Wes's Burb build/update/maintance

[Wes Harden]

Last week I removed the in carb fuel filter, and steel line from mechanical pump to carb. Ran #6 hose and AN fittings from Mechanical pump to carb. ran just a touch better, but still required the electric pump to be on over 40 mph in 4th under any load.
I drove to my brother's 120 mile round trip. Started with just over 1/2 tank by gauge, got home with less gas then the recent problem at costco gas station. Today I got some Qjet goodies. Made 3 changes to carburetor.
1. I upped the inlet seat from .107" to .147"
2. upped the primary jet from 69 to 71, reused primary rods .037b
3. change the power spring(primary metering rod spring) to 3in Hg 1.110" l
Truck ran a lot better idle smoother I needed to turn the idle mixture screws in @ 3/4 turn. Drives around town with ac on great even under a load w/o the electric pump.
Still won't get on the freeway with out the electric.
Still need to add return style regulator in line, not finding a good spot. I have to upgrade the electric pump also. Will do these 2 mods this weekend. Wifey stills needs it for errands







Far left is power spring I removed, blue is spring I used.

 

[Wes Harden]

On going saga of the fuel system. I added a Holley 12-887 fuel pressure regulator with a return to tank. So at this stage fuel delivery has a micro electric pump at tank, a performance mechanical pump on motor, fuel pressure reg with return and gauge. The gauge read 4 psi, I was messing with setting trying to get more psi but it wouldn't go any higher. Well all buttoned up off for road test. Fuel level reads 1/4 tank, off to Costco gas. Get on the freeway up hill on ramp get up to 60ish easily. traffic is kinda heavy, am in slow lane doing 40-50 for 3 miles. Get off and is running poorly almost stalls. I keep it running. Get into Gas station rev it up, clean it out. Idles smooth, I shut down to wait my turn. Go to start back up, cranks won't light. F! I figure it vapor locked. Wait 5 mins give it a try no joy. Fuel pressure gauge shows 3 psi with electric pump. So with all my fooling around I had the reg set to much pressure and flooded it. My assumption of vapor lock made it worse. So I called had my boy bring me some either. Got her fired up and cleaned out, looked like a diesel. Get to pump shut off, fill start up drive off.
At home, after cool down, check temps with infrared. Block is 100, carb is 100 fuel pressure reg is on pass fender is 87. Fire it up, run through choke cycle. Check temps motor 165 above t-stat, carb bowl is 107, fuel pressure reg is 115, mechanical pump is 145. After running awhile block temp under t-stat 190ish, mech fuel pump at block is is up over 165, reg is 140, carb 120, ambient temp is @80.
Next morning I replace the micro pump with a Summit branded 12 psi electric, remove the mechanical pump. The Holley 12-887 regulator will not regulate 12psi. Go to parts store get a Holley red label pump 4-7. Switch out the electric pumps, solid 6 psi. Ambient temps low 90's temp at reg staying below 140 carb is staying in the teens, engine temps are @195.
Thursday Evening we head out for a weekend trip to Lake Havasu. Meet up with my Dad and Brother, in high desert 6pm. Ambient temps 104ish. Ac blowing cold cruising 70+ up I15 to I40 average speed for 210 miles 67 mph, got 8.44 mpg. Ran flawless.
Return trip 7:40 pm 110 ambient pulled the hill west of Needles mostly 70 mph, coolant temp crept up slightly. Trans temp got up to 200, from average 160-180. Was matted at the top 65mph. Horrible gas mileage on trip home. CHP stopped traffic at Lulow, made us take the old road route 66. We could see I40 traffic was backed up for miles. Never saw what happened. We got back on I40 at Hector mine rd.
Stopped for gas in Hesperia, Ac would not turn back on. AC worked all weekend like a champ, 118 on Saturday. Cooled off the truck after sitting in sun to comfortable in less than five minutes, front and rear air. Not big deal, I mean was down right chilly 82 going over Cajon pass.
Gave the AC 15 mins and tried it on Bi lvl it turned on and got cool. May have an issue with my Max circuit.
I think I have the fuel issues worked out. I may go down in main jet size to 70 or back to 69, engine loads up at idle. I will leave the larger seat and power spring.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

So you had a weak fuel pump. Did you leave the regulator in?

