Well...my buddy talked me into it; keeping the 3/4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Canada20 · 07-28-2002, 02:44 PM

Hey all. Had a talk with a pal of mine the other day and he's got me thinking of the practical side of getting my C20 up and running. I wasn't sure about dragging it across the country when I move (Calgary, Alberta to Kingston, Ontario) so I was thinking about ditching it. Thing is, the cost of renting a moving van to make that trip might be high enough that I might as well get the truck running and use that to get our stuff there.

Am I being overly optimistic on this? I'm thinking that for $1500 (Canadian) I should be able to get it running well enough that I can trust it on a couple of cross Canada trips with moderate loads on. I believe it has the SM465 and an Eaton Full Floater both of which the PO said were recently rebuilt. The only things keeping it off the road are a BAD case of rusty-cancer, the fact I don't like the idea of front drum brakes and the engine (292) is in need of work.

Please let me know if I'm being a dolt here.....

Greg

Longhorn Man · 07-28-2002, 02:58 PM

Get it running good and go for it.
Just remember to have your cell phone (or a calling card if you don't have a cell) and your tripple a card (if you don't have it, now is a good time to get it)
Make sure to have a good spare and plenty of all fluids for her, sometimes they get thirsty.

CoryM · 07-28-2002, 03:17 PM

The first thing to do is buy you friend a beer for getting you sorted out :p . What is wrong with the 292? The drums are safe enough so long as they dont pull hard to one side. Just leave enough room that you dont have to panic stop at 110kph.
On long road trips I bring spare: belt, module (for hei), full size spare, jug of water (you wont find any water inthe prairie ditches this time of year), jug of oil and a headlight (i had both my headlights break once just outside of calgary, i removed my parking light lenses and drove the rest of the way in like that). Look over all your belts and cooling sytem especially, they will get a good workout doing a run like that this time of year.
CoryM

REPO1 · 07-28-2002, 04:03 PM

Don't worry about the drums, heck, I drove my truck from Texas to Alberta with the current drum/drum setup.

As stated above, make sure you have spare gas, water, belt, etc.

And with a little luck you will make it. Might want to have the credit card available just in case too. :p

Canada20 · 07-28-2002, 05:21 PM

heh...good responses all, thanks.

I probably won't be making the trip 'til next year anyway so I've got lots of time for fixing things and a shakedown run or 2 just to see if anything sounds like it's going to let go.

The 292 is spewing thick steam; nice fluffy white clouds, out the tailpipe. The PO had it rebuilt probably less than 10K ago but one day it just started doing that and he parked it. It got all the way accross Calgary under it's own steam (yes I meant that pun, sorry) but I haven't had the time/resources to really look into it. I did pull the plugs and #'s 3 - 6 were all very black and the electrode on #6 was bent sideways. Not good. I'm hoping it's just a really worn valve guide but I'm pretty new to this. There's no coolant in the oil pan and the stuff coming out the tailpipe didn't smell like oil or anything else burning so I MAY get off lucky on that one.

Still debating what to do about it but if you guys say drums will do the job (with the 292/granny 4 spd in it, I doubt I'll get much speed on it anyway) then maybe I'll give 'em a shot.

Crap, this turned into a novel......oh well

Greg

Longhorn Man · 07-28-2002, 05:53 PM

Steam? Sounds like a head gasked...or worse, a crack in the iron someplace.

Canada20 · 07-28-2002, 06:20 PM

I thought it must be the gasket too but then there's the bashed 'plug. I can't remember what diagnostic reference said that a bent electrode could mean a worn valve guide but that's what got me thinking that way.

I admit I'm being lazy and that until I crack into it, I have no real info. (Haven't done it 'cuz I didn't want to open up a can of worms when I don't have a good dry place to keep it or a bit of time/money to try and put it right.)

Maybe next weekend I'll get in there since I'm finally looking into getting it on the road.

