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  1. MikeB

    APB - Check your cowl seam seals!

    On my 82, they did a terrible job with the seam sealer in some areas, allowing water to drip down behind the fuse panel. That eventually caused rust to develop on the fuse connectors, and rusted out the bottom of the kick panels. It's fixed now, but all that trouble because of some GM assembly...
  2. MikeB

    3 alternators in less than 6 months

    What's important to know is the amplifier current draw when the volume is cranked up. Then go from there to determine the required wiring gauge and alternator current rating. Of course you also have to factor in current draw from lights, ignition, A/C heater blower, etc. To do that you will...
  3. MikeB

    Mid-range head options

    Not sure if this is your problem, but I once had some old heads that would leak oil down the valve stems after the engine sat for a while, which caused a few seconds of exhaust smoke on startup. After that, no smoke at all. These were earlier model heads with no oil control except for o-rings...
  4. MikeB

    This genuinely offends me

    The non-slip pattern allows you to keep your feet securely on the dashboard. No more slipping on a vinyl dash cover!
  5. MikeB

    455 Olds in place of 454 in 76 GMC (frame to engine mounts?)

    I found P/Ns 464715 and 464716 on GmPartsWiki.com when searching for "bracket, engine mt diesel" for 1978 light truck. I then did a Google search on the P/Ns. This page came up as well as some others...
  6. MikeB

    Rock Auto buyer beware

    I've bought a few of their close-out parts over the years. Have a good stock of small bock gaskets -- water pump, t-stat, timing cover, fuel pump, valve cover, etc, some of which cost literally 20 cents on the dollar. Bought a USA-made master cylinder from them that was in an old, faded...
  7. MikeB

    Posi screws in your Square

    Reed and Prince screwdrivers have a point. Can't think of anything the screws were good for.
  8. MikeB

    Are Guide plates necessary?

    Self-aligning rocker arms used with GM Voretc heads look like this: Here's a set: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12495490/make/chevrolet
  9. MikeB

    Caliper and Rotor ID.

    RockAuto shows calipers are the same for JB5, JD3, and JD5. CARDONE 184127 {#18005245, 18007947, 18015383} Remanufactured; Includes Installation Hardware FitsFront Left; with Brake Code JB5; with Metal Piston orFront Left; with Brake Code JD3; with Metal Piston orFront Left; with Brake Code...
  10. MikeB

    I melted a Piston, 250 Inline 6.

    Glad you stuck with a six. I did the 250-six to 350 deal several years ago, and it was not trivial. Had to source different motor mount "clam shells" and spent lots of time modifying the wiring harness. All I had was the basic 350 itself, so needed exhaust manifolds, down pipes, water pump...
  11. MikeB

    Seam Sealer???

    I don't know what GM used back then, but I'd bet the current sealers are a lot better. I like this SEM product: https://www.amazon.com/SEM-29372-Gray-Seam-Sealer/dp/B00BI281IC/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=sem+seam+sealer&qid=1590703614&sr=8-3 It's available in several colors, and you can buy...
  12. MikeB

    Posi screws in your Square

    Back in the day, Hewlett Packard and others used Pozidriv screws on electronic test equipment that I worked with. Using them and the proper screwdriver makes you wonder why they aren't more popular. Pozidriv is to Phillips, as Phillips is to straight slot.
  13. MikeB

    Harbor Freight recalls 454,000 jack stands

    I second what member "bluex" said. Imported but double-locking and very sturdy. Available in 12-T and 6-T.
  14. MikeB

    Dash pads

    I installed one from Cheyenne Pickup Parts last year. It's a real pad, not a plastic cover. It is made of padded vinyl bonded to a plastic base, not metal. It looks very nice, except for the defroster vents don't fit snugly to the top of the dash, and that part of the cover is not clipped to...
  15. MikeB

    Drop kit recommendations that don’t require notching the frame

    If you're willing to notch the bed support rails above the shackles, you can use dropped shackles and dropped hangers to get approx 4" at the axle. You will then have to use shorter shocks. The absolute top of the line would be mono leaf springs and shackle/hanger kit from RideTech. VERY...
  16. MikeB

    Young Broke and Wanna Go Fast

    If you want to go fast, make sure your brakes and suspension are up to the task!
  17. MikeB

    Upper Radiator Hose has no pressure

    Hardware store? Don't get tubing, get heater hose at an auto parts store!
  18. MikeB

    Upper Radiator Hose has no pressure

    What do you expect to feel there? Even with coolant running through the hose, it won't feel like it's pressurized. Does it get hot? Have you tried removing it from the radiator to see if coolant shoots out? Does your lower hose collapse when the engine is running? On another note, I have...
  19. MikeB

    Rubber or poly bushings

    I have used brand name poly bushings (Energy Suspension and Prothane) for suspension & steering components in every old vehicle I've ever owned. I also used poly cab mounts on a 69 C10. Frankly, the only difference I can tell is the vehicles have quicker steering response, and are generally...
  20. MikeB

    396 cam choice

    You probably have an 8.2" 10-bolt. Not exactly up to the task of handing big block torque. At least a torque converter will ease the blows to the drivetrain! I'm not a BBC guy, but would keep cam duration @ .050" in the range of 220 degrees, for example 218 intake/228 exhaust. The only cam...
  21. MikeB

    ignition switch kit/gear selector

    Exactly. Could be the ignition switch needs to be adjusted on the column. My brand new switch took some fine tuning before I could get power in the ACC position. You know where the switch is located, right?
  22. MikeB

    Anyone used Western Chassis lowering kits?

    Good job!
  23. MikeB

    Anyone used Western Chassis lowering kits?

    I've had good luck reaching Western Chassis in the past. They need to see how poorly the hanger fits. Have you tried using this form? https://westernchassisinc.com/help.php?section=contactus&mode=update My hangers are from Belltech. The holes didn't line up perfectly, but not as bad as...
  24. MikeB

    Anyone used Western Chassis lowering kits?

    Please take another shot so we can see the entire hanger. Are you sure those hanger are made to fit a C30? What did you use on your frame? Looks nice. And tough.
  25. MikeB

    Let's see your GM squarebody stickers!

    Does the decal go on the inside or outside?

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