Work Schedule Thread for The Long Awaited Long Needed Long Cruiser V8 - (Always see Post 1 for latest work plan)

[Inukshuk]

good call sticking with the mechanical fan

Please, say more

 

[timmbuck2]

Make sure to bring your longjohns this weekend!

 

[rover67]

Typically mechanical fan setups allow more free airflow through the radiator than the typical electric fans and shrouds people use. Many folks use pretty flat shrouds for electric fans and they flow like crap at speed so it forces the fan to cycle a ton even though there is a bunch of airflow over the front of the truck. Anyhow the bigger deeper shrouds for mechanical fans usually allow there to be better natural cooling at hwy speeds since they are more open and allow air to flow through them even if the fan isnt spinning hard. Also, electric fans need wiring, fuses, relays, etc and are typically controlled by the ECU (PCM, Computer, Whatever) or an external controller that senses water temp and are succeptible to failures from DIY wiring issues, motor failures, programming issues, and enviromental effects (road salt, water, ambient and engine heat, etc). I'd rather take the mechanical losses from a big mechanical fan than the potential issues from an electric one in a truck.

If you can, make sure the mechanical fan's blades are able to extend like halfway into the shroud and there isnt a ton of clearance with the fan blade tips and shroud. Those two things should make it work a little better than a fan in free space behind a shroud that doesnt extend all the way back. just try and copy the setup in the GM truck you pulled it all from.

 

[J Kimmel]

Please, say more

Factory shroud, radiator, hoses and factory mechanical fan. It sits right at 210° no matter what. One afternoon I sat on the highway in the sun moving around 3-4 mph for about an hour at upper 90’s and it never moved off of 210.
Keeping the factory junk just takes one more variable out of the swap blues equation.

 

[White Stripe]

My mechanical fan didn't cool enough for me at idle with the AC on. I could have put a duramax blade on but I went electric.

 

[dan1554]

Wish I had room for the mech fan. I'm up to 4 electric fans now and it's barely holding the temps down on slow uphill climbs.

 

[J Kimmel]

Wish I had room for the mech fan. I'm up to 4 electric fans now and it's barely holding the temps down on slow uphill climbs.

That’s definitely a problem for smaller vehicles.

 

[Inukshuk]

This is the OE shroud attached normally to radiator with another OE shroud flipped upside down and shifted left a couple inches. From there it was cut, fill, weld. The plastic welding is ugly and the top shrank a bit, but I think it will function.
0.5 - .75" clearance at fan tips.
About 1/2 way into shroud.
Unlike Toy fan, this one can be R&R without moving shroud.
Red water pump inlet was for when I thought I'd have electric fan. Its swapped back to OE style.
I will have foam sealing shroud to rad and on OE locations on top of radiator.
The truck had a not-connected pusher fan on the AC condenser I plan to re-install and see if i can get ECM to trigger relay.
.

 

[Inukshuk]

Good day at the LC Garage yesterday. Scott saw this thread and gave the day! We flared some brake lines (re-used a steel OE line for my new left front hardline - with a coil we made), bench bled the new MC, and filled, flushed, and bled the system. Bleeding without ABS or LSPV was different experience.
Scott created LC's "sign" and threw it! IYKYK. Semper Fi!
.

 

[Inukshuk]

Yesterday I put lots and lots of wires together and I’ll be doing more of that today

 

[Inukshuk]

Tuesday evening me, Tyler and Trey all hunted an electrical issue. It was a curious one! 11.9 v backfeeding from the Cruise Control ECU made me think there would be 12v to the starter solenoid with key in "On" position. Maybe. Nothing that could not be solved with a BvB and 1996 LX450 EWD. Checked two things today - that the theft deterrent system was already out and that the the cruise ECU was the source of the backfeed. It was. The current was barely registering on a meter in its most sensitive setting.

Gremlin resolved I put on a serpentine belt, installed the radiator, connected the transmission cooler and all cooler lines, put on the fan shroud, snapped off one of the shroud tabs that had already been broken, properly plastic welded it, modified the nipple guard to fit, fabricated and installed both radiator hoses from various pre-acquired parts, connected the air intake, and called it a night.

Tomorrow I expect to fill the radiator (water for now) system, hook up some wires so I can crank it - at least enough to pump the torque converter full and finish filling the transmission. Oil is already full - filled by pressure into the port by the oil pump top prime the whole system - pump, filter, and some through the galleries. PS is filled and hopefully bled.

