Anyone know anything about Chevy trucks?

There is no sensor on the rear.

I just replaced the speed sensor on the tail shaft of the trans. The old one was cracked and messed up, but I don't see any damage to the teeth up inside the trans (it's a magnetic pick up). The speedometer now works pretty steady at low speeds, but once you get up to speed it's still bouncing around. I'll try unplugging the ABS module next. I need to try and get this thing fixed tonight, because I need to drive it to NC tomorrow.

Anyway, here's a few pics of the truck. I'll be changing the wheels, but it's not a bad looking old truck. I drove it to work today, and several guys were trying to buy it off me.









I can't help but keep thinking a 351w would fit real nice in here:



Here is what I believe is the ABS module?



The messed up speed sensor:

 

nice truck you can unplug the abs computer and the light will stop flashing

 

I'm beginning to think the wires and/or plug going to the speed sensor aren't getting a good connection. I pulled into an empty parking lot at a closed down grocery store and drove it around at 15 mph. The speedometer worked intermittently. I came to a complete stop and it bounced up to 10 mph randomly a few times. I got out and shook the wiring and plug going to the speed sensor, drove around the parking lot again and it worked perfect for a minute or so and then quit working again. The wires feel old and soft.

 

Try to snug up the spades in the plug so they grab the pins nice and tight.Look for the usual...fraying...burnt insulation on the harness.
Yes that is a pic of the ABS module.Sounds like you have narrowed down Jamie...Good luck.

 

Figures...look who ya got it from!!!

 

As suspected, the wiring was part of the problem. I checked the continuity from the plug to up further in the harness, and as I flexed the wire around it was loosing connection. Fixed that and discovered the cluster itself was also getting a bad connection, it was still acting up some after fixing the wire. I used the very technical, ASE certified method of slapping the s#!t out of the top of the dash and all is perfect now. I'm up in NC now on the wonderful dial up internet connection, but it made it up here fine, 70 mph with the cruise control on and A/C blasting most of the way.

 

Yup. That smacking also works with the radio when it starts flickering lol. I had a 89 sport side and a 90 short bed. Both looked identical to yours, cept the beds, and head lights on the 90. I looked at the pics you posted and thought I was looking into my truck(s). My 90 had a fold down arm rest, does yours?

 

Nice truck, Jamie. That truck looks just like the one my wife's grandpa had, except for the wheels. He bought his new. Kept a blanket over the seat until he died. I wish I had bought the one he had. Only thing I never cared for was the dash gauges.

 

Last time I met Hawco,he was driving a green FORD Taurus....

 

Left the Taurus for a Buick Regal about one year ago. Wife drives a 2001 Suburban. My daughter now drives the Buick and I drive a 2001 Silverado I inherited. The only Fords in my yard are Mavericks and 1978 F150. Once the engine and tranny are out of the F150, it's going to Jamie's stash in NC.

 

Truck did about 19 mpg round trip to NC and back. Not bad. Odometer dosen't work, but I know it's exactly 100 miles from my driveway to my grandparents driveway. I think the rings are about gone though, it does use oil at a decent rate. Must be why there is a bag full of 20w50 Castrol in the tool box. It lets out a haze of blue smoke if you get on the gas hard. No visible smoke under normal driving conditions though. Of course, who knows how many miles are actually on it. For what I plan to use it for, it'll be fine for a long while.

My grandparents like the truck, but my uncle gave me hell about it being a chevy. Of course he's the guy who's got 400,000 miles on his 2000 F150 and the damn thing still runs like new.

Nope.

 

NAH no ring problem, its a 350 right? hehe. Also check the starter bracket and make sure it has not started working loose, if it has snug it up so it doesnt start breaking the starter bolts off. if it doesnt have one get one made. my friends with chevys always seem to have random electrical problems also, the only "stock" wiring issue i have in my highboy is the flashers dont work and it appears it is due to old wires in the bed. i plan to pull in some new ones.

 

The bouncing speedo problem is quite common in those truck.

My 90 GMC didn't have the problem, but lots of guys I knew that had those trucks had the problem.

Jamie, if you find a seatbelt latch for one of those I need it. More specifically the one for the passenger side middle seat in a suburban. It should bolt to the seat, but I'll take one like whats in your truck also. (I only ask this because I know you'll be looking at them now in junkyards lol)

 

Change the oil, and put in a quart of Lucas. It should slow down the oil usage. You can use 2 quarts of Lucas if it's using oil really bad.

 

I'll keep an eye out.

It may be a moot point now that the truck has set for several months, but I don't think it's been driven much since the oil was last changed. I noticed when I was up under it, the oil filter looks brand new and has 1-10-09 wrote on it with a marker. I'll keep that in mind though. My grandpa suggests that thick gooey STP and my dad suggests that engine restore that comes in the chrome looking can. Seems everyone has their own remedies.