No - the original was missing when I bought the truck, so I'd purchased the rectangular style socket in the earlier posts in this string. It was already wired up, but had been dangling behind the cluster while I looked for the jewel. Took the truck to work for the first time yesterday...as a daily driver, it could be fun! The main issue I'm dealing with right now is that whether the engine is hot or cold, it only starts with a shot of starter boost sprayed into the carb. With that stuff in the carb, it starts every time. I'm thinking it might be that the carb needs a rebuild, or maybe there's something holding up the fuel supply to the carb.

-Captain Sygo

 

A carb overhaul might help. Sounds as if maybe the accelerator pump in the carb may not be working. You can check by looking down into the carb and looking to see if a small stream of fuel is discharged when the throttle is operated by hand with engine off. If no "squirt" of fuel then pump is not working. This would be the squirt of fuel you need in place of the shot of starting fluid. A new pump comes with a carb rebuild kit. There is also a check ball that has to be in the bottom of the pump cavity or the pump won't pump. The pump has a leather or fuel resistant rubber seal that can dry out and go bad, too. Good luck on finding a remedy. A working accelerator pump can also lead to flooding if you pump the accelerator too many times before starting. Seems like every vehicle has its own quirks about starting that each owner figures out. A little choke here, a little push on the gas pedal there and hopefully you will find the magic touch.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Rickster800 - it'll give me a place to start (and hopefully finish!).
-The Cap'n

 

It will never be finished. Just when you think it is, something else will leak or slip, or blow, or wear out, or smoke, or squeal, or crack, or fall off, or vibrate, or break off, or........ Fortunately, you are becoming quite familiar with all your truck's systems and you have a garage to work in. You'll be fine.

 

Sounds like you're talking about me, not my truck - I'm finding that as I get older, there's always some part giving out! In all seriousness, though, it's been a hoot working on the truck - the work challenges a completely different part of my brain compared to what I use most of the day. I'm not like a lot of the folks on this forum who have tons of experience and great intuition about vehicles. Each new problem finds me on the steep side of the learning curve, but that's also what makes it satisfying when something goes right.
-Captain Sygo

 

"Whats with the negative waves?" "Can't you say something righteous for a change?" Uttered in my best Donald Sutherland voice (Oddball from Kelley's Heroes).

 

That's just called upkeep. Any vehicle needs some, just that older stuff needs more.

 

I've been described as a 'chronic tinkerer', so I kind of like it when something goes south as long as I can drive it home. Oh, and if it isn't in there too deep, like rod bearings.....

 

I had to do a timing chain on my old 69 crew cab in a motel parking lot a few years ago. Wasn't any biggy.

 

Captain, I JUST removed mine yesterday. If you like, I can text you a short video of how it installs. Sposed to be raining tomorrow so I'm not doing anything else.

If you want it, Call or text to remind me tomorrow 318-510-1919

 

Thanks, pns112500 - I sent you a pm.
The Cap'n

 

Hey Cap'n. I haven't forgot about you. Been gettin my Pops squared away. I got it on the list of to do's for tomorrow.

 

Got the vid. Gotta get my wife to post it tho. She told me she aint doing chit until the game is over.

 

Awesome - thanks! Are you rooting for green or red?
-The Captain

 

What kind of game you talkin bout? Green, red whatever. I have not the slightest idea what a first down is. Not kidding. Work, family, trucks. What it is....