LUVTruck.com

hello everyone..great little site here. Anyways, im looking to bring a luv that has sat for 15 years ( with a cover..in shleter...dont crucify me yet ) up to speed. Its pretty much stock, with the exception of stero and tire/rim upgrades. The battery is dead, and next week im going to jump it and see if the engine is dead. Now, This is my dads old car and im getting my liscence early next year. The reason i cam here is becasue im not really in the market to get a new/used car, plus i really like the LUV. Is there anything i know before i get to work on it? If the engine is dead, is it difficult to replace it? Any tips? thanks in advance

Well 1st off WELCOME to the site, and congrats on your new to you truck!!! As far as firing it up, make sure all your fluids are good, you might want to make sure you don't have a bunch of gunk in the gas tank, and maybe go ahead and change both fuel filters and give it a try. If you end up needing a new motor, or you have any questions, we are here for ya. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

Hi,

First thing i would try would be turning the motor over by hand. If that works wind it over on the starter for a few seconds with no spark hooked up or better still no spark plugs in it at all, to get oil pressure up. Id be inclined to tip a little diesel down each bore before winding on the starter.

I would suggest that you change the oil and fliter and basically give the thing a service. All filters, spark plugs and points etc as well as changing all the fluids. If your not in the know with things mechanical grab a workshop manual of some sort, if its got the info you need its easy to learn from if you can read and are reasonably practical.


My ute sat for a long time. Ive found a few issues. One was corrosion due to no coolant in the engine, the welch/freeze plugs are rusty and the motor is full of orange gunge. Ive got it apart at the moment fixing that stuff. The first time i ran it after i got it, once it got warm and some pressure had built up in the radiator one of the welch/freeze plugs in the inlet manifold blew out thru a rusty spot.

Crap in the fuel tank and the gaskets in the carby have all dried out. Id say at minimum do as suggested above, change the fuel filters and do it before you even try and start the motor.


Cheers, Bob.

_________________
Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

thanks alot for the tips. This saturday im going to go out hrere and check it out some more. Ill post some pics soon next week. I'm sorry, this is going to sound dumb, but how much does some basic service like you mentioned cost?

Nothing if you do it yourself. or did you mean,
For the parts to do a major service maybe $100 give or take. We have funny money down here and parts are generally dearer and for a luv, not stocked unless it fits a different vehicle.



Honest, go buy a book and say to yourself, this is going to be all me, im not paying someone to do what i can learn to do myself.

Its been sitting for a long time and it will need work. Once you get it running most likely it will spring a few oil leaks from hard seals and gaskets.

Dont be discouraged, just get into it and do it. The worst case scenario would be you stuff it up/ blow it up/ write it off. Live and learn thats the best experience. Motors are easy enough to change over.

I gave you some advice, heres what id do. Check its got oil and the oil looks ok. Pull the spark plugs out, check the ends if they are rusty your in trouble if they are dirty/sooty/oily you should be ok. If the motor turns over by hand and feels smooth with the spark plugs out grab a battery and wind the motor over for a bit. Id pour a small shot (less than a teaspoon full) of diesel/oil or squirt in some CRC or WD40 in each plug hole before cranking, this might make it smoke a bit when it first starts. Put the plugs back in and try and get it going.

It would be a good idea to get a fuel filter and a short bit of extra fuel hose. Take the hose off where the fuel connects to the Carby, plug it on the filter and use the extra bit of hose to connect to the carb. If all was clean in the carb last time it ran with the fliter there it will stay that way.

To get mine running i had to use a tin of stuff called AeroStart, you spray it in the snorkel on the air cleaner, it makes a flamable vapour that likes to burn. Once i had it started and warmed up a bit it would start OK. Just wouldnt start cold and i put it down to something in the carby as id put in new spark plugs, it was probably the points in the distributor.


Also, before you go stuffing with the motor it might be a good idea to check that the old thing still has brakes. No point it going if you cant stop it. lol.


Good luck on saturday.

Cheers, Bob.

_________________
Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

Hey Bob that was good info for the kid ,we need more people who will help when some body needs it. Keep up the good work. How is it down there in Auzi. land any way.

_________________
1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

I'd like to made a suggestion. I would use Marvel Mystery oil instead of Diesel in the cylinder bores. If you rings are sticking this will help as it works on rust better than diesel. You can get it at most any auto parts store. I've used it on 4x4 engines that have been under water with good success.

^^^^ What he said, ive never heard of that stuff. If i had i would probably use it and keep a bottle in the shed just in case.


Bob.

_________________
Current project, 1979 KB Isuzu Ute.

Daily driver, '86 Rodeo Spacecab.
Chasing parts for Isuzu Impulse.

I loves me some Marvel Mystery Oil.



But if it isn't available...WD40 is my next best friend....lol

Thanks alot everyone!! im sorry i havent put up any pics..i got really sick last week and i couldn't leave the house. so im hoping to get some hope by sunday! thanks for all the great advice!

Is it a auto trans or a manual
If it a manual Check the pedal mounting braket and mack sure its not broken or starting to cus mine broke on me and It was the bigest pain in the ass to get it out. So it might be a good ideal to check it out.

_________________
If you cant find it grind it

79 4x4 1.8 liter
75 K 10 Lifted with 383 stroker
69 Jeepster comando v6

Chavy is right. Most of these trucks end up needing the clutch pedal to be removed and repaired by welding in reinforcements. It's not impossible, and I wouldn't not by a truck because of it, but it can be a tough job to do.

_________________
OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

Ever once in a while my clutch pedal will become loose and I will have to tighten up the L- shaped bracket that I made for it. Anyway welcome to the site!!!

Sometimes if the parking brakes is left on it the brakes will stick. The same with the clutch. The old timers would wedge a board between the seat and clutch pushed all the way in. That way whe clutch spring and pressure plate springs would push back and free the clutch. Also less likely to freeze the PP to the flywheel or a rusty input shaft on the transmission.

Mistery Marvel Oil is great stuff!~!!! Don't let anyone tell you it is just ATF.
Some people mix a little diesel with it. I don't know why.

PUT a known good battery in the truck before you try to jump it... It is H#$l to jump it with a battery that has sat for years. You might think about draining the old gas... I am not sure how you would that, some elses should HTH Good luck and welcome.

Richard

_________________
75 Luv, 350 V8, TH350, Camaro rearend. New 1975 Luv Step side. Stock for now.
Grandmaster of the "Shade Tree" way.. I can't see the yard for all the cars. Come on down and we will sit on the porch and watch the grass grow.

Hi everyone. I am back, and i have photos of my luv!

It wasn't really a g ood time of day...the sun ruins it. Tuesday im going to get some interior and engine photos up.

Hi everyone. I am back, and i have photos of my luv!

It wasn't really a g ood time of day...the sun ruins it. Tuesday im going to get some interior and engine photos up.

Looks like a good starting point.

_________________
If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

looks a hell of a lot better than what i started with


oh yeah.. where are you located??

stockton, california. tomorow ill post some pictures of the engine.

Good ol Stockton huh! I grew up in Modesto.