My Own Vice Grip Garage - Getting the 250 i6 Running Again

[Luke87gt]

So my replacement vacuum advance arrived and I head into the garage to swap it in.

Easy job I thought. I get the old one out in about a minute, and mock up the new one. As I’m attempting to get the little screws into the side of the distributor housing, I drop the screw and never hear it hit the ground. UGH!

I probe around with a magnet for 10-15min and just can’t find it.

Off to the hardware store tomorrow. I think these are 8-32 3/8” length from what ChatGPT tells me, with a round head.

These are super short screws and I found it really awkward to get them started with my fingers as I held the vacuum advance up to the side of the distributor.

Fun times.

[Luke87gt]

double post delete

[Rust_never_sleeps]

Next time, use that magnet to magnetize your screwdriver instead ;-)

I just swapped a vac can on the bench and it was fidgety enough. SBC dizzy location is ideal for this sort of thing ;-)

[MikeB]

I sometimes glue tiny screws to a screwdriver or even my finger tip to get them started. I also have a magnetic fingertip somewhere in the shop. It's like the finger tip of a glove, but with a magnet in it.

Seems like I'm always using this glue for something:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...135-oz-2376234


Just one option of many on the Internet:
https://www.electriduct.com/lsdi-mag...ger-glove.html

[Steeveedee]

I've had one of these for over 50 years. Works great on slotted screws.
https://www.homedepot.com/pep/GEARWR...iABEgKDl_D_BwE

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I've had one of these for over 50 years. Works great on slotted screws.
https://www.homedepot.com/pep/GEARWR...282D/205593353

That's a nice tool!

[Rust_never_sleeps]

The screws on the one I replaced were brass anyway ;-)
Had to retrieve them from the dizzy housing with the roach clip when I inevitably dropped them in there

[Luke87gt]

We’ll ChatGPT lead me down the wrong path. 8-32 is too small.

I’m betting 10-32 is the correct size (1/4” to 3/8” length).

Canister to house: 10-32
Points: 8-32
Distributor hold down: 3/8-16

Back to the hardware store, arg!

[Luke87gt]

10-32 1/4” length was correct.

New vacuum advance is on, thanks guys! Hex head screw made things a lot easier.

[Luke87gt]

Today I got in the garage and got the 10W-30 out and the 20W-50 in.

I also added half a bottle of Lucas oil stabilizer.

One more step closer…

Now if I can figure out why my Saginaw 3-speed doesn’t have a drain plug, I’ll be able to change the transmission oil

[Getter-Done]

If there wasn't a drain plug installed from the factory,

Removing the lowest bolt in the tail shaft works.
The only thing I don't like about that is it might create a leak.
(That is if you didn't have one to start with).

If you take this approach,
I would check and make sure the others are tight
before loosening the lower one.

Here's a video

Trans Fluid Change 1976 Chevy C10 3 Speed -...

[Luke87gt]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

If there wasn't a drain plug installed from the factory,

Removing the lowest bolt in the tail shaft works.
The only thing I don't like about that is it might create a leak.
(That is if you didn't have one to start with).

If you take this approach,
I would check and make sure the others are tight
before loosening the lower one.

Here's a video

Trans Fluid Change 1976 Chevy C10 3 Speed - YouTube

Thank you, that’s helpful.

What about just using the hand pump method to pump fluid from the fill plug out of the transmission. I assume that running a nylon tube into the fill plug until it bottoms out, doesn’t run any risk of hurting anything ?

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by Luke87gt

Thank you, that’s helpful.

What about just using the hand pump method to pump fluid from the fill plug out of the transmission. I assume that running a nylon tube into the fill plug until it bottoms out, doesn’t run any risk of hurting anything ?

That will work also.

[RichardJ]

Switching to thicker oil in the middle of winter. COOOL.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

That will work also.

It doesn't hurt anything, but unless the fluid is good and warm, can leave metal at the bottom of the trans. Of course, too much metal and the trans is already toast. We're working on vehicles that the manufacturer had no expectation of having them last this long. I'm looking to buy another!

[Luke87gt]

Picked up an inner mesh grill for the ‘69.

Should be installing it next week.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/OER-CX1401

[70STOVEBOLT]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

Switching to thicker oil in the middle of winter. COOOL.

I wonder why they even sell 20w50 oil if it’s not in the protection zone? That’s doesn’t make any sense…

[MikeB]

That chart's x axis is oil temperature, not ambient.

Instead of 20w50, I'd use 10w30 for less wear on startup. And then I see no reason at all for 50 weight, unless it's an old engine with very low oil pressure when warmed up. Even then I'd try 10w40 first.

[Rust_never_sleeps]

I used 15W50 diesel as break-in oil in my son's XJ after rebuild and damn near burned out my drill priming the system ;-)

[MikeB]

Driven Racing Oils suggests using straight 30 weight for break-in, except maybe for all-out racing engines. I've used their BR30 break-in oil a few times over the years, and then what they used to call Hot Rod oil in 10w30. No additives needed.

['68OrangeSunshine]

They used to specify Straight SAE 30 weight Non-Detergent oil for break in.

[Luke87gt]

Replacing the old crusty inner grill (I was expecting the mesh would show up in black but it’s actually silver). Anyone know whether oem was black or silver (not the horizontal lining but the actual mesh)?

I thought I’d be done quickly but discovered that I had to place an order for missing hardware.

[MikeB]

My was silver from the factory.

Very old photo with original inner, newer outer.

[Luke87gt]

Thank you for confirming

I see that your horizontal trims looks silver too

[Rust_never_sleeps]

many threads on the 69 vs 70 grills. f'rinstance:
https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...d.php?t=803128