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  1. MikeB

    Strange brake dragging problem

    Thanks for the tips guys. But I don't think I have a problem with springs, parking brake, or not enough grease on the backing plate nubs. Yes, springs were new when I did the brake job. Wheel cylinders, too, but probably made in a ChiCom plant. When I first noticed the problem, I backed-off...
  2. MikeB

    unjunking the quadrajunk

    Have to say the title of this thread upsets me. Quadrajunk? Really? It's one of the most versatile carbs ever made. And, "Holleys aren't reliable and not great for the street." Total BS on both counts. It's the bad mechanic who blames his tools, or in this case, his engine parts. If you...
  3. MikeB

    Strange brake dragging problem

    Swapped the drums from left to right and the problem followed the drum. Only thing I can think of is the drum gets out of round due to the heat generated by driving and braking. When at ambient temperature, it slides off and on the shoes easily, just like the other one. No sign of dragging on...
  4. MikeB

    Strange brake dragging problem

    Thanks, guys. Got that recommendation to swap the drums from a friend and MP Brakes as well, so it sounds like a plan. Took the truck for a 3-4 mile drive this morning and didn't get the "grab, release, grab, release" that I got yesterday after freeway driving. Also, measured the temp of the...
  5. MikeB

    Strange brake dragging problem

    Just occurred to me that maybe the axle bearing is spinning in the tube. I once saw this problem with a 8.2" 10-bolt when I went to pull the bearing and it almost fell out! Don't know what the symptoms might have been, because I bought it from a guy had who bought it from a guy a few years...
  6. MikeB

    Strange brake dragging problem

    After 50 miles or so of driving and stopping, especially from higher speeds, the left rear shoes on my 82 C10 start dragging. When I let off the gas to slow down, the brakes seem to lightly pulse – “grab, release, grab, release” with each revolution. Acts like a high spot on the shoes and a...
  7. MikeB

    84 k10 silverado engine decisions

    Didn't notice HP and TQ ratings, but with a similar intake, carb, and exhaust, they're probably around 15% more than the base 350 Goodwrench engine I mentioned above. Which fuel pump did you use? How about carb and intake manifold?
  8. MikeB

    84 k10 silverado engine decisions

    Let's look at specifications for 1981 to 1986 engines in trucks with a GVWR rating of less than 8500#. There are other versions of both engines, but these are the ones with the highest torque ratings in 81-86. 305: 240 lb/ft torque @ 2000 RPM 350: 275 lb/ft @ 1600 RPM So the 350 has 35 more...
  9. MikeB

    1982 LWB to SWB Conversion

    Google "square body short bed conversion" and you'll get a ton of hits. Several years ago one of the vendors sold a kit for 67-72 trucks that included pieces to reinforce the fame at the cuts, as well as drawings and dimensions for frame and bed. I'm not sure, but there might be something...
  10. MikeB

    84 k10 silverado engine decisions

    What's your budget? You might spend as much rebuilding that '95 350 as you would buying a new basic Goodwrench 350 crate engine. It may not be high performance, but I have installed at least 3 of them over the years. And with a small 4-bbl and dual exhaust, they work great in pickups and...
  11. MikeB

    Bvllsh!t on craigslist.

    Driven only on the beach and salted roads.
  12. MikeB

    i blew up my SBC 350...thinking LS

    Yes, there are already plenty of half-assed hack jobs out there on vehicles with standard stuff, like small blocks with 4-speeds, TH350s, or especially 700R4s. Can't imagine how bad the LS/4L80E swaps would be.:eek: I think some of the guys here are anal (like me) and have done stellar LS...
  13. MikeB

    1984 C20 Fuse Panel and Harness examination

    I have some documentation on the instrument cluster wiring and pin-outs if you need it. There are several differences between idiot lights and gauges. I also found these Painless 73-87 wiring instructions to be helpful in understanding some circuits...
  14. MikeB

    i blew up my SBC 350...thinking LS

    $1500 to rebuild your current 350 to make 375 hp? Power is in the cylinder heads, and unless you have some modern heads, even 300 hp is a stretch. And if your heads are stock, then 10:1 compression with the old style combustion chambers will make for lots of pre-ignition on regular gas, and...
  15. MikeB

    any holley avenger gurus out there?

    With a mild cam, that Holley carb should be in the ballpark right out of the box, except for maybe the float level. Here's something people don't always realize: If your Edelbrock manifold is spread bore, you will need a "sealing plate" and gasket like Edelbrock #2732. This will prevent small...
  16. MikeB

    Ignition on 12V and on crank 12V

    I would not use the pink ignition wire to power the choke, unless it was 10 gauge. Even then, I'd do it only if there wasn't a dedicated choke circuit or another circuit that could handle as much as 25 amps, which is what an HEI can draw on start-up! I don't understand how or why an...
  17. MikeB

    4.3L muffler recommendations

    I second the comments above about the Walker Dynomax Super Turbo. It won't be super loud, but will sound really good and flows better than a Flowmaster. That's as per engine guru David Vizard, and I doubt he has a horse in the race. Also, try to use mandrel bends if possible, instead of...
  18. MikeB

    Harbor Freight recall on 6 ton stands

    I also have four of these from the 1990s. They were made in USA and have a positive locking mechanism. They aren't available new anymore, but there are several pairs for sale on the Internet. Google "EX-CELL 5 ton jack stands".
  19. MikeB

    Harbor Freight recall on 6 ton stands

    The only Chinese stands I trust are the 12-ton models with a safety pin, such as Torin Big Red. You definitely need these monsters when working on trucks. Lift range is 18"-28", so most times I don't need to raise them more than a few notches, if that much. 3-ton or even 6-ton stands raised...
  20. MikeB

    Would you use new old maintenance parts/carb kits?

    I've bought NOS parts from Autozone and Rock Auto. All were in beat-up boxes, and some had light surface rust, but they were functionally perfect. And made in the USA by Moog, Wagner, etc! Also got lots of gaskets from Rock Auto, including Fel-Pro brand, for small block water pump, t-stat...
  21. MikeB

    Pulling the 1986 5.7 Broken Cam

    Man, that bottom end was effing nasty! I've never seen anything that bad. Did see a six once that had totally trashed main bearings. It still ran, but you could hear a rumble that sounded like a bag of rocks!
  22. MikeB

    Stock lower end smog pistons with 781 heads

    If you do use studs, remember that they have virtually zero torque on them, so be sure to use ARP thread sealant to keep coolant from leaking past. Also, run an old tap or thread chaser through all the holes, regardless of whether you use bolts or studs. One more thing: I don't know about...
  23. MikeB

    Would you bore this 350 again or scrap it?

    I agree. Back in the early 2000s, I worked Saturdays at a shop that specialized in 383s. Wasn't uncommon to see later model 1-piece main seal blocks clean up at +.010 or less, but the boss always liked to take them out to around .029, and then power hone to .031. The extra .001 was for a...
  24. MikeB

    Could I use larger tires on my truck without having to tamper with anything

    With taller tires your speedometer will read low. Might want to google "TH350 speedometer gear chart" (or whatever trans you have) to determine what you need. More than likely you can get away with a new "driven" gear, which is easy to change. There are several smart phone apps that will tell...
  25. MikeB

    Small block... buick? Oldsmobile? PONTIAC?

    Just FYI, there is "Unicase" version of the TH350 that works with BOP and Chevy. I have one in my truck, but I don't know what it originally came from. Everything behind the "bellhousing" is the same as a regular Chevy TH350.

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