Mechanic Recommendation in WA???

[AndrewJoey]

I live in the Sumner/Auburn area here in WA state. Does anyone know a local old school mechanic who works on '66 GMCs ?

[tommyduncan]

I'm gonna be honest with you...

...if you're gonna own an older vehicle you need to learn how to work on it. For the price of one trip to a mechanic you can buy some basic tools. Most libraries have a reference section that contain all the information you need. I take pictures of the pages that have the important info so I have it when I need it.

The good news is these are pretty easy to work on . Most carb/timing adjustments are about the same for cars of the era.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

I can't help you with a mech, but like Tommy said they're easy to work on.

Are you still having issues with starting? Take a video of you trying it and lets hear the problem. These guys can talk you through just about anything.

[6066gmcguy]

Being a Machanic all my life, I would say they are easy to work on, but I have also learned over the years there are some poeple that should not work on their own stuff, even after being shown how to do it.

So if you one of those people I say find a good machanic, best place to look for an old school mechanic is in a local car club, and they may even help you out for a lot less than a shop the needs to make a living off of doing your work.

I help out friends for free or maybe lunch....

[jbgroby]

Andrew,

I was raised by a single parent (mom) never had an interest in anything auto/mechanical until January 2000 when I got my first GMC; everything since then I've learned. I'm currently re-wiring my truck after an 11 year process. Had it in the paint booth when Katrina hit.

Here is my suggestion; join a local club or several for that matter, get to know the guys/gals -(there yes many gals in this hobby) and you'll be surprised that as you ask questions you will probably meet a member or two who has done exactly what you need help with.

When I'm stumped (as I have ben with wiring) I reach out to fellow BB members and club members. Example; I asked a local club member who wired his car to give me some pointers, NOT to do the work, but just be on hand to talk/BS while I did the work. 99% of the time they will end up helping you.

And as you get more into the hobby/passion/addition and have several items/techniques under YOUR belt you in turn will probably end up helping others.

A case in point: I can't paint a car BUT I can offer to sandblast parts for another member - remember ALL of us started just where you are for the most part. This hobby yfor the most part is one GIGANIC swap shop - whether it be parts/tool/ideas or labor. Think about why we are on this very BB - you asked a question.

To quote Spock..... "There is a first time for all things"

Jake

[AndrewJoey]

Thanks guys, I agree. I've never worked on an old car before and I've learned a ton so far. I lowered it, front and back, replaced the wood bed, learned how to adjust the timing, and rebuilt the carb, changed over the ignition and coil. Not too bad for a beginner.
At this point I think I need to replace the whole carb. I will replace the vacuum advance first and try to adjust the timing again before that. As a last resort I'll take it to a mechanic.

[Foley]

Some good suggestons from these guys Andrew. I kinda lean toward what Jolly says. Not everybody who loves old trucks/cars/tractors/motorcycles is good at the mechanical work. It's a smart man who knows his limitations and works around them. To find an old school mechanic I'd suggest you talk with the guys at your local wrecking yards, auto parts stores, and machine shops. Also joining one of the local car or old machinery clubs will put you in touch with the kinds of guys you're looking for. I found a great machinst to do some of the impossible work on my old tractor motors of the 20's and 30's. I was standing in the hot dog line at our local swap meet and started talking to the guy in front of me who happpened to be a Model A Ford collector. He turned me onto this machinist. Just keep enjoying that ol' truck!!

[jrmunn]

Andrew,

I too have been reluctant to get into more complicated repairs, but have changed my carburetor from a stock 2BB Stromberg (with oil bath air cleaner) that needed rebuilding to a new 500 cfm 2BB Holley 4412. It isn't that hard to do as long as the studs mounting the old carburetor aren't rusted into the intake manifold. But you do need to be careful about dropping things into the manifold, and there are other parts that you need to know about. These include (as best I can remember) an adapter plate and gaskets, fuel line fittings to hook up to your existing fuel line, and an air cleaner housing that fits on whatever carburetor you end up with. You will probably also need an in-line fuel filter to replace the problematic fuel filter attached to stock Stromberg carburetors. On my 64 GMC 305E 3/4 ton pickup, the accelerator rod and return spring hooked up to the Holley without any changes, but the choke cable was a little short and eventually needed to be replaced (because I put a kink in it). My truck runs much better with the new carburetor - smoother idle, more power and acceleration, and improved freeway performance. But, on the other hand, my gas mileage got worse. So I am planning (when I can get to it) to put smaller jets in the carburetor, which seems to be running rich and might be more than a 305 ci engine needs. As stated by others, members of this site are very helpful in answering questions.

Regarding mechanics, I am sensitive about the quality of my work on things that would be expensive or hard to replace or that could affect stopping, so I occasionally take my truck to experienced mechanics to confirm that things like brake systems are working properly (I have replaced brake parts as needed and switched from a single-reservoir to a dual-reservoir master cylinder after losing both front and rear brakes when a hose broke - luckily, the rear-wheels emergency brake was still working).

Having driven (sometimes more, sometimes less) my truck for many years, I appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the suspension is likely to stay together, hoses aren't about to burst, belts won't be breaking soon, and pieces aren't falling off. Other than the brake failure, the only problems that have left me by the side of the road are bad points and failed mechanical fuel pumps. The points were my fault. And the best advice I can come up with is to carry a spare fuel pump with the tools needed to change it.

JRMunn

[Rockdriller]

I gotta say, however.....before you get to carried away with spending your lunch money.....you might be smart to check your valve lash. (especially if anyone's been into the top end).

Good tidings.

[AndrewJoey]

Originally Posted by Rockdriller

I gotta say, however.....before you get to carried away with spending your lunch money.....you might be smart to check your valve lash. (especially if anyone's been into the top end).

Good tidings.

I agree, but here's where I show my inexperience, what the heck is a valve lash?