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idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
2/4/21 12:09 p.m.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to idlook2 :

I've put a distributor in correctly, then got confused about the direction of rotation. blush

Where did you source the oil cooler lines?

Oil cooler lines were from Rockauto. Pretty cheap as well at around $25 each for GM genuine lines. 

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
2/4/21 12:12 p.m.
Crackers (Forum Supporter) said:

No fair starting with such a clean truck. LOL 

Can you call anything a restoration if you can tell what color the firewall is before you start?

I didn't see if you got the soft pedal fixed, but the primary soft pedal issue in these is the 30 year old rubber lines. Second is cheap or over turned drums that go oval under pressure. (Obviously I'm assuming theres no air in the system.)

I had the same thoughts as you regarding the brakes. I replaced the rear rubber line and everything in the rear brake assembly (drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, and hardware). My combination valve just came back from a rebuild, the original was leaking out of the metering valve and the replacement was leaking out of the electrical connector. Hopefully this rebuilt valve is leak free! I'm pretty hopeful it will solve my soft brake pedal. 

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
2/6/21 2:30 p.m.

Timing light arrived and I got the timing set. Engine sounds good, no more smoke at startup, and so far no leaks!! 

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/-kt2LpVDvLc

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
2/20/21 7:00 p.m.

Back to work on the truck! I replaced the steering shaft rag joint last night. Hopefully the steering will be tighter when I get it all put back together!


YouTube video: https://youtu.be/uITkNkFmlAk

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
2/28/21 7:34 p.m.

While I had the steering shaft out to replace the rag joint, I noticed the lower steering column bearing had quite a bit of movement. This does not seem to be a super common repair but I imagine it will help a little bit with the loose steering that so many people talk about in these trucks. Enjoy the video!


YouTube video: https://youtu.be/ChaZYKNqW5I

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
3/6/21 6:44 p.m.

Installed a new transmission pan, gasket, and filter!


YouTube video: https://youtu.be/u3zze9Q3DYU

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
3/14/21 7:50 p.m.

Starting work on the front suspension and pulled the torsion bars with only a little bit of hammering!

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/EIttcUtgGKM

solfly
solfly Dork
3/18/21 12:33 p.m.

Nice truck! Following. We've got quite a collection of GMT400s on here!

solfly
solfly Dork
3/18/21 12:34 p.m.
idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
3/22/21 7:35 p.m.

I was dreading removing the sway bar end links but it actually went much smoother than I expected. Control arms are next!


YouTube video: https://youtu.be/2EPz9tGLYeQ

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter)
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UberDork
3/22/21 7:40 p.m.

I need to emulate 90% of the work you've done on my own truck.  

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
3/22/21 7:47 p.m.
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) said:

I need to emulate 90% of the work you've done on my own truck.  

Well hopefully the videos are somewhat useful for you! I have some project creep going on, but I'm trying to keep it to only the broken, leaking, or worn out stuff. 

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
3/28/21 4:42 p.m.

Control arms are out. Just need to get the lower ball joint rivets knocked out and everything cleaned up so that I can get started on the front end rebuild.


YouTube video:

https://youtu.be/2orfnPocqm8

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
4/4/21 4:40 p.m.

I tackled everyone’s favorite job, removing the lower ball joints that are riveted in place. Made a video showing the best way that I could find to remove them which included a drill, hammer, and an air chisel! 

Remains of the rivets:

 

YouTube video:

https://youtu.be/Q97TVSpFQ8s

759NRNG (Forum Partidario)
759NRNG (Forum Partidario) UberDork
4/4/21 7:18 p.m.

Dude......this is my Haynes/ALLDATADIY GRM shop manual...thank you from a 91 ECSB 5spd manual owner with 371+k miles!!!!

Will there be any future updates like you did in page 1, or is this just a thread to update your Youtube traffic now ?

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
4/5/21 8:21 a.m.
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) said:

Will there be any future updates like you did in page 1, or is this just a thread to update your Youtube traffic now ?

I plan to keep the thread a mix of pictures and videos. I'm working on cleaning up the front part of the frame right now before installing the new front suspension components. I plan on posting some pictures of that project once I've got it painted (no video). 

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
4/21/21 10:04 p.m.

A few weeks ago I replaced the transmission pan gasket hoping that was the source of my transmission fluid leak. Unfortunately, the transmission would still leak after sitting for a day. I talked to the local transmission shop and was told this is most likely the front pump o-ring. Out came the transmission to get this fixed! I’m going to have the local transmission shop do the work but was able to pull it myself. 

Transmission and transfer case removed:


Hauling the transmission in the trunk of my car, I was surprised that it fit!



YouTube video on the transmission removal:

https://youtu.be/lZinaPrRoTw

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
5/18/21 7:10 a.m.

With the transmission out I decided to go ahead and replace the rear main seal. The transmission is back from the shop and should be going back in soon. 


YouTube video: https://youtu.be/nSHNME2ZuFI

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
7/27/21 3:19 p.m.

The transmission is back in! The only tricky part was the adjustment of the TV cable. I was able to start the truck and it appears to be leak free. Also serviced the rear differential while I waited on a few parts for the front suspension. The next project will be to get the front suspension back together. I'm ready to drive the truck again!

Youtube videos:

https://youtu.be/WS9ZW8JB7Js

https://youtu.be/jfodfaLR3hs

Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter)
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) Dork
7/28/21 6:14 a.m.

I remember when forum boards were about content and dialog between members and not used simply to drive traffic to someone's Youtube page. 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
7/28/21 7:51 a.m.
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) said:

I remember when forum boards were about content and dialog between members and not used simply to drive traffic to someone's Youtube page. 

Agreed. Ill enlarge all sorts of pictures, read an update twice, learn something or offer suggestions, and generally enjoy a build thread. I will generally never click a project update link to video. 

Op: did you go back with the stock trans, or upgrade to the 4l80e? I love my trans upgrade. Especially for towing the race car. 

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
10/25/21 1:10 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

I went back with the stock 700R4. Did a few of the standard "while you are in there" upgrades (hardened sun shell, corvette servo). Also added a deep sump oil pan.

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
10/25/21 1:27 p.m.

In reply to Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) :

I am happy to have a dialogue with members on this forum and I will continue to document my build here. I also enjoy YouTube videos and starting filming my projects. Try watching one, you might actually like it! :)

idlook2
idlook2 New Reader
10/25/21 1:30 p.m.

It's been a while since I posted an update, so here it is... the front end rebuild is complete! This took much longer than expected, mainly due to me being a perfectionist and wanting to clean and paint the frame while everything was apart. A note to anyone else trying this, the lower control arm bushings are VERY hard to replace. I ended up buying a second set of control arms after a local shop bent my original control arms trying to press in new bushings. The tangs that support the bushings are very thin and you need to build a jig to support them when pushing in the new bushings.

As far as suspension parts, I mostly went with the Mevotech TTX line. I think it came together really nice. Finished it off with a set of Bilstein shocks and Cunningham Machine tie rod sleeves.
 

 

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/VQ6Y5VoUQBw

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