Sensing a pattern here while still in the driveway

[RuralRoute C-30]

The C-30, not being a daily driver, tends to sit more than not. Yet at least once a week, if not more, I do take time to get it out on the road. Granted, once I'm done detailing our Dodge truck and sold someday, this could change.

Yet the last two times I have pulled it out of the shop something new happens. Last week it was the power steering pump belt magically slipping off on start-up. (that was an eye-opener) Tightened the bracket, not a big deal.

Now the carb linkage had it stuck at high idle until some lubrication in the right spot fixed that!

Now understand I am not complaining as much as just laughing and wondering...tell me I am not the only one who experiences this where a truck was perfectly running when parked but then "talks for attention" when restarted a few days later!

Granted since the gauge issues, the clutch issues and now these past two episodes...I tend to smile more than not as I learn something new lately about this truck. Thinking at least I stumbled through (almost literally) a couple of years of auto mechanics about 30 years ago, forgetting more than I should admit, but now remembering enough to usually think a problem through. Interesting now as that knowledge is relevant considering how old the technology in this truck is.

Well just tossing the thoughts of these recent past two times of truck problems while in my own driveway and betting at least more than one here has a similar memory.

Meanwhile I think I need to study the carburetor chapter soon...so any "how to" tips on refreshing a stock carb while it's still on the motor would be appreciated. Hoping not to have to learn how to rebuild one at this time...still digesting the electrical and clutch chapters I have forced marched myself to learn!

Mark

[D13]

left my 99 parked for a year. $800 in brakes later....

[Adams74Chevy]

Originally Posted by D13

left my 99 parked for a year. $800 in brakes later....

I've felt that pain as well. When dad gave me the '74 a couple of years after parking it in the field.

[78 Chevyrado]

I had that for about a year on my 78. Stuff kept breaking every 3 weeks or so. Everytime something broke the repair changed how it drove or operated so I think I've had to relearn to drive this truck 12 times...haha And I'm still going to have to relearn how to drive it at least 3 more times I can forsee...

[JHT67]

Spent the last 2 years driving my 02' Dodge, as the DD and as the family car. Now that we traded the wife's car for the FIL's 85', I've really been paying attention to what I'm hearing and feeling when I drive it. But for me it's not a problem but an adventure, because I learn something every time I wrench on it. It has been sitting for the past 2 years, so there was no doubt I'd be working on it, so I have to look at it as glass 3/4 full (more than 1/2, cause it's a Chevy square body ).

[mokelife77]

my 78 didnt want to run the day before i left for college,and i go back home 2 weeks later and it runs like a champ...trippy,i think it just missed me,she didnt like being stuck in the garage under covers