Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

Looks good Bill!

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

Nice work!

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

As Ta2Don always says, Progress is Progress.

Nice job Bill.

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

Cable bracket looks great. Love your rig's color, too!

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

Still waiting on the engine to get done. Been down and out of the weather for a while, but starting to get back into workings again. Wife and I took a trip up north Mississippi to vist the Tupelo Auto Museum before it closes its doors forever. It is a shame, but things like this just don't seem to have the draw as much as they used to.. The collect is great and a whole group of wonderful cars from the 1890's till later.

The Tucker was the real treat. I have seen 2 others in my life, in restored and one that was still driven as a rusty/banged up hulk.

Link has the pictures I took while there.

Here is what was there:

1886 Benz
1899 Knox Porcupine
1902 Olds
1903 Cadillac
1904 Reo
1904 White Steamer Model D
1905 Delauney Belleville
1906 Queen
1907 International High Wheeler
1907 Ford Model R
1908 Glide
1908 Firestone Columbus
1910 Paterson
1910 Haynes Model 19
1911 Brush
1911 Sears Buggy
1912 Cartercar
1913 Westcott
1913 Minerva Knight
1914 Saxon
1915 Trumbull
1915 Studebaker
1915 Lozier
1915 Winton
1916 Owen Magnetic
1916 Auburn Chummy
1917 Hupmobile
1917 Pierce Arrow
1918 Stanley Steamer
1920 Apperson Jackrabbit V-8
1921 Packard Twin 6 Town Car
1921 Wasp
1923 Brewster
1923 Marmon 1926 Hispano Suiza 1927 Ford "T"
1927 Stutz
1928 Franklin
1928 Hispano Suiza Town Car
1929 Pierce Arrow
1920 Cord L-29
1929 Packard
1929 Duesenberg Model J
1931 Rolls Royce
1931 Lincoln Town Car
1932 Nash 8-Cyl
1933 Morgan Trike
1935 Packard
1936 Lagonda
1936 Bentley
1937 Chrysler Air Flow
1937 Alvis
1938 MG
1939 Cadillac V-16 Limo
1939 Graham
1939 Ford Convertible
1940 Buick Super Convertible
1941 Lincoln Zephyr
1941 Ford Woodie Wagon
1948 Tucker
1948 Jaguar Mark IV Convertible
1949 Triumph 2000
1951 Talbot Logo T-26
1953 Chevrolet 210 Convertible
1954 Buick Roadmaster Convertible
1954 Kaiser Darrin Convertible
1954 Chrysler Imperial
1954 Mercury Sun Valley
1955 Messerschmit 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible
1955 Jaguar XK 140
1957 Dodge Royale Convertible
1957 Corvette Convertible S.C.
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible
1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser
1957 BMW Isetta
1957 Ford Skyliner
1958 Packard
1959 Edsel Corsair Convertible
1960 Mercedes 190 Convertible
1963 Leslie Special Convertible
(Great Race Car)
1964 Avanti S.C.
1964 Mustang Convertible
1965 Corvair Monza Convertible
1967 Roth Wishbone
1967 Mercedes 300 SE/C
1967 Citroen 2CV
1969 Corvette
1970 Lincoln
1971 Dodge Charger
1972 Mercedes 450SL Convertible
1974 Volkswagen Super
1974 Jensen Interceptor Convertible
1974 Porsche 914 Convertible
1976 Lincoln Mark IV (Elvis)
1977 Corvette
1977 Pontiac Trans Am
1981 Delorean DMC
1982 Barister Corvette (Liberace)
1982 Maserati Quattroporte
1983 Camarovette
1984 Aston Martin Lagonda
1985 Triton Aero Car
1986 Jaguar XJS
1994 Dodge Viper (12 Miles)

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

While we were there also visited a WWII museum. Being that my life has been a comm nerd it was nice to see a bunch of old radios. From what I understand, a bunch of old radio guys get together each month and fire them up and playu, so to speak.

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

Couple more.

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

Old trucks drive you crazy. Got a call yesterday from the engine build. Said my 81's factory block was already 60 over on the bore. Luckily I had another block, which miked out as factory bore, never touched, so onward we go again. Had I known I was going to run into so much hoopla, I probably would have gone to a 350.

I did do some checking and got back with the guy I got it from as well as the original owner, both who say that engine has never been out of the truck since day one. The rod and crank bearings were all stock, just the bore oversized. I am guessing GM over bored it to save a block from the trash. (Who knows???) It is weird that all the gaskets looked like factory (cheapo) during disassembly, and not the Felpro replacements that probably would have been used for a rebuild.

