Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Get a quiet muffler and electronic cut outs. That’s what we have on my dads 68 BBC Camaro. It works well.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Nice! Pumped you have been driving the wheels off of it. My big truck has 3.5” magnaflow with a cat in front and it is very livable. Still pretty loud when you let the horses run of course...

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Glad to see you guys still keeping an eye on this.

The mufflers I currently have are Magnaflow 13215XL which have a 14" body. I had to get a new piece of exhaust pipe bent up to go around my new setup for the transfer case and dual sticks and the guy that owned the shop said that if I like the sound but want it quieter at cruise, get a longer or bigger bodied muffler. This morning I ordered a pair of Magnaflow 13255 mufflers which have an 18" body, so they are still available Mike.

I think for the wind noise I'll get some of the seals that mount to the door around the window and see if they help. The truck had some originally but I didn't replace them after paint.

As for the 5th gear howl, I've been debating a different oil. I used Amsoil which says its for the NV4500, but it isn't the OE specified oil. The right oil and additives made a big difference in the rear end. Just hate to drop the $$$ not knowing it will help. But then again, I don't know of a shop I trust to go through the NV4500 again and hate the idea of pulling it back out of the truck again. Marcus I hope your tranny is still behaving itself. I know how it is to pay for a rebuild and then discover you might not have gotten what you paid for like your previous rebuild.

Boynton, still waiting to see a thread start for the Blazer, and are you getting any sleep yet? Mike, it won't be long till the weather makes you want to get yours out and work on it again.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Glad to see Hazel is still on the road and getting the kinks worked out! I got really lucky with my vent windows. Me and a buddy had bought a 91’ Suburban for parts. He was building a K5 at the same time I was rebuilding my truck. We had just about used everything we wanted and were about to take the remains to the scrap yard when I noticed the vent windows looked really good, so I snagged them. They don’t have any wind noise at all. I later read on here something about those later model Suburbans having a different design??? All I know, is I’ve had plenty of them on old trucks in the past that had wind noise!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Hi Greenlee, I did rebuild my vents with new rubber. At this point, I'm not sure if the wind noise is from the vent or the front edge of the door. I've already "adjusted" the front window frame with wood blocks and heavy shoves. I'm thinking the extra weatherstrip can't hurt and should be a fairly easy upgrade.

Thing is, now that the truck is my daily and not my main project, things like this just have to be added to the list. If it bugs me enough, it moves up in priority:lol:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Hey there Rick, hows it going. Those seals that go above the door sash, should help with the wind noise.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Hi TKCR, doing just fine on this end. Hope you are as well. Sounds like your retirement is coming right up, I bet that you are excited.

In fact, I just got on to try to find the old thread about these seals and the adhesive to put them on.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Yep I have 7 more working days. March 1st is the official day!,
Here you go. The adhesive and then the how to video.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...8008/7720004-p
https://youtu.be/qDBojIza-TA

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks much! I was still hunting for that thread. I thought I'd subscribed but I guess that I wasn't that thoughtful.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Good luck, I never put mine on. Never really needed to, after replacing all the door seals and rebuilding the vent windows.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

You have really been getting things sorted, how many miles have you put on Hazel now? I'm guessing that the 5spd is pretty nice! :mm:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Hey Brett, good to hear from you. I think I have about 6000 on the odometer, and maybe another 1000-1500 before I got the odometer working.

Funny you should bring up the 5 speed. I am going to be picking the truck up from a transmission shop a little later today. It's been there since a week ago Monday. I've had a really annoying loud whine and rattling whenever I put it into 5th gear. Doesn't appear to have anything to do with the truck's speed or RPMs, just happens anytime and the whole time it is in 5th. The transmission is great 1st-4th and reverse. I spent some time checking around and found this shop in the area where the guy has been building transmissions for going on 40 years. Everyone brings their manual transmissions to him because he's one of the only shops around that will work on them.

