What did you do with your truck today, Part 3

[vintovka]

I drove mine the 40 miles home from the shop on 101{right next to the ocean waves} from Brookings to just above Gold Beach Oregon. Got honks waves and pictures taken along the way. This was my first real drive in nearly 20 years. Stopped for gas along the way and another car guy took me for a hair raising ride in his 160 MPH 650 HP Corvette special race car. Quite a day,

[robertsjm711]

Originally Posted by vintovka

I drove mine the 40 miles home from the shop on 101{right next to the ocean waves} from Brookings to just above Gold Beach Oregon. Got honks waves and pictures taken along the way. This was my first real drive in nearly 20 years. Stopped for gas along the way and another car guy took me for a hair raising ride in his 160 MPH 650 HP Corvette special race car. Quite a day,

I can’t imagine a better day. Congrats

[evilokc]

Originally Posted by Jesse Z

Is your level low or your pressure low - or both?

I believe my float levels were low. my fuel pressure would start correct but drop off as the fuel bowls emptied. I raised the floats. I hope that helps.

[MiraclePieCo]

When I originally bought my truck as an unfinished project, I was pleased to note that the firewall holes had already been filled by the previous owner. I naively assumed that this would save me lots of work - wrong.

The holes had been filled by taking pieces of scrap metal, smearing bondo on them, sticking them over the holes from the back side of the firewall, then sanding the face smooth. Even the gaping 4-inch heater motor hole was filled in this manner. Just slightly tapping on these with a hammer easily knocked them out.

So now instead of installing my new firewall-mount master cylinder and booster, I get to spend the next few days patching holes

Also please see my thread requesting opinions on how best to fill my firewall, thanks!

[nvrdone]

p/o should have used chicken wire to back up the bondo. works great !!!

[Black_Sheep]

Mount and wire the oil and water temp gauges, check...

[evilokc]

worked on my fuel pressure/ float levels today. raising the front float did help a bit. the truck isn't laboring at idle anymore. the pressure does drop when I check it at stop signs but it didn't get low enough to cause problems. I drove about 15 miles and it never labored at idle after driving. its still not right though. the off idle acceleration isn't smooth. I checked the accelerator pump adjustment with a .015 and its correct. so I'm not sure why my gentle tip in feel lean. the float level on the rear bowl isn't right. it went from low to high. I need to drop that level a little. that may be linked to my sketchy acceleration. I'm glad everything I do makes it better but its getting annoying that its taking so long.

[evilokc]

Friday i drove 15 miles. it wasn't great but it drove. yesterday i tried to pull it out of the garage and it didn't want to idle. tried over and over until finally the rear float started overflowing. I'm so sick of this carb. ive run carbs before and never had issues like this with the edelbrocks. its one thing after the other and when i fix something it seems to unfix itself. i don't even know what my next step should be. I'm annoyed and frustrated.

[robertsjm711]

Originally Posted by evilokc

Friday i drove 15 miles. it wasn't great but it drove. yesterday i tried to pull it out of the garage and it didn't want to idle. tried over and over until finally the rear float started overflowing. I'm so sick of this carb. ive run carbs before and never had issues like this with the edelbrocks. its one thing after the other and when i fix something it seems to unfix itself. i don't even know what my next step should be. I'm annoyed and frustrated.

Could it be something other than the carb, like an intake leak, timing, ignition module? Would you or a buddy have another carb to put on to make sure it is the carb?

I had a quadra-junk on an old Chevy back in the day and it had a vacuum leak at the throttle body primary shaft - it was a non-replacable bushing that turned it into a boat anchor. I spent days and weeks, rebuilding, gaskets, chasing rabbits down dark, evil holes. I know that pain and hate to see others go through it.

"Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth." - Arthur Conan Doyle

[mud.man.rj]

I run Edelbrocks year round on all trucks, lowered and lifted, small or big block, no problems...ever, every project I build for others, to many to count Edelbrock, no come backs, but 1/4 mile or straight mud racing I do get a "bit" more performance out of a Holley but still act up more often.
Mudman.

[vintovka]

Sorry to say my last 2 Edelbrock carbs were defective garbage. First one would not tune due to internal issues and last one had a vacuum leak only a spacer block and 2 thick gaskets would cure. These were brand new and installed on a brand new Edelbrock intake. I spoke to several Edelbrock reps several times. Some were flat rude and others listened but IMHO did not care. Cost us $100's in shop costs ( i have the bills) and weeks of delay and frustration. Think they have have quality control issues. Seems like even old reliable name brand (like Maytag and Craftsman) has gone to hell lately so keep your receipts handy and expect the worst.

