Sasquatch

[natemc]

Yesterday I found out I had a bad radiator cap. Blew coolant out the overflow. Stole the cap off the Limo and back to work we went.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

It's looking sweet!

 

[natemc]

Thanks

 

[natemc]

Heres another shot

 

[Truckman4life]

Not to pry but what was the reason for dropping from the big service truck to this one? Just looking to downsize due to the economy or did you go this route to be able to have 4x4 and get better access to job sites and such. Just curious. I have an F550 service truck for work and I love it. It is a heavy maxed out pig and with 19.5s it needs tire chains in anything other than dry ground even with 4x4. Unfortunately I am usually only on the plant site but sometimes I get to go a few places with it.

 

[natemc]

@Truckman4life sent pm

 

[natemc]

Fixed the temperature gauge in the dash, changed the sensor in the head and verified the wiring works to register engine temp. Also, I'm trying to add a monster trans cooler to the truck the last couple of days. This project has me pulling my hair out though. I had received the wrong thermostat. I got a small block 195* and had them replace it with the big block 180*. When I finally got the cooler mou ted and plumbed. Changed the oil and filter in the engine. Changed the filter in the trans, filled it with fluid. Filled the cooling system using the vacuum fill setup. Started and ran the engine at idle for 5 mminutes.The temperature started climbing drastically. Measuring the head temps above 250* and cant get the temps in the hose to change.
Figured the water pump must not be flowing very well. Pulled the water pump off to install a new one since they really aren't that much money. Cheap insurance to replace, especially with what I'm doing with the truck. Inspected the find of the old one. Nothing wrong with it. Replace the fan clutch at the same time. Again, just cause I haven't done it in 3 years and the sensing spring on the front had oiley dirt build up on it.
Filled everything back up again. Temps still climb crazy fast. Put a pressure gauge on the radiator. Stays below 10lbs as the temp reaches 250 again rapidly. I just pulled the new thermostat back out to test on the stove. It tests out just fine.
Man, I'm really pulling my hair out on this one. I think tomorrow I'll do a compression and cylinder leak down test.

 

[kgblazerfive]

Air pocket.

 

[centexk5]

I’ve always been told to elevate the front end of the vehicle and leave the cap off until the thermostat opens up.

 

[Truckman4life]

I had an old International medium duty do that to me once at the dealership. The housing was pretty corroded so I put a little silicone on the t-stat seal and got a bit much and closed off the vent hole in it. It had an air pocket under the t-stat. Also happened to be the same place they put the temp sensor. It wouldn't show hot since the sensor couldn't read the hot air in the air pocket and then it would just blow coolant out.

 

[natemc]

Filled under a vacuum so there shouldn't have been any air pockets. When I returned the t-stat, they said they had 3 from Murray temp controls that day. It's one of those deals where you question getting anything other than factory

 

[natemc]

First off. I need to fix my speedo. I'm pretty sure Sasquatch has a drinking problem. Question for the plow guys with a 454. What do you average on fuel usage a day when plowing?

Second, I found the correct pressure switch for my A/C. Pretty happy with 58* coming out of the drivers door vent. I might even change the condenser and orifice again to see if I can find even more cold air behind the dash. At idle it was only 62* sitting in a post office parking lot.

 

[natemc]

Nothing but cooling systems for both the engine and operator.

I'm still working the links out. Learning what its capable of and where I can or cant push it. 12k lbs as it rolls out the driveway everyday. Trans sees 220* pretty consistently.

 

[beags86]

6-7 mpg pushing snow with a 454.
Don't expect much more then that.

 

[Truckman4life]

This truck needs a supercharger. My buddy had a dually just like it with one on a 454 and that sucker had some nuts.

 

[beags86]

This truck needs a supercharger. My buddy had a dually just like it with one on a 454 and that sucker had some nuts.

Good luck with that.

Finding a supercharger system for this would be like find Sasquatch himself. You will find proof they exist. But you won't actually find one.

 

[beags86]

Good luck with that.

Finding a supercharger system for this would be like find Sasquatch himself. You will find proof they exist. But you won't actually find one.

I've had my tbi 454 for almost 20 years and never found a supercharger for it.
I always wanted to get a correct kit for it.

Sure you could buy a procharger and diy it. But I think once you do that you will run out of the stock tbi injection capability quickly.

 

[Truckman4life]

Good luck with that.

Finding a supercharger system for this would be like find Sasquatch himself. You will find proof they exist. But you won't actually find one.

Oh yeah I forgot it was tbi. I was thinking of the late 90s 454.

 

[beags86]

Oh yeah I forgot it was tbi. I was thinking of the late 90s 454.

A l29 super isn't much easier to find

 

[natemc]

I got told of a local guy who has a dually service truck like mine that has nitrous.