Greg

07-28-2002, 02:44 PM	#1
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	Well...my buddy talked me into it; keeping the 3/4 Hey all. Had a talk with a pal of mine the other day and he's got me thinking of the practical side of getting my C20 up and running. I wasn't sure about dragging it across the country when I move (Calgary, Alberta to Kingston, Ontario) so I was thinking about ditching it. Thing is, the cost of renting a moving van to make that trip might be high enough that I might as well get the truck running and use that to get our stuff there. Am I being overly optimistic on this? I'm thinking that for $1500 (Canadian) I should be able to get it running well enough that I can trust it on a couple of cross Canada trips with moderate loads on. I believe it has the SM465 and an Eaton Full Floater both of which the PO said were recently rebuilt. The only things keeping it off the road are a BAD case of rusty-cancer, the fact I don't like the idea of front drum brakes and the engine (292) is in need of work. Please let me know if I'm being a dolt here..... Greg

07-28-2002, 03:17 PM	#3
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	The first thing to do is buy you friend a beer for getting you sorted out :p . What is wrong with the 292? The drums are safe enough so long as they dont pull hard to one side. Just leave enough room that you dont have to panic stop at 110kph. On long road trips I bring spare: belt, module (for hei), full size spare, jug of water (you wont find any water inthe prairie ditches this time of year), jug of oil and a headlight (i had both my headlights break once just outside of calgary, i removed my parking light lenses and drove the rest of the way in like that). Look over all your belts and cooling sytem especially, they will get a good workout doing a run like that this time of year. CoryM __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army

07-28-2002, 04:03 PM	#4
REPO1 Shortbox wanna-be. Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 773	Don't worry about the drums, heck, I drove my truck from Texas to Alberta with the current drum/drum setup. As stated above, make sure you have spare gas, water, belt, etc. And with a little luck you will make it. Might want to have the credit card available just in case too. :p __________________ 1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper 402BB Turbo 400 trans. (Slowly becoming a '70 shortbox 1/2 ton) '71 Camaro SS 402/T400 resto '97 Z28 (11.41@127MPH)

07-28-2002, 05:21 PM	#5
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	knew I coul count on you guys... heh...good responses all, thanks. I probably won't be making the trip 'til next year anyway so I've got lots of time for fixing things and a shakedown run or 2 just to see if anything sounds like it's going to let go. The 292 is spewing thick steam; nice fluffy white clouds, out the tailpipe. The PO had it rebuilt probably less than 10K ago but one day it just started doing that and he parked it. It got all the way accross Calgary under it's own steam (yes I meant that pun, sorry) but I haven't had the time/resources to really look into it. I did pull the plugs and #'s 3 - 6 were all very black and the electrode on #6 was bent sideways. Not good. I'm hoping it's just a really worn valve guide but I'm pretty new to this. There's no coolant in the oil pan and the stuff coming out the tailpipe didn't smell like oil or anything else burning so I MAY get off lucky on that one. Still debating what to do about it but if you guys say drums will do the job (with the 292/granny 4 spd in it, I doubt I'll get much speed on it anyway) then maybe I'll give 'em a shot. Crap, this turned into a novel......oh well Greg

07-28-2002, 06:20 PM	#7
Canada20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 802	That's what I figgered... I thought it must be the gasket too but then there's the bashed 'plug. I can't remember what diagnostic reference said that a bent electrode could mean a worn valve guide but that's what got me thinking that way. I admit I'm being lazy and that until I crack into it, I have no real info. (Haven't done it 'cuz I didn't want to open up a can of worms when I don't have a good dry place to keep it or a bit of time/money to try and put it right.) Maybe next weekend I'll get in there since I'm finally looking into getting it on the road. Greg

07-28-2002, 02:58 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Get it running good and go for it. Just remember to have your cell phone (or a calling card if you don't have a cell) and your tripple a card (if you don't have it, now is a good time to get it) Make sure to have a good spare and plenty of all fluids for her, sometimes they get thirsty.

07-28-2002, 05:53 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Steam? Sounds like a head gasked...or worse, a crack in the iron someplace.

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