Author Topic: "The Pearl" 1988 x-cab sas on 35" km2's. Engine updates! (Read 18283 times)

Jrod · « **Reply #30 on:** Feb 21, 2011, 08:51:16 PM »

It's one I built using the plans from gottrikes.com, they're worth the $12 or so dollars and that's not very much compared to what the bender costs all said and done.
I'm using a pro tools 105 die it's for 1.75" OD tube, 6" center line radius, 240 degree (can bend 180's)

Rocksnail · « **Reply #31 on:** Feb 21, 2011, 09:29:54 PM »

Yeah thats where i got my plans from. How much was that die? $240? thats the same specs i wanted for my die. I also need a notcher. I found a DIY one on pirate but cant seam to find it anymore. I was also looking in to a Pipe master. its a nice item to use when making notches with out a notcher.

yotaneck13 · « **Reply #32 on:** Feb 22, 2011, 03:54:54 AM »

anyone have the plans and want to email me them?

Jrod · « **Reply #33 on:** Mar 03, 2011, 10:15:58 PM »

The die was $290 plus s&h.
I'm having fun with it, I have 80 feet of dom I'm picking up march 10th, I'm going to start with a stinger/front bumper for my winch plate, and some super solid rock sliders that I can tie a cage down into.
I scored a delta drill press for cheap from some local classifieds, I'm planning on buying this notcher for my drill press:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HCK-SPPIPE/?rtype=10

One thing too that helped me with drawing and laying out bend plans/measurements was a little stencil I made, It's a simple 3" diameter circle. I cut it out of one of those flimsy plastic cutting boards, I marked it from 0-180 degrees in 10 degree increments.
Now when I'm drawing something up and need to simulate the radius of my die, I use the little stencil and draw in my bend to whatever degree I'm looking for. Everything just has to be a quarter of it's intended size, which helps it fit on the paper, but it has been giving me some great insight as to what I can/can't do with my bender.

Rocksnail · « **Reply #34 on:** Mar 05, 2011, 09:54:35 AM »

Nice price on that notcher. I have been looking for one my self. Been tossing around the idea of building my own Notcher. Once you get it let us know how it works for you. I wont be buying one till middle or end of this summer when i start my cage.

Jrod · « **Reply #35 on:** Mar 23, 2011, 03:16:56 PM »

I might not buy that notcher after reading about them having needle bearings vs brass bushing type bearings, so I've been debating on getting the JD2 TN-100 notcher, it's $215 but seems like a lot better quality setup, and I plan on doing some serious repetitive notching.

My spare block is at the machine shop getting bored out and decked. That's all the news I have on my truck, but I did take a couple pics of some my welds..

These are short arc mig

Trying to avoid cold starts and hot stops on stainless steel.

Stainless lap

Jrod · « **Reply #36 on:** Apr 04, 2011, 02:16:06 PM »

This was a good lesson in learning aluminum's ability to conduct heat.
First bead (middle) was good with a little bit too much amperage at the end, and the other 2 I ran immediately after without letting the piece cool or without lowering my amperage thus they look like bird crap.

I wanted to get some practice in on tube before I just go at it on my truck, I hand notched this with a torch for the record. So the fit up was far from perfect.

Can't wait to get a notcher. I've decided to go with Jd2's "Notchmaster". Final answer.

Jrod · « **Reply #37 on:** May 28, 2011, 11:19:00 PM »

Update:
I did some sheet metal work and patched some holes in the lower cab corners, and using the infamous driveway paint booth, I decided to paint my cab with black truck bed liner.

This stuff is awesome, it hardened up and completely ruined my shirt. It's got a great rubbery texture that feels like snake skin, and I feel like I did a good job helping preserve my cab.

This is so you guys can point and laugh at a goofy paint job.

But the stock bed won't be around much longer so this helps focus on what's important.

Jrod · « **Reply #38 on:** Jul 09, 2011, 04:27:22 PM »

I got my new 35's mounted

I now have a matching set once again!! Bfg km2's

4x4isLIFE · « **Reply #39 on:** Jul 10, 2011, 01:12:27 AM »

nice.

Jrod · « **Reply #40 on:** Jul 22, 2011, 10:23:58 AM »

They've been a blast so far

I've also (finally) started rebuilding my spare, non-cracked block. I put a reconditioned crankshaft in, pistons bored .050" over, and reconditioned connecting rods.

Jrod · « **Reply #41 on:** Jul 22, 2011, 10:57:52 AM »

Here's some recent aluminum tig beads.

Kinda blurry, but this was pulse mig on aluminum.

twistedtoy92 · « **Reply #42 on:** Jul 23, 2011, 06:39:10 PM »

.050'' over? never seen that.... just .020'' .030'' .040'' .060'' and .080'' for the 22r

Jrod · « **Reply #43 on:** Jul 24, 2011, 07:41:54 PM »

Really? I didn't think there was anything bigger than .040 I'll have to measure the bore I guess, but that's what the machinist told me.

Update:
Today I primed and painted the block, oil pan, and a couple of brackets chevy orange. I threw the timing cover on for that bling bling effect 8)

twistedtoy92 · « **Reply #44 on:** Jul 25, 2011, 02:07:01 PM »

I bet its .020'' over, they have .5 on the tops of the pistons. Yeah LCE sells some crazy forged pistons, I'd never run over .040''

Engines looking sweet!! I cant wait to get mine put back together!!!!

Jrod · « **Reply #45 on:** Sep 02, 2011, 10:02:49 PM »

I got this LCE header used off ebay, it cleaned up nicely.

The cylinder head is now at a local machine shop getting completely rebuilt with 2mm bigger intake valves and 3mm bigger exhaust valves.
Part of me wishes I had found a donor with a 3rz at this point.. But I've been able to stay on the inexpensive side with this rebuild, and I want to focus on other parts of the truck, so simple and reliable will work for now.

Jrod · « **Reply #46 on:** Dec 24, 2011, 12:46:23 PM »

I just got my cylinder head back from the machine shop, it got a full rebuild with an engnbldr 261 camshaft and oversized stainless steel ferrea valves. 3mm bigger exhausts and 2mm bigger intakes. All I have left to do now is degree in my cam!