57 GMC, frame swap, 4wd, 454 big block, 4 speed

[Purcell69]

Great work! That big block will love the overdrive and with the torque it makes, you really won't notice a reduction in power, just lower RPM at highway speed.

-Joe

[Old57]

Originally Posted by Purcell69

Great work! That big block will love the overdrive and with the torque it makes, you really won't notice a reduction in power, just lower RPM at highway speed.

-Joe

Thanks! Yes, it has plenty of torque and definitely has no problem at cruising at 70. I'm hoping to get the axle shims changed today to see if that fixes the driveline vibration on the highway.

[Purcell69]

Originally Posted by Old57

Thanks! Yes, it has plenty of torque and definitely has no problem at cruising at 70. I'm hoping to get the axle shims changed today to see if that fixes the driveline vibration on the highway.

Here's hoping! I think you are right about the vibration at speed. Getting the pinion/driveline angles right should fix it.

My new radiator arrived yesterday. I'm switching to all aluminum with a built in trans cooler rather than monkey around anymore with the Cummins trans cooler. Also, FedEx delivered some new rear tires today, so at least all four will be the same size now. I just need a nice day off to install some goodies.

I didn't give it any thought, since I'm sitting on a stock suspension, but I probably need to double check mine, since I moved the engine back 3".

-Joe

[Old57]

Originally Posted by Purcell69

Here's hoping! I think you are right about the vibration at speed. Getting the pinion/driveline angles right should fix it.

My new radiator arrived yesterday. I'm switching to all aluminum with a built in trans cooler rather than monkey around anymore with the Cummins trans cooler. Also, FedEx delivered some new rear tires today, so at least all four will be the same size now. I just need a nice day off to install some goodies.

I didn't give it any thought, since I'm sitting on a stock suspension, but I probably need to double check mine, since I moved the engine back 3".

-Joe

I just saw your new parts on your thread, looking good. I got the pinion angle adjusted on mine, but I haven't had it back out to see if it fixed the vibration yet... between ice, snow, rain, and salt on the roads, it's keeping my truck shut up in the shop.

[Purcell69]

Originally Posted by Old57

I just saw your new parts on your thread, looking good. I got the pinion angle adjusted on mine, but I haven't had it back out to see if it fixed the vibration yet... between ice, snow, rain, and salt on the roads, it's keeping my truck shut up in the shop.

I don’t blame you for waiting. I wouldn’t want my truck out in the salt and ice either. Aside from any potential rust issues down the road, there is always that “other driver” that has no business diving in winter weather.

Best to wait it out to enjoy the fruit of your labor.

-Joe

[mongocanfly]

(Coolest truck at the dump)..... I like that....nice...how are you liking the nv?...

[Old57]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

(Coolest truck at the dump)..... I like that....nice...how are you liking the nv?...

The NV is great, I'm really glad I swapped it in. It shifts so much better than the SM465, and the 5th gear is a big improvement. It's nice to be able to cruise on the highway when I want to.

[joedoh]

I see you visited Mt Wichita! highest point in sedgwick county, surprised the rich folks havent built houses on it yet.

truck looks amazing! especially working.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I see you visited Mt Wichita! highest point in sedgwick county, surprised the rich folks havent built houses on it yet.

truck looks amazing! especially working.

Haha, yep! I always wonder how bad the ground contamination is around there from the old landfill, and then these multi-million dollar homes are popping up all around it. I'm sure one of these days there will be something built right on "trash mountain"

Hey, while I'm replying to you... we picked up a 98 S10 Blazer for our 15 year old. It ran and drove pretty good, then sat for about a month. We started it today to take it for a drive, and it doesn't want to shift out of 1st gear now. The fluid is good, and it all of the sudden did this after sitting a month. It has the 4.3, and 4wd. I may try to drop the pan and check the filter and valve body, but if I have to swap in a transmission, I may be on the hunt for a good used one.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Old57

