Project 6

[Posimoto]

A few members have asked for updates, thanks for asking.

I have the electric fan wired and running. I've been pushing the rig in and out of the shop to get other vehicles on the lift and it's getting old so I focused on getting the engine up and running. I made sure all the engine bay wiring was correct and it was ready to fire up for the first time.

After a short cranking period it fired up, it felt good hearing the engine after all this time, I would say the second best thing to happen with a build. I checked oil pressure, good, checked vacuum not so good. It was to be expected because I needed to set engine timing and adjust the rebuilt carb. The engine was running rough at 14” vacuum. I tried to set the timing but couldn't steady the engine long enough so I set the timing with my vacuum gauge. I moved onto the carb adjustment. Again using the vacuum gauge I tried to adjust the carb but it wasn't working, no setting would help the engine vacuum. I also noticed an oil leak from the oil pan gasket (my fault). I stopped to think things through and decided to check for possible vac leaks. I thoroughly check all possible leaking points with propane and found none. At this point I couldn't time the engine properly or adjust the carb and I had an oil leak. I decided to step away for awhile to do some other projects around the house and yard.     

After a month away I came back fresh, I dropped the oil pan and installed a new gasket, this time with better results. Then I just stood there and stared at the engine for awhile thinking things through, I knew I had to start from step one TDC. I did, and found the problem......distributor was off one tooth.

I now could set the timing and adjust the carb. The engine is running great at 20” vac. Last weekend I drove it down the road a short ways. I still have a ways to go but it's progress.   

[jwebb1998]

Awesome looking rig man, cant wait to see the finished project and some action shots.
Keep up the great work

[Axle]

getting close, awesome work Chuck!

[Krome]

updates!

[Posimoto]

Thanks for asking,

The engine was running great with 20” vacuum, and then......not so much. It wouldn't idle, only ran at higher rpms, as soon as I dropped the rpms the engine would stall. I went through the carb settings and all was good. The carb and intake bolts were to specs. I then checked for vac leaks and found an intake leak between the 4/6 cylinder. I made sure everything was super clean before installing the intake, used a good sealant on the heads, top of the valley pan gasket, and bolts, made a nice china wall front and rear.

I removed all the intake bolts and tried physically to remove the intake since I've always been able to do it this way, but not this time, even using leverage didn't work. I had to use an engine hoist and at that it didn't pop off, it peeled off. I have the intake on my work bench ready for cleaning, will also remove the pan gasket to clean the heads . I'll check the right head to see if it's straight prior to installing.

For those who are not able to see the member's section I picked up a 78 CJ that needed some work to make it street/trail worthy. It took a few months to diagnose and repair the issues, but it's up and running and I've been on the club's 3 trail runs to date, and seems to be working well.

I have a few Jeeps I work on for customers and they all want them up and running by spring, plus I have a large family with vehicles and that's year round thing. I'm looking forward to the day this rig is on the trails, it's been a long run, I do appreciate your patience.   

[jps4jeep]

I for one am psyched  to hear this news! My interest in your projects has never wavered!

[jerry k]

Its good to see it outside getting some fresh air   

[Axle]

YAAAAAY!

[SPYDER]

so once you get the 6 going, what are you doing with the white one?

[Posimoto]

Sell it,

When I purchased my edelbrock performer intake manifold I trusted their work and simply installed it. Turns out the manifold is warped in the exact stop where I found the leak. I wasn't building a race engine so I didn't check their work prior to installing, plus I didn't think there was a need, or should be. Last night I checked it with a straight edge and it was 9 thousands out, edelbroke limit is 7 thousands.

I can take it to a machine shop, but I plan to first call edelborke for their response. 

[Axle]

parts these days...wtf

[SPYDER]

Well when you are ready to sell it, let me know.  I know someone who is very interested in it if the price is right. 

That sucks about the intake, atleast it's a rather simple fix. 

[jps4jeep]

Probably because the manfold sat on a shelf for 20 years.

[Posimoto]

Well when you are ready to sell it, let me know.  I know someone who is very interested in it if the price is right.   

I do have 2 guys interested, but I'll let you know, thinking after FC, but I've been wrong before.

I was hoping my straight edge was off so I stopped by the machine shop to double check. I measured 9 thousands out at my shop and 10 thousands out at their shop. I checked a few prices to take both sides down 5 thousands and they were in the $90-$120 range. Edelbrock reluctantly agreed to do the repairs at no charge so it's going on a ride to Ca. 

[Posimoto]

Edelbrock reluctantly agreed to do the repairs at no charge so it's going on a ride to Ca. 

So they received my intake and decided it wasn't worth their time to fix and offered to sell me a new one at a discount. No, long story short, they sent me a new one free, although “they” did a lot of whining and crying over it. I was told the 2131 was back ordered and it would be about a month before it would arrived.

When it did arrive the first thing I did was put a straight edge on it, driver side was straight as can be just like the previous one, passenger side was off again 007, 008, and 010 thousands towards the middle in spots. It wasn't as bad as the one I sent back but not the quality I was expecting. Basically it's spring load, when they have the manifold clamped down and release one side. 

I called them and they said the rtv will make up the difference. The valley pan and rtv made up the difference for about 8 month on the first one before it started to leak. My 78 has the same 2131 manifold and it leaked in the same spot. I plan to detail the install here for future reference.

I laid some paper towels in the lifter galley and sprayed some wd40 on the paper to catch the debris from the old rtv. I also stuffed paper in the ports as well.



Gave it a good cleaning





I coated the head surface and cylinder side of the valley pan



I installed the valley pan and coated the intake side as well



Installed the heat shield and coated the intake ports



Built a china wall in place of the rubber gaskets









My engine meter has 7 hours on it with about 2 hours of that being key on engine off for electrical diagnostics.

I'll wait at least 24 hours if not longer to cure the rtv.

I had to buy a new pcv grommet, edelbrok hasn't updated it's part numbers on their instruction sheet so I did my own research.

The grommet size is  ID: 0.604"; O.D.: 1.282"; Thickness: 0.453"

Part #'s all the same size, any one will work for 2131 manifold 360/304 engine
DORMAN 42063
Airtex part #2P1000
AMC 3225627
BWD PCV918
Standard Motor Products GV7