Doorgunner's '68 Convertible Project
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Schaumburg IL
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Thanks Men!
(tries to re-focus on positive things today)
Now that the cooling system is functioning.....errrr....functioning well...
I guess I'll drop the oilpan and repair that large leak at the front of the pan/brand-spanking-new-felpro-one-piece-gasket.......
No biggie.....although it was supposed to be the correct gasket (the first time
)
Ohhhhhh wellllll.......practice.....practice.... ditto
(tries to re-focus on positive things today)
Now that the cooling system is functioning.....errrr....functioning well...
I guess I'll drop the oilpan and repair that large leak at the front of the pan/brand-spanking-new-felpro-one-piece-gasket.......
No biggie.....although it was supposed to be the correct gasket (the first time
)Ohhhhhh wellllll.......practice.....practice.... ditto
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Thanks Men!
(tries to re-focus on positive things today)
Now that the cooling system is functioning.....errrr....functioning well...
I guess I'll drop the oilpan and repair that large leak at the front of the pan/brand-spanking-new-felpro-one-piece-gasket.......
No biggie.....although it was supposed to be the correct gasket (the first time )
Ohhhhhh wellllll.......practice.....practice.... ditto
(tries to re-focus on positive things today)
Now that the cooling system is functioning.....errrr....functioning well...
I guess I'll drop the oilpan and repair that large leak at the front of the pan/brand-spanking-new-felpro-one-piece-gasket.......
No biggie.....although it was supposed to be the correct gasket (the first time
)Ohhhhhh wellllll.......practice.....practice.... ditto
RATS.......the test-drive video STILL won't load
...........
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 8, 2014 at 11:45 AM.
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
(O.K......I couldn't "help" myself.............)
True.....I always wondered why the Media never showed us G.I.s having to put slaughtered children and babies into rice sacks because the NVA (enemy) soldiers LOVED to kill all the children in a village before we could evacuate that village (moles in U.S. Security!).
On the other hand.....the Media didn't mind making us ALL look like ANIMALS after "L-T" Calley wiped out a village......what he did was absolutely/positively wrong.....
BUT Combat Veterans know ONE thing that no one else knows, and that no one else can comprehend/fathom.......
In combat.........
sometimes..........
when you least expect it.......
one of two things can happen..............
1. You have a moment of insanity which gets you a Medal.......
OR.......
2. You have a moment of insanity which gets you a Court-Marshal .
There is a VERY FINE LINE separating the two MOMENTS!
(There.....a glimpse into the mind of a Vet.)
True.....I always wondered why the Media never showed us G.I.s having to put slaughtered children and babies into rice sacks because the NVA (enemy) soldiers LOVED to kill all the children in a village before we could evacuate that village (moles in U.S. Security!).
On the other hand.....the Media didn't mind making us ALL look like ANIMALS after "L-T" Calley wiped out a village......what he did was absolutely/positively wrong.....
BUT Combat Veterans know ONE thing that no one else knows, and that no one else can comprehend/fathom.......
In combat.........
sometimes..........
when you least expect it.......
one of two things can happen..............
1. You have a moment of insanity which gets you a Medal.......
OR.......
2. You have a moment of insanity which gets you a Court-Marshal .
There is a VERY FINE LINE separating the two MOMENTS!
(There.....a glimpse into the mind of a Vet.)
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 8, 2014 at 08:40 PM.
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
The oilpan leak is now out of control.........(It was dripping in my face so I wiped the pan off, but the stain is still there......
I had to drop a link to make room for the oilpan drop.................................... ..
I had room to drop the pan.........surprise-----4 bolt main bearing caps......................
If was a big relief NOT to see any chunks/slivers/gunk/coolant in the bottom of the pan.....................
I cleaned everything with brake cleaner and added hi-temp sealer to the pan and gasket. Tomorrow/hopefully the sealant will be thoroughly cured.....I will install the new gasket on the oilplug and refill the pan......go for an hour drive to test it for leaks.
I had to drop a link to make room for the oilpan drop.................................... ..
I had room to drop the pan.........surprise-----4 bolt main bearing caps......................
