71 4x4 BBC Swap: Doing what I should have done the first time!

[chevy71super]

Please include sound!

[Yukon Jack]

Congrats - can't beat the first drive after a long project!

[Chevy1TonFun]

So after driving some more. I found that the trans may not be working right. It doesn't shift. Yesterday I only drove it around the block, so never went over 25mph. I'm going to drive some more tomorrow and do some trouble shooting. Any ideas what it could be. Its a newly rebuilt performance turbo 400.

[Chevy1TonFun]

As promise here is the video of my truck running. As for an update, the brand new torque converter was setup up wrong as the shop. So, I had to send it back to the guy to fix. Hope to have it back in two weeks.

YouTube- 71 Chevy BBC Running.MOV

[mstrav1973]

I'm digin it!!! looks like she might be ready to hit the drags in Pismo? keep at it, your on the home stretch. Are you doing paint this time around or just motor and running gear?

Matt

[Chevy1TonFun]

I'm going to be working on the body and paint next. Hopefully done by the end of summer

[Chevy1TonFun]

My transmission guy told me that the torque converter should be here Tuesday. She should be on the road after the fourth. I'll have another video for you all real soon. Thanks for the comments.

[Chevy1TonFun]

I finished the transmission yesterday. I drove her around today. So got work out some kinks. Besides it overheating in 115 degree weather and a minor oil leak she is done.

[Yukon Jack]

Nice to have the transmission issues behind you!

[Chevy1TonFun]

Not out of the woods yet boys. She is still over heating. I picked up a new radiator from a buddy and added another fan. I should be installing that today. Other than than just cleaning the little bit of wiring in the engine bay. Found out the oil leak is coming from the passenger breather and maybe the valve cover.

I also swapped my Dana 70HD for my buddies D70HD. I loss my posi for now, but grained 4.56 gears and the D70HD housing that I like better. I'll get pics up soon.

Last question for this post: Would installing my Wheel wells help my cooling issues?

[My72BB]

Couple of things you might want to look at...

I am just going from my background of having a Big Block in a 72 so if you have done things on the list just disregard...

1. Factory style 7 blade fan is a must!

2. Factory style heavy duty clutch fan...This is the most overlooked part of the cooling system ESPECIALLY THE BIG BLOCK MOTORS!!! This is a must on a big block. If you get one from auto zone be sure it is for a factory big block...I got one for a 73 and up 454 in a 1 ton with A/C. These are the thick fan clutches (1" thick) and really are different than what Auto Zone or Orielly calls "heavy duty". Look for one that is meant for a motorhome as well as it will be the correct fan clutch.

3. Fan shroud is a must...I do not believe inner fender wells will effect cooling or lack of cooling either installed or not.

4. Check your timing...

5. You said you had a 4 core radiator...make sure it is cleaned out and not plugged or pinched off anywhere.

6. 180 degree thermostat.

Without A/C on you should be able to idle all day in 100 degree weather and never get hot. When traveling down the road with all of the above...even towing with heavy loads in 100 degree weather you should have no issues...I grew up in Tucson, AZ and my big block had issues until I did the above.

FYI...With the heavy duty fan clutch you will notice that when temp starts rising the fan noise will be very very very loud...How loud...? It sounds like you are trying to suck something thru the grill...This is good and you also have no doubt that it is performing like it was designed.

A electric fan is great but not required with the heavy duty fan clutch and shroud...

Another thing to look at on you swap is most small block applications did not have a return line on the fuel pump back to the tank in 71. Unless you like the vapor locking experience you will need to install a return line back to the tank and a fuel pump with return capabilties.

Good luck on you project and hope this helps...

Alan

[Chevy1TonFun]

I appreciate your advise. I have a few problems though. First I have to get a serpentine belt pulley kit. My 2" cog belt installed leaves me a 2-3 inch gap between the radiator and pulley. Second, is I have a 3" body lift to a fan shroud won't work unless I cut out the bottom. Third, I hate clutch fans as efficient as they may be, they are HP thiefs and can't stand the noise they make. I know it can be accomplished with electric fans. I just have to save the $$. Again thanks for the input.

[72chevyk10]

i dont have a return line on my 454 and i dont have vapor lock problems.

[My72BB]

Not mandatory to have return line on big blocks but if you live in the desert it really makes life easier...trust me...been down this road many times. I would suspect in Spokan, WA it doesnt get to 115 degrees very much???

FYI...All big blocks from at least 69 and up both car and truck came with return lines and usually larger 3/8" steel main line...There is a heat difference between the mouse motors and the rats...

[72chevyk10]

yea thats true.. i wasnt thinkin about locations lol

[Chevy1TonFun]

I am almost there! I got a new radiator and adjusted the fan layout and on my way to fixing the overheating problem. I need to bring her down about 15 degrees and I've got it. Next the think the trans might be getting a little hot as well. I may just run the lines thru the rad and then to my additional cooler. I thing at a time. Oh and I got my exhaust reran. Gary's Muffler did another amazing job! I'll upload the pics later. Also I might have an high performance water pump on the way. Thoughts on HP water pump and the overheating problem?

[Chevy1TonFun]

..

[oldiron]

Originally Posted by Ridin' High

..

Editing a response from one of the staff just earned you a vacation.
DO NOT DO THIS AGAIN!!!!

[Chevy1TonFun]

So a guy cannot get a break. I was having oil pressure issues. After the motor was warmed up the oil pressure would drop to near zero. So I pulled the pan to find the worst! The crank is all chewed up. The bearings were down to the copper layer. I need some expertise. The motor has less than 300 miles. The guy who built the motor said "Wow someone got that motor Hot!" after seeing one of the main cap bearings. I had a few of the guys at the base say that it sounded like bad bearing clearance and that they ordered the wrong bearings. So who is right?

[motormilitia]

Was it the main or rod bearings? .. Or both?

[Chevy1TonFun]

The mains and rod bears were shot. The cam bearings look perfect.

[Chevy1TonFun]

So I finally found some time to work on the truck. I dropped the block and internals off at a different machine shop with a good reputation. After the owner examined the block he thinks the bearing clearance was too tight. He was sad to hear that the motor had less than 300 mies on it. He is charging me a little under $500 to clean, machine, and assemble the short block. He is also giving me all the parts at cost. So around $750 for me to put my motor back in the truck.

[Burt4x4]

Wow, that sucks for the re-do...but sounds like yer on your way too gettin it done right! Good Luck

[Chevy1TonFun]

We are almost back in business. I got the motor back on Thursday. I have been non stop with any free time I can find to work on the motor. As of today, the motor is almost ready to go back into the truck. I am waiting on the oil pan, which I will pick up from the powder coaters tomorrow. I am hoping to have the motor running by Tuesday. Cross your fingers for me. Got to get her done. She is going to Pismo for the 4th!

[Chevy1TonFun]

I was able to finish getting the motor in the truck and started today. I ran into a few set backs before pismo and decided that it will have to wait until I get back. I hope to have her back on the road by the end of the week.