Author Topic: SquareD Part 8, This thing ever going to get finished? (Read 196146 times)

Flyin6 · « **on:** February 23, 2017, 08:56:09 PM »

Today I was cleaning out the garage a little. There was this huge pile of dust. When I started to remove it, I discovered a really cool old Dodge truck beneath it, in somewhat like a preserved condition.
We have been messing with this truck, what now, 4-5 years?

Well, I'm back on it with today's emphasis on trying to get it idling better and working off the immense punch out list.

First I checked all the fuel lines, putting a wrench on each fitting. Everything was tight, but it started with some difficulty and idled roughly. Afterward I had a garage all filled up with the white smoke again and the unburned fuel was doing it's final burning in my Mark-1 eyeballs

Flyin6 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2017, 08:57:02 PM »

It has had a long term seep/leak of transmission fluid from someplace...Guess I'll have a look at that tomorrow

Flyin6 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2017, 08:58:11 PM »

After snugging up the fuel lines I went all over it checking various things for proper installation. I found the boost gage was not hooked up, so I took care of that

Flyin6 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:00:17 PM »

Next I set the idle up a bit and that definitely helped matters a bunch. Perhaps I had it idling too low to create enough fuel pressure to idle well. I'll try and figure out how to get the tach hooked up and working so I can actually check the idle RPM

It's a trick little bugger to get to, the idle screw, that is

Flyin6 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:01:11 PM »

So here is the idle now, after setting it up a wee bit

Flyin6 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:02:01 PM »

And at the tail pipe

Flyin6 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:03:05 PM »

There's a bunch of mechanical noise from this tractor motor!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:05:36 PM »

And it will not rev up without sputtering, popping, and back firing

I know, everyone is going to say timing. but it is set properly. Fuel pressure was OK, when last I checked it, but I'll install a FP gage soon to monitor that better

Flyin6 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:07:56 PM »

I think I am done with monkeying with that engine. I'll shift gears, get some brakes and some other things reattached and have it taken to s 12 valve specialist to sort it all out

Flyin6 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:10:13 PM »

The front springs are holding their own. They settled to being dead flat, having started with a positive arch and maybe 2" taller. I'll shove another leaf or two in each pack and then readjust the rear height/ I do not want the truck getting much taller, it's at the comfortable limit for off camber driving

stlaser · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:16:41 PM »

sorry, all I can muster.........

Sammconn · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2017, 09:19:02 PM »

Maybe it was the WDYNDT thread...

At least big D found his Square D.

KensAuto · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2017, 10:09:32 PM »

uh.....oh....ah.......

I'm speechless :)

cudakidd53 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2017, 07:05:19 AM »

Still a good looking truck, in spite of all that dust damage......

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2017, 07:34:49 AM »

Q: how to you know when Don is bored?
A: he starts to poke around in SqD

Menses, What's the over under/over on it being done in 2017?

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Sammconn · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2017, 08:05:07 AM »

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on February 24, 2017, 07:34:49 AM

Q: how to you know when Don is bored?
A: he starts to poke around in SqD

Menses, What's the over under/over on it being done in 2017?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

How bout the over/under he gets back to it this year?
He's been busy at the farm and all...

Flyin6 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2017, 08:40:33 AM »

Quote from: Sammconn on February 24, 2017, 08:05:07 AM

Quote from: TexasRedNeck on February 24, 2017, 07:34:49 AM
Q: how to you know when Don is bored?
A: he starts to poke around in SqD

Menses, What's the over under/over on it being done in 2017?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

How bout the over/under he gets back to it this year?
He's been busy at the farm and all...

It's the "and all" that has really kept me busy...

stlaser · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2017, 09:32:50 AM »

Well, I will admit he peaked my interest when he spoke of a cummins specialist. Think he's beat this horse dead and then some in his shop. Throwing a little money at a professional couldn't hurt to get it finished.

Wilbur · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2017, 10:40:06 AM »

Quote from: stlaser on February 24, 2017, 09:32:50 AM

Well, I will admit he peaked my interest when he spoke of a cummins specialist. Think he's beat this horse dead and then some in his shop. Throwing a little money at a professional couldn't hurt to get it finished.

I agree with this. It may be a really small issue but one of those ones that someone cant find without years of "been there done that" knowledge. It's not bad to call for help when you've exhausted all possibles/reasonables. And that's too nice a truck to be a dust collector.

EL TATE · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2017, 10:59:49 AM »

Too bad Norm can't make a short trip in that 200mph mustang and miss K can fix it while you guys sit back and sip sweet tea.

