Project Karma
- Thread starter Tahoedonner
- Start date
Tahoedonner
Member
Got the truck idling solid at 900 and 600 in gear at 18hg vacuum and 10* advance. Doesn't die in gear.
Had some cooling issues that I started a thread on the bp to help find the issues.
black sludge in radiator - binder planet forums
Seems like I've been able to clean out all the rust and crud from the cooling system. It's only had water to this date and there was probably a bit of rust that needed to be cleaned out. I borrowed a combustion gas tester just in case and I will be running the test tomorrow.
I ran the truck tonight and it sounded great.
Fingers crossed.
Had some cooling issues that I started a thread on the bp to help find the issues.
black sludge in radiator - binder planet forums
Seems like I've been able to clean out all the rust and crud from the cooling system. It's only had water to this date and there was probably a bit of rust that needed to be cleaned out. I borrowed a combustion gas tester just in case and I will be running the test tomorrow.
I ran the truck tonight and it sounded great.
Fingers crossed.
Tahoedonner
Member
I can't keep the truck cool with the engine mounted fan without a shroud. What a surprise. So instead of buying an aftermarket/used fan shroud and trimming it to work with my body lift I decided to go with an electric fan. I started with getting a taurus fan but the depth of the overall fan turned out to be too much. I just couldn't make it fit without major modification which I decided wasn't worth it. So I then switched gears to dual fans. I went this direction because I wanted a high and low fan setting and they were just as good as a larger, dual speed fan. Picked up two flex a lite curved blade fans that I installed on an aluminum shroud that I cut to make them fit. Love that the fans say "made in the usa" right on them. They claim about 900cfm apiece and I feel that will be plenty to cool the truck.
Here's a couple pics of the fans mounted to the shroud. I will be using a jegs dual fan controller to run the fans.
They're not the best cut circles but who cares when they're covered with fans.
Here's a couple pics of the fans mounted to the shroud. I will be using a jegs dual fan controller to run the fans.
They're not the best cut circles but who cares when they're covered with fans.
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Tahoedonner
Member
Fans are all dialed in and working great. Truck stayed right at 185 while running at 3k rpm for 20 min. Excited to be able to start tuning and working out the kinks since I can run the engine longer then 15 min. Pics of fan install coming soon. Lighting was no good tonight.
Tahoedonner
Member
Garage is just to dark to get a decent fan pic for the time being.
I have been able to spend the last two days tuning the engine since I can run it as long as I want finally. I think I've got it dialed in but would love some advice/feedback on the numbers. Yes I know it May change under load/drive.
"crate" long block 345 engine, balanced, comp rv cam, new pertronix in a prestolite, mallory hyfire, matching coil, new plugs, wires, cap, new Holley 4160, dual to single to dual exhaust, smog pump attached and hooked up, all vacuum plugged, aluminum radiator, dual electric fans(stays at 180), and maybe something else I forgot.
Numbers:
17 hg vacuum at 700-800 idle in park
10 btdc
idle mix screws right about 2.5 turns out.
No stumbles off idle or anywhere up to 4k with no load
brakes applied and put in gear idle drops to 500ish. Seems like it's hurting but never loses its gusto or dies.
It really seems like after all the reading and studying I May have tuned it pretty well. The exhaust smell alone is much less pungent.
I will get it under load at some point this weekend to really get a feel but have a couple questions.
Should I increase idle for better vacuum? Say 900. At 900 I'm at about 19.
Does my rv cam mean I should expect less than 20hg vacuum?
Do you see anything I might be overlooking?
Thx
I have been able to spend the last two days tuning the engine since I can run it as long as I want finally. I think I've got it dialed in but would love some advice/feedback on the numbers. Yes I know it May change under load/drive.
"crate" long block 345 engine, balanced, comp rv cam, new pertronix in a prestolite, mallory hyfire, matching coil, new plugs, wires, cap, new Holley 4160, dual to single to dual exhaust, smog pump attached and hooked up, all vacuum plugged, aluminum radiator, dual electric fans(stays at 180), and maybe something else I forgot.
Numbers:
17 hg vacuum at 700-800 idle in park
10 btdc
idle mix screws right about 2.5 turns out.
No stumbles off idle or anywhere up to 4k with no load
brakes applied and put in gear idle drops to 500ish. Seems like it's hurting but never loses its gusto or dies.
It really seems like after all the reading and studying I May have tuned it pretty well. The exhaust smell alone is much less pungent.
I will get it under load at some point this weekend to really get a feel but have a couple questions.
Should I increase idle for better vacuum? Say 900. At 900 I'm at about 19.
Does my rv cam mean I should expect less than 20hg vacuum?
Do you see anything I might be overlooking?
Thx
Tahoedonner
Member
Thx chappie. I'm running a 260 comp with a 600cfm Holley 4bbl. I raised the park idle to just under 1000 and it now idles in gear really well at about 550-600.
Tahoedonner
Member
Tahoedonner
Member
Tahoedonner
Member
Considering it hasn't been driven more than 3 miles it's really hard to tell. Im about 1-2 months away from getting it registered so I will know much more come sept how it'll hold up. It is however holding up quite well with no abuse.
punjig
Member
I have been following your build for awhile and I know that in the past you had problems with heating issues. I am curious as to what model flex-a-lite fans you did get for this build? Also, what aftermarket radiator you ended up with. The radiator is a main issue, while I can find them on the market just fine, some are very expensive and others seem price to low as though the quality May come into question.
Tahoedonner
Member
The fans are flex-a-lite 392 s blade 12" fans. They just barely fit, width wise, over the radiator. Could have easily gone with 10" fans. I am having absolutely no cooling issues anymore.
Radiator is a champion radiator. No issues with it either.
My cooling issues were mostly due to not having a shroud for the engine mounted fan and some air trapped in the system. Due to my body lift I decided that going with the electric fans was a better avenue for me. I am controlling them with a dual speed fan controller as well.
Tahoedonner
Member
Got a new windshield installed this morning. Seal was from IH parts, non chrome locking version, and the installer was very impressed with its quality. Seal is tight as all hell and that's a good thing. The list is becoming very short to get this thing registered.
Here's a couple pics:
old
New
Here's a couple pics:
old
New
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Tahoedonner
Member
Finally got around to installing the shocks. Been driving it up and down my block a bunch lately and realized that it would be nice to see how it rides with some shocks. Unfortunately I sprung a leak at the water neck gasket so I didn't get to take it for a spin. Easy fix though. I don't think I replaced the lower gasket last time I swapped out the thermostat.
Rear view: I installed them body down because I was told it technically won't matter and I didn't want to look at the scrunched up shock boots.
Here you can see how close the boot comes to the exhaust. I've ordered some heat shields to make sure that the boot doesn't melt and that there won't be any other problems associated with the proximity to exhaust heat.
Here is a look at the fronts installed.
Rear view: I installed them body down because I was told it technically won't matter and I didn't want to look at the scrunched up shock boots.
Here you can see how close the boot comes to the exhaust. I've ordered some heat shields to make sure that the boot doesn't melt and that there won't be any other problems associated with the proximity to exhaust heat.
Here is a look at the fronts installed.
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Tahoedonner
Member
A huge turning point happened last Friday. The truck is finally registered. It's been almost 4 years since I started this build and I see a smidgen of light at the end of the tunnel. Now I can take her out and really fine tune the engine. I have a month to get the smog done and I don't see any problems passing. Knock on wood.
Got the heater core installed and new plastic valve. Old chords were in really good shape and have no binding whatsoever.
Heater valve and core
Got the heater core installed and new plastic valve. Old chords were in really good shape and have no binding whatsoever.
Heater valve and core
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Tahoedonner
Member
Picked up some titanium heat shield for the shocks to protect them from the exhaust pipes. Truck was having a real tough time idling after it started today and after shut down I noticed that gas had pooled in the secondaries. I could also feel gas leaking out somewhere around the vacuum secondary screw as well. Going to pull the bowl tomorrow and check the needle and seat to see if it has stuck open.
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Tahoedonner
Member
Wife came home today and noticed the truck missing from the garage. Took it for a 20 min ride today. She found me.
Transmission is shifting great. Ran it up to 50mph. Definitely needs an alignment. Shocks made a huge difference in ride quality. Not surprising considering I had none on before. Engine is running really strong. This 345 w/ 3.73 and 35's and the 727 has a ton more power than my original manual 304 with 33's. Granted that engine wasn't in the greatest shape. Off to get a smog here in the next week or so.
Transmission is shifting great. Ran it up to 50mph. Definitely needs an alignment. Shocks made a huge difference in ride quality. Not surprising considering I had none on before. Engine is running really strong. This 345 w/ 3.73 and 35's and the 727 has a ton more power than my original manual 304 with 33's. Granted that engine wasn't in the greatest shape. Off to get a smog here in the next week or so.
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Tahoedonner
Member
Had decent exhaust leaks coming from the collector and manifold attachment on each side. Replaced the cheap bolts the guy used with some grade 8's and some lock washers. Still a decent amount of leakage. Figured the guy must have screwed up the installation of the donuts. Turns out he didn't use them at all. 2 on order.
