new one back in. Just need to gather up my marbles and keep moving forward.

[slotard]

I've yet to encounter any new problems since I bought my '73 C20 a year ago, but I did have to replace the steering column to get the ignition linkage working. I'm very glad I don't have to smog it, it doesn't have anything related to that on it, but that's part of why I bought it...

On the other hand, sometimes I wish I had a C10 with a reasonable rear end rather than a C20 with 350/350/4.10/30" tires... and I need to get the gas gauge working sometime, and I can't read the odo because the gauge cover is fogged, and I've never figured out what a full tank is (put 20 gallons in once, didn't think I was that low, it's supposed to be a 20 gallon tank but no puddles).

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by slotard

I've yet to encounter any new problems since I bought my '73 C20 a year ago, but I did have to replace the steering column to get the ignition linkage working. I'm very glad I don't have to smog it, it doesn't have anything related to that on it, but that's part of why I bought it...

On the other hand, sometimes I wish I had a C10 with a reasonable rear end rather than a C20 with 350/350/4.10/30" tires... and I need to get the gas gauge working sometime, and I can't read the odo because the gauge cover is fogged, and I've never figured out what a full tank is (put 20 gallons in once, didn't think I was that low, it's supposed to be a 20 gallon tank but no puddles).

Had to do a complete tune up when I got it. Also had to disable the EGR solenoid because it caused a misfire when cold. THe check engine light is on from day 1. I dont have the money to throw at it to fix what "might" be the problem. Hoping its just a bad electrical connection. The power windows barely work but I bought new motors for both doors. The only gauge that works in the volt meter. Had to replace the transmission and now 2 weeks later the fuel pump is junk. I mean its really not a lot of stuff in the grand scheme of things but when you dont have money to put into them it just seems like more stuff happens. I have had this since September and still havent been able to fully get it into my name because it needs a smog. Once its smogged its getting registered up north and all the smog crap is coming off.

[Rangerman]

Rant on, I understand, just walk away for a few minutes and be glad its just a fuel pump.

These trucks can really test your patience, after you get your fuel pump fixed you will probably go months without any problems.

The 79 im re-doing fights me tooth and nail, but I will kick its ass and get it dependable.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by Rangerman

Rant on, I understand, just walk away for a few minutes and be glad its just a fuel pump.

These trucks can really test your patience, after you get your fuel pump fixed you will probably go months without any problems.

The 79 im re-doing fights me every inch all day, but I will kick its ass and get it dependable.

I hope so. I just hope the next thing that goes isnt another big ticket item. Had to borrow money to get the trans done because its my only vehicle. Its a pretty good truck over all for a $1000 truck. It just sucks to have to fight this thing. Im 40yrs old and been wrenching on cars since I was 13 helping my older friends and it just seems the older I get the harder it is for me to work on this stuff. I`ve done engine and transmission swaps on these squares and I dont even know how many complete drivetrain swaps Ive done on chevelles and other muscle cars. But this smogged out 305 86 GMC is giving me the fits. Looking forward to the day I can yank all of this crap off. Im lucky Im able to register it in another county that doesnt require biannual inspections, only on change of ownership. After its smogged its all coming off. Maybe some day I can afford the E-rod package to get back legal but until then I think a 260hp gm 350 crate is in my future.

[USSkoval]

My wife and I both drive 30 year old stuff daily. She drives the kids to school in our '86 Burb everyday and when I'm home, if I'm not driving my '86 Celebrity then I'm driving my '84 C10 instead. Stuff breaks, no matter what you drive. I've had rusty, ugly, old crap that was more reliable than other people's newer vehicles.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by USSkoval

My wife and I both drive 30 year old stuff daily. She drives the kids to school in our '86 Burb everyday and when I'm home, if I'm not driving my '86 Celebrity then I'm driving my '84 C10 instead. Stuff breaks, no matter what you drive. I've had rusty, ugly, old crap that was more reliable than other people's newer vehicles.

I get that. Im not new to older vehicles. Just feels like everything is hitting me at once and at a bad time. I just needed to rage a little and get it off my chest. I`d much rather drive the squares than my 97 GMC that this thing replaced. I wish I would have bought it back from insurance though because it had a 80k mile vortec 5.7/4L60e. Both GM replacement units. Im showing 230k on this 305 and I just hope it lsts long enough to fix the rest of the crap that was done wrong or already broken.

[Rangerman]

Sounds like you got it figured out, you will get that truck reliable.

Im 43 and I have to worry about getting this 79 dependable and make sure it holds up to a 16 year old boy.

[68c10owner]

Originally Posted by Rangerman

Sounds like you got it figured out, you will get that truck reliable.

Im 43 and I have to worry about getting this 79 dependable and make sure it holds up to a 16 year old boy.

Well Ive got a plan anyway. Whether or not I can pull it off Im not sure but I keep plugging away. Its drivable even with its problems. Just seems that new problems come up before I can check the old one`s off. This is actually one of the coolest squares Ive had and I hope to pass it down to my boy when the time comes. He is 7 now so Ive got some time.

[68c10owner]

Thanks.

Round 2 didnt go any better. I just need a second pair of hands. There is just no other way. With the smog pump there I cant hold the pump and start the bolts too. Going to have to wait til tomorrow and have my father in law help me out. and of course its supposed to rain tomorrow. guess its a good thing Im not working right now.

[Jeramy]

i can feel your pain. kinda like having a transmission go out 2 days after engine swap because engine laid down 4 months after getting it. now my pinion seal leaks and my rear brakes are not working.

things i try to remember

1 it is paid for
2 even if i had to spend 200 a month on parts that is less than a car payment
3 i have regretted selling every square body i have gotten rid of.(this is my 5th square)

back away, vent your frustration, and then fix truck you'll be fine
look at it this way. every thing you fix or replace is one less thing to worry about lol if i didn't look at it like this i would light it on fire

[68c10owner]

Yeah I hear you. I just dont have extra money to put into it right now. At least this time I have the parts, just all labor now. Im on my 5th square as well and only regret selling 2 of them. my 90K5 blazer and my 83 C10 SWB. Had 77k original miles when I got it. Was a little old lady truck and completely stock. no options really other than A/c and non working cruise but it was clean. Sold it to buy my 97 because I thought something newer would be better. It wasnt. I probably wont be selling this one unless i just get in a major jam but you never know.

[Zach079xxx]

Sorry to hear. I'm 21 years old and I have my first square and I lose my patience fairly quick with it. I feel as when I get one problem solved another shows up. Nothing worse than being laid off, my father was laid off months ago, and I saw as he struggled. Granted he didn't have a square though anyways, might not mean much coming from a 21 year old, but keep on truckin' and don't look back. This forum has changed how I look at these trucks and how I "work" on them. I'm no mechanic, but I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and learn. Hope tomorrow and and your father in law knock it out & take it for a spin!