Any good hacks/upgrades you've come up with for our trucks

[77 K20]

Yep, bolts right on with the correct bolts. More power and less amp draw.

A good example is my '78 Burb. It had a fresh reman starter, manifolds and a good strong battery. It had heat soak issues and it had a very hard time cranking the 454 over when hot. I put on a good used 'vortec' style starter, a set of headers and also had to install a weaker, older battery. It cranks right over at all times now.

Just in case people haven't seen the vortec style next to the stock starter: Notice the dual bolt pattern for the vortec style starter. It will fit both size flexplates (153 tooth vs 168 tooth)

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I did however have to modify my flex plate inspection cover. Stock was just a round/semi circle. The new starter has the square "block" and so needed a "square hole". Guess the correct way might be grab a inspection cover from a newer vehicle from a junk yard?

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[bucket]

Just in case people haven't seen the vortec style next to the stock starter: Notice the dual bolt pattern for the vortec style starter. It will fit both size flexplates (153 tooth vs 168 tooth)

You must be registered for see images attach

I did however have to modify my flex plate inspection cover. Stock was just a round/semi circle. The new starter has the square "block" and so needed a "square hole". Guess the correct way might be grab a inspection cover from a newer vehicle from a junk yard?

You must be registered for see images attach

While similar in size, that's not what GM used on the vortec motors. I have a picture somewhere...

 

[Rusty Nail]

What's Scotchlock?

 

[CSFJ]

What's Scotchlock?

the retarded cousin of the wirenut

 

[Blue Ox]

What's Scotchlock?

These things:

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[77 K20]

While similar in size, that's not what GM used on the vortec motors. I have a picture somewhere...

Oh... that's right... its coming back to me now. I was going to go with a vortec style one, but chose that Chevrolet perfomance gear reduction starter because of the dual bolt pattern for both flex plates. My new engine had a smaller flex plate than my old 400.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Scotchlocks are the most trash connector ever lol

 

[bucket]

Oh... that's right... its coming back to me now. I was going to go with a vortec style one, but chose that Chevrolet perfomance gear reduction starter because of the dual bolt pattern for both flex plates. My new engine had a smaller flex plate than my old 400.

There was also a straight pattern version of the "vortec" starter, it was used in cars with the smaller flywheel. It was used in the B-body, F-body and I think the Corvette too. I believe it went into production much sooner too, with the LT-1.

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Top left is a 168 tooth starter
Bottom left is a 153 tooth 305 style starter (for 5-speed iirc)
Top right is a hokey Jeg's starter
Bottom right is the 168 tooth "vortec" starter

 

[78C10BigTen]

The more i look at this vortec starter talk i think i may upgrade my huge old one to a vortec and see how much faster it really does spin. May end up too fast with my 1100 CA battery.

 

[78C10BigTen]

Ive also been looking at this one too...

www.dbelectrical.com/products/chevy-305-350-454-mini-racing-pmgr-starter-ht-sdr0031-l.html?src=prn#write_review

 

[Rusty Nail]

There was also a straight pattern version of the "vortec" starter, it was used in cars with the smaller flywheel. It was used in the B-body, F-body and I think the Corvette too. I believe it went into production much sooner too, with the LT-1.

You must be registered for see images attach

Top left is a 168 tooth starter
Bottom left is a 153 tooth 305 style starter (for 5-speed iirc)
Top right is a hokey Jeg's starter
Bottom right is the 168 tooth "vortec" starter

Dang! You sure got a lot of starters!
Looks like you need more engines to go with em all..

 

[Doug13]

Hello guys , Dougnsalem wanted me to repost the barn door straps i made for my Suburban. I took some old seat belt's and made some door straps out of them . I measured the length I wanted and I cut to fit . I used 10 pound test fishing line to sew them up .

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[Termite_Delight]

The vans in the 80's had a strap like that, in the 90's they came with a folding metal strap. The metal strap had a spring that would hold the door open, makes it easier to load your truck on a windy day!

 

[eskimomann209]

Hello guys , Dougnsalem wanted me to repost the barn door straps i made for my Suburban. I took some old seat belt's and made some door straps out of them . I measured the length I wanted and I cut to fit . I used 10 pound test fishing line to sew them up .

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You could order limiting straps for that
We use em on 4 links

https://www.amazon.com/DOUBLE-LIMIT...ting+strap&dpPl=1&dpID=41tM-ERM5bL&ref=plSrch

 

[eskimomann209]

You know for those of us that can’t sew