Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Now your cooking with gas...Looks good Jim. I lucked out once on a steering rack from Amazon when everywhere else was out of stock.

Good luck on the shake down.

Marc

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks fellows, it looks white, but it's a super light tan color. I have home made mats for the floor, and seat covers, remove for events. Leather still looks great, but the tweed is showing it's age, will have to make some changes.

Thanks Marc, hopefully later today...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I can hardly wait until you kick that Chevy in the BUTT! Looking Good Jim.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

love it! I dont know how you get passed up for TOTM so consistently, you have one of the most detailed and beautiful trucks on here. I think i will make you an award myself. :lol::lol::lol:

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks Ray, did a little today...Jim

Thanks Russ, sometimes I think people assume I win stuff all the time, but I don't. Maybe I might get lucky in 10 yrs or so:lol::lol:. I have always liked the trucks you've built, the stance, wheels, etc. fit so great...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Well did my shake-down run today, or tried too. Pulled out on the road, gave it gas it went to 4,000 rpm and no shift, stayed in first gear. Came back, checked fluid, added a little and tried again, same thing. Mark and I checked everthing, even re-adjusted the shift linkage, no change. Then we called Brendon and talked to him, he said it sounded like a bad speed sensor. Mark pulled one from customers trans, removed mine and installed his. That took care of the problem, new speed sensor and it is either no good, or could be to short. Will get another one to replace customers unit.

After that I took it out for a short ride, big difference, because everything is new, you hear different sounds, so I'll have to check everything. I did get on it a little, went to 4500 rpm in first it shifted to 2nd and broke the tires loose. I want to get more use to it, before I really test it out. Plus Brendon still needs to come over and hook his laptop and tune it for me. Will let you know it comes out...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Glad to hear the shifting problem was an easy fix.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Have a question for guys running the LS engine with power steering and a mustang rack&pinion. My old small block I had a Heidt's valve for setting how the power steering felt. With this set-up I installed a new valve in the PS unit, it went from 3gph to 2 gph, which was suppose to make it better. From what little I have driven it, it is to sensitive to me. Is there anything else that can be done to improve this. Thanks Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Jim, while I don't run a rack & pinion, we used a pressure reducing kit on my buddy's Fairmont swap project. The LS pump needs to be turned down so it doesn't blow the seals out. I'm not familiar with the valve you mentioned. Something like this:

https://www.scramspeed.com/products/...ction-kit.html

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Glad you had an easy first drive other than the shifting set back.

I used a Borgeson pressure reducer in mine.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/b...SABEgJ5IvD_BwE

With this power steering reducer, it contains 5 different shim/washers each one reducing the power.

No Shims 1350PSI
1 Shim 1200PSI
2 Shims 1100PSI
3 Shims 1000PSI
4 Shims 850PSI
5 Shims 700PSI

I'm thinking you could fine tune it to your liking. I forget how many shims I used. Thinking 3 or 4 but its been a minute since I added it. At only $16 bucks and some of your time it might be worth a try.

Marc

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks Outlaw and Marc, that's what I need. Ordered the Borgeson unit. Will let you know, when I get it installed...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Update on power steering. I talked with Borgeson about the flow valve I had and number of shims needed. Didn't know anything about the flow valve, but suggested to remove it, install stock fitting and 4 shims. So that's what we did. Hard to see it pic, but the flow valves hole is about half the size of stock one...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

After changing everything out, I took it for a drive, like the feel better that before. I the way back to the house, I heard the squealing from the engine. Mark and I checked it out, thought it was the belt, but after further checking it was the water pump. New pump, but something went wrong. So tear apart the front, remove radiator, etc. It's 95 percent back together now, will finish up the morning, and will let you know.

Pic 1 old pump removed
Pic 2 new pump all painted and ready to install.
Pic 3 and 4 not good pic, but back together, ready to put on cover and fill up the radiator.

stay tuned...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Glad you got the power steering on the right track!

Bummer about the new water pump though.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Glad the power steering pressure reducer worked to your liking. Now that you mention it I think I used 4 as well. I just followed the directions. Seems like I had one shim left in the bag.

Good to find a failing water pump on your terms. Nice catch.

Marc

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

seems like its always something, glad you got it figured out though!

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Hope you slayed the last gremlin and can now drive and enjoy!

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks guys...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Update from yesterday. Got everything buttoned up, anti-freeze in radiator. No squeal from engine area. Took it down the road for about 5 miles. Steering is tighter that before, but not as much with the old system. Maybe 5 shims would have worked, but not going to change. Plans are tomorrow for me to take it on about a 50 to 60 mile jog, and see how it runs. Still need to get Brendon to hook up lap-top and fine tune things. Will let you know tomorrow...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Try your best to not to pull a muscle around your jaw from smiling all day! Have Fun Jim and good luck on your shake down cruise.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Great off season upgrades Jim.....Now the fun part......Driving it.

