FNG with a 1981 C30 Dually

[HFolb23]

Welcome from Ga! That's a good looking truck! Manifold gaskets seem to be super common on these 454s, not a terrible job either. Just start spraying them with deep creep or something similar a few days before so you don't break a bolt off in the head.

For the starting issue, it's hard to say, that could be multiple things. Could be a weak battery, could be the carb needs to be rebuilt/fuel is draining out of the bowls when it sits, could just be the nature of the beast with the cam.

Also, just FYI, you've got '83/84 headlight bezels and an '85-88 Silverado grille but you do have the correct '81 bumper. Definitely a good start to a cool truck!

Thank you for all the advice!

I ordered the exhaust manifold gaskets and my wheels, they should all be here end of the week. I’ll spray them with some penetrating oil before going to work today.

As for the starting issue, I mentioned it my mechanic at work and he just looked at me and said “welcome to owning carbureted vehicles with mechanical fuel pumps”. Admittedly, everything I’ve ever owned has been fuel injected, and most things I’ve wrenched on have been diesel. Live and learn I guess.

 

[PiutePete]

Welcome.

From my research, here is something I stumbled across, hope it helps.

Chevy & GMC 3500 Steel and Aluminum Wheels (1997-2000)

Steel and Aluminum Wheels and Accessories for a Chevy or GMC 3500 from 2001-2010.

buytruckwheels.com

 

[TotalyHucked]

Thank you for all the advice!

I ordered the exhaust manifold gaskets and my wheels, they should all be here end of the week. I’ll spray them with some penetrating oil before going to work today.

As for the starting issue, I mentioned it my mechanic at work and he just looked at me and said “welcome to owning carbureted vehicles with mechanical fuel pumps”. Admittedly, everything I’ve ever owned has been fuel injected, and most things I’ve wrenched on have been diesel. Live and learn I guess.

Haha yeah, carb's are a whole 'nother animal. Though, when the whole fuel system is in good shape and operating correctly in warm weather, you should be able to pump the pedal 2-3 times to set the choke/prime, it should fire right up.

 

[Catbox]

Welcome to the forum from Oregon!

Check your battery cables as well.
It takes a mighty bit of power to turn over all that metal in these 454's.
Ours has one of the newer truck mini starters on it and that helps as well as the welding wire battery cables we built for it.

 

[HFolb23]

Thank you all.

Unfortunately I have found some rot in the frame near the drivers side front end of the rear leaf spring mount. I guess all other plans are on hold until I find out if it’s repairable or not.

 

[Old77]

Thank you all.

Unfortunately I have found some rot in the frame near the drivers side front end of the rear leaf spring mount. I guess all other plans are on hold until I find out if it’s repairable or not.

Pics of the issue?

 

[HFolb23]

Pics of the issue?

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Here’s the best I could get in the dark. I did hit it with a screwdriver to get to “good” metal.

 

[Old77]

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Here’s the best I could get in the dark. I did hit it with a screwdriver to get to “good” metal.

Looks to be fixable for sure. Glad you caught it! Any issue similar to that on the other side?

 

[HFolb23]

Looks to be fixable for sure. Glad you caught it! Any issue similar to that on the other side?

Not that I could tell from an initial glance. I did discover a broken leaf on the other side though so that’ll have to be addressed when the lowering kit goes in.

I have a local square body enthusiast and mechanic coming to take a look at it tomorrow, hoping it’s not astronomically expensive to repair.

 

[Old77]

Not that I could tell from an initial glance. I did discover a broken leaf on the other side though so that’ll have to be addressed when the lowering kit goes in.

I have a local square body enthusiast and mechanic coming to take a look at it tomorrow, hoping it’s not astronomically expensive to repair.

You’ll mostly be paying for labor. If they’re good at welding it should be fine. Most of the time your can just weld in a plate to reinforce the area and it’s a suitable repair. Just gotta make sure the plate goes past the rot on all sides