1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

[buffydores]

The rebuilt TH350 was leaking from the shift shaft output seal. You can just see a little dab of red there.



And here is the 20 dollar tool and seal to fix it. The tool works for tons of GM transmissions.



It is so much fun learning to wrench on these things. There's so much joy doing it yourself, saving some time/money and knowing it's done right.

[phillipm]

Thanks for the update!

[buffydores]

The rubber transmission cooler lines looked a bit rough and leaky.



That's better. Finally found a use for those 3/8" FI hose clamps.

[phillipm]

Man someone went gorilla on those old hose clamps!! That hose is cut bad!

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

Man someone went gorilla on those old hose clamps!! That hose is cut bad!

"If it's leaking just tighten more" has its limits.

[Zook75]

Nice thread. I had a black 79 back in the mid 80 that I raced and wrenched on all them myself. Good times for sure.
I just picked up a 91 Jimmy that will be my daily driver, can't wait to get it.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by Zook75

Nice thread. I had a black 79 back in the mid 80 that I raced and wrenched on all them myself. Good times for sure.
I just picked up a 91 Jimmy that will be my daily driver, can't wait to get it.

Thanks Zook. It's a never-ending project of fun.

[buffydores]

I installed a vintage Rancho Front Axle Truss I purchased from Jeff. Used some POR15 to give it a decent finish. The second picture shows how the attachment works. I upsized the u-bolt a tad for some more strength. With the truss installed, you can still remove the diff cover and pull axles. There's no scenario I can see that would require removal. There's a lot of tension in this thing.

[buffydores]

I've been fixing little leaks as I find them. One curious leak that I've noticed on these old axles is gear oil leaks at the plug welds on the pumpkin. I've found three separate leaks this way. Weird.

[mickeykreg]

Originally Posted by buffydores

I've been fixing little leaks as I find them. One curious leak that I've noticed on these old axles is gear oil leaks at the plug welds on the pumpkin. I've found three separate leaks this way. Weird.

X2, very annoying. I decided next time I take it apart that problem is getting welded shut...at least I hope it's that easy.

[denslow]

Wow truck looks incredible. I have the exact same plaid on the seats on my 78 jimmy but the driver seat needs to be re upholstered. I saw you said they were new 40 yr old seats. Did you order the cloth somewhere and take them in? Want to get mine repaired too. Any info on how to go about that would be much appreciated.

Great job love to see these trucks look original.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by denslow

Wow truck looks incredible. I have the exact same plaid on the seats on my 78 jimmy but the driver seat needs to be re upholstered. I saw you said they were new 40 yr old seats. Did you order the cloth somewhere and take them in? Want to get mine repaired too. Any info on how to go about that would be much appreciated.

Great job love to see these trucks look original.

Hi Denslo: Thanks for the compliments. The company is called SMS. They're out of Oregon I believe. Expensive stuff, but original and awesome.

[buffydores]

The original (I think) blower motor started to make an awful squeal on start-up, so I hunted down a NOS blower motor and installed. Problem solved.

[buffydores]

I was at the Buffalo Wild Wings the other night and the Blazer refused to start. Usually starts as easy as pie. Wires are fresh, good grounds, just starter turning and no spark. Came back the next morning and after a few tries, started up fine. No problems since.........I don't trust the coil. Out you go.



Doesn't look bad:





These are getting harder to find:

[phillipm]

Oh how do I hate intermittent problems! Hopefully all is well now.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

Oh how do I hate intermittent problems! Hopefully all is well now.

I ruled out everything I could think of. I don't think the computer would be dying on a cold engine. I expect to see problems for computers when they're hot. Let me know if you have any ideas. Me and Brian have our first vintage 4x4 event at the end of May.

[buffydores]

Replaced the leaking steering stabilizer. The bolt connected to the tie rod was the most stubborn thing in the world. Finally succeeded with heat, PB Blaster, ball joint kit, and a BF hammer.

[buffydores]

I've found a good shop here in Longview that can be as OCD as I desire. They installed the ORD frame repair kit, went through the front axle and are currently replacing the birdnest of 40 years of accessory wires into something not embarrassing. I was starting to have an issue with my wife observing a unreasonable time investment in non-family related items like the Blazer. Sometimes its best to let someone else do the work.

[buffydores]

Well, about two months ago, I went out to start the Blazer and nothing. Starter turned, just no spark. Towed it in to my mechanic friends. They found that the ECM was tied into the interior fuse panel with a bunch of random things. The auxiliary cruise control lever was shorting on the steering column and knocking out the ECM. Powerfully stupid. I asked them to strip all the 40 years of random wiring out and do it like a smart person. They did a great job. But here's something funny. While working the RamJet harness, they found a plug not going anywhere. After a little research, they realized that the original installer just failed to plumb in the IAT sensor. The ECM, without the sensor, reads -40F for intake temperature. So.....I was running a tad rich. Here is the solution:

[schpeen]

Excellent! so how does it feel now?

[buffydores]

Faster. More responsive. Quieter.

[schpeen]

Originally Posted by buffydores

faster. More responsive. Quieter.

yahtzee!!!

[buffydores]

Any input on a 700r4/4l60e setup swap?

[aggie91]

Go with a 4L80. To many issues with a 4l60/700r4.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Go with a 4L80. To many issues with a 4l60/700r4.

Hate the first gear on the 4l80