The Chevy pick-up in Star Trek IV

[RobertB]

     A few weeks ago the Chevy C30 did not pass its smog test for registration renewal.  Cause -- high nitrous oxide levels.  And so, I had to bring it to Stockton Autocare for carburetor adjustment.  At the same time, I had the mechanics look other annoying problems -- install courtesy lights (the C30 had no dome light or any other kind of cabin lighting), remove the old oil sender and install a new one (the oil pressure gauge was reading at maximum all the time), redo the parking brake cables and adjust, rebuild the windshield washer pump, remove the old hood latch bolt and replace with a new one (so the hood would stay closed), and remove the old water pump and crankshaft pulleys and replace them with dual and triple groove pulleys respectively (for another v-belt for future air-conditioning).
     The carburetor was successfully adjusted.  At the smog retest, the truck passed with the nitrous oxide level far below the maximum and only a slight increase in carbon monoxide (but still far below the maximum CO level).  All the other problems were solved, too, except for the oil gauge problem.  Even with the new sender, the oil gauge was not registering correctly.  Thus, if the sender was not the problem, the oil gauge itself was the problem.  A new one would have to be installed in the future.
     Total cost of the repairs = $600.90.

          Truly,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group
          http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network
          http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan

[RobertB]

     New, chrome, rear step bumper installed, replacing the old, galvanized, rusty step bumper.  Wow, what a difference!  Shiny bling on the old truck! 
     Also I went to Street Rods Plus in Lodi, CA, and because they are the Vintage Air dealer/installer, I paid the big money for a custom Vintage Air system for the truck.  The parts (a.c. condenser, compressor, etc) are supposed to come in 6-8 weeks.  Then when they do come in, I will have Street Rods Plus install the system.

          More big money for the installation,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
          Nov. 6-7 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2021 - http://www.portcommodore.com/class

[RobertB]

...I paid the big money for a custom Vintage Air system for the truck.  The parts (a.c. condenser, compressor, etc) are supposed to come in 6-8 weeks.  Then when they do come in, I will have Street Rods Plus install the system.

It took forever for the parts to come in... and when they did come in, it was in separate shipments.  But now that all the parts have been delivered to Street Rods Plus, I have to set a time for them to install the system, which would take a few days.  I wonder what their schedule is for December. 

          A Christmas gift for the truck,
          Robert Bernardo
          Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
          Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
          Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2021 - http://www.portcommodore.com/class

[RobertB]

     The Chevy pick-up is now at Street Rods Plus in Lodi, California!  Installation of the Vintage Air conditioning will take about a week.

           Truly,
           Robert Bernardo
           Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
           Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
           June 25-26 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2022 - http://www.portcommodore.com/class

[RobertB]

     Well, more than a week...  Though I turned it in on a Monday, they won't start work on it until the next Monday!

           Truly,
           Robert Bernardo
           Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
           Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
           June 25-26 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2022 - http://www.portcommodore.com/class

[RobertB]

     Last week Street Rods Plus was working on installing the a.c. plus other new parts I provided -- oil gauge, dash pad, dash pad bezel, and gear shift indicator.  That and replacement of all the bulbs behind the instrument cluster.  It was a good thing I had regularly visited, because Tim the mechanic needed guidance.  The Vintage Air vents were smaller than the original openings in the dash pad and bezel.  I told him that the vents could be adapted with some sheet aluminum provided in the Vintage Air package.  One vent could not be adapted (it was square but the opening in the dash was not square), and so, I ordered a new lower left a.c. vent from LMC Trucks, to be delivered directly to Street Rods Plus.
     A few days later I visited again, and most of the a.c. was in and working!  The dash pad and bezel had been assembled with the adapted vents; it looked beautiful!  All it needed was to be installed.  All dirt and grit that sat under the old, broken dash pad had been cleaned out.  New defroster sealing gaskets that went between the metal dash and the dash pad had been glued down.  No air leaks on the defroster anymore.  The new a.c./heater/defroster control panel had been installed in the dash.  The new HVAC unit sat under the dash, bolted against the firewall.  The a.c. had all hoses plumbed and tied down under the hood.  The modern Sanden a.c. compressor sat on the driver's side of the engine, looking shiny.  I took several photos and may post them here eventually.

           Ready by this mid-week,
           Robert Bernardo
           Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
           Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
           June 25-26 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2022 - http://www.portcommodore.com/class 

[RobertB]

     The a.c. is fully working in the Chevy pick-up now, and I've been driving around in cooler comfort during this warm month (February!) in California.  However, when the mechanics took the dash apart, I told them to get all the instrument cluster light bulbs replaced.  They did that, but at least 2 bulbs are still not lighting up.  It could be the old printed circuit board and/or bulb holders have corroded.  I've ordered a new board and 3 bulb holders from LMCTrucks.com.  When the parts arrive, I'll bring the truck back to the mechanics for them to take the cluster out and replace the old with the new.

           Still not right,
           Robert Bernardo
           Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
           Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
           June 25-26 Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2022 - http://www.portcommodore.com/class 

[RobertB]

     I still haven't brought in the Chevy truck back to Street Rods Plus.  Other expenses and computer shows have gotten in the way.  It looks as if I won't make it back to the shop until November or December.

           It awaits,
           Robert Bernardo
           Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
           Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
           Commodore Los Angeles Super Show - http://www.portcommodore.com/class 

[RobertB]

     Ack!  Left taillight smashed!  The second time that vandals or thieves have wrecked the taillights on the truck.  This area of Stockton, southside, is not good for classic/semi-classic vehicles.  My only solace is the replacement unit is only $30.
     I did buy some new, carpeted floor mats for the truck's Christmas gift.

           Happy holidays!
           Robert Bernardo
           Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
           Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
           Commodore Los Angeles Super Show - http://www.portcommodore.com/class 

[RobertB]

     Last year the 1979 Chevy C30 didn't pass smog, and that was traced down to a bad distributor.  New distributor installed.
     Earlier this year, I had the brakes looked at.  For years, the truck had pulled to the left, even after having the rear drum brakes redone in 2015 (or was it 2016?), new power brake booster installed afterwards, and the front disc brakes rebuilt a few years later.  New pads were put in the front, a front brake hose replaced, and the discs themselves resurfaced.  The pull to the left remained.
     After brainstorming for a bit, I told the mechanics that must mean the left front brake caliper must be causing the pull.  They replaced both front calipers and the other brake hose.  Now the truck brakes straight and true.
     A month or so ago, other problems surfaced.  The horn started blowing continually and eventually burned itself out, electrical-smelling smoke coming from under the hood.  At about the same time, I lost use of the turn signals on the truck.  The turn lever wouldn't click into position for either a right turn or a left turn; the lever just flopped around uselessly.
     O.K., I've looked for horn and turn signal parts in my classic truck parts' catalogs.  Seems like about a hundred dollars for the parts.  Add in the mechanics' fee for taking about the steering column.  Add in an upgraded, custom steering wheel to replace the old wheel.

           To be done in August,
           Robert Bernardo
           Fresno Commodore User Group - http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm
           Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network - http://www.portcommodore.com/sccan
           June 22-23 Pacific Commodore Expo NW 2024 - http://www.portcommodore.com/pacommex