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  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...
  16. Rick Dobbins

    2 or 4 bolt mains

    2 bolt mains are the norm on big blocks. The older hi perf 427s, etc., came with 4 bolt mains. My 454 out of a donor '74 C20 is 2 bolt. Some 'Vette 454s had 4. Hard to find one around me. What breaks on the 454s is the crank. Steel forged cranks are best. Most have them, but I've heard of cast...
  17. Rick Dobbins

    Rebuild time for my 77 k25

    Chris crate engines are the way to go with the small block. They'll deliver it right to your door and pick up your old engine, IMHO. Or: have it rebuilt. I love machine shops so if you know a good one go for it. Gonna cost more tho. As far as the cam, of course if a shop rebuilds it then you can...
  18. Rick Dobbins

    Rear drum to disk brake swap

    Yes, I kept the same proportioning valve. Seem to work fine! As far as weight, it has a Lance camper on it. A 1984 400. Hardly ever used, which is awesome, but it's one heavy son of a gun. The 13" drums fade (as all drum brakes do) so I knew I needed the rear discs from Day One. And I'm also...
  19. Rick Dobbins

    Anti-Theft and Post-Theft devices

    Wondering what everyone uses to protect their Squarebodys. They are ridiculously easy to steal. I'm using a GPS unit hidden on my truck that I can tract AFTER theft from my phone or home computer. And I can track my trips. Anyway, yes I have The Club, but I've personally seen a pile of steering...
  20. Rick Dobbins

    LMC Truck Battery tray doesn't fit

    My '77 was rusted and I put an LMC tray in with no problems. Well, you can't put a monster battery in it, but that's OK. Don't need it anywho.
  21. Rick Dobbins

    How do I know if I have HEI, and if I don't have it, should I upgrade

    HEI is awesome. When you're cranking the engine, the module changes the dwell so the coil produces a really hot spark. Once the module senses the RPM over 400 (engine running), it drops the dwell to standard. It's been around since 1975 so all the kinks are out. I've seen guys spend a ton of...
  22. Rick Dobbins

    Front and rear diff/transfer drain and fill

    If you have an 8 lug wheel and there are 10 bolts on the differential cover, you have a Dana. If you have a 6 or 8 lug wheel and there are 14 bolts on the differential cover, it’s a 14 Bolt. If you have 8 lugs on the wheel and 12 bolts on the differential cover, you have a Sterling 10.25. As...
  23. Rick Dobbins

    Rear drum to disk brake swap

    Hi Rory, I did the rear brake conversion. Absolutely a MUST. Really helped my truck! I got the kit from LugNut 4X4 and it was pretty easy. Now, I DID NOT spring for the E-brake calipers, and I wish I did now, but it's not a deal breaker. If I'm on my driveway, I use a tool you can buy (Matco)...
  24. Rick Dobbins

    Hello to all

    Wow Thank you to all the welcomes. Looks like a good group!
  25. Rick Dobbins

    Hello to all

    30 year GM Tune Up Tech (and other car stuff) now retired. A year ago I bought a one owner 1977 GMC C25 with a Lance camper on it. Only 112,000 orig miles, but needed allot of TLC. And a big block/TH400 combo. It came with an anemic 350/Muncie 465, wiring nightmares, no tilt/AC. So I spent a...

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