Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Cool. Do you know when the g80s improved? Also has anyone been able to harvest the perches and reuse them without destroying them or the axle? In the past, I hhaven't been able to save both but maybe a clean torch tip would allow it but I'd be nervous operating that close to the axle tube. Got a good source for heavy duty perches that fit these sumo:sumo: axles?

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

The 11.5 AAM has the different limited slip. As for the perches, ditch the stock crap. I know it's a more abusive environment, but the government trucks in our fleet needed the perches built up from wear. They are rounded on the edoes and allow for more movement. I wasn't happy with the aftermarket ones my brother bought either. I would have rather made my own. I'll be running a ladder bar setup on his for added strength

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

I'd run the 3.73 14 bolt. You'll be over all more happy with it I think. I have reused cast spring perches that were in good shape. You can get new ones for a reasonabl;e price from Diy4x4.com.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Got the forklift done, and tested it out for the last couple weeks. Lifted a 30' tower, a duramax and ally assembly, and 2500hd frame. Also Jmader (Jeremy) stopped by on Sat to pick up his 67 K10 I had and drop off a cab and a parts 305 V6. He was kind enough to have both on pallets so unloading was a snap with this forklift! I really like it, turned out like i wanted, no doubt CAD helped get it right the first time.

Getting used to this miller 252, I am liking it more now.

I decided to add a couple more hooks, chain ties, and a receiver mount and paint it. I have a receiver mount vise and it will be handy for moving trailers too.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Cool!!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

That turned out really nice! Great work.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Thanks guys, it feels good to actually finish something, wish I was better at that with my vehicles!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Trans is out. Finished parting the dmax truck, now have a little extra cash, a 3.73 G80 disc rear and some new 285 rubber. Looking at this allison here, tempted to make it work but the thing is frickin huge, about the size of a sbc! Think i'll stick with the g360 since I don't want to lift the body or buy a $tandalone alli$on controller. Too bad eaton ho52's don't have 3.73 ratios, i guess i have to live with this 600 lb monster 11.5 ;)

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Do you guys know the service life of the 11.5's with G80's? Assume it has towed intermittently, not heavy loads all the time.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Looking at upgrading the turbo and piping since you guys are telling me i should to meet my towing goals.

I got some quick prices from a guy I know here in MN, are these good items and prices?
Hx35 good used- 350 (btw, what years used these?)
downpipe exhaust- 20
cold elbow and IC plumbing from 96ish- 160

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

I think my 2005 dodge has a 11.5 in it very similar to the gm one you now have. It got a gear set under warranty at 40'000 I'm. It just recently broke at 390,000 km. turns out was just a axle that broke tho. Gears were still great and re used. Truck tows 20,000 lbs weekly and 10,000 almost daily. I'd have to say the service life is quite acceptable.

Keep up the great work. Cummins powered Chevys are hard to beat !!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

$350 is a little high, unless it is really nice. No shaft play and not real rusty. HX35W's were used from 95-02. Some 24v non ho trucks had HY35's, and the 94's had a H1CW. You can get a he351cw for $350. The he turbo is from an 04.5-07 5.9cr and will make a little more power and will spool a little sooner because they have a tighter exhaust housing. 9cm on the he351cw compared to the 12cm on most hx35w's.

The down pipe seems cheap, the IC piping and elbow, I'd buy elbows and build it myself before I spent that much on the stock stuff. The upper horn is usually $50 used. A bead roller, some 45* and 90* 3" elbows, a welder, and you're in business.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Good thing you said this Ryan. I was going to buy an HX35 for 360. The only thing that stopped me was this post!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

That's a badass crew Vintage Windmills. Keep up the sweet work!

I hear ya about how hard it is to pass up an old truck lol.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Good to hear on the rear, although thats 240k, you work it more than many, certainly more than my application!

Good info Ryan. How are you coming on working up the cummins parts list for me? Almost done with the engine stand ;)

I really need to banned from craigslist, too much temptation for trucks that can be saved/converted!!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Get an HE351CW. They can support more horse power than an HX35 and spool just as fast if not faster.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Jud, I'll try to have it done before Friday. PM me your email addy please.

HE351's can run higher egt's than a HX35w too due to the smaller exhaust housing.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Been real busy at work and restoring wood windmills lately. Finally getting back to this thing, I really want to get the head off and see if I should just fully rebuild it as long as its out.

I did get my engine stand all done! I like it. Doing the stress and deflection calculations and CAD paid off. I will still proof load it with another 750 lbs just to make sure the welds are strong since I am still new to my MIG welder. That will take a bit to rig up so if something gives it still chained to a structure for the testing.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Been playing with the engine stand, it works really well and is solid. There's just the right amount of friction in the headstock so it never takes up the slack in the coupler as you go over center of gravity.

The chain coupler is a slick way to couple things and keep from overconstraining things and loading up shafts just as things are bolted together. Its a common machine drive trick. Makes service a snap too. I do need to tighten up the taper lock on the gearbox shaft since it isn't gripping the shaft tight enough to overcome the torque and the key is taking out the slack by itself.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

that is a sweet coupler. nice stand!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Well I'm overdue for an update. Hope you all have had a great summer. I have been swamped at work, at with remodeling projects and windmill projects. Since I'm so busy I had Ryan (dieselwrencher) take the engine a month ago. He is going to open it up and help me determine if we should rebuild it or just regasket and make the appropriate fuel and air system mods. Any update on that Ryan?

