Re: dura-pig? durpig?
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 5:10 pm
ok, so I did a few things today, and learned a few things (maybe?)
Once again, I'm thinking a may need a modified drag link, I put the engine back in, but I think when I assessed that I didn't need the drag link to be modified, the engine may have been leaning back in the engine bay and therefore adding clearance. today, I mocked everything up again, but put a jack under the back of the oil pan and gently jacked the engine forward, and it's once again hits the drag link. This is with the old, taller mounts too, my new design is 1/2" shorter.
I currently have 2 ideas for the drag link, option 1, weld and cut. remove the drag link, and cut out some 3/8" and 1/4" flat to make a "T" cross section that weld to the existing drag link. once welded on, cut out the offending portion that the oil pan hits, and profit. This seems like the most economical option, and the fastest.
option 2, have a piece of DOM tubing bent to the shape I want and have taper bungs put in it for the tierods. this option would require more research, cost more, and take longer.
I installed the stock squarebody brake booster, and I found the it was hitting the glow plug wiring/junction. I moved it off the valve cover and it fit much better. I also removed the fuel lines and bracket, right now I'm planning on running the fuel lines up the passenger side of the engine bay instead of the drivers, which should help clean things up a bit.
I mocked up the front sheetmetal and a core support too. it's all just sitting there, no bolts or anything, but it gives me an idea of how things look. I'm planning on using the stock duramax radiator, and fan shroud. it seems like it will all fit fairly well with minimal modifications.
In other news, I was looking at my exhaust manifolds and up pipes, they all look like death, and ready to fail at any moment... instead of waiting for them to fail, and be way harder to replace while in the truck, I went ahead and ordered a set of PPE high flow manifolds and up pipes, they'll be way easier to install with the engine out, than it will be to install a new up pipe or manifold due to cracks or a failed bellows. I'm probably going to order a lift pump for it too, and a down pipe. other than that, it will just get a tune I'm not looking to make 10000 ft lbs or something, just to have a reliable, torquey tow rig.
Once again, I'm thinking a may need a modified drag link, I put the engine back in, but I think when I assessed that I didn't need the drag link to be modified, the engine may have been leaning back in the engine bay and therefore adding clearance. today, I mocked everything up again, but put a jack under the back of the oil pan and gently jacked the engine forward, and it's once again hits the drag link. This is with the old, taller mounts too, my new design is 1/2" shorter.
I currently have 2 ideas for the drag link, option 1, weld and cut. remove the drag link, and cut out some 3/8" and 1/4" flat to make a "T" cross section that weld to the existing drag link. once welded on, cut out the offending portion that the oil pan hits, and profit. This seems like the most economical option, and the fastest.
option 2, have a piece of DOM tubing bent to the shape I want and have taper bungs put in it for the tierods. this option would require more research, cost more, and take longer.
I installed the stock squarebody brake booster, and I found the it was hitting the glow plug wiring/junction. I moved it off the valve cover and it fit much better. I also removed the fuel lines and bracket, right now I'm planning on running the fuel lines up the passenger side of the engine bay instead of the drivers, which should help clean things up a bit.
I mocked up the front sheetmetal and a core support too. it's all just sitting there, no bolts or anything, but it gives me an idea of how things look. I'm planning on using the stock duramax radiator, and fan shroud. it seems like it will all fit fairly well with minimal modifications.
In other news, I was looking at my exhaust manifolds and up pipes, they all look like death, and ready to fail at any moment... instead of waiting for them to fail, and be way harder to replace while in the truck, I went ahead and ordered a set of PPE high flow manifolds and up pipes, they'll be way easier to install with the engine out, than it will be to install a new up pipe or manifold due to cracks or a failed bellows. I'm probably going to order a lift pump for it too, and a down pipe. other than that, it will just get a tune I'm not looking to make 10000 ft lbs or something, just to have a reliable, torquey tow rig.
