Idels great, Put it in gear...not so much

[eddose]

1983 Chevy C10 with an automatic 350 (2wd)

I have replaced fuel pump, fuel filters, fuel lines, dist' cap and rotor, spark plugs and spark plug wires....
Idles great.
Put it in gear and it sputters and coughs, stutters and wants to stall out.

What is up??

I have been told the carb needs to be rebuilt, but I personally dont think thats the problem.

Any ideas?

Please help.

[Pontiac1976]

Hello
Is it a 4bbl or a 2bbl carb?
Ok idles @ what RPM ??
Is the carb pretty clean
What RPM does the motor drop to in drive??

could be the carb, is a little dirty or a little out of adjustment.
Is all your Vacuum lines in good shape.
Do you have a Vacuum gauge one of the best tools for setting the carb checking if your vacuum line might be leaking& fuel pressure testing. Oh timing light too.
I guessing you know how to carb adjustments.
Make sure all the basic setting are right. check rpms should be like 750-800 RPM around idle 550-650 in drive with brake on.
Is the pump getting enough fuel to carb at drive. Since it's idling fine try a little carb cleaner when idling to see if cleans out the problem. First keep the idle up when spraying it let it run at a around 800 to 1000 rpm by hand for a min or so. Then let it drop back to idle get in hold the brake put in drive see if anything differs.
Start at the basic. let us know how it goes
Oh is your choke working correctly when warm it's off ( straight up and down " open" )

[eddose]

I don't have a tach in the truck.
Carb cleaner has been done, vac tubes look ok. I don't have a vac gauge, rpms sound great at idle...once its put in drive the rpm's drop and then stutter, cough, cough, stutter....
The fuel pump seems to be doing fine with supply, but I am unsure if it is once it's put in drive.
Not sure about the choke.

I think at this point I am just going to tow it in and have it worked on.
Didn't want to do that. Wanted to fix it myself, but I think it's beyond my tech skills.

Just worried about being ripped off. Your thingy do hick is bad and it needs a new dohickymabob.

Just want it to run correctly and pass emissions so I can drive it while fixing up the body and interior.
Originally bought as a yard work truck, but now I think I want to make it into a driver.

Bought it for $500. So if I put $1500 into it getting it running and reg/safety/emissions... I will still be doing good.

Thanks for the feedback.
Given your ideas, i am guessing it is the carb. (2bbl)
Also has exhaust manifold leaks and exhaust leaks that need to be fixed.

There are so many dag nabbit hoses and wires in the engine that I can't see half the engine due to all the emissions. I never saw so many hoses and wires and crap in an engine. Looking on line, I don't see ANY engine that has as much crap. But I am guessing its mostly emissions garbage.
Spent the last three days degreasing and cleaning the compartment just so I can see where stuff goes.
Truck had been sitting for about a decade.
I don't think it had ever been cleaned.

Thanks for the input though. I guess I will just bring it the shop and have them fix it.

Ed

[eddose]

[Pontiac1976]

Does not looks to bad I bet it a tune up on the car. If your going to keep it harbor fright has some good cheep tool.
(0 )GM 80-87 Chilton manual #28622 (1 )Vacuum (2 ) Timing gun (3 )Tach

I here you on the hoses for the emissions

Not sure on the hour rate there. But the carb should be around $80-150
Good Luck with the truck keep us posted
Welcome to the board lots of info here.

[eddose]

It's actually in pretty good shape. Doors are straight, not really that much rust, fenders are fairly good, hood is good, cab is good. Bed needs to be totally replaced due to a crush in the drivers side, engine seems good 'cept for the driving problem. (but I don't think even that will be a big deal for someone who knows whats going on.) I don't like that it's a long bed, but it's not that bad.
All the trim needs replaced, grill, wheels, tires. dash needs to be replaced, but metal and inside metal looks good.
No rust in doors or engine compartment.

I would like to replace the steering column with a shorter one with tilt.
I'm not going to do anything with height, because I will be using it to haul stuff for the house.
I may strengthen the rear suspension.

I am not sure yet if I will take the time to take all the small dings, dents and scratches out of it before I paint it. Not sure if I want to invest that much time into it.... but the more I watch rebuilt truck vids on Youtube, the more I want to turn it into a hot rod - ish truck.
Not interested in going full blown hot rod, but I top notch, good looking truck would be nice.

My son and I are getting more excited about working it all together. We are both thinking the same color as the famous "Copperhead truck" with white stripes.

Anyway.... we'll see.


Thanks for the help and advice.

Ed

[Pontiac1976]

Take your time, get your son to help you. You will love the time spent together. all was feel free to ask look up info or give info to the board. Enjoy you fine truck let us know time to time what your doing to it.

[Pontiac1976]

Hi Ed your welcome.
The question you asked should be in the section in the Column area.
just so it easier to find it if your searching for it later or some one eles is. Or here in this section with its own topic listing.