1980 Sierra Classic ????

[baboiler]

Just bought a 1980 Sierra Classic and have many questions. I'll start with one about my accelerator pedal. It is very sticky. It will not stick hard enough to lock the throttle but makes me jerk the truck pretty good when taking off and shifting (3sp with granny gear). Any suggestions where to start looking to solve this problem? I haven't checked out anything on it yet. Waiting on the weather to get a little better to start playing with it. Great site by the way. Lots of good info. More ????'s to follow!!

[N2TRUX]

Start with the easy parts. That's the ones that you can see. Look at the pedal assembly and depress it by hand (motor off) and see if it is binding. It could need lubricated at the pivot point.

If the pedal assembly appears to be working correctly, check the throttle cable. Look where it hooks to the carb and make sure there is no binding.

Finally, check the cable itself. It could be the problem as well.

[JW76]

The sticky throttle could be a bad throttle cable. I have had to replace two. One of them stuck sometimes and the other slipped through the clip for the bracket and wouldn't pull the throttle anymore. They are a cheap fix.

[baboiler]

thanks guys. That gives me some good places to start.

[84 400]

yeah def check the throttle cable. my truck has sat for 2 years now and it sticks because of a non lubricated throttle cable.

[baboiler]

I think that is part of the problem with my truck. Guy I bought it from said it hadn't been drove much in the past few years. the speedometer squeals like nobodies business when its below 40 degree's or so. I am guessing that also is from sitting with little use. I've got a couple other issues with the dash that I need to look into. I think I have a short in the light switch. When I turn on my lights my dash lights dim and my gas gage drops. During the day everything works fine. My turnlight indicators on the dash also stay on when the lights are turned on. And then for added enjoyment when I turn on a turn light with my headlights on everything starts flashing. quite the display : ) I haven't had an old truck for years and I am enjoying every minute I get to drive it right now. Looking forward to tinkering with it also.

[silvereagle07]

The speedometer squeal can be fixed by lubing the speedo cable at the back of the IC or just replaced it. I had a similar lighting problem in my 81. The short was in the printed circuit on the IC. I had an issue with the wiring at the floor mounted dimmer switch also. Hope this helps.

[baboiler]

I had looked at the printed circuits in a couple magazines and wondered if that may be my problem. How big a job is it to replace ? I'll attempt to attach a picture of my new toy.

[polaris21]

nice truck. What size tires and how much lift do you have?

[baboiler]

Thanks. It has 33" Mickey Thompsons and 2" lift.

[Prong]

Printed circuits are easy to replace. The biggest thing to watch is removing the steel "barbs" that the gauge leads plug into. When you're working with 30+ year old plastic, you've gotta be real careful about removing them with out breaking the cluster housing. Also, you need to pay attention to how many barbs are used per gauge and the position of the barbs (think 12,3,6, and 9 O'clock)--you'll see what I mean when you look at the cluster.

[kevinr1970]

On my sisters K5 about 10 years ago she had a Edelbrock carb put on. They used an adapter/spacer to mount it and that lifted the carb about 1".
You would get to about 1/3 throttle then get to this hard spot; you would end up putting it to the floor getting it past this sticky spot.
If you have a carb other than stock check the path of the throttle cable making sure it doesn't bind in the travle of the arm on the carb.

[Storm Chaser]

I don't have anything to add, but had to stop in to say... Nice truck! I love the color... would look good on my crew cab.

I see you're from the cornfield state too!

[baboiler]

Kevin - It does have a Carter 4bbl so I will take a look at what you suggested. Thank you. I had the hood up this weekend kinda scoping it out and noticed the throttle cable humps up before it gets to the carb. Kind of an upside down "U" shape. It doesn't make a complete "U" but I'm wondering if that may be creating some binding. Seems to be sticky in the first 1/4 to 1/2 throttle.

Chaser - Thanks . The guy that I bought it from said it was painted the original color burgundy. It was originally a 2 tone truck. I have the build sheet and can post the color code. Don't have it in front of me but will do in the next couple days.

Lots of good advise guys. Much appreciated !

[baboiler]

Prong - or anyone with knowledge. I started getting "LMC" and other catalogs. Concerning the printed circuits , are the ones out of these books good enough quality or should I be trying to find something "GM"?

[Prong]

I've got an LMC printed circuit in one of my tach dashes and it works just fine.

[baboiler]

Chaser - color is 71 Dark Carmine Red option #171L on my 1980 K1500. Yea - also from Indiana. North central. Man are we getting a bunch of rain. Up to another 2" thru tomorrow. I already got water standing in my back yard and I'm watching my basement closely for water sneaking in. Come on Summer !!

[polaris21]

Looks like it time for mudding. I cant wait till i get mine back together. Its been to long since i drove it.