He test drove, heard the racket and figured it would be easy to spot the problem. He found a couple bearings that didn't look new, but not too bad. The rest appeared to be new (I'd had the NV4500 rebuilt about 6 years ago and never used it until now). Found nothing he was confident was causing the noise. No metal scraps in the oil, nothing. I had him replace those "suspect" bearings since I was already paying for all the labor.

Well, the noise didn't go away. He can't figure out where its coming from. Suggested I just drive it since it doesn't look like anything is being damaged. Maybe wrap it with more insulation. Grrrrrr..... Fortunately, most of my daily driving doesn't get out of 4th anyway.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Yay, I have my truck back. The transmission shop cut me some slack and only charged half the labor, which put me at about $500 less than what I was originally quoted. I didn't even have to ask, the invoice was already written up with the discount. Tom, the owner, was the guy doing the work and he'd been up-front all along about what he was or wasn't finding wrong. I'd use his shop again. It might be wishful thinking, but 5th gear might be at least a little quieter than it was.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Not much to update on this truck. Couple little upgrades like real fog lamps up front and finally got windshield washer pump to work. Almost 9000 miles of daily driving.

But, I have a new toy to play with on my weekends. 71 GMC 3/4 ton LWB, 350, TH400, maybe 3.73 gears. SPID looks really clean so wondering if it is a reproduction, but presumably this was a big block truck. May have to put it back to that. I see signs of rust repair and a few small bubbles under the paint, but this truck is 98% more rust free than what I started with on the '78. Also quite obvious that PO(s) have spent a fair amount on this already as the interior is mostly new. I have no plans for any near term project to finish the restoration. Just plan to finish getting it mechanically sound and use it. Well, actually it may be the wife doing more of the using it :lol:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

good looking "new toy" ya got..!!!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I might know someone who has a few parts laying around if you need any! Nice buckets and console.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks guys! Ok, actually the '78 is the "toy", this is the "work truck" :lol:

Yea, I don't know that much about the 67-72, but I would assume if this truck came with buckets and console it would be in the SPID. Regardless, they look great and to my untrained eye original so I think I will run with them. I also got lots of extra parts, missing mouldings and emblems. Not sure what other parts I might need. This one is pretty complete I think, but I know where you are if I find I am missing something :lol:

Showed my wife some pictures of the medium bronze and white GMCs and her eyes lit up and she's like "ooh, I would love to have it back in that color!". So I dunno. The '59 might be put further on the backburner and this one might be more of a restoration than I'd planned.

Its all good. Main thing is to keep me active in my weekend projects. To be honest its been so long since I got all the '59 shells and I've had so much time to think on it, follow builds, etc. that I'm not even sure at this point what I want to do with it. I've only got sheet metal (lots of it!), one a big window cab with a lot of rust and one presumably ok original frame. Wide open canvas and I have no plan! So I guess its ok to wait its turn a while longer.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Nice project Rick, I'll tell you I'm still working the heck out of Blue our C30. That long bed could haul lots of stuff! ;). 9k wow, you are winning the mileage award, just hit 1400 on Ray mainly just using it to show off and pull the car trailer around.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Sweet GMC! Glad you’re driving the heck out of your half ton.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks guys. After driving the new one a bit, it has really made me appreciate how well I have the '78 running and handling, lack of unexplained noises every time you turn around, etc. I'm able to drive the '78 every day because I really don't mind driving it. The "new" 71 has a ways to go before I can make that claim about it, but it will get there.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Cool Rick, I love the new “TOY”!! I’ll be following along on this one. Are you making another Build Thread for this one?

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks TKCR! I haven't totally made my mind up whether or not I am ready to start a "build" on the '71, let alone a build thread. My goal is to go through it mechanically which wouldn't be too exciting. I'll keep track and take pictures so that if it turns into a build, which knowing myself it likely will, I can start a thread.

