Finally "Silvers" build thread!! ('78 swb 2wd silverado)

[nlped]

Did you adjust the rear calipers? They do use the actuated style rear parking brake caliper...right? If they do, the parking brake has to be adjusted, or you will have a terrible feeling pedal. Try pinching off the "drop line" from the frame to the rearend and see if the pedal isn't better. If it gets firm, then the rear calipers still need adjustment. This was the issue I ran into with the McGaughy rear brake kit...

Hope that helps.

Ed

[menace121978]

thanks guys! it wont be anything as incredible as v502's but it will be something! i'll wait for ya bro! i took a weeks vaca starting nov. 7th just for you!!

Ed.. i have the non parking brake calipers. they are same as the front thanks for that tip though!

[JohnC]

Hey even though it may have been inches she moved under her own power!!!!!

[menace121978]

that true John!!!! tonight i jacked up the rear and ran her through the gears and did some more brake bleeding. i'm getting real antsy now!

[JohnC]

You're not the only one man!

[nlped]

Oh well...I hoped it was something that easy

[menace121978]

yea me too! seems like nothings been easy lately

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by menace121978

yea me too! seems like nothings been easy lately

You wouldn't enjoy it as much if it all went easy.

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by JohnC

You wouldn't enjoy it as much if it all went easy.

So that's why all my projects go like they do.....

[nbpro]

so just when are we gonna smell the sweet smell of paint in the air?

[Jonboy]

I don't know about Dennis, but I am going to tomorrow. And Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, too.

[menace121978]

glad i'm not that lucky Jon!

idk... tried to get in touch with him friday to check everything out. i haven't heard anything. must be busy huffing the fumes

[nbpro]

yeah we were gonna smell paint next week, until some dipsh*t came through the parking lot slinging mud and gravel. Got little dings I gotta fix all on the truck now. back when i did bodywork when I was young paint smells is the reason I quit. Couldnt stand it. had a grandfather and two uncles affected by paint fumes. maybe it's time like they do on tv. if you can't get the job done in time, time for a new painter.

[Jonboy]

I did just the opposite. I like the fumes. When I figured out you could get a buzz and get paid, I was hooked. That was over 20 years ago now. Every so often I will catch a whiff of something that smells like old school catalyzed enamel, and it will take me back a little bit. Now I just sit in an office on the other side of the wall from the fumes.

[nbpro]

oh i had friends growing up that used to do the kmart gold thing. you know, a rag and a bread sack, and hallucinate their blank off. I tried it a couple of times. but there were some things that i liked better as i was sitting there on that sack of seeds

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by menace121978

well not much of a picture update but i did manage to get the stainless brake lines installed and i got the brakes bled... sorta. spent 5-6 hours bleeding the damn things yesterday. tried every trick i know. even used the vacuum pump. there is still some air in the lines but i do have a pedal though! i also fired her up and put er in reverse and then drive! hopefully next weekend i'll have the battery tray from the painter so i can mount the battery and maybe roll her down the street.

I have never had much success with a hand vacuum pump on new setups with lots of air in the system.

Have you tried a pressure pot approach yet? I built my own after seeing a mechanic friends setup. Pretty simple and it works great. Pressurize a container with brake fluid in it and feed the pressurized fluid into the master cylinder. Clamp a plate to the top of the MC and put a hose barb fitting into the plate. Connect the tank to the plate with some hose coming out of the bottom of the pressurized fluid container.

It won't take much pressure at all, maybe 10 psi at the most. Start low and wrap the MC with rags so if the plate leaks you won't get fluid everywhere and be ready to shut off the air supply to the pressure tank in a hurry. I put a ball valve on mine and use it to control the air flow into the pressure tank.

I have seen a different approach to this method of actually feeding the pressurized fluid through each brake bleeder and it pushes the air out the MC. Seems like a good idea but I have never tried it.

[bluex]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PSL-2004/

You need one of those. I'm working on a '97 firebird to replace my 07 as my DD. I had to put a engine in it (3.8l) and during that the front brakes leaked all the fluid out. I picked that bleeder up and in 5 pumps per side all the air was out and the pedal is nice and firm. I havent drove the car yet, but it feels good in the garage. Really beats the old pumping the brakes method.

[3r!c84]

is my computer broken or somthing. 2 pages of NO pictures ! tisk tisk

[menace121978]

i stripped the caliper where the brake line bolts on tonight!!!!!!!! i'm gonna need more than the pump now. pos calipers! the only thing that saved my sanity tonight was Jeff calling me and letting me know the gauge mounting brackets are done so the cluster, bezel, and gauges will all be in soon! thank you Jeff!!

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by menace121978

i stripped the caliper where the brake line bolts on tonight!!!!!!!! i'm gonna need more than the pump now. pos calipers! the only thing that saved my sanity tonight was Jeff calling me and letting me know the gauge mounting brackets are done so the cluster, bezel, and gauges will all be in soon! thank you Jeff!!

No problem Dennis. I have had plenty of those days/moments myself!

[menace121978]

i'm going to be forced into getting the wilwood D52 calipers now... no other choice right guys!? now i'm just wondering if the prop. valve i have is going to work. its supposedly for a disc/disc or disc/drum set-up. i gotta go back and do some more reading. i also need to think of a way to milk some overtime at work

[nlped]

Haha... Yep, you need the Wilwood D52's!!!
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[6772owner]

I agree, you cant really go "overkill" on brakes, safety is paramount!

[81C10LS3]

Dennis,

I just read this ENTIRE thread and I must say it has inspired me more than words can say.

It's nice to see such attention to detail and the photos are awesome. I'm doing a very similar swap in an 81. 6.2LS3/6L80. It's in the beginning stages and I will be using your thread as a guide. I have bookmarked it "The BEST build thread yet" in my favorites.

Congratulations on getting this far on your project, especially since the truck has so much history within your family. I can't wait to see the final product.

I'm sure i'll have a few questions for you.

Again, congrats man...

Justin

Here's mine.....

[menace121978]

your post made my day buddy!!! thank you for the kind words!!

i have a HUGE update finally!!!! today i was lucky enough to meet a local guy that is a dealer for WILWOOD!! he's the top seller in the area now and he got me a screaming deal on the D52 calipers front and rear in the newly released BLACK!!!!!! i am stoked!!!! just had to spend a day of shopping with the wife and show her Ed's post that i had to have them! and promise to water the new money tree i just bought for her!!! i'm happy again they should be here monday! btw the super secret price book he had came to $700 with tax, shipping and everything. and fully loaded with the new wilwood b10 pads