Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

I decided to change out a leaking front differential pinion seal on my Dana 44 axle.

Removed old pinion seal. Beat it up pretty bad getting it out.
Attachment 2019444

Pinion seal removed from front differential.
Attachment 2019445

This is the new SKF seal part number.
Attachment 2019446

New seal.
Attachment 2019447

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

I'm sorry but I haven't updated in a while. I've been jamming away at completing the truck, so I'll try to give some quick updates here.

I finished the installation of the front Dana 44 pinion seal and installed a new differential cover.

Attachment 2024624

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

I finished the routing of my heater hoses and AC lines. The AC lines, heater hoses and control valve are all going to be concealed inside the passenger fender.

Hoses will be hidden inside fender.
Attachment 2024631

All the lines come through the fresh air vent.
Attachment 2024632

Another picture of the routing
Attachment 2024633

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

I installed a new Skyjacker drop pitman arm and drag link.

New pitman arm and drag link installed.
Attachment 2024639

These are the parts for the drag link and sleeve.
Attachment 2024640

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

After I installed the drag link I wanted to try to adjust my steering. I also installed a new Redhead steering gear. I checked the number of turns from lock-to-lock in order to find dead center. I was able to center my steering wheel right on. Once I had the steering gear and steering wheel right in the middle, I wanted to make sure my front wheels were straight. I'm not sure if this is the proper way to adjust them, but it made sense to me.

First I placed a level tight against the wheel studs.
Attachment 2024641

Then I measured from the level to a point on the leaf spring toward the rear.
Attachment 2024642

I also measured from the level to a point on the leaf spring toward the front.
Attachment 2024643

I made adjustments from my tie rods to get both sides exactly the same. I think the reference measurement was 17-1/2" from the spring to the location on the level. Again, I'm not sure if this is the right way to do it, but it seemed to work.
Attachment 2024644

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

So here I got my interior just about finished. My Dakota Digital RTX gauges are installed. My Retro Sound Long Beach is installed. I installed my Ididit tilt column. The passenger side seat is installed, which tilts forward due to the Blazer brackets I put in.

Passenger seat tilts forward. Underneath is my PCM and relay/fuse box.
Attachment 2024648

RetroSound radio is installed. I used the cigarette lighter location for a USB and auxiliary port.
Attachment 2024649

Console is installed, Ididit column installed and Dakota Digital RTX gauges installed.
Attachment 2024650

Dakota Digital RTX gauges.
Attachment 2024651

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Here's a shot of work in progress. Some day I'll get back on my custom 71 SWB. For now I'm concentrating on finishing the Creamsicle. :metal:

Attachment 2024653

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Super work Dan.

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Looking real good!! Keep on going.......

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Strong work!

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Looking good!

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Sorry again for no updates in a while. A lot has been going on with the build. About a month ago I pretty much finished up everything and got the truck back together. I started to go through my fluid fills (coolant, oil, transmission, gearbox). A bought a knock-off vacuum fill kit, which is identical to the Astro Pneumatic 78585 kit, but for less than half the price. Since I've heard horror stories about air lock and overheating in these LS engines, I thought I would give this a try. The kit draws vacuum on the cooling system and pulls all the air out of it. It then draws the coolant from a holding bucket into the system, eliminating any air pockets.

Here is the vacuum kit hooked up to the coolant system.
Attachment 2032037


You use shop air to create a venturi effect to draw vacuum on the system.
Attachment 2032038


I drew the vacuum down to about 23 inches of mercury.
Attachment 2032039


It flattened my upper radiator hose except where I had the stainless steel tubing inside.
Attachment 2032040


The lower hose was flat as a pancake.
Attachment 2032041

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

I got all fluids in and had my first start up. It was a huge milestone, but wasn't without issues. The engine would run for a short period then start to run poorly and want to stall out. I posted a thread in the LS swap section to see if anyone else experienced issues like this. From what I can tell, it sounds like it might be due to the fact that my O2 sensors are right at the end of the header collectors, which are open to atmosphere with no exhaust system behind it. Hopefully once I get the exhaust system installed, the engine will run better. Here is the thread for those that are interested.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=806996

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

I was planning to send the truck out for my custom exhaust, when the roof caved in. I was noticing some transmission fluid on the floor, but didn't think too much of it. I thought maybe I had spilled some, or slightly overfilled it and it was coming out of the dipstick tube where it meets the transmission. I cleaned and wiped everything up, but later found more fluid. After looking closer with a light and inspection mirror, I couldn't believe my eyes... A crack in the transmission housing of my 4L60E. Damn!

