My '97 is NEW to me [Archive] - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

: My '97 is NEW to me


Hobart Duncan
05-20-2005, 05:57 PM
I just recently retired and have been activly looking for either a '97 or early '98 3500 (last of the 12 valvers.) I finally found one in Texas and went there to purchase and take delivery. The original owner had the truck for 5 years and put on 32K, the second owner was a "Cowboy" and goose-necked a small 2 horse, trailer. He put on 122K in 3 years.

After taking delilvery, I drove up through Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, and then via I-70 and I-15, arrived back home in So. Calif. (about 3100 miles.) I figured about 23 MPG keeping @ 70-75MPH.

I've had to fix the minor stuff first.... tightening the electric driver's and passenger side mirrors, new vac. line to the cruise servo, and now I need to either fix or replace the fuel sensor. It's a 35 Gal. Tank and I need to know if any of you out there have dropped the tank to replace the fuel sensor? Is there anything I need to be looking out for? Any little short-cuts?

It seems to be on E all the time with the "add fuel" light on most of the time. I noticed that when I filled up at a trucker's pump, the rapid fill must have created "bubbles/foam" in the fuel and the gauge register 1/4 for a short time and then took it's normal position on "E".

After the tank is in working order, I have to find out why the "compass/temp" travel package is not operating.

Other than that, I love this old beast. It seems to have only two mods done to it.... a K&N filter and a set of Air Lifts on the rear. I guess the Cowboy used it to level the truck after the weight of the trailer was placed over the rear.

Any help?

ticki2
05-20-2005, 08:22 PM
This is a REALLY good site for GM , but if you wnat to know about your dodge try "Deisel/Truck Resource.Com" , good luck

Buckshotmckee
05-20-2005, 10:55 PM
This is a REALLY good site for GM , but if you wnat to know about your dodge try "Deisel/Truck Resource.Com" , good luck

Ditto! Here is the direct link.

http://www.DieselTruckResource.com

Loud and Obnoxious
05-22-2005, 02:25 AM
Common problem, its pretty easy to change the fuel sending unit make sure your tank is almost empty when you change it then lower the tank untill you can disconnect the fuel lines then drop it all the way down and remove the sending unit and put it back together becareful not to bend or break the fuel lines.

RamLovingVet
05-23-2005, 01:08 PM
At least I am not the only Dodge Boy here from DTR!

tdupuis
05-23-2005, 01:11 PM
I would recommend DTR as well.

Sounds like you made a good purchase! I hope my truck gets that kind of mileage when I have that many miles on it... hell, I'd like it if it got that kind of mileage now! LOL!