86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build

[brimc]

Got a bit done today. Fuel tank, supports all cleaned up and mounted with a 2" lift to match the Body lift.






One step closer!

[brimc]

Well got only a small amount done to the truck this last week. Very Hot and Very WET.
Sending unit cleaned up in the glass bead cabinet and some fresh por15 to finish it off. I also modified the pickup tube to sit just about the bottom of the tank after I removed the filter/sock.






I think it will work just fine. Just need to get some good lines, fittings and clamps.

[brimc]

So since I can't do anymore on the fuel side until I go shopping, I decided to work on the air side for the time being. Started by pulling out the core support.



The support is in rough shape but I figure why cut up a good one? I can weld up the cracks and reinforce it better than new!
Then semi cleaned the inter cooler and taped up some cardboard to protect it during the mockup process.



I will be using the dodge rad for ease of use and buying easy replacement parts like hoses etc. I have to buy a new rad, this one is toast. I will just use this one for hacking up the rad support and mockup.



Now I plan on keeping the Mech. fan. I want to run this truck with as little electrics as I can. Also, I ran without a fan for several years and just installed it when needed. Takes 2 min. with the top of the shroud cut off as seen on the picture. If I cannot make it fit, ie: fan-rad clearance, I will go electric. For 95% driving this engine needs no cooling fan unless pulling and in traffic based on my previous 5 or 6 years experience pulling our 8000lb 26' trailer.



Hopefully more work and updates on the truck after this long weekend!

[881ton]

Nice job!, your truck is coming along really nice!

[brimc]

Wow, long time no update. 2 months really?
Anyhow here we go. The rad support was in really bad shape. Aftermarket thin cheap tin crap. I went nuts with the cut off wheel and ended up with this,



Then ended up with this, a big old hole with a bunch of new metal tacked in place.





I used part of the dodge support and the holders for the IC. Little cutting, welding and the IC and Rad fit like a glove. I then decided I needed to test fit the entire cab and front end. So I did. First time Cab was back on the frame since I pulled the plug on the old 350 and pulled the trigger on parting the dodge.



I got a 1 inch body lift in there right now and I got the fenders/hood fitting, and open-close good as before, maybe better.
The IC and rad fit perfect behind the rad support, so there will be no issues with the grill or lights etc.



Just enough room for electric fans. Mech fan just touches the rad so I tossed it out back in the pile. Didn't really want it anyway.




Tons of room between the firewall and the block/head and the modded 2nd gen exhaust pipe.





What I really notice is that I think I have the engine sitting really low compared to others I have seen. I hope that works out to be better in the end because I am not moving it. haha



So then I ripped the front end all apart again and finished welding the core support and gave it a good coat of POR15.



Also got the IC cleaned up and put a fresh coat of paint on it as well.



Little bit closer.......

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice work and it's looking like a truck again!

[881ton]

Real nice work especially the fab work on the x member! keep it up .

[brimc]

Thanks Guys !!
Today I got the rad support mounted on the frame.



It really should have had a 2nd coat of paint but I ran out. Then I got the IC mounted using factory hold downs.





One thing I was really going for was to be able to replace hoses and belts with OEM parts off the shelf. This one made me feel good after confirming that it will work. IC boots and rad hoses fit perfect. I had to cut about an inch off one end of each IC tubes and will need 1 inch taken out of the rad hoses due to the engine being closer to the rad compared to the old Dodge.









Little by little. Sure wish time went as slow at home as it does a work !!

[red87gmc]

looks good Nice fab work !

[brimc]

Originally Posted by red87gmc

looks good Nice fab work !

Thanks.
Not got anything more done this week other than try to spray on a Cummins Logo on my IC. It will mostly be hidden but it looks ok. I got some other ideas for down the road as far as logos and name plates go.

[legendman]

Looking good!!

What are you doing for a fan setup?

I found out the hard way there isn't enough room between rad and stock metal fan on my setup.

[6BT 56]

My 56 ran all summer with no fan . I installed a electric slim fan I got from summit as I know I will need it some time . I never even got around to wireing it tho. The truck has never even moved a few deg off what it levels out at when the t stat opens. Even going thru the tim's drivethru on a hot day. My rad is it crummy condition as well. It's amazing how much water these things must move to be able to stay cool .