Just glad I had the other block. I guess I need to run and pick up my other 2 spare engines from Louisiana.

Hopefully there will be real updates soon!

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

ooo an inliner! those are great engines, glad to find your project! (it showed up on the recent topics)

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

I have that last hallicrafters next to my bed in silver hammertone. They are the coolest.

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

Killer truck, Not to mention 6 Banger My life is complete But gotta be an LWB Step-Side! LOL

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

Been busy with other chores while waiting on the engine rebuild. One of those was licking my wounds on the 06 GMC work truck. I ended up getting rid of it and acquired this a couple months ago. Not a GM product, but very nice and it means a lot to me as who it came from. Truck is 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie quad cab. 318 and lots of stuff I am not use to having. It came from original owner and only had 37,715 miles when I started using it in March. She is up to almost 41K now. Not a power house but a good solid ride. Cleaned up a few things since it is now officially mine a week ago. The running boards and beaded seat cover had to go. It was shocking to see the dash on this one. First one I have seen with a perfect dash, most are obliterated by now. As soon as I update the stereo this week, I have a cover to keep the direct sun off it and help it from cracking.

Re: Palf's 1981 GMC
 

Ohhhhh BILL !!



How could you??



Remove the beaded seat cover.......?


Noooooooooo:mm:



Running boards look great gone.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Still waiting on some parts for the ole 6 banger to get reassembled. I did get something kool, least to me, on the Dodge. Photo of my friend the day he bought it in 1998. Ole Dodge will be having a birthday soon.

Not showroom quality on the firewall fix, but I didn't want to disassemble everything and do a bunch of body prep and painting. I may kick myself later, but hopefully I'll have the ole Jimmy back on the road soon.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

I finally took the time to read your thread. I’m diggin the ‘81!!!

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Brought it home today. Waiting on a few parts before I fire it up, like the starter. I forgot the blocks changed the starter bolt arrangement. I have to go from the katty wompos style of the 81 to the straight across style of the 68 block.

Oh I am happy it is here. It should sound pretty good with the little cam (Erson E16021 Grind TQ20H, Lobe separation is 110+4, Duration is 292). Not sure what else since I am fairly uneducated in cam-ology. :ito:

Hopefully by the time the rest of the parts arrive next week, I'll have it in place. The 2 old guys don't move as fast as they used to with this heavy stuff, plus with the heat we are having.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Got it in place today. Now for all the little things. I am going to have to redo my throttle cable bracket. It's not quiet right and a little flimsy, so that will probably be the first thing I address. At least I got stuff to do now, besides the yard. :rolleyes:

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Looking good Bill! I'll bet it sounds great.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

wow look at that! :thumbs:

I like your dodge too

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Morning Bill

Sounds clever and certainly looks good.
Thanks for the preview.

Looking forward to you heading out in it.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

What a #^%*%%$#@#$ pain this afternoon was. I was making progress and getting a few things figured out. I have the throttle/kick-down cable linkage mount in, as well as tranny hooked up, new pan fluid for it. Then it got ugly. I had to switch starter styles from the cross ways bolt on to the older style parallel bolt pattern. No problem, got a new starter and went to put it on and it would not fit. AFter a lot of fussing and trips to exchange, I went thru 3 different starters from O'Riellys (who I normally have great luck with) and none would bolt in. Both the original 81 block and 68 block used same flex-plate, and the oringal starter pops right in. The nose of the newer (well old design ) would keep hitting the flex-plate teeth and wouldn't mount. Finally before I went to get the explosives, I stared at them both again for the millionth time trying to figure out what to do, then I saw this. It looks like the mounting flanges on the parallel bolt one sit about a 1/2" higher on the starter, and drops the nose/gear down to hit things. Evidently something is goofy. O'Rielly shows one style starter for all automatics, powerglide and other automatics. I was looking at the AutoZone site and they lists 2 different automatic tranny starters, one for the power-glide and one for the turbo hydramatic. If there pictures are semi accurate, it looks like their starter will work. I plan on going by tomorrow and order the one.

Am I thinking right on this?? I am so tired and sore from bench pressing starters today!!:smoke:

On the plus side some things are in place, so it does look like an engine again.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

It is ALIVE!!!!!
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...l4NFlHRHBmNzZB


After cam break in, fine tuned it some.
I screwed up at first, my timing gun was set for 30 degrees, so I REALLY had the timing advanced. Now she is idling about 750-800, 8 degrees before at idle. She seems smooth. I think I have an oil leak on one of the side covers, but I'll look at it later when she cools down.


Will fine tune it more Monday and check on getting the exhaust for it.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

After troubleshooting, I realize my camera is fubar, so sorry for the crappy video in the link above.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Great news Bill,

Progress is Progress as Ta2Don said.

