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Newbie with some ?'s on an 89 K3500

06scooby

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06scooby Enthusiast

06scooby

Posted
Posted

Hi all, I just bought an 89 k3500 Reg Cab 4x4 with the Silverado Package last weekend. I got it for dirt cheap and it needs some TLC. It has the 454 with the TH400 tranny. The motor is strong but the tranny isn't. Here are my questions.

 

A. The crankshaft damper has broken loose and is just rattling around between the block and the pulley and the engine is shaking alot. Has this happened to anyone else? what did you replace it with?

 

B. The TH400 that is in it won't last much longer. Has anybody ever swapped one for an upgraded 700r4 to get a 4 spd in it? Is this a bad Idea? I'm not dead set on it but I would definitely like to have a 4 spd auto instead if it's worth it.

 

C. Has anybody swapped the instrument cluster for the newer 91-94 cluster with the tach? does it swap easily?

 

Thanks

 

dp

nhproxr Enthusiast

nhproxr

Posted
Posted
Hi all, I just bought an 89 k3500 Reg Cab 4x4 with the Silverado Package last weekend. I got it for dirt cheap and it needs some TLC. It has the 454 with the TH400 tranny. The motor is strong but the tranny isn't. Here are my questions.

 

A. The crankshaft damper has broken loose and is just rattling around between the block and the pulley and the engine is shaking alot. Has this happened to anyone else? what did you replace it with?

 

B. The TH400 that is in it won't last much longer. Has anybody ever swapped one for an upgraded 700r4 to get a 4 spd in it? Is this a bad Idea? I'm not dead set on it but I would definitely like to have a 4 spd auto instead if it's worth it.

 

C. Has anybody swapped the instrument cluster for the newer 91-94 cluster with the tach? does it swap easily?

 

Thanks

 

dp

 

 

 

 

The pulley should be bolted to the damper, so not sure what's going on there. The bolt that retains it into the crank snub holds the damper on...pulley can be unbolted without disturbin gthat bolt. Try torquing the bolt to the right spec and see if it stays put. Maybe the woodruff key has broke and damper starting spining on snub?

 

It would be easy to physically swap in a 700R4. Would need a different steering column with right amount of detents for the OD. Not sure of what would need to be done to computer to accept it though. I myself would have 400 rebuilt or swap out with a rebuilt one. They are a little cheaper then going the 700r4 route.

 

I would like to know myself how hard it is to swap insturment cluster....the '88-89 cluster is pretty ghetto. :smash:

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