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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
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Hello, first time poster.
Bought this '85 C10 the other. Check my sig for motor mods. Anyways, like any older vehicle, this truck has its share of issues. Leaky tranny pan, leaky timing chain cover, and a fuel gauge that reads incorrectly. The first 2 are not priority as the leak very little. However, being able to know how much fuel I have is a must. The fuel gauge (according to previous owner) shows full @ 5 o'clock position and empty @ around the 3/4 mark. What do I need to do to get this gauge to read proper? the truck originally had 2 gas tanks, but has been converted to use 1. I am thinking the sending unit needs replacing, but I have no experience in this area. If anyone can help me fix this, I'd be really appreciative! Thanks in advance!
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#2 |
78K & 79C Jimmys
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
could be the float bent weird
I"ve done it to leave more gas in the tank when it reads empty but it dosn't go like that i bend the float arm up about an inch.....less chance of a frozen gas line up here it just dosn't go over the "full" mark......and you will find your lowest spot it will read on the empty and still have 1/8 tank or so of gas
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 318
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Will i need to drop the gas tank to replace the fuel sender unit? I have read where it can be accessed behind driver seat. Is the C10 fleetside setup like that? Thanks.
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 14
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Quote:
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#5 |
Robert Olson Transport
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Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,288
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
sometimes its just the ground on the fuel tank so check that before you go replacing senders
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
for the leaky pan get it flushed and replace the seal. on the fuel gauge. check and make sure its correctly grounded. if you have to do anything with the gas tank take off the bed instead of trying to work from below you will be much happier when working on it.
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] ![]() 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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#7 |
78K & 79C Jimmys
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
do you know if it's sat a while?
tank might be gunky dropping wouldn't be a bad idea i don't know if you can get it out,without removal I've checked sending units by grounding the sending unit wire to the tank, to the frame open or off is over full/grounded would read empty
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 |
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 318
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Quote:
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#9 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
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Chunk of money being spent, but I don't have a proper work area or tools. Not too mention, I don't get to suffer in the 100 degree heat. EDIT: I'll check the grounding wire when I get a chance. I hope that's all it is. EDIT: what end of the gas tank should I start looking for the ground wire? Thanks.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
it will treat you well on the long run
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] ![]() 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 318
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Wow, what a day. Finally got my truck back. I love getting things done, but hate finding more.
A couple easy things I need to do soon are re-route the power cables going to the starter. As of now, they are laying really close to the header. I also need to work with the spark plug wires and move them away from the headers too. Not so easy fix is the whole steering system needs replacing. There is some slack when wiggling the tires. I don't think it is mandatory, just near top of the list. Plus the high pressure hose for the PS pump is leaking. My top priority now is to try and fix the fuel gauge. Since my last fill up on Tuesday, the needle hangs past full, but drops some when power is off. The truck has 1 tank on driver side. Proximity, where should I find the sender grounding cable? Does anyone have any suggestions of a make-shift support I could fashion for the PS pump bracket? There isn't one there and the pump vibrates like hell and screams. I'm gonna hit up a salvage yard or 2 tomorrow see if I can find what I need. I believe that is all for now.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
power steering pumps are common to start to go and to install new steering gears will improve safety and drivability. on the start wires you can buy cable anchors that fit in the holes predrilled into the frame. for the plug wires aim them so they go underneath the headers under the aluminum heat shields.
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] ![]() 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 318
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Quote:
That's a good idea for the starter wires. I need to do something. I am not sure if they are grounding or what, but my battery doesn't hold a charge even tho it has been tested good. It was recharged @ Auto Zone on Wednesday and is beginning to die again. Starter is sounding weak at initial crank. Starter is new, replaced on Wednesday while battery was being charged. With the mods listed in my sig, where would be a good place to start for timing? The stock 6 to 8 degrees? I'm thinking that the timing isn't quite right, making it hard to start the motor. The headers do not have heat shields since they are aftermarket. I have thought about wrapping them in heat tape to redirect the heat produced by the headers.
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
check and make sure your starter hasn't loosened itself that has caused hard starting for me in the past. heat tape sounds like a good idea. also keep the stock timing unless you need it otherwise
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] ![]() 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Quote:
I'm prolly gonna need to remove the starter again anyways so I can relocate the wires. For reasons unknown, whoever decided to have the wires mount on the front of the starter needs a swift kick in the rear... Can't wait to get past all this so I can actually enjoy the truck!
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
people willing to do true duals are rare. I was lucky enough to do welding and fabrication classes. it can be done by ones self easily. for the solenoid on the starter i hate that. some have used fords remote type solenoid
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] ![]() 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 318
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Goldfinger, just lettin ya know you have been really good with the help! Thank you!
Something else I need to fix today is the wiper motor. When I tried it out, it ran SLOW. The wiper control does not have intermittent settings. Is this a switch problem or motor problem? Thanks!
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
check the ground but it may be be a motor problem. was there any lubrication on the window to hinder speed?
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] ![]() 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 318
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
No lube on window. It just runs slow no matter what setting the wiper control is on.
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 318
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Ok, so the truck is jacked up so I can get under it. I cannot fund any wires comung from the gas tank. i can barely see the outlet pipes. Is there a particular area i need to look fir the grounding cable?
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 318
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Ok, I found 4 wires coming from the gas tank going to the tank switch. 2 pinks, 1 dark green, and 1 green going to wire harness. I found an orange / black wire coming from harness going to nowhere. It had been cut from something. Any idea what it is for? Thanks.
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
my tank ground is a flat braided type wire that attaches to the frame. i'm sorry about the colors i cant tell what mine are from the years of grease dust and rot. but those wires almost sound like the harness for your tail lights which run along the inside the frame rails
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] ![]() 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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#23 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Quote:
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
around where the sender sits on the tank and connects to any area on the frame.
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] ![]() 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 318
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Re: 1985 Chevy C10 issues
Well, I had hoped my theory of just grounding the tank to the frame would resolve the issue, but it didn't. The sending unit is in an inaccessible area; so, I'll just deal with it later. The gas tank looks like it needs replacing anyways. I'll just take care of the grounding problem then.
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