Well some progress from the truck repair shop! They have the engine back in, they had to put it in from the dog house, not from the bottom like they removed it. They indicate they will put the transmission and drive shaft back in today too!

Matt: I forgot to ask about the water pump and pully, will later today when I go to check on the progress.

Some good news about ole 71. The new engine runs really good, although not able to really check it out yet, the oil pressure, vacuum, and alternator are doing their job.

The story on getting this far along, is very typical ole 71.

Yesterday went over to the repair shop and they were not working on it, but when he saw me he vowed to put someone on it right away, turns out he got a young guy who had only worked on diesel engines and only for a short time. The boss did help him and they had the stribie, and plug wires in place when I returned and were just going to try and start it up!!

After a few cranks and starting fuel sprays, it fluttered and barked, back fired and did all the stuff it could think of to piss us off. Finally it started and ran for a couple of seconds, did this for several minutes.

The Boss was convinced it was fuel problem, installed an electric fuel pump. same-same. stripped the top off the carburetor the fuel was clean and the float bowl was full, it was working fine.

The Boss said he had go to take care of business, but he let me take over and keep the young fellow. Surprised me!!

The thing just kept running and shutting down, I thought maybe when they changed the engine somehow and it got back to the old points system of 12 volts when the starter was engaged and 9 after starting. So I got the guy a jump wire direct to the battery and HEI. Bingo!!! Started right up!!

After getting a volt meter, determined the only time 12 volts were getting to the HEI was when the starter was going otherwise it was 1.8 volts not nine. Also the starter was not disengaging until after the engine ran for 30 seconds or so!

It was closing time, so the young guy had to clean up his tools and we had to stop. WE chatted a bit and thought maybe the wiring on the starter was shorting out, I would go buy a new mini-starter and resume work Monday.

I got the new starter and when I got home, still trying to figure out the problem. Perhaps the problem is just wires switched on the starter, if power was being picked up there and taken though the ignition switch for the HEI and then to solenoid coil for starting and they were switched. Turning the starter switch off, would turn the solenoid into a big resistor supplying power to the HEI. Might convert 12 volts to 1.8....

Mondays problem!!!

Pretty sure one way or another this is going to work, so going make my Minnesnowta reservations!!!!!

In the old cars 12 volts from the ignition switch goes to a "ballast resistor" and then to the coil. This ballast resistor Is jumped by the ignition switch when in the start position. find the ballast resistor and simply jumper across it and all will be fine. The resistor is there because the 12 volt coils were actually 8 volt. john

[QUOTE]Originally posted by john canning:
In the old cars 12 volts from the ignition switch goes to a "ballast resistor" and then to the coil. This ballast resistor Is jumped by the ignition switch when in the start position. find the ballast resistor and simply jumper across it and all will be fine. The resistor is there because the 12 volt coils were actually 8 volt. john[/QUOT, E]

Thanks John, the PO converted 71 to a HEI distributor (aka, Stribbie), it is really impossible for me to get under the dash on the drivers side (Old Age) and figure out how they eliminated the voltage change for the HEI, but prior to the new engine there was 12 volts all the time. Will have the truck guy take a look if he can, he is a pretty big fellow. Might use mirrors!

quote:

the starter was not disengaging

You need a Chevrolet starter shim kit. The kit is the same for small block and big block Chevrolet engines. They are $10-15 and I am sure your NAPA parts guy can find them blindfolded.

Typical:
https://www.summitracing.com/p...20310/make/chevrolet

It's nice to see that they include bolts on these now. After 40 or 50 years, the bolts we have might have lasted beyond their service life!

You got this!
Matt

Having been sitting a lot, the bendix gear on the starter may just need to be lubed. Be sure it slides freely on the shaft or it may hang up while retracting. Good luck!

New mini starter works fine, they had wired the old one wrong, but hell what's another couple of hundred dollars!

After getting the truck shop's bill and fending off a heart attack! Drove ole 71 home and back to it's old parking spot in the driveway.

Found the choke parts "they lost", on Ebay, debating whether to convert to electric or just get replacement parts. About the same cost. Wonder if I could run the electric choke off the HEI 12 volt supply line, they need a key operated supply.

Brakes seem to be working well, going to find a gravel something and lock up them to make sure all wheel's work.

They have trashed the inside worse than I did so got lots of cleaning to do.

Notice a big spot of transmission fluid when I parked 71 for a few minutes to move a car so I could park it, hope it was just because they over filled it but!!!!!!!!

Rain today, work tomorrow!

It was amazing, started working on the generator, the fuel pump was not working. Tore it apart and found the spring and solenoid were jammed, worked them free and tested on the bench. Pounded away fine. Reinstalled it, but the filter bowl gasket being probably 50 years old, had disintegrated took it off and ran a line direct to a gas can. Checked it before hooking it to the engine, pumped fuel like a champ!!

Now the Amazing part! Before the fuel pump was repaired, checked the starter and made sure it would turn the engine. Jumped the fuel pump, let it run until pressure shut it off. Hooked it to the power from the engine.

Closed my eyes and hit the engine starter, that damn thing started in about 2 seconds!!!

I know for sure that, that engine has not been started in over 20 years, probably not even spun around in that length of time either.

Did not check the generator and am not sure what condition the fuel lines are in, tomorrow's job!!

Ordered a new air ride control, this one leaks and cannot find a repair kit, also a new choke sensor unit, both from Ebay. Got an electric fuel pump and canister filter set up from Summit.

Minnesnowta is getting close!!

quote:

damn thing started in about 2 seconds!!!

It's a "Bless-ed Thing" in this situation!



Matt

Ole 71 is improving every day, even though all the creature comforts are not up and running yet.

Brakes are finally getting better although still not up to expectations of a panic stop. Junk yard engine is really nice seems to develop plenty of power. Still a leak in the transmission, but not very big so it can wait for a repair, will just keep an eye on it and make sure there is plenty of fluid.

Been running all over town, the fuel tank gauge said about 3/8s of tank and the fuel pick up is in the front of tank, went up a long incline today and the thing quit right at the top, no fuel, had to prime it (Have a spare can just to be safe while testing) luckily it was the top of the incline and back on level ground started up after a few cranks. So will keep at least what the gauge says is a half tank in Ole 71.

Still have a list of about 15 things to get Ole 71 100% but they all do not need to be completed prior to the Minnesnowta GTG.

Would like to get the electric fuel pump installed, the big canister filter will give me a bit more reserve in case the incline thing happens again.

Back in the old days when I was driving Nose and then 88 thought they handled pretty well even in moderate wind. Actually Nose being 6 years older than 88 was the better driving coach.

Ole 71 is not that good on the road, the front end seems tight, but it is all over the road. Thought the air ride system would improve its drivability. It handles just like an old truck. Hopefully it is the set up of the air ride system and maybe the shocks are in need of replacement. Might improve with use, and my learning. Maybe just being 11 years older than Nose is the cause.

Duane mine tracked like a rocket ship on rails. Made DBarth track better also. Kay it wasn’t like it could wander being pulled. Called it the Barth Wagon Train!

Looking forward to seeing you at the GTG in Minnesnowta!