Chevy 283 V8 motor problem.....

Discussion in '1960-1966' started by dijo, May 27, 2006.

  1. dijo

    dijo Member

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    belgium
    Hi everybody ! I am johan from Belgium and just bought a Chevrolet C10 shorbed from 1964,original from California(san Jose)and 3 months in Europe.I have a motor problem,it is a 283 V8 and hopefully it is not to bad....I have 3 questions for you specialists.
    1 ) He starts and drives perfect,there is no smoke but in the radiator there is oil.I rinced it 2 times but the oil cums back,the clear water turns into greasy brown water that floots up the clear water and smells like oil....
    Is it the head gasket thats broken ? But why there is no white smoke,normaly its like that when the head gasket is broken.
    Some body could help me please ? I want to drive him in a short notice,i must go the testcenter here in Belgium,without that test i cant go on the road....
    2) I have also a electricity problem...the light at the back and inside the cab are working but the front lights and turnsignals,heater and radio are not...i don't find the problem,i checked all the cables and they are also not broken,like new.What could this be ? Really don't understand this....
    3) Is it normal that the oil meter is full at the right when the motor turns and stays there and slowly comes back but stays at the maximum ?
    Thanks and greats from cold and reany Belgium,sorry for my bad Englisch....i am a newby whit the Chevrolet,i worked before on Land Rovers....something completly different !
    Johan
    Attachments:
    https://talk.classicparts.com/images/attachments/4478b4590968e5c2.jpg
     
  2. 62 short step

    62 short step Member

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    Johan,
    Hi, welcome to the forum, so far as the motor the only thing I can think of is the head gaskets or if you have an auto trans where the lines go into the radiator might be leaking into the coolant. Try the fuse box under the dash on the drivers side for your electrical problems.I'm not to sure about the oil gauge it might be normal but not sure, hopefully somebody else will chime in and help. Jeremy
     
  3. dvalentine

    dvalentine Charter Member

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    If you have coolant in the oil you surely have a head gasket problem. You need to fix that first. The oil pressure " possibly" could be effected by the coolant passages leaking into, and pressurizing, the oil passages. A compression check of all the cylinders will tell you if it is the right, left, or both head gaskets. If this is a condition that pre-existed with the seller,and he didn't tell you, SHAME ON HIM !!!

    For your wiring problems, your best friend is going to be the wiring diagrams that are in the back of the Factory Service Manuals. Check out e-Bay for a vendor that will ship to Europe for the manual. You will need the 1963 Manual AND the 1964 Suppliment. The Factory Service Manuals are worth their weight in gold especially considering your location. They will help with not only the wiring, but also replacing the head gaskets.

    DVal
     
  4. dijo

    dijo Member

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    ;-) thanks for the reply's !
    i ordered here at chevy duty the manuals and a set of gaskets,and some other stuff.Hopefuly i get them soon,shipping to Belgium from the USA is approx. 10 days.
    Yes Yes...i did not see it when i bought the truck,he did not smoke and the seller said nothing abouth the cooling-oil problem.I tought when the motor has white smoke he have a head gasket problem,there is no smoke,thats so strange.
    He drives well,no strange noises and lookes fine and the interior is original,just needs a paint job thats why i bought him.
    The electricity i gonna check tommorow with a friend of mine.
    I keep you guys informed !
    Greats,Johan;-)
     
  5. 283 man

    283 man Member

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    Thats 0ne sweet looking 64 c-10 shortbed fleetside, word of advice hang on to it shortbed fleetsides are getting harder to find 60 to 66 models;-)
     
  6. geneinidaho

    geneinidaho Member

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    If you have oil in the coolant, I would surely look at the block/heads being cracked. Could be wrong but have seen it many times before. If you are going to do the head gaskets be sure and have the heads gone through with at least a re-surface. Let us know how you make out with it.
     
  7. drabo

    drabo Member

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    For your electrical problem check the harness where it plugs in at the fire wall. You have to much stuff out to be fuses, but you never know. Since I said that also check your fuses with a test light.

    Check your engine oil. If there is water in there it's a head gasket. Good luck.

    Pete
     
  8. coilover

    coilover Member

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    Does your truck have an automatic transmission? If it does there is a 99% chance the cooling tube in the lower radiator tank is cracked and leaking. To check for this take the transmission lines loose from the radiator and connect them together with a short rubber hose and clamps. Now run the truck and see if it still gets oil in the radiator. If it does it's the engine, if it doesn't it's the cooling tube. If it is the tube you might consider using and auxillary trans cooler--probably cheaper than having the tube replaced. Good luck
     
  9. dijo

    dijo Member

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    The problems with the motor are ok...i bought another motor with a complete overhaul !When he is changed i will lett you know what the problem was,it will be in a couple of weeks.
    Thanks for all the answers ! On the forum here is a new question...the carburetor.
    Thanks and greats from Belgium,Johan.
    Attachments:
    https://talk.classicparts.com/images/attachments/448fcdbc07549cdb.jpg
     
  10. 58 Panel

    58 Panel Member

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    Jul 20, 2006
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    List seems to have nailed the oil in water prob. For the electrics, headlight circuit on your truck NOT fuse protected, rather protected by fusible link wire (cut/splice repair). Seems that the main junction point on your truck is at the starter solenoid, but I seem to remember a feed from the horn relay as well. It'll be a red 10 or 12 gauge wire. You should have another such wire also fusible link protected to the fuse block for feeding the dome & brake fuses. Ignition switch feed should be a third such wire. Headlight output protection is usually a circuit breaker within H/light switch. Don't forget that ALL H/liight power MUST pass through floor mounted dimmer switch (problem area on this type mounting). Yellow for input from H/light switch, tan out to dip beams, lime green out to main beams. Did wiring for GM 30+ years. Amp meter also suspect!
     
  11. drabo

    drabo Member

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    I use a Edlebrock Performer intake with a Performer 600cfm carb. Runs like a raped ape.
     

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