Anyone else get problems like these?

[Tom]

Ok this is kinda a vent post, but I really do want to know if you guys go threw this trouble. Remember now I have to do all this by my self, even getting the tranny up [on a floor jack] cause theres no one to help me.

Problem #1- torque convertor is just a hair to far away, so I need shims. 3 days and 5 auto parts stores later I buy grade 8 washers at the hardware store and forget about trying to find the correct shims.

#2- New dipstick from GM dosent fit
#3- driveshaft is 2" too short. Driveshaft shop says its at max length for tube size and I can either find longer shaft from junkyard to cut down or make new one for $250.
#4- only 1pc longbed driveshaft I can find is $75. Plus shortining it cost another $70. Thats $145 to get a driveshaft that will fit.
#5- new crossmember location dosent work. Cat convertors are in the way. Right now the crossmember sits unbolted [not possable to bolt it down] on top of cat convertors with tranny resting on crossmember. How long it will hold? Who knows. Theres another $150 to re-do the exaust.

And I dont have enough to do all this. So my truck will sit, doing nothing for weeks. Im so glad I bought another automatic tranny.

[mike reeh]

#2) I just went thru that too. is your problem that the new dipstick doesnt fit inside the new tube? I had to use a drill bit and open up the tube at the top to make the dipstick fit. I found that very surprising. It wasnt a one-off either, I went back and tried other dipsticks they had in stock and same thing. wierd.

#3) I need a front driveshaft for my 4WD and I have two spares, one is just a little too long, and the other is just a little too short. New one will cost me almost $300

the other ones Ive experienced at times but those two really hit home, as they happened recently

mike

[swervin ervin]

Dang Tom, that sounds like my kind of luck. I think we all go through spells where every thing we touch goes to hell on a rail. Then we have times where thing seem to fall in place real easy.

I feel for you both. I really do. It sucks working on these things sometimes, but the good times make it all worth it.

We having fun yet?

[bigd65]

The only thing i had to do to convert mine from the th350 to the 700r4 was move the cross member back and redrill the front holes. my drive shaft and everything else all fit. as far as the torque converter to far away ? i dont understand. you just pull it forward, never heard of shims for the torque converter

[87gmc]

Bummer, i hope everything works out for you. I know what you mean though im having some trouble getting things for my truck also, and there is never enough money.

[79BIG10]

Dang that sucks Tom. I wonder if any of the local tranny shops have driveshafts around that you could swap them since people do change out to different trannys.

[MylilBowTie]

That is the main reason I dont like working on my truck. Every little or big thing has to be a major biz nitch to mess with. Yeah I understand its not new and all that but still I have seen alot older cars than that and I had no problems out of them like my truck at all.

Yeah its a love - hate relationship... it hates me but I still love it.

Keep in there hopefully it will be worth it in the end to you

Ive now had my truck 2 years. Did complete brakes all around minus calipers and rotors, 6 transmissions 2 sets of u-joints, Full daul exhuast with cats, every drive train mount possible trying to fix a vibration, 2 Flexplates, Engine rebuilt once, tore back into cause of blown head gaskets. Then it got some goodies like a magnum cam and valve train, s/r heads, and rpm intake (no echeck for 2 years) about 4 sets of tires, 4 different style rims, every light bulb is new... and the list goes on and on and on and on.. but Im going to stop cuz my hands are tired of typing. Believe me I know how are you feeling.

[CHEVYJEFF]

Welcome to the world of HOT RODDING.
My rule of thumb (or busted knuckels) is this.
Every major project ususlly costs in the range of 2-4k
Every time you change one thing be prepared to change 5 others
It will always cost 2X the amount you thought and take 2X as long
It is always better to take your time and not rush.
Do it yourself or be involved in the process so you know its right and you know what you have.
Research, car shows and forums are great for this
During stages of the project I usually grab multiple beers and sit or lay under the car and just look and imagine what problems could arise. My girlfriend thinks Im crazy when she finds me under the car for an hour and I havent used one tool.

[BigRed]

Yeah, I've noticed that Murphy's law is very abundant when I'm trying to fix something. When it rains, it usually pours!!

Good luck with your problems. Unfortunately, I can't be of much help.

[PHOENIX]

I never heard of torque converter shims either.
Is it pretty common?

I could help out Friday or sometime this weekend if you need it.

Maybe even wed. if my mom doesnt come over. She usually comes over on wed. and we go out to dinner.

When are you going to need help?

[Tom]

Torque convertor shims- If the torque convertor is too far away from the flexplate then when you pull it foward you could pull it too far and it will not engage the pump correctly, resulting in major damage [not good on my $1500 investment]

Thanks for the words guy. For some reason I feel better knowing you've all been threw it

[racedvl]

And I thought I was the only one who just sat/layed and stared for an hour +.