At idle the main jets dont have a huge effect, or at least they shouldn't so long as the throttle is closed far enough.

What vacuum are you making at idle?

 

[Wes Harden]

I left the reg in because it has a return. I believe dead heading the original electric pump killed it, in a year. Have to check the idle vac been awhile since i had a gauge on it. Iirc the vacuum will be 17 to 20 inches not a big cam and 114 deg lobe center. I know I can smell and see black smoke since jet change. I suppose the the new spring could be lifting the rods to early.

 

[Wes Harden]

This last weekend I helped my brother move a Yukon Xl wrecked ls donor for his 55 Chevy wide window pu. I drove up Friday night, ambient temps @100. The truck ran fine a/c blew cold, had some heavyish traffic on Cajon Pass. Trans temp got up to 200 in traffic, cooled down when I got over the hill @ 170. Saturday I towed a car trailer back over the pass to Rialto. Fortunately the guy selling the Yukon had a 03 cummins Ram, and volunteered to tow the Yukon back to Apple Valley over Cajon Pass.
Saturday was warm @105. At noon we headed out Ram need fuel, off to Sierra ave and the I15. Cal Trans had the north bound I15 on ramp blocked here, 1/2 mile backup before the stop sign. Trans is getting warm 180+. We get to the fuel station I go through a drive through for a couple of burgers. Have to make a left out the drive to go our way, traffic is backed up, no light or stop sign to get out. Probably close to 20 mins to get out do to heavy traffic detoured by Cal Trans. My truck is running like crap, eng temp is good but trans temp is creeping up. The extended idle is to much. stalled once, restarted, finally got some clear road. We continue on our way. Up the old road, trans is up to 205. On I15 at Cleghorn, over the pass trans temp stayed the same until cresting and the down hill side.
I was not happy, with the trans temp or the way the truck runs at extended idle. Saturday early evening I did some research, need to make sure cooler was connected in correct direction. I discovered that my external trans cooler, aftermarket PO install, is upside down. Also it is in front of the engine air duct, I new this but didn't think it would be a big deal.

You can see the cooler on pass side and that the hoses are on the bottom. Having the cool orientated this way allows air to be trapped in the cooler.
This is blurry photo of behind the cooler, they removed the right side grill bracket to install cooler. I,m in the market for replacement right side grill bracket 73-80.
I moved the cooler to driver side, previously was an engine oil cooler here also after market. I removed that when I re-installed the braces to from motor mounts to bell housing, will figure out where to put a new one. I hope.
Hose on Top left is in and top right is out, as pictured.
Got to use some nifty thread cert tab that Adam @Deuling made they worked great. you can see welded on right side of cooler.


Top off fluid lvl. I headed home temp was in the high 80's. Drove across Hesperia, though the hills to SR138 then I15. Didn't have much traffic, 1 short drive through. Trans stayed below 180. got down below 160 at 70 mph on level I210, mid 80's ambient.
Truck seemed to accelerate better, idled smoother. I might be able to add a little more timing, will need someone with good hearing I can't hear detonation anymore. Probably ran a little cooler. My temp gauge doesn't move much, late model sender on early model gauge, but it is an indicator.
I wish I had addressed this a long time ago. Until the oil cooler was removed there really wasn't enough space.

So now I need to test this out, think a fluid change is in order first. Then find a spot for an oil cooler. Any ideas?

 

[Joel Wilson]

Top off fluid lvl. I headed home temp was in the high 80's. Drove across Hesperia, though the hills to SR138 then I15. Didn't have much traffic, 1 short drive through. Trans stayed below 180. got down below 160 at 70 mph on level I210, mid 80's ambient.
Truck seemed to accelerate better, idled smoother. I might be able to add a little more timing, will need someone with good hearing I can't hear detonation anymore. Probably ran a little cooler. My temp gauge doesn't move much, late model sender on early model gauge, but it is an indicator.
I wish I had addressed this a long time ago. Until the oil cooler was removed there really wasn't enough space.

So now I need to test this out, think a fluid change is in order first. Then find a spot for an oil cooler. Any ideas?[/QUOTE]

I know it might be adding to your wiring but what about mounting it inside the engine compartment and having a separate cooling fan just for that. Depending on how you have it mounted, it may or may not add to engine compartment temps. Maybe even add a thermostat so you don't have to worry about turning it on or off. Should be room on the passenger side fender well.

