PhoenixZorn
1/2 ton status
I am currently idling at about 1100rpm, and it's supposed to idle at around 800rpm. I am at Sea Level, the timing is set at 16 degrees without the vacuum connected to the carb, Holley 600, Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifold, SBC 350.
I checked to see that my choke is all the way open on the carb and all the vacuum lines are attached in their proper locations. I called the engine shop that built the motor, and they said they test the engines at 5280 feet elevation with 12 degrees of timing and a quadrajet 750.
They said if I can get it to 12 degrees without pinging, I should get some more power out of it.
1. Any suggestions on getting my idle down to 800rpm where it should be?? at 1100, i can almost watch the fuel gauge move.
2. Any comments on the timing being set 4 degrees longer at sea level than at 1 mile high?
3. Its my understanding that my timing should be retarded when I floor it and advanced at idle to prevent detonation, but it's the opposite... at Idle, the timing is retarded, and at full throttle its advanced, but isn't detonating at all... What should i do about that?
4. My truck looks like it's lifted, only because of the height I ride off the 31 inch tires... there is about 6-8 inches of clearance from the tires to the fender edge. Is there any way I can actually figure out how much it's lifted, or if it's lifted at all? There are no blocks, and it looks like the original spring packs. How many springs should be on the front and rear packs for a stock 1/2 ton k5? I think I have 3 springs up front and 6 or 7 in the rear. I'll take pictures of everything when I get home tonight... The truck rides level, but it's a very rough ride... like I'm going over boulders for every little crack in the road.
5. When the truck is cold, it feels like the steering is very sloppy. While on a long turn at speeds as low as 25mph, and as fast as 65, it feels like the front end is slipping out from under me. I'll be taking the turn, and suddenly the wheels will start to turn back straight and then snap back to where they were on the turn with slight adjustment of the steering wheel. It feels like I'm driving bias ply tires, and I have all radials.
6. The PO originally had 4 BFG Baja widetrack 31x10.5x15 tires on the truck, but curb checked one of them and ripped off the sidewall. He replaced it with a Laredo 31x10.5x15, and the tread width is only 8.25" compared to the BFG's 9". Could this potentially be causing my steering issues?
7. I said in another post that I found the shocks... I'd like to replace them for as little money as possible, but I'd like to keep them all the same brand. They are aftermarket now, but are full tube shocks and are quite ugly. I also have an aftermarket steering stabilizer which would be replaced with the shocks. What brand would you guys suggest I get for the best possible ride after a future shackle flip and leaf spring swap.
8. For the best possible road and offroad ride, what brand of leaf springs should I get, and what lengths front and rear if I do a shackle flip?
I checked to see that my choke is all the way open on the carb and all the vacuum lines are attached in their proper locations. I called the engine shop that built the motor, and they said they test the engines at 5280 feet elevation with 12 degrees of timing and a quadrajet 750.
They said if I can get it to 12 degrees without pinging, I should get some more power out of it.
1. Any suggestions on getting my idle down to 800rpm where it should be?? at 1100, i can almost watch the fuel gauge move.
2. Any comments on the timing being set 4 degrees longer at sea level than at 1 mile high?
3. Its my understanding that my timing should be retarded when I floor it and advanced at idle to prevent detonation, but it's the opposite... at Idle, the timing is retarded, and at full throttle its advanced, but isn't detonating at all... What should i do about that?
4. My truck looks like it's lifted, only because of the height I ride off the 31 inch tires... there is about 6-8 inches of clearance from the tires to the fender edge. Is there any way I can actually figure out how much it's lifted, or if it's lifted at all? There are no blocks, and it looks like the original spring packs. How many springs should be on the front and rear packs for a stock 1/2 ton k5? I think I have 3 springs up front and 6 or 7 in the rear. I'll take pictures of everything when I get home tonight... The truck rides level, but it's a very rough ride... like I'm going over boulders for every little crack in the road.
5. When the truck is cold, it feels like the steering is very sloppy. While on a long turn at speeds as low as 25mph, and as fast as 65, it feels like the front end is slipping out from under me. I'll be taking the turn, and suddenly the wheels will start to turn back straight and then snap back to where they were on the turn with slight adjustment of the steering wheel. It feels like I'm driving bias ply tires, and I have all radials.
6. The PO originally had 4 BFG Baja widetrack 31x10.5x15 tires on the truck, but curb checked one of them and ripped off the sidewall. He replaced it with a Laredo 31x10.5x15, and the tread width is only 8.25" compared to the BFG's 9". Could this potentially be causing my steering issues?
7. I said in another post that I found the shocks... I'd like to replace them for as little money as possible, but I'd like to keep them all the same brand. They are aftermarket now, but are full tube shocks and are quite ugly. I also have an aftermarket steering stabilizer which would be replaced with the shocks. What brand would you guys suggest I get for the best possible ride after a future shackle flip and leaf spring swap.
8. For the best possible road and offroad ride, what brand of leaf springs should I get, and what lengths front and rear if I do a shackle flip?