Haha, yep! I always wonder how bad the ground contamination is around there from the old landfill, and then these multi-million dollar homes are popping up all around it. I'm sure one of these days there will be something built right on "trash mountain"

Hey, while I'm replying to you... we picked up a 98 S10 Blazer for our 15 year old. It ran and drove pretty good, then sat for about a month. We started it today to take it for a drive, and it doesn't want to shift out of 1st gear now. The fluid is good, and it all of the sudden did this after sitting a month. It has the 4.3, and 4wd. I may try to drop the pan and check the filter and valve body, but if I have to swap in a transmission, I may be on the hunt for a good used one.

you see the evergreens they plant around the base of the mountain? word is that if there is a pocket of methane leaking from decomp the evergreen will turn brown!

I am not a big fan of "all of the sudden" problems with a trans. make sure the fluid is topped up, sounds like its low. on an s10 the cooler is much higher than the trans level so when its not warmed up the fluid level will LOOK high or even dead on, but you have to warm it up and then you can see if its low. check while running, engine at temp.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by joedoh

you see the evergreens they plant around the base of the mountain? word is that if there is a pocket of methane leaking from decomp the evergreen will turn brown!

I am not a big fan of "all of the sudden" problems with a trans. make sure the fluid is topped up, sounds like its low. on an s10 the cooler is much higher than the trans level so when its not warmed up the fluid level will LOOK high or even dead on, but you have to warm it up and then you can see if its low. check while running, engine at temp.

Yep, theres the trees and looks like some pipes or vents of some sort. I imagine that ground is really bad under that fill dirt!

I warmed it up and drove it up and down the street a bit and checked it when it was warm and in park like it should be. Cycled through all the gears on the shifter too. It's weird that it was working perfect, then does this after being parked a month. I'll see what it looks like in the pan and the valve body, but I bet I'll be sticking another transmission in it...

[joedoh]

if the indicator on the dash is indicating the right gear and you didnt do something obvious like push the 4LO button on the transfer case switches (which would make it feel like first gear all week), and the valve body isnt plugged, then I bet you will be pulling the trans too.

if you have to pull it, dont swear for like a week beforehand so as to save up all the good ones you will need. those top trans bolts on a 4x4 S10, holy geeze, they are rage inducing. my advice is to either cut a flap in the firewall or get those extra long ratcheting wrenches with the flex ends. I changed an engine in a 4x4 blazer, actually removed it from a wrecked 4x4 for my 2wd, I cut the windshield posts and across the floor and leaned the firewall back to avoid the pain. not kidding! you will need a super long 1/2 extension to take the torque converter bolts out from through the core support after removing the starter.

[OutlawDrifter]

Glad you're out driving it! I actually used my '49 on Sunday to get groceries, it was nice to blow the dust off!

[Old57]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

Glad you're out driving it! I actually used my '49 on Sunday to get groceries, it was nice to blow the dust off!

Yes, and it's nice that winter seems to be letting go so we can get the trucks out and drive them!

[OutlawDrifter]

Great Scott! 1.21 gigawatts?!

[mongocanfly]

A buddy of mine just had the exact issue with poly mounts....

[mongocanfly]

Looking good!...

[71'tahoe]

Wow! What an amazing ans inspiring build! It took me 2 days of on and off reading to go through this whole thread! Thanks for all the information. I will be looking into the Kugel Komponents pedal set up as well as the New Port Engineering wiper kit for my 58' truck.
I have been wanting to start another project with a 56' cab I have and build a 4x4 but use a utility bed so I can have a service truck for my my farm/transportation business'.

A couple questions for you. Where did you purchase the Aviation primer? Is it more durable than automotive primer? I've been painting for several years and have never thought of aviation primers.

