Author Topic: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder  (Read 80840 times)

Offline Engineer

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #30 on: September 07, 2011, 11:07:59 PM »
As bad as everything looks on your axles, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you pull the front differential, and replace the axle seals.

What's involved with re-assembling the differential?  I've disassembled and re-assembled a lot of components over the years but never a Dana 60 axle.  I'm actually leaning hard towards complete disassembly because there's sand inside the axle tubes.

How do you go about finding a [local] business that can dip the stripped front end in an acid bath?  What about just pressure washing the heck out of it using normal degreasers and things like Easy-Off oven cleaner?

:)

Disassembly of the D60 front is real simple if all you are doing is changing the seals. While you are in there change the pinion seal too. Just mark the carrier bearing caps so they go back on like they came off. There shouldn't be any reason to change any shims or adjust the gear pattern if you just pull the diff out to replace the seals.

Pulling, and replacing the diff may take a little force because it sets in the housing under compression to preload the differential bearings. Also remember to keep the races with their respective bearing.

One other thing, do not use an impact wrench on the bolts, especially the pinion nut if you do decide to change the pinion seal. Use a breaker bar to loosen things, and a torque wrench to put it all back. Torque values can be found on pirate4x4.com.
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

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Offline Engineer

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #31 on: September 07, 2011, 11:10:13 PM »
Forgot to add, any engine machine shop that is equipped to do OTR diesel engine machine work should have a caustic tank big enough to hold a pickup truck axle housing.

2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline snibook7537

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #32 on: September 07, 2011, 11:25:29 PM »
Just curious is that truck a 3/4 ton or a one ton? I thought only one tons came with Dana 60's. Also not sure if you know or not but the front leaf springs were those a factory setup? I have an 87 V30 and it only has 3 leafs up front,my truck only has a 350 in it though so maybe yours had a higher GVW from the factory with the 454 or something? Sorry if that has been covered before but I couldn't find anything in the posts.

Thanks Vince
1984 Fiero se pwr windows Holley TBi, cam, 86 5spd
1987 GMC V3500 350 TBi 4spd 205 t-case

Shoulda never sold:
1976 c-10 beater 250-6 4spd no pwr steering, brakes. Recycling truck

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #33 on: September 08, 2011, 09:10:41 AM »
looks like they are stock leafs. but i just saw the spacers they used for the front axle ubolt what the heck ::)
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

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Offline Engineer

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #34 on: September 08, 2011, 05:22:26 PM »
Just curious is that truck a 3/4 ton or a one ton? I thought only one tons came with Dana 60's. Also not sure if you know or not but the front leaf springs were those a factory setup? I have an 87 V30 and it only has 3 leafs up front,my truck only has a 350 in it though so maybe yours had a higher GVW from the factory with the 454 or something? Sorry if that has been covered before but I couldn't find anything in the posts.

Thanks Vince


I can verify the front axle in the pics is most definately a Dana60. I can even tell from one of the pics that it is a later model housing from a 1983, or newer truck.
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline Mike Phillips

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #35 on: September 09, 2011, 05:27:54 PM »
***Update***

Machine Shop at NAPA turned my drums and rotors and pressed in all the new races and whichever bearings could go in at this time.  The boys up front got all my parts in so I have everything I need to put the rearend back together.  After I get the rearend back together I'll tackle cleaning up the frontend.

I also took my new-to-me WIDE slotted Mags to my tire and wheel shop in Palm City and they cleaned the beads really well, applied bead seal and put new bolt-in valve stems, so they're ready to roll. 

Last night we buffed out a 2011 Camaro at work and I hired a local girl to come down and do some modeling with the car.  After we were all through she modeled my Mag Wheels just for fun...









Have to go pull some car hoods out of the wrecking yard tomorrow and after that I'll start installing the rear brakes...

:)

Offline zieg85

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #36 on: September 09, 2011, 06:33:00 PM »
I am looking for the "like" button to hit, oh I forgot that is only on Facebook....
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline jdl71

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #37 on: September 09, 2011, 07:53:45 PM »
I am looking for the "like" button to hit, oh I forgot that is only on Facebook....

I find myself doing that all the time!  ;D

Offline 70fastback

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #38 on: September 10, 2011, 01:37:37 AM »
I am looking for the "like" button to hit, oh I forgot that is only on Facebook....

I'm looking for the "In Love Button"...yeah, I've never heard of it either, but here's to wishing, LOL!!!!  :-*

And, if your tires weren't in the way, I could count how many buffers are on the shelf!!!    :o   J/K

Offline slammed79

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #39 on: September 10, 2011, 02:57:29 AM »
Delicious
74 C10 Long bed 350/SM465 Lowered on 20's

Praise the lowered

Offline low budget

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #40 on: September 10, 2011, 10:39:28 PM »
There are tires in the pics???
86 Chevy LWB 305 scrapped for 350, 3/5 drop

Offline bladerunner

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #41 on: September 11, 2011, 07:36:46 AM »
I didn't see any tires  ;D

Sweet project, what a beast!
85 K10 Shortbed
94 Impala SS

Offline beastie_3

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #42 on: September 11, 2011, 12:24:11 PM »
where are the camaro pics?????? (with her of course)


Offline Mike Phillips

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Re: 1978 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 Project Pavement Pounder
« Reply #44 on: September 12, 2011, 05:03:52 PM »
I had Sunday off so I worked on the rearend... cleaned up the ends of the axle housings and around the gear housing.  Cleaned, painted and covered till I can another day off to install the rear brakes.










:)