Project -underfunded - '68 shortstep/carb'd LSx/200-4r build

[68GMCCustom]

you're going to need to put a posi or locker in that rear axle if you want to get the most out of it. peg-leg is only for stockers.....

[85burb]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

you're going to need to put a posi or locker in that rear axle if you want to get the most out of it. peg-leg is only for stockers.....

I have a detroit truetrac sitting in my closet for it. I think i really need to put it in cause when i stop then take off at a light something makes loud pop noise and i have changed trans, engine, engine mounts, hole rear breaks and none of it has helped the noise. My dad had same noise and it was his diff. I have it for sale in parts section but if no one buys it i will have it installed buy a shop here cause i dont want to mess it up. I have never done one and dont want to learn on my daily driver. I even have master install kit. One day....one day.

[68GMCCustom]

That will get you hooking a bit better. I need more tire with a stickier compound. I'm getting to where I don't want anyone to touch my truck but me. Then if I have a problem I can only blame myself. If I can't build it then I'll r/r it...which is what happen with my torque converter.

[85burb]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

That will get you hooking a bit better. I need more tire with a stickier compound. I'm getting to where I don't want anyone to touch my truck but me. Then if I have a problem I can only blame myself. If I can't build it then I'll r/r it...which is what happen with my torque converter.

I hear you on the no one touch it. I just had mine inspected and was very nervous the hole time. Deff no one on yours. Mine will hook most of time but i am sure yours wont as good. All it takes is one stupid person to goose it and there it goes smooth into a wall side ways. I like working on mine my self but will never do a trans or diff. That is way to easy to jack up. I am allison certifyed and still dont want to ever go into one. I took converter apart other day at work and tryed my hardes to find something wronge with it so i did not have to reseal it. I found the thing was trash and it was cheaper to buy reman trans then rebuild the converter.

[Chevy4Life]

How bad was the fit of the truck manifolds? Could they be made to fit with more grinding or notching the frame? Did they fit better in the I6 or V8 position? I'm dropping in the LSx tomorrow and I'm really hoping to make them work.

THANKS!
Jay

[68GMCCustom]

Oh you can make them work...and the farther back the better.

[Chevy4Life]

Thanks. today was a long day of cutting and welding. We modified the I6 stands a lot.

[68GMCCustom]

anything to help out another enthusiast. I'll have to check your build!

[68GMCCustom]

finally got around to ordering some more parts Wed. night to "fine tune" the truck a bit. Ordered some new 15X10" truck rallys, MT ET Street d/r's (traction was major issue), some .025" longer p-rods (oops), a 1" open and 1" 4 hole spacer to test with, Holley 50cc pump upgrade (will require a 1/2"-1" carb spacer anyway), and a couple hundred dollars worth of other Holley parts (air bleeds, jets, adj. linkage for the secondaries, secondary adj. idle bracket, etc) to fine tune my trucks Holley HP Street 750.
I'm thinking cost wise... I'd have been better off just ordering a custom built carb in the 1st place.

Shipped ground and still looks like most of it will be here tomorrow! Thanks Summit! If this 100*+ heat would let up for a few days I could even go out and work on it and take it out and baseline it at the track! Hopefully soon I'll have some et numbers for it.

[85burb]

I figured it would be best to start with a custom after playing with mine for a bit and reading up on them. All the little parts add up after a while. Glade to see you back over here!

[68GMCCustom]

well....traction issue is resolved. I think.

should be on the truck tomorrow.

[85burb]

Those look sweet. Now you may need a wheeli bar....

[mcbassin]

Great looking ralleys and tires! Can't wait to see your numbers.

[matthew20061]

That will fix that problem!!! Mine needs the same thing! Looks awesome.

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks guys. Yes they are soft and sticky.....hopefully they bite with no more tire spinning!

getting ready to pull the carb apart, swap out the p-rods, and get it ready for the track...well, and the night drive back home.

[85burb]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

Thanks guys. Yes they are soft and sticky.....hopefully they bite with no more tire spinning!

getting ready to pull the carb apart, swap out the p-rods, and get it ready for the track...well, and the night drive back home.

It looks like you got a busy day!

