Palf's Little Blue Jimmy

[Palf70Step]

While we were there also visited a WWII museum. Being that my life has been a comm nerd it was nice to see a bunch of old radios. From what I understand, a bunch of old radio guys get together each month and fire them up and playu, so to speak.

[Palf70Step]

Couple more.

[Palf70Step]

Old trucks drive you crazy. Got a call yesterday from the engine build. Said my 81's factory block was already 60 over on the bore. Luckily I had another block, which miked out as factory bore, never touched, so onward we go again. Had I known I was going to run into so much hoopla, I probably would have gone to a 350.

I did do some checking and got back with the guy I got it from as well as the original owner, both who say that engine has never been out of the truck since day one. The rod and crank bearings were all stock, just the bore oversized. I am guessing GM over bored it to save a block from the trash. (Who knows???) It is weird that all the gaskets looked like factory (cheapo) during disassembly, and not the Felpro replacements that probably would have been used for a rebuild.

Just glad I had the other block. I guess I need to run and pick up my other 2 spare engines from Louisiana.

Hopefully there will be real updates soon!

[joedoh]

ooo an inliner! those are great engines, glad to find your project! (it showed up on the recent topics)

[farmall]

I have that last hallicrafters next to my bed in silver hammertone. They are the coolest.

[82Diesel]

Killer truck, Not to mention 6 Banger My life is complete But gotta be an LWB Step-Side! LOL

[Palf70Step]

Been busy with other chores while waiting on the engine rebuild. One of those was licking my wounds on the 06 GMC work truck. I ended up getting rid of it and acquired this a couple months ago. Not a GM product, but very nice and it means a lot to me as who it came from. Truck is 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie quad cab. 318 and lots of stuff I am not use to having. It came from original owner and only had 37,715 miles when I started using it in March. She is up to almost 41K now. Not a power house but a good solid ride. Cleaned up a few things since it is now officially mine a week ago. The running boards and beaded seat cover had to go. It was shocking to see the dash on this one. First one I have seen with a perfect dash, most are obliterated by now. As soon as I update the stereo this week, I have a cover to keep the direct sun off it and help it from cracking.

[Grizz1963]

Ohhhhh BILL !!



How could you??



Remove the beaded seat cover.......?


Noooooooooo



Running boards look great gone.

[Palf70Step]

Still waiting on some parts for the ole 6 banger to get reassembled. I did get something kool, least to me, on the Dodge. Photo of my friend the day he bought it in 1998. Ole Dodge will be having a birthday soon.

Not showroom quality on the firewall fix, but I didn't want to disassemble everything and do a bunch of body prep and painting. I may kick myself later, but hopefully I'll have the ole Jimmy back on the road soon.

[nlped]

I finally took the time to read your thread. I’m diggin the ‘81!!!

[Palf70Step]

Brought it home today. Waiting on a few parts before I fire it up, like the starter. I forgot the blocks changed the starter bolt arrangement. I have to go from the katty wompos style of the 81 to the straight across style of the 68 block.

Oh I am happy it is here. It should sound pretty good with the little cam (Erson E16021 Grind TQ20H, Lobe separation is 110+4, Duration is 292). Not sure what else since I am fairly uneducated in cam-ology.

Hopefully by the time the rest of the parts arrive next week, I'll have it in place. The 2 old guys don't move as fast as they used to with this heavy stuff, plus with the heat we are having.

[Palf70Step]

Got it in place today. Now for all the little things. I am going to have to redo my throttle cable bracket. It's not quiet right and a little flimsy, so that will probably be the first thing I address. At least I got stuff to do now, besides the yard.

[OutlawDrifter]

Looking good Bill! I'll bet it sounds great.

[joedoh]

wow look at that!

I like your dodge too

[Grizz1963]

Morning Bill

Sounds clever and certainly looks good.
Thanks for the preview.

Looking forward to you heading out in it.

