No knowledge is useless knowledge, P-Ray!
CK5
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One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban
- Thread starter AgDieseler
- Start date
Oh really?
Did you know octopus's have 3 hearts? That's why they're so hard to kill when caught.
Now THAT'S useless info!
Did you know octopus's have 3 hearts? That's why they're so hard to kill when caught.
Now THAT'S useless info!
The longest recorded chicken flight is 13 seconds...
I can think of lots of useless pieces of knowledge. Here's one. The 6.2 is a Detroit Diesel. This piece of knowledge (regardless of whether it's true) is good for absolutely NOTHING except for starting dumb fights with your internet friends.
Lol!
You guys have seen some of the amount of useless knowledge I have. I can also do a compass swing on an aircraft.
I'm full of useless knowledge. But I can calibrate your Cessna's compass!
I think you're repeating yourself.
You appear to be saying the same thing twice.
it's hard keeping track of the voices sometimes...our bad.
I made many calls today, and am very appreciative of the thoughts shared on here.
I have a plan:
David
I have a plan:
- A local diesel radiator shop can clean out the deposits - which apparently are from the coolant itself, and fall out of solution when aged or experience electrolysis
- They can also modify the return tank end to clear the intercooler outlet
- Trim the spring on my lower intake hose so it isn't a ground path between the radiator and engine (thanks @diesel4me)
- Install a sacrificial anode in the 1/8" NPT drain port (thanks @Big Ray !)
- Add ground paths between my starter and the frame, one more between the engine block and frame, and upgrade the block to body ground at the back of the engine
- Change my water pump
- Flush the block with water until it comes out clear
- Refill with dexcool
- Resume work adapting the intercooler
David
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My radiator is dead. Long live the radiator.
Turns out, electrolysis is bad. Real bad. Like, outlet on the radiator was cracked half way around, and couldn't hold more than 3 lbs of test pressure. I'm just lucky the failure was discovered in the driveway, and not on the road. The anti-collapse spring in the lower hose absolutely created the ground path to the coolant and aluminum radiator. I ended up pulling a cap, and the pitting is obvious.
After the bad news, I wasn't in the mood to build, so I took the day for other hobbies - cleaned the rifles, assembled my gear for a coming hiking trip, drank some beer. Today, I started with a good sweep and tidying up of the shop. That always gets my mind back where I need it.
Immediate next steps are making the intercooler outlet route around the radiator. The inlet side clears fine, though you can start to see where I'll have to make side fan shrouds to maintain the airflow path now that the rear vertical boxes are gone.
Building a manifold to go around a notch in the tank.
Transferring the cardboard pattern to 1/4" 6061
You get a general idea how this is going to piece together.
Spool gun arrives tomorrow, and I'll get a small tank of Argon.
David
Turns out, electrolysis is bad. Real bad. Like, outlet on the radiator was cracked half way around, and couldn't hold more than 3 lbs of test pressure. I'm just lucky the failure was discovered in the driveway, and not on the road. The anti-collapse spring in the lower hose absolutely created the ground path to the coolant and aluminum radiator. I ended up pulling a cap, and the pitting is obvious.
After the bad news, I wasn't in the mood to build, so I took the day for other hobbies - cleaned the rifles, assembled my gear for a coming hiking trip, drank some beer. Today, I started with a good sweep and tidying up of the shop. That always gets my mind back where I need it.
Immediate next steps are making the intercooler outlet route around the radiator. The inlet side clears fine, though you can start to see where I'll have to make side fan shrouds to maintain the airflow path now that the rear vertical boxes are gone.
Building a manifold to go around a notch in the tank.
Transferring the cardboard pattern to 1/4" 6061
You get a general idea how this is going to piece together.
Spool gun arrives tomorrow, and I'll get a small tank of Argon.
David
Yea, I can relate to having to walk away for a day or two. Sometimes it's the best.
Aluminum is cool to work with. Keep it clean before welding and use little more heat then you would for a similar size piece of steel. Aluminum absorbs heat like crazy, so if the peice is really cold give it a bit of preheat. Doesn't have to be super hot just take the chill off of it. Also when mig welding it, push the puddle. It'll burn out the impurities that way and leave a nice clean weld behind.
Aluminum is cool to work with. Keep it clean before welding and use little more heat then you would for a similar size piece of steel. Aluminum absorbs heat like crazy, so if the peice is really cold give it a bit of preheat. Doesn't have to be super hot just take the chill off of it. Also when mig welding it, push the puddle. It'll burn out the impurities that way and leave a nice clean weld behind.
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Started assembly tonight.
I'll say it again - handiest piece of a scrap, ever.
Need to cut one more piece of plate to close the general manifold shape.
David
I'll say it again - handiest piece of a scrap, ever.
Need to cut one more piece of plate to close the general manifold shape.
David
Looks pretty good. If you can clamp a piece of angle on the inside. It'll keep it from warping from welding. Need to leave it one while it cools though.
I know they're only tacks but they look really cold. Those couple pieces are thick, they can take some serious heat.
I know they're only tacks but they look really cold. Those couple pieces are thick, they can take some serious heat.
Thanks. The machine calls for max voltage wire speed to weld 1/4" with .030 4043, but since the right angles of the plates thin that cross-section at the root, I've turned it down for tacking.
I'm still planning on taking this to a local welding shop for finish welding, but I will be able to tack together the entire manifold, and the upper mounts.
David
I'm still planning on taking this to a local welding shop for finish welding, but I will be able to tack together the entire manifold, and the upper mounts.
David
True, do have to be careful about burn-through. Guessin you have a smaller machine if it's maxed out. Still doable would just need more then one pass probably.
I'm guessing you're having the person tig it? If they are, clean the blueing off before you tack it. Tig likes things extra clean.
Looking good otherwise though.
I'm guessing you're having the person tig it? If they are, clean the blueing off before you tack it. Tig likes things extra clean.
Looking good otherwise though.
I'll drop off the intercooler at the race shop tomorrow.
Next: core support stiffening boxes, coolers, plumbing
David
Next: core support stiffening boxes, coolers, plumbing
David
That looks nice and snug.
Nicely done .
.
Intercooler is welded, and I'll post some photos when it gets back to the shop - which is currently filled with camping gear drying and airing out from a big weekend in the field.
Here's a Texas hill country sunrise:
The bluebonnets are just about to bloom. We saw a few early risers, including this purple one:
David
Here's a Texas hill country sunrise:
The bluebonnets are just about to bloom. We saw a few early risers, including this purple one:
David
Every time I order a bunch of AN fittings, I always think I've forgotten something.
David
David
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littlle too pricey to buy a few extras like shopping for pvc at Home Depot 
It sure is tough to make progress when:
Guess that's my update. Frustrated.
David
- The AN fittings I ordered last week come in two different shipments, the second of which is delayed by the heavy rains in the south
- NAPA's water pump is a piece of Chinese junk. Returned and ordering from SSDiesel.
- And, my Quincy QT54 has a leaking crankcase gasket and is half apart waiting for repair (all under warranty). I've become dependent on my air tools for all but the most basic cuts.
Guess that's my update. Frustrated.
David
