Drive it or not. What do ya think

[Grapdawg]

Well got my truck put back together for the most part so my body guy can finish the box and I want to drive it to work tomarrow. It is running pretty good, But I havnt drove it more than 20 miles since i got it and it has been sitting for nearly 3 years. Its got a pretty tired 307 in it that hasnt leaked a drop in my garage since Ive had it. Im just alittle unsure about drivin it on the highway. I think if I keep her around 55-60 it will be fine but I guess ya never know. Anyone have any storys or thoughts on the matter.

[68_Bowtie]

My thoughts..... Go for it, it's a Chevrolet ain't it ?

As long as you check all the fluids, you'll be fine.

[sjarrett71]

If it hasn't leaked I would make sure there are fluids in it!

[Grapdawg]

Originally Posted by 68_Bowtie

My thoughts..... Go for it, it's a Chevrolet ain't it ?

As long as you check all the fluids, you'll be fine.

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

If it hasn't leaked I would make sure there are fluids in it!

Yea Your right it is a chevy, And sjarrett71 thats funny Yes I changed it my self. Its probly the inch of grease on the oil pan that is keepin it sealed.

[vectorit]

Make sure the tires are not to badly dry rotted.

Plus check for tools hiddden about the truck!

When I took my burb out for the first time, after spending a long time in the garage. I drove down the street, and I heard a few things metal hitting the road. Went back and found a few wrenches laying on the street!

Also, make sure all the hose clamps are tight. Sometimes they don't get tightened down as they should after putting everything together, since sometimes you will put them in their place while working on other stuff to get them out of the way. Thus forgetting that they are just slipped on, and not secured. So, run it around locally for a while getting it up to normal operating temps. If there is one, it will pop off and shower your engine compartment with dirty water/antifreeze. Better to find this close to home if it does happen, rather than on the highway on the way to work in the morning.

[Grapdawg]

Originally Posted by vectorit

Make sure the tires are not to badly dry rotted.

Plus check for tools hiddden about the truck!

When I took my burb out for the first time, after spending a long time in the garage. I drove down the street, and I heard a few things metal hitting the road. Went back and found a few wrenches laying on the street!

Also, make sure all the hose clamps are tight. Sometimes they don't get tightened down as they should after putting everything together, since sometimes you will put them in their place while working on other stuff to get them out of the way. Thus forgetting that they are just slipped on, and not secured. So, run it around locally for a while getting it up to normal operating temps. If there is one, it will pop off and shower your engine compartment with dirty water/antifreeze. Better to find this close to home if it does happen, rather than on the highway on the way to work in the morning.

Great points. I have driven it and got her up to operating temp. But I think Im gunna go around tonight and tighten everything once more for peice of mind. Good thing my foreman is a motor head and will be following in my same path so he could stop and help me on his way if something did go wrong. If I get on the road before him.

[Hottrucks]

take her out and beat it like a red headed step child..if you have gas,oil and the rad holds water it'll run 20 miles besides it's friday if you break down you have all weekend to get it fixed and try again monday.

[69halfton]

if you check it all over tonight, and make sure everything is in good, working order, i would not be worried about it. keep an eye on temps & oil pressure and other vital things like that

i had a brand new engine & transmission built, dropped it in, set the timing, and drive it to my cottage (about 130 miles or so)

and for all of you who ask, its roller cam & rockers so the only thing to break in are the rings, and they got broken on the way as there is no interstates here, just two lane roads in and out of towns. (I.E no sustained rpms, up and down constantly)

[Grapdawg]

I knew I could count on all ya guys for some positive feedback. This site is the best thing since beer.

[texanidiot25]

Fuel filters, rags, and any tools you need to swap fuel filters. If it's been sitting, the highway is the perfect time for it to suck up any rust build up in the tank and wash it into the carb

Been there, done that. If you have a q-jet, don't even bother using it's filter if you start having clogging problems, it takes no time to clog (No capacity towards catching anything). Just buy a bunch of the $3 Fram ones from walmart and keep them handy.

[Boog]

Take a look at the belts. And take a few basic hand tools along too.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

drive it....