Joel
norcal

 

[Wes Harden]

Joel, I am thinking, about replacing this cooler with a new quality unit. Probably a rectangle shape with temp sensor fan. Then the oil cooler with a thermostat type adapter. Probably also in rectangle shape.
The right inner fender real estate is taken. There is a plastic tool box bolted to it. Very handy for 1 quart of oil, oil funnels rags.

 

[Joel Wilson]

Joel, I am thinking, about replacing this cooler with a new quality unit. Probably a rectangle shape with temp sensor fan. Then the oil cooler with a thermostat type adapter. Probably also in rectangle shape.
The right inner fender real estate is taken. There is a plastic tool box bolted to it. Very handy for 1 quart of oil, oil funnels rags.

I get ya on the tool box. I have some extra space beside my winch that is very handy for oil. I mounted my remote oil filter on driver's side inner fender but it was kinda cramped with that huge cruise control thing that's there. Albright winch solenoid is on the front slope of that same fender well, combine that with the extra battery that's on that side, there isn't much room. My transmission lines are on the passenger side so that is the logical place for a cooler but you have you tool box there. May need to get creative with your geometry to get it to fit on that side. I have some things to move around on the Jimmy this weekend so I will try to take a couple pics of how I mounted my stuff.

Keep with the updates Wes. Always a good read and good on ya for your perseverance. Chasing gremlins can be exhausting.

 

[Wes Harden]

70 mile round trip yesterday. Morning run in the trans stayed under 160 averaged 68 mph ambient temp 64. Way back trans hit 180 once going up a short steep hill at 70 mph, ac on, ambient temp 90ish.
Ran great both ways. I expected to hit traffic but only one short spot of back up, no change on temp at that time.

 

[Wes Harden]

So the heat wave labor day weekend we lost power. Loaded the refrigerator up with frozen 2 liters, and left for my brother's house in the high desert. Where it was almost 10 degrees cooler.
Two weeks previous I installed a Hayden sever duty fan clutch. So was early evening temp in low 100s heavy traffic from Glenn Helen to sr138. Engine temp stayed @200 or below. Trans temp got over 200 again, in traffic, and side streets it creeps up.
Saturday I added an eight inch electric pusher fan to external trans cooler. Using 180 inline temp switch on ground side, through a 20 amp ign hot relay. Haven't seen it turn on yet, will get a test on next fuel run.
Sunday new tstat, I had 180 went 160. Temps at water neck are 175, and 185 with ac on, at idle. Before was 195 -205 to hot for a carb motor no cat.
Since we are heading to Havasu this weekend, I wanted to give the ac an advantage, The temp door in the HVAC plenum I could here closed solid on heat end but not the cold. Since that door is cable operated I could adjust it. Easy long ¼" extension through notch in glove box.
I can hear it hit on both hot and cold now. I also added a shut off to the ⅝" heater hose from intake to heater core. Last Monday saw a new blower motor, old one had a sloppy power spade, when removed some of the motor windings were black, I think 1 leg was bad. Only really worked on high and low. Now I have 4 distinct speeds.
Last change before trip will be to change the primary jets back to 69 leave the primary metering rod spring and large inlet seat.

 

[Wes Harden]

Trip to Havasu went well. the truck stayed cool trans stayed under 200. Even Chiriaco Summit grade out of Coachella, with both AC's and out side temp of 104.
So tow the boat to ramp, 5 miles, side streets, trans temp got up to @ 215, gear limited to 3rd. When I was able to check with infared the external cooler in was 193* out was 154*. New cooling fan was working at this time. So this tells me my coolers are doing the job.
Radiator was 190 ish, AC on and 109* ambient.
Now my temp is measured from the pan so it is an average temp. But I want to keep my trans oil temp below 200, prefer 180 or a little lower.
I am look hard at a cool pan from Derale 14204. Going to double check measurements if it clears everything I'm going to get it.
Didn't get to the jet change before the trip. Mpg was 9.2 going and 7.17 back, headwinds.
I swapped the 71 for 69, on Saturday.
Put a vacuum guage on manifold port, adjusted the idle mixture screws. Ended up with a rock steady 18.5" at idle in neutral AC off.
Left the 2nd from weakest primary metering rod spring and large inlet seat installed. I dropped the float from highest Qjet spec down ¹/³².
Need to test.

