The 283 Rebuild Begins

[MacAttack]

Thanks for all of the encouragement guys.

I have a tendency to over focus when doing stuff like this and I ended up doing the 180 degrees off routine, pulling all the wires off the cap, getting the cap off the motor (the 4th screw in back - at the firewall was a read SOB, both coming off and going back on), taking #1’s wire and plug off the engine,
cranking the motor around until it blew my thumb out of the hole (this is when I still had a right thumb), the pulley read TDC so I didn’t press my luck and the rotor was pointing at the firewall - toward where the passenger sets.

Then, just to be dramatic - and because all the ignition wires were loomed in, with custom ties and loops bolted in at the back of the block, I set up my little Coleman jumper battery - with a hot lead - and one by one - went through all the wires in sequence, according to the numbers on the intake manifold.

#1 wire was just left of center (looking from the front of the truck to the back) and around I went until we were ready to light her off. Cranked for a couple of seconds and then noticed the hot lead for the distributor was clipped to the "-" pole of the battery. Again - over focused on the wire issue.

Put it on the plus side and while leaning way out over the driver’s side fender - worked the two barrel to choke and give the engine some fuel.

Hit it again and it exploded to life - scaring the living crap out of both me and the boy. While trying to hit the choke mechanism my hand somehow flew forward and the ol’ thumb went right into that spinning fan. I think - it was all a blur. Once the engine speed was down from shutting off the choke - it stalled.

We got the first aid kit out and wrapped some gauze and blue masking tape around the thumb and tried it again. She lit instantly and I watched the hand held gauge until I got her up to 2,200 RPM. That lasted for about four and a half minutes before the radiator cap seemed to snap open and the coolant rushed down the exit pipe. I can remember thinking, "This isn’t going to be good" and a few seconds later the catch bottle was full and over flowing.

I have not a clue why it did that - other than (hopefully) it had to "burp" itself.

Did you know you actually have to put the key in the truck before the stock gauge will register? I’d concentrated on the ignition wire so much that I forgot to put the key in the dash and actually turn it on. (Dope) I was using a remote switch on the starter - so I didn’t even stop to think about the electrically driven temperature gage.

Oh the drama.

And on the question of whether or not it harms the cam and lifters to run only five minutes: Academic. I couldn’t see continuing to blow coolant all over the place and the block possibly over heating.

May be a mistake - but it’s too late to worry about it now.

Besides - my thumb is killing me.

[jason65]

Good to get that reward of hearing it run for all your hard work. I hope you got a pic of the thumb.

[jgh64pkup]

im pretty sure but dont quote me on this
the cam needs a 20 minute break in at 2000 rpms before any load is put on it
in my case it would be trying to launch my truck in the carport

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by jason65

Good to get that reward of hearing it run for all your hard work. I hope you got a pic of the thumb.

Thanks, Jason - got a couple of stills of the bloody digit and my boy had his video camera out - right up to the point dad attempted to take the pressure off the radiator by loosening the cap. Mouth full of 50/50 coolant. They haven't changed the recipe apparently, because it still tastes the same.

Originally Posted by 4dranch

Nice Mac, Glad everything worked out
And glad no humans were injured in the drama..

Now that's just plain cruel! It was a pretty funny circus though. Just ask my neighbors.

Mac.

[joe231]

you never fail to entertain
and apparently the whole neighborhood got a show

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by joe231

and apparently the whole neighborhood got a show

And there's still blood on the driveway!

[joe231]

so you are getting the trans rebuilt?
what transmission?

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by joe231

so you are getting the trans rebuilt?
what transmission?

The transmission (TH350) has already been rebuilt. It's the one I cracked the case on and had to get welded (Do'h!). This guy does just about everything drivetrain wise, so I'm commissioning him to do the following:

A./ New rear end (freeway friendly) gears.
B./ New brakes - including refab on the emergency brake bracket.
C./ Fab, install and adjust kick-down bracket assembly for the tranny - at the carb.
D./ Install 2" shorter front springs and replace rubber & parts while there.
E./ Lengthen the forward drive shaft and replace "U" joints.

Because of work going on at the house, I need him to keep the truck for two weeks - he's relatively slow right now - so the timing is nearly perfect.

Mac.

