I got the case all stipped down. This came apart nicely. It had been rebuilt before. I noticed it had Raysbestos clutches in it, and those aren't factory, so I know it had been gone thru. Bands must not have been replaced though. They look worn and burnt a bit. Everything else looked good. The case is at the machine shop now. Rhonda says I can pick up anytime Thursday or late Wednesday.
Got the jack too. The engine hoist is working great again. And the 8ton was an upgrade. Mine originally had the 3 ton jack. The 8 ton bolted right in its place though. Keep in mind that doesn't mean its rated at 8 ton now. You got consider the geometry of the boom, but still, it should safely be upgraded to a 2 ton hoist now. Bring on the Big Blocks with the T400's connected.
I think i will go ahead and get a new stall converter after all-u think a 3500 would work-considering the tranny be able to handle it with all the work going into it along with the 454 install...u said something bout knowing a guy who would be able to tell me exactly the stall id need for my set up. Im thinking 3500 because im going to have 373 gears with limited put in. I don't think i want to go and reuse that one stall converter an take a chance on that metal shaving that could be in it.
I think I'd go with a 2500 or 3000 stall. 2 big reasons. #1 the weight of the truck, you're going to get some stall right there alone, or at least going to get actual stall on whatever you get. Where as sometimes you get a 3000 stall and if a light car you only get 2700 or so, but the truck being heavier you are likely really to get it. Also, 3.73 is not all that low of gear. Its a good street/strip gear though, and do keep in mind, this is a truck, so likey to be running taller tire which might acutally put you in around the 3.42-3.54 range. You really need to be keeping in mind its a truck and not be comparing it to the Monza. They are 2 totally differant beasts and are going to perform differantly like night and day. #2, you are running a big block. Big Blocks don't turn the RPM that small blocks do. You want a cam with low to mid range torque to keep the RPM down. If you want the 454 to turn over 6000 rpm and not come apart, you got lots of work to do to the rotating assembly. If it were me, I'd be looking for a cam with a power band range of no more than 5500, and shifting well before 6,000 for a stock bottom end 454. Depending on the cam I chose, is where I'd choose what stall I wanted. So figure out what cam you are gonna run first before you decide the stall you want. That's JMO, maybe someone else can give their opinion or advice.
