Man...So, you may or may not have seen my previous thread about my swap from the auto 518 to the manual Getrag 360.

I initially got it back together, but I had a shudder in the drivetrain and was missing the alignment screws, so just used some bolts I found.

Well, today I got up early, took the whole thing back apart, took the pressure plate and flywheel to Phoenix Friction Products and they threw them on the machine, balanced them and told me where they had any balance issues, so I could offset the two pieces.

Spent the entire afternoon putting it back together, with the help of several neighbors (one helped me push the tranny to the bellhousing, which is a pain in the nuts, and one helped me get the shifter back in...also a pain in the nuts).

My alignment bolts actually came from zbag.com today, so those went in as well.

Man, she purrs like a kitten...sort of...lol. But she shifts smoother, goes into gears like a dream, and just all over feels great!

I also met a guy from craigslist and bought 2 cans of R12...gotta figure out how to get that into my system...as it's terribly hot sometimes.

Anyway...to coin a phrase...I'm as pleased as punch! Two months to do it the first time...one day the second time. Durp!

 

What'd you pay for the R-12, if you don't mind my asking? I've heard you can still buy it off the back shelf at local auto parts stores, but for the most part it's worth it's weight in gold. 30lb drum for $2k anyone?! A mechanic friend of mine sold it to a guy with a '64 Mercedes.




If you keep going with that sort of ratio, next time you do it, (hopefully never!) I figure it'll take you about 20 minutes! Glad you got it all sorted out in the end. You've ended up with a real nice truck after all that messing!

 

Nice, the original old cans of R12 are still available on ebay.

To put it in just put some R134 fittings on the system and buy a filler for R134....just screw on your can, screw down the needle and hook er' up.

 

I paid $15 each for 2 cans. The problem is the 134 cans have threads on the top...these cans just have a flat surface that needs to be punctured.

 

I see those old puncture type tools in yard sales pretty often, and they still sell them in Mexico...ole. Also the various drop in replacements work very well. They put something called cool12 or something like that in my truck down there a few years ago and she blows ice, even here in balmy Phoenix...Mark

 

...and I'm ready to roll out!

 

That's a gorgeous truck! Love the color.

 

Nice setup!

Bet your towing power is going to feel like it doubled. haha.

That boat got a 4.3 Chebby or something in it?

 

All set for the holiday weekend! Yessir, that's a real nice looking truck you got. That's a great color as SkinnyBTN said. Sweet!!!!

 

Thanks, guys. Yeah 190 HP 4.3L carbed V6.

I never towed it with the auto...when my truck was down we used my wife's Equinox as a tow vehicle. Towed it pretty good, but thank GOD I got brakes on the trailer.

The truck tows it great. At about 70-75 (Speedo is currently questionable) I was running at about 7 lbs of boost and right under 900 on the EGT.

I do feel bad for anyone behind me at lights with the boat though. The 21cm housing and a stickshift are an ill-matched pair. Smooooookey!