Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) GSK install...almost...lost part...help?

[EGILLILAND]

Almost finished my GSK install last night. I had to remove the fuel shutoff solenoid linkage from the side of the pump. By "had to" I mean I don't think there is any way the access plug was going past the arm... fiddled with it for about an hour. Well the fuel shutoff linkage arm came off easy enough. Just as easy was LOSING THE TINY KEY that was in the keyway on the shutoff linkage shaft on the side of the pump. Looked for hours and couldn't find it... sure it's under the hood somewhere.



To the point. Anyone know if there's anything special about this key? Does it have to be brass... or some other special metal? I was able to figure out it's basic dimensions from the "void" it left... . If anyone knows specifically what to ask for from the parts counter... that would sure help.



Here's a picture of the armand the exact spot the key goes if anyone is wondering what I'm talking about.



Thanks for the comments/help,



Gill

 

[Howard Durand]

Gill,

This may or may not help you find the key but it might be worth a try.

I lost a small stainless steel washer one time and was desperate to find it. There were two places it could have gone: somewhere in the engine compartment or into one of the cylinders via the open intake manifold.

I have a large shop vac which can be made to blow as well as suck.

I crawled under the truck with it and directed the blower every place I could. The washer fell out and I didn't have to kill myself.



As to the key itself, would it be a straight bar or half moon type?

I would think a replacement could be made fairly easy.

 

[drice]

I lost mine a long time ago and justput a small key in it I don't think theres anything special about it. hope that helped.

 

[esommer2500]

I lost mine. I just went to the hardware store and bought some keys that looked close. I had to file one down a little to fit, and just put some grease around it to hold it in place while putting the shaft back on. Seemed to work great, and it SHOULD stay put next time.



Eric

 

[Dennis Garrett]

That must happen to everybody. I dug out my most powerful pencil magnet, and drug it around an inch or two over the grass, and in a few minutes & had it. You might go to a tool store, and get one of those big powerfull mangets they mount on a hoe handle, and sweep around a little, You'll pick it up quickly.

 

[BPINE]

Been there done that ( lost key ) This is a cool story, I was helping a guy install a GSK at about 2 am in Tulare a few years ago and we got all done and the darn truck wouldn't shut off. In the beginning I used to put the GSK in from the top and Piers told me to try it from the side so I did. Well after about an hour of messing around and finding that the key had fallen out here comes Piers and asked what the problem was, we lost the darn little key so he reaches in his pocket and says you mean one of these and hands us one right on the spot. It gets even better the guys drives 4 hours home and a few days later is working on the truck looks down and that originals key is laying right there on the frame rail.



If you can not find a key and need the truck just put the arm on the shaft in the correct place and tighten it down it will hold until you can get one from Cummins.

 

[EGILLILAND]

Thanks for all the 'puts guys... this is whats great about the TDR.



FYI if you need a great diesel mech anywhere near Rapid City SD, go see the folks at Rapid Diesel.



Gail, who works parts orders knows her stuff and can get all the performance goodies you want. Don, back in the pump shop... a full up Bosch pump shop. . can do any work you need, including setting your timing for you.



Don was gracious enough to just hand me a key he had sitting on the counter back in his shop.



I'd have paid him $20 just to get back on the road again... borrowing rides to work is a pain. He was cool enough to feel my pain and earn a return customer.



Take care everybody,



Gill

 

[TurboSandman]

I feel your pain; I am still missing a socket from my GSK intall. I heard it hit metal but not concrete and looked all over but no joy. Where could that sucker go?