1986 GMC Astro rebuild...questions

That was common, unhooking the air dryer because there's a problem and it leaks air. The wire, I believe, is a heating coil for winter. They burnt out all the time. It's a simple thing, the "cartridge is probably soaked with oil, and the spit valve is plugged or worn. Air dryers are cheap, I'd have one. Junkyard your best bet for stuff like that. You got a truck junkyard near you? Might even find some Astro ( or Chevy Titan ) parts.

 

And it sets off my OCD when I see them running down the road wobbling with three inches of runout.

(For any tire guys reading) Stand a sledgehammer handle next to the tire, give it a spin, and tighten the lugs alternately until it runs true. Should be less than 1/8” runout.

 

I went to Ohio Diesel Tech in 1983. One of the instructors put a 4-71 (or maybe 4-53) and an Allison 5-speed in his Dodge Power Wagon. You’d hear it coming and think, “Here comes a garbage truck”. Then he’d come wheeling into the parking lot at the school.

There is no sound like a 2-stroke Detroit.

 

Yep. I got an old drop deck i use once or twice a year at the farm with dayton wheels. It's not difficult to get them on straight but no tire shop bothers to take the few minutes of time to do it.

 

Can't make you do anything but lets see it anyway. Those folks down under do some interesting things.

 

Could be just low on fluid also.