Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Very nice Vic.
Now that you got the air ride done what's next on the list?

Just a few more tweaks on the air suspension, blow it apart for powder coating ...and then a return to the dreaded bodywork.

Originally Posted by Low Elco

It got a lot of attention! It was fun to watch it go up and down. It drew a crowd the whole day. Glad you went with us, Vic and Kathy!

We were lucky to be right there with Yeller and BBT. It was like flies to honey. BTW, I read deeper into the Accuair instructions and found a reference to saving a program buried in the manual setup section. Tried it and it worked. So for more "up and down" action see the video.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Just a few more tweaks on the air suspension, blow it apart for powder coating ...and then a return to the dreaded bodywork.

We were lucky to be right there with Yeller and BBT. It was like flies to honey. BTW, I read deeper into the Accuair instructions and found a reference to saving a program buried in the manual setup section. Tried it and it worked. So for more "up and down" action see the video.

The air ride suspension looks like a lot of fun and I bet it's gratifying getting to play with it.
You will have the cab whipped into shape in no time.

[Low Elco]

It got a lot of attention! It was fun to watch it go up and down. It drew a crowd the whole day. Glad you went with us, Vic and Kathy!

[sduckworth13]

That looks great Vic. I didn't realize how fast that system will launch the truck up in hurry.

[jlsanborn]

Whole air ride system is looking great Vic! Attention to detail is awesome!

[Low Elco]

This is all coming together really nicely. I really like the line clamps.

[jlsanborn]

Just spotted the link to the Youtube vid. Awesome!

[Vic1947]

Since getting home from the Truck Nats, I've been busy assembling a 357 Magnum engine for Scott. The chassis has just been patiently waiting its turn and I knew it needed some TLC. I'd observed that the rear bags held air just fine, but the fronts would deflate in just a few hours. So before disassembling everything to prep my homemade mounts for powder coating, I did some investigating with dishwashing soap and water. The leaks were coming from the 90 degree bulkhead fittings. They're made by Parker and have no support tube in them like the KV2 series fittings from SMC. I looked high and low for a 90 bulkhead with the support tube, but had no luck.

An alternative solution is to use a bulkhead union with a 90 elbow fitting that has one end PTC (push to connect) and the other a straight leg that fits into the female end of the bulkhead. But further research revealed that the only KV2 series elbow was for 1/4" line ...and of course I have 3/8". What the vendors are selling are the 3/8" Parker elbows without the support tube. Why all the fretting over the support tube, you ask? Well, it appears that the tight bend radius is torqueing the tubing just enough to create a leak.

So, the obvious solution is to make yer own! I had some leftover 90's with brass male 1/4 NPT on one end and KV2 PTC on the other. First step was to tap the id of the brass end to 1/8 NPT. Then I turned a brass 1/8 NPT close nipple to the dimensions I needed and assembled it using a R8 collet to keep from damaging the polished exterior. So I now have the KV2 style PTC's at every joint in the system. Hopefully it will solve the leak issues. When I get my parts back from the powder coater, I'll reassemble everything and report back.

[jeh]

Vic, you make things look so easy!!! Very nice job on the fittings, also great job on Scott's engine, it sure looks good. Anxious to see a video of it it when he gets it put in.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by jeh

Vic, you make things look so easy!!! Very nice job on the fittings, also great job on Scott's engine, it sure looks good. Anxious to see a video of it it when he gets it put in.

Thanks, Jason. When we unloaded the engine at Scott's he mentioned he'd like to get it dropped in this weekend. He asked if I could be there when he starts it the first time. Makes me feel like a midwife.

[jlsanborn]

Tricky! I used to be in the pneumatics buiz (Festo) and have used a bunch of PTC fittings. I've never seen one with the support sleeve inside - nice! Guess I've been out of that game for a while. I've seen plugs turned from aluminum that are used to block off a PTC but always opted for the plastic ones in fear that the retractable barbs wouldn't "bite" into metal well enough. Have you tried to pull the brass tube you made out of a PTC? Never having played with a vehicle air ride setup before, curious what kind of pressures you're running?

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Tricky! I used to be in the pneumatics buiz (Festo) and have used a bunch of PTC fittings. I've never seen one with the support sleeve inside - nice! Guess I've been out of that game for a while. I've seen plugs turned from aluminum that are used to block off a PTC but always opted for the plastic ones in fear that the retractable barbs wouldn't "bite" into metal well enough. Have you tried to pull the brass tube you made out of a PTC? Never having played with a vehicle air ride setup before, curious what kind of pressures you're running?

Yep, I gave the first one I built a tug and it seemed locked in pretty good. The brass is pretty soft and those little stainless claws grabbed it enough to make some light marks. I polished them out and decided a "one time" assembly might be the best plan. Right now, with just the drivetrain and chassis weight, the front's need 25 psi and the rears 12 psi to sit at ride height. System is setup to deliver 150 psi, but I won't know until it's all together what the final pressures are.

