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View Full Version : My luck (killed a 60e lol)



harner
10-30-2015, 04:23 PM
So, my dad had some health issues a few years back. Because of his health, he lost his job/benefits/etc and was collecting disability, then unemployment. He tried to go back into the work force, but health issues came back to haunt him (even after getting his CDL). The only option was long term disability. So he had this 2000 Silverado since '01. 1500, 4.8L that runs strong, pretty much stock except for a custom catback (duals out the sides) and a Clarion cd player. Oh, and a dyno tune haha. I think it made 200rwhp or maybe 250. I don't remember. It has 195k on it now and that was prob 30k ago.

2 weeks ago, he took it for inspection and the garage nailed him for tires and it needed rockers. He got tires but the shop (a body shop basically) offered to do them for big bucks. I told him no and that I know a great guy who would do them on the cheap.

I bought the rockers on ebay ($53 shipped from Michigan - new), 2 cans of exact match pewter metallic paint on Amazon, and sent the truck to this guy I know to do the work. $150 later, he not only did the work, but also fixed some minor rust issues on the bed and front fenders. It looks like a brand new truck now, couldn't ask for a better job for the money! Seriously, you'd never know it had problems. Not perfect, but close enough.

Anyway, I get 2 miles from his house on my way home, climbing a hill. It shifts from 3-2 and POP then I hear something that resembled a whistle winding down. I left off the gas, got back on it and pulled the hill no problem. Noticed some noise that wasn't there before but figured maybe it's just low on fluid or something, but who was I kidding - I blew apart the 4L70e in my TBSS already and that was input shaft carnage.

Get to a stop sign, pull out just fine but it winds out to like 4k before shifting...INTO THIRD. Get out on the highway, no 4th. Park it and quickly found out no reverse either. WTF! So I walk into a restaurant, send a message to Cahall and give him the symptoms and what a stock rebuild with a new converter will cost. He got back to me, told me the problem (relating to the sun shell), gave me the pricing info, and we are going to go from there.

I was just trying to be a good kid and help my dad out with a little body work and shit like this happens. I wish I could say I beat the piss out of it, but was just driving normal through some country roads in Berks County, PA. Oh well - 195k out of a stock 60e is pretty damn good. He did regular fluid changes in the trans since he owned the truck (like 6k on the odo back then) and never beat on it.

So here we go. Just another day in my life. Oh, and my T/A won't start. Likely foul plugs but no time to work on the thing and I refuse to take it to a shop. I ate 10k already for an unfinished project thanks to a shop pulling out on me after 1.5 years of "working" on the car. I'm not looking to catch a break, just want the stars to align for a change lol. Nothing breaks, everything works and is mobile, and not worried about the next thing letting loose.

/rant :shiner:

harner
10-30-2015, 04:29 PM
About the T/A - I refuse to take it to a shop until the new year, likely spring. I already have it lined up to go then, just need to finish up some little things. It really just needs an alignment, good dyno tune, nitrous tune, maybe a pinion angle tweak, and that's really about it. I have a list of small things to do before it goes.

The shop it's going to isn't a vendor here or anything, but if all goes well with them, I will certainly bring this site to his attention.

popo8
10-31-2015, 06:41 AM
That sucks man... u were doing a very nice thing, and like u said... stuff just happens sometimes. I know ur venting, and thats the beauty of this community.... FAMILY. We can count on each other to listen when we need to vent. Things will get better, I promise man.

Just remember, without the bad times and the struggles, we could never fully appreciate the GOOD times.

If there is anything I can do to help u out. Lemme know.

LTXtech.com IS my drug...
OWNER/ADMIN

Camaro96
11-01-2015, 03:27 PM
Sorry to hear that. Doing a good deed and taking care of family and you have to deal with more trouble...

Best of wishes & Luck.


Sent from my SM-N915V using Tapatalk

CPT
11-02-2015, 10:17 AM
harner Chris,
You know I'll take care of you, buddy. It sounds like the sun shell broke in the trans. If you get it to me, we'll replace the shell, upgrade the input sprag, put a fresh set of 3-4 clutches in it and a new boost valve and pressure solenoid if the rest of the trans is still in good shape.

Frank

harner
11-02-2015, 10:18 AM
Thank you, I'll call you this afternoon!

SSlowBoat
11-02-2015, 11:43 AM
This is why I love this community

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popo8
11-02-2015, 11:46 AM
harner Chris,
You know I'll take care of you, buddy. It sounds like the sun shell broke in the trans. If you get it to me, we'll replace the shell, upgrade the input sprag, put a fresh set of 3-4 clutches in it and a new boost valve and pressure solenoid if the rest of the trans is still in good shape.