Before I start I'm also going to put in some fresh gas and run the fuel pump with fuel rail supply disconnected to flush the line. I also have to get in to HP tuners and turn off VATS (theft system). While there I will enable the fan controller so I can connect an aux fan that was there when I bought it.

Have to plumb and wire in the tank pressure sensor and wire in the Chevy fuel level sender.

Still to be made: exhaust hangers. Exhaust is close to crossmembers as it goes back so I'm not sure how to do those. I have a few types of hangers on hand.

Visitors still welcome. Front stuff including ShortBus bumper, headlights, hood, etc., still to be attached. Have to reconnect lights and probably swap in one or two new batteries under the back seats - the house batteries. It will be busy!

A week from now I am supposed to be 1/2 way to Hammertown. Um ......

 

[Inukshuk]

Sunday: It was the Best of Time and the Worst of Times
Monday: Wake. Crawl out of bed for some microwaved old coffee. Bathroom. Crawl back into bed till 1PM. 2PM go out for a burger, call my transmission guy, feel a bit better, drive to visit LongCruiser.

Back to Sunday.
Best of Times:

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFTun4Jy2tU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Celebratory cigars.
Had some dinner. Watched some football. Got back to work.

Mildly upsetting was the steel (extended limo part) gas line pinhole leak but that happened mid-day and I had enough Gates Barrier fuel injection hose to run back to the Toyota steel line. All fixed, and something I had considered doing earlier.

Worst of Times:
With truck off we added all the coolant it would take. As the truck idled we worked on adding coolant and transmisison fluid. Let it get to operating temp a few times and it chugged coolant from the reservoir bottle.
Then I noticed the dark spot on the floor under the bellhousing.
Transmission oil.
Then I noticed some drops of engine oil clinging to the underside of the bellhousing and rear of pan.
Ugh.
Did a few more on/off cycles and more oil and transmission fluid.
Dreams of KOH evaporated. Dread of pulling the transmission. And what could I do differently? I was so careful with assembly. I'm sick of this project. Why am I doing it.
Went home. Had a bit of ice cream. Collapsed asleep.
Monday: Wake. Crawl out of bed for some microwaved old coffee. Bathroom. Crawl back into bed. Pulled blankets over my head. Is this true depression. In bed, mostly slept, till 1PM. Had weird dreams. Lost. Confused.
Went for a burger with Anna at 2 and called my transmission guy. We talked about possible leak points. Torque converter was only part he did not touch. I R&R'd it. Did not get a new one. He said he's had this happen. Maybe the o-ring got torn. Maybe some fluid spilled out hen I installed the converter (it was mostly empty). He said: put some miles on and monitor. 2,000 mile road trip to CA I asked. Less than that he thought.
I felt a bit better.
Drove to LC. Changed the gasket of the oil bypass plate. I noticed some oil under it and on the filter directly below it. Much easier than a new Rear Main Seal (which I installed on the engine stand.) The seal I had used was the standard thin metal. The only other one I had was for when you use an oil cooler, so its not better. Worse in fact. Ordered one that uses an o-ring. That arrives Wednesday.
Ran the truck. It starts and idles sooo nice. Took it up to operating temperature. Some drops of transmission fluid appeared. Maybe less than Sunday? More oil at the bypass plate and maybe still some engine right (other side).

The Plan: Put all the rest together and get in some local miles. I feel a lot batter after rest, talking to the transmission builder, and seeing the truck again.

I'll head back in the AM and more hands welcome. Wires to organize and zip-tie, front end to reassemble (headlights, grill, bumper) and weld some exhaust hangers (or bailing wire!) (oh yeah, plenty of water from the exhaust joints. I can live with that a while). I'm down, but not out. Won;t make Thursday departure, but .....

 

[BritKLR]

Sunday: It was the Best of Time and the Worst of Times
Monday: Wake. Crawl out of bed for some microwaved old coffee. Bathroom. Crawl back into bed till 1PM. 2PM go out for a burger, call my transmission guy, feel a bit better, drive to visit LongCruiser.

Back to Sunday.
Best of Times:

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFTun4Jy2tU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Celebratory cigars.
Had some dinner. Watched some football. Got back to work.

Mildly upsetting was the steel (extended limo part) gas line pinhole leak but that happened mid-day and I had enough Gates Barrier fuel injection hose to run back to the Toyota steel line. All fixed, and something I had considered doing earlier.

