problems with a chevy truck, non-camaro

[spunger]

I today went and looked at a 1992 chevy 2wd pre-runner style truck. Has power everything, cloth seats, and a 5.7 v8 with automatic trans. I have a few questions about somethings that I saw or found and wanted to see if they are a huge deal or not.

1. While driving it at moderate speed, and came to a stop, and then accelerated again there was a clunk or clanking sound that came out. Sound like someone hit a bell. I was thinking it was U-joints but I've never replaced U-joints or heard their bad sounds. Again, it was just once while driving the truck.

2. The guy tried telling me that it has a puff of white smoke in the mornings from condensation building up in the muffler. I knew it was horse crap because chevy engines are notiorous for having bad valve seals that cause it. I am just wondering if that is a big deal to worry about or nothing really.

3. He lifted it and has 33" mud's on it. He said the spedo is off by about 10mph.

He is asking $7500 but has been getting offers for $6500. Truck has 88,700 miles on it. Paint is all new, body is stright. All fluids changed etc. I just want to know what I am getting into if I was to buy something like this. I am not worried about gas or anything, just maintence issues. Please let me know if you can help out.

Thanks,
Chris

[John_D.]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by spunger:
1. ...there was a clunk or clanking sound that came out. ...I've never replaced U-joints.

2. ...white smoke in the mornings ...bad valve seals... I am just wondering if that is a big deal to worry about or nothing really.

...just maintence issues. Please let me know if you can help out.<hr></blockquote>


That sound, especially if higher pitched, is probably u-joints. Rear end slack is deeper toned. They're not bad to replace. If they are still the factory ones, with the injected plastic ring, they're a little tougher to get out. A press, or hammer and a socket about the same size as the cup will work. If they have the big snap ring, it's a piece of cake. Just make sure none of those little rollers fall down inside the new cup while you're putting it on.

You nailed it on the start-up puff of smoke. You can run a long time like that. If it starts getting too annoying, you can change the seals with the heads on the car. An adaptor to screw into the spark plug hole, with compressed air, will hold the valve up while you remove the retainer. A valve spring compressor to take the tension off the spring. Everything should be easy to reach, being that it's a truck. But you shouldn't have to deal with that for a long time.

[spunger]

I thought the white puff was valve seals. The truck has 88,700 miles on it so I don't expect it to be new, but he said it does it at start up. I plan on using the truck as a "toy" and for going bike riding etc. I was thinking of getting a s-10 pickup but after riding in a full size, it is a whole different world.

AS for the sound I heard, it was of higher pitch, only thing I can think of to describe it was like someone hitting a bell. I can't think of any other sound. It only did it once, but that was the sound.

Also for some reason the torq converter cover is off. He says he has it but didn't put it back on because you had to cut the exhaust to do so. Could that be any sort of a sign of a problem or something he's been tinkering with? The torq converter looks new (colored blue) so I dunno. I know squat about tranny's.

Please let me know,
Thanks again,
Chris

[John_D.]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by spunger:
Also for some reason the torq converter cover is off. He says he has it but didn't put it back on because you had to cut the exhaust to do so. Could that be any sort of a sign of a problem or something he's been tinkering with? The torq converter looks new (colored blue) so I dunno.<hr></blockquote>

It's hard to tell why the cover would be off...

Could have been off for a starter replacement. Or checking to see if there was a leak at the rear main or the front tranny seal.

I don't know how it could come off, but wouldn't go back on though... Unless it was already off when the exhaust was done?