If was a big relief NOT to see any chunks/slivers/gunk/coolant in the bottom of the pan.....................
I cleaned everything with brake cleaner and added hi-temp sealer to the pan and gasket. Tomorrow/hopefully the sealant will be thoroughly cured.....I will install the new gasket on the oilplug and refill the pan......go for an hour drive to test it for leaks.
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 8, 2014 at 10:34 PM.
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Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
GOT-IT-LOL!
Time to go slap the oil drain-plug in/refill the engine/put an hour on it to get everything nice and warm.....
I'll bring a different camera this time to see if I can "get you some" video.
"get you some"= term used by doorgunners in the last millennium during combat.
Time to go slap the oil drain-plug in/refill the engine/put an hour on it to get everything nice and warm.....
I'll bring a different camera this time to see if I can "get you some" video.
"get you some"= term used by doorgunners in the last millennium during combat.
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Another couple minor problems to solve copied from Tech Forum to keep everything organized (now that the overheating problem is cured)...the main leaf is failing on the driver's side at the spring bolt....the starter is dragging after a 1 hour drive:
I installed the new 6 gage ground directly from the starter to a clean frame location and a new battery ground to a clean location/A mini starter is last on the list/Thanks, but I need a main leaf only so funds can go to other repairs.
Got it!
In La. heat soak and fuel boil happen to me....I worked out those problems on the '34 SBC truck, but the V.A. meds make concentration difficult....you guys are reminding me of what I did to correct the '34 problems
Will do.
EDIT: I AM SENDING THIS REPLY TO MY PRINTER SO I CAN HAVE A COPY TO CHECK OFF THE REPAIRS AS I COMPLETE THEM.
AND....I STILL NEED THE NAME OF A VENDOR WHO SELLS '68 VERT MAIN LEAF (ONLY)....thanks
Check the ground wire. it may be new but that does not mean it is getting good contact. Did it work before you "fixed" everything?
I have a mini starter and it cranks my stroker over nicely.
As far as the spring... just get a new one. I have a nice fiber glass one and it is great.. it is Christmas, great excuse for a self gift!
I have a mini starter and it cranks my stroker over nicely.
As far as the spring... just get a new one. I have a nice fiber glass one and it is great.. it is Christmas, great excuse for a self gift!
Maybe you already answered this, but are you running a stock starter? If so, you are suffering from heat sink. Every chevy V8 Ive owned does it as soon as you add headers. (you say you are running stock exhaust, but how close to the starer are the pipes? ) Its a very common problem that many people spend lots of time over analyzing. The cure is to use a hi-torque mini starter. You can get them from 85- 125 bucks if you shop around. The stock starter is 5-6" from the exhaust down-pipe, but I will wrap it anyway
AND....Edelbrock carbs are notorious for 'cooking' Again, every 'Brock ive ever owned 'cooks' off the fuel bowls as youve stated. (Ive owned 5) The cure is to add a phenolic spacer between the carb and intake. Make sure you ck your hood clearance. Now that you guys mention it, my wife complains of gasoline smell after I park the car in the garage (I replaced all lines to the tank/tank seals/charcoal canister is deleted/etc)...I have 2" of hood clearance to work with---and had fuel boil on my '34 truck SBC
Good luck. You are experiencing 2 very common and easily cured problems. Dont overthink it.
AND....Edelbrock carbs are notorious for 'cooking' Again, every 'Brock ive ever owned 'cooks' off the fuel bowls as youve stated. (Ive owned 5) The cure is to add a phenolic spacer between the carb and intake. Make sure you ck your hood clearance. Now that you guys mention it, my wife complains of gasoline smell after I park the car in the garage (I replaced all lines to the tank/tank seals/charcoal canister is deleted/etc)...I have 2" of hood clearance to work with---and had fuel boil on my '34 truck SBC
Good luck. You are experiencing 2 very common and easily cured problems. Dont overthink it.
