So many problems... Help?

[skyreep1]

Okay so, I have two 71 c10's.

One has a transmission that's shot and some body work, the other has oil fouled plugs and some body problems. This question is about the second truck, as I don't have the money to get a new tranny. For now I just wanna get one on the road.

My truck has oil fouled plugs so I bought a can of engine restore and new plugs hoping it might cure the problem but when I cranked it there was still a lot of black smoke. The carb also has a leak somewhere and both my valve covers are leaking. The worst part is, half the time the 3 speed shifts well, but the other half, when you try to put her in reverse she grinds and wont get into any other gears. It's like the shifter is loose and it can only get into the gears half the time. The thing is, it only has 60000 original miles. So, what is the bare minimum I need to do to get truck on the road? I ship out for training in 5 months so I'll be able to fix both of them when I get back but for now I just need something to drive. Thanks
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[chevy88]

Tightening sleeve on steering column just inside engine compartment loosen 2 screws on sleeve, turn and slide towards cab and retighten this will get rid of some looseness. Also check for worn plastic bushings on shift linkage will help.

[cdowns]

as far as the shifting problems replace to gromment in the shifter linkage

as far as the engine a can of snake oil does nothing longterm other than making hucksters rich

[skyreep1]

Okay, if I took off the transmission pan on the other truck and found metal shavings do I just have to buy an overhaul kit or a remanufactured transmission?
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[skyreep1]

And also, does anyone know of a kit that includes vale seals, rings, and head gaskets?
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[68gmsee]

You don't say what transmission you have but the grommets are hard to locate and I actually had to make my own with bronze and rubber tubing that fit inside the holes before I found them on the net. Have to do a search for shift link grommets.

Re. the other problems. Take one at a time starting with the easiest. The first thing I would do is fix the carb leaks. Don't want to catch the whole thing on fire.

[biggestjohn]

Originally Posted by skyreep1

My truck has oil fouled plugs so I bought a can of engine restore and new plugs hoping it might cure the problem but when I cranked it there was still a lot of black smoke. [/i][/size]

Black smoke= running rich(carb problem). Are you sure that the plugs weren't carbon fouled?

[skyreep1]

Looked like oil to me. Black and chunky. Backfiring, low power.
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[dhaymaker]

Originally Posted by skyreep1

Looked like oil to me. Black and chunky. Backfiring, low power.
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If there is "black and chunky" associated with the plugs it can be oil, but more likely a fuel related issue. Oil is usually fairly viscous, but the chunky sounds like carbon deposits. Have you literally "smelled" the plugs to see if they have a strong fuel smell. You will definitely be able to smell the difference! Check and see what a plug smells like. I'm thinking biggestjohn could be on to something here!

[skyreep1]

I think I still have the old plugs so I'll take a picture tomorrow. Why would a loose sleeve cause it to grind when I try to shift to reverse.
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[chevy88]

Linkage is not set right or worn and not able to go completly into gear enough.

[super72swb]

Do a compression check on you engine that will tell you a lot about your engine. If compression is good you may have bad valve guides that is allowing one or more cylinders to leak oil in them. Which may be the cause of your plugs to be fouling. Clean your plugs let sit overnight turn it over then pull your plugs. If all good then work towards carb/timing issue. If you have worn rings you could go to a hotter plug and it may help. Just a thought hope it helps.
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[brans72]

Are you in Greensboro? I have a buddy that does tranmission work over there and if you pull the automatic he can bench build it for a very decent price with warranty. He has built them over 20 yrs now and isknow all over Greensboro area etc for his work. Shoot me a pm and we can talk more. Brandon