 

[Wes Harden]

So this evening after work I installed my new Derale 14204 cool trans pan. I new I had plenty of clearance with the deeper pan installed, what I forgot to consider was the valve body and filter, so the pan wouldn't slip in between my exhaust pipe and valve body. I had to drop my head pipes and the cross member t case mount bolts, jack under the t case, and the pan slipped in. 10 quarts of new Dex III. Test drive to come.

Old fluid was nice and pink, only 3140 miles in almost 2 years, Trans has shown hot, over 220 several times. Pan was nice and clean as well over all I am happy with that.

 

[Wes Harden]

Little up date 2 120ish mile round trips with new cool pan. I drove over Cajon summit, 2 Fridays in row, ambient temps where way down from pre cool pan. I hit traffic in Devore up to Sr138 1st and second gear 35 minute crawl. Temp got over 180 but not to 200. 2nd Friday it was raining and I spent an hour on I15 in the pass, 1st crawl temp stayed 180 or below. Rolling up hill down hill at speeds over 40mph trans temps stay below 180 closer to 160. So I think the cool pan has had a big effect. I guess when it hot again, and I tow, will be the best test.

 

[max 02]

Jump started from another truck, after an hour sitting started right up.
My aux bat doesn't have heavy guage wiring, prob the reason it didn't help.
Got to my bro's place loaded up trailer and buggy. Hit the road to El Mirage. Ran good for 15 mins, then started same $#@t again. I was trying to find a nice rpm throttle angle, when is stalled. Hit the key, no crank. Pull off the road. use real jumper cables to connect 5he aux with main battery, no joy.
Crawl under starter is warm to touch, solenoid was hot. Jumped at starter, with pocket screw driver, starts.
Hit the road again. Runs good for 10 mins, then stumble surge generally no power. Limp on for 2 3 minutes, no reason runs good for 10 mins. It is now happening on level ground, trailer maybe? On the dry lake it stalled, I rolled to 1/4 mile of my brothers camp. Hit the key and it cranked, and started.

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That’s a cool looking sub!
Just read your thread. Hope you get the fuel sorted out.

 

[Wes Harden]

Thanks @max 02, I believe the fuel issue is fixed. Holley red electric pump and 6psi fuel reg w/ return. have 1500 or so miles no fuel troubles.

 

[max 02]

Thanks @max 02, I believe the fuel issue is fixed. Holley red electric pump and 6psi fuel reg w/ return. have 1500 or so miles no fuel troubles.

Right on! Don’t see many round eye suburbans anymore. Actually I can’t remember the last one I’ve seen on the road or feild for years around my parts of the world. Plus you got a great colour combo. Nice rig!

 

[Gentleman Jimmy]

If those Holley regulators keep giving you troubles (they always have for me)... and since you have a return to the tank, you should look into a fuel log. Moroso makes a nice one, you can shim to whatever pressure you want and it won’t budge. I won’t use anything else on carb setups now, been very reliable.

 

[Wes Harden]

I will check it out. So far so good, reg is holding at a steady 6psi. 9psi Holley pump. the little micro pumps that don't need a reg I tried 2 Edlebrock and knock off cheapo, both gave up at @ 6mo of not to much use.

 

[Gentleman Jimmy]

Glad to hear it’s working good! Premature failures and inconsistent pumps/regulators are super frustrating when trying to dial in your fuel system, it seems like it’s a common issue these days. Here’s a pic of the log on my Oldsmobile

 

[Wes Harden]

Well it's been awhile since I updated this thread. I have over a 1000 miles and have only put gas in and driven. Last 3 fill ups have netted 9.2 to 9.6 mpg. best mpg yet, thou very little a/c running and no towing.
Cool trans pan is doing it's job well when moving. Highest temp this winter has been 185ish in traffic, or leaving KoH last weekend I off road out of camp for @ 2miles towing my dune buggy on the trailer.
I have lots of parts and up dates just need to down the truck for interior removal and gas tank drop, body bushings and shackle flip are largest jobs on list. That and swap the front gears. my K truck has been a C truck for a few years.