New to Forum, New Squarebody '78 GMC 4x4

[78_GMC_K25]

Hello everyone! I've been lurking for a week or two, and I just bought the truck last weekend. I've owned a few old GMs, and this will be my first truck. It's a 1978 GMC K25 4x4, 350, 4 speed which I barely call a 3 after granny and that short 2nd (labeled first on the shifter). After a week, I've already been chasing problems and have a another weekend or two to catch up with them. Front pads let me know they were ready, and the culprit was a weird uneven wear pattern. The lower portion of the entire pad seemed as if it became stronger than the rotor and grooved the rotor pretty nicely. Rotors will wait, because as soon as I got that taken care of, now I have a really soft pedal that needs a few pumps to keep me confident. Sounds like a master cylinder, only because I didn't open the system when I put the pads on (I'll bleed just to be safe)...just weird timing. Oh and the upper radiator inlet seems to be split along most of the weld, so the new upper hose didn't fix it. After I get these things fixed to make sure I'm not along the side of the road or in a ditch, I'm looking at getting those 225 75/16s off and getting at least a 245 75/16 on there....I'm pushing 4k RPMs just to eek out ~70mph. Alright, well the journey begins, and thank you for having me. Have a great day.

[NJRC10]

Welcome. Nice looking truck!!

[Greenlee]

Welcome to the forum! I saw your truck on Craigslist. Nice buy!

[gmachinz]

Wow!! A survivor red interior?!? Sweet!!

[Mr.Chevy4x4]

Nice score! Congrats, and welcome.

Mike

[78_GMC_K25]

Hey Greenlee, that's it. I've been too forgetful to snap my own pics, those are taken from the ad itself. It's got some rust, those pics are a bit deceiving, however the interior is as advertised. Thanks everyone!

[MTCK]

Sweet rig. Check out some 255/85r16's. 33" tall and narrow. Will drop your RPM's some on the highway.

[wildwilly4x4]

Sounds like a good time to do wheel bearings with the uneven pad wear and a soft pedal

[78_GMC_K25]

I was thinking 235/85s, but that 255 might keep me away from the bicycle tire look. Wild, thats up next. Bled the front and got a bit better pedal out of it, but it has a bit of fade to it. Big warning sign...I couldn't get the rears to bleed. I almost spun the bleeder out of the LR wheel cylinder and never saw one drop of fluid. Had a few successes for the day, got the driver window seals and regulator replaced and got the stumble out the carb. It's still 90 here in austin, and getting that window down will keep sweaty shirt changes to a minimun.