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Old 10-24-2012, 01:06 PM   #1
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1986 34.5' Airstream 345
choctaw , Oklahoma
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Pully that 454

I have started my winter project.
Objective: Pull the 454 cid engine and rebuild it into a 496cid with hydraulic roller cam. While I'm in the area: new 140 amp 1 wire alternator, new A/C compressor, hydraulic pump, high volume oil and water pump, new hoses, and many more to be discovered.
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First a picture as it was
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down to the cooler draining
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looks like I need to add more parts to my parts list
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what a mess!
Got to stop at this point to recover from eye surgery for 2 weeks.
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Old 10-24-2012, 01:16 PM   #2
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i would assume the new engine has a better manifold design than the 454. Kudos to you! Keep us informed!
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Old 10-24-2012, 01:16 PM   #3
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Great! I'm definitely going to keep my eyes on this thread!

I really like that scoop under your bumper channeling air to the cooler. Great idea.

Thanks!

Brad
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Old 10-24-2012, 01:24 PM   #4
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Is the motor already fuel injected? The roller cam is a good idea and is a weak spot on these older push rod V8's. The roller cams are one reason modern engines last so much longer.

Perry
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Old 10-24-2012, 03:04 PM   #5
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I would NEVER go to a one wire alternator in a motor home. You need the voltage sensing ability of a 3 wire system. A one wire alternator is only good for a tractor with a limited electrical system. Go to this link and read about it before you waste your money on a one wire alternator. Brian

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Old 10-24-2012, 06:39 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Leary View Post
i would assume the new engine has a better manifold design than the 454. Kudos to you! Keep us informed!
Already have the 'Banks' system on it. The intake may get changed if it's not aluminum. Do plan to re-use the TBI I have on it.
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Old 10-24-2012, 06:45 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by bkahler View Post
Great! I'm definitely going to keep my eyes on this thread!

I really like that scoop under your bumper channeling air to the cooler. Great idea.

Thanks!

Brad
Looks like the oil cooler is going to be in the way and the scope may get a redo. I have another (trany) cooler behind the right headlight.
after I took the radiator off, I power washed it, the A/C condenser, and the main trany cooler. With all the trash I washed out of the fins no wonder it runs hot.
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Old 10-24-2012, 07:01 PM   #8
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I would NEVER go to a one wire alternator in a motor home. You need the voltage sensing ability of a 3 wire system. A one wire alternator is only good for a tractor with a limited electrical system. Go to this link and read about it before you waste your money on a one wire alternator. Brian

Catalog
Interesting! Never thought about down steam voltage. May be why the warning lights 'low coolant' and 'water in fuel' are on at times now for no reason.
Well re-think that and complete reading the link at a later date.
I need to go put an ice pack on my forehead now. I hate getting cut on!
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Old 10-24-2012, 07:35 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by choctawmel View Post

after I took the radiator off, I power washed it, the A/C condenser, and the main trany cooler. With all the trash I washed out of the fins no wonder it runs hot.
what do you like for a cleaning agent on coiled & finned radiators & coolers, etc.?
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Old 10-25-2012, 04:36 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by choctawmel View Post
Looks like the oil cooler is going to be in the way and the scope may get a redo. I have another (trany) cooler behind the right headlight.
after I took the radiator off, I power washed it, the A/C condenser, and the main trany cooler. With all the trash I washed out of the fins no wonder it runs hot.
My Hi-tech bug collection system for the big trips You would be amazed to see what all you catch...
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Old 10-25-2012, 07:31 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by perryg114 View Post
Is the motor already fuel injected? The roller cam is a good idea and is a weak spot on these older push rod V8's. The roller cams are one reason modern engines last so much longer.

