Questionable Engineering

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Ken B

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Posts
1,086
Reaction score
1,287
Location
indiana
First Name
ken
Truck Year
81
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
250
Engineers didnt think about working on these later. 1 line clamp was installed UNDER the motor mount assembly.
Could have moved it 3 inches either way
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Goldie Driver

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2018
Posts
3,934
Reaction score
6,386
Location
Houston, Texas
First Name
Britt
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
GMC K1500 Suburban
Engine Size
350
Geniuses at GM !

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Matt69olds

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2018
Posts
2,350
Reaction score
3,597
Location
Central Indiana
First Name
Matt
Truck Year
81
Truck Model
GMC 1/2 ton
Engine Size
455 Olds
You need to keep in mind, cars and trucks are designed to be easy and quick to assemble. They could design a vehicle that is easy to work on, with no sequels/rattles, but it would cost far more.
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,209
Reaction score
6,193
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
As a GM engineer i am offended you dont see the pure and full genius of my design.

Ill have you know, I am also the same one who decided to put a restriction the size of a needle in the end of 4 1/4 inch tubes that are unfiltered that keep your sunroof from taking on water and drowning your interior, ruining many things along the way. Despite knowing this has been an issue for many years, we will just now mildy address the issue with a bandaid fix because **** you
 

OldBlueDually

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2020
Posts
2,400
Reaction score
8,394
Location
Minnesota
First Name
Justin
Truck Year
1976 GMC
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
455 Olds
I feel your pain!!! I sometimes think these engineers get what skills they have from a book and not real life experiences. I do a lot of design/engineering at work, and it blows me away what people think is a good idea or even manufacturable for that matter! When I design items, and some that may need future work I design it to be an easy fix and try to keep designs as simple as possible. Sometimes people think of the hardest way to make something and run with it...

I assume you moved it 3 inches? :D
 

wanderinthru

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2020
Posts
1,170
Reaction score
2,046
Location
Mid Point Route 66
First Name
Shakey
Truck Year
81, 70, 75, 84, 89
Truck Model
K 10, C 30, K 20
Engine Size
350
I feel your pain!!! I sometimes think these engineers get what skills they have from a book and not real life experiences. I do a lot of design/engineering at work, and it blows me away what people think is a good idea or even manufacturable for that matter! When I design items, and some that may need future work I design it to be an easy fix and try to keep designs as simple as possible. Sometimes people think of the hardest way to make something and run with it...

I assume you moved it 3 inches? :D

Haha, hate to admit it but a while back I designed and built a base for a crane, on a tire truck to move and hold tractor tires and wheels. Drilled and tapped a grease zert, and low and behold when I mounted it all back on the truck I was 180 degrees off, and a person has to do some sort of trapeeze act to get in there and grease the damn thing!!! Just had to laugh at myself and say "you dummy!!"
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,209
Reaction score
6,193
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
I feel your pain!!! I sometimes think these engineers get what skills they have from a book and not real life experiences. I do a lot of design/engineering at work, and it blows me away what people think is a good idea or even manufacturable for that matter! When I design items, and some that may need future work I design it to be an easy fix and try to keep designs as simple as possible. Sometimes people think of the hardest way to make something and run with it...

I assume you moved it 3 inches? :D
i always measure my sad life/moral superiority by saying i was a 17 year old and i fixed GMs engineer, who made thousands and thousands to develop this, stupid design with a box cutter and 2 minutes of time.
 

OldBlueDually

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2020
Posts
2,400
Reaction score
8,394
Location
Minnesota
First Name
Justin
Truck Year
1976 GMC
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
455 Olds
Haha, hate to admit it but a while back I designed and built a base for a crane, on a tire truck to move and hold tractor tires and wheels. Drilled and tapped a grease zert, and low and behold when I mounted it all back on the truck I was 180 degrees off, and a person has to do some sort of trapeeze act to get in there and grease the damn thing!!! Just had to laugh at myself and say "you dummy!!"

Haha, now thats funny! I have called myself a dummy many times! But hey, I learn best from real experiences including my mistakes I have made!
 