[Dieselwrencher]

These things move a lot of water in the cooling system. They move so much that when you start running over 3k the water pump can over pressurize the cooling system and usually the rear most block freeze plug will blow out. I've clipped 2 fins on 6 fin pumps before to help, but then it doesn't cool the same if you hot lap it. So I just use billet freeze plugs and a by pass if it's going to be over 3k a lot.

[brimc]

I am going to install a used electric fan from (?) at the scrap yard. I am thinking I will not need much just as "56" has mentioned. I also ran this engine for a few years without any fan with no issues. As far as running over 3K, only once did I even have it up anywhere near that. But that's another story.
Thanks for all the interest guys, I'll try and get some more work done to it so I can update.

[6BT 56]

Originally Posted by brimc

I am going to install a used electric fan from (?) at the scrap yard. I am thinking I will not need much just as "56" has mentioned. I also ran this engine for a few years without any fan with no issues. As far as running over 3K, only once did I even have it up anywhere near that. But that's another story.
Thanks for all the interest guys, I'll try and get some more work done to it so I can update.

Is your shop heated brimc? This time of year sure slows down the progress. I have a propane radiant tube in my shop i leave on all the time set at 40. When it gets colder I heat my home and shop with my outdoor wood boiler.

[brimc]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Is your shop heated brimc? This time of year sure slows down the progress. I have a propane radiant tube in my shop i leave on all the time set at 40. When it gets colder I heat my home and shop with my outdoor wood boiler.

Ya unfortunately the weather plays a big part in "build" time and no heat in the garage slows things down a lot. The house wood stove is just inside the door tho. I have a large portable electric radiant heater I use if I need it just to take the edge off.

[6lcummins]

Originally Posted by brimc

I am going to install a used electric fan from (?) at the scrap yard. I am thinking I will not need much just as "56" has mentioned. I also ran this engine for a few years without any fan with no issues. As far as running over 3K, only once did I even have it up anywhere near that. But that's another story.
Thanks for all the interest guys, I'll try and get some more work done to it so I can update.

Only time I have ever needed fans with either of my trucks has been when using the A/c. The Chevy lived in TX for 8 months and never got hot in DFW in aug-sept when its really getting hot in TX.

[brimc]

Originally Posted by 6lcummins

Only time I have ever needed fans with either of my trucks has been when using the A/c. The Chevy lived in TX for 8 months and never got hot in DFW in aug-sept when its really getting hot in TX.

We'll it is defiantly colder up here compared to Texas!! Good to know. Maybe I will hold off of the fan until after a few good test drives.

[Dieselwrencher]

I say put a fan on it now because as soon as you pull it out of the garage, it's highly unlikely to put it back and want to quit driving it.

[spgill2000]

Updates?!

[brimc]

Originally Posted by spgill2000

Updates?!

Thanks for asking!
I planned on updating by now, just haven't got to it yet. It has been one of the coldest with the most snow in a long time. (years) Hit-35 last week one day. Needless to say not much shop time.
I did get some neat emblems for Christmas.



I did start working on the engine bay wire harness. going to piece together the chev and the cummins from the doner to try and make it look somewhat clean and "factory" looking. (inside the house, not the garage )
I also have it narrowed down pretty close on the gauges. About 75% sure. Just have to convince myself it is worth the money. - about $900 for complete set. Here is a sneak peak.


As soon as winter lets up it will be full steam ahead on the cab and box. Really want to have it painted in the spring! We'll see.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice emblems and nice gauge. I like that it has a 4k tach instead of the typical 6 or 8k unit.

[arrover]

Thanks for posting the Speedhut gauges. I had never heard of them but they make some really cool stuff. Appreciate the info.

[brimc]

Originally Posted by arrover

Thanks for posting the Speedhut gauges. I had never heard of them but they make some really cool stuff. Appreciate the info.

Ya I really like them. You can customize them almost anyway you want.
Not sure about cost. I am still shopping. I worked out a complete set just over $900. I would still have to ship them to Canada too.

[brimc]

So let me say first off, it is fricken COLD. I have a small project going on inside with the engine wiring harness. I decided to try and add a "W" terminal hookup for a tach. I started with taking the back cover off.



Then I picked a terminal that looked to have the most room for clearance etc.



I drilled two access holes. One for a screwdriver, and one for the wire.





Made a new wire. Double heat sink cover.







This is what it looks like all back together. I am going to use the original alternator wires, which I cut out of the dodge, and run them to the battery, ground and voltage regulator.
Has anyone used this method for the tach signal? I have only read about it and have not tried it. Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated.