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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 173 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 173 | Recently my grandfather gave me his '72 K20. The truck is sitting under a shed at his house. I don't know when it was last running but the plate expired in 2001. He said he put "stabil" in the gas tank and I know the truck drove to where it is sitting. My question is, other than fresh gas, a new battery, changing the oil and probably tires, what else should I be worried about before driving the truck? I want to be able to safely drive the truck while I work on it a little along.
Thanks.
1947, 1950, & 1952 Chevrolet 1/2 ton
1952 GMC 450 series Cab Over Engine
1946 Chevrolet 2 Ton
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,201 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,201 | The first four things to worry about is brakes, brakes gas and brakes. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,780 | Get a shop manual, check out the brakes, rebuild the brakes and make sure the brakes work!
BRAKES
GAS
HOSES AND BELTS
TIRES
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TRUCK
CHECK THE LIGHTS AND WIRING (MICE LIKE WIRES)
LUBE ALL FITTINGS, RE-PACK WHEEL BEARINGS
CHANGE ANTI-FREEZE
GIVE IT A TUNE UP * REPLACE PLUGS AND WIRES.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 173 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 173 | Thanks guys. I figured tyhe brakes would be a top priority. I learned to drive a stick in this truck, many a year ago, now. So, I'm pretty excited about bringing her home. Maybe this weekend I'll get a fire built in the 292 and be able to atleast flush the old brake fliud out and putt around the yard a bit.
1947, 1950, & 1952 Chevrolet 1/2 ton
1952 GMC 450 series Cab Over Engine
1946 Chevrolet 2 Ton
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 | I have a 71 GMC that sat since 1986. It was running in 1991 but the brakes didn't work so it sat until 2004 when I finally talked the owner out of it. I redid the brakes and cleaned the tank, new fuel filters and fuel lines, oil change and oil/air filter, plugs and wires, anitfreeze and hoses, tires and wiring/ground checks. I cleaned the points and primed the carb. It started and idled like it ran the day before. The truck was only used to go camping with and only had 49K miles on it. The bed boards are still in factory paint. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 17 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2005 Posts: 17 | Agreed, brakes first, grease everything that moves or should move, etc door hindges, tail gate pivots, drain all oil out of everything, ckeck all grease seals engine, trans, rear end. check for water in engine oil, pull plugs and replace, marvel oil in each cylinder, remove valve cover and check for broken or miss adjusted lifters. crank 20-30 times without plug in to get oil where it needs to go. HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER CLOSE PRIOR TO STARTING. MAKE SURE CARB FLOAT IS FREE. cross your fingers and toes, put a big smile on your face and hit the starter. | | |
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