Hows everyone doing ? Was just curious to see who is tooling on earlier models out there?

I just picked up a 79 Sierra Grande for a steal (500$) and am in the process of getting it back up to par. Although I am pretty handy with the basics of older engines a few things do throw me off such as Emmisions.

Anywho that will be where most of my questions will be about, at this point - it is the diverter valve. Any quick visual I can do to tell if it has failed or needs to be replaced?

Truck itself is a 79 GMC Sieera Grande ( as I mentioned) :
200k original miles, 5.7L350 Dual tank , and I have already chisled off pounds of dirt and took care of all the basics for the most part. Figured I would clean it up first so I can see what I am doing down there. Been in the process of checking all my linkage and the what-nots. Truck itself had been sitting and unused for years gathering dust, but the engine itself is in tip top shape. even if the original owner let it go on the slide a bit it sure is cleaning up nicely and running strong and on key.

1st thing I have to do (since I am in Cali) is get it back to meet Emmision standards, since when purchased all emmision devices had been removed. ( although they came with the truck). Personally I perfer the layout as it is, but the law is the law......

2nd thing I will be focused on is the tranny and transfer case.

After I get all components mechanicaly sound I will worry about suspension then go down the list from there, obviously I will prolly find myself jumping back and forth from one issue to the next, that is the basic plan.

Any input from some experience mechanics in here would be greatly appreciated, ( seems to be a forum for newer models). Since although I am used to working on trucks, I am a bit of a noob when it comes to 4x4's and emmision controls as I mentioned.

This truck is going to be my toy replacment for a sup'd up 73' 440 RamCharger that was lost in a fire.

Thanks in advance.

 

just throw up your questions and im sure any of us can answer them.

about the emissions i know CA is SUPER strict on them but im not sure if this law applies there but i know if cats were not standard on the car the year it came out you do not have to put them on the same goes for seat belts and other things like that

What you can do though is take pictures and as you fix it and clean it keep taking pictures and post them here its nice to see a junker turn to something nice.
Also i can answer some questions about the mechanical aspects of your truck along with many other people on this forum. Im only 17 but im going to college right now (i looove skipping a grade) for automotive and diesel and if i question stumps me i always have an instructor at school.

 

Welcome to the family
Glad your here.
I'm working on a little of both. I have a 07.5 Silv DMax and a 57 Chev Panel van.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome Wicked and Glen,
Went out to a freinds in the desert over the weekend to do a little off road testing and run the gear tree. Had his boy ( sort of like you Wicked, he is 16 and already doing full teardowns and rebuilds) run a quick visual on some stuff for me. We then hit a wrecking yard and ripped down a Silverado to check the diverter valve and how the plunger functions. Turns out the diverter valve I have is bad and while running the tree I discovered some loose linkage in 4low that needs a looksie. Its all baby steps.
Car was originally sold with emmisions so I sort of have to put them back in

Eitherway I will get some pics up of the project when I can find the time. All I can say is this, the guy who sold this truck to me was either drunk or a idiot.

 

Well if you want some good cats that make good sound Magnaflow makes high flow cats that comply with CA standards just run 1 cat off each manifold.

And its a shame how some people can treat their trucks kinda like mine i have now. the guy used it as a boat hauler but when he backed the truck onto the dock he would leave the back of the truck sitting in the water for hours....... SALT WATER!! it doesnt take much common sense to know salt water and metal dont like each other.