Worst of Times:
With truck off we added all the coolant it would take. As the truck idled we worked on adding coolant and transmisison fluid. Let it get to operating temp a few times and it chugged coolant from the reservoir bottle.
Then I noticed the dark spot on the floor under the bellhousing.
Transmission oil.
Then I noticed some drops of engine oil clinging to the underside of the bellhousing and rear of pan.
Ugh.
Did a few more on/off cycles and more oil and transmission fluid.
Dreams of KOH evaporated. Dread of pulling the transmission. And what could I do differently? I was so careful with assembly. I'm sick of this project. Why am I doing it.
Went home. Had a bit of ice cream. Collapsed asleep.
Monday: Wake. Crawl out of bed for some microwaved old coffee. Bathroom. Crawl back into bed. Pulled blankets over my head. Is this true depression. In bed, mostly slept, till 1PM. Had weird dreams. Lost. Confused.
Went for a burger with Anna at 2 and called my transmission guy. We talked about possible leak points. Torque converter was only part he did not touch. I R&R'd it. Did not get a new one. He said he's had this happen. Maybe the o-ring got torn. Maybe some fluid spilled out hen I installed the converter (it was mostly empty). He said: put some miles on and monitor. 2,000 mile road trip to CA I asked. Less than that he thought.
I felt a bit better.
Drove to LC. Changed the gasket of the oil bypass plate. I noticed some oil under it and on the filter directly below it. Much easier than a new Rear Main Seal (which I installed on the engine stand.) The seal I had used was the standard thin metal. The only other one I had was for when you use an oil cooler, so its not better. Worse in fact. Ordered one that uses an o-ring. That arrives Wednesday.
Ran the truck. It starts and idles sooo nice. Took it up to operating temperature. Some drops of transmission fluid appeared. Maybe less than Sunday? More oil at the bypass plate and maybe still some engine right (other side).

The Plan: Put all the rest together and get in some local miles. I feel a lot batter after rest, talking to the transmission builder, and seeing the truck again.

I'll head back in the AM and more hands welcome. Wires to organize and zip-tie, front end to reassemble (headlights, grill, bumper) and weld some exhaust hangers (or bailing wire!) (oh yeah, plenty of water from the exhaust joints. I can live with that a while). I'm down, but not out. Won;t make Thursday departure, but .....

Congrats on the Start!

 

[NotyourmomsWife]

Sunday: It was the Best of Time and the Worst of Times
Monday: Wake. Crawl out of bed for some microwaved old coffee. Bathroom. Crawl back into bed till 1PM. 2PM go out for a burger, call my transmission guy, feel a bit better, drive to visit LongCruiser.

Back to Sunday.
Best of Times:

View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFTun4Jy2tU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Celebratory cigars.
Had some dinner. Watched some football. Got back to work.

Mildly upsetting was the steel (extended limo part) gas line pinhole leak but that happened mid-day and I had enough Gates Barrier fuel injection hose to run back to the Toyota steel line. All fixed, and something I had considered doing earlier.

Worst of Times:
With truck off we added all the coolant it would take. As the truck idled we worked on adding coolant and transmisison fluid. Let it get to operating temp a few times and it chugged coolant from the reservoir bottle.
Then I noticed the dark spot on the floor under the bellhousing.
Transmission oil.
Then I noticed some drops of engine oil clinging to the underside of the bellhousing and rear of pan.
Ugh.
Did a few more on/off cycles and more oil and transmission fluid.
Dreams of KOH evaporated. Dread of pulling the transmission. And what could I do differently? I was so careful with assembly. I'm sick of this project. Why am I doing it.
Went home. Had a bit of ice cream. Collapsed asleep.
Monday: Wake. Crawl out of bed for some microwaved old coffee. Bathroom. Crawl back into bed. Pulled blankets over my head. Is this true depression. In bed, mostly slept, till 1PM. Had weird dreams. Lost. Confused.
Went for a burger with Anna at 2 and called my transmission guy. We talked about possible leak points. Torque converter was only part he did not touch. I R&R'd it. Did not get a new one. He said he's had this happen. Maybe the o-ring got torn. Maybe some fluid spilled out hen I installed the converter (it was mostly empty). He said: put some miles on and monitor. 2,000 mile road trip to CA I asked. Less than that he thought.
I felt a bit better.
Drove to LC. Changed the gasket of the oil bypass plate. I noticed some oil under it and on the filter directly below it. Much easier than a new Rear Main Seal (which I installed on the engine stand.) The seal I had used was the standard thin metal. The only other one I had was for when you use an oil cooler, so its not better. Worse in fact. Ordered one that uses an o-ring. That arrives Wednesday.
Ran the truck. It starts and idles sooo nice. Took it up to operating temperature. Some drops of transmission fluid appeared. Maybe less than Sunday? More oil at the bypass plate and maybe still some engine right (other side).

