Ok, so I want to take a road trip this summer and am already working on tuning the truck up. I already installed a new distributor cap, rotor, and all new sparks and lines. I've adjusted the valves (fun stuff) and checked the distributor air gap.

A few months ago I've changed the engine, diff and tranny oil, as well as the brake and clutch fluids. I need new wheel cylinders for the back, but i'll do that in a little while. I've flushed and changed the coolant from the rad and block just a few weeks ago.

I'm awaiting my Chilton manual from Canada, but I was checking if you guys could help me with keeping my truck lasting forever or close and getting good gas mileage.

I drive only 2 miles a day round trip for work (i'd walk but it too cold!) and 20 round trip on sundays for another job.

Newbie mechanic, and eager to drive my truck more, but since I only drive it so little, don't I waste a lot of gas with the choke on?

Also, I notice putting all the new stuff in, my truck got really LOUD. Well....it sounds less like a small car and more like a diesel now. I haven't adjusted the idle or anything, but the engine just sounds beefier. Is it the new sparks? I put platinum ones in, but I like my old quiet truck a little more. (wimp) lol


Thanks

 

Sounds like your off to a good start, didn't see any mention of pcv, air, and fuel filters, but with the other stuff I,m sure those are done too.
The short, 2 mile round trip drive is gonna be harder on the oil and exhaust system, don't have enough time to get to temperature to evaporate water from the exhaust system, and the oil needs heat to clean the innards better.
As for the noise, by chance do you still have the air pump on the truck?
if a hose was left unhooked from the air cleaner or pump when adjusting the valves, they will make a lot of noise, as will the air filter if not seated on the carb the way it was before, just a couple of thoughts that would cause more noise.

 

air and fuel filters have been changed as well yes The air filter I think is bolted on just with one screw to the valve cover so I should get another since one was missing. Is this the same air pump on which a belt goes around the camshaft like the alternator? No. My truck doesn't have one as far as i know. I do have a lot of hoses from behind the carb going all different directions....notably a lot that don't go anywhere.

 

Im pretty sure the reason it got louder is cuz you adjusted the v alves to spec which is .008 intake and .012 exhaust and theres nothing wrong with that but if you want it to sound quieter you can adjust the valves a little bit tighter, .007 intake and .011 exhaust. Youll notice it to be a bit quieter and maybe feel a minimal gain in upper rpm power, the bad is if you adjust them too tight you could possibly ruin your valves but ive been running it at .007 & .011 for a couple months now and its perfect.

Also maybe post some pics of all those hoses you got on their.

 

Ok, i'll post some pics soon. the weather isn't the greatest here and i soooo need to wash my engine. its sooo dirty it looks like someone tried to start the engine with the valve cover off. oil everywhere.

 

Ok. I figured out the engine noise was due to the exhaust pipe being loose right under the engine.


But reading my books, do you have to change/check the steering box oil ever? In Chilton's it said to check the steering gear oil level, but doesn't elaborate.