[Elliot949]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Since getting home from the Truck Nats, I've been busy assembling a 357 Magnum engine for Scott. The chassis has just been patiently waiting its turn and I knew it needed some TLC. I'd observed that the rear bags held air just fine, but the fronts would deflate in just a few hours. So before disassembling everything to prep my homemade mounts for powder coating, I did some investigating with dishwashing soap and water. The leaks were coming from the 90 degree bulkhead fittings. They're made by Parker and have no support tube in them like the KV2 series fittings from SMC. I looked high and low for a 90 bulkhead with the support tube, but had no luck.

An alternative solution is to use a bulkhead union with a 90 elbow fitting that has one end PTC (push to connect) and the other a straight leg that fits into the female end of the bulkhead. But further research revealed that the only KV2 series elbow was for 1/4" line ...and of course I have 3/8". What the vendors are selling are the 3/8" Parker elbows without the support tube. Why all the fretting over the support tube, you ask? Well, it appears that the tight bend radius is torqueing the tubing just enough to create a leak.

So, the obvious solution is to make yer own! I had some leftover 90's with brass male 1/4 NPT on one end and KV2 PTC on the other. First step was to tap the id of the brass end to 1/8 NPT. Then I turned a brass 1/8 NPT close nipple to the dimensions I needed and assembled it using a R8 collet to keep from damaging the polished exterior. So I now have the KV2 style PTC's at every joint in the system. Hopefully it will solve the leak issues. When I get my parts back from the powder coater, I'll reassemble everything and report back.

Vic you never cease to amaze me... I am about to load up Class Act and Bring Her to you... LOL

[sduckworth13]

Nice work Vic on the fitting, I'm always amazed at how you improvise to have the perfect parts. I feel like I'm the candy striper if your the mid wife lol. I truely do appreciate all the hard work you put into my engine. From design, to assembly, to paint, to crate and delivery.
Thank you Vic!

[mcbassin]

Very nice work on everything as always Vic.

[Low Elco]

Great work as always, Vic! Hope Scott's Motor goes well.

John, I've gone through a Bunch of Festo fittings in a former life.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Elliot949

Vic you never cease to amaze me... I am about to load up Class Act and Bring Her to you... LOL

Hey Dan, if anything else shows up in my driveway, I may be out on the stoop with my clothes and tools scattered all around me.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice work on everything as always Vic.

Thanks, Mike.

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Great work as always, Vic! Hope Scott's Motor goes well.

John, I've gone through a Bunch of Festo fittings in a former life.

As you're well aware, Chip, the moment of truth will soon be upon us. All you can do is remind yourself you've been here before and sweating doesn't help.

[Low Elco]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Hey Dan, if anything else shows up in my driveway, I may be out on the stoop with my clothes and tools scattered all around me.

Sounds Familiar.....

[Vic1947]

Been a while since I last posted. Lots of stuff going on, but the main thing that's kept me from CRLS was a mini vacation. Wife and I went down thru southern MO sightseeing and visiting friends. On the way back, we stopped in Sedalia and dropped off the AccuAir mounting pieces at Sure Coat. I went down yesterday and picked them up and have most of them reinstalled. I also had Jonathon blast the hammered finish off the sway bar and do it and the links in a nice shade of sliver. Tomorrow I'll shorten up the wiring, make some ground straps and get the loose wires bundled up and routed up to approximately where they enter the cab.

While on hold for the AccuAir parts, I picked back up on bodywork. Started smoothing the firewall and then switched to small parts when I had to share the workshop with my brother who was up here doing some remodeling and pre-winter maintenance for us. I'm considering having some parts dolled up with hydrographics, AKA water transfer printing. They can put almost any kind of graphics on all kinds of surfaces. I first noticed it on valve covers and other engine dress up items. They have a real nice looking carbon fiber print that I'd like to try on some interior parts. There's a shop that specializes in the process in North KC not far from here. I'll take some of the small parts I've been massaging to them and get a quote. We'll see if it's reasonable or not. Stay tuned.

[jeh]

Everything is looking good Vic, curious to see the graphics on the parts. Sounds pretty cool!!!

[Elliot949]

LOL. Vic...

[Low Elco]

More weight on the front taking advantage of the leak. Nothing really pushing down the rear.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

More weight on the front taking advantage of the leak. Nothing really pushing down the rear.

Don't think that's the case, Chip. As a test, though, I disconnected the power and opened the petcock on the tank to dump 100% of the air. When I found the leak, I just assumed the tank had emptied but you got me thinking there could be some residual tank pressure holding up the rear. With all the air out, the rear bags were still firm while the fronts had completely deflated. It appears that the solenoids controlling the rear bags are closing after the system adjusts the height but not in the front. The default solenoid position up front is open and when the air goes away, the bags exhale.

I think I'd feel safer if one bag blows out, the remaining three stay inflated. It would let you motor over to the shoulder and investigate. Or maybe not. If one corner drops suddenly, the suspension may react unpredictably like with a blowout. Except that with a blowout, the tire becomes a boat anchor which would not be the case with a bag failure. Dang!

[sduckworth13]

The wiring looks so clean and organized now Vic. Great work as always.

[swamp rat]

Real nice work. If the glass packs are made by Allied i can tell you they sound nice and deep, had them on my DD for 7 years.