Bad Luck's Boring Build Biography
- Thread starter Bad Luck
- Start date
Spiker Engineering
official vendor
I can't tell if the seepage in my truck is originating from the oil pan or the rear main seal, so I'm wondering if you were able to tell which one was the culprit in your case? I'm seeing a film of oil right along the oil pan to engine block interface, but it may well be originating at the rear main seal.
It was really difficult to pinpoint the origin of the leak. I even tried adding oil dye to see if I could pinpoint it. It was very difficult to tell if it was coming from the rear of the engine at the oil pan or not so I decided to reseal the oil pan. I think my leak was actually gear oil seeping from the transmission input seal and a leaking slave cylinder, but I already had the rear main seal so I decided to replace it while I was there. If you have a borescope you can remove the lower dust shield that bolts to the transmission and try to get a better look at the rear main.
EDIT: Gear oil will glow under UV light which is what the oil dye does.
Last edited:
Spiker Engineering
official vendor
Thanks, I'll try the borescope approach. I figure there's an oil pan or rear main seal in my future, neither one sounds fun, so I'll wait and see which one I'm motivated to do first. From your experience, which is the lesser hassles of the two?
I used a vehicle lift for all of the repairs so my view is probably skewed. I thought the oil pan was the easier of the two, but I had someone help get the front diff out so it's hard to say. Transmission removal definitely took longer compared to front diff removal.
Spiker Engineering
official vendor
I'll plan to wait until I can get access to a lift as well! S
I went through and looked at photos I took of speed and rpm prior/post gear swap.
Speed (MPH)/Stock 5th RPM/New 5th RPM
40/1450/1250
50/1850/1550
60/2200/1900
70/2600/2200
80/3000/2500
As you can see this swap really shines at highway/interstate speeds. I'm not sure I will notice any in town driving fuel economy gains, and I may actually get worse in town fuel economy gains because I am having to wait a little longer to shift into 5th. Time will tell if the juice was worth the squeeze for me.
Speed (MPH)/Stock 5th RPM/New 5th RPM
40/1450/1250
50/1850/1550
60/2200/1900
70/2600/2200
80/3000/2500
As you can see this swap really shines at highway/interstate speeds. I'm not sure I will notice any in town driving fuel economy gains, and I may actually get worse in town fuel economy gains because I am having to wait a little longer to shift into 5th. Time will tell if the juice was worth the squeeze for me.
Wired and installed an extra rear heater blower switch. Placed the switch in one of the blanks to the left of the steering column for my convenience. Spliced into the current wiring so both switches are functional.
Also wired and installed an outside ambient temperature gauge. I dremeled and filed out one of the 12V outlets to fit the gauge. Took a little bit of time and was quite messy, but I’m pleased with the install results. I used the 12V outlet connector for power/ground for the display. I had to extend the temperature probe wiring which was a little tedious due to the very small wire gauge. Zip tied the temperature probe right behind the driver side of the grille to make sure I get good airflow while stationary. Display is a little bright at night. I haven’t had a chance to drive it during the daylight yet.
I originally was going to use a Gentex 453 mirror with temperature/compass/homelink, but ended up really liking not having a rear view mirror so decided to go a different route for outside ambient temperature. If anyone wants a Gentex 453 and everything needed to function let me know. It’s a green display color which is more difficult to find.
Still need to add a switch for 2LO mod. Should be easy enough. I have a round rocker switch to try but haven’t really committed to a switch location yet. Debating between the squarish cubby on the dash bezel or putting it in the little tray right below the parking brake.
Also wired and installed an outside ambient temperature gauge. I dremeled and filed out one of the 12V outlets to fit the gauge. Took a little bit of time and was quite messy, but I’m pleased with the install results. I used the 12V outlet connector for power/ground for the display. I had to extend the temperature probe wiring which was a little tedious due to the very small wire gauge. Zip tied the temperature probe right behind the driver side of the grille to make sure I get good airflow while stationary. Display is a little bright at night. I haven’t had a chance to drive it during the daylight yet.
I originally was going to use a Gentex 453 mirror with temperature/compass/homelink, but ended up really liking not having a rear view mirror so decided to go a different route for outside ambient temperature. If anyone wants a Gentex 453 and everything needed to function let me know. It’s a green display color which is more difficult to find.
Still need to add a switch for 2LO mod. Should be easy enough. I have a round rocker switch to try but haven’t really committed to a switch location yet. Debating between the squarish cubby on the dash bezel or putting it in the little tray right below the parking brake.
Rushthezeppelin
New member
Devil magic...LOL. Those TC are actually very complex for what they are and yet not super complex. Its really hard to visualize and fully understand what the fluid does. Its not devil magic though.
That's makes sense that the through out Its always spinning. I thought it had a little clearance when not engaged. There be no reason toas it's function to to disengage the pressure plate.
Torque converters are easy to understand if you think of it like two desk fans, one with power spinning the other. The real devil magic is in the slush box with the valve body and planetary gears. Damn automatic transmission engineers should be burned at the stake for witchcraft.
Spiker Engineering
official vendor
What gauge did you use for this?
brillo_76
Elite Member
Yes inquiring minds want to know. I was just going to use my air intake temp for ambient temperature...
Sent from my SM-A536V using Tapatalk
Yes inquiring minds want to know. I was just going to use my air intake temp for ambient temperature...
Sent from my SM-A536V using Tapatalk
I ordered several, but ended up liking this one best: Mini F Digital LCD Thermometer Temperature Meter Gauge Sensor Indoor Outdoor US 708624426304 | eBay
I did have to extend the temperature probe wires quite a bit, but it still seems accurate to within a degree. It is rather bright at night so I might play around with tinting the display, or I might make a cover for night time driving when I find it bothering me. I'll attempt to upload a photo of it later today, but it might have to wait until Monday when I can use my work computer.
RodrickHeffley
Member
So you're who I sent my switch to! Glad everything works, I had grabbed it myself for a project of mine almost three years ago but ended up going a different route
Small world lol Thanks for shipping it so quickly! It worked like a charm. I tried it with the key in accessory mode and nothing worked and started to panic a little, but then I realized I have to turn the key to on for it to work lol
96RedRunner
Senior Member
Have you gotten enough seat time with new 5th gear to determine if juice is worth the squeeze?
Inquiring minds wana know.
Inquiring minds wana know.
Have you gotten enough seat time with new 5th gear to determine if juice is worth the squeeze?
Inquiring minds wana know.
If I were doing more interstate driving I would definitely keep the 5th gear ratio. I went to Little Rock and back last weekend (roughly 150 miles round trip) and averaged 22.0 mpg while doing 70-80 mph. Most of my driving is in the 40-50 mph range and the new 5th gear ratio is useless in that mph range with my current tire size and differential gear ratio (4.10). I think the 5th gear swap is really for people running larger tires and deeper gears that want to lower their highway rpm’s in 5th gear. 33’s/4.88 or 35’s/5.29 would be the minimum I would recommend for the 5th gear swap.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
That's how it goes sometimes with Mod's now you know. Hwy mpg's are nice, you going 33's or 35's.
Doubt you have a problem flipping it if you choose.
Doubt you have a problem flipping it if you choose.
Similar threads