[Palf70Step]

What a #^%*%%$#@#$ pain this afternoon was. I was making progress and getting a few things figured out. I have the throttle/kick-down cable linkage mount in, as well as tranny hooked up, new pan fluid for it. Then it got ugly. I had to switch starter styles from the cross ways bolt on to the older style parallel bolt pattern. No problem, got a new starter and went to put it on and it would not fit. AFter a lot of fussing and trips to exchange, I went thru 3 different starters from O'Riellys (who I normally have great luck with) and none would bolt in. Both the original 81 block and 68 block used same flex-plate, and the oringal starter pops right in. The nose of the newer (well old design ) would keep hitting the flex-plate teeth and wouldn't mount. Finally before I went to get the explosives, I stared at them both again for the millionth time trying to figure out what to do, then I saw this. It looks like the mounting flanges on the parallel bolt one sit about a 1/2" higher on the starter, and drops the nose/gear down to hit things. Evidently something is goofy. O'Rielly shows one style starter for all automatics, powerglide and other automatics. I was looking at the AutoZone site and they lists 2 different automatic tranny starters, one for the power-glide and one for the turbo hydramatic. If there pictures are semi accurate, it looks like their starter will work. I plan on going by tomorrow and order the one.

Am I thinking right on this?? I am so tired and sore from bench pressing starters today!!

On the plus side some things are in place, so it does look like an engine again.

[Palf70Step]

It is ALIVE!!!!!
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...l4NFlHRHBmNzZB


After cam break in, fine tuned it some.
I screwed up at first, my timing gun was set for 30 degrees, so I REALLY had the timing advanced. Now she is idling about 750-800, 8 degrees before at idle. She seems smooth. I think I have an oil leak on one of the side covers, but I'll look at it later when she cools down.


Will fine tune it more Monday and check on getting the exhaust for it.

[Palf70Step]

After troubleshooting, I realize my camera is fubar, so sorry for the crappy video in the link above.

[Grizz1963]

Great news Bill,

Progress is Progress as Ta2Don said.

I had the Blazer out for a drive yesterday too, and what a nice way to fix my addiction.

[Palf70Step]

First time out of the shop since February. Did oil change from the break-in run, fixed the oil leak on the push rod side cover, and got the hood on with the help of my son. She sounds good. Throttle seems to bind once in a while, so that is the next fix to look at, along with getting the AC brackets installed. Just waiting on the paint to dry.



Jimmy Outside Running

[Palf70Step]

Had to delay getting the pipes on the truck today as there was a fuel leak out of the top of the tank. Of course an almost fuel tank. Drained it, dropped it and found the one hose from the sending unit was rotten. Since my sending unit was acting funky and I happen to have a new one in the stock pile, decided to replace it as well as putting new hoses one. I got it back in and there does not appear to be any leaks now. I can't tell by smell if the vapor leak is also gone or not. So hopefully I'll be able to tell in morning once shop airs out.

[Palf70Step]

Well the tank repairs were a success. No more leaks and I have a working gas gauge now thanks to the new sending unit I had lying around. Got the pipes installed yesterday. It calmed things down some, but still on the loud side. But as we were pulling out of the bay notice tapping in the engine. So today I adjusted the valves. A couple were a bit loose. I think I got it right. No back firing or other stuff. I also did some more work on the throttle cable mount and added new accelerator cable. That took care of all the sticking of the throttle. It is running rich right now, so tomorrow I'll see what I can adjust on the carb to clean it up some. AC compressor came in today, So I should get it mounted in the next couple days. Too many appointments and some side computer jobs popping up right now to get into that yet. But she seems to run great so far.


With Pipes

[OutlawDrifter]

Sounds pretty good, I'll bet it pops nice on deceleration!

[Grizz1963]

Excellent


Love that sound

[Palf70Step]

Not a good sign! #4 exhaust lifter

Time to yank engine and check the cam. Engine guy has new one on order. Suspect something wrong with lifter caused failure.



Makes me feel very gun shy for the next startup.