Quest to DD my '71 again

[70monte]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Yep, Mark is the man and he's done work on my DD's. One of the first things I did when we moved here a year ago is scope out the shops and he is right at the top of the list. His truck is a '67 or '68 in a butternut yellow type color, and gets driven everyday unless he takes his wife's TBSS. I'll try and get some pics when I'm there.

I moved to Nixa in 1992 and it seems like I met Mark soon after that. He has owned his truck the entire time I have known him. He told me about the Trailblazer SS when I had the Flowmaster cat-back put on my 98 Chevy 1 ton truck with the 454. It sounded like he got a great deal on it.

Hopefully you can figure out your problem. It should be something simple. Take care.

Wayne

[LEEVON]

This thing is about to get pushed over a cliff. I couldn't get fuel Thursday night, got that taken care of. No spark yesterday...verified 12v to the coil, diagnosed the pickup, module and cap. All were good but I replaced the capacitor and now I have spark. Then the positive wire to the starter moved and arc'ed to the solenoid. So that meant a new solenoid and cable (blew then end up) this morning. I have verified the distributor is stabbed correctly numerous times. I've checked my valve settings. I've advanced and retarded the timing.

I have a remote starter hooked up so I can see what's going on under the hood. I give it a little fuel, bump the starter and the manifolds will burp some flames but no start still. I'm getting frustrated.

I have a buddy coming over who builds engines, he should be able to give me a fresh perspective.

[VA72C10]

hmm...sure sounds like distributor is 180 out or at least 1 tooth off...but you've checked that. Are all the plug wires on in the right order?

did you double check the grounds?

[LEEVON]

Just checked again, couldn't hurt. Distributor hits right on #1 at zero degrees with both intake and exhaust valves closed on the compression stroke. Plug wires are in order...grounds are all new (negative lead, block to firewall, block to frame, frame to firewall).

I'm wondering if I didn't mess the valve adjustment up and have them too tight creating a no-compression scenario? I have hydraulic lifters, they could have not been pumped up when I did this...hmmm. They should be pumped up now, I'm going to check the lash again!

[LEEVON]

It's alive. I had the valves adjusted wrong. Next stop, exhaust shop 8am.

Does anybody know why my tach is moving but only registering about 200rpm?

[LEEVON]

Moved outside under her own power for a quick hose-off.

[VA72C10]

cool, looks great. Glad you got it figured out! On the tach, there is an adjustment under the sticker at the back, but was it working before everything? Was it hooked up when you had the short in the distributor? did you make sure the dash has the ground hooked up tight? I also always recommend adding an extra ground to the back extra post on the tach...just to be safe...

[LEEVON]

It was hooked up the whole time and working fine before. I'm thinking it's a ground issue...I also lost the gauge lights. No biggie, just happy she's running again!

[LEEVON]

Pics of the plug wires for Tynee

[LEEVON]

Did I say that Mark at A-1 Exhaust is the man? I didn't have him do anything exotic, just 2" drops to 2 1/4" through turbos with dumps mounted up near the trailing arms. It sounds great. Mark's Dad bought this '68 longbed new and it's really clean.

[LEEVON]

Still has a few bugs, leaks seem to be staying away though. My favorite new "unwanted mod" is the right turn horn.

I had to unplug the horn for the trip home, it kept honking everytime I made a right turn.

[VA72C10]

that mod was a rare option...rarer than the corvette option

[LEEVON]

There was a kid in high school who drove a rusty old postal jeep, and somebody rigged it to play "Hey Baby" every time it turned left. He didn't know how to stop it so it just was part of his driving experience. Funniest dang thing.

[Low Elco]

Woot woot! Honk it on up to Riverside! Waxing up now for GG tomorrow! Bring it!
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[RocketKing]

Glad you got her running! I may take a look at Mark when I do my exhaust, it is gonna take someone that knows what they're doing because space is at a premium under there. I don't know if I trust my local guys or not.

[LEEVON]

Fixed the horn. The next bug has to be a ground. No guage lights, tach or anmeter and the radio and wipers were cutting out at high speeds.

EDIT: Fixed the gauge issue too. Turns out you gotta connect the power to the junction block under the hood, duh.

[LEEVON]

NO LEAKS!!!

I did have a battery drain, traced it to the headlight switch was was for some reason feeding the dome light circuit in the off position. Replaced that, no drain for today, fingers crossed. I drove around a good bit yesterday, and wound up roaching my new carrier bearing. I'm probably going with a one piece driveshaft this week, sick of replacing those cheesy bearings. I've also got to re-curve the HEI, it's only adding 10 degrees mechanical advance. Today was garage cleaning day, it felt good to get all of that mess taken care of and old blue back in her bay. On top of that Mrs. Leevon gets to park in the garage again. Note the complete, running truck in the background sitting in the driveway without any pans under it! The next phase is air conditioning completion, then little things like ugly bolts, rusty screws, front clip alignment, etc.

Here is a video of the "new" engine running (quietly):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21806883@N02/7910015668/

[Low Elco]

Duuude... your garage vomited! It's nice to have it cleaned up (and have Momma back in her spot!) Hope to see you next weekend!

[LEEVON]

Yeah, it was bad enough to require a complete empty and hosedown/squeegy. I'm not sure if we're going to make it next weekend. My Dad was going to ride along, now he's going to Concordia for some party/show and wants us to go to Ottowa, KS the following weekend. Plus this driveshaft thing... We'll see.

[70monte]

Glad you got most of the bugs fixed on your truck. They can be frustrating.

Mark at A-1 is the man. I guess I didn't know that his dad bought his GMC new. When I first started going to A-1, his dad was still alive and He along with Mark and his brother operated the muffler shop. Now I think Mark does all of the exhaust work and his mother works the desk and does the bookeeping.

I need to do some garage cleaning myself. Mine still fits two vehicles but has stuff along every wall. I need to learn to throw some things away. LOL.

Wayne

[ls1nova71]

Not sure why GM thought a short bed needes a carrier bearing in the first place, one piece driveshafts are way better! Hope you make the truck nats, but if you don't, the Ottawa show is one of my 'dont miss' shows. Maybe I'll see you there.
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[LEEVON]

I haven't been to Ottawa but I hear it's great. Would love to make it to both!

So I just remembered that "Popeye" has a 56 1/2" one-piece driveshaft that I got from an 88-98 junkyard shortbed with a 700r4. Since it won't be used anytime soon...BINGO! My problem could be solved as early as tomorrow night. This was AFTER scratching my head about billet bearing, new shaft, trip to junkyard vs. my schedule and cost, etc. LOL.

[LEEVON]

Popeye's driveshaft was 1" too long so I took it to get cut down. The carrier bearing quality has reached a new low. I've toasted 3 or 4 in the 18 years I've owned this truck and they always crack. This one fell off of the top plate, which appeared to be spot welded but in reality there was only 1/2 of one spot weld holding it all together. It looks like it would have fallen apart just holding the driveshaft up sitting in my garage. I need to take a picture. Yes, there are those who will say (vocally) that a properly set-up driveline doesn't stress the bearing and I agree. I'm just tired of chasing that pipe dream. I've balanced, shimmed, measured, cut, replaced and still here I am. One piece driveshaft worked in millions of trucks so it will in this one too!

[67cheby]

Man i cant believe i missed this whole deal, nicely done ! Did i miss the ac compressor ?

[LEEVON]

Thanks and nope, just not on yet. I want to get the bugs worked out then focus on the a/c, small bites you know. You and my Dad are killing me...he asked me why if my goal was to get a/c I didn't put the compressor in...10 minutes after I put the front clip back and sent him a pic LOL.