LUVTruck.com

So what is the current tally of whats still needed?

You have the complete gasket kit correct?

-Rings and Pistons 131.50 via Ebay
-Thrust washer $9.00.
-Rod bearings $28.
-Main bearings $60
-Paper work and all the red tape $130

so that bring it up to what.... $358.50

You may be able to get it miked at the machine shop to ensure bore size since you don't have the proper tools.

The pic may just a little blurry but I can't really see the crack in the new pic.

I am trying to sell my turbo again and a couple things around the shop to try to help you out with the expenses.

Well back to some paper work here at the shop. I will try to talk to you later on messenger John if your around.

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I don't think I have the correct gasket kit. I know for sure it's the wrong valve cover, but haven't checked the head gasket set. The machine shop advises me that the block from Ctmandu will need to be cleaned as he also said. They will mic it for $10 or $15, so that's a savings for me if I never need to mic again. Then "float" the cylinders. I also need to transport the block to and from the shop and usually that requires a favor or two. I'm going to start cleaning up the shop of mine to receive the block tomorrow. I have a couple other options and we'll get into that later.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Well all is loaded and ready to go. I also found the hot/cold water valve for you so ill bring that too...
As a side not I found 3 of those grab handles for the luv that I didn’t even know I had so it was a good day and I think ill use 2 of them on my luv when the new headliner goes in

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My old but now gone Luv...

See!! My Dad always says.... good clean living pays off.
Which is another way of saying ...you do a good deed and a good deed will come back to you.

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

This is an exciting day for me and my family, where we have a visitor from out of the state coming and bringing such a gift. It's almost like having a wise man come from afar and making me feel like the baby Jesus. I feel all giddy and don't know what to say except I thank everyone for all your comments and inspiration. We're going to give it our best effort to have the rebuild go perfect. I hope Ctmandu has a safe trip.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Glad to hear your in a good mood today John, So what is it like to have been visited by a star?

Find out the specs of the block, far as the bore and everything?

Have came a cross a couple people interested in some of my goods, so may be able to send you some cash pretty soon.

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Lots to say. All the way from central Oregon comes the Catman bearing gifts that give me such a boost and such a good time we had. Ctmandu is the nicest guy you could ever hope to meet, and we all enjoyed his company. He brought a block that has been bored out and some other things done. He also brought an electric choke which I needed, and a hot/cold valve for the heater hoses. He has a great LUV truck, and I took lots of photos today, about 75. Some were taken by my son since we were busy dismantling the engine from Tazman. There's some video, too! I hope you all enjoy this.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Glad to hear your gift has arrived John, Have you learned how much it is bored over? It looks like a really good block to be starting fresh from.

Ctmandu Wow..... You truck seems to look better every time I see it but seeing it in motion seemingly put it over the top. (seeing the Frenched in antenna actually work just was simply bad!)

This is when I need to have the sound fixed on my comp I talked to Mr. Fox today and he seems interested in a few things, so find out the info of the pistons and rings and I will see what I can do for you.

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well all is good and I am back home, the truck ran great and had no problems ...cruised at 80/85 all the way home. again thanks john for the lunch and great day in washinton, your wife cooks a great meal. now hopefully you can get the block checked for the pistons to see how much it has been bored over and buil;d a good running motor from the other 2 and my block

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My old but now gone Luv...

Well Catman, it was a super duper pleasure just meeting you and it was a great deed you did for me, and I will never forget it. This has been a day to feel rejuvenation, and I will keep doing the best I know how to document and photograph all the moves I make, so any one after me can see what needs to be done. I owe you THANKS and more THANKS for the electric choke and the water valve. I will be putting the parts from my truck, your block, and Tazman's engine all together in the best possible way along with the new things as needed.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

I got so may things to think about with the visits with Tazman and Catman. These two men are real great people, and I am very happy to have met them. I've met Eric Q, and he's no different. I'm going to start believing that most guys who want a ride called a LUV have the greatest hearts of anyone. I've also met BlackLuv80, RPOZ11, and DBest on IM, with the webcam and that's almost as good as meeting them in person. StephenHJ also has IM with me, but we should meet before too long as we're only about ten miles apart.

This morning I measured the block's cylinder and got a measurement, 3.2980". That can't be right and the reason is I was shivering and not as careful as I should've been. I'll do it again later. I plan to remove the crankshaft from Taz's engine today and have it ready to go to the machine shop. I also need to remove the head from the engine in my LUV, as the shop wants to clean it all. I hope to get over there as soon as tomorrow, but that depends on getting a ride. The shop will mic everything and then I'll know what pistons I need and go from there.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Wow! This is a great thread! So glad to see that people still help each other out in the world! AWESOME!

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http://bp3.blogger.com/_RApJIlqIIM4/R8d ... C-042S.JPG

Up and at it already John. So there gonna mic up everything, clean everything, polish the crank and plus pressing on the pistons. So what is that gonna run you Fulla? So what would a "3.2980"" bore be 30 over? What is the stock bore? Heck I am sure you will tell me when you find out.

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My series 5 manual say the bore is standard @ 3.310, so it may be standard bore.

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If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

But he said the stander pistons where loose in the cylinders, maybe he tried it without the rings?

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I didn't see that, hope it's not the case.

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If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

A good std. piston no rings and a feeler gauge will get you real close if you are curious.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

Looking at things today a little better brings me to conclude that the engine I got from Tazman would not have been a good candidate for use in the LUV for three reasons.
1) The block is cracked
2) The camshaft is broken
3) The #2 piston's top ring was broken
However, the crankshaft (see photo above) looks good, and might only need polishing. The piston rods look good, too. The engine was very clean inside and had no rust. I also have photos of the hot/cold valve and the electric thermostat from Catman. Also I noticed that even though Catman's block has been honed, it still needs to be bored, as there is a noticeable ridge at the top of some cylinders. The digital calipers indicate the bore is standard, so boring it out to fit either 020" or 030" oversize pistons should be perfect. I also didn't get the main bearing caps that should have come with the block, so that will require a line bore which will be $130.00, after I use the main caps from Tazman's engine. I will need the block surfaced, $70. Magnafluxing the block is $25, removing the pistons and pressing in the pins for the new pistons is $30.00. Having the measurements done will add another $10. Pistons look to be about $70, and rings another $70.

It looks like with my engine head, Tazman's crankshaft and rods, Catman's block, and some new pistons and rings from BlackLuv, we'll get it going good.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Fullaluv, If the cylinders clean up, it may not need boring unless the wear in the cylinders is out of spec. The ridge is at the top is common to used engines and can be removed if the bore is not out of spec.

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If you think no one cares, try missing a couple of payments...



FIAA!

SFPP!

It is out-of-round. The photo of my son holding the broken ring half is not a reflection...it was actually dark where the ring was not touching. The side to side wear is greater than the front to back. I will be giving the machine shop the last word on the block, as well as the head, the crank, the rods, and the pistons so it should all work out.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.