Re: Project: 1100 AWD Travelall - New engine prep
Buttoned 'er up last night, topped off the fluids and drove it around the neighborhood
It's at least as complete as when I was daily driving it about 7 years ago
The good: runs well, no radical gunk in the gas tank, didn't have to touch the carb which has been sitting 2 years and saw intermittent use for 5 years before that. The Borg Warner transmission is a joy, shifts hard and generally feels very competent. Whoever rebuilt this one when the PO had it knew what they were doing. 727's really do feel like 'slushboxes' in comparison
The bad: The engine *does* have a cam, and not a particularly mild one. Sounds like the Isky 262 that was in my hot rod SII. Not the best choice for this truck, I expect we'll be changing it. I found a 1/8" spacer that probably was between the crank and flexplate, and I think I know why. Flexplates do, and I heard a leetle tiny 'zing' revving the engine. Probably ring gear to starter nose, if the engine comes back out I'll reinstall the spacer. Otherwise a starter spacer from a 727 app should do the trick.
Truck looks good on 32x11.50 rubber at the stock height. I need to load some parts in the back, then it's ready for transport.
Future plans:
8 lug conversion - FF D60 rear, it has a Trac-Loc which will have to do for the time being. GM 44 front with the 1/2" axle tubes and what we think is a TrueTrac, narrowed about 2" on each side(I have the WT Waggy long side inner shaft, looking for a 14.5" OEM app short side inner). The Donnelly will need to convince me about a rear disk conversion.
Brakes - The single diaphragm booster on the truck was never really adequate, so something needs to be done. The truck is safe to drive, but requires more pedal pressure than you'd expect and would catch another driver off guard. Hydroboost is a logical next step.
Ride Height - The biggest rubber I want to run(285/75-16) will fit under it now, but I'm concerned about breakover. I think it wants to be 2" taller. I have a set of custom rear spring packs that should let me ditch the OEM blocks and the air shocks that are band-aiding the tired original springs. The front wants the longer 2WD springs, which are a perfect setup with the GM front housing.
Trail gear - I filched an original accessory gas tank skidplate off the orange victim in the C Series Rust Thread. I may have that duplicated for the other sponson tank. I've toyed with the idea of fitting a 33gal SII tank behind the rear axle as well, forget hauling Jerry cans! I have an OEM style front winch bumper I may use, and a Barden type rear bumper I want to adapt to Travelall service. I have a sweet roof rack concept sketched up, super secret for now
Buttoned 'er up last night, topped off the fluids and drove it around the neighborhood
It's at least as complete as when I was daily driving it about 7 years ago The good: runs well, no radical gunk in the gas tank, didn't have to touch the carb which has been sitting 2 years and saw intermittent use for 5 years before that. The Borg Warner transmission is a joy, shifts hard and generally feels very competent. Whoever rebuilt this one when the PO had it knew what they were doing. 727's really do feel like 'slushboxes' in comparison
The bad: The engine *does* have a cam, and not a particularly mild one. Sounds like the Isky 262 that was in my hot rod SII. Not the best choice for this truck, I expect we'll be changing it. I found a 1/8" spacer that probably was between the crank and flexplate, and I think I know why. Flexplates do, and I heard a leetle tiny 'zing' revving the engine. Probably ring gear to starter nose, if the engine comes back out I'll reinstall the spacer. Otherwise a starter spacer from a 727 app should do the trick.
Truck looks good on 32x11.50 rubber at the stock height. I need to load some parts in the back, then it's ready for transport.
Future plans:
8 lug conversion - FF D60 rear, it has a Trac-Loc which will have to do for the time being. GM 44 front with the 1/2" axle tubes and what we think is a TrueTrac, narrowed about 2" on each side(I have the WT Waggy long side inner shaft, looking for a 14.5" OEM app short side inner). The Donnelly will need to convince me about a rear disk conversion.
Brakes - The single diaphragm booster on the truck was never really adequate, so something needs to be done. The truck is safe to drive, but requires more pedal pressure than you'd expect and would catch another driver off guard. Hydroboost is a logical next step.
Ride Height - The biggest rubber I want to run(285/75-16) will fit under it now, but I'm concerned about breakover. I think it wants to be 2" taller. I have a set of custom rear spring packs that should let me ditch the OEM blocks and the air shocks that are band-aiding the tired original springs. The front wants the longer 2WD springs, which are a perfect setup with the GM front housing.
Trail gear - I filched an original accessory gas tank skidplate off the orange victim in the C Series Rust Thread. I may have that duplicated for the other sponson tank. I've toyed with the idea of fitting a 33gal SII tank behind the rear axle as well, forget hauling Jerry cans! I have an OEM style front winch bumper I may use, and a Barden type rear bumper I want to adapt to Travelall service. I have a sweet roof rack concept sketched up, super secret for now
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