The Plan: Put all the rest together and get in some local miles. I feel a lot batter after rest, talking to the transmission builder, and seeing the truck again.

I'll head back in the AM and more hands welcome. Wires to organize and zip-tie, front end to reassemble (headlights, grill, bumper) and weld some exhaust hangers (or bailing wire!) (oh yeah, plenty of water from the exhaust joints. I can live with that a while). I'm down, but not out. Won;t make Thursday departure, but .....

you'll get there!!! Andy had lots of little "kinks" to work out once he got his started and moving under its own power... it just takes time but you'll get there you've an done amazing job so far!!!

 

[J Kimmel]

Great job starting it!

Now you get to chase all the “I thought you tightened that!” and the “I knew we should’ve replaced that”

 

[Inukshuk]

Great job starting it!

Now you get to chase all the “I thought you tightened that!” and the “I knew we should’ve replaced that”

All fasteners marked with white paint pen after torquing. Except whatever I forgot.

I knew we should’ve replaced Exhibit #1: Steel fuel line. I knew a bit I had cut off showed lots of corrosion. Now all replaced. Interestingly the smaller diameter return and vent are a copper blend brake line sized and not corroded.

 

[rover67]

Nice work y’all. Get it going enough to do some solid rips up I-70 so you can tease out out all the issues before heading west. Full pulls as they say.

 

[Inukshuk]

Nice work y’all. Get it going enough to do some solid rips up I-70 so you can tease out out all the issues before heading west. Full pulls as they say.

The "y'all" part is really appropriate. While the bulk of the labor is on me there have been so many people who have visited and worked and contributed in so many ways, this is truly a community project. I'm only the fortunate LC caretaker.

 

[Inukshuk]

1/30/2025 update:

Today was the target date to leave for KOH.

I’m changing my mindset.

I’ve been pushing hard on the work the past two weeks. After the Sunday high (startup) and low (oil and transmission fluid at bellhousing) and a rock-bottom low Monday morning (depressed and exhausted), which got better by the afternoon, we visited the LongCruiser Monday afternoon. Started it but did not work on it except the oil cooler bypass plate (it leaks a bit but now I have a better style cover and gasket and its super easy to change).

Tuesday I got a lot done. My generous host Trey @satchel joined me later in evening and we worked till 1:30 in the morning. It was fun at the time. I wasn’t tired until the end. Wednesday, I was wrecked tired. Nevertheless, Wednesday I went up after desk work, late afternoon. I was tired. It was not fun. I got some things done. I was less productive than I could be.

I let it idle about 30 minutes (doors open and fan blowing). Temp sits nice and stable at 198. Sounds great. I gave it some juice at the end - up to 4000 RPMs. Out came a lot more transmission fluid and oil from the back of the engine. Some coolant from the front radiator hose lower, but that was an easy screw tightening.

I also have emails in my inbox from clients needing attention.

So I said to myself on the drive home last night: what am I doing?

I gave more consideration at the park with the dog this morning. I walked the dog a good long time.

I’m taking a deep breath. I’m hitting the reset button. I’m not giving up on Hammers, but that’s no longer the goal. I have told all the people expecting me. The goal is to make sure I take care of myself, and my clients, and complete the long cruiser build with quality and integrity so that I can enjoy it for years to come.

I had a good breakfast at a place I like. Now I am addressing my email inbox and my client’s needs. Maybe I will still go up and work on the truck this evening. But first I have to restore integrity with work and those e-mails.

My transmission guy says I should put on a few miles before pulling the transmission. Maybe I will. But its not a seeping leak. Its spoonfuls.

I'll update tonight or tomorrow. Maybe some folks will show up in the evenings or tomorrow.or over the weekend and we'll make short work of pulling the transmission to determine the problem. I don't have experience with what to look for at the transmission. Except all the you-tube I have watched. I know where to look for oil leaks but those can also be hard to find - especially with clean oil and engine. But we can run the engine with the trans off (I don't think because of have to bypass the neutral safety switch) and look.

If I need a new rear main seal or just adjust the plate and oil pan, and/or a torque converter, or trans front seal, I should be able to go to a parts store and buy them. Once the truck is ship-shape if they’re still three or four days of hammers available, maybe I’ll go.

I’ll post back up here.

 

[timmbuck2]

Your health and well being is absolutely top priority, Daniel!! Take care of yourself first. You won't be helping anyone if you are not well.

Ty and or I could drop by Saturday if you just need muscle. Brains, we are a little short on, at least for this kind of work.