I had the Blazer out for a drive yesterday too, and what a nice way to fix my addiction.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

First time out of the shop since February. Did oil change from the break-in run, fixed the oil leak on the push rod side cover, and got the hood on with the help of my son. She sounds good. Throttle seems to bind once in a while, so that is the next fix to look at, along with getting the AC brackets installed. Just waiting on the paint to dry.



Jimmy Outside Running

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Had to delay getting the pipes on the truck today as there was a fuel leak out of the top of the tank. Of course an almost fuel tank. Drained it, dropped it and found the one hose from the sending unit was rotten. Since my sending unit was acting funky and I happen to have a new one in the stock pile, decided to replace it as well as putting new hoses one. I got it back in and there does not appear to be any leaks now. I can't tell by smell if the vapor leak is also gone or not. So hopefully I'll be able to tell in morning once shop airs out.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Well the tank repairs were a success. No more leaks and I have a working gas gauge now thanks to the new sending unit I had lying around. Got the pipes installed yesterday. It calmed things down some, but still on the loud side. But as we were pulling out of the bay notice tapping in the engine. So today I adjusted the valves. A couple were a bit loose. I think I got it right. No back firing or other stuff. I also did some more work on the throttle cable mount and added new accelerator cable. That took care of all the sticking of the throttle. It is running rich right now, so tomorrow I'll see what I can adjust on the carb to clean it up some. AC compressor came in today, So I should get it mounted in the next couple days. Too many appointments and some side computer jobs popping up right now to get into that yet. But she seems to run great so far.


With Pipes

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Sounds pretty good, I'll bet it pops nice on deceleration!

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Excellent


Love that sound

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

:banghead::banghead::dohh::m6:

Not a good sign! #4 exhaust lifter

Time to yank engine and check the cam. Engine guy has new one on order. Suspect something wrong with lifter caused failure.



Makes me feel very gun shy for the next startup. :whine::fry:

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

When I pulled motor, noticed oil in the coolant (not the other way). Took it back to builder and found a bad oil vein. Not sure , but suspect it may have contributed to the lifter/cam issue. Now to find another block.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Took a 3-4 hr cruise to a friend's house in Louisiana and picked up 2 more 250 short blocks. Took us an hour to fetch and load the blocks, then heading back home.
The closer one in the picture is from a 68 C10 (casting Nov 1967, assembled Dec 67), the one closer to the tool box is from a 1978 non-integrated head model, AC block (Casting is March 1978, assembled Apr 11, 78) The 78 block spins freely and rust seems minimal. Both blocks look untouched as far as boring. Will run them up to the builder Tuesday. I imagine the builder will want the 78 block and hopefully I can get the engine back quick and back in truck for Cruising the Coast on Oct 3. I am so ready for it to be running again.

Only bad thing is someone in a big tall truck backed into the tailgate of the ole Dodge. Happened at a rest area, I believe, and I didn't see it till I got to my friends. There was a big box type truck across from me when I pulled in and was gone when I left the rest area. Hopefully I can work it out.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Wife and I went to one of our club gathering over at St Francisville, LA. Bunch of nice trucks and good food. Here are the photos of alll the trucks and couple cars that attended. Unfortunately the little Jimmy is still without its guts, so the Dodge had to do the honors. Way better than the CR-V. :lol:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/prmJEFamGhAEeCUk8

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Hey...!!


Rather a CR-V than a walk.

GMC will be back.


Interesting that I cannot access pics via the link.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Well it has been a while, really over a year since the Jimmy has been on the road. Got the second new engine in it finally on Monday. Finished hooking up everything, broke in the cam this morning and did some tuning and then cruised for about 45 minutes. It runs good. I still have some cleanup to do and probably some more tweaking on the carb/tune, but she runs really good.

Running Video

I guess I was a little too excited to take time and focus before I shot video.:ito::uhmk:

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Glad it's up and running again Bill!....video is not working, however.

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Google been messing with me. I think I fixed link

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Working now! Sounds great!

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Nice! I'll be building a 250 here shortly as well; build specs of the new motor?

Re: Palf's Little Blue Jimmy
 

Nothing overly radical/special. Block (numbers says it is from a 1978 non-integrated head 250 AC block) was done 30 over, crank 20 over, little cam (Erson E16021), Offy 5416 intake w/ 500 CFM Edelbrock, 12 Bolt Tom cast iron split manifolds thru duals and cherry bombs.

I have Davis Speed Equipment Alternator/Power steering (#10059) and AC (#10001) brackets.The AC ones are not on yet.