Dirty Dingo / LS

[TuckerK5]

I have the Dirty Dingo Crossmember with an LS motor and I believe it is the Camaro oil pan in my ‘72 K5. The oil pan is touching the crossmember and Dirty Dingo tech support is avoiding me when I ask for a solution. I really don’t want to pull the motor back out as I have a few other issues that need correcting and I am hoping to make it out to BB.

 

[TreeFarm]

That looks like a hummer oil pan. Plenty of “smaller” options out there.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/817787-lsx-oil-pans.html

 

[sweetk30]

had the same cust support problems with him years ago when I called him out on his sh!ty quality of work and welds . https://ck5.com/forums/threads/be-warned-dirty-dingo-motor-sports.299192/

I stay clear of his crap .

and how does his crossmember design hold up with all that bolt together ? ? ? those bolt in spacers seem like they would give a lot of flex for when the crossmember is designed to hold the frame and engine . . looks like the same old crap work to me .

 

[skunked]

and how does his crossmember design hold up with all that bolt together ? ? ? those bolt in spacers seem like they would give a lot of flex for when the crossmember is designed to hold the frame and engine . .

we had the same discussion in another thread a while back.

 

[TuckerK5]

Is it possible to change out the crossmember for something better without pulling the engine?

 

[skunked]

Is it possible to change out the crossmember for something better without pulling the engine?

I don't see why not if the engine is supported with a hoist.

http://pacificfabrication.com/63-72-gm-truck-ls-engine-crossmembers.html

 

[TuckerK5]

That looks like a hummer oil pan. Plenty of “smaller” options out there.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/817787-lsx-oil-pans.html

Thanks for the link. That helps a lot.

 

[TuckerK5]

had the same cust support problems with him years ago when I called him out on his sh!ty quality of work and welds . https://ck5.com/forums/threads/be-warned-dirty-dingo-motor-sports.299192/

I stay clear of his crap .

and how does his crossmember design hold up with all that bolt together ? ? ? those bolt in spacers seem like they would give a lot of flex for when the crossmember is designed to hold the frame and engine . . looks like the same old crap work to me .

When I bought the Blazer the previous owner had taken out a 454 and was intending to put in an LS so he already had the DD. I had been out of the game for years and didn’t know better so I used it.

 

[tenderfoot]

Doesn't DIYs crossmember come with an LS option. And IMO it's pretty bada$$. At least to look at, no idea about how structurely sound it is.

 

[dyeager535]

Assuming the spacers are steel, can't that just be pulled out, grind a bit off the one edge to clear the pan, then weld the spacers to the rails? I dunno, seems like fun to me!

 

[TuckerK5]

Hooked an engine puller to the engine and lifted up while I took out the crossmember and loosened all of the 9000 bolts in the engine mounts, then lifted a little more, then tightened all of the bolts back up. Got about a 1/4 inch of clearance. Now I just hope it stays there. That was about 8 hours work. I was under that thing until 12:30 last night. It’s been a long time since I did that much wrenching. My wife now says she hates my Blazer.

 

[6872xtc]

Would she have preferred that you spent that time at a bar????




It sucks that it took just a little bit for her to say that. I have been at my work to make progress on mine, staying after work, and being there Saturdays and some Sundays since April. I feel guilty since she is a teacher and has been out for the summer. She has been great about it.
I hope that you can get her to readjust her attitude towards it.

 

[imiceman44]

Hooked an engine puller to the engine and lifted up while I took out the crossmember and loosened all of the 9000 bolts in the engine mounts, then lifted a little more, then tightened all of the bolts back up. Got about a 1/4 inch of clearance. Now I just hope it stays there. That was about 8 hours work. I was under that thing until 12:30 last night. It’s been a long time since I did that much wrenching. My wife now says she hates my Blazer.

Why not after getting it all adjusted right just weld all the pieces and make it stiff and stable?

 

[TuckerK5]

Why not after getting it all adjusted right just weld all the pieces and make it stiff and stable?

It’s a temporary fix. I’m going to start a ground up build when I get back from B.B. and intend to disassemble this truck and use the best parts. Also the spacers in the crossmember apppear to be aluminum.

 

[TuckerK5]

Would she have preferred that you spent that time at a bar????




It sucks that it took just a little bit for her to say that. I have been at my work to make progress on mine, staying after work, and being there Saturdays and some Sundays since April. I feel guilty since she is a teacher and has been out for the summer. She has been great about it.
I hope that you can get her to readjust her attitude towards it.

She’s pretty cool. She’ll get over it.

 

[TuckerK5]

That looks like a hummer oil pan. Plenty of “smaller” options out there.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/817787-lsx-oil-pans.html

you were right. It is the Hummer pan.

 

[TuckerK5]

Added Softtopper from ORD over the weekend.
Air Locker from ORD on the way.
Getting transmission tuned on Thursday so hopefully that takes care of shifting issues I’ve been having.
Getting things together for B.B. Not sure about trailering it with the Softtopper for 1700 miles. The wind starts to beat it up a little after driving it around for a while but I don’t want to put the shell back on especially not for B.B.