Wilbur · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2017, 11:05:02 AM »

THIS^^^^

TexasRedNeck · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2017, 07:28:28 PM »

That's when you know you have arrived. Sitting back with a drink while your woman fixes a diesel

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swbhobie16 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 24, 2017, 07:37:18 PM »

the kaiser doing something similar.. not quite to the same extreme. but def runs alittle rough under throttle. if you bump the fuel quick, it revs and then comes down.. and shuts off. i'm leaning towards lift pump as well. but need a FP gauge to confirm as well.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 24, 2017, 08:49:25 PM »

Quote from: swbhobie16 on February 24, 2017, 07:37:18 PM

the kaiser doing something similar.. not quite to the same extreme. but def runs alittle rough under throttle. if you bump the fuel quick, it revs and then comes down.. and shuts off. i'm leaning towards lift pump as well. but need a FP gauge to confirm as well.

I'm ordering a fuel pressure gage tonight just to keep an eye on that

Flyin6 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 24, 2017, 08:50:55 PM »

I picked up this new creeper. The old one has some broken wheels and contains a nice puddle of trans fluid

Northern has these crazy sales every once in awhile. I want to say I paid like $19.99 for this beaut!

Flyin6 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 24, 2017, 08:53:16 PM »

I wasn't getting full accelerator pedal travel. I traced down the problem to a cable that was too long. I snipped it down like an inch! That made for a lot more travel, but the motor refuses to rev up very much. Something is definately wrong with the Cummins, but I'm not worrying about it anymore.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2017, 09:32:12 PM »

Like I said yesterday, I am focusing on getting the thing able to stop for now. That means connecting the master cylinder
to the brake pedal. The hydro brake system does not match up exactly with the brake pedal mount, things are just too close. I decided to remove the pedal and add an extension onto it and get more working room.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 24, 2017, 09:33:13 PM »

First the old pin is ground flat and punched out

Flyin6 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 24, 2017, 09:35:28 PM »

Then I found another section of 1/4" steel to weld to the backside of the pedal. I ground a generous angle on each component so I'd get a complete weld

Flyin6 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 24, 2017, 09:36:40 PM »

That got cleaned up and painted black with the John Deere paint

Flyin6 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 24, 2017, 09:37:44 PM »

That's all I had time for today.

Here's what the pile of smoky dust looks like at this particular moment in time

EL TATE · « **Reply #31 on:** February 27, 2017, 10:25:14 PM »

Looks like a thing of active beauty if you ask me

cruizng · « **Reply #32 on:** February 28, 2017, 09:01:51 AM »

^^ What Tate says! I like the activity.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 28, 2017, 09:08:32 AM »

Was off doing the muddy at the farm thing, so no work the past couple days. I'll see if I can get that pedal assembly hooked back up...

Bigdave_185 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 28, 2017, 10:21:30 PM »

I missed the last page of excitement.

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rpar86 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 01, 2017, 02:38:26 AM »

I have a very similar creeper, not Ironton though. Careful of those wheels - they like to come loose and spew ball bearings everywhere...

JR · « **Reply #36 on:** March 01, 2017, 02:45:09 AM »

IT LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cj7ox · « **Reply #37 on:** March 03, 2017, 02:12:05 PM »

THIS JUST IN! DESPITE RUMORS TO THE CONTRARY, DUTIFULLY REPORTED BY THIS JOURNALIST, THE PROJECT KNOWN AS "SQUARE D" APPARENTLY LIVES! SOURCES CLAIM THAT BIG D WAS WALKING THROUGH HIS GARAGE WHEN HE DISCOVERED A LARGE PILE OF DUST THAT HE HAD NOT NOTICED BEFORE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF MACHINERY WAS DISCOVERED. AFTER CAREFUL APPLICATION OF COMMON HAND TOOLS, THE MACHINE RUMBLED TO LIFE. SQUARE D LIVES!

OldKooT · « **Reply #38 on:** March 03, 2017, 03:13:39 PM »

Hmmmmm...it idles fine. It sounds ok at the tail pipe when idling. You rev it, it then sounds like the injectors are not getting to pop pressure.

When you get the fuel pressure gauge.... check the pressure at idle and then again when it starts missing. If ya see no drop I'd wager it's time you find a new injection pump...or like you said, let a pump shop make it run.

Tate: doubt that Stang will go 200mph... 3.73 gears and all LoL

Wilbur · « **Reply #39 on:** March 03, 2017, 03:34:39 PM »

Quote from: OldKooT on March 03, 2017, 03:13:39 PM

Tate: doubt that Stang will go 200mph... 3.73 gears and all LoL

Come on Koot.....sure it will....ya jes need one of these....

