Triumphant Return

[RotaryRocketeer]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Did you upgrade the internals of the LQ4?

To a point, but nothing extreme. Has a healthy truck oriented cam, .010 over, a good valve job on fresh heads, and appropriate springs. Rotating assembly otherwise stock.

[RotaryRocketeer]

Took it across the scales today. Just a bit heavier than I figured. This is with me in it, 3/4 tank, and all the tools one would keep in a truck.

[jjzepplin]

Originally Posted by RotaryRocketeer

To a point, but nothing extreme. Has a healthy truck oriented cam, .010 over, a good valve job on fresh heads, and appropriate springs. Rotating assembly otherwise stock.

What heads do you have? 317?

[RotaryRocketeer]

Yep. Although I have a set of 862s that I’m slowly porting as I get the time.

[RotaryRocketeer]

Finally got around to installing the stainless brake hoses in the front end, and let me just say NEVER AGAIN. What a pain! They obviously hadn’t been off EVER and the PO was real lax about letting things leak and accumulate grunge.

I’ve never encountered front hoses that were such a hassle, but the task is done and the brakes are much tighter. The lines also didn’t have a 90 degree bend coming off the caliper. Made for a funky fit, but the manufacturer says these are correct and they do function well.

[Greenlee]

Nice truck! Looks like a work horse.

[jjzepplin]

Originally Posted by RotaryRocketeer

Finally got around to installing the stainless brake hoses in the front end, and let me just say NEVER AGAIN. What a pain! They obviously hadn’t been off EVER and the PO was real lax about letting things leak and accumulate grunge.

I’ve never encountered front hoses that were such a hassle, but the task is done and the brakes are much tighter. The lines also didn’t have a 90 degree bend coming off the caliper. Made for a funky fit, but the manufacturer says these are correct and they do function well.

Yeah them stock lines are a real mutha. I put steel braided on my 4x4 fronts 20 years ago and they are still working great. I recall the originals being a real fun day to get off but the new ones were easy to install and I probably should replace them now that you mention being lax.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by RotaryRocketeer

Took it across the scales today. Just a bit heavier than I figured. This is with me in it, 3/4 tank, and all the tools one would keep in a truck.

That's not too bad. You have a 14 bolt FF, and they weigh close to 600 pounds. A flat bed can be a 1000 pounds because they are designed to be abused. Plus what looks like a heavy duty tool box, and how many tool?

My 07 GMC rcsb weighed 4900 with a full tank if gas, and me.

[RotaryRocketeer]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

Nice truck! Looks like a work horse.

Thanks Greenlee! I try to make it better any time I can.

[RotaryRocketeer]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Yeah them stock lines are a real mutha. I put steel braided on my 4x4 fronts 20 years ago and they are still working great. I recall the originals being a real fun day to get off but the new ones were easy to install and I probably should replace them now that you mention being lax.

You ain't kiddin'. That job was almost like some kind of punishment or rite of passage. After a pretty entertaining contortion act on the passenger side, the driver's went a hair smoother, but not much.

I'll lend you some moral support from afar when you do yours.

[RotaryRocketeer]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

That's not too bad. You have a 14 bolt FF, and they weigh close to 600 pounds. A flat bed can be a 1000 pounds because they are designed to be abused. Plus what looks like a heavy duty tool box, and how many tool?

My 07 GMC rcsb weighed 4900 with a full tank if gas, and me.

It was just a couple hundred lbs. over what I had guessed. WOW! Later gen RCSB trucks are that heavy?!

No FF rear here though. This sucker has a 14 SF (weak sauce) and there's no toolbox on it. Just some things under and behind the seat. You're dead on with the bed though. Right around 1,000 lbs. She's just an ol' flat girl.

Edit: Nevermind. It is a FF rear end. I don’t know what I was thinking.

[RotaryRocketeer]

Driver’s side rear hub bearing started clicking pretty hard a couple days ago. It would seem that the truck’s new heart is a bit too strong for its worn out old ankles.

I’m gonna order parts and do both sides in the same sitting. Y’all got any advice or tips and tricks to help it go smoothly? I’ve never done anything to a 14 bolt FF, so any advice is appreciated.

[jjzepplin]

It was not your engine that damaged your 14 bolt. They are pretty indestructible. Most likely it was just age or a bad seal. They are very forgiving if you make sure you replace the bad parts with good name brand stuff.