Top End Rebuild - can it be done in time? - Page 5

disfin · 07-16-2007, 06:04 PM

Donnie was back in town this weekend. We dropped the motor and checked and adjusted the cam timing. We nailed it this time. It was off by a small margin before, but nonetheless it was out of spec. After reinstalling the engine it was still running so rich it was unbearable.

So we started hunting for culprits. Idle speed control valve, no, vacuum leaks, no, and then testing all the other sensors and intake/fuel injection electronics. All fine. By then it was Sunday and Donnie needed to hit the road and I needed to get home. Did I mention that we loaded up another trailer full of stuff - including a 600 lb hot tub? He has one trip left later this week. That means the car will be out of his garage by then - one way or another.

Today I called Sid at Troysport and right away he said it sounded like too high of fuel pressure. I checked it and sure enough it was running close to 60 psi rather than 30-35. I disconnected the hose from the fuel pressure regulator (the hose that was made at the hydraulic shop and that was replaced during the rebuild), and ran the car without it, draining the fuel to a bucket. Sure enough the pressure dropped back to within spec. It idled fine, with no black smoke. The hose, while theroetically was the right size had too long of a coupler which forced the hose to bend too sharply and effectively crimp which increased the fuel pressure.

I'm working on another replacement solution for the hose and will hopefully have it put on in the next day or so. Since I only ran the car for about 10 seconds with the hose disconnected I don't know for certain it will be the solution. But I remain cautiously optimistic.

John Meyers

dweymer · dweymer's Garage

Fear the rabbit

disfin · 07-17-2007, 07:57 PM

Its up and running like a champ! Donnie, its out of your garage and back in mine.

911 tweaks · 07-18-2007, 03:09 AM

any pictures............. dying to see any before, during and after.

How is it running regarding leak down, compression... have you checked these ?

since you are so fast at this, maybe you should do this for a job or on the side?? :-)

Congrats!!!!!!

Bob

dweymer · dweymer's Garage

Did you get a new hose made?

John took about a million pics while I worked, I am sure he will post them all in time

disfin · 07-18-2007, 10:01 AM

Hahaha, you are funny, Donnie. Yes, I had royal brass cut down the fitting and make a new one. I'm still not 100% happy with it, but it is working for now. I'll try another hydraulic shop to work on finding a more permanent solution.

When I get a little more time I will post more pictures and maybe a project recap as a few other people requested.

disfin · 07-18-2007, 10:01 AM

Hahaha, you are funny, Donnie. Yes, I had royal brass cut down the fitting and make a new one. I'm still not 100% happy with it, but it is working for now. I'll try another hydraulic shop to work on finding a more permanent solution.

When I get a little more time I will post more pictures and maybe a project recap as a few other people requested.

dweymer · dweymer's Garage

Do you have the original one? We need to measure and find out the thread pitch and size. I am willing to bet autozone has a hose for some other car that will fit, and NOT cost $53.00 per inch!

disfin · 07-18-2007, 11:56 AM

M14 x 1.5 fitting. checked autozone, discount auto and no luck. I'll try carquest - they have a large inventory.

dweymer · dweymer's Garage

duhh, I have AN-6 line with that fitting on it in my garage, remind me this weekend.

DaddyGlenn · DaddyGlenn's Garage

You can usually find metrc hoses at NAPA.

Congrats on getting it running!

disfin · 09:29 AM

It has been three years since the two fastest weeks of my life so I thought I'd provide a quick update. Since this thread and the top end rebuild, the car has run nearly perfectly. It consumes zero oil, starts up every time and runs smoothly. I have put very little money into it since the rebuild, just a few small items here and there. The best part is that my confidence to tackle projects and my understanding of an internal combustion engine greatly improved. Everyone on this board knows it, so I'm preaching to the choir, but fixing something yourself is one of the most gratifying experiences a man can have. I also fixed my water heater yesterday, grunt, grunt.

I have had the pleasure of running a few autocrosses and just had my first obligatory spin. Here is a video. Its in High Def, so change it to 1080 at the bottom right and watch full screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khkKayMtsYo

Take Care!