What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

'87 Chevy truck build. "Immortal"

The rotors I used were for an IFS half ton chevy. They are the 11 inch rotors, and the ones that are 1 and 1/4 inch thick, instead of the 1 inch thick ones available.

I used the ones I did because they can mount on the wheel mounting surface. Had I used solid axle half ton rotors, I would have needed to mount them to the back of the wheel mounting surface, and pressed the studs through. That would have meant pulling the c clips every time I did the rotors. Just more hassle I didn't want.

As to the welds, they'll hold. The bracket is welded solid all the way around the axle shaft. They're ugly, but they have the necessary penetration. I know because I had to cut one of the brackets off after welding it up, due to not putting the cross pin in the diff.

It allowed the axle shaft to slide into the diff, and caused the brackets to be about 1/4" farther inward than they needed to be.

And for the plans, the truck is going to slowly become a dedicated rock crawler, but for a while I'll need it for towing as well. So I'm keeping the mods fairly highway friendly for now.
 
Well, had trouble bleeding the rear brakes. Hooked up the vacuum pump and the right rear caliper would pump up, but no brake fluid would come out.

So I took out the brake hose, and put an air chuck into the hole and pressurized it that way. Caliper bled fine after that.

Took the truck for a test spin, gov lock chirps my tires around corners. Little annoying.

The big issue, when I give it some throttle, it backfires and the engine bucks horribly. Jars the truck bad.

If I go real gentle on the throttle, it doesn't do this.

Thinking burnt valve or flat cam, but before I was able to do a compression test, it started pouring rain.

If it's a flat cam, I wont mind too much. I did eventually want to put a better cam in anyway.

It would annoy me in the fact that I'll have to put off my On board air setup, but such is life.
 
Id kill for a stock clean version of that truck to start with.

Id love the SM465 and TBI
 
The only thing I don't like about it is the lack of overdrive. Otherwise, it's a great combo.
 
Im not too concerned with OD mileage will suck regardless.

I have heard some lifted trucks getting pretty respectable mileage with a 465 too though.
 
I really like BIG Air filters.

[
100_4647.jpg
 
I started the OBA setup today.

First I started with a piece of funny shaped plate steel, drilled proper holes in it, and bolted it to my engine. All other holes will be considered "speed holes" and probably don't serve a purpose.

100_4693.jpg


Then I tacked up the bracket, and test fitted.

100_4697.jpg


Then I added the final bolt location, to make sure both sides were supported.

100_4702.jpg


The bracket needs a good cleanup and a coat of paint (like the entire truck), then I will finish the belt routing.

After that, it's on to the electrical install.
 
Here's the York all mounted up, belt chosen and tensioned.

100_4703.jpg


I jumped the power wire to the clutch to make sure everything was going to work good so far, and I got all giddy when it was working. :D

When my landlord saw the idler pulley setup, he tells me "Those are going to slip, you gotta have 3/4 of the pulley covered."

I said "Sure." Then I proceeded to point out that NONE of the pulleys on his custom show car had that much pulley coverage.

On to the Electrics!
 
Yeah, I figure I'll do that when I'm ready to paint it. But it's not doing any harm, except for the extra weight I guess.

I had cut a window into the back so that I could route the hose, just in case I never get around to painting the dang thing. Which is possible.
 
Oh good lord!

I don't know how I didn't notice this, but my idler pulley was crooked.

100_4708.jpg


So I straightened the bracket. Didn't want it tossing or eating belts.

100_4712.jpg
 
The first pic doesn't really do justice to how crooked it was.

Kinda hard to duplicate with the camera what I was seeing with my eyes.

The second pic I did better with, and that's after I tweaked the idler pulley's bracket.

Much straighter now.
 
Alright, figuring on where to put my aluminum air tank I got out of a mack truck, and the only place I see as worth it is behind a crossmember near the front of the bed.

Problem is, it's within .5" of my muffler.

Anybody think this is gonna be an issue?
 
Last edited:
sounds like that tank would kill ground clearance... why not sell it and buy a fuel cell? half inch from the muffler? a little close for comfort for my liking... don't really want to boil fuel
 
Air tank, not gas tank.

And it will sit between the frame rails, fully surrounded by frame.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom