Quick oil consumption report. My recent trip was 2300 miles and I added about a qt and a half. What are other people running for oil weight in these things. Tilden recommend 30wt. I went 1540 Kendall. Thoughts?
CK5
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1 month to 8.1 swap, then another month to Nv4500 swap
- Thread starter #Burbslut
- Start date
87 V20 Burb- 6.2 Diesel to 8.1-Th400 to Nv4500
I got around a month to complete, then a 800 mile drive. and then a 2300 mile roundtrip
Just trying to keep busy. I hate it when things go stagnant.
Everything that runs got a oil change today. Looks like it’s time for the smudge pot to come out at night.
Everything that runs got a oil change today. Looks like it’s time for the smudge pot to come out at night.
I’ll be digging into a few np205’s in the next few nights. I have one that I built for a friend and he finally got around to installing it and realized that he needs a short input 32 spline not long. It looks as if I’ll need a few short 32 spline inputs. My buddy has a nv4500 that he needs the short for. My 4500 also needs a short, and my friend’s memorial truck also needs a short for the Th400.
Seems as if I’m always looking for short inputs.
Seems as if I’m always looking for short inputs.
Ugh... I hate waiting for parts.
I took the time to remove the motor/teams&t-case from my friends truck. The 350 is a stock worn out motor, the th350 slips and the 203 case is junk. It will be getting a blueprint 383/400/205.
I also scored this short input today! One more and I’ll be set.
I took the time to remove the motor/teams&t-case from my friends truck. The 350 is a stock worn out motor, the th350 slips and the 203 case is junk. It will be getting a blueprint 383/400/205.
I also scored this short input today! One more and I’ll be set.
Well that was a pita. I got the header and collector gaskets swapped. The header gaskets came out in little pieces. They were spectre brand ones. I probably spent 45 minutes scrapping off all the small pieces on the flange and head. The collector bolts are a huge pita. Even with the smaller 12 point head on them, there isn’t much room to maneuver in there. The exhaust will be a priority when I get back from Washington in a few months.
I also realized that I never changed the fuel filter from the swapped in tbi lines. Got that done too.
I worked on the wife’s burb today too. The steering box had a lot of slop in the steering and I found that my pitman arm was also loose, even though the pinch bolt was tight. New box and used pitman installed.
Unfortunately while I had the box off, I found the frame is cracked. I’ll be ordering up a weld on brace tonight. I need this thing as a backup rig so I put it back together. I’m also waiting on a xj steering shaft to replace the worn out rag joint. The Off Road Design brace probably has been working double duty lately.
I also realized that I never changed the fuel filter from the swapped in tbi lines. Got that done too.
I worked on the wife’s burb today too. The steering box had a lot of slop in the steering and I found that my pitman arm was also loose, even though the pinch bolt was tight. New box and used pitman installed.
Unfortunately while I had the box off, I found the frame is cracked. I’ll be ordering up a weld on brace tonight. I need this thing as a backup rig so I put it back together. I’m also waiting on a xj steering shaft to replace the worn out rag joint. The Off Road Design brace probably has been working double duty lately.
Keep this in mind on the 8.1. They are thirsty on oil. It isn't uncommon to consume at least a quart in 3,000 miles. GM actually rated it by 1 quart per 100 gallons of fuel used. Back in my RV days if the class A coaches averaged 10mpg that means a quart in 1000 miles was totally normal. On that same token it could mean you were 3 quarts low by the time you changed the oil at a 3000 mile interval. If you go longer, the more likely you'd be really low on oil.
The PCV can be the source for sucking oil vs crankcase vapors. Check oil level often until you know your engine's habit. Seems like the later (newer) engines use less oil than the earlier ones did.
The PCV can be the source for sucking oil vs crankcase vapors. Check oil level often until you know your engine's habit. Seems like the later (newer) engines use less oil than the earlier ones did.
It's a good habit with an 8.1. In the RVs I can remember at least one failure due to oil consumption where the customer never checked it ever and ran it low enough to hurt the engine.
When I had to put seminars on at RV shows and rallies it was a main point to discuss with RV owners. Most didn't check it.
What weight oil did they run in those things.
On the road again.
**** it’s hot out there. I pretty much was driving in 90+ degree weather from Pleasanton to Medford. I finally figured out what I needed , ac hose wise to get the ac figured out, but ran out of time before I could get them made. It was a combination of my stock hose with a good section that runs to the rear lines, in combination with a new non rear ac hose(because my aluminum tubes were worn and squished) and custom fitting to run to the 8.1 compressor. I have a local shop that’s going to combine all the components for me when I get back in 8 weeks.
I’ll post up the finished product and parts then
**** it’s hot out there. I pretty much was driving in 90+ degree weather from Pleasanton to Medford. I finally figured out what I needed , ac hose wise to get the ac figured out, but ran out of time before I could get them made. It was a combination of my stock hose with a good section that runs to the rear lines, in combination with a new non rear ac hose(because my aluminum tubes were worn and squished) and custom fitting to run to the 8.1 compressor. I have a local shop that’s going to combine all the components for me when I get back in 8 weeks.
I’ll post up the finished product and parts then
Shocking news! 15.5 mpg averaged around 75 mph!
I was shocked. I am shocked. I’m hovering around 1800-1850 rpms at that speed. I still think I need to swap my 3.73s to 4.10s. This is the first decently long trip without a trailer in tow. I’m super happy about those numbers because the 6.2 was 16-18mpg unloaded at 62mph. Any faster and the economy would drop to 12-14.
This is driving smartly though. Lay into the throttle and watch those numbers plummet.
I was shocked. I am shocked. I’m hovering around 1800-1850 rpms at that speed. I still think I need to swap my 3.73s to 4.10s. This is the first decently long trip without a trailer in tow. I’m super happy about those numbers because the 6.2 was 16-18mpg unloaded at 62mph. Any faster and the economy would drop to 12-14.
This is driving smartly though. Lay into the throttle and watch those numbers plummet.
They listed 5w30 for it. Really haven't seen any benefit going to thicker. They still consume it.
What size tire are you running? Because you are really close to what I'm going to be at when the 8.1/4500 goes into my K5 soon. Going off of Larry's and my buddy Ian's mileage numbers from our trip at 12ish mpg total, mine should be a little better. They both have 4.56 gears and same size tires as me at 35"
I am running 4.10's so my prediction would be 13-14 mpg. If you got 15 with 3.73's it fits with what I'm seeing on the others.
Glad to hear it's doing good. Can't wait to stuff my 8.1 in.
I’m running 255/85/16 Km2’s
I’m curious how much it weighs with the one ton axles, winch bumper and winch. I’m probably also carrying a whole burb load of spare parts.
I really want to find/make a tailgate friendly rear tire carrier bumper. I hate having it in the burb, it takes up too much space and the oversized tire doesn’t fit in its original spot.
Those tires come in at a tick over 33". That's a pretty amazing number for fuel mileage you got. I'd guess you are 6,500 pounds at least with that combo. But still, it's promising for my combo that it will be pretty decent economy if I keep my foot out of it.
Keeping your foot out of it is the hardest part.
you can watch the needle move if you are enjoying it. I have a fuel flow rate on my display. That gives me idea of what I’m burning.
3.73’s, the skinny tires(very near max psi) and the 5spd help a little. At 75 I’m around 1750-1800 rpms.
Since I had some free time today, I headed up to Mt Saint Helens. I haven’t been up here since the early 80’s. What a world of difference with standing trees! It’s beautiful up here. I was going to take a few dirt roads to get closer to wanted hiking spots, but most of them were closed. I ended up just hiking up a mile or so up a smaller stream.
I was shocked on my way up and down. The dreaded Dana 60 wobble happened a few times on the main road in a few spots. That sucks. I did a quick once over the suspension and steering components. Nothing looks out of whack or loose.
When I put my this axle in, I put all new (Spicer)King Pin bushings, washers and springs in. That was only 10-12k ago. The steering doesn’t feel loose and it doesn’t pull either direction. The dampener is relatively new as well.
thoughts?
I was shocked on my way up and down. The dreaded Dana 60 wobble happened a few times on the main road in a few spots. That sucks. I did a quick once over the suspension and steering components. Nothing looks out of whack or loose.
When I put my this axle in, I put all new (Spicer)King Pin bushings, washers and springs in. That was only 10-12k ago. The steering doesn’t feel loose and it doesn’t pull either direction. The dampener is relatively new as well.
thoughts?
The 8.1 swap hit 4.5k miles and the nv4500 swap is about 3.5k miles in now.
No problems to report! I did have a few D max guys on the Hwy flag me down when the old square body surprised them and they couldn’t pull away or get around. It ain’t no speed demon, but it ain’t slow!
I’ll be up in Woodland Wa for 4 more weeks. I’ve visited with a few other Squarebody burb guys. The white one is a Cummins swapped one. Great guy, awesome build.
If things go as planned, I may be hauling another burb(Red one) down to my tuner in a month or so. It has a fuel injected 383. It needs a few bugs worked out, and the 8.1 may go on a dyno. We shall see. Meanwhile I’ll keep enjoying driving it.
No problems to report! I did have a few D max guys on the Hwy flag me down when the old square body surprised them and they couldn’t pull away or get around. It ain’t no speed demon, but it ain’t slow!
I’ll be up in Woodland Wa for 4 more weeks. I’ve visited with a few other Squarebody burb guys. The white one is a Cummins swapped one. Great guy, awesome build.
If things go as planned, I may be hauling another burb(Red one) down to my tuner in a month or so. It has a fuel injected 383. It needs a few bugs worked out, and the 8.1 may go on a dyno. We shall see. Meanwhile I’ll keep enjoying driving it.
One thing that has come up is the Dana 60 death wobble. The last time I went up to Mt Saint Helens, the uneven crappy road had me driving up at a snails pace to avoid the shakes. I started thinking about how deep I went into the axle when I got it. I couldn’t remember if I put new springs and bushings in the king pins. So last week I ordered up Off Road Design’s king pin spring eliminator kit, and some Reid brass bushings.
I messaged ORD asking if I needed to do any extra steps if I plan to use the brass bushings instead. They sent me some info on having to machine down the spring eliminator. I didn’t want to deal with having to machine them, then test fit a few times, so I just put in their kit with the standard bushing. It worked out great. No wobbles.
I also took another guy’s advice and put 5/30 oil into it when I did a oil change and I’m also happy to report that the lifters are much quieter on startup. Oil pressure is still good as well.
I went for a another nice hike up there too.
I messaged ORD asking if I needed to do any extra steps if I plan to use the brass bushings instead. They sent me some info on having to machine down the spring eliminator. I didn’t want to deal with having to machine them, then test fit a few times, so I just put in their kit with the standard bushing. It worked out great. No wobbles.
I also took another guy’s advice and put 5/30 oil into it when I did a oil change and I’m also happy to report that the lifters are much quieter on startup. Oil pressure is still good as well.
I went for a another nice hike up there too.
Nice pictures.
I remember I tried the spring eliminators with the bronze bushings and it was way too tight. I just ended up putting the standard spring in with the bronze bushings.
I remember I tried the spring eliminators with the bronze bushings and it was way too tight. I just ended up putting the standard spring in with the bronze bushings.
