1991 V3500 Project Heavy Hauler

[hartbraker]

Replying to your comment about a low rubbing noise in tow with heavy load. The truck in my signature did the same thing. Only under heavy acceleration.

I narrowed the issue down to the flywheel rubbing on the bellhousing cover.

For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what the problem was, until recently. I had the turbo 400 rebuilt, and the issue was resolved. I believe there was too much end play in the input shaft causing the flywhell to be able to walk just enough to come in contact with the cover.

Since having the transmission rebuilt, towing a 20,000 # trailer, I have had no issues.

Hope that helps.

[MTCK]

Thanks for the info, that's a great idea of something to check. Pretty cool truck in your signature, got any pictures?

[gmcrew]

Nice truck! This is a little off topic, but do you happen to know what your RPM's are when you're running down the highway, un-laden and on the flat, say at 60 mph? I'm having issues with my 4l80e.

[MTCK]

Thanks! Right now it goes 0 rpm as a rod bearing is imminently failing... My tranny shifts great though. I can feel the three distinct shifts into OD and the torque converter lock. By the calculator, my 32", 4.56 gears, .75 OD ratio at 60 MPH would be 2155 RPM. I don't have a tach.

[MTCK]

As I alluded to, my motor is toast. Made it to the shop so I can throw something else at it, barely. No L18 in the immediate budget so rolling the dice with a junkyard 350 that runs "great." Exciting. Picked it up this weekend.

While I was waiting for the salvage yard to pull the motor a buddy brought over his high speed buffer. Paid needed even more help so I picked up some 1500 grit and wet sanded the one side. Quite a difference.

I used a 3M decal remover that goes on a drill to take the graphics off. Way better than a heat gun and razor blade.

[MTCK]

After getting the intake and exhaust manifolds and valve covers off, this is a high mileage motor. All the valves are good and wet in the exhaust runners. I'm sure it will smoke like a champ. I have a gasket set to go in it so I'll do most of what I can get to with the heads on. Better start gathering up parts for that big block swap...

[JGood]

Originally Posted by MTCK

As I alluded to, my motor is toast. Made it to the shop so I can throw something else at it, barely. No L18 in the immediate budget so rolling the dice with a junkyard 350 that runs "great." Exciting. Picked it up this weekend.

While I was waiting for the salvage yard to pull the motor a buddy brought over his high speed buffer. Paid needed even more help so I picked up some 1500 grit and wet sanded the one side. Quite a difference.

I used a 3M decal remover that goes on a drill to take the graphics off. Way better than a heat gun and razor blade.

I second that motion those 3m wheels are awesome and quick!! Been working on my wrangler stripe the past couple nights. Takes no time at all I was impressed with how they work.

[Hankster]

At least you found another motor pretty quickly, I kinda liked them graphics though.. The paint def cleaned up good though!

[DirtyLarry]

Too bad you don’t live closer Marcus as I could have hooked you up with the 5.7L out of my Suburban to hold you over. I’m with Hankster…. I liked those graphics on your truck. I’m usually not into that kind of stuff but they looked good.

Also, a while back we talked about paint for the center console. We’ll after several attempts I gave up on getting paint to stick to the console in the K10 and have a console over at an upholstery guy getting covered in the same vinyl that is on the seats. I’ll post pics when I get it back. How is your console paint holding up?

[MTCK]

Thanks guys. I'm bummed the 350 died so close to its retirement date. I ended up not painting the charcoal. I think it and the dash will work well with the other interior materials.

I'm going to withhold praise until I have the materials installed but so far I've had a great customer service experience with an upholstery outfit. Local place wanted $2700 to redo the seats and headliner. Hard to justify on a $3500 truck.

Decals had to go. I'm going to reserve judgement on the paint until I see it outside but it sure feels smooth. Lots of work with the 3m decal removal tool, 1500 grit and ultimate compound.

[MTCK]

Only thing I noticed about the 3m wheels is once they get hot they start to lose chunks so they need a cool down period occasionally.

Finished putting the motor together, installed it, serviced the transmission, put in a new heater core, started replacing the window and door seals and replaced the rear springs. Feels like a never ending list but it is starting to come together.

While the truck was in motor swap jail I cleaned all the trim, prepped and painted it with the SEM classic coat. Turned out pretty good. I'm getting excited to see the interior together. Hopefully that gets finished in the next couple weeks.

[MTCK]

Pics

[MTCK]

When I had the pan off the transmission I installed a temp sensor for the gauge that will go in my pod and put a new heating pad on it. 8 quarts of dexron VI later...

Reworked a bunch of the wiring harness. Most of the loom was cracked or missing so that was fun.

[MTCK]

New motor mounts that I had sitting around went in. For those doing this install, leave the mounts bolted loosely to the cross member and keep a BFH close when you lower the engine in, then tighten the clam shells to the cross member once bolted to the motor.

Rear springs have the stance right. I did not reinstall the overloads as eventually I hope to be doing a shackle flip which will make them useless. These seem plenty stiff but we will see once a load is on. Part # 22-617.

[LuckyLightning]

Great thread here; love seeing how great that truck is turning out. Mind if I ask what brand tires those are? I've been eye-balling 255/85/16 for a little while now, so I really like seeing that size work on your truck. Have you been happy with them?

[y5mgisi]

Love the way you go about stuff.

[whitels1]

The Big Beast is coming along!!

[MTCK]

Thanks guys. It's coming along slowly. The tires are cooper st's. They work great but are only load range d's and I've probably overloaded them a few times. Interior should get out together next weekend.

[LuckyLightning]

Thanks MTCK for the tire info. Keep up the awesome work on that truck.

[MTCK]

Made some progress on the interior. Headliner is in and suspended on all four corners. some of the trim is in, visors are in, 2 of 3 seats upholstered with heating pads installed.

The SEM coating seems to have adhered very well to some trim and not at all to others. I'm a little bummed some of it scratches so easily but luckily not much of the high traffic pieces needed to be painted.

[MTCK]

Sorry for the sideways cell phone pics. Er upside down.

[y5mgisi]

I desperately want someone to try plastidip on the interior pieces! It seems like it would stick well and give a fairly oem finish.

[COS399]

Nice. Those heating pads are going to come in handy this winter.

[DirtyLarry]

The truck is looking great Marcus! Very clean work you’re doing to her. Those harnesses do seem to need some attention after 20+ years of heat soak. The interior looks pretty darn comfy! Did you have your center console covered as well? Whatever you did looks good from here.

I forgot to show you a picture of how the one in the K10 turned out after I gave up on getting any SEM paint to stick and just had it covered with vinyl. The odd thing is the SEM paint did stick to the removable cup holder but nothing else on the console

[MTCK]

Appreciate the comments. Console looks great Larry. I actually didn't have to do anything to mine. It came with the buckets, dash, seatbelts and rear door panels from the suburban. I still need to replace the upholstery on the driver's seat, and put the fabric over the door panels front and rear. I ordered a yard of fabric that matches the velour on the seats. A couple more pictures...