454 to Cummins

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Mel, great progress!

If it was me I wouldn't install the front grille until after a successful drive or two. I hate doing things twice

Brad

Hate to go driving w/o the center grill attached. The two outer pieces around the head lights would be flapping in the wind.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by choctawmel

Hate to go driving w/o the center grill attached. The two outer pieces around the head lights would be flapping in the wind.

You've got a good point there. While reworking Peanut's front corner I was surprised when I saw just how little support that area has. Better put the grille back on!

Brad

[mayco]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Mel, great progress!

If it was me I wouldn't install the front grille until after a successful drive or two. I hate doing things twice

Brad

X2.......I'm with Brad on waiting a bit on installing the grill. As you know it's not a difficult job but it's time consuming and a pain the rear to get to a few of those bolts. It would be nice to put 50-100 miles on it before you button it up.

Hows the back holding up for you Mel? You sound like you're getting things done, that's really good news! Good on ya!

Mike

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by mayco

X2.......I'm with Brad on waiting a bit on installing the grill. As you know it's not a difficult job but it's time consuming and a pain the rear to get to a few of those bolts. It would be nice to put 50-100 miles on it before you button it up.

Hows the back holding up for you Mel? You sound like you're getting things done, that's really good news! Good on ya!

Mike

Backs coming along. I ride my trike (pedal powered) about 10 miles now ever other day or so. Walk about 30 minutes a day. Couldn't find anyone that was willing to help me with the yard even for $20 per hour. They didn't want to give up their summer time. Kids today that are 40 and younger I call pajama kids and/or snow flakes.

Checked the master cylinder and the rear was empty. Now I know why the brake pedal went to the floor.

Took the leaking transmission cooler bypass off and mailed it back to Cummins Allison Conversions. They'll probably say I over torqued the fitting into it.

[JFScheck]

So close, don't get frustrated now - looking forward to hearing how it performs with the oil burner installed!

[choctawmel]

Little update:
The brakes? Seems I decided to cut the brake line off because it was in the way for the fuel line to go there. I thought it was a old gas line when I did it. So! With 3 pieces of new steel line all bolted in. I'm trying the gravity trick to bleed them as I type.

Got a water leak somewhere I can't local too. Got my new bore scope to work on my new(er) computer and looked but didn't find. Got to try looking up from the bottom.

Need to go check the brake fluid lever now.

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by choctawmel

Little update:
The brakes? Seems I decided to cut the brake line off because it was in the way for the fuel line to go there. I thought it was a old gas line when I did it. So! With 3 pieces of new steel line all bolted in. I'm trying the gravity trick to bleed them as I type.

I'm really curious how well the gravity bleed worked on your 345. I did find I had to pump the brakes a couple of times to get the rears to start flowing. Then again I might have just gotten impatient!

Brad

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by bkahler

I'm really curious how well the gravity bleed worked on your 345. I did find I had to pump the brakes a couple of times to get the rears to start flowing. Then again I might have just gotten impatient!

Brad

The gravity bleed may work, but not in the amount of time I got left above ground.

Today a friend came over and pushed the pedal for me and I have brakes again.

Had to cut 3" off the transmission dip stick tube to clear the dog house. Cut the dip stick and tried to weld it... Not in my skill set. Then tried to braze it.... Again not in my skill set... So, I'll go buy me a new dip stick and find someone else to shorten it 3".

Can't find the water leak somewhere I can't see on the passenger side front. Looks like I'm going to be taking stuff back off to find it:<(

[choctawmel]

Found the coolant leak, got it all back together.
Went for a drive..... and..... and.... IT WORKS!!!!!
Now need to work on the generator gas tank, dash a/c, front air bag, steering box, new blinds, finish converting the inside light to LED, shower door.....
Dang it looks bad when you make a list.

[GCinSC2]

Great.

How's the engine response, first impression of the Cummins in harness?

[Waipio Rim]

Originally Posted by choctawmel

Went for a drive..... and..... and.... IT WORKS!!!!!

Woo hoo!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by choctawmel

Found the coolant leak, got it all back together.
Went for a drive..... and..... and.... IT WORKS!!!!!
Now need to work on the generator gas tank, dash a/c, front air bag, steering box, new blinds, finish converting the inside light to LED, shower door.....
Dang it looks bad when you make a list.

I had a guy that used to work for me in Arkansas and any time I asked him how close he was to finishing a task he would respond with "All I lack is finishing up....."

Sounds to me like all you lack is "finishing up"

Brad

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

Great.

How's the engine response, first impression of the Cummins in harness?

All seems good. Don't like the 1400 EGT reading.
Had a VA appointment this morning which dragged on till lunch. So, it was too warm to take it on a rode trip w/o a/c. Need that on the top of the list of thinks to fix!

[GCinSC2]

1400, not sure i've ever seen that on my 2005 in a 3/4 ton chassis.

Was that under full power, or what?

[Gregsch]

Mel,
I named my rig Miss Persey because she tests my persistence over and over again. You my friend, have 10 times the persistence that i have. So happy for you with your recent progress. Not many men would have hung in there the way you have.

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by Gregsch

Mel,
I named my rig Miss Persey because she tests my persistence over and over again. You my friend, have 10 times the persistence that i have. So happy for you with your recent progress. Not many men would have hung in there the way you have.

If I didn't do this, I'd be in the house watching TV and before long the police would be investigating a murder.

Drove it about 100 miles yesterday. Decided I still have an inlet leak. Didn't find it with spraying the started fluid al over the inlet areas.
So, went to the hardware and hunted around. Found a 4" fernco cap and a valve stem. Glued the valve stem to it with goop glue last night. Will try to pressurize the inlet of the turban on and throw a bucket of mop water over it.

to the right: Need to find a box for the (just rebuild) air pump to put back under the bed for a spare.

[choctawmel]

Originally Posted by GCinSC2

1400, not sure i've ever seen that on my 2005 in a 3/4 ton chassis.

Was that under full power, or what?

I still have an inlet leak I got to find. Can hear the leak starting about 10 psi. Soapy water and air pressure is next.

[GCinSC2]

Don't remember all of the details when I pressurized my old 12V but might also have air leak during test out the tailpipe. Might need a really big potato.

[choctawmel]

Did me another 50 miler today.

Got on the interstate and set the cruise at about 72 and it went!

I think I still have an inlet leak. The EGT still goes up to 1400 degrees on full acceleration.

With the the 'Wicked Turbine wheel' I got a different fitting for the turbine gate valve. It's got a hole in it that leaks air. I'm going to try and call the folk I bought the wheel from and see if that's the norm.

Don't like the EGT going up to 1400 degrees on full acceleration.
Maybe I'll crank the fuel wheel back some more and try that. Maybe the PO really screwed with the fuel pump settings.

[choctawmel]

Got the engine/transmission working.

Moved the fuel cam plate back to about center of the slot, opened the fuel adjuster back up. The PO must have shoved it all the way forward to make more fuel/black smoke. EGT is topping at 1200 degrees with boost max 27psi.

Got the 16 gallon generator gas tank mounted and full today. Hope it runs after not for 3-4 years.


So, if nothing goes south, I'm DONE!!!!!

Next:
Fix Dash air.
Fix fuel gauge.
New blinds. (on order)
Finish LED lighting installed (in progress)
New floor cover.
Re-do/replace captain/navigator chairs
Re-carpet front.
Repair left rear panel where I ran into barn.
Clear coat/paint outside
and on and on and on

Will post the fuel mileage

Now it's 5:00 somewhere!