Listen carefully for the sound of the 454 HO in its' new habitat. See how the beast comes to life...



Started right up! Ran a bit lumpy until fuel pressure was stable and all air was out of lines. No leaks, oil pressure 50 lbs at idle. It appears the fuel injection is already pretty close. The fast and slow idle rpms were about right.

I still have to set the timing (I eyeballed it when I installed the distributor, within 2 degrees I'm sure), refill the cooling system now that it got air out too and install the right side air dam.

So far, so good! I will road test tomorrow.

WAY TO GO, Steve!
must have been music to your ears

Wow! Way to go!

Nice and clean engine bay. Great job, thanks for the updates. Congratulations.

I still haven't road tested. The timing is set, (I was 2 degrees off) engine runs well so far. The fuel system is having difficulty with stable fuel pressure, so I am making mods to eliminate the restrictions in fuel feed lines. (separate thread)
I did move it a few feet!

Unfortunately, I must have disturbed the rear brake line when I played with the fuel lines and now I have a leaking rear brake line. All the front lines have been replaced, as well as the rear axle line but the main line down the frame has finally failed. It will be the last line to replace. It is many feet long but runs straight down the frame. I will replace the entire run from front to back, obviously should have done it sooner.

3 feet forward, 2 feet back...

Fuel system is now functional. Removed pump and strainer from fuel tank, replaced with straight pipe. Installed large inline filter for each tank, replaced rusted fuel lines from tank to filter and selector valve. (See the thread on fuel system mods) Fuel pressure comes up quickly and pressure is stable.

One brake line to replace (tomorrow?) and finally a road test!

I hope to have it ready for Barthtober this weekend, if not I'll drive my truck!

Better hurry, Steve. The snow is coming

We're not talking about the "s" word. (Last year we had snow on Oct 23 and it stayed till late April.)

Raining again today...

Looks like I'll drive to Ohio in my pickup with my Barth donor parts. Looking forward to seeing the group again.

As long as I can get to Florida with 86Barth I'll be happy. (I'd go in Dec if I could talk my wife into it. A lot depends on her 97 yr old father's health)

I will get the brakes done next week for sure.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve VW:
Fuel system is now functional. Removed pump and strainer from fuel tank, replaced with straight pipe.

Anyone have an idea on why fuel pumps are in the tank? I remember the '50s 6X6 GMC trucks had a pump in the tank, but didn't see any more until the '80s. I have had to replace every one on my vehicles, and outside would be easier. Even my motorcycle has a pump in the tank.

I can see the benefit of cooler running of a higher fuel pressure pump for an FI system, but can't think of a reason for a carb engine to have a pump in the tank.

Vac is less than -15psi while pumps will go higher. When moving volatile liquids a long way positive pressure has fewer problems than vac.

Yup, pressurizing the line reduces vapor lock. If we follow the evolution of the P3X we see first engine pump only (lots of vapor lock with the long hot suction line run from tank to engine.) Then they added a frame mounted inline pump to push gas to the engine pump. Much better. Then came the in tank pumps, not sure why...

When something doesn't make sense, I always follow the money. I suspect that the in tank pump is cheaper. No suction lines, mounting brackets, or threaded fittings on the lines, etc required. No priming problems when dry either.

I, too have replaced several of these cursed pumps. The only time my faithful 20 yr old Ranger left me standing was when the fuel pump failed...

I will have to do tank 1 eventually to get rid of the strainer, etc. Meanwhile at least I have one tank that is now reliable and easy to service.

quote:

Originally posted by ccctimtation:
Vac is less than -15psi while pumps will go higher. When moving volatile liquids a long way positive pressure has fewer problems than vac.

Yes. For sure. An external pump abaft does that as well as a submerged pump, though. And much easier to change.