Project Big Red

[laserjock]

So despite things sucking today, I got a couple things done.

I got the e-brake adjuster painted. No pic.

Put the column in.

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Notice I got the one line installed on the master. It does in fact have the correct fittings and this particular one fits a touch better than the other one did but it's pretty similar.

Put the rear lines on. They fit okay but I had to put an extra bend in the short one because it was physically too long. I forgot pictures again.

I checked fit on the rear shocks. Need to pick up a couple bolts to finish them off. 1/2" bolts don't fit. Damn German parts anyway. [emoji6]

I'd like to work on steering tomorrow. Need to clean up the intermediate shaft. Joints feel okay so for now I'll run it as is.

 

[laserjock]

Shocks in. E-brake cables connected and adjusted.

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12mm bolts found and installed. Didn't tighten anything because I may need to pull them off to route brake cables. Hope not.

Intermediate shaft is cleaned up and painted.

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I went and found the steering box bolts. I also found the big washers for the rear cab bolts I had pulled for the bed liner application. Next up wrestle steering box off the top shelf oh and find out where the f&({ the rest of my brake lines are.

 

[laserjock]

Well, finally got word back from inline tube. They are sending me the rest of my lines and I hope that's the last time I have to deal with them. I will be making my story well known especially after I got hung up on today. [emoji15]

Meanwhile, I pulled my steering box off the top shelf. A can of brake clean later I felt like I could touch the thing. Man it was nasty. I notice that it has a red dot on it. I'm suspecting it's a reman.

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It's pretty tight but I wonder if it's a leaker or if something else was leaking on it.

I can't really make anything out of the tag but that cobbled up return line don't look factory.

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Not sure if I should swap it out or just go with it. Guess I'll figure that out over the next couple days. I'm leaning toward making that an upgrade but we shall see. It may gush when I start it for all I know. Since I never really got to drive it on the road I really dont know what shape it's in.

 

[crash-harris]

Dump some lucas in with it and look for drippies. At this point I just assume every steering gear box is a leaker so I'm presently surprised if one doesn't leak.

 

[subway]

Yea that return line does not inspire much confidence. That could have been the leak or someone could have been chasing a leak. If the box feels tight I would be tempted to just update the shaft seals and go with it.

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[IDIoit]

heres the best pic i can muster up right now.
i believe that the splines on the box are 13/16-36 spline.
i used DD shaft and welded the u joints on.
the only thing that sucks is that its a 2 man operation to install the column now.
hope you dont have to deal with leakers!!!

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[riotwarrior]

Get rid of that return line...it is craptastic at best.

Stock is a hex fittjng on steel tube that does the loop on the front of crossmem er for cooling.

Get a stock line and plumb a filter in off the stock line than filter then return to the ps reservior ....

It is what I am working on along with a small cooler...my fluid seems heat up...

JM7.3CW

 

[laserjock]

I have a new loop cooler up on the shelf. I think it's the right one. I've been contemplating a filter but where to put it is the question. With the hydroboost, I had considered a better oil cooler too but I think for now I'll just go with it. It's been said the radiator trans loop is not a good idea so maybe something GM like I have seen here. I have adopted a slightly different strategy of late.


Step 1 Get a running driving truck.
Step 2 Drive and enjoy running driving truck.
Step 3 Make upgrades as required and time allow.

This is the mission I'm on. Right now my minimum is to get the new seats and the turbo installed with the reman engine. Fresh fluids in everthing else. E fuel and vac pumps. That's my short list of don't have to have... but want to haves on top of the very long list of required items.

 

[79jasper]

Use a fluid cooler from a 6.0. Seems to work fine for them, and they come with hydro brakes.
Looks like this.

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[laserjock]

I climbed up in the rafters again tonight and fished out some more stuff.

F-super duty power steering pump. Just my luck. Looks like a cheap reman.

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But it also looks brand freaking new. Sticker and all. It just needs a wipe down. It came conveniently with the pulley and mounting bracket. [emoji3]

Which is good because I noticed that apparently someone at some point boogered up the one I was going to use.

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Notice the tensioner hole is missing. It's full of weld it looks like. Not sure why you would weld that hole closed or for that matter weld that corner back on if you broke it off.

I pulled the new cooler off the shelf. It seems right.

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As long as the return connection on top of the box is correct and not hurt, I think we are good here.

Also got a visit from the parts fairy.

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New front shocks and a really clean dash bezel. The ears on mine are pretty broken.

I test fit the shocks and while I'm sure they are the right ones, the alignment of the tower to the spring mount is out of kilter. I suspect it will be better with weight on the springs. Seems like the arch of the spring is causing the lower bracket to be at a funny angle. I wonder if there is something to this related to the guy who just broke a bunch of these. If the shock is bound up its bound to be bad on things and it would be on a bond like it is now so that will have to get sorted.

 

[joel1847]

When I replaced the shocks on my 88, I had a bit of an alignment problem too. The front ones were fine, but the rears were a bit tricky. I put in coil overs so I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not. That was last August and I've had no problems suspension wise since then. Other problems? Yes, but not suspension problems. I am so tired of air intrusion. Big thumbs up on staying dedicated to the build and posting updates.

Joel
norcal

 

[joel1847]

When I replaced the shocks on my 88, I had a bit of an alignment problem too. The front ones were fine, but the rears were a bit tricky. I put in coil overs so I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not. That was last August and I've had no problems suspension wise since then. Other problems? Yes, but not suspension problems. I am so tired of air intrusion. Big thumbs up on staying dedicated to the build and posting updates.

Joel
norcal

 

[IDIoit]

need some bracketry? or do you have spares on the parts truck?

IMO, i would go serpentine.

 

[laserjock]

I think I have 2 of everything but I'll let you know because I know you have a glut of V belt stuff. [emoji6]

Both engines I have were V belt and AC so I think I'm good. I'm trying hard to not touch the one engine so it stays a complete drop in even if it's NA. It started pretty easy and seemed to run pretty good. The one I'm trading in...not so much. It was real tough to start probably because of the really low compression. I've got all V belt stuff so I'm going to give it a go. I can always swap later if I just can't live with it. I'm deleting the vacuum pump so that's one less belt.

 

[joel1847]

How are you deleting the vacuum pump, are you going with no cruise or some other system? Only other thing I can think of that runs off of vacuum is the brakes and you went with hydro so that takes care of that. I have a feeling that my vacuum system is on the downhill slide so going with hydro might be in my future. Should save a few ponies in there.

Joel
norcal