Recent content by Rick Dobbins

  1. Rick Dobbins

    need tire help for stock 16"x 6.5"wide wheels

    I strongly recommend getting the 8 inch rim 8 lug brand new from Summit or Jegs. I did.
  2. Rick Dobbins

    Big Block Cooling w/Electric Fans: DON'T DO IT

    To clear up what I'm talking about, here's a pic of a dual fan setup. Mine was just like this pic, and sat ON the radiator (PULLER FAN- couldn't go Pusher cuz the AC condenser was in front of the radiator). Now, see the solid area? THAT'S blocking air flow. With the metal fan, you have 100% flow...
  3. Rick Dobbins

    Big Block Cooling w/Electric Fans: DON'T DO IT

    I'm a retired 30 year Master Mechanic for GM, so I don't do homework. Yes electric fans work fine on modern engines, but they're a marriage of aluminum, plastic, et. Conduct heat very well. And they're a smaller displacement. The BBC is a huge heat sink of cast iron. And I'm towing up a hill in...
  4. Rick Dobbins

    Big Block Cooling w/Electric Fans: DON'T DO IT

    Love EM's! And yes, ran across that episode after I switched back to a metal fan. In '92 I put a 427 in my '68 Chev 3/4T w/Lance 780 (heavy) and don't remember any O/H issues as I ran up and down 395 in the summer. Never even thought about it.
  5. Rick Dobbins

    Big Block Cooling w/Electric Fans: DON'T DO IT

    Hi- well the biggest mistake I made is not writing down or keeping receipts for all the stuff I bought, but I can tell you they're all common aftermarket parts and suppliers. Got the fans off Summit Racing. Probably the alt too, as it's rated for 120Amps and factory test sheet it put out 70 amps...
  6. Rick Dobbins

    Big Block Cooling w/Electric Fans: DON'T DO IT

    MY STORY: Took out the 350 SBC 4/sp in my '77 GMC C25 and rebuilt a 454 BBC/TH400 from a '74 identical donor truck headed for the boneyard and put it in. I installed "The Best" Dual Fan/Dual Relay set up cuz I also installed the Vintage Air System (which I love). Ran like a raped ape, and...
  7. Rick Dobbins

    Need 1977 wiring diagram please

    Could someone please post the link to the wiring diagrams for my truck? I've seen it here before and I saved it, but it's disappeared. Thanks in advance! Front half of truck
  8. Rick Dobbins

    Timing issues

    Before it dies, does it run rich? Black smoke, rotten egg smell? The timing just won't change on it's own. Sounds to me like it's loading up and dying from too much fuel.
  9. Rick Dobbins

    454 efi

    On my 454 I stuck with the Q-Jet. I was going to go Sniper, but I've got dual tanks, so the fuel return/hi pressure fuel pump etc. was just too much work and cost. The stock Q-Jet is 700CFM yet those small primaries will give you great fuel mileage. Dyno tests on race engines (all WOT stuff)...
  10. Rick Dobbins

    Back to intermittent wipers..

    You need to replace the Park Relay. Green relay under the black plastic cover. Will fix it.
  11. Rick Dobbins

    Engine overheating

    The thermostat is just the MINIMUM temp the engine will run. Has nothing to do with overheating. Now, have you looked at the oil? Is it milky? Could be a blown head gasket. 2nd: That plow is blocking your airflow at speed. 3rd: (Most likely( The radiator is full of crud. I had one once that...
  12. Rick Dobbins

    Front and rear diff/transfer drain and fill

    Yes Eric I would. And we have the same rear end set up!
  13. Rick Dobbins

    Distributor pull and replace questions

    As you've likely found out, the distributor rotor 'twists' when you attempt to install it, then stops short of going all the way in. It never lines up with the oil pump drive shaft. The easiest way to get it back in: you made a mark where the rotor pointed to, right? Put the dist in with the...
  14. Rick Dobbins

    Does my engine have a chance of living?

    Eric, 30 year GM Tech here. That carbon buildup was caused by the intake gasket burning thru and burning splash oil. The rest of your lifter valley looks very good. Vacuum it all out, re-install the intake and RUN IT! It will be fine.
  15. Rick Dobbins

    Possible engine problem

    Check the advance weights in the distributor. Notorious for gumming up and not advancing the spark. Easy fix: spray them with WD40 and put the rotor on and work them back and forth. Will free right up. Also, (assuming you have a Cat converter) is the CAT plugging up? You should feel a strong...
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