breetai

So a month ago, (it's been a while obviously since I've been on, I went on vacation) I got a truck. But like all my posts, I'll tell the whole story, so get a cup of joe, and a biscuit, and get comfy, it's a bit of a tale.

When I was 17 (12 years ago btw), I bought a robin's egg blue peavy strat copy electric guitar for $199.95. I had that computer for a few years, then upgraded to an Epiphone Les Paul (she's a black beauty). The peavy was sitting on the shelf, so I traded it for a grade 2 (mid line) pre-ban chinese sks with a folding stock, 30 round mag, and a bayonet. I shot the CRAP out of that carbine for a few years, then it sat on a shelf. I traded it, and a couple days yard work, tilling and landscaping my old bosses yard, for this quad.



it's a 1989 Honda fourtrax 300cc it's got spare tires, but is basically stock.

I rode it for a few years, then ( I see a pattern here) it sat in the back yard this time. So I decided to sell it.

I'm over at my buddy's house, and it's been for sale for about a month now, and he asks me if i've sold it yet. I tell him no, and this guy (thanks Jason) says to me, you want a pickup?

I go to his house and see this.



Clean title, the vins match, his id matched the name on the name on the title, and it runs. It runs rich, and none of the gauges work, but it runs. I ask him why he's getting rid of it. he says it's because he only gets 6 or 8 mpg with it. After 5 minutes I new why.

I took it.

This is why.

It's a 1976 short wide 4wd (obviously) with 8 inches of lift, and new(ish) 35 inch big o big foot mud tires. It's got (at the very least, I haven't cracked the motor yet) a brand new edelbrock 600 cfm performer carb, and an edelbrocdk performer manifold. It's got aluminum heads. I don't know what they are, since I've not had time to really mess with it, but any aluminum heads are good in my opinion.

That's what I knew when I bought it.

When I got it home, I found out...

It's got a re-engineered front end. The spring perches were relocated on the axles inboard, under the frame, with lift chackles, lift springs, a drop pittman arm, and no sway bars. The front end has ridiculous articulation.

The rear end has lift blocks, and lift springs. The spring perches were relocated by turning them on the axle, to relieve the excessive pinion angle. Also, no The axles are standard half ton chevrolet. The rear end isn't quite as flexy as the front, but close.

Both the front and rear drivelines are custom jobs from Sly Drivelines ( a go fast shop here in town).

It also has a custom tube rear bumper.

It does have some issues. Some rust. None of the gauges work. The lights on the light bar don't work. It's got some dents (which are really ok, since I dent all my toys). It only gets about 8 mpg.

Oh yeah.

That reminds me.

Why it only gets 8mpg.

Carburators are fascinating. There are a few things most people don't know.

For every 1500 feet in altitude, you have to LEAN a carb by 2%. And carbs use low fuel pressure. Generally (depending on the brand, and method of operation) somewhere from 5 to 8 psi.

That being said.

The carb is an edelbrock. They run 5 to 5.5 psi. The truck has a generic electric fuel pump. Most fuel pumps run 15+ psi. It needs a pressure regulator. I asked him, and he'd never set up the carb. Edelbrock cars are pre tuned from the factory in california (sea level) for Moderate mileage-performance. I figure it's running about 10% rich for our altitude (5300 feet, should be set for 6000). I'll look up the settings (needles, and main jets, and power spring) and tune it.

That should take care of the fuel mileage issue.

If i can't get it to run right, I'll take the edelbrock off, and put on a quadra-jet.

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I'm an awesome guy, just ask me, I'll tell you all about it.

77Impala

Nice new toy there. You are correct about people today do not know much about carburators.

I also have a new toy (work truck), it is a 1997 Dodge Ram B2500 Cargo Van.
I got it for just $1,000.00. I had worked on this truck for the previous owner and could not duplicate the problem they had experienced twice. It would run good for twenty minutes and then it would not want to run on all cylinders. It would not even want to move itself. Latter I bought the truck and have over 960 miles, including 112 in one day alone and no problems. I know what the problem is but I will not let the fuel tank drop below 1/2. The fuel pump is getting hot and acting up. Will replace it latter.

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I do Mobile Auto Repair and use Mitchell On Demand 5.8.
1977 Impala Sedan, 5.0L, TH200R, 3.25:1, 76K miles, 26 Lifetime Warranty Parts.
1997 Dodge Ram B2500, 5.2L, 36RH, 3.21:1, 339K miles, 9 Lifetime Warranty Parts.