OldBlueDually

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2020
Posts
2,400
Reaction score
8,394
Location
Minnesota
First Name
Justin
Truck Year
1976 GMC
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
455 Olds
i always measure my sad life/moral superiority by saying i was a 17 year old and i fixed GMs engineer, who made thousands and thousands to develop this, stupid design with a box cutter and 2 minutes of time.

Isn't that truth AG!!!!! You just shake your head and wonder why they couldn't have made it simple too.
 

Keith Seymore

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Posts
2,636
Reaction score
8,110
Location
Motor City
First Name
Keith Seymore
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10
Engine Size
4.3L
I imagine the engineer had a few more design constraints than what you are seeing.

Maybe when you look across the 7 different engine options, half a dozen transmission options, in short/long bed configurations plus three different chassis cab lengths, in crew cab and regular cab, in 2wd and 4wd versions, and 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton models, across three shifts at seven different assembly plants, considering assembly operator work load line balance (UAW members, btw), layered build, part proliferation, piece cost, tooling cost, part number count, service parts/packaging/logistics, existing validation results, assembly sequence and build station, current product support and future engineering actions - maybe this ended up being the best way.

K
 
Last edited:

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
3,698
Reaction score
6,692
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I imagine the engineer had a few more design constraints than what you are seeing.

Maybe when you look across the 7 different engine options, half a dozen transmission options, in short/long bed configurations plus three different chassis cab lengths, in crew cab and regular cab, in 2wd and 4wd versions, and 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton models, across three shifts at seven different assembly plants, considering assembly operator work load line balance (UAW members, btw), layered build, part proliferation, piece cost, tooling cost, part number count, service parts/packaging/logistics, existing validation results, assembly sequence and build station, current product support and future engineering actions - maybe this ended up being the best way.

K

King Seymore drops the hammer once again! I always value his input.
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,209
Reaction score
6,193
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
I imagine the engineer had a few more design constraints than what you are seeing.

Maybe when you look across the 7 different engine options, half a dozen transmission options, in short/long bed configurations plus three different chassis cab lengths, in crew cab and regular cab, in 2wd and 4wd versions, and 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton and 1 ton models, across three shifts at seven different assembly plants, considering assembly operator work load line balance (UAW members, btw), layered build, part proliferation, piece cost, tooling cost, part number count, service parts/packaging/logistics, existing validation results, assembly sequence and build station, current product support and future engineering actions - maybe this ended up being the best way.

K
well to be fair, couldnt the fitting be made short by 2 inches or so and make it infinitely more accessible for owners and have not hurt factory assembly?
 

Keith Seymore

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Posts
2,636
Reaction score
8,110
Location
Motor City
First Name
Keith Seymore
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10
Engine Size
4.3L
Maybe - but after the things I mentioned have been checked out.

One other thought - out of 15 million vehicles sold during the squarebody lifecycle: this is the only complaint about that I have ever seen.

K
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,209
Reaction score
6,193
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Maybe - but after the things I mentioned have been considered.

One other thought - out of 15 million vehicles sold during the squarebody lifecycle: this is the only complaint about that I have ever seen.

K
i have seen numerous complaints and im 22. our experience doesnt relate to the actual felt anecdotes. In a totality. Now, where I would say this concern is easily muted, most squares dont Rust the lines under that motor mount, I would just cut the tube a few feet down the line and flare it and put a fitting on, bypassing the need for the removal of the mount pad. Is it another connection that could be a strait shot? yes, but its low pressure fuel line that if it is not rusted(if anyones would be, its mine!) its not really going to danger or cause issue. Im not saying it was a terrible design it just could have been done better and will negatively impact the .0000005% who atually *need* to remove that fitting at that point.
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,209
Reaction score
6,193
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Like, whoever designed the small block chevy isnt inherently dumb because they put the distributor in the back where i cant reach it. most trucks let alone any were made in the 50s that had such a wide engine bay and had factory lifts this high. a 50s truck likely you could reach it by leaning in.
Doesnt mean SBC is bad.
Doesnt mean squares are bad. Just means I have to use a ladder and ballast myself across the engine bay. maybe i should have chosen to grow taller

but whoever said lets put the bolt for it there deserves jail time
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,107
Posts
909,228
Members
33,593
Latest member
shake1969
Top