Gary Lewis

So, not only are there no mechanics in Florida, there's no one who pays attention to detail? Well, we took Big Blue on a shake-down run to make sure nothing I did created a problem. But, we didn't make it out of the driveway before the clunk appeared. So, I didn't fix that, but apparently didn't create any problems either. And, I filled up both 5 gallon gas cans to serve as spares. So, I call it ready.

David is hirsute. Shaun - Thanks! (Assuming that's intended for me.)

Another thing that has been bugging me is the fuel line. There's a spot on it that is only 1" from the header - and that's after I bent it a few years ago because it was almost touching. The other day when I was towing another Chevy on the trailer I felt the engine cut out a bit, and I've been wondering if it is due to heating of the fuel. So today I added a shield at the closest spot, as shown below. No, it isn't as good as it could be, but the whole thing's coming apart soon and the fuel lines will be all together different, so this problem will go away then. But, for tomorrow.....

Poof, you are on the map! And, a 4x4 surely will come in handy.

Yes, it does! I'm filthy, but I just put bolts into the empty holes and tightened up the other bolts. Two of the three existing bolts tightened up 1/4 to 1/2 turn, although that big one back in the corner w/the piece of tubing as a filler was already tight. Plus, the two new ones got finger-tight and then turned another couple of turns with a wrench, so they were sucking the two pieces together. And, note the chiseled-off riven in the foreground, right side. Anyway, I wonder if this will reduce the amount of popping and clunking in the front end. We shall see in the morn.

That's what it looks like, but I'm still looking....

Welcome, Charlie! Glad you joined! Is it ok if I put you on the member's map? (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu.) Is your truck 2wd or 4wd? I look forward to your project thread - with pictures.

It's an opinion I've formed over the years, based on how they're used by vehicle mfrs., many magazine articles, and diagnosing steering problems at work. Ok, Steve. Thanks. Jim asked for a better picture of the carnage on Big Blue's cross member, so here's a shot of it as well as the one on the '95, the latter rotated to approximate the other's angle and marked up to represent where it looks like the cuts are:

Hmmm... I wonder how a souped up 4.9L would look in that engine bay! With sectioned cross-flow heads? Why not post some pics?

Do you have a spread sheet for gas mileage and Jerry cans used? P.S. Big Blue does look good! I don't even have a Jerry can in - yet. But I may have as we are going out this evening to see Steve/FoxFord33 and family, so I might take the cans and fill them up as I'd like that reserve - just in case. (And I'm taking the '95 hubs/rotors to Steve as he will turn them for me - but don't tell him as he doesn't know yet. ) As for MPG, it won't take much computation. The 11 MPG figure makes for pretty easy math.

Yes, heart and knee transplant awa maybe lungs? I'll get some pics in a bit and post them on the transformation thread. And, I'll see if I can translate that into where the cuts are on the 95's cross member. As for the pump, I'll get some. Thanks.

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness." "The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old." Im losing my hair...how does baldness work out in that equation? David - I hope mine is splendiferous. Ray - Apparently I have a baldish spot on the top back of my head. I can't see it except in some pics. Anyway, my explanation is that the brain activity cooks and kills the hair follicles.

Jim - Glad it is working. As for what I've done to my truck today, I'm just started but I gassed Big Blue up and am checking him over in prep for the 250 mile round trip to Anderson, MO for the FORDification show tomorrow. Also hope to take some leaves out of the rear springs today, but that may be wishful thinking given the time, or lack thereof. We shall see....... Anyway, BB has gotten into the shop for the first time in many months, and when we get back he'll come in for his "transformation".

Things like this are why I go back NEW when I'm in there. But, that makes the cost of fixing things much more EXPENSIVE. So there's a trade off. So I don't know the "right" way. Just my way. Anyway, hope the bolts come out in tact.

Thanks!

Dad would have said "If that's a compliment then I thank you." But thanks!

Interesting. But it says "Needs new battery wires and maybe a fuel pump." That implies it does not run. That being the case my standing rule is it is only worth a parting-out price, and $700 is way too much for that. However, that's just my thinking.

Not really. You're using the same engine to push the same weight, rolling resistance, & aerodynamic drag around - the MPG isn't directly related to the number of gears you use. It's more related to the amount of acceleration you aim for when you mash the pedal. If you can deal with less, the MPG will go up, regardless of transmission or gears. But an automatic has nearly infinite "gears" anyway because of how the torque converter works. About what? Swapping transmissions? Or about keeping the Mrs. happy? Read this caption and follow the link in it to adrianspeeder's list: https://supermotors.net/getfile/72354/thumbnail/doorsticker.jpg While I agree with Steve's assessment on the lack of MPG change by adding gears, I'll add a bit. The current trend to add gears to the transmissions is a quest for more MPG, and it does work to some extent. But, a lot of the gears they are adding are just above and just below 1:1, and are useful to keep the engine in its power band regardless of the speed the vehicle is traveling. But today's vehicles have been tuned and honed to a fine degree such that the extra gears make a little bit of difference, and the manufacturers are searching for every little bit they can find. Our trucks, on the other hand, are dinosaurs in comparison. Their shape is worse than the proverbial barn door for air drag, the brakes don't completely release, and the typical 3.50 rear gears cause the engine to spin way too fast at highway speed for decent economy. But, economy can be improved by adding a gear - an overdrive gear - thereby getting the RPM down when cruising. So an M5OD or a ZF5 can be a big help in a manual. Or an AOD if you need an auto. But the C6 is, in my opinion, one of the worst transmissions with regard to MPG. There is no OD and the torque converter is always slipping. And the internal friction is said to be quite high

Makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.

Bill - Thanks. I added it to your tips on the 2150 page.

I'm pretty sure the old square body Chevies used a passenger-drop Dana 60 as well, before Chevy went to IFS. Thanks, Bob. I'll pass that on.

Thanks, Cory!

A steering damper is ONLY for vehicles that will encounter obstacles over 1/4 the height of the tire at medium speeds (~15~45 MPH). The damper keeps the steering wheel from breaking the driver's wrists. All other applications of steering dampers on highway vehicles are cosmetic, band-aids to hide a steering problem, or counterproductive. Are you sure? It looks more like a Land Cruiser to me. But there's not much of it there... Steve - Where'd you get the specs on what a steering damper is for? I've often thought that was the case, but have never seen it stated. As for the Land Rover, to tell the truth I don't really know. I asked if it was a Land Rover and he said yes. And when I sent the pic to my son he said "Did you buy me the LR?" But beyond that my knowledge stops. He's going to put an Isuzu diesel in it, which is pretty standard, and use an adapter plate to bolt up an NV4500. That way it can be driven comfortably on the highway. And, he'd like to put a D60 in the front so was asking me if I knew if a passenger's-side drop D60 exists. I told him I think the Dodges used them, but do any of y'all know?

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." That's the one.

Thank you, David! I hope to be driving Big Blue to the FORDification show in Anderson, Mo tomorrow to celebrate my birthday.