Hot Summer, time for upgrades

mtpockets · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 10:50 AM

Too damn hot to drive so time for some upgrades and maintenance.

First one being changing my TKO-600 .82 5th gear for a .64 5th gear. I met someone in San Marcos at the TCC Spring Meet that was looking to do the exact opposite (change his .64 for .82). Anyone know who this is or how to contact him? Sure would be easier just swapping transmission over replacing the gear.

Upgrading OEM radiator for 2 core aluminum from Backdraft (anyone have any experience with this upgrade)? Understand some "massaging" is required.

New CV rubbers are in order, one cracked so may as well change all of them.
Rear main oil seal leaking
Upgrading from steel to aluminum flywheel (so i have a 0 balanced flywheel for sale, only needs to be turned)
Clutch, since I'm in the area may as well look it over real well. At 19,000 miles, anyone have an idea of what the wear should look like on a Ram Force clutch.

Ok, out of money now, tear down starts June 12th after Classy Chassis Ride and Drive to help raise money for Shriners Hospital. If you're in the area come on by on Saturday, there will be a couple of us from the HCC giving rides in our cars. Classy Chassis Concours d' Elegance

jdean · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 01:59 PM

On the tranny gear change.....just curious..... why you are going to the .64 version. What is your rear end ratio? BTW I am running the .64 as well.

blykins · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 02:22 PM

Post pictures of your disc and pressure plate when you get them out....

elmariachi · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdean;11****4

On the tranny gear change.....just curious..... why you are going to the .64 version.

Because at the Big Bend road race he heard my FE was only turning 3k rpms at 105 mph with my .64.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins;11****5

Post pictures of your disc and pressure plate when you get them out....

Bill, Brent (blykins) is a stand-up guy for clutch parts, I bought my McLeod stuff from him. His customer support and tech advice is second to none.

Jim

jdean · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 02:59 PM

Jim,

Yeah thats about what RPMs I would have at 105 too. I have the .64 with a 3.27 rear. So I get about 2,000RPM at 80mph.....and with the cam I have it takes about 2,000RPM for the motor to settle in and be happy. Can't accelerate very fast without downshifting, but thats easy enough to do.

The good part is when loafing along highway there is not much noise from the pipes, but still a lot from the wind. I am sure gas mileage is helped, not that I am fretting over the cost of gas so much as how frequently I need to stop and fill up.

elmariachi · #6 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdean

Yeah thats about what RPMs I would have at 105 too. I have the .64 with a 3.27 rear. So I get about 2,000RPM at 80mph.....and with the cam I have it takes about 2,000RPM for the motor to settle in and be happy. Can't accelerate very fast without downshifting, but thats easy enough to do.

Same for me. I was really not pleased with that tall 5th gear when I first got the car on the road, but it was because I didn't have my carb and timing issues squared away. Now that its all broken in and tuned, I can chug along in 5th at 2k rpms at 75 mph and if I need to downshift to 4th and hit the afterburner, I am right in the low end of the cam's sweet spot. I love the looks when you walk off and leave other cars from 70-130.

mln385 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 04:35 PM

The radiator isn't to bad if you have some mechanical and fabricating ability, go here for some pictures of my install. BLOG.RPMUSCLE.COM: Bigger Radiator for the 427

There is actualy another Radfiator out there that may be a direct replacement the link is in my blog. I found it after I did mine.

mtpockets · #8 (**permalink**) 06-07-2011, 04:36 PM

ElMariachi knows first hand why the change. I have 3.46 LSD in my backdraft. In order for me to comfortably go up in class at BBORR next year I'll have to run 140 for an extended amount of time. My car has no problem doing that now, just at 5200 rpms not sure how long she'll stay together. Keith Craft builds a hell of a motor and it currently cruises well on the open road at 120.

I also drive a considerable amount on the highway and it would be nice to run 70 not at 3200. I'd be foolish not to admit it may even help my gas mileage a tad. I got 6.5 in the BBORR averaging 110mph.

MLN> read your post, doesn't look like too big of a job, always good to have a little help before you get started. ps> I found the other radiator

twice the cost of the Backdraft radiator.

Brent> Thanks, I'll do that. I have punished the drive train just a tad over the last 19,000 miles, may make sense just to change it since I'm that far in.