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79' GMC C15 - Spruce Caboose

79 GMC 1500
Well i got the trans 95% torn down. Dont mind the photo dump... i took a good 145 pictures during disassembly:whistle:

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This clutch drum is toasted. Ordered up another one today. Someone had installed a wide band at some point, and didnt seem smoked. The input drum has newer seals on the shaft, so it seems rebuilt at some point. Also a strange green and blue line someone marked.. a few other paint pen marks and what not in the trans too. Bushings need replacing so i got a set coming as well.
 
@bix I wanted to show you something that I had no idea existed until it showed up. He's dove deep into this transmission build, so I thought that I would share some stuff.
It has a Sonnax input shaft in it. Not sure what grade.
Gonna be interesting to me. Hopefully his research gives the results that he wants. 20220725_190633.jpg20220725_190622.jpg
 
I found a used 2wd tailshaft and housing on ebay. Turns out its actually quite nice. New bushing and seal, shaft seems good too. Does anyone else very quickly judge the stranger they bought parts from, by the way they packaged it? I knew right away id probably find good parts in this box.

Im going to start matching up new and old parts for comparison, while i wait on the new reverse drum, band, steel clutches, and bushings.

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@bix I wanted to show you something that I had no idea existed until it showed up. He's dove deep into this transmission build, so I thought that I would share some stuff.
It has a Sonnax input shaft in it. Not sure what grade.
Gonna be interesting to me. Hopefully his research gives the results that he wants. View attachment 420007View attachment 420008

Thats a nice looking input shaft and 3/4 clutch doodad... I dove into all the sonnax parts available and quickly hit my wallet floor , or maybe the "faith" i have, in not turning them to pixie dust this first go around. Ive also always heard the truck wanting a third pedal anyway hah. The billet output shaft and drum would have doubled, and then some the current cost i have into this rebuild.. although , those pictures are making me regret it more and more though! I must say, im very impressed with the fitment of the sonnax sun shell and oe sun gear, the tolerance is so snug and the reinforced collar around the splined section is nice to see too. The Sonnax parts seem worth the price for sure.

Does that ring secure down and replace the internal snap ring for the clutches?
 
Yes, the bolt on ring takes the place of the snap ring.
And don't regret holding back due to budget, it adds up quickly. My son is going overboard on purpose in case his thoughts of boost happen in the future.
 
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The replacement handheld showed up and works good! This will make this way more drive-able again, not having to grab my laptop and its usually dead so thats no fun... Holley was awesome to send me a replacement due to the small amount of use, regardless of being over my 1 year mark.



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Im still waiting on tools and parts for the trans. But the new low/reverse drum showed up, and seems real nice. Gotta love rock auto for providing gm parts. Shocking how hard they can be to get, even from big name beaver part's stores. In the meantime ive been cleaning parts slowly, its stinkin hot here currently and the shop smells like a sweaty tranny.. not too inviting after a long days work.

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Figured id give the trans a tidy while i drained the oil out of the rear end... I feel like a lot of suggestions online for " break in periods ", were around 1000 miles... and I probably only put on a few hundred or more, but wanted to make sure all is happy back there. Definitely some metal in the initial oil, but its all about the same size and doesnt seem concerning.



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What ratio did you swap to? Really glad to not see a Gov Bomb in there!!! :burnout:
 
The replacement handheld showed up and works good! This will make this way more drive-able again, not having to grab my laptop and its usually dead so thats no fun... Holley was awesome to send me a replacement due to the small amount of use, regardless of being over my 1 year mark.



View attachment 420372View attachment 420373




Im still waiting on tools and parts for the trans. But the new low/reverse drum showed up, and seems real nice. Gotta love rock auto for providing gm parts. Shocking how hard they can be to get, even from big name beaver part's stores. In the meantime ive been cleaning parts slowly, its stinkin hot here currently and the shop smells like a sweaty tranny.. not too inviting after a long days work.

View attachment 420374View attachment 420442View attachment 420443View attachment 420444
Embrace the stank!
 
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Found some time today to cut down my air intake tube. Im hoping to be able to use the stock hole in the core support to source some colder air.

I also verified timing. Once i found TDC on the balancer with the piston stop and my valves disabled. I went into the holley software and disabled idle spark, set my timing gun at 18.5* and it was almost bang on with my mark.

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if it doesnt leak, it is really on backwards...?



Thanks!! i never would have really thought id win, being a 2wd on a 4wd k5 site..
Funny you say that, I had my top valley cover on backwards for year. Did the first road trip and it puked everywhere
 
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