My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble

[rgunlock]

Far as I know I got the AC done right. Looks like 40-42 degrees out of the vent. Now I just have to find where the condensation leaking under the evaporator is coming from. Most, but not all is coming out the drain tube where it belongs.

Had my own little oops in the driveway. Neighbors were out walking so had to take it easy

[rgunlock]

Just so you know, I think I'm already using my truck as a truck. It is currently serving as the counter for my outdoor kitchen

[MTCK]

Getting soooooo close! Hope the gremlins stop interfering with the electrical side. How did the truck drive with that combo of gears and tires? My '77 had 32's and 3.07 gears when I bought it. 4.10 gears made it a different truck.

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Getting soooooo close! Hope the gremlins stop interfering with the electrical side. How did the truck drive with that combo of gears and tires? My '77 had 32's and 3.07 gears when I bought it. 4.10 gears made it a different truck.

Still not sure on how it will drive with the 3.07 gears. The only road I've been on has a 35MPH speed limit. Seems to accelerate ok but would really like to get it to highway speeds. Hope to get inspected and plates on it soon so I can take it out. If it doesn't work out, I have some axles ready to go with brand new 4.10 gears, limited slip diffs and a NV4500 for that matter. Had them built for the Apache project, but who knows I may go a whole different direction on that one.

It does feel like it is sooooo close! Honestly though, as much as I want to finish and be driving it, another part of me doesn't want it to be done. It's been my go-to weekend activity for 6 years now. I know I have other projects lined up to keep me busy, and the '59 to build, but somehow it just doesn't feel the same. Am I just nuts???

[bilfman]

This, for ALL it's ups and downs and learning curves has been my favourite build on this site ever. A real man taking the steps to build a real truck and learning as he goes. It don't get more real or better than that. I love checking in. Thank you for sharing. I'll be sad when it's over 😉

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by bilfman

This, for ALL it's ups and downs and learning curves has been my favourite build on this site ever. A real man taking the steps to build a real truck and learning as he goes. It don't get more real or better than that. I love checking in. Thank you for sharing. I'll be sad when it's over 😉

Wow - thanks! It is so nice to hear this!

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

It does feel like it is sooooo close! Honestly though, as much as I want to finish and be driving it, another part of me doesn't want it to be done. It's been my go-to weekend activity for 6 years now. I know I have other projects lined up to keep me busy, and the '59 to build, but somehow it just doesn't feel the same. Am I just nuts???

I don't think so, old habits are just hard to change. Congrats on getting that much closer!

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

I don't think so, old habits are just hard to change. Congrats on getting that much closer!

Thanks Brett! Of all my old habits, this is the one I LEAST need to change

[TKCR]

Hope you and your family are safe and doing well. I'm thinking about all of you down there in the path of that storm. Stay safe and gives us an update when you can.

[swamp rat]

Glad to hear your not in the flooded end of the state!

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Glad to hear your not in the flooded end of the state!

I hope you are still high and dry! My family and friends on your side of town were worried about us. Now it seems like you guys are getting it just as bad. My parents live on Clear Creek in Friendswood. They haven't got any water in the house, but have been trapped there for days.

[rgunlock]

Thank you all for checking in. We stayed high and dry through this and I believe "knock on wood" that the worse is over for us. Looks like the storm has passed and the water around us is receding rather than rising.

[7dee2]

Really glad to hear you guys are OK, hopefully life will get back to normal soon.

[rgunlock]

Thing about constant rain is you get bored. Went ahead and wire-wheeled cleaned up the bench seat frame I got from TKCR when I went through Ohio on my summer road trip. This will appear to be a re-run, but I assure you that a LOT of work was involved in this! Now I have the deluxe seat with full foam and a fold-down back for the ultimate in luxury

[MTCK]

X2. I spill way too much coffee when I'm plowing.

[rgunlock]

My daughter took this one after I took her for a test drive

[MTCK]

Wow that is gorgeous. Nice work, Rick!

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Wow that is gorgeous. Nice work, Rick!

Thanks Marcus! I feel a lot of weight off my shoulders. Turned out to be rookie troubleshooting 101 but figured out where the obnoxious rubbing noise was coming from. The weights from the tire balance were rubbing on a couple high spots in the brake dust shield on both sides. Did a little grinding and touch up painting and noise gone. Had my daughter stand at the end of the driveway as I drove past in both directions and she says "no obnoxious, embarrassing noises". Score!!!

[Greenlee]

Wow. Glad it was something simple! Your problem reminds me of one I had. I was getting a noise like that under hard acceleration. It had me scratching my head for months try to figure out what the problem was. It turned out to be the aluminum flex plate cover on the transmission rubbing against the torque converter bolts. A slight bit of grinding and the noise was gone.

[rgunlock]

I was so stoked that it was something fairly simple.

[7dee2]

Wow! Congratulations Rick! Your truck looks fantastic, good job, glad it was a simple fix.

[boynton]

Well rick I agree. I'd find another shop if possible. Sounds like a bait tactic just to get you in. I'm glad you at least made it that far without anything major happening.

[rgunlock]

The only leak I've noticed appears to be coming from the PS pump. I'd cleaned somewhat and painted but its what came in the truck. Decided to rebuild it myself since I'd read a number of negative reviews on the rebuilt pumps from the part stores. Plus, its just an easy day puttering around in the shop

First is my pump and the pulley puller/installer kit that I got. Kit worked fine, at least to remove the pulley. Then I disassembled mostly following this you-tube video. This guy took it all the way apart to use all the new o-rings, etc. in the kit - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5JTghafe8s. There is a pretty good thread on this forum, but the guy doesn't take it all the way apart - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=711938.

Talk about good timing, my wife had just decided to recycle this 12-inch pan since the teflon was scratched and peeling. I figure that repurposing always beats recycling because it costs nothing to turn an item into something different, in this case a parts bath. Last pic is watching the paint dry. As with most tasks on this truck, most of the time goes into cleaning and painting parts. Will have to reassemble (hope I remember the orientation of the parts ) one night this week.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

The only leak I've noticed appears to be coming from the PS pump. I'd cleaned somewhat and painted but its what came in the truck. Decided to rebuild it myself since I'd read a number of negative reviews on the rebuilt pumps from the part stores. Plus, its just an easy day puttering around in the shop

...

Will have to reassemble (hope I remember the orientation of the parts ) one night this week.

I dug the leaking (but perfectly functional) pump out of my dad's steel bin for my '96 and put a kit in because the "NEW not REMAN" from the auto parts store one crapped out on me in less than a year. I disassembled the dead one to try and ascertain why it failed. What it appears is that the vanes weren't installed correctly during the rebuild. Since you mentioned getting everything back in the right place I thought I'd bring up position as well. The rounded edge of the vanes face the pump housing.

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Got our alignment on the second try, first attempt we'd just popped in and wouldn't leave the truck there all day.

I think Hazel is a great name, very fitting. Thought about calling ours "ElRae" as a tribute to the Rancho ElRae camper the cab came from.

I think ElRae works just fine for yours. The female name thing is just my wife's way of looking at it.

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

I dug the leaking (but perfectly functional) pump out of my dad's steel bin for my '96 and put a kit in because the "NEW not REMAN" from the auto parts store one crapped out on me in less than a year. I disassembled the dead one to try and ascertain why it failed. What it appears is that the vanes weren't installed correctly during the rebuild. Since you mentioned getting everything back in the right place I thought I'd bring up position as well. The rounded edge of the vanes face the pump housing.

Thanks, I'm going to have to look at those vanes again. I didn't notice that they even have a rounded edge. Mine look like little rectangles with what I assume are flat edges but maybe didn't look hard enough.