[OARNGESI]

Go for it and tell us how it works and hoprefully you dont break down and get fired

[Longhorn Man]

if you'd have no problems callin in late or calling off, then go for it. If your boss would frown on it and hold it over your head, then hold off for a day and go on a 100 mile shakedown run saturday morning with a bunch of tools and fluids.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I drove my truck around a lot locally before I ever hit the highway with it, especially after the 700R rebuild.

[russellmarling]

Brakes! Making sure its gonna stop is more important than making sure its gonna go... otherwise it may run great all the way to the scene of the accident...

[Grapdawg]

Thanks guys for all the comments. Im going for it. I got my bag of tools some fluids and went over everything tonight. My foreman is the one who wants me to drive it in. He is a motor head and wants to see my progress. He is currently building a 55 chev tow truck and convertn it to a drager. Anyway I will fill ya in and thanks for all the positive comments and feedback. Well better get some sleep so i dont dose off on the way, HA.
Cheers.

[Grapdawg]

Well I drove the truck to work today. about 70 miles round trip. Things went great this morning and the truck drove real nice, On the way home though the tired motor decided to start making some major lifter noise. It had some noise from the drivers side lifters before. but on the way home she really started to clatter, I was going about 60 most of the way but when ya kick it down a light cloud of smoke would appear. I was woundering if you all had any excperiance with noisy lifters and ever tried to tighten the rocker arms to cure the problem. I know the motor is very tired and I need a new one but was hoping to make it through the summer with this one. I was thinking of trying to tighten the noisy lifters. (Take of driverside valve cover and see what I can find with it running anb see if I cant get it to quite down) What do ya think?

[Boog]

You might be able to help it a bit. Just slow the idle down real low and remove the valve cover. Loosen one at a time until it starts clacking then tighten until it stops then tighten an additional 1/2 to 3/4 turn. It should be good then.
Also note that a worn fuel pump sometimes makes the same clacking noise. Been there.

[Hottrucks]

cann't hurt any and if your do to change the oil soon add a quart of tranny fluid t it.....the tranny fluid will soften up the old seals and flush the lifters out..don't be afraid to drive it around town 20 miles or so the drain it out hot

and let me be the first to give yea an ATTA BOY!!!!!!! drive it!!!!

[Grapdawg]

Yea Im woundering if there isnt some significant build up and the tranny fluid thing would help. Also Im running 10w 30 should I be using something else. I would like to try and flush it then see if that helps. If not maybe alittle tightening would help. The passanger side is quiet as a mouse. but its just the driver side.

[Hottrucks]

you may have a lifter not pumping up from sitting to long...pull a vavle cover and see how dirty it is in there.. I have gone as far as flushing motors with kerocene...drain oil ( save it) fill with kero and run until its warmed up bump the thorttle a LITTLE then drain it out HOT..take off filter and drain it..reinstall the filter and old oil and start it up let it run 5 min and change oil as ussual

I'm old school so I'm sure I'll get some flack for this.......the other thing I have tried with great sucsess is engine restore in the silver can ...I put it in a VW with 185000 miles that smoke and made a few funny noises and it stopped it...I also know you can't pour something into the motor to fix it..but hey it worked

[Grapdawg]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

cann't hurt any and if your do to change the oil soon add a quart of tranny fluid t it.....the tranny fluid will soften up the old seals and flush the lifters out..don't be afraid to drive it around town 20 miles or so the drain it out hot

and let me be the first to give yea an ATTA BOY!!!!!!! drive it!!!!

Thanks, Yea it felt good to drive it finally after lookin at it sittin in my garage all winter. I will post up some new pics of the truck as we have got the cab and front clip finished and in primer. We also stripped the box pulled the dents and primed it so i could drive it and Im so excited to get the rest of the truck in order. In gunna be using it as a daily driver and just hope I can get a few months out of this motor.

[Longhorn Man]

i don't advise running any kerosene or motor flush... it might help, or it might wipe a bearing, or it could knock some crap loose and clog up the oil pump pick up... seen too many engines die right after that. Working in a shop, we see them on a somewhat regular basis, they say the went to XYZ 30 second oil chainge place and got the "good oil chainge" that includes a flush, and there engine started knocking a day later.
I would adjust the rockers, chainge the oil and filter (esp if you haven't lately) and see what happens. it may be time for a new engine.