by "MM54" (mm54mk2)
Published 04/02/2017 at 20:29
by "MM54" (mm54mk2)
Published 04/02/2017 at 20:29
Tags: '71Chevelle
STARS: 3
These pictures are from a couple days ago but I just now remembered to get them off the phone. The gauge install is complete (as can be seen above). Discoveries include more-than-ample oil pressure when cold (as can be seen above) and the fact that I can’t seem to get the engine over 180 degrees. The thermostat is a new 190 degree one that I tested before I installed, so that’s kind of weird.
So yeah. I took it for a couple mile drive today to get the cobwebs out. It still needs plug wires (I watch them arc to the headers) and a general tune-up, especially the carb, which is still how it came out of the box last fall, since it got cold before I could take the time to tune it properly.
Oh and I don’t know if I ever documented it here, but the tubular rear control arms & poly bushings are in, along with some frame braces that share the bolts. New shocks, too. The rear sits a little high but I’m sure it needs to break in. Definitely rides firmer.
Next up will be some odds and ends (including the aforementioned plug wires) and accumulating the rest of the parts to swap in that Muncie.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
04/02/2017 at 20:43, STARS: 2
INFORMATION!
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Sorry, I had to.
Looking good, BTW!
"crowmolly" (crowmolly)
04/02/2017 at 20:44, STARS: 0
the fact that I can’t seem to get the engine over 180 degrees. The thermostat is a new 190 degree one that I tested before I installed, so that’s kind of weird.
Maybe not. Depends where you put the temp gauge probe. The stat can be seeing 190 while the gauge is in a cooler part of the engine.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/02/2017 at 20:46, STARS: 0
What in the world did I just watch
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
04/02/2017 at 20:52, STARS: 1
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/02/2017 at 20:52, STARS: 0
I’d imagine it’s pretty close. I’m not too worried about it, if in warmer weather it just maintains at ~180 I think that’s okay.
I installed this sender (there was a plug there) without draining the coolant first; I felt like a character in a cartoon sticking my finger in a geyser or something.
"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
04/02/2017 at 21:04, STARS: 0
Need to make sure the tstat is installed properly. I’ve seen a lot of cases where it slips out of the groove it has in the housing or something gets stuck holding it open.
Also - that’s an electric sending unit. Did you use teflon tape on the threads or a paste? Theoretically you aren’t supposed to use any sealant, just tighten the threads more if it’s leaking... that’s why they are made of brass not steel. Any kind of thread sealant can interfere with the ground, preventing the gauge from reading correctly. I usually use paste and make sure they are tightened down ‘very tight’ by hand.
"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
04/02/2017 at 21:06, STARS: 1
Damn. No wonder it’s not reading correctly. You’ve got too much insulation on the threads - two layers of thread sealant. I bet if you touch a small wire from the intake manifold to the body of the gauge it will read correctly. See all the white around the top of the threads? That’s preventing the sending unit from grounding properly, why you are reading low.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/02/2017 at 21:14, STARS: 0
Thermostat is okay, it can run and the engine will be warm and the upper radiator hose is still cold as ambient (‘stat not open).
I use the paste (have the kind that’s like a big glue stick) and sparingly at that. I’ll experiment and see if that’s the issue.
"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
04/02/2017 at 21:16, STARS: 1
Try the trick with the wire - give it a good ground and touch it to the body of the sending unit, see if the gauge moves (when it’s warmed up).
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/02/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 0
Well this is embarrassing, went through my receipts and it’s a 180 degree ‘stat, not 190. Way to go, memory.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/02/2017 at 21:36, STARS: 0
Well this is embarrassing, went through my receipts and it’s a 180 degree ‘stat, not 190. Way to go, memory.
"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
04/02/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 0
Whoops. How, exactly, did you “Test” it then?
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
04/02/2017 at 21:39, STARS: 1
In a pan of water on the stove with a thermometer in it. I just remember it opening at the temperature I expected it to, which would have been 180. At some point since then, my brain turned that into 190 I guess.
"deekster_caddy" (deekster_caddy)
04/03/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 0
Good, that’s the right way!