Project: Rufus Restoration

[shearjs]

I thought for sure I'd have this thing back on the road by now. I've still been plugging away, it's just taken a little longer than expected. I got some new injectors in last week, and put the intake and fuel rails back on. Also spent some time getting the new engine harness connected and ready to go. I even managed to find the elusive a/c line fitting that is needed to connect the LS pressure sensor to the a/c line. With a little luck, this should be purring this weekend. On a side note, another project made it's way to the house over the weekend. I guess I'm going to need that bigger garage sooner than I thought.

[Rusbuilt]

Looks like you're very close!! What's the plans for the new truck?

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

Looks like you're very close!! What's the plans for the new truck?

So close! For the near future, I'll probably just drive it and enjoy it. Long term, I'd like to do an independent front suspension and 4 link rear. With a straight axle in the front and leaf springs front/rear, it feels like riding in a covered wagon with a herd of ponies pulling you. Maybe do some sort of modern power train upgrade, similar to the GMC. It's unfortunate that PB isn't making a dropmember for this particular model yet. Maybe one day.

[Low Elco]

You don't need it. I think that's one of 'em that the crown Vic conversion works on. Neet ol truck!

[nlped]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

You don't need it. I think that's one of 'em that the crown Vic conversion works on. Neet ol truck!

Sure does! I am building my wife a '56 that belonged to her Grandfather. I got the complete front k-member/suspension from a Vic with a 4.6 modular motor. I'm going to be putting a Coyote 5.0 in it when it's all said and done.

Sweet project and cool ole F*RD

[JRANGER]

man, thats a cool old truck...

[shearjs]

Made a little more progress this weekend. All wiring is done, aside from the cruise control. The a/c hoses are crimped and installed. I swapped out the internal transmission harness to take care of the leak at the pass through connector o-ring. Radiator back in. Tonight, I plan to install radiator hoses, fill with coolant, flash the pcm with the new tune, and bring this old girl back to life. Fingers crossed, no weird noises!

[Rusbuilt]

Good luck tonight bro! She's looking good!

[shearjs]

Today is the day I've been anticipating the past 6 wks. Installed hoses and coolant, checked everything for leaks. Turn of the key, and she's alive!

1st startup post cam/head swap - YouTube

1st startup. Exhaust - YouTube

[nlped]

Sounds wicked!

[swamp rat]

^^x2^^

[screaminchevypickup]

Great work turned out nice!!

[mcbassin]

Sounds great Jason! !!
Congrats

[nlped]

Correct me if I'm wrong but this is a 5.3, right?

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by nlped

Sounds wicked!

Originally Posted by swamp rat

^^x2^^

Originally Posted by screaminchevypickup

Great work turned out nice!!

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Sounds great Jason! !!
Congrats

Originally Posted by nlped

Correct me if I'm wrong but this is a 5.3, right?

Thanks guys! I'm pretty pumped to get it back on the road again. Ed, it's a 6.0 from an 04 Silverado 2500, LQ4 variation I do believe.

[shearjs]

2 steps forward, 1 step back. I've had a couple setbacks that have kept me from being back on the road again. The tune has been tweaked a couple times, and is idling and running smoothly now. I'm having a tranny issue that's keeping the trans from shifting after replacing the internal wiring harness. I'll be investigating that more this wkend and will hopefully get that straightened out. Also having a bit of an issue getting the a/c tuning straightened out. The compressor will engage and blow cold by manually engaging it via VCM controls on Hptuners, but will not automatically engage via the a/c request wire. At this rate, I'm going to be needing more heat, and less a/c by the time it's cruising again.

[Hart_Rod]

Go to the AC section of your tune and make sure that the RPM that the ac is disabled is not zero'd out. Also, if you could post a picture of the a/c table that would really help.

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Go to the AC section of your tune and make sure that the RPM that the ac is disabled is not zero'd out. Also, if you could post a picture of the a/c table that would really help.

In my tune, the AC request type is set to analog cycling, and the rpms are set accordingly. From the brief research I've done, it seems different year pcm's process the ac request in different ways. 98-02 LS1's required a 12v+ for the request, while some others had a serial code. I'm still working with my tuner to figure out what setting the computer needs to recognize the request, or if maybe a segment swap, etc. needs to be done. If we get anything figured out I'll definitely let you know. What year is the engine and pcm from on your green truck? Also, I think I figured out the tranny issue I was having. Operator error. My plug needed to be rotated 180 degrees. The plastic cover on the plug just needed to be rotated to let the connector fit properly. I've switched the plug orientation, but haven't tested it yet. I'll know more tomorrow morning.

[shearjs]

As ridiculous as the tranny screw up was, I'm happy to say she's shifting good now. At least one notch off the to do list.

[Rusbuilt]

Glad you're marking things off the list!

[Bennett68C10]

Truck sounds awesome Jason, really nice job on the motor work and AC install

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

Glad you're marking things off the list!

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Truck sounds awesome Jason, really nice job on the motor work and AC install

Thanks guys. I'm currently replacing the power steering pump and idler pulley, and blasting the bracket that holds the alternator and ps pump while it's off. It's been bugging me for a while, so it'll be good to make it look new again. I couldn't seem to ever get all the air purged out of my ps/hydroboost system, so with the cheap price of the pump, I went ahead and replaced it. Let's hope this takes care of the problem. Once the brakes are full power, I'll probably go ahead and schedule a dyno appointment to get this dude dialed in and back on the road.

[shearjs]

Man it's getting crowded in here. Rufus' older sister almost hit her head going through the door. We're going to have to do something about that soon.

Dyno appointment scheduled for next week!!! Finally get this old heap back on the road.

[Rusbuilt]

Like!!

[shearjs]

It's go time!