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

I run Edelbrocks year round on all trucks, lowered and lifted, small or big block, no problems...ever, every project I build for others, to many to count Edelbrock, no come backs, but 1/4 mile or straight mud racing I do get a "bit" more performance out of a Holley but still act up more often.
Mudman.

I'm of the same mindset that maybe its the carb that is the issue. My edelbrock 1406 came out of the box stock and with a couple of idle adjustments to the outside screws, it runs and operates normally. I have 4.5psi of fuel pressure. If you lived closer, I'd pull mine off just so you could throw it on and test it out. It's an expensive trial and error thing to do without another car guy that can loan you a carb.

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by evilokc

Friday i drove 15 miles. it wasn't great but it drove. yesterday i tried to pull it out of the garage and it didn't want to idle. tried over and over until finally the rear float started overflowing. I'm so sick of this carb. ive run carbs before and never had issues like this with the edelbrocks. its one thing after the other and when i fix something it seems to unfix itself. i don't even know what my next step should be. I'm annoyed and frustrated.

A whole 7 days...Got it resolved?

[dsraven]

anybody with LS questions, check this out.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...SPrimer/Part1/


the site also has some tech tips on other stuff as well, fabbing, suspension etc. some good reads if you have time.

[59GMCApache]

I got my moser 9 in tack welded in.

[Russell Ashley]

Put about 60 miles on it today, most I've driven it all year. Got lots of good comments and thumbs up.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

Put about 60 miles on it today, most I've driven it all year. Got lots of good comments and thumbs up.

Count one more thumb up from me!

[robertsjm711]

Pulled motor & dropped pan to make sure it is a 5.3 vs a 4.8... and it is a 5.3!!!

Got it used from private party saying it was a 5.3, but after cleaning I found a 4.8 stamped on the tab on the head gasket, and injectors for a flex fuel.

All is good!!!

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by robertsjm711

Pulled motor & dropped pan to make sure it is a 5.3 vs a 4.8... and it is a 5.3!!!

Got it used from private party saying it was a 5.3, but after cleaning I found a 4.8 stamped on the tab on the head gasket, and injectors for a flex fuel.

All is good!!!

The 5.3 in my 02 Suburban is a flex-fuel engine. Were you thinking the injectors were not from a 5.3?

[robertsjm711]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

The 5.3 in my 02 Suburban is a flex-fuel engine. Were you thinking the injectors were not from a 5.3?

Oh, yes, that probably didn’t make any sense. The guy told me it was a 2001 5.3 non-flex, and 5.3 flex didn’t come out till 2002-2003 (depending on where you look), which made it confusing on what it actually was, and with a “4.8” stamped on the head gasket tab made me think twice (or three times...)

Overall I now am confident it is a 2002 flex 5.3 - injectors, crank/piston/rod casting, and non-DBW throttle body all say 5.3.

[Black_Sheep]

Getting stuff wired up...

[MiraclePieCo]

Threw some primer on my newly-filled firewall.

[robertsjm711]

De-Swiss cheesing the firewall. Won’t look as sweet as the guy above, but I won’t get as wet from the rain.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by robertsjm711

De-Swiss cheesing the firewall. Won’t look as sweet as the guy above, but I won’t get as wet from the rain.

;-) Winter is coming - those holes will let a lot of heat in the cab to keep you warm!

I've been watching your build and wanted ask you what you have found is the best procedure for installing your front sheet metal - assemble on the ground first, or one piece at a time? What's the best order? Thanks!

[robertsjm711]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

;-) Winter is coming - those holes will let a lot of heat in the cab to keep you warm!

I've been watching your build and wanted ask you what you have found is the best procedure for installing your front sheet metal - assemble on the ground first, or one piece at a time? What's the best order? Thanks!

Well, a little of both. If I have help available, I remove it as a clip, radiator and all. I kept this in mint when creating the wiring harness so I can just move it aside. I can get it off by myself but need someone to get it back on. It is not exactly "show ready", so if I am not too concerned if I scrap the bottom on the ground. If alone, I'll remove piece by piece by piece.

When fitting for the first time, I set up everything loose and used stands to get the alignment right and figured out how they would mount. It seems every time I add something this changes a bit, but it is a process.