1995 GMC Sierra K1500 joins the family.

[scotts62]

Mine gets about 15 but gets less when you get in it like i always do, cant seem to get any better

[Alan's Classic]

She over heated today. Finally made it too work. I changed the thermostat and every thing seems fine. Before the temp gauge never got above 160. Now it climbs to 210 and cycles from 200-210. I've got a lot more heat now. The thermostats were both 195's.

[Alan's Classic]

The guy I bought it from put an electrical fan assy on it and I really don't like it. I'm wanting to put it back original. My question is which clutch do I use for the fan? I gave GM my VIN and they said I have 2 choices. I don't have the old one to compare to. The one on the right is bigger around, but shorter. The one on the left is opposite. Does it really matter? It's a 350 TBI automatic 4X4. Here are some pics to look at. I know the electrical fan might save some gas, but I want this mess gone. Dependablity concerns me.

One other question. Isthefan blade on the right the correct one for my truck? The one on the left is for something else. The hub pattern will not bolt up tothe clutch.

I'm also ready to replace the tie rods, idler arm and pitman arm. I think they are original and it has 215K on it. They have lots of play.

[joe231]

I'd run the clutch that puts the fan in the correct location for the shroud you are using.
From the pic it doesn't look like there is much difference in location of the mounting surfaces. Could one of them be a HD option?
The fan on the right looks correct, but you also need to make sure it is the correct rotation. These engines have reverse rotation water pumps.
The fan on the left looks to be an older clutchless fan.
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[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by joe231

I'd run the clutch that puts the fan in the correct location for the shroud you are using.
From the pic it doesn't look like there is much difference in location of the mounting surfaces. Could one of them be a HD option?
The fan on the right looks correct, but you also need to make sure it is the correct rotation. These engines have reverse rotation water pumps.
The fan on the left looks to be an older clutchless fan.
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Thanks for the info Joe. I didn't work on the fans tonight instead I worked on the steering. What a PITA

I've rebuilt quit a few suspensions and steering back in the 80's for people on base. Never had any problems until this one.

I've never had the remove the gear box to get the pitman arm off. The nut for the arm is right above the crossmember. That's the correct way to do it per alldata. Once it was out the pitman arm faught me all the way off.





What ever happened to cotter pins for tierods? The truck didn't have them just pinch nuts and the new AC Delco had pinch nuts as well. Getting them off wasn't a problem, but going back on was a PITA. The shaft wanted to spin as soon as the nut reached the pinch. This was one of the technics I used.



I've still got the idler arm and Right tierods to do. I hope to be done tommorow.

[joe231]

No problem Alan,
I just unbolt the gearbox and disconnect the pitman from the drag link then you are able to move the box enough to get the nut off and a puller on the pitman arm. The first time is a pain but after you do a few it's a piece of cake.
Another way to run the nuts up on the tie rods is by using a large pair of channel locks to push the taper in the bore.
When I was working on cars for a living I loved when one of these trucks came in, practically everyone needs an idler and a pitman. It was gravy work that paid well.
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[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by joe231

No problem Alan,
I just unbolt the gearbox and disconnect the pitman from the drag link then you are able to move the box enough to get the nut off and a puller on the pitman arm. The first time is a pain but after you do a few it's a piece of cake.
Another way to run the nuts up on the tie rods is by using a large pair of channel locks to push the taper in the bore.
When I was working on cars for a living I loved when one of these trucks came in, practically everyone needs an idler and a pitman. It was gravy work that paid well.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks again. i forgot to mention there were a few tools I didn't have at home, my big pair of channel locks being one of them. They were at work. I tried leaving on bolt in the gear box and swing it up in the back so I could have access to the nut. The sway bar was still in the way. I chose the lesser of the two evils. The box only had one bolt and hyd lines left.

[Alan's Classic]

Got finished with the steering finally.



One thing I learned on the race team was too use pivot plates when adjusting the toe. It really helps. The tires move easily and don't bind. I just used 2 pieces of metal and put some grease between them.



Then set the truck on them. The plates are kind of small, but it's all the metal I had.



Then I wrapped a string all the way around the truck so I could set the toe pretty close. Enought to get it down the road to an alignment shop.



This is what it looked like before I started. Even counting the threads of the tie rods and measuring the overall lenght of the inner and outer assy. Who knows what it was before I started. It drove nice and didn't wander all over the road. Maybe since the old stuff was so wore out. When i finished it was about 1/8" toed out in the front.

[scotts62]

Cool! Thats a good idea! I have seen the plates that are made for doing that but thats more my price range and looks like it worked good too

[joe231]

Cool idea!
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[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by scotts62

Cool! Thats a good idea! I have seen the plates that are made for doing that but thats more my price range and looks like it worked good too

Originally Posted by joe231

Cool idea!
Posted via Mobile Device

The price is just right for me as well. Glad I could share.

Went for a test drive tonight. The steering wheel is straight and it goes down the road straight as an arrow. I don't think I will get it aligned just yet. Going to recheck everything after the shake down and start on the engine fan and shroud.

[scotts62]

Cool glad it all worked out

[Alan's Classic]

Got the electric fan swapped out with the OE. I'll drive it for a while and see how I like it.

[scotts62]

Ah nice and clean!

Where did you get the shroud? New?

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by scotts62

Ah nice and clean!

Where did you get the shroud? New?

Yeah, they are new OE. I had the original ones at work and my estimator ran over them. Don't ask me how he did it. They were out of the way. BTW thanks

[scotts62]

nice

[70stroker]

Alan do you mind measuring your fender heights for me? Just to the bottom of the stainless trim in the middle of the fender? Also those are 285/75/16 tires correct?

Thanks a bunch in advance

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by 70stroker

Alan do you mind measuring your fender heights for me? Just to the bottom of the stainless trim in the middle of the fender? Also those are 285/75/16 tires correct?

Thanks a bunch in advance

I don't mind at all. I'll try my best to get it tomorrow. The guy I got it from raise the front up some with the torsion bars and put 2" blocks in the rear. I'll confirm all this.

[Alan's Classic]

Here ya go measured from the bottom of the chrome trim. 6"/front and 8"rear. I mentioned before about the suspension lift. There are 2" blocks in the rear and torsion bars are twisted up in the front.

[Alan's Classic]

It's up for sale in the trucks for sale area. Here

[Alan's Classic]

Lowered the price.

[daverod]

You just bought it!! Don't tell me your going to drive your orange truck.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by daverod

You just bought it!! Don't tell me your going to drive your orange truck.

I've had it for a little over a year I think.

[daverod]

I've had my rusty ford for 25. It's almost dead though. Can't last much more than 5 more years. Best 5g I ever spent. I think I got my $$ worth.

[bubba327]

Hey Alan -- Dave,.....Joe and Scott!!!! Good to see you !!!
I just bought a 94 GMC Z-71 for my youngest daughter and was just checking this section out.
I have never had a reason to be up here in this "newer " section of the forum..
I was afraid that i would be lonely away from the 60-66 guys.....