1973 Cheyenne 30 RCD - The Slow Roadworthy Restoration

[Crcrft78]

Thought I would start a thread as I begin to work on my truck to help me keep track of it. While changing the water pump I noticed two wires hanging off the core support by the battery. They look to be ground wires but I have no idea what they would attach to, any ideas where they go? I also attached a few pics for those that like pictures.

[flashed]

Im in for this one .

[Crcrft78]

Well I got the water pump done today so I hope to be test driving it tomorrow. And as much as I wanted to be like "The Greg" and start stripping, cleaning, and repainting I fought the urge and will just get him back on the road. Maybe one day the engine will be "Yezzi" clean. I did keep what I believe may be the original water pump. One day I will detail the engine bay, rebuild it and put it back on.

[Crcrft78]

Well today's test drive was interesting. Found out I have no brake pedal. Thank goodness for the flat spotted tires and the manual transmission. Also noticed the temp gauge stays pinned past 250 and I have a leaking heater core. However, you wouldn't have noticed there were any other problems to work on because I had a BIGG ass grin on my face as I was driving it.

[gmachinz]

I bet you have a bad temp sensor. As for the grounds-the core support has 3 in one spot-one comes from the front lighting harness, one to the neg. side of the battery and another goes down to the top of the frame across from the fuel pump. Odd slot for the coolant leak inside....it probably is the heater core....and its running along the firewall-floor seam and dripping above the center floor duct. This means your carpet and sound deadening is most likely saturated as well.

Awesome looking truck tho-I love it!

[rusty76]

Cool truck I'll ride.

[Crcrft78]

Well I haven't had much time (or money) to do any work on the truck. I have been starting it and just listening to it and visually observing everything. Just looking everything over and trying to learn about my truck. I was wondering about the battery tray on the drivers' side. The SPID lists options TP2 AUX 61 AMP Battery & T60 H/D 80 AMP BATTERY on it. However, I haven't found any wires or cables that would hook up to an auxiliary battery. Can anyone give me any insight as to what it would be used for. Maybe a separate connection to a camper on the back.

[Crcrft78]

I bet you have a bad temp sensor. As for the grounds-the core support has 3 in one spot-one comes from the front lighting harness, one to the neg. side of the battery and another goes down to the top of the frame across from the fuel pump. Odd slot for the coolant leak inside....it probably is the heater core....and its running along the firewall-floor seam and dripping above the center floor duct. This means your carpet and sound deadening is most likely saturated as well.

While looking over the truck I also found a ground wire hanging from the firewall that I believe should be attached to the back of the block. I also need to figure out how to check the temperature sending unit or ground the gauge to see which one is bad so I can get that working again. Oh and it also looks like I will need to change the valve cover gaskets. Gotta love these old trucks.

[TheWhiteElephant]

Great looking truck. Looks like you have a lot of loose grounds. Bolt them all up--should fix any issues that are probably on there already.

[Crcrft78]

The more I look into the truck the more grounds I find like that. When I purchased the truck the daughter of the original owner said "someone" tried to get it running and couldn't after her father passed. I'd like to believe he was working on it and left it this way for someone who would take care of the truck. Anyhow, its been a pleasure tinkering with it and fixing little things as I go.

[Crcrft78]

Fired up the dually tonight to check a few things. Noticed fuel leaking down the passenger side frame rail that I believe may be from a rubber hose that is dried out. I will locate the leak tomorrow and tune her up.

[Crcrft78]

A couple of night pics.

[dragonball98312]

Sweet truck, seems to be a very well optioned vehicle. Im guessing as its an orig ca truck based on the smog equipped manifolds? No 73s ive seen up here have them

[LT7A]

I like your approach. One little thing at a time. I really like the truck. I hope you fix it up as is and don't repaint it. But that's just my opinion. I hope to not see a truck like this for a reasonable price, or I won't be able to help myself. It will follow me home. Good luck with it man.

[Crcrft78]

I changed out the points distributor to an HEI but couldn't fine tune it because of the leaking fuel tank. Better to leave it as is until I can fix the rotted rubber hoses than to burn it to the ground.

[Crcrft78]

I like your approach. One little thing at a time. I really like the truck. I hope you fix it up as is and don't repaint it. But that's just my opinion. I hope to not see a truck like this for a reasonable price, or I won't be able to help myself. It will follow me home. Good luck with it man.

I'd possibly like to do a mechanical resto, maybe repaint everything under the hood, the frame and all its parts but leave the body panels untouched. For now I'm just trying to get her back on the road and safe to drive.

[Crcrft78]

I've been slowly chipping away at this truck. I finished the brakes, replaced the fuel lines, got rid of the aftermarket auxiliary fuel tank and got the distributor in the correct position so that it starts right up. Next will be a short test drive to check for leaks, replace the radiator and tires and hopefully daily drive it.