[Old57]

Thanks! The Kugel pedal assembly worked out great and I'm glad I used it. It has great brakes with the 8" dual power booster, and the pedal swing ratios feel just right. The place that I had do the media blasting on everything is who sprayed the aircraft primer. They have contracts with local aircraft companies, so they use it regularly. It is very strong and durable, chemicals won't mess it up, etc. One thing to keep in mind though, is that it has a respiratory hazard when sanding/body working it. Make sure to use a filter mask when doing anything with it. I had them spray it on my bare metal to protect it until I can get it body worked and painted.

Originally Posted by 71'tahoe

Wow! What an amazing ans inspiring build! It took me 2 days of on and off reading to go through this whole thread! Thanks for all the information. I will be looking into the Kugel Komponents pedal set up as well as the New Port Engineering wiper kit for my 58' truck.
I have been wanting to start another project with a 56' cab I have and build a 4x4 but use a utility bed so I can have a service truck for my my farm/transportation business'.

A couple questions for you. Where did you purchase the Aviation primer? Is it more durable than automotive primer? I've been painting for several years and have never thought of aviation primers.

[Old57]

Been quite a while since I posted an update. The truck has been doing good, and I've been driving it when I have a chance. I took it to get some steel the other day, and to fill up the 32 gallon suburban tank. It's too bad the big block doesn't run on thumbs up and hell yeahs, because it gets a lot of those haha.

One issue that I had been dealing with, is that there was a miss when running. It had a little bit of a rough idle, and I can feel a little roughness when I rev it up to steady rpm. Everything was new, and I adjusted the carb and ignition several times, but it still had a little miss. The HEI distributor was one of the new no-name brands from Summit, and the plug wires were new from Autozone. I got a factory GM HEI distributor from a friend of mine, put in a Pertronix HEI upgrade kit (coil, module, cap, rotor, advance weights, and vacuum advance pod), and a set of Taylor plug wires. After that, it runs really smooth! I can reach in the cab and turn the key, and it immediately fires up and idles perfect.

[joedoh]

gorgeous!

Originally Posted by Old57

It's too bad the big block doesn't run on thumbs up and hell yeahs, because it gets a lot of those haha.

[Purcell69]

Originally Posted by Old57

Been quite a while since I posted an update. The truck has been doing good, and I've been driving it when I have a chance. I took it to get some steel the other day, and to fill up the 32 gallon suburban tank. It's too bad the big block doesn't run on thumbs up and hell yeahs, because it gets a lot of those haha.

One issue that I had been dealing with, is that there was a miss when running. It had a little bit of a rough idle, and I can feel a little roughness when I rev it up to steady rpm. Everything was new, and I adjusted the carb and ignition several times, but it still had a little miss. The HEI distributor was one of the new no-name brands from Summit, and the plug wires were new from Autozone. I got a factory GM HEI distributor from a friend of mine, put in a Pertronix HEI upgrade kit (coil, module, cap, rotor, advance weights, and vacuum advance pod), and a set of Taylor plug wires. After that, it runs really smooth! I can reach in the cab and turn the key, and it immediately fires up and idles perfect.

That's great that you got it fixed. Little things like that annoy the hell out of me. It's been 30 years since I had an annoying miss that I couldn't solve with a tune up. My old Power Wagon had one that I couldn't figure out for the life of me. It sat parked for six months while I was deployed to Japan and during that time, I kept troubleshooting the symptoms in my mind. When I got home, I was certain I had a burnt exhaust valve. Sure enough, when I pulled the heads, there was a pie cut in one valve.

A set of rebuilt heads later and I was back on the road. Glad yours was a proper tune up with quality parts.

-Joe

[mongocanfly]

Smiles and thumbs up are satisfying results for your hard work....

[mongocanfly]

hows the extreme bedliner holding up? are you satisfied with it?

[Old57]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

hows the extreme bedliner holding up? are you satisfied with it?

It's holding up great, and still looks just like it did when I sprayed it on. I'd definitely use it again. I've hauled stuff in the bed too, and it still looks new.