Hi

[Kalums]

Well gentlemen, I've been crazy busy... I started a new business and it has been taking most of my time. I have not done much progress on the truck other than getting the other Hub rebuilt (by me) and taking apart the pinion. Picked up a long bed for silly cheap, but I'm still on the fence about if I want to swap out my bed or keep the flat bed... Decision, decisions... I did get to swap out the Voltage gauge which... My new one from LMC did not come with the resistor *shrugs*, but the old one works fine, it was actually the gauge that was bad. I've only put about 100 or so miles since the transmission and t-case got rebuilt. I'm dying to run this truck around but things change and... We pivot.
on this note... The Holley 9895 is giving me fits(it runs amazing some times and randomly runs rough every 5th(ish) time I run it) , and I'd like you guys opinions on a replacement. Through my travels recently I've been able to collect (mostly Holleys) I've got a (list #s) 4776-1, 4777-3, 80555C, 3310-2, 6210-4, 7002-1 and the 80712 that came with the crate engine(the 9895, which I currently despise and can't find a 2 stage power valve for) and the original Quadra-Jet which is unrepairable. I'm not really interested in Edelbrocks as that is what the truck had on it when I got it and had nothing but trouble from the get go even after a rebuild by me and then a professional. Is one of those better over the others? I know the stats on all and am trying to stay in the 650cfm range as the engine only makes 250hp/304 lb-ft. I've been unable to find a decent Quadra-jet replacement like Lars suggested, that someone doesn't want too much $$ for... So my plan is to keep looking and or rebuild one of these Holleys and run it. Thank you all in advance.

[Kalums]

Crush sleeve eliminator is on it's way to me. To help rebuild the 14 bolt pinion.

Next item on the list, I had the power steering die on me the other day and finally got around to replacing the pump... Which was full of brass glitter from the steering box/gear, so I had to change that out too(what a pain in the neck to turn back and forth to bleed out the bubbles, ended up being over 100 times lock to lock, making sure no bubbles or leaks) I figured it was all coming out so I went ahead and did the double-d + double ujoint steering shaft (column seems ok... I will probably change it out for a tilt in the future, but not in the cards $$ wise right now). Noticed I had a really stiff drag link and tie rod ends, pulled the boots back and all the grease was hard as a rock... Changed all 4 of those joints. Then I noticed that the bottom leaf of my 3 leaf spring pack on the driver's side was broken. So now I'm at the point of do I replace with stock (Dorman) or do I go with the Sky jacker +2.5? The Skyjacker "lift" /leveling kit is cheaper that the stock height "flat" springs... Anyone have experience with the Skyjacker soft ride springs? If I don't like the height can I swap out the top leaf(s)? Thanks ahead of time.