Right now, it runs well and the transmission was recently rebuilt so it is shifting well. The brakes were redone recently, but something isn't right. Takes too much pedal pressure to get it stopped. Its the same setup as my '78 so I know how it should feel. Lots of strange noises, clunking sounds, etc. during certain maneuvers. Cab has the filler neck for an in-cab tank, but it isn't there. Bed is set up for dual saddle tanks, but they aren't there. Tank is in the rear with an in-bed filler you can barely reach and the fuel gauge doesn't work. That will have to be one of my first areas to address. Steering is pretty loose and the bottom of the engine is covered with half-formed drops of oil. Plenty to keep me busy for several months of weekends! Got a dresser/changing table to complete for my first grandchild (expected in Sept.) first though before I start tackling all this.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Decided to bite the bullet and make some shop upgrades before I start another truck project. Starting with insulation since my shop has been bare stud the 11 years I've worked in it. Last pic is upstairs in the storage area looking at the 2x6 rafters.

It already feels a little cooler inside relative to the outside temp even without AC. Biggest difference though is that you don't climb through a 20 degree increase in temp as you walk up to the attic. Sure have a lot of work to do before the shop is usable again though!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

That will be sooo nice, when it’s completed!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

That’s time well spent right there. Looks great.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Awesome shop upgrade! :D

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks ya'll! I'm planning to cover the walls with a very light colored wall paneling that is fairly inexpensive and much easier for me to handle than trying to do sheetrock. My wife picked up enough of it yesterday that I can start putting it up in locations where I need to move heavy and/or bulky stuff back up against the wall. Not sure yet what I will do for the ceiling.

Not that I am looking forward to moving all my stuff and reorganizing it the heat we've had, but I am so motivated to get it done so I can use my shop again and actually be able to find stuff!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

My goodness Rick! You picked the hottest days of the year to work on the shop! :lol:

Nice looking ‘71!!! :metal: I’m glad the ‘78 is treating you well.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks everyone! I did pay someone else to spray in the insulation, but have been spending my weekends since then putting up paneling on the walls. And yes, its been dang hot every one of those weekends. Need to do the research on the AC and get a move on that.

Thursday, I picked up yet another project. My daughter presented us with our first grandchild:metal: This is Micah, a grandson that was 8 pounds, 4 ounces and 21 inches long. Both he and my daughter are doing fine.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Congratulations on the your first grandson!:metal:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Good for you Grandpa! :two:

Some AC should be way nice out there, I've got to figure something out as well currently leaning towards some kind of a porta-cool deal. Installed some big ceiling fans in the new garage to move air but nothing to cool it yet.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks Brett. We're getting closer to cooler weather here at this point, so I think I'm just going to focus on finishing the walls and trim, then get some kind of ceiling in. I'll deal with AC in the spring.

Good luck with your new house or garage (I wasn't clear which it was). I'm anxiously waiting for you to kick the Camaro build into gear. I'm living vicariously through you on that one as 1st gen Camaro's hold a special place in my heart. Mine, in 1980. She wrecked it, but I've kept her in spite of that :lol: And yes, that shaving cream left a mark - actually a whole lot of them!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Ha, it's a new garage with an attached house in my eyes. It’s been tough to put the Camaro project on the back burner but getting the new place and moving my junk pile twice has been a hand full.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I missed a couple posts, congratulations on the grandson!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Congrats on the new grand baby! *****in Camaro!! :metal:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks guys! Now I have to plan more trips to Dallas to see him.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Hey Rick! Congratson your grandson. Have a good holiday season and happy new year.

Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Hi Chris, long time hearing from you. Hope you're doing well. Thanks, and I hope you and your family also have a great holiday season!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Been working on the walls and trim most weekends since August when I got the insulation. SO tired of paneling and trim! Ran short about 3 pieces of the paneling to finish. We've already cleaned out the 3 closest Lowes. Next is the ceiling. Not looking forward to that. I am happy how its turning out though. Turns out the trim is as big a project as the paneling was. Don't mind the mess. I'll eventually get that straightened out.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Wow, that looks nice! Good job :metal: