Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[jeh]

This thing is going to be awesome Vic, I think the connect and cruise package would be the way to go

[swamp rat]

I'd venture to say the 6.2 430HP.... But i could be wrong....

Still got to peg that alignment problem tho, frame or???

[Xeen]

Wow! I knew you were getting some upgrades but you aren't messing around.

[Low Elco]

Awesome news, Congratulations!

[snipescastle2]

hat's gonna be a wild ride Vic!!!
Ben

[Elliot949]

Wholly crap... I don't see how they missed that

[jeh]

Is there any way you can pull some diagonal measurements to see if it's square or not?

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by jeh

Is there any way you can pull some diagonal measurements to see if it's square or not?

Many moons ago, B-I-L Rick and I noticed the frame didn't look right and the tape confirmed it wasn't square so we took it to the frame shop to have the diamond pulled out. We checked the diagonal measurements when it returned from the frame shop originally and they looked good. Just really surprises me they missed this. I have so much time invested in the mods for the bags, etc. I really hate to start over. Might be for the best though, if the truck's this far out, no telling how structurally sound it would be after the pulls needed to get it all back to spec.

[Xeen]

The frame shop that did the work will have to stand by their work if they are worth their salt, if you tell the manager how disappointed you are with the work they did and that you expect that it be made right they can only tell you two things, yes we will or no we won't.
If they won't stand by their work then IMO you should scrap that frame and get a different one because that thing is borked man and it's entirely possible that it may never be right again no matter how much work someone puts into it.
I'm pulling for you Vic and I know you will work it out.

[Low Elco]

AH-HA! Glad you found something. As long as they don't heat it bad, I'd think it'd be ok, I might put a bead on the crossmembers to set them solid when I got it back.

[jlsanborn]

More cool tools I spy... Interesting dilemma. I recall seeing some old frame drawings with some dims on them outta the factory assembly manuals. When I did my SWB conversion I was looking for 67-72 but could only find 60-66. Wonder if someone out there has those drawings and if they might provide some reference?

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

More cool tools I spy... Interesting dilemma. I recall seeing some old frame drawings with some dims on them outta the factory assembly manuals. When I did my SWB conversion I was looking for 67-72 but could only find 60-66. Wonder if someone out there has those drawings and if they might provide some reference?

Thanks for the suggestion, John. My factory assembly manual is borderline useless. Thick as War & Peace, has no index and precious few page numbers. It's always painful to search.

The Chassis Service Manual on the other hand, has a whole section on the frame and shows the reference points and measurements. Might be a good idea to make copies of those pages and take them with me to the frame shop.

[AKC]

I knew that you, if anyone, would straighten it out. (badoom-boom!)

I am gonna miss the cream engine...

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by AKC

I knew that you, if anyone, would straighten it out. (badoom-boom!)

I am gonna miss the cream engine...

Me too. Lotsa hours in that puppy. I may have to sit on it awhile as most of the buyers on the KC Craigslist are looking for bargain basement deals.

Picked up the new LS3 C&C today. It's resting comfortably in the workshop...

[jlsanborn]

The box in the driveway reminds me of a kid on Christmas morning. Nice buy there Vic, congrats! We know you won't settle on plug-n-play. Can't wait to see what twists you put on this and all the gizmos that go with. Ahhh, the wiring to come.

[sduckworth13]

Nice Vic!

[jeh]

SWEET!!!! You received it pretty quick too

[Gus350]

I'm interested to see how you like the CCP show stopper hydra boost. You have leaning toward this setup over just running the manual disc I really have no knowledge of either one just going off what everone says about the stopping ability of the hydro setup

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Gus350

I'm interested to see how you like the CCP show stopper hydra boost. You have leaning toward this setup over just running the manual disc I really have no knowledge of either one just going off what everone says about the stopping ability of the hydro setup

I had one on my '57 Ford, but it came from another company. Once I got the right bolt pattern and a couple of other issues sorted out, it worked great. So much so, that I sold the vacuum booster I'd prepped for CRLS and bought the CPP hydra-stop unit. I'm not sure how the various companies source the booster unit. I've heard they're no longer in production and what you get is a unit rebuilt to factory specs. But I could be wrong about that. Nonetheless, the one I had on the Ford was like night and day. Before the hydra-boost, I had to stand on the brakes and leave extra room between me and the vehicle ahead. Afterwards, the braking was powerful and smooth. One thing to look out for, though... the before and after line pressure goes from maybe 600-800psi to as much as 1800 psi. It will find every single potential leak in the system, believe me.

[mcbassin]

Love the new motor Vic!
bummer about the frame though

[Xeen]

Fun in a crate!

[Vic1947]

Not much going on while waiting for the frame shop to call. I decided to seek assistance from my go-to guys at Precision Collision. They have the laser guided, heat seeking, double throw down frame rack... and they're close to the house. I figured there was no point asking for warranty work on a three year old job anyway, so I'll start over with a more thorough set of specs. Meanwhile, I've been doing some research and ordering a few parts to make all this work in CRLS. A couple of things came up WRT the fuel system and I'm not 100% sure I know the right answers.

