Whatever that hole is for, it’s not part of the problem. There’s nothing that goes there. Like there’s no hole behind it in the back of the drum plate or whatever it’s called that would hold a pin or anything.
I really can’t say why this did what it did. After all, this wheel cylinder is not even a year old, probably and years newer than the rest. What could’ve caused the wheel cylinder to push out that far? All the springs were in place. As were the pins and springs.
I used a big pair of pliers to squeeze the wheel cylinder pins back in an acceptable range so I could put the shoes on.
They gave me the wrong brake shoes, I didn’t think to measure, I forgot it’s 2025 and no one knows how to look up parts. So I said **** it, I’ll put the old ones back in right now because I really need to get the truck on the road. My wife’s truck is getting a transmission and she needs to drive my work truck. Got it all back together, pressed the brake and nothing. The wheel cylinder will now not expand the pins onto the shoes. Loosened the bleeder, nothing. Loosened the nut on the brake line itself, I have fluid there.
Went to remove the cylinder, finally had to beat a 9 mm 12 point on one of the bolt heads to get it out. Sometime later, I will call O’Reillys and have them order the right brake shoes, another wheel cylinder. The spring kit was OK, it came with everything but the small spring that goes underneath the piece for the emergency brake, the spray that holds it off of the inside of the brake shoe. It also did not come with the flat spring that goes on the flat bar above the axle shaft between the two shoes. Mine was broken and missing pieces so I just had to put it back in without one.
As far as engine oil leaks, I am beyond frustrated with this thing. As I said earlier, I’ve never had a small black Chevy that I could completely contain fluids and this is no exception and in fact, it’s even worse. Which is very frustrating because I took every pain to make sure this wouldn’t happen. It seems that my little cheap Chevy chrome breather that I got from O’Reillys on the valve cover has filled up with blow by in the little foam insert and it’s been steadily blowing out, with the clutch fan, pushing it towards the firewall. Every time I drive the truck I have oil in the fins on top of the valve cover, and the steering column and firewall on that side of the engine is covered now in a thick layer of what can only be called an oil spray which collects dirt and dust. I really don’t know how to fix this, maybe get a better vent or breather or whatever the hell it’s called?
I laid under the truck for a long time on both sides, looking at the back of the cylinder heads, and it’s so hard to tell, but I’m pretty sure at least the driver side is leaking again. The bolts were a little bit loose, which is surprising because I snuggled the hell out of them when I put them on last time, so while I was retaking them down I twisted one off in the cylinder head. Cheap aluminum head bolts or whatever they are. Some sort of low-grade China stainless I don’t know. Anyway, I was able to get it out with a vice grip, thankfully. When I took the valve cover off, it was really on there. It took a prybar on the header flange, and only the intake to get it to unseal. However, they’re at the very back, the surface of the gasket is wet, and there was oil there. I just don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. I know some of it has to be these aluminum fin valve covers. I tried them on another 350 and I had to throw them in the trash, I could never get them to seal. I had to go back with The stock ugly ass TBI center bolt style because they were Vortec heads. Maybe I can buy some of those little three or 4 inch spreader things you put down before you put the nut on that distributes the holding power more. These were cork gaskets with the recommended Permatex Gasket sealant on both sides.
Again, I don’t understand what could have caused the wheel cylinder to push out far enough that it could defeat those heavy springs, so if anyone has any suggestions, I’m open ears. But it seems like whatever that event was, it ruined or seized or something, the wheel cylinder.
I really don’t know if I’m going to order new valve covers or what I’m so disgusted with this truck right now. It can just sit outside until my Attitude improves
