Re: 1968
 

I got the front end adjusted today somewhat.

Re: 1968
 

coming from you that means a lot Bomp.

Re: 1968
 

I got the front end adjusted somewhat. he couldn't do the whole front end and he didn't charge me a dime. at least I am not plowing up dirt anymore.

Re: 1968
 

thanks a lot man and any time give me a call thru a PM

Re: 1968
 

Today, I went and tried to get the front end adjusted, Like I said tried. He couldn't do the toe and camber. He said that he couldn't take the bolts off. I had them off three years ago but he didn't charge me nothing. The truck has a few issues so I will be working on them starting Monday.

Re: 1968
 

I hope he didn't use metric tools and round off the nut's and then be like "I couldn't get them off" like a pro. :banghead:

Re: 1968
 

Open this Google search and read the posts, the first one especially.

https://www.google.com/search?newwin...15.wkCglJAtWhg

Re: 1968
 

Guys what is the worst thing that could happen to our trucks except having a accident.
Well, it is having your engine start to knock after only 10 minutes of running time. So I pulled the engine back out of the truck and took it apart. What I found was I forgot to torque the mains. I guess I was in a hurry or someone came in the shop and bothered me and I must have forgot. Well, it didn't do any damage to the engine except for the bearings. So I went and got another set of mains and rods and rings and a complete gasket set. This time I am not making that mistake again. When I seen the bolts I couldn't believe I done that. All was finger tight. I am one lucky guy. It pays to double check our work and when doing a engine get everybody out of the shop. I upgraded on the rings this time to poly rings. Longer life wear.

Re: 1968
 

Sorry to hear that bad news George! Glad no machining was necessary.

I am swapping engines (due to a knock) in my newly acquired Jimmy but I have not started the job yet. I knew it was bad when I got it.

Re: 1968
 

Dang George, sorry to hear about the engine. Sounds like you have it under control. Good luck.

Re: 1968
 

Sorry to hear that George, chin up you got off cheap considering it could have been a lot worse, plus you got to improve it by installing moly rings.

Re: 1968
 

Oh man, real glad there was no damage, just double check and triple check everything when it go's back together, torque, plasti gauge the new bearings, pistone and rods, everything. Good luck!

Re: 1968
 

Guys thanks for the incouragement .I worked on the cleaning the parts today. Got everything cleaned and wrapper up. I sprayed everything down with WD-40 so no rust would appear. I cleaned the crank and there was a few real light scratches on the main, so I sent the crank out to be polished. I probably could have removed them with some emery cloth but I went ahead and had some machine work done on the crank. This way I know that it want give me any problems. It would always be on the back of my mine every time I heard a noise if I didn't so what the hey. It's only 60.00 so I will get it back Friday morning. My plans are for Monday morning put the engine back together. So by Friday I will have the motor back in the truck and running.

Re: 1968
 

pictures of the clean parts

Re: 1968
 

I like the army green color. It makes it look tuff, George

Re: 1968
 

I'd go ahead and dump that oil flter now and fill a new one with oil before you spin it on to the block, cheap insurance.

Re: 1968
 

Agreed and make it a Fram tough guard while you are at it.

Re: 1968
 

Yea I will get a new filter I only keeping the old one until I need it. This was it will be clean and no dust will get in there.

Re: 1968
 

Yea that filter came with the oil I was using to break in the engine. I always use Fram filters. I am looking forward into putting this engine back together

Re: 1968
 

Monday, I will be putting the engine back together. I have a friend that is a mech. and he will be helping me this time. two heads is better than one. I picked up the stuff that I know I will be needing to put the engine back together. Also the machine shop only charged me 20.00 for the polish of the crank. He said I have enough expence as it was. so he cut me a break. here is a few pictures of the items and the crank.

Re: 1968
 

Got the motor over hauled today. A friend came over and helped me out. I will re marry the transmission to the motor tomorrow and hopefully install it on Wednesday.

Re: 1968
 

I'm glad to hear it George, good job on a fast turn around time.
While the motor is out you should take advantage and seal up the holes in the drivers side firewall lower pinch weld.

Re: 1968
 

Great news George! Hoping it all goes great from here.

Got my Jimmy's engine pulled out and ripped apart. It was the number 6 rod bearing (spun). I am junking the 89 350 engine (single rear main seal but not a roller motor) and using my 5.3 Lsx engine. It will take me longer to install but better in the end.

Again, great new glad nothing was damaged

Re: 1968
 

motor back in the truck. But I do need a clutch delete plug a steel one. the platic ones just isn't worth the trouble putting them in.

Re: 1968
 

yea me too. I had help getting the motor back together. good luck with the LS engine

Re: 1968
 

Today, I married the transmission to the engine and installed it back in the truck. I will have a few items to button up tomorrow.

Re: 1968
 

Nice work George!

Re: 1968
 

Thanks a lot.

Re: 1968
 

Today I hooked up all the stuff under the truck. Almost. I got the transmission lines and the started. I'll do that tomorrow. It getting a little closer to cranking up the engine for the second time.

Re: 1968
 

Today I hooked all the stuff in the engine compartment. all went well. I started the engine and I need to adjust the drivers side valves again. Or see what is the matter with the lifter. I have one that is tapping. but the engine runs good. I took it for a test drive today. and it felt good to drive the old girl.

Re: 1968
 

Success! Congradulations George!

Re: 1968
 

George I know you are an old hand at this but give this procedure a try and see if it helps you at all.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Tech/h...cam-valve-lash

Re: 1968
 

Thanks Mr. Swamp Rat. I took the truck out for a test run this Morning. I got about 5 miles from the house and I noticed a lot of smoke coming out from the back. I knew this I had a oil leak. so I took it home and found a valve cover was leaking on the driver side. I replace the gasket with a new one and it was fixed.

Re: 1968
 

That is the same way I did the valve adjustment. But when I cranked it up it had a lifter napping. So I pulled the valve cover off and adjusted the valves again with it running. Now they all is AOK. But hey thanks for the in site and the link. Maybe someone else can use it also. Again thanks.

Re: 1968
 

Today I took the truck out for another spin around town. It failed the first test. But only a small thing. The valve cover gasket on the driver side leaked. No big deal I went to Advance Auto and picked up another one and now it is done, fixed.
My brakes was really hard. so I replaced the rod with another straight one and now they work a lot better. I removed the bracket that came with the new set up. it was binding up the booster. all well now. I then took it out for another drive around 25 miles and boy what a difference that made.
I hope to get it to the front end shop and have the front end adjusted. The last guy could not do it. Here are a few pictures of the truck all finished. I still have a few bugs to work out. I want to set the timing with a timing light and adjust the carb.

Re: 1968
 

one more

Re: 1968
 

Awesome!

Re: 1968
 

It's really looking great George! It's good to know you're getting to drive it around. After all that work, finally the payoff!

Re: 1968
 

congratulations George, thanks for sharing your journey lots of good info along the way and a truely awesome backyard build
jess

Re: 1968
 

Swamp Rat, dfwright, z1835 thanks guys. I finally got the truck out of the back yard and parking it in the front. I had to put a piece of 3/4 '' plywood in the bed. State Farm insurance said that I needed a bed floor before they would put insurance on the truck. 22.00 isn't that bad. Later own I will be putting a plank board floor in the truck. Next week I will be taking the truck over to a local shop and he will be doing all the fine tuning on the engine. Timing and carb and valcume leaks if there is any. It has a few issue's but nothing bad. Three years and I don't know how many hours.