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  1. austinado16

    Upgrade: Installing the longer 2WD 3/4 ton 454 radiator

    I don't know what the water pump shaft diameter is, and I simply ordered a GMB high flow replacement based on year/model/counter-rotation. I'm sure it'll be fine since I won't be running the 3" spacer any more. If you have part numbers or other info for the pumps, can you post it?
  2. austinado16

    Upgrade: Installing the longer 2WD 3/4 ton 454 radiator

    It's fine, and yes, you are right, I can't run the fan exposed like that. The weather has just been miserable here for nearly a month, so I haven't had a chance to get over to the yard and shop for fan shroud that I can mod, in order to add to my existing shroud's depth. Either that, or I'm...
  3. austinado16

    Question on size of Radiator

    You can get accurate dimensions using your tape measure. You can also look on websites like rockauto, looking up your exact model, what radiators are sold for, and then read the specs for those radiators to get an accurate dimension. Some are 28x19 and I've seen some that are only 17" tall...
  4. austinado16

    Squeal

    The suggestion of removing all the belts is good. If you still have a squeak, and I think you will, crawl under and inspect the clutch arm adjustment in order to make sure that throwout bearing isn't being partially engaged at all times. You may have a failed slave cylinder, or a failed flex...
  5. austinado16

    What have you done to your square lately??

    Lovin' that "barn find."
  6. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    Yep. The only thing left to do is to use some sheet metal, attached to the existing shroud, in a hoop shape, to bring the shroud rearward over the first 1"-2" of the fan. That'll provide maximum draw through the radiator.
  7. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    It's become like that around here too. We don't have rust, so there are a ton of them on the road, mostly as pickups and Suburbans, but pretty much gone from the yards. I was really lucky last week; they had a 6.2 pickup, and 2 TBI Suburbans, one of which was 2WD, 454. If you're interested, I...
  8. austinado16

    BBC in a K10

    There are a ton of high performance parts for the 700R4/4L60. You can build (or have built) as strong a transmission as you like. Check the Raptor, or bowtieoverdrives websites for details.
  9. austinado16

    Safe load for suburban stock rack

    That's not a factory hole. Someone did that to it.
  10. austinado16

    Safe load for suburban stock rack

    ^^Brilliant!^^
  11. austinado16

    Safe load for suburban stock rack

    I have a couple different cargo carriers that go in my receiver, and I stabilize them with one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/StowAway-Hitch-Tightener-for-2-Receiver-Anti-Wobble-No-Rattle-for-Cargo-Carrier-/141790080489?hash=item210358ede9:g:9g0AAOSwT5tWOnyr&vxp=mtr
  12. austinado16

    Upgrade: Installing the longer 2WD 3/4 ton 454 radiator

    It's more like; continuing to learn via the school of hard knocks. Turns out that using a 3" fan spacer eventually puts so much load on the water pump shaft that it sheers off at the front bearing, send the fan assembly into the radiator (on the freeway on a Friday night with passengers on...
  13. austinado16

    Upgrade: Installing the longer 2WD 3/4 ton 454 radiator

    Found an '89 Suburban in the yard last week. It was complete, perfect, and still a runner. Unfortunately, the radiator was missing, but I harvested the shroud and top closing panel, along with the reverse rotation 454 fan, and then while looking around I noticed a vertical steel panel on the...
  14. austinado16

    What have you done to your square lately??

    Damn.....that's a nice looking square!^^
  15. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    All back together and runs fine again. The reverse rotation 454 fan fits fine, but the leading edge of the blades is just slightly rearward of the shroud. I'd like to see the leading edges forward more, like maybe an inch. The blade tips touch the top radiator hose if it's installed in...
  16. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    Yes, I'm still sporting a stock alternator.
  17. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    That's a sweet set up. I was going to ask if the stock alternator was enough to handle the loads of dual fans, plus fuel pump, computers, and dual a/c systems........my hunch was; probably on the ragged edge of it's ability. I wish I could afford to step up!
  18. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    I hear you guys! What do you think about this set up, for a 2012, 2500 Suburban: $20 Hayden, adjustable fan controller from RockAuto $160 dual fan setup from RockAuto Would it be safe to say that if this set up cools a 6.0L engine in a 'burb, it'll be more than enough for a small block...
  19. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    Took a chance at the local yard today. They had a complete '89 R2500 Suburban. Sadly it was missing the big radiator. But it did have the reverse rotation 454 fan with clutch, a perfect shroud and top closing panel, and a baffle that I didn't know existed, which mounts on the back side of the...
  20. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    All the parts have arrived, and I picked the radiator up from the radiator shop today. Does anyone have a counter-clockwise rotating fan they'd like to sell. It would have to be from a TBI small block engine.
  21. austinado16

    Where should I start?

    Welcome! It'll be fun to watch and read about your adventures!
  22. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    My scenario is 25-35mph on a 7%+ grade, 2 lane, with plenty of curves, typically in the 90-100*F outside air temp range, with a 2,500lb camper on the hitch, and 3 people, plus some gear on board. The grade is about 30mi long, in both directions, with a peak at 7,000'. Meanwhile; I got the...
  23. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    Thanks for the photo of that fan installed. Does it fit over your engine's original fan clutch, or did you use the 2000 Blazer's fan clutch? Actually, I wouldn't mind using this opportunity to install a big electric fan, which would probably give me back 1-2mpg, and make a noticeable noise...
  24. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    Points well taken guys, thanks. I'm going to lose the spacer and do something with either aluminum flashing, or maybe cut the deeper part of the original small block shroud and adapt it to the shallow shroud.....in order to bring the shroud rearward to the fan. The wrecking yard situation...
  25. austinado16

    Water pump failure destroys radiator

    From a tech article I found online about water pump failures: Probably running a spacer with a heavy, stock steel fan and heavy clutch is no bueno. Clean break indicates an “instantaneous” fracture caused by sudden overload or imbalance. A break usually occurs through the front bearing race...

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