I had to replace my water pump a few months after I got the truck. About 6 months later the timing chain cover started leaking so had to replace both gaskets for the water pump and timing chain cover. Also I put a new timing chain in. Now the trans is making a noiseslave cylinder I was told is the reason

 

Should I still be able to start the truck even with the rad and water pump gasket leaks? What is likely to happen if I try? He said the gasket leak was pretty bad. So i assume coolant will spray everywhere. But would starting the truck damage the vehicle or motor at all, just to see if it even runs? Or should I just fix the leaks first and then try and start it? I just don't want to make dumb mistakes either way and damage something.

Wall-E

 

You can start it just don't let it run very long. You might want to before the work and consider putting a timing chain\gear set in as well since you will have it nearly all apart.

 

you could take the water pump belt off and and run it for a short time. then it shouldn't leak too much.

 

I got "Wall-E" home today. I named him already
I have dusted off the cob webs. And looked around.
The edelbrock and msd parts are there, tires/rims etc. etc.
Think emergency brake is broken or something.
Not sure about the transmission. Could anyone tell me the shifter pattern???
The truck looks like it has potential so far.
Taking my time with things.

 

If its a floor shift four speed, it should be
1-3
2-4-R

In that year, it shouldn't be a 5-speed. I'm not sure about the 3 speed column shifters.

Did you run it at all?

 

the pivoting thing on drivers side frame is most like stiff and needs to be freed up to make the park brake work. i know i usually have to take the cables off about twice a year to free up the pivoting thing. disconnect the cables that go to it, spray it with penetrating oil and then just pound it back and forth with a hammer until it moves easily.

 

Thanks for advice people. All advice is helpful for someone like me.
I haven't run it yet. I tried, turned the key but nothing happened.
I will try the obvious tomorrow, like put gas in it
Is there any thing I should know about starting these trucks?
For example the type of things mentioned in this link???
http://latro.hubpages.com/hub/Start-...ing-Out-of-Gas

Oh, and I suspect something might be up with the electrical somehow. The windshield wipers wouldn't wipe. The aftermarket stereo won't turn on. And nothing happens when I click the turn signal level.

 

So . . . did you get anything electrical at all to work? Like the lights? Did you try to run it off of it's own battery, or did you try to jump it? I'd obviously start simple first: verify that the battery has juice.

 

With vehicles of this age, I think there is almost no such thing as a lemon. If you pulled the rear diff cover and had sawdust, that might be an exception, (somebody going out of their way to hide issues) but otherwise, its just an old truck. Im with the others. Throw a gasket behind your water pump, buy a radiator and call that part good. Then, with your electrical problems, do yourself a favor and get a book or dowload the manual for your truck. Start by checking where the supply power is coming from, and follow it towards the item that isnt working, until you find that power is not going further. Example:
Verify battery power - Have power? If yes go on to the next.

Power to fuse- Power? If yes, go next.

Power at input side of switch? If yes, go next..... ect.

If at some point you no longer have power, then you know roughly where the break has to be. As wontaccept said, you can save yourself some time and just jump power straight from the battery to the positive side of whatever isnt working. If it comes on, then you have some wiring to chase. Otherwise, your part is broken.