This thread is for the general discussion of the Item McCroder Vintage Performance Shop Truck. Please add to the discussion here.
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.
McCroder Vintage Performance Shop Truck
- Thread starter MrMcCroder
- Start date
My dads old work truck that I bought back and have since gone off the deep-end with
Still getting used to how this works but here’s some of the process from when I purchased it back to when I got it driving again.
So after wrenching on it through most of 2020 finally got it running and driving… low on tranny fluid but this was its first time moving on its own power
So I enjoyed the truck for about 1200 miles. Always ran warm and didn’t know why, but I also developed a significant vacuum/boost leak that I didn’t know about. So doing a reasonably hard pull onto the freeway I lean popped through the top end twice pretty hard.
Got the manifold resealed and two laps around the block, lost timing and the truck died. So engine came back out for closer inspection. We found the rings had been improperly gapped causing an immense amount of friction which likely caused the cooling issue, but also scarred the cylinder walls.
We also found that I originally backfired it so hard the timing chain was sitting in between teeth and had dropped into the next space on my test drive.
Somehow, everything except pistons were salvageable and whilst waiting on custom pistons, the snowball started up again…
Sorry for the long post!
Got the manifold resealed and two laps around the block, lost timing and the truck died. So engine came back out for closer inspection. We found the rings had been improperly gapped causing an immense amount of friction which likely caused the cooling issue, but also scarred the cylinder walls.
We also found that I originally backfired it so hard the timing chain was sitting in between teeth and had dropped into the next space on my test drive.
Somehow, everything except pistons were salvageable and whilst waiting on custom pistons, the snowball started up again…
Sorry for the long post!
Glad you found your way over here. Welcome to the party.
David
David
Thanks! Looking forward to chatting with everyone here
Thank you, Greg is the one to credit with me joining
As I mentioned, the snowball….
The truck went up on jackstands, and all suspension has since been removed.
The motor is being rebuild with a toned down compression ratio (8.56:1) and will be running 10psi of boost. We’re hoping for a decent horsepower and torque figure but I will post a dyno video with results when that happens, I have some guesses as to what she will make but will keep it to myself for now.
The suspension will be revised, parallel 4 link up front with triangulated - cantilever 4 link set up in the rear.
Ride height is being dropped down 2ish inches, I’m hoping to find a way to make it adjustable but am mostly looking for good street manners/drivability and the right stance.
Sheet metal flared fenders and larger wheel openings to clear everything since it looking for about 17-18.5” of travel up front and 21-23” out back.
The transmission is being replaced with a 6 speed 4L80e from TCI and all gauges will be Dakota digital to gain some of the creature comforts and cool integration features they offer.
Now for some photos of current state and parts I’ve been working on…
The truck went up on jackstands, and all suspension has since been removed.
The motor is being rebuild with a toned down compression ratio (8.56:1) and will be running 10psi of boost. We’re hoping for a decent horsepower and torque figure but I will post a dyno video with results when that happens, I have some guesses as to what she will make but will keep it to myself for now.
The suspension will be revised, parallel 4 link up front with triangulated - cantilever 4 link set up in the rear.
Ride height is being dropped down 2ish inches, I’m hoping to find a way to make it adjustable but am mostly looking for good street manners/drivability and the right stance.
Sheet metal flared fenders and larger wheel openings to clear everything since it looking for about 17-18.5” of travel up front and 21-23” out back.
The transmission is being replaced with a 6 speed 4L80e from TCI and all gauges will be Dakota digital to gain some of the creature comforts and cool integration features they offer.
Now for some photos of current state and parts I’ve been working on…
You know….. there is a term for what just happened here. 
-G
-G
A 6spd 4l80?
It is a disease that there is not a cure for. Thankfully.You know….. there is a term for what just happened here.
-G
You know….. there is a term for what just happened here.
-G
Cool trucks... Because no one ever said " Wow nice savings account man"
There have been a few companies offering conversion kits. It's basically a different valvebody that allows the O/D to be engaged with other gears. Sometimes this has been paired with a lower gear set (I want to say it's closer to 3:1, while stock 4L80 is about 2.5:1). Remember the 4L80 is like a TH400 (3L80) with O/D.
Sick fab work and sweet truck.
Yeah I’m not sure all the ins and outs of how it works but I know it gears 1st gear a bit lower (higher?) lol but I’m interested in being able to get power down more efficiently and it seems to be the way to go.
Thanks man! I appreciate it
Got some awesome news, the bullet is going to be ready this week! But will need to wait about 2 months to get it on the dyno.
I’m digging the black block for a change. Still a 403 but everything is being assembled PROPERLY this time around by Grubbs motorsports in Santa Clarita. He’s brought to my attention a slough of things/problems he’s had to deal with that I had no idea we’re even a thing but I’m glad someone is able to see these things and make it right.
I’m digging the black block for a change. Still a 403 but everything is being assembled PROPERLY this time around by Grubbs motorsports in Santa Clarita. He’s brought to my attention a slough of things/problems he’s had to deal with that I had no idea we’re even a thing but I’m glad someone is able to see these things and make it right.
Haven’t posted an update in a while. Life has been crazy and the fiancee and I will be moving out of state come June. Hoping to dyno this thing before that happens….
Engine is complete minus the blower, engine builder didn’t want the jewelry sitting around the shop while waiting on dyno
Engine is complete minus the blower, engine builder didn’t want the jewelry sitting around the shop while waiting on dyno
