1/2 Ton 24v Swap/build

[F8L GTO]

Retorqued the head studs last night since its been about 6 months, although very few miles and heat cycles. Most of the nuts tightened about 5 deg @130ftlbs. Is that normal?

Also is it necessary to do a hot and cold retorque every time or is just the cold retorque sufficient. Haisley instructions didn't say explicitly.

Also installed the afc and #100 fuel plate but have not driven it yet. I didnt want the high manifold pressure to hurt the diaphragm in the afc so I made a spring valve to bleed off manifold pressure from the afc line after it reaches full travel.

[CorneliusRox]

Originally Posted by F8L GTO

I didnt want the high manifold pressure to hurt the diaphragm in the afc so I made a spring valve to bleed off manifold pressure from the afc line after it reaches full travel.

That's a good idea, but I have seen those things with 300,000 miles of use take 80psi and not break. Cummins found magic rubber when they made them!

[Tate]

Originally Posted by F8L GTO

Retorqued the head studs last night since its been about 6 months, although very few miles and heat cycles. Most of the nuts tightened about 5 deg @130ftlbs. Is that normal?

Also is it necessary to do a hot and cold retorque every time or is just the cold retorque sufficient. Haisley instructions didn't say explicitly.

Also installed the afc and #100 fuel plate but have not driven it yet. I didnt want the high manifold pressure to hurt the diaphragm in the afc so I made a spring valve to bleed off manifold pressure from the afc line after it reaches full travel.

If it was the first retorque, movement is normal. I did several retorques on my 24v, not much movements after the first one. I think I did two on my 12v. All cold. I don't like working on hot engines.

[F8L GTO]

Originally Posted by Tate

If it was the first retorque, movement is normal. I did several retorques on my 24v, not much movements after the first one. I think I did two on my 12v. All cold. I don't like working on hot engines.

This was my 1st retorque after the initial install (includes one hot and one cold)....I think. Maybe the 2nd.

Drove the truck for a bit. Throttle response is MUCH better. I had the adjustable plate backed down so far that it must have been choking off at anything over 1600rpm or so. It really comes alive now. I think im going to back the star wheel down some more though.

[Loaded burrito]

Looks much better lowered!

[F8L GTO]

Thanks guys.

Question on rear end gearing. I have a 3.55 gear open diff in the stock 9.25. I would like to change two things. It needs less gear (lower hwy cruising rpm) and i would like some sort of lsd. I havnt found any gear options around 3.07 ish. Am I better off swapping to a 9inch or d60 for more gear options?

[Hurley]

personal preference is 9" based on all of the available options.

What model of shock did you use?

[Tate]

I threw out a 9.25" rear end that had 3.23 gears in it. Came out of a 96' 1500 with a v6 and 5spd. Figured it would have shorter gears, not taller. Point being, you should be able to find those relatively cheap without having to swap rear ends.

[Headcase98002]

http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/Produc...Brand=Chrysler

Here a taller gear. Kinda expensive though.

[MAXTORQ]

In my 1/2 ton I went with a 9". Found a set of 3.42 Richmond pro gears on eBay and put it all together with a MW center section and a Detroit TruTrac .

[F8L GTO]

Originally Posted by Hurley

personal preference is 9" based on all of the available options.

What model of shock did you use?

They are belltech nitro I think. I will get the part number. Their recommendation for a 4" drop in the rear. I tried to find a shorter body shock that came on something oe but didnt have any luck. They were about $65 each.

[Hurley]

(talking about front shocks only) I have the Nitro-2 drop shocks on the front of my RCSB, and they more or less wore out around 5k miles.

[F8L GTO]

Originally Posted by Hurley

(talking about front shocks only) I have the Nitro-2 drop shocks on the front of my RCSB, and they more or less wore out around 5k miles.

Ahh. I just used stock replacement Monroe Gas magnums. They are the same part# used on the 1ton trucks. Im assuming they wont last long either but they were cheap and available.

How did you lower your truck? I used Belltech 3" 1ton drop springs.

[F8L GTO]

I am trying to source a complete ac system if anyone has a good working system they dont need or from a parts truck. Thanks.

[Hurley]

I used the same springs on the front of mine, and got the matching Belltech shocks.