[jason65]

Originally Posted by MacAttack

The transmission (TH350) has already been rebuilt. It's the one I cracked the case on and had to get welded (Do'h!). This guy does just about everything drivetrain wise, so I'm commissioning him to do the following:

A./ New rear end (freeway friendly) gears.
B./ New brakes - including refab on the emergency brake bracket.
C./ Fab, install and adjust kick-down bracket assembly for the tranny - at the carb.
D./ Install 2" shorter front springs and replace rubber & parts while there.
E./ Lengthen the forward drive shaft and replace "U" joints.

Because of work going on at the house, I need him to keep the truck for two weeks - he's relatively slow right now - so the timing is nearly perfect.

Mac.

Some of this right here.^^^

[4dranch]

Originally Posted by jason65

Some of this right here.^^^

Thanks Jason.
No one really reads what Mac writes...
They just come here to look at the pictures...

[jason65]

I try to read everything incase I want to steal an idea and adapt it to be different. But I do the same thing sometimes Scroll, words, scroll, words ooh ooh pictures, scorll, words, scroll, words. But on my circle of friends threads I make sure I read every word and study every pic.


Don't forget to swing the tranny guys place and get progress pics Mac.

[4dranch]

sounds nice.....

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by 4dranch

sounds nice.....

Yeah, the guy is pricey, but thorough - so it's going to be strange to actually drive this old girl when this guy is finished.

Then I get to play with things that make sparks and fire while trying to learn the intricacies of body work. (I'll increase my home owner's policy coverage here shortly).

[4dranch]

Originally Posted by MacAttack

Yeah, the guy is pricey, but thorough - so it's going to be strange to actually drive this old girl when this guy is finished.

Then I get to play with things that make sparks and fire while trying to learn the intricacies of body work. (I'll increase my home owner's policy coverage here shortly).

Just install a sprinkler system it might be cheaper..

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by 4dranch

Just install a sprinkler system it might be cheaper..

David - you beat me to the punch!

Mac's venture into body work:



(it's amazing what I put myself through to entertain you guys)

[1964C10]

Mac, sorry to hear about your thumb! The things we bleed for right? lol. Just a quick question, do you have a thermostat in the cooling system? If so, how come you are seeing coolant flow in the radiator?

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by 1964C10

Mac, sorry to hear about your thumb! The things we bleed for right? lol. Just a quick question, do you have a thermostat in the cooling system? If so, how come you are seeing coolant flow in the radiator?

Yes - I've got a 180 degree thermostat in the motor and it's been my experience that with the cap off - with the engine at idle - you can see small bubbles and such floating by when the thermostat opens. I think in this initial case - with me leaving this very cheesy Mr. Gasket (with the heat gauge) cap on and not allowing the system to purge any air - the cap eventually let the pressurized coolant by, down the clear connector tube and into the catch bottle.

That's the way I'm telling the story, anyway.

[1964C10]

Ok, I wasnt sure if you let the motor run hot enough for the thermostat to open up. I have had some issues getting the coolant on my Z28-LT1 to work properly and these cooling systems can be such a PIA lol

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by 1964C10

these cooling systems can be such a PIA

For sure, and that's why I went with a brand new radiator and water pump. I already have countless hours of experience trying to correct blockages, leaks and scaldings - so I thought this rebuild was worth this extra expense, up to and including the purchase of hose clamps that would make NASA jealous.

Mac.

[jgh64pkup]

i would go ahead and go the full 20 minutes of break in just in case
do you know how to get your rings to seat
heres an article
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by jgh64pkup

i would go ahead and go the full 20 minutes of break in just in case

Yeah - plan on running it for another 15 to complete that cycle, and on the ring seating issue - good catch on the link. Fortunately, I have a nice set of hills near my house, so when she comes back from the shop I'll take some blasts up and down those and get on the new binders to see how they work.

Mac.

[jason65]

Soon you will have a fresh, new, ready to go 1965 pick-up. I should say 1965 shlong bed.

[jgh64pkup]

Originally Posted by MacAttack

Yeah - plan on running it for another 15 to complete that cycle, and on the ring seating issue - good catch on the link. Fortunately, I have a nice set of hills near my house, so when she comes back from the shop I'll take some blasts up and down those and get on the new binders to see how they work.

Mac.

you should probably go ahead and run it for another 20 minutes

[1964C10]

HAHAHA...close up pictures of the clamps?????

Let us know how you get it resolved though I am sure many of us are going to be faced with that same type of issue soon or later.

Diggin the long bed btw ;-)

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by 1964C10

HAHAHA...close up pictures of the clamps?????

Go to around post #303 of this thread for some shots.