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  1. M

    Did I break my truck?

    Do an IAC re-learn procedure. Check all vacuum hose connections. Grab the throttle linkage and see if you can get any movement out of the shaft. ( IE- wore out bores in the throttle body ) Check all grounds to the engine, not just a visual check... check them for resistance with a multi-meter...
  2. M

    What paint brands?

    I just checked, and you are in California, where getting paint materials is going to be troublesome for the DIY'er.
  3. M

    What paint brands?

    My advice is to quit before you start... it's not as easy as it looks on TV. If you really want to learn, get an inexpensive Harbor Freight spray gun when it's on sale and start out painting small items outside with really inexpensive paint. There is no substitute for experience spraying...
  4. M

    What paint brands?

    Keep in mind, good paint poorly applied over a rough / poor substrate is no better than an economy paint applied over a well prepared undercoat. I have used lots of alkyds, acrylic and urethane enamels over the years, but pretty much all I spray now is urethane single stage or base/clear. To...
  5. M

    350, or 400 small block?

    They will physically bolt to the block. Vortec heads have a specific intake manifold bolt pattern and raised ports. You can not install your 97 intake on your motor. Vortec heads will need to have steam holes drilled, this is a relatively minor job you could do at home, using the 400...
  6. M

    6.5 rd with low alt voltage.

    Volt gauge in dash can read whatever you want, the needles can be pried off and put on in a different 'clock' position. Verify voltage at the alternator, from charge stud to alternator case. As far as headlights go, these trucks typically have ~11.2V at the headlight terminals, to fix...
  7. M

    ARP Main Bolt differences

    There is no specific need for one, but if you want to make power, it's an essentially free way to do so, and keep the oil from being aerated. A baffled oil pan can also help to keep the oil pickup submerged in oil under high lateral and braking forces, however this is not likely to be a...
  8. M

    ARP Main Bolt differences

    With no main bolts, you likely don't have the correct main caps married to their respective places on the block. Will need to bolt them up one at a time and measure the bore, trying each to make sure they are correct. Likely need to line bore the block. 68? and older was small journal, you...
  9. M

    Repainting my entire truck (frame and body, pictures)

    Now is a good time to remove the upper control arm knockouts!!
  10. M

    HOW TO: Wire a Hidden ignition kill switch

    This might help... ;)
  11. M

    Spyder headlamps.....my take on 'em...and LIGHTING in general

    http://www.jwspeaker.com/products/led-fog-lights-model-6150/0547981/ http://www.fourwheeler.com/product-reviews/1403-off-road-lighting-test-festival-of-leds/
  12. M

    Front coilovers on 98 k2500 suburban

    How long do you figure those rod ends on the QA1's will last even on a weekend warrior, let alone a daily driver? There is a reason the factory and others use a rubber or urethane compliance bushing, it will outlast that rod end many, many times. Having a 'good' ride is subjective. One...
  13. M

    Torsion bar woes

    The scrapyard bars are going to be stiffer than what you have for sure. If the control arm bushings are toast, replacing them when the lowers are unloaded is a good idea.
  14. M

    Torsion bar woes

    Grab a fabric tape measure or a vernier caliper, the larger the diameter, the stiffer the bar. Stiffness goes up 8X for a doubling of diameter.
  15. M

    Sound deadening

    Yes, I have two layers of the bubble insulation on the inside of the outer skin with the Sikaflex. When I did my doors, they were completely stripped.
  16. M

    Sound deadening

    Haven't used Eastwood, limited experience with Dynamat, however I have used other brands of panels. I will give you the short and long of it: Cleaning and preparation of the surface is essential to any of the peel and stick products. A small roller applies more pressure to the part, getting...
  17. M

    Got some heartbreaking news today...

    If you haven't put a set of gauges on the rails, or a laser measurement yet, I pretty much guarantee that it will have side sway even if not visible to the eye.
  18. M

    Best Aftermarket Speakers

    JL audio has real transducer engineers and having seen Klippel analysis reports on some of their speakers, they aren't just 'hype'. If your intention is to just make noise, anything at all will work for you.
  19. M

    Interior Paint?????? color match????

    Go to an automotive paint supply house, they will mix you an exact match paint if you provide an interior piece for them to match. Buying products pre-mixed in large batches is a crapshoot. It might cost you ~ $ 25 bucks for a spray can, but it is WELL worth it.
  20. M

    Best Aftermarket Speakers

    Don't think of a speaker as a component, as the vehicle is part of a system. It makes no sense to have good speakers and tires that howl, wind leaks from worn / cracked window belt moldings, and loud / leaky exhaust. I would spend money on sound abatement products before buying expensive...
  21. M

    2.5 inch deep 12" shallow subwoofer

    Interesting shallow neodymium motor driver that has a very large voice coil diameter of almost 10". Linky to test: http://www.audioxpress.com/article/prescient-audio-td-12-a-new-12-thindriver Linky to purchase: http://www.eagleacoustics.com/purchase.html Not cheap, but when depth is at a...
  22. M

    Spyder headlamps.....my take on 'em...and LIGHTING in general

    Bill, congrats on the move! Remember when one door closes, another one opens, sometimes chasing your tail gets annoying and you have to follow your gut.
  23. M

    4.3??? Would like to know more about it.

    Vortec 4.3 has net lash valvetrain, precluding a 'simple' cam swap. It can be done, but you would need to make the valvetrain adjustable. Had pics of one apart a while ago. Tuning the stock computer will give you better driveability and power. In this picture, one valve, the closest one in...
  24. M

    Orange waxy gel stuff

    If it's leaking externally, the surface finish on the block deck or cylinder heads may be too coarse. I would try re-torquing the heads to see if it will quit, but I have my doubts. Hard to tell if it is leaking into the engine, but a used oil analysis will show you if you are leaking...
  25. M

    Cheap and Easy Throttle Response Mods

    True 'dual' exhaust is tossing away power potential from scavenging, or the loss therof. Yes, total flow potential is up, but scavenging is down compared to a system with a Y, H or X pipe that connects both banks together. On a naturally aspirated engine, this is more of an issue compared to a...

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