Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Ya I agree. Reading all the great threads helps get motivated.

haha, no I didn't make an extra one. But really it was fairly simple.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Nice work on your engine cross member! That's how I decided to do the one in my 76. We'll be getting our loaner engine back in a few weeks and then it's going in the 76. Keep up the great work!

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Thanks for the feedback on the xmember.
I hope you are able to start working on your 76 again. I really enjoyed following your thread on that one.

Hopefully this heat wave crap will let up and I can get more work done in the garage. I really can't wait to get this truck into a roller and get the engine fired up!

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

x2 Too hot to do much, so I have been hunting down parts

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Looks like the weather has cooled down some for this weekend. Hopefully means more work down on all our trucks!
I picked up some Grade 8 hardware at bolts plus for my engine cross member.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9770422e.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psc21eb624.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psc7cf6e62.jpg

Question for you all, I have allot of new hardware to buy for this project obviously. Is this a reasonable price I paid or is there some better place to pick up large orders?

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Have you tried Brafasco ? Im not sure how the prices campare

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

I get them at tractor supply for about $3.00 a pound. Grade 5 for $2.30 a pound.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

thats a good lookin helper youve got there!!

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Usually I go into a local tractor supply store and buy about $40-$50 worth and when it gets low, I go back. :lol: Hardware isn't cheap when you're going grade 8 and get 10lbs or more at a time.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Thanks everyone for the reply's on the bolts. I have bought some hardware at TSC stores and they didn't sell grade 8 by the pound. Only in special individual bags. That was how I bought the new 9/16 bolts for my new springs. Very expensive. They do sell grade 5 by the pound though. I'll keep looking around here, but for now the Bolts plus+ place was alright.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

So now that I got my pictures up-loaded, time for an update from the past several days! I got a good 2 coats of POR15 on my new engine cross member after sanding it all down with a 60 grit flap disk.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps10db2eb6.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps02e3d346.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8eccd23d.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psfdfc8904.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2ff1edad.jpg

I think it turned out alright. Next time I would rather use a good saw and angle finder to make perfect cuts. The seams and welds would look better, even though it is under the truck you can see it real good behind the tire in the wheel well.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

So tonight I got the cross member all bolted in place with the 20 new grade 8 bolts. Used some blue thread locker and torque wrenched them down. This thing is super solid now!

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...pse2161106.jpg

I also bolted the front springs onto the frame for the final time.
NOTE: The stock spring shackles are temporary. I will make a new set at least 1" longer and will be 1/2" wider and made out of 3/8" material. I may wait until I see the ride height before I do though.
So next I started to install the front Axel.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps386ce264.jpg

I use the engine hoist for just about everything.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps61d6ff31.jpg

Just have to keep fishing it into place by unhooking and hooking back up again.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps699bd36b.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...pse66a81dd.jpg

Then just lift it up into place. Line up one side first then the other.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2569a586.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps68d83f75.jpg

Then just draw it up tight against both pins.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2ccca9c8.jpg

I pulled it up tight until the frame started to lift off the saw horse at the front. Then started bolting on the new U bolts.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps982b64eb.jpg

I lined it up best I could and just did about half torque for now until I get all the weight on the springs. Then I installed a second nut to make the spot to cut off the excess bolts as they are too long for me.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6e7f7ead.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psaaab4d2f.jpg

All 8 cut off and sanded down.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps46507105.jpg

Now just a few pics of the cross member and front Axel installed for I hope the last time!

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...pseda1a259.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psb076aebe.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9279152a.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps076bb4bc.jpg

Now I can install the engine for the last time, get the hubs, brakes and tires on and I have myself a roller real soon. ( I hope ) Can't wait to fire this thing up!!

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

It looks really nice!

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Now I am starting to get excited!:lol:

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

well, it sure is a lot prettier than mine is at this point.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Haha, Thanks Guys! It's slowly coming together. Just keep plugging away at alittle at a time.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Wow, time for an update....
I got the rear 14 bolt put together just enough to get the wheels back on it. I need to turn the drums but have decided to hold off because they will just rust up. I'll do it after this winter when the project will be closer to finished.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5a3179af.jpg

Just need to seal the axle shafts and diff cover, then fill. Oh ya and run the new lines.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7986842d.jpg

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Then I installed the engine for the last time ( I hope ) into the frame. Checked final clearance to the front balancer and oil pan to crossmembers. I think they turned out alright for my first time !:lol:

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps64a66fda.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1389e66b.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psfb55642d.jpg

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

I also got the injection lines painted up as well as the oem fuel filter canister.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psc4f411a6.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps22ff7067.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psfb7798c4.jpg

The next few weeks I hope to have it on 4 wheels and fuel system finished, pickup all the filters and oil etc. then fire this thing up for the first time in almost a year.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Looking good man! I don't see one and I don't remember if you said anything about one, but do you plan on installing a steering box brace on the frame? If not, I'd really consider it as these frames love to crack there and the added weight with the big tires will really progress that wek spot. On your fuel filter housing, those are a nice piece but really suck to replace the filter in a dodge. :lol:

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Thanks for the compliment. I too think it is starting to look good. It is nice to get most of the dirty work finished and start putting things back together and start taking shape. I know about and have thought about the steering brace several times. I checked this area when I bought it and when I removed the box and there is no signs of any stress or cracking as of yet. This truck was run kinda hard with 35's for awhile off-road before I got it. I might just leave it be and call it a test to see how it does. This project has been a learning curve for all the pro's and con's for when I build the next one. This one might just be a training project :lol:
As for the filter housing, I like them better than the older spin on's. I had no problem changing on the Dodge. Should be just about the same in the Chev. Might not be there long as I might "upgrade" the hole low pressure side.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

I would get the steering brace. It's only a half ton frame and a ton of them get cracked just driving around the steets. The extra weight of the drive train is going to add a little more stress to the steering. I would get one and install it and you won't have to worry about it. If it does crack your going to have to drill the ends of the cracks, grind the cracks out some and then weld it all back up grind it smooth and have to install a brace anyway.
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Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Well time for an update. Been longer than I thought. Between having some summer holidays the first week of August and building us a 10X10 "Garden Shed" there hasn't been as much time on the truck as I would like. Nothing fancy, just some extra space to clear up much needed space in the main Garage!
http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psab793c1f.jpg

Still needs a bit of trim work and paint in the next few weeks, but turned out good.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

Been shopping on Kijiji as I always do. Got a line on several things and found a brand new front tint windshield. Going to go get that one this week. Also I found this, kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-auto-parts-tires-transmission-drive-train-77-chev-dana-60-front-axle. with 4.10's. I wish I was ready to start stocking parts for my next project, but have to pass on this. Just thought I'd share.

Re: 86 Silverado K20 12V CUMMINS Build
 

So the truck is now rolling on it's own 4 wheels. 4 brand new ball joints and new high lift steering arm installed.
http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6c4b5ebd.jpg
Just stuck the old rims and hubs/breaks on for now until I get it closer to finished. Pushed it outside to "Bake" in the sun and take a few pics outside.

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps56ec8b4b.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...psd656cb3a.jpg

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/...ps01f01ef6.jpg

It is getting closer. Next will be fuel tank and plumbing then repair and install cab mounts.