I would do a voltage drop test while starting it hot. Will do!
rule out: bad starter (new could be a poorly rebuilt junk starter), bad battery (again, new but could still be defective)
Check your plugs, is it too rich? starting that quickly cold must be nice and rich, but having to floor it when hot is likely flooding or too rich for some reason. Suspect carb issues, and would even look for a possible vacuum leak when it heats up. I installed an electric choke months ago/the choke works correctly
Contrary to a previous poster, I have never encountered heat soak starter issues on a small block, even with headers. Every supposed heat soak issue I have seen turned out to be defective starter and/or wiring. Also never seen fuel boil (but I am in MI), except when someone re-plumbed a factor line too close to exhaust.
rule out: bad starter (new could be a poorly rebuilt junk starter), bad battery (again, new but could still be defective)
Check your plugs, is it too rich? starting that quickly cold must be nice and rich, but having to floor it when hot is likely flooding or too rich for some reason. Suspect carb issues, and would even look for a possible vacuum leak when it heats up. I installed an electric choke months ago/the choke works correctly
Contrary to a previous poster, I have never encountered heat soak starter issues on a small block, even with headers. Every supposed heat soak issue I have seen turned out to be defective starter and/or wiring. Also never seen fuel boil (but I am in MI), except when someone re-plumbed a factor line too close to exhaust.
Seems to be a lot of "starting" threads lately!
You've definitely put some effort into it already, and good posts so far, so I'll only ask/add:
1) This car is recently put together? (awesome job if it is the thread I am thinking of) or have these problems just started after months of driving it? I've recently gotten everything safe enough for the highway and have worked out cooling problems/now starting problems
2) What is your starting technique for "hot-ish" starts? (Sounds like your cold start technique works great) Cold starts=turn key=fires up! Hot starts=will not start turning key/will not start pressing pedal once and turning key/will not start pressing pedal halfway and turning key/will start only with pedal to floor and turning key
3) the starter slowing down thing, that does sound like it could be electrical or starter issue. (But can also be both elect/starter AND gas/carb issues going on.) Ain't that the truth...I will try to eliminate the simplest things first.
4) like mentioned by gungatim, I have no issues with heat soak with headers.
Good luck and keep us posted!
You've definitely put some effort into it already, and good posts so far, so I'll only ask/add:
1) This car is recently put together? (awesome job if it is the thread I am thinking of) or have these problems just started after months of driving it? I've recently gotten everything safe enough for the highway and have worked out cooling problems/now starting problems
2) What is your starting technique for "hot-ish" starts? (Sounds like your cold start technique works great) Cold starts=turn key=fires up! Hot starts=will not start turning key/will not start pressing pedal once and turning key/will not start pressing pedal halfway and turning key/will start only with pedal to floor and turning key
3) the starter slowing down thing, that does sound like it could be electrical or starter issue. (But can also be both elect/starter AND gas/carb issues going on.) Ain't that the truth...I will try to eliminate the simplest things first.
4) like mentioned by gungatim, I have no issues with heat soak with headers.
Good luck and keep us posted!
EDIT: I AM SENDING THIS REPLY TO MY PRINTER SO I CAN HAVE A COPY TO CHECK OFF THE REPAIRS AS I COMPLETE THEM.
AND....I STILL NEED THE NAME OF A VENDOR WHO SELLS '68 VERT MAIN LEAF (ONLY)....thanks
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 11, 2014 at 08:42 AM.
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Cancel the order for the main leaf.....I may as well learn to make one!
I bought a piece of spring steel the correct length and cut the angles on the ends......
I drilled the center hole and the bushing hole.....
41700
I bought a piece of spring steel the correct length and cut the angles on the ends......
I drilled the center hole and the bushing hole.....
41700
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 11, 2014 at 11:12 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 997
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From: Schaumburg IL
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I finally got back to the main leaf project and finished drilling the bushing hole on the other end of the leaf......now it's ready to install/hopefully tomorrow........
Every now and then something actually goes almost as planned!
EDIT: I did get to make a 3 hour round trip test drive this afternoon.....everything went well/60mph the whole trip.....the starter still drags....I will have to wait until tomorrow to troubleshoot it.
Every now and then something actually goes almost as planned!
EDIT: I did get to make a 3 hour round trip test drive this afternoon.....everything went well/60mph the whole trip.....the starter still drags....I will have to wait until tomorrow to troubleshoot it.
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 11, 2014 at 11:14 PM.
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I had my spring rebuilt by the local spring shop for around $80, they cleaned it up and arched it for me to get the ride height I wanted. I even had them add a leaf to increase the spring rate.
Check around to see if you have a shop local to you.
Neal
DIdn't read the entire thread before hitting the reply button, I see you got this worked out,
Check around to see if you have a shop local to you.
Neal
DIdn't read the entire thread before hitting the reply button, I see you got this worked out,
(It ought to be interesting
)
Old Fart Pilot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,932
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From: Spokane, WA
The main leaf on my '71 is broken. Even though it's a long way off until I get to that point in my resto, I assumed I'd just order a whole new spring set. Now, you've given me another option 
. Is there a particular reason you painted it before you drilled the three holes? I think I would've drilled first and then painted...
Paul
. Is there a particular reason you painted it before you drilled the three holes? I think I would've drilled first and then painted...Paul
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
After reading/hearing about problems with original main leafs, I decided to do a modification to the spring-pack while I was installing the new main leaf.
Since the original leaf was shot on the ends I altered the ends to support the new leaf.....it actually supports it better than I planned....LOL....causing the rear end to be "jacked up".
Ohh well....it will eventually settle after a couple weeks. Here goes with the pics..........
The driver's side is bowing upwards/the passenger's side is still in decent shape.......
The pack is unbolted and will be disassembled...............
The modification/the notch will slide around the bushing when the spring flexes all the way......
Three hours later the pack is snugged into place and the bolts will be torqued ONCE THE CAR IS SITTING ON THE CONCRETE to prevent the diff. ears from being snapped off (I learned that on the forum!)............
Since I wore my little self out, the rest of the work will be finished tomorrow.....hopefully!
42500
Since the original leaf was shot on the ends I altered the ends to support the new leaf.....it actually supports it better than I planned....LOL....causing the rear end to be "jacked up".
Ohh well....it will eventually settle after a couple weeks. Here goes with the pics..........
The driver's side is bowing upwards/the passenger's side is still in decent shape.......
The pack is unbolted and will be disassembled...............
The modification/the notch will slide around the bushing when the spring flexes all the way......
Three hours later the pack is snugged into place and the bolts will be torqued ONCE THE CAR IS SITTING ON THE CONCRETE to prevent the diff. ears from being snapped off (I learned that on the forum!)............
Since I wore my little self out, the rest of the work will be finished tomorrow.....hopefully!
42500
Last edited by doorgunner; Jan 6, 2015 at 01:13 AM.
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
The main leaf on my '71 is broken. Even though it's a long way off until I get to that point in my resto, I assumed I'd just order a whole new spring set. Now, you've given me another option . Is there a particular reason you painted it before you drilled the three holes? I think I would've drilled first and then painted...
Paul
. Is there a particular reason you painted it before you drilled the three holes? I think I would've drilled first and then painted...Paul
Thread Starter
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
The good news is...........I slept.
The bad news is..........it lasted only three (3) hours!
Should I gulp some coffee and go into the garage to button up the rear suspension..............or............
I KNOW!
RVZIO will be waking up in another 30 minutes in Virginia....
He'll know what to do!
(In the meantime.....I'm going to the garage
)
The bad news is..........it lasted only three (3) hours!
Should I gulp some coffee and go into the garage to button up the rear suspension..............or............
I KNOW!
RVZIO will be waking up in another 30 minutes in Virginia....
He'll know what to do!
(In the meantime.....I'm going to the garage
)
Last edited by doorgunner; Dec 13, 2014 at 05:27 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 849
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From: Baytown Texas
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'm up to DG , but I'm off to work .
Loved your new Spring , I'm like you . I'd rather make my own stuff . Kind if fun that way . AND I totally understand the " get a coat of paint on something real quick " concept , LoL
Well , I'm off to the job ...coffee up & be safe ...
Loved your new Spring , I'm like you . I'd rather make my own stuff . Kind if fun that way . AND I totally understand the " get a coat of paint on something real quick " concept , LoL
Well , I'm off to the job ...coffee up & be safe ...