Perry
Yep, the motor has been fuel injected since I installed it in 2004. One of the best upgrades I've done. Got 30% better mpg and lot more power. With a hydraulic roller cam the duration of the valves can be longer making for better breather, valve open/close faster and a lots less friction.
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Old 10-25-2012, 07:43 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by jm2 View Post
what do you like for a cleaning agent on coiled & finned radiators & coolers, etc.?
I just used one of those cheat electric power washer. I've tried a cleaner from my local A/C supply store, but wasn't impressed with it on my house A/C units and guess it didn't work very well on the Silver Bullet's radiator either.
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Old 10-25-2012, 10:45 AM   #13
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My Hi-tech bug collection system for the big trips You would be amazed to see what all you catch...
I doubt I would be surprised at all

I drove from Dallas to Little Rock every weekend for 3-1/2 years and the front of my car pretty much stayed bug covered that entire time .
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Old 10-25-2012, 01:25 PM   #14
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Being my face hurts and I'm not to do anything for the next week I've been shopping for a radiator.
Many one know the GM part number? With the part number I hope to cross it to a aluminum radiator....
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Old 10-27-2012, 04:14 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by ventport View Post
I would NEVER go to a one wire alternator in a motor home. You need the voltage sensing ability of a 3 wire system. A one wire alternator is only good for a tractor with a limited electrical system. Go to this link and read about it before you waste your money on a one wire alternator. Brian

Catalog
Now that I've got into this project, a one wire wouldn't work because of the battery isolator. The + from the alternator goes to the battery isolator, no voltage to excite the alternator. Need to stay with a 3-wire, (well 2-wire-the 3rd is for an idiot light) but get rid of the ford regulator.
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Old 10-27-2012, 04:20 PM   #16
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Even though I'm not suppose to, I dug some more off the front of the motor.
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Getting quite a pill of scrap iron outside the shop. Most of this will be replaced. Too hard to get to to put this 37 year old junk back on.
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Old 10-27-2012, 09:14 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by choctawmel
Now that I've got into this project, a one wire wouldn't work because of the battery isolator. The + from the alternator goes to the battery isolator, no voltage to excite the alternator. Need to stay with a 3-wire, (well 2-wire-the 3rd is for an idiot light) but get rid of the ford regulator.
Most 1-wire conversions are replacing externally regulated systems. Most internally regulated alternators have a remote voltage sense (exciter) wire and a power terminal. The sense wire can be wired directly to the power terminal to work as a 1-wire Installation. Not optimally but it will work. Just saying that there is often confusion between internally regulated and externally regulated alternators with an incorrect association between 1, 2, or 3 wires.
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Old 10-27-2012, 09:16 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Dakota

Most 1-wire conversions are replacing externally regulated systems. Most internally regulated alternators have a remote voltage sense (exciter) wire and a power terminal. The sense wire can be wired directly to the power terminal to work as a 1-wire Installation. Not optimally but it will work. Just saying that there is often confusion between internally regulated and externally regulated alternators with an incorrect association between 1, 2, or 3 wires.
Good luck on the project!
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Old 10-28-2012, 12:07 AM   #19
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I have been puzzled about how airstream has done the sense wire when they installed the battery isolator. On my 310 they put the sense wire on the alternator lead and I have over a volt drop across the isolator. I always thought this may have been a wiring error but I keep finding the same setup in various airstream publications. I went digging around on the Internet tonight and I cannot find one article that advocated putting the sense wire on the alternator side, everybody's in agreement that it should go to the engine battery side so you can have 14.4 V and nice bright lights. I have a updated 12 volt converter and my best guess is applying 14.4 V from the alternator to its output when it's set to 13.3 will not do any harm. I may try this tomorrow and something burns up I will post the tragic results.
Regards
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Old 10-28-2012, 06:29 AM   #20
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doing my 454 too !

This winter I will tackle the engine on my 86 345 .265k miles so its beat and always underpowered.lookin for ideas , new rebuilt,upgrades etc.what would you do different this time if you already did yours .
I bought this baby brand new and I have lots of great memories so Im ready to give her the best for the next round of travel.
Looks like Ill have plenty of time sicne its snowing already in mt washington NH .
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