LUVTruck.com

Bull! John you should know better then that by now. Besides it has mainly been work we have been covered at the shop with jobs that "have to be done that day" plus trying to keep the main couple of projects on track as well. It's gettin tough keeping up with our two man crew. Glad to see you have kept busy while a was gone. So the ol' Luv will be going back together in the near future I see. I wish you luck John, hopefully we will have the chance to shoot the breeze pretty soon.

_________________

Not like I have to ask, but be sure to post how it goes doing that front tranny seal. I've always heard it is more trouble than it should be and it would be nice to haved a first hand account.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

I took the retainer off today. The seal didn't seem bad at all, and I'm thinking of putting it back on. I don't know why it is so expensive, unless it comes with the whole retainer. I will pick it up tomorrow anyway, and compare the new with the old, and maybe I will return the new one. I have to make a new gasket for the retainer since there isn't one on the market that I could find. Here's photos for the future and anyone who has questions about the FRONT TRANSMISSION SEAL. There was no fluid loss from removing the retainer.

Added note: When I went in to get the new seal, they didn't have it in the box; it was just a sleeve. I don't know whether some one had taken the rubber seal out of the box, or if it was just a sleeve. I didn't get it. $46 is too much to pay for it, and I didn't really need it. I conclude it must have been engine oil on the bell housing.


I was absolutely sure to have it clean before removing the bolts.


Here is exactly as it looked right upon removal.


All cleaned up/Better than laying on my back, but still a tight squeeze!!!!

_________________
'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

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

It's all here, the block and everything. Check it out...


My son Fred is intrigued!/The block, crankshaft, and flywheel


Pistons and crank


Block resurfaced/Cylinders bored to .030" oversize, honed with cross-hatch pattern


Line bored/Main caps


New pressure plate/Clutch driven plate

_________________
'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

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

Now the fun begans again. Take your time, go slow, double check everything you do, and then check it again. Be persistent, cautious, and determined. The whole web site is routing for you.

_________________
1980 Chevy Luv 4x4 Mikado
the "Ole Man from Spokane"

With all the work you’re having them do they could of at lest painted the block black for you... so are you going to paint it yellow or black

_________________
My old but now gone Luv...

yeah that is awesome almost every part is going to be new again thats what I want to do to my jeep (sorry I luv my luvs) and you are actually getting this done pretty fast. Good job my friend yeah I second that were rooting for you

I'm going to paint it yellow. See the new brass plugs? I'm going to mask them when I paint, so the end result will still show the brass! I figured they cost more, so why cover it up. I'll actually use the old steel freeze plugs reversed to mask the brass ones. Not sure what to use to stick them together. Maybe silicone, or something that will not harden. Ultra black Permatex® ought to work!

Even though the weather is not so cold now, I'm bringing the block right into the house for painting. I'm going to have it inside for a day at least before I start to do the masking and painting. Then I have to go very slow to avoid any runs. I will probably paint it in three stages over the space of several days. I'm going to put it on my red roller cart and block it up with four by fours so it will be up to the top level. I had thought about mounting it on the engine stand and doing it in the shop, but I want the warmer temperature.

Thank you guys for the encouragement. I have a cold today, and can't sleep. I thought I'd say a few words. I might even have a delay here getting over this cold.

_________________
'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

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

you don't have to do it over a 3 day period... i painted mine in about 1/2 hr 3 coats just wait about 5/10 minutes between coats

_________________
My old but now gone Luv...

Cat right clean the block so there is no oil spray a tack coat of paint wait about 10-15 min. so paint will tack up good then paint wait about 15min. between coats usually 3 will do it and you will have a pro type job looking at you the next day.Suggestion; do the paint in the afternoon or evening so the paint can set over night and cure then you don't have to worry about finger prints in the paint while you are doing your assy.

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

Got in a hurry here keep up the work Fullaluv as that is going to be one sweet truck when your done.The only problem i can see now is your wife my burn the truck to the ground cause you are spending more time with it then her( probably in it more to )I have been watching your progress and with all the help you are getting you should be driving that truck for years. Well it looks like time to go as i am going to pick up a 79 4X4 LUV that i bought last week and will be doing what you are right now oh i am also picking up a stepside bed that i got for 100 bucks.

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

I might be in the wife more WHO KNOWS? But yes, I am taking my time I say, but it's just too hard not to find something to do. I brought the engine in the house this morning. It's gong to take some hours to warm up that block of steel. I found some plastic thingys that fit right over the freeze plugs. I ran some clear silicone bathroom caulk on each of the plugs and now the five plugs on the side are neatly covered.

I tried to mask the top of the block, but the cold metal doesn't want to stick with the tape. I'm coughing and blowing out a runny nose, but feel okay enough. I got those rocker arm shafts back, so I should be assembling the cylinder head sometime soon.

It's really a great feeling having all the things gathered around to put this engine in. It's partly sunny, and supposed to get up to 56° today. I don't need it outside though, it's all happening indoors. I don't have it all ready to paint, but maybe this afternoon. I will wear a mask and make a partition around the block with cardboard. You'll see.

_________________
'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

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

Here's the progress for today. Cough. I'll be glad to get over this cold.

_________________
'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

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

If you are painting in the house, I hope you have good ventilation. I don't want to think about what would happen with paint fumes and the furnace kicking on!!!

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

Actually all the doors were shut, and the furnace was turned up to 75°. I wanted more heat on the block so the paint wouldn't run. I just a few minutes ago ran the last of the can out on a final coat. That's it. Now we wait a few minutes, and move it out to the shop, which is all on the same level and just through two doors. There the block will stay for overnight, and maybe a day, until I feel like it's ready to start handling.

The real drama was the wifey, who left out of the house not liking the fumes!!! She was gone out for a walk so long we started to worry what happened to her!!!

_________________
'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

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

To Ctmandu and TumwaterTaz,

This particular post is dedicated to you. I owe both of you a lot of gratitude for the short block and the engine. This post shows the block as it has been prepared thus far, and the next step will be to place the crank in to the block.

I couldn't have done it without your help. When the crankshaft meets the block it will be the merger of Catman, Tazman, and FullaLuv; and the birth of a G180 that should live for many years to come.

Next Post: Plastigaging the Mains

_________________
'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

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

your welcome ... and now the fun begins

_________________
My old but now gone Luv...

Where are my sun glasses, that block is looking good,now the sun will shine every day for you keep up the good work.

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

John are you going to paint the valve cover the same color? If so try this spray it with silver first let dry,then spray yellow,then just before the paint sets up(tacky)spray a couple of coats of clear let set for a couple of days to cure good and the paint on it will be near indestructible and have a shine that can't be beat.

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

No, the paint has already been done. It's black. I like your suggestion. I'm no paint expert, but it sounds like a winner. Clear coats are something I've never used, but I agree they would make a longer lasting finish. I'm just trying to get by here, so that may be for later. I will remember it though!

On second thought, maybe I will try a little playing around with clear before it gets all oily. There won't be a better time than now...

_________________
'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

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