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  1. MikeB

    I could choke a GM engineer!

    Or Lexus. On early LS V-8 engines the starter was under the intake manifold. Heck, we're at the point on many cars where it takes 30 minutes to change the engine air filter. And forget about cabin filters unless you're a contortionist with small hands.
  2. MikeB

    voltage at idle with and without accessories

    Your new voltages are just fine. 14.2 with no load is ideal, but it's not always gonna happen with older connectors. It also depends on the voltage at the point where the alternator "sense" wire is connected. Voltage at that point is what the regulator uses to control alternator output...
  3. MikeB

    Upgrading Alternator, Can I Run A Second Wire From Alternator To Battery?

    2 gauge seems to be a bit of overkill. American Autowire uses 6 gauge wire and 175 amp mega-fuses in their Alternator and Main Power Connection kit. https://www.americanautowire.com/media/productattachments/files/downloads/92972153%20510476%20IN%200.1.pdf
  4. MikeB

    Combination valve rebuild kit?

    Unfortunately, I suspect most of the aftermarket valves are made overseas by the lowest bidders, and who knows where the "knee" is in the pressure chart? (Where rear pressure rate-of-increase starts dropping compared to fronts.) Car requirements are significantly different than pickup trucks...
  5. MikeB

    Combination valve rebuild kit?

    Thanks. I'm getting ready to convert to power, so thought I'd check out the 38-year old valve while I have everything apart. There are no obvious problems with my brakes other than they're manual and take a strong right leg! But brake fluid was pretty nasty when I went through the brakes a...
  6. MikeB

    Combination valve rebuild kit?

    Looking for a kit to rebuild an 82 C10 combination valve. Can't find anything on the Internet. Would rather not buy a one-size-fits all valve.
  7. MikeB

    In search of opinions on gear change.

    Actually, all of the ratios would affect comfort level (engine noise) and fuel mileage. That said, 3.73 has always been recognized as the ideal ratio for a 4 speed auto with .70 OD. Of course that's typically in a car or light truck with 27"-29" tires. If you absolutely must change, no way...
  8. MikeB

    Locating odd sized bolts

    Try these guys. https://www.boltdepot.com/Hex_bolts.aspx Or just cut down the 4" bolt and grind a 45 degree angle around the diameter of the cut so it looks somewhat like the end of an uncut bolt. BTW, unless this is a metric bolt, if the thread count 18 per inch then you have a 5/16"-18 bolt.
  9. MikeB

    1986 C10- Is it reliable enough for a daily driver?

    Yeah, and it's always the carb that's at fault. If it's a Holley, someone will say, "Replace that piece of junk with an Edelbrock," and vice versa. North Texas isn't exactly like the upper Midwest in the winter, but I've never had issues starting my old cars or trucks in sub-freezing weather...
  10. MikeB

    1986 C10- Is it reliable enough for a daily driver?

    Being an an*l gearhead, I personally wouldn't trust anyone else's mods on an old truck to be done right. I've just seen too many mods with good parts done badly. Also, I can tell you very few people ever get 100% of their "investments" back on old cars and trucks. Many times $12K invested...
  11. MikeB

    Carb upgrade for 250 I6 in a C50

    Don't forget to optimize ignition timing and limit exhaust restrictions, such as a muffler that necks down from, let's say, a 2-1/4" pipe to 1.75" internally. According to David Vizard, a good bang for the buck is a performance muffler that's one size bigger than the exhaust pipe, using...
  12. MikeB

    Rearend gear ratios 1980-1987 most common

    My 82 C10 had a 250 six with 3-speed manual and 2.73 axle. Not at all suitable with the 250 six, but works well behind a 350/TH350 that occasionally sees 65-70 mph freeway speeds. My 81 C10 had a 305 with TH350C and 2.56 axle. What a slug that thing was in 4th gear with the T/C locked-up! I...
  13. MikeB

    Keep Frying HEI Coils PLEASE HELP!

    Alternator output voltage is regulated at around 14.2 volts. However, with the path the current must take to get to the coil (bulkhead connector, ignition switch, bulkhead connector again), you might find anywhere from 12.0-13.5 volts at the coil. I've seen less than 11 volts on old cars with...
  14. MikeB

    Keep Frying HEI Coils PLEASE HELP!

    Very good idea. The MSD Streetfire is light years better than the low-end cheapies. Also, a GM 93440806 doesn't cost too much and works well. It probably has a bit too much vacuum advance, but that can be modified. in 25+ years I have used both of these as well as Accel and stock...
  15. MikeB

    Best tire on a budget

    Then you don't a 60-or 65-series tire, or anything wider than 235. I assume your speedo reads slow with those short tires you have now. Taller tires will fix that problem, but you've got to do the math, or change speedo gears. Even a 205/75 would be 15% taller than your current tires. But...
  16. MikeB

    Best tire on a budget

    Rim width is key. I wouldn't want anything wider than 225 (approx 8.8") on a 7" rim. And make sure you understand the height difference between 75, 70, 65 series tires. For example 195/75 will be the same width but 1.5" taller than your 195/65. Your tires are only 25" tall. Way too short...
  17. MikeB

    Rear End Rebuild?

    Looks like you got what you paid for. :) I don't know what else to suggest unless you can find a complete rear axle somewhere. I think just about anything from a 73-87 C10 should fit.
  18. MikeB

    Rear End Rebuild?

    My only experience with a shop doing diff work is when a buddy of mine had his 77 Nova's gears replaced. In this case it was an 8.5" 10-bolt with 2.56 gears that he wanted to replace with 3.42 gears. He actually interviewed a few shops and found a guy who really knew what he was talking...
  19. MikeB

    Rear End Rebuild?

    I'm no expert, having done only three GM diffs, but I think your drive pattern looks OK from what I can see w/o marking compound. Coast pattern is something I don't worry about too much. If the drive pattern looks good, you don't want to compromise it trying to get a perfect coast pattern...
  20. MikeB

    Random Diff Questions

    Was the pinion/carrier pattern correct? :D I don't know anything about Dana diffs, but I wonder if the carrier was made for a gear set with a smaller pinion, like a 3.7x or 4.1x. ???
  21. MikeB

    Need information on radiator support for 1980 c10

    LMC shows 73-74, 75-79, and 80 as three different part numbers. https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-87-chevy-gmc/radiator-core-supports-1973-80
  22. MikeB

    GM #471634 motor mount "clam shells" for "K" trucks

    Need to get rid of these. Make offer.
  23. MikeB

    New Harness?

    If the mess is from previous owner mods, maybe it can be repaired one wire at a time using automotive quality GXL and SXL wire along with proper butt splicing techniques. That's what I tired doing with my 82 C10, but I eventually bought a compete harness because my fuse panel had lots of rust...
  24. MikeB

    Strange brake dragging problem

    This is a follow-up to this thread I started back in April: After 500 miles or more on the new brake drum, there have been no lock-up or dragging issues. And much of the driving since then has been on 95-105 degree days with a load in the bed. I keep forgetting to check wheel center...
  25. MikeB

    Which carb to buy?

    A lot of hardcore hotrodders on another forum really like the new Edelbrock AVS2. I have worked with and used a lot of 1405/1406 Edelbrock Performer carbs over the years as well as a few Holleys. Holleys are a heck of lot more tune-able than the Performer carbs, but I ever buy another street...

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