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

I have removed the injectors and exhaust manifold. I have to finish the comp check and then I will yank the head to give you the report. Hopefully I will be calling you Sunday Jud.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Ryan, sounds good keep me posted, hope you had a good holiday weekend!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Subscribed !

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

What ever happened on this build?

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Life happened. I am back on the forum now. Awhile back Ryan (dieselwrencher) rebuilt a sweet engine for me that should perform really well for this application. The one I had internal damage and cracked head. Starting to think about this one again, I don't want the engine to sit too long. Busy with my ochre K20 though at the moment.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Hi. we have 2 single wheel K 30s in the family so I'm watching your build, but for right now I'm wondering if you know where theres a 16 foot wheel and tail for Aermotor. Found the head in New Mexico, we already have 8 ft but this 16 ft is huge.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Cool! I don't see many SRW K30's, you are fortunate to have a couple.

As for the Aermotor, the wheel and tail won't be cheap for that size of mill but I can give you some names to check with, shoot me a PM. The 16 footers are massive machinery. Did you know they made a 20 ft?! Those are monsters too.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Hi all, I got some other projects out of the way and the shop cleaned. That said, after a 4 year hiatus I pulled the truck into the shop and am entering the engine install phase!!

Anyone still subscribed out there? Seems pretty quiet around these parts of the forum lately.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Pics. Picked up a used 2 ton hoist off Craigs. Cut the engine x member carefully and now it looks like I need to cut the one just behind the core support. Hoping to get by without a lift, but just a set of Airlift airbags on front axle. Rear already has Airlift. I just don't want a tall tow rig and it sits fairly high already with the tall 1 ton frame and 285/75/16's I'm planning on.

Wheels on engine hoist are crap, need to upgrade them before I do much more. Have to kick it side to side or put a pliers on them to get them to swivel.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Well that is one way to stab a motor. keep us posted. :metal::metal::metal:

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

You have mounts that let it go diecctly on to the Factory crossmember ? I do t know if I have seen that . Keep us in the loop now that your moving fwd. if you have a few cool windmill pics thro one or two up. I'd love to have a nice old one around the farm. I bet there not too easy to come by these days .

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Thanks, will do. Core support was junk anyways and this allows me to mock up fits without fighting it;)

One option uses upgraded BBC style mounts with the crossmember dropped a few inches. Below is a pic of that mount.

Also a pic of the other way I'm tempted to go which is a fluid mount that the 4BT guys like for its smoothness. I'm not sure if just one per side will take the torque of my 6BT but I could do 2 per side maybe.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Did you decide against building your own cross member? I'd go with the poly clam shells over those fluid filled ones IMO. You could do 2 per side but if you're going to do that, why not use a t bushing and DOM and build your own?

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Hi Ryan, glad you dropped in. Haven't given up on building my own xmember. I really just need to position it where I want it to clear trans tunnel and rear rocker cover to firewall and see where things sit. I just don't want to lift it more than Airlift system can do. Are you aware of any Tbushings that are fluid filled? Just hoping to get the advantage of hydraulic damping to take some vibration out.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Jud, I don't know of any liquid filled t bushings. I have auto world's poly first gen mounts in my 72 and I have no complaints with them. I don't feel they allow the engine to vibrate much at all. In fact they feel better than the oem 2nd gen ones. They are far superior than a rubber first gen bushing.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Got the trans/tcase/gearvendors fitted in. I have the engine at 4 degrees (front higher than rear) and the rear pinion angle is about 4.5 so its pretty close. Its all shoehorned it but I think there is enough clearance for everything, but top two tranny bolts will be a pain unless I can drop the tranny crossmember and count on the engine mounts flexing a little...

I need to figure out where to mount the AC compressor, the low position beneath the water inlet won't clear the frame and crossmembers since my engine needs to be low in the frame. I was reading that one from freightliner application may work but need to find where to purchase but need to first confirm it will work.

As for the radiator to engine - with the BBC 3 core rad in factor position, there is 3 inches to the tip of the threaded shaft where the mech fan would mount. I don't have a mech fan handy to measure, can someone tell me if that would fit? I'm betting no and that I need to run efans. Probably good anyways since this truck won't be used in town or traffic much. Mainly a highway truck and highway tow rig.

I am fighting to log into the site on my iphone, I don't think there is an app for this site? apparently Safari doesn't work with the site.. So its a pain to get photos on
here.

Ryan, good to hear the poly 1st gen ones aren't too bad. Trying to see if they'll sell me just the isolators. Do you have just two isolators under your engine or 2 per side? They are saying a quad mount is recommended for 400+ HP.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Glad to see your project is moving along again. Been following this one for a long time. Nice truck and that engine stand is amazing!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Thanks! Glad to know more people look at this and its more than a notebook for a couple of us!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Here is the engine sitting approximately where I want it. Trans is only 1/2" from tunnel in a few spots!

I am fighting the turbo drain tube, its right where I want the mount....

Tranny was a remain and it looks really great inside but I'm not a trans expert. I'll try to get more closeups for you guys. I don't think i need to touch it - drove well in the old crusty dodge. Anyone able to decipher a date code from it?