[68GMCCustom]

Well.....kind of like when I'm really hungry...and I order too much food...that illustrates my wheel/tire purchase I think. They are a BIG. Traction shouldn't be an issue though! They fit....though that's a relative term. They stick out like 33's on a stock height 2WD mud truck. pics later

got the carb back together with several mods. I also noticed upon inspection that I had been running the transition slots exposed...ooops....so I pulled the idle adj. back and verified both sides were covered up as they should be. I changed pri (-2)/sec(-1) jets, upgraded pri. 30cc to 50cc accel. pump, added an adj. sec. linkage and an adj. sec idle bracket, swapped out old carb studs for new longer carb studs to add a 1" spacer (at least 1/2" needed to clear bigger accel. pump & arm) and got it back on. Figure I'd made enough changes already so I'll screw with the air bleeds if needed with it back on the motor.

About to tackle the p-rods...maybe some wiring...or not. Might just grab a bowl of ice cream and start again tomorrow.

[85burb]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

Well.....kind of like when I'm really hungry...and I order too much food...that illustrates my wheel/tire purchase I think. They are a BIG. Traction shouldn't be an issue though! They fit....though that's a relative term. They stick out like 33's on a stock height 2WD mud truck. pics later

got the carb back together with several mods. I also noticed upon inspection that I had been running the transition slots exposed...ooops....so I pulled the idle adj. back and verified both sides were covered up as they should be. I changed pri (-2)/sec(-1) jets, upgraded pri. 30cc to 50cc accel. pump, added an adj. sec. linkage and an adj. sec idle bracket, swapped out old carb studs for new longer carb studs to add a 1" spacer (at least 1/2" needed to clear bigger accel. pump & arm) and got it back on. Figure I'd made enough changes already so I'll screw with the air bleeds if needed with it back on the motor.

About to tackle the p-rods...maybe some wiring...or not. Might just grab a bowl of ice cream and start again tomorrow.

Sounds like time for icecream and push rods. I used to eat lunch when working at ford. The customers would look at me funny when i was taking drian plug out and eating sandwich at same time. I hope all these mods work good and you get to test the grip of them rubbers.

[68GMCCustom]

well I still haven't made it to the track yet do ton trans issues. So, today I bought a TCI super servo kit for it to hopefully stiffen the 2-3 shift, 1-2 is fine but harder would be OK there too. Also bought a Hughes aluminum pan for it, and another rear seal. It leaks in a couple of places....after replacing gaskets and seals once (or twice?) already.

If I can't get it to seal up this time and not leak....and the servo doesn't help 3rd enough to race it...I guess I'm sidelined (for racing) until I buy a better built 200-4r...like the art carr 500-750hp version I think since TCI doesn't make a super street fighter (for >450hp) in a 200-4r.

Anyway....with any luck I should have some time slips from at least the 1/8mi track...and hopefully soon after one of the 1/4mi.

[85burb]

What about goodguys this weekend? I may drive my burb up there.

I am looking at upgrading to a 4l80e. Trans may be starting to slip. The wife says she felt it slip so....looks like its time to look in to it atleast. Hope you make it to goodguys i want to see the truck in person.

[68GMCCustom]

well....my family scheduled a get together in remembrance of my grandfather, and to remove things from the ranch. I'll wind up busy with that al weekend. On one hand its something I need to do...on the other hand considering I'm getting everything in I need to stop the trans leaks tomorrow, and will likely use the truck to haul things this weekend.... missing GG is killing me.

Oh well....I'll have all the bugs worked out and ready by spring?

[85burb]

Dang it. At least there is two of them a year here.

[68GMCCustom]

installed new Hughes deep aluminum trans pan today w/filter and gasket. also installed a new (again) rear seal. hopefully this buttons up all the leaks.

servo/pin kit comes tomorrow! then with any luck I'll get it to the track sometime this weekend for a few runs to establish a base line... since I know there will be more changes.

[68GMCCustom]

okay....finally made it to the local 1/8mi track. Only got in 2 runs but it gives me a starting point at least. managed some 8's with trans troubles and all. Seems to be sticking halfway decent. I feel confident with some carb tweaking, timing map adjustments, a new trans/converter (mine leaks, slips, and shifts way too early) some more runs to dial it in....and better numbers should be in its future next spring. Maybe high 7's if I'm lucky?

1st run - slow out, shifted 1-2 early - 8.63@81.71 w/1.97 60'
2nd and best run - better out, shifter 1-2 higher but still early - 8.46@82.80 w/1.944 60'

it hits 3rd right at the finish line
car# 5

[matthew20061]

Very nice! I'm not sure familiar with 1/8 mile but it sounds pretty good.