Marc

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks Ray and Marc, will post up later on drive...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Where do I start, if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck:uhmk::uhmk:

Ok Wednesday 1/26 started to take my shake-down run. Went about 20 miles or so, heard a noise and noticed my volt gauge was dropping down, lower and lower, turned around and headed home. Needless to say with low voltage, thinks started going wrong, temp went up (no fan), etc. Was about 4 miles from home. Called Mark, he came with jumper cables, let engine cool down, then made a mad dash to the house.

Pull radiator, etc apart again. Removed thermostat, and alternator. Went to parts store, alternator bad, only had about 80 miles on it, didn't want to chance the thermostat going bad with hight temps around 240. Bought a new alternator $$ and thermostat. Came back and got alternator ready for paint, installed thermostat, etc.

Today Thursday 1/27 Mark reinstalled everything, along with new anti-freeze, etc. Took a short drive and everything seemed good. After lunch I took off again, this time everything went good, about a 90 mile round trip.

Next week Brendon will hook-up laptop and find tune everything.

Here's a few pics.

Pic 1. This was Wednesday running along about 70 mph everything good
Pic 2. Looking down the road.
Pic 3. Torn apart again.
Pic 4. New alternator painted

No pics today, forgot the camera.

A big THANK YOU to my son Mark for all his hard work..Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

OH no. It never fails though the one part you should not have a problem with. At least you did get home without a tow, and everything else is working great.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Hey Bob, what makes me mad, is all the parts are new, from good sources, I guess someone has to get the bad ones...Jim :devil::lol::lol:

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Had to catch up on your project ..hopefully you got the bugs worked out..

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

it is very frustrating when new parts are faulty.

Glad to hear 'Icon' is back on the road and doing well. enjoy.


No test drives up here til' April

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

I hope all the bugs are gone and that you get to drive the tires off of it.

Also, please tell me what brand washer that is that doubles as a paint booth. ;)

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Isn't hot rodding fun??? You guys are probably getting as efficient as a NASCAR pit crew disassembling that front end.

Enjoy test drive #3....You'll get it

Marc

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

i had actually never gone back thru the whole build on this truck, holy balls! i'm guna have to take more time to go page by page at some point.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks Greg, I think they are, yesterdays drive was good...Jim

Tempest thanks, I lived in Michigan for 30 yrs, so I know how it is to wait for good weather...Jim

Thanks Marc, when Mark saw you post he got a chuckle, I think we finally got it whipped...Jim

Robert, wish it could, brought it in overnight to dry...Jim

Thank you, yes it's been through several upgrades over the years...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

wow thats a hard luck story if i heard one. glad its all fixed, I gotta tell ya I laughed at the alternator on the washer picture, one of the work at home things that I appreciate seeing! :lol::lol::lol:

i bet all the people you passed on your 90 mile trip were wondering who the nut with the convertible in january was.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thanks Russ, I think the high yesterday was about 37 degrees, heater worked great...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Congrats on finishing the swap. It’s amazing the gremlins you find when doing something like this. No question that the aftermarket parts available today don’t live up to a high standard. Enjoy cruising with the modern engine!

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Thank you...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Ya I have noticed for a lot of things, even if you buy a good one it is still crap.
My example I use is my toaster it is a good Tfal I have had for 25 years gets used multiple times a day and works perfect. If I was to go get a new good expensive toaster I don't think it will last this long. Sorry for the rant.

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

No rant, it's the way things have become. Everything seems to be good now, weather here has stopped Brendon from tuning with his laptop, hopefully next week...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Well time for an update, and still having issues. After weather final cleared up, Brendan came over and hooked up laptop and off we went. Only a few miles down the road, he said turn around and go home.

The computor speed was jumping from 60 to 50, 60 to 40, all over the place. There was nothing he could do until this was corrected. We talked about the speed sensor, and he told me to purchase an AC Delco speed sensor and check it again.

He helped me with my OBDII diagnostic scanner, thru bluetooth to my phone, so I had a gauge and graph to show what the computor was seeing. This thing can do so much more, will have to play with it later.

Installed new speed sensor, took it for a drive, the same problem. After talking with Brendan we checked the alignment of the reluctor wheel on transmission shaft and the speed sensor. This is where we found the problem. The reman. transmission I bought wasn't done very good. We could see 4 or 5 teeth badly broken, this was causing the fluctuation in the readings.

Today Mark and I removed the tail section from transmission and could see how bad the reluctor wheel is, so Mark heated the gear and removed from the shaft. I have another one ordered, but it woun't be here till Friday.

I'll post up some picture, in a minute...Jim

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Wow. That wasn't easy to find. Hope when you get the new one everything works great.

Keep the faith. The LS in my Cherokee has been great!

Re: My 50 roadster pickup build
 

Pic 1 Transmission tail section, hole in side for speed sensor.

Pic 2 The three speed sensors. Top one would not let trans. shift out of 1st gear. Middle one took care of shifting, but thought maybe it wasn't correct.
Bottom is the AC Delco. Turns out the middle and bottom were not the problem

Pic 3 I couldn't focus good enought on the reluctor wheel, but at the top you can see part of the tooth missing, along with 4 others. Also more damage on the other teeth.

Pic 4 The arrow head shows where the reluctor wheel (or gear) was installed on the shaft. Will get new one and install...Jim