Frank
Wow... such an awesome gesture Frank. Thanku for being u.

LTXtech.com IS my drug...
OWNER/ADMIN

harner
11-27-2015, 09:22 AM
Where to begin...

Years ago when I was dismantling the drivetrain in my T/A, it took maybe an hour to remove the trans. This truck... 18 hours. Most of those hours were torching and removing the bolts off the exhaust studs just to drop the Y pipe. And to top it off, there is some cancer on the frame that needs to be addressed after the trans is done. The fuel and brake lines... I don't even want to think about those right now. Most of the underside of the truck is fine, but the frame rot on the passenger side on the inside of the frame rail was not something I was expecting to see. Why doesn't GM press full frames on these trucks? So angry about that.

Anyway, once the Y pipe came off, the starter was dropped. The flexplate bolts are 8mm ALLENs so imagine how much fun they are to break free. After reading horror stories about guys messing them up, I threw some PB blaster down, let it sit for a few days, more PB blaster, and as much leverage as I could muster to get them off. They will be replaced with 15mm 6pt ARP bolts with a bead of loctite.

Transfer case was a PITA to disconnect. Everything was really a PITA. The top bolt on the bell was a gem. Nothing a 3' extension couldn't take care of. I'm so over this damn truck.

So the story isn't over yet. My stepdad and neighbor have been a major help despite it being my dad's truck. (for the record, my stepdad has been more of a father figure throughout my life but that is neither here nor there) We load up my stepdad's beater truck ('95 K1500, 4.3L TBI, beat lol) for the 2 hour 15min ride to the Cahall residence. Stopped for gas on the way and got there in good time. We also brought some extra cores with for Frank. Back into the driveway, Gail greets us and asks us to move forward so she can get Trixie moved around to give us a straight shot to the garage.

Stepdad hops in the truck, doesn't start! Long story short, dead starter 2+ hours from home at 8:40PM on a Tuesday night two days before Thanksgiving. Oh, and we didn't bring any tools since they were in his other truck and mine were in the Silverado. Using Frank's tools and some odds and ends from the Cahall residence, we were able to get a reman starter from Advance and get it back on the road.

I decided to get a stock rebuild on the bad 60e and a new Protorque stock converter. Since this transmission will never be coming out again unless it's in pieces, it should be a perfect combo that not only repairs what broke in the trans, but beefs it up enough that I don't have to worry about any failures going forward. 195k on the truck now, here's to another 200k.

Frank Cahall and Gail American-Powerhouse -- I can't thank you guys enough. I promise that when we come back to pick up the parts, we'll leave the truck running haha

American-Powerhouse
11-27-2015, 10:12 AM
haha There is no need to thank us. Only too happy to help.

Just felt so bad for you guys out there laying on the cold ground.

She should be good to go now. ;)

popo8
11-27-2015, 01:45 PM
Thats why I love this community!

LTXtech.com IS my drug...
OWNER/ADMIN

CPT
11-27-2015, 04:12 PM
harner. Chris, it was no problem at all. I just wish I could have been more help. Man, I hope to return trip and reinstall are a lot less eventful.

Frank

harner
12-12-2015, 09:55 AM
Picked up the rebuilt 60e this week. Spent the last two nights reinstalling. The first night was super productive, last night not so much. The bellhousing bolts and dipstick tube fought the whole way. One bolt fell between the motor and flexplate lol. Had to disconnect the trans to get to it.

Just need to secure the dipstick tube, connect tcase/driveshafts, cross member/mount, exhaust, linkage, and wiring.

Then it's going to get the frame repaired, inspection, and back to the old man. I never want to see this PITA again!

popo8
12-12-2015, 11:41 AM
Picked up the rebuilt 60e this week. Spent the last two nights reinstalling. The first night was super productive, last night not so much. The bellhousing bolts and dipstick tube fought the whole way. One bolt fell between the motor and flexplate lol. Had to disconnect the trans to get to it.

Just need to secure the dipstick tube, connect tcase/driveshafts, cross member/mount, exhaust, linkage, and wiring.

Then it's going to get the frame repaired, inspection, and back to the old man. I never want to see this PITA again!
Once again. very responsible and he should be sooooo appreciative that u did all this because it was gonna happen to him one way or another, but u didnt wash ur hands of it and walk away.

LTXtech.com IS my drug...
OWNER/ADMIN