One question relates to the fuel pump. Boyd's in tank pump is an Aeromotive 340 Stealth unit, PN: 1114_. Aeromotive also sells a 340 Stealth in tank pump that looks identical but has a PN of 1154_. I'd like to buy just the pump kit and fabricate my own installation, but can't decide which to get. The 1114_ pumps are about $50 more than the 1154_ series. One thing the research has turned up is that some pumps are not meant for multi port applications. I can't determine if this is the case with the two Aeromotive versions. Some are also rated for E85 but I don't think that's a factor for me either way. Looks to me like any 340lph, 90psi in-tank pump would suffice. Am I missing something?

The other dealio is the LS filter/regulator. Some guys mount it in back near the tank to keep the return line short. However, I'm wondering about the pressure drop by the time the fuel gets to the injectors. The regulator isn't electronically controlled and is preset to 60psi. Don't know what psi the injectors need to see from the fuel rails to do their job (even under hard acceleration) but I'm guessing it's a lot less than 60. Seems like if it mattered where the regulator is mounted, someone would have shouted it out.

Anyway, I went ahead and ordered the CTS-V pan and install kit since it seemed the most cost effective solution for a lowered truck. No way the Camaro pan that's on the engine can be made to work unless I hack it to pieces. I think the Camaro exhaust manifolds will fit. I plan to reengineer the exhaust system to fit it up higher in the chassis like John did. The manifolds should help out with that. CPP sheet metal mounts and sliders are on the way. So as soon as I get the frame straight, I should be able to start mocking up some parts. Still no word on when the brakes and 5-lug setup will ship.

[notchbackgta]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

The other dealio is the LS filter/regulator. Some guys mount it in back near the tank to keep the return line short. However, I'm wondering about the pressure drop by the time the fuel gets to the injectors. The regulator isn't electronically controlled and is preset to 60psi. Don't know what psi the injectors need to see from the fuel rails to do their job (even under hard acceleration) but I'm guessing it's a lot less than 60. Seems like if it mattered where the regulator is mounted, someone would have shouted it out.

There is a constant in the stock ECM to account for the fuel pressure drop, over RPM I believe it was, in the systems with "no return". Trucks had a return, so if you're running the truck tune and no return, that needs to be addressed.
The Gen IV and up do it with PWM to the fuel pump, so the pump only runs when needed, or only as much as needed to maintain the pressure

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by notchbackgta

There is a constant in the stock ECM to account for the fuel pressure drop, over RPM I believe it was, in the systems with "no return". Trucks had a return, so if you're running the truck tune and no return, that needs to be addressed.
The Gen IV and up do it with PWM to the fuel pump, so the pump only runs when needed, or only as much as needed to maintain the pressure

Thanks for the input! The GM regulator/filter has a return port so I'll plumb it into the tank. Sounds like tune for the LS3 C&C crate motor is Camaro SS or Corvette based so I reckon it will handle the fuel pump as needed.

Still no word from the frame shop, so I've been gathering up parts to complete the swap. The CTS-V oil pan and kit arrived and looks like it will provide plenty of clearance for the cross member. I removed the manifolds, fuel rails and sound cover from the engine. I plan to paint the sound cover and the rail covers to match the truck color.

Speaking of painting... I made the third trip in the last four months to yet another cornea specialist who advised me to STOP doing paint and body work, welding and grinding or anything that would irritate my eyes, especially the right one. The growths over the iris are so severe, the doctors feel it's too risky to remove them surgically. That only leaves the option of trying to maintain the vision I have left. So I'm researching full face respirators with the corrective spectacle kit. I can use it for paint and body, but still not sure what I can do for welding. I know they have supplied air kits for welding helmets so I'll be looking at them also. Pretty sure Speedglas offers a model, but I need something full face to keep the fumes away from the eyes. This wasn't a budget item before, but it is now.

[sduckworth13]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Thanks for the input! The GM regulator/filter has a return port so I'll plumb it into the tank. Sounds like tune for the LS3 C&C crate motor is Camaro SS or Corvette based so I reckon it will handle the fuel pump as needed.

Still no word from the frame shop, so I've been gathering up parts to complete the swap. The CTS-V oil pan and kit arrived and looks like it will provide plenty of clearance for the cross member. I removed the manifolds, fuel rails and sound cover from the engine. I plan to paint the sound cover and the rail covers to match the truck color.

Speaking of painting... I made the third trip in the last four months to yet another cornea specialist who advised me to STOP doing paint and body work, welding and grinding or anything that would irritate my eyes, especially the right one. The growths over the iris are so severe, the doctors feel it's too risky to remove them surgically. That only leaves the option of trying to maintain the vision I have left. So I'm researching full face respirators with the corrective spectacle kit. I can use it for paint and body, but still not sure what I can do for welding. I know they have supplied air kits for welding helmets so I'll be looking at them also. Pretty sure Speedglas offers a model, but I need something full face to keep the fumes away from the eyes. This wasn't a budget item before, but it is now.

Vic if you need anything done all you have to do is call me.