Picked up a GM 14 bolt rear end for the 63 C20

[Steeveedee]

Yup, and that little purple(?) spring is the return spring for the adjuster lever.

[Asshat]

Looks like the drums I have are too deep. Mine are 4.75” deep, from the face of the wheel mounting surface. And the rear end is 4.0”.

Anyone know what drums would be correct?

Guess I gotta figure out what vehicles had a GM 14-bolt 8-lug rear end.

[Just call me Sean]

Yours looks different than mine, but I checked it. It's from my '93. I'm pretty sure there is a light duty/heavy duty brake option though.

[Asshat]

Finally got it in. Found the correct drums too; 4-5/8” overall height.

And, the noise is gone! Drove it around the block and that horrific noise I had before is a thing of the past. However, I need to remove the trans, it’s leaking from the from someplace up front. Damn, thought it would be all good.

Feels a bit easier to drive too, not geared so low. It’s 4:10, but much better than the 4:56.

Had a difficult time bleeding the brakes again, got all the air out and didn’t have pedal pressure. After adjusting them, I got the pedal pressure back. However, it must be too tight, cause the truck doesn’t roll. If I get the truck to roll a little it just stops when I push the clutch in. I’m afraid if I ease up on the adjustment I will lose some of that pedal pressure.

Also need to re-adjust the axle position. Don’t have and adjustable pan hard bar, so I’m contemplating cutting the weld on the bracket and getting it into position. It’s off by about an inch; not sure if it’s worth buying the adjustable pan hard bar from Brothers. Are they the only outfit to offer an adjustable pan hard bar?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Finally got it in. Found the correct drums too; 4-5/8” overall height.

And, the noise is gone! Drove it around the block and that horrific noise I had before is a thing of the past. However, I need to remove the trans, it’s leaking from the from someplace up front. Damn, thought it would be all good.

Feels a bit easier to drive too, not geared so low. It’s 4:10, but much better than the 4:56.

Had a difficult time bleeding the brakes again, got all the air out and didn’t have pedal pressure. After adjusting them, I got the pedal pressure back. However, it must be too tight, cause the truck doesn’t roll. If I get the truck to roll a little it just stops when I push the clutch in. I’m afraid if I ease up on the adjustment I will lose some of that pedal pressure.

Also need to re-adjust the axle position. Don’t have and adjustable pan hard bar, so I’m contemplating cutting the weld on the bracket and getting it into position. It’s off by about an inch; not sure if it’s worth buying the adjustable pan hard bar from Brothers. Are they the only outfit to offer an adjustable pan hard bar?

Brothers, POL, CPP, Porterbuilt, & you can always tweak on original bar to make it adjustable (look in the suspension FAQ area).

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Brothers, POL, CPP, Porterbuilt, & you can always tweak on original bar to make it adjustable (look in the suspension FAQ area).

Tweak the original pan hard bar?? That thing is so friggin heavy! How the heck?

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Brothers, POL, CPP, Porterbuilt, & you can always tweak on original bar to make it adjustable (look in the suspension FAQ area).

That one from POL needs a different bracket, I’m wondering if the one from Brothers just bolts right up to the stock mounts.

[Steeveedee]

You only need to back the brakes off a couple of clicks on the adjusters to get the friction reduced to where the truck will roll without resistance but still have a nice firm pedal. Play with it.

[Asshat]

What about the trans leak? Do these early transmissions have a seal on the input shaft? Is this probably where it’s leaking from?

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

You only need to back the brakes off a couple of clicks on the adjusters to get the friction reduced to where the truck will roll without resistance but still have a nice firm pedal. Play with it.

Yes - going to try this. Hope it works.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Asshat

What about the trans leak? Do these early transmissions have a seal on the input shaft? Is this probably where it’s leaking from?

It’s up on jack stands now. I’m thinking it’s a trans leak, since the puddle on the ground was not hot and it was more heavy/sticky than regular oil. Hoping I can run it on jackstands and eventually see where the oil is leaking.

My initial inspection did not make me believe it is coming from the from shaft cover of the trans.