See? Problem solved.

JR · « **Reply #40 on:** March 03, 2017, 04:25:18 PM »

Put your lady behind it and tell her it will and it will,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

EL TATE · « **Reply #41 on:** March 03, 2017, 04:44:56 PM »

Quote from: OldKooT on March 03, 2017, 03:13:39 PM

Hmmmmm...it idles fine. It sounds ok at the tail pipe when idling. You rev it, it then sounds like the injectors are not getting to pop pressure.

When you get the fuel pressure gauge.... check the pressure at idle and then again when it starts missing. If ya see no drop I'd wager it's time you find a new injection pump...or like you said, let a pump shop make it run.

Tate: doubt that Stang will go 200mph... 3.73 gears and all LoL

YG F8.8-308 $170, lol.

Flyin6 · « **Reply #42 on:** March 04, 2017, 07:45:51 PM »

I got the fuel pressure gage ordered. But looking around, I am running out of real estate to mount stuff.

I am now thinking once again, about ripping out the entire stock dash and just starting over with my own aircraft style design. By canning everything, I could reposition the gauges in a manner that makes sense and unclutteres the area. I could bury the radio stack like we do in aircraft and fit all sorts of things into the wasted space behind the factory dash.

No decisions, but just looking. I have to find room for the fuel pressure gage, and the aft fuel tank fuel level gage. The speedo no longer works since I hacked out the computer, and half the lights in the dash are inop for reasons I can not determine

Flyin6 · « **Reply #43 on:** March 04, 2017, 07:47:32 PM »

I had to modify the brake pedal to get it to fit. The extension I welded on is interfering with the brake switch now...Always something

Flyin6 · « **Reply #44 on:** March 04, 2017, 07:49:24 PM »

After cleaning the old parts up, I gave them a fresh coat of grease and reinstalled the brake pedal.

This was not a 5 minute operation. I had to keep adjusting things while working on my side or upside down. It wasn't fun, but in the end, the pedal got installed solidly

Flyin6 · « **Reply #45 on:** March 04, 2017, 07:51:03 PM »

The alignment looks off, but it isn't. What you are seeing is a slight offset misalignment, but the rod angles up somewhat. It is much stronger than the stock setup ever thought of being

Flyin6 · « **Reply #46 on:** March 04, 2017, 07:56:22 PM »

I'm having a hard time getting momentum going, I keep running into roadblocks. For example, I wanted to mount the aux fuel tank fuel level gage, but didn't have a cup, and I couldn't find a spot I liked to mount the thing.

So I moved to the drivers door panel. The plywood I purchased a year ago for the project has warped slightly, but worst of all, it was too small a section to make a full panel! ERRRRRR>>>>

I initially wanted to get the brake lines reinstalled, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to adapt the new 3/16" brake lines to the factory proportioning valve.

I am holding to the plan to get the brakes working, the transmission showing a desire to move and the thing generally ready to pull onto a trailer, then take it to a specialist to get the engine sorted.

stlaser · « **Reply #47 on:** March 04, 2017, 08:04:39 PM »

Realistically the dash could be last, or I guess would be if it was my project.

Wilbur · « **Reply #48 on:** March 04, 2017, 08:48:38 PM »

That sucks Don. Try just writing out what you know you need. I hate that feeling and maybe it means take a step back and just methodically write down every step you need to do for eachildren item. Then start with the one that's easiest to finish. Then the next easiest one to finish. For me I like getting stuff crossed off the list so if I do the "easiest" ones (a relative term here I realize) first then I feel like I'm making progress which emotionally can be a big battle. When I find myself stymied and keep beating my head agains the wall I usually end up throwing stuff and walking away. But that's me.

wyorunner · « **Reply #49 on:** March 04, 2017, 09:25:31 PM »

Could you make a small piece of brake line that has the 3/16 female on one end and then a factory male end on the proportioning valve side?

Wait, that wouldn't work now that I think about because the line sizes are different.

Is there anybody there that makes any kind of lines? I had one of our parts stores send of the pump end of my power steering line on the 92 and the box end of the 74. They sent it to a shop in Tucson to have made and the braised them to a hydraulic crimpable end, then they put a hydraulic line in the middle and crimped it in their machine.... hope that makes sense.

In other words braise two different line sizes together with proper ends to go from 3/16 to factory???

Or just get a step up brass fitting for at the proportioning valve?