Project: Rufus Restoration

[nlped]

Sweet!!! I love GMC 4-eyes!!!

[shearjs]

Rufus has been out making friends today.

[mcbassin]

Rufus has been out making friends today.

Looks like some excellent numbers! congrats on the sweet tune.

[Bennett68C10]

Nice HP/TQ numbers Jason, should be a blast to drive

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looks like some excellent numbers! congrats on the sweet tune.

Originally Posted by nlped

Sweet!!! I love GMC 4-eyes!!!

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Nice HP/TQ numbers Jason, should be a blast to drive

Thanks guys. I'm happy to finally have it tuned and back safely in the garage. I was hoping for something a little closer to 400ish, but I'm happy with the results. Just from a short test drive, I can definitely feel the increase. It should be a whole lot of fun!

[shearjs]

Picked up 50hp from the initial base tune run to the final run.

[shearjs]

I've been working through a few bugs recently and haven't been able to drive Rufus as much as I'd hoped. Apparently my rear brakes haven't been working at all since day 1. The rear disc kit that I have uses mid 80's Cadi calipers with the parking brake built in, and they aren't exactly self adjusting like you would expect. The parking brake needs to be engaged often to keep the brakes properly adjusted. I think I've figured it out now, so we'll see how that goes. I've also had a small drip from the rear end where the axle tubes are pressed into the center housing. I've cleaned and sealed it with some JB Weld for the time being. Maybe this winter I can pull the axle and actually get it welded up. Also had a leak coming from my tranny cooler that I have on the rails under the cab. I've decided to run new lines up to the radiator and use the built in cooler rather than the heat sink type on the rails. I just feel like this would provide better cooling. In all the down time, I've been driving the ol Ford (MaryAnn) a little. Actually took her to the Cool Springs Cars and Coffee event this past weekend. They meet every Saturday at 8am, and the first Saturday of the month typically has the biggest crowd with exotic cars included. Even with the misting rain, there was a pretty good turn out, but only one C10, and I didn't even get a picture. Were a couple cool 40's Chevy trucks though.(a couple photos, courtesy of John Albani Photography)

[shearjs]

It's been a while since a good update. I finally got the gremlins worked out, and ol Rufus back on the road again. Decided to take him to work today to stretch the legs. Sure feels good to be back.

[earl84]

I stalked you over here from Captainfab's hydroboost adapter thread. I'm currently working on a '66 C20. No build thread. I have replaced pretty much the entire drive train, along with numerous other things, but the 454 is one of my favorite parts, just doesn't have the vacuum to run a vac booster very well. So working through that with a hydro boost from an '04 Chevy that I will be getting today.
This is a very nice truck, love everything you have done to it, and would love to build one similar to it one day.

[earl84]

I stalked you over here from Captainfab's hydroboost adapter thread. I'm currently working on a '66 C20. No build thread. I have replaced pretty much the entire drive train, along with numerous other things, but the 454 is one of my favorite parts, just doesn't have the vacuum to run a vac booster very well. So working through that with a hydro boost from an '04 Chevy that I will be getting today.
This is a very nice truck, love everything you have done to it, and would love to build one similar to it one day.

[JRANGER]

love that old ford......Once i paint mine we will have to have a photo op lol

[mcbassin]

Anything new on ole Rufus? Or you just driving the tires off....

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by earl84

I stalked you over here from Captainfab's hydroboost adapter thread. I'm currently working on a '66 C20. No build thread. I have replaced pretty much the entire drive train, along with numerous other things, but the 454 is one of my favorite parts, just doesn't have the vacuum to run a vac booster very well. So working through that with a hydro boost from an '04 Chevy that I will be getting today.
This is a very nice truck, love everything you have done to it, and would love to build one similar to it one day.

Sounds like you have a fun project to keep you busy. I ran manual brakes for a while and the hydroboost is night and day difference. It works very well!

Originally Posted by JRANGER

love that old ford......Once i paint mine we will have to have a photo op lol

Thanks buddy. I have some big plans for that ol ford down the road. It's a fun old truck.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Anything new on ole Rufus? Or you just driving the tires off....

Nothing all that new. I had a ground issue that was messing with my engine and gauges that I finally fixed. Also got the leaks taken care. No more puddles! It's a blast to drive right now and the power is ridiculous compared to before. I wish I could drive it alot more often than I do.

[Low Elco]

Good Lord, Rufus is purdy. Love that blue.

[chris909]

Looks Great!!!

[sduckworth13]

Originally Posted by shearjs

It's been a while since a good update. I finally got the gremlins worked out, and ol Rufus back on the road again. Decided to take him to work today to stretch the legs. Sure feels good to be back.

Nice work on getting your engine back together and good to hear your getting to drive your truck again.

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Good Lord, Rufus is purdy. Love that blue.

Originally Posted by chris909

Looks Great!!!

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Nice work on getting your engine back together and good to hear your getting to drive your truck again.

Thanks guys. Fun to finally drive it a little and work on it a little less.

[shearjs]

I decided to pick up one of those fancy 3 piece engine covers to cover up this ugly mess of a truck intake manifold. I've been against these things from the beginning, but its starting to grow on me a little.

[Hart_Rod]

Looks good.

[nlped]

I like 'em

[Bennett68C10]

That looks much better Jason, I like it.

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Looks good.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by nlped

I like 'em

Thanks, it's growing on me too.

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

That looks much better Jason, I like it.

Thanks. Definitely looks better than that truck intake.

[mcbassin]

I really like the three piece cover! Looks great

[Rusbuilt]

Looks way cleaner!!

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I really like the three piece cover! Looks great

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

Looks way cleaner!!

Thanks guys!

A little update...I've been puzzled by a coolant leak since mid summer. I'd noticed a couple little spots on the floor and thought maybe it was just some residual antifreeze left in the nooks and crannies after the engine upgrades. I had the radiator pressure tested when it was down just to be sure. I also sprayed the radiator support with the water hose to make sure all the coolant was flushed out. I went for a ride last week and noticed more coolant spots on the floor, so I decided to do some research. I talked with Tony at Entropy radiators and came to the conclusion that electrolysis likely destroyed my Griffin. I'd had some ground issues after painting the power steering bracket, which, he said, will contribute to electrolysis on LS swaps. Rather than replacing with another Griffin, I decided to give Entropy a try. He recommended I add a bung for a consumable zinc anode just in case electrolysis is present in the future. He also suggested I only use premix antifreeze, and not to use the concentrate with distilled water. Hopefully this takes care of this pesky leak and gets ol blue back on the road.