The crack is located at the rear of the transmission on passenger side, just to the right.
Attachment 2032045


Here's a close up of the cracked housing.
Attachment 2032046


Another shot of it.
Attachment 2032047

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Luckily a neighbor of mine happened to have a tall transmission jack, which was perfect for using with my 13' high Bendpak lift. I dropped the transmission crossmember and left the transfer case hanging. I then pulled the transmission. Later I removed the transfer case.

Attachment 2032066


Transmission now removed.
Attachment 2032067


Another picture of the crack in the transmission.
Attachment 2032068


My transmission was originally built by Bowtie Overdrives. They agreed to pay to have the transmission sent back to their shop, rebuilt and sent back to me. They were super great people to work with. Everything was coordinated by Nikki, and she did a great job. Here is the transmission ready for pick up.
Attachment 2032069

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

I received the transmission back from Bowtie Overdrives on June 30th. Again I can't stress enough how great they were to work with. They turned around the rebuild in a matter of days. The longest part was shipping. About 8-days from Buffalo to California, and another 8-days back.

Transmission was received on June 30th
Attachment 2032073


I used my Bendpak lift with this homemade lifting device to get the transmission up on the transmission jack.
Attachment 2032074


I assembled the transmission, transfer case adapter and transfer case all together and lifted it onto the transmission jack. It was a real balancing act.
Attachment 2032075

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

By the 4th of July I had everything back together. It was a lot of work. I got the transmission back in, crossmember reinstalled, shift linkage back together, air intake reinstalled (had to remove to get into engine compartment to reach bellhousing bolts), both driveshafts installed and fluids filled. During this time I also removed and reinstalled my radiator and fans. I thought I had a leak in the radiator, but it urned out to be leaky hose connection.

All back together!!
Attachment 2032077


Attachment 2032078

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

So here we are on July 7th getting ready to send out for exhaust. A very talented fabricator is making me a polished stainless exhaust system out of 304 SS. He custom makes the exhaust system including his own hangers. While it's there I'm planning to inquire about some other custom touches.

Truck is loaded and ready to go.
Attachment 2032079


First time putting it up on my tilt trailer. I had to winch it up and the tires just fit between the trailer fenders.
Attachment 2032080


It was a beautiful, but hot day when I took it.
Attachment 2032081


Set to roll.
Attachment 2032082

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Nice work! That sure is a great looking truck. 02 sensors exposed will cause all kinds of fuel mixture problems, it will definitely be a big start in the right direction to getting it running right. It seems like you and I have similar luck, I once put a new engine in my 3100 only to start filling it up with antifreeze, and have a cracked freeze plug at the back of the block. Had to pull the transfer case and transmission to fix it. It definitely sucks when that kind of stuff happens. You over came it well though!

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Bummer about the cracked trans case. Good to hear they stood by it. My brother had a trans built by them quite a few years ago and they fixed some minor problems. Hope all is well when exhaust is installed.

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Thanks for the feedback. This kind of stuff never seems to go without some kind of issues. My wife actually motivated me to not give up. She told me I had no choice but to forge on and pull the transmission. I got right on it and here we are today. Hopefully there won't be too many more issues once I get it back. I'll try to be confident... but like I said, it's always something.

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Thanks. I hope so too. Fingers are crossed. :metal:

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Hang in there Dan. You have done a beautiful job on a tough project.

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Thanks Rick. I probably could've used your experience and expertise with some of this. You do awesome work.

Re: Creamsicle: My 70 K10 SWB is about to get sweeter
 

Keep going, youdoing great. Motivation is the hardest part. That's what we're here to help with......