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poorly running 'sometimes' 1982 truck w/ slant 6
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Author:  lands [ Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:  poorly running 'sometimes' 1982 truck w/ slant 6
Hey,
I'm trying to get help for my dad, who is at his wits end with his truck. It will run good most of the time, but then, for a period of minutes to maybe 1/2 an hour (it's so erratic that it's hard to pin down) will run so poorly that it will barely stay running; except by a constant gas pedal feathering/manipulation. When it gets like this it will not idle, and will barely go down the road. Today, it did this, then he jerked it into drive, and all of a sudden it started running good again. The coil, carb, distributor, and fuel pump have been replaced within the last 2 years. also, the computer in the air cleaner was replaced this summer. I think it started doing all this about 1 year ago. Other than this, the truck is in great shape w/ low miles. He's also replaced the manifolds, and fixed exhaust leaks etc. Does anyone have an idea to help me help him out?
thanks in advance,
Lance :shock:
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
The problem is probably down to the Lean Burn / Electronic Spark Control system, which generally cannot be made to run right with any durability or reliability. What state are you located in? What kind of emission tests do you have to pass? If your local emision regulations will let you get away with it, you will get much better driveability and dependability by removing the computer and installing a conventional carburetor and distributor. More details on request.
Author:  lands [ Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:37 am ]
Post subject:  poorly running 'sometimes' 1982 truck w/ slant 6
hey there,
well, unfortunately my dad lives in Fairbanks AK which has very strict emission tests and inspections. He can't mess with the vehicle in any way, or it won't be able to be registered. Trust me we've already thought of that... But with that in mind, what else could I do?
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Thu Sep 13, 2007 9:12 am ]
Post subject: 
Didn't realise Fairbanks had such a strict emission test protocol (link is to the Alaska vehicle emission test protocol in PDF form). Looks like there's a pretty severe local Carbon Monoxide problem they're trying to keep under control. The interesting thing is that while the protocol is pretty rigid — they borrowed most of it from California — the tailpipe emission standards themselves are rather lax for a 1982 pickup truck. As we can see on page 187 of the linked document, your '82 6-cylinder pickup truck is permitted to emit 2.0 grams per mile of CO at idle and at 2500 rpm, and is permitted to emit an absolutely filthy 1000 ppm unburned hydrocarbons. NOx is not measured or controlled. This is a very easy test standard to meet, given an engine in good condition and proper tune.

If I were faced with that truck giving those problems, the truck couldn't be made to run right with the stock system, and I had to comply with this emission inspection protocol, I would likely change things under the hood so as to make the truck run right (carburetor, distributor, disable the computer) while leaving the computer and other components in place and apparently hooked up in such a manner as to pass the visual inspection. Success or failure in this kind of ruse depends on the quality and thoughtfulness of one's modification work. It's also a bit of a gamble, of course, because if you get an eager-beaver inspector with nothing to do but take your vehicle apart, the ruse might get discovered.

I guess we'd better have a go at making it work with stock equipment. First question: Does your '82 have an oxygen sensor? If it is present, it'll be screwed into the rear wall (facing the firewall) of the exhaust manifold's central collector. It looks kind of like a spark plug, with a single thin wire connected to it.

Second question: When you replaced the computer, what exactly did you replace it with? A used one, a rebuilt...?
Author:  6shotvanner [ Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Without getting into a big pro/con discussion here my question is this; Will the emission testing tech fellow in Alaska know the difference between a lean burn "computer" and a x-box/playstation? I'm thinking if it poops proper out the tailpipe it's good to go. Listen to Dan,he can get your dad running good AND have it none pollution better than stock 8) :wink:
Author:  SlantSixDan [ Thu Sep 13, 2007 4:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Without getting into a big pro/con discussion here my question is this; Will the emission testing tech fellow in Alaska know the difference between a lean burn "computer" and a x-box/playstation? I'm thinking if it poops proper out the tailpipe it's good to go.
You might be surprised. The California smog techs can be pretty eagle-eyed especially if mods have been made without any effort to blend them in and make 'em look like factory equipment. When you get a smog tech who's eagle-eyed and dumb or ignorant (or both), that's when you're going to have a bad day.
Quote:
Listen to Dan,he can get your dad running good AND have it none pollution better than stock
Oh, I donno...I think solving this truck's problem will probably be a coöperative effort!
Author:  lands [ Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:48 pm ]
Post subject:  82 dodge running terrible 'sometimes'
hey guys,
i will get back to you asap about the components replaced and the o2 sensor. I think the computer came from NAPA, but it was bought after the issue started, thinking it was the issue...

I've had run in's with AK emission people (actually it's only the FNSB - most of the rest of AK doesn't have it, only the 2 population centers, but even though my dad lives 50 miles out of town, he's still in the very large borough, as large as some states, so has to submit to the draconian emission laws... don't get me started on Oxygenated fuel they pulled on us about 15 years ago...

and I have even gotten a nasty letter when my car supposedly drove past a sniffer truck and it didn't pass... (yes big brother is alive in well in the last frontier...) the ironic thing was, it wasn't my car - someone had stolen a license plate from me a year earlier and was still using it!

Anyway, rant over. I'll call my dad and get info, and return soon... maybe Saturday night.
thanks,
L
Author:  lands [ Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
well, here's the latest update. Talked to my dad tonight; he found that the needle valve seemed to be sticking in the seat. (it's a holley carb). He bought a new seat/needle and installed it. Of course, it's running fine now, but won't know if it's the cause until it's been run for some time. Remember, this is a problem that disappears for long periods of time, then all of a sudden comes back. I'll restart this thread if it reoccurs in the near future. I told him about the suggestions so far; but nothing else will be done until the needle valve 'proves' itself.
thanks!
L
Author:  lands [ Sun Sep 23, 2007 4:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well,
2 days ago, the truck did it again. here are the details of everything up until now...

New computer from napa (rebuilt - after it started acting up)
New fuel pump (2 weeks ago)
2 years ago, distributor (after it started acting up)
needle valve and seat
new carb in 2000 (napa rebuilt)
started acting up about 2.5 years ago
passes im ok
put new coil on it 3 weeks ago


typical day when it quits:
drove 40 miles to town no problems (possibly really faint hesitation)
drove all over town; stopped, loaded w/ firewood,
then drove another 12 miles. Stopped at grocery store
then drove another 28 miles, (started feeling hesitation a little more)
pulled up to mailbox then it quit.
Then it wouldn’t restart. After a bunch cranking, and with a lot of pumping, it would
start, but would only run at a high rpm, couldn’t shift it into gear because of the
high rpm, and any lower would cause it to stall; and finally had
To tow it the last 200 yards to the house.

ok, so that's it. except the part, where, it will probably start and run fine if he tries a day or two later....
thanks for the help;

Lance
Author:  6shotvanner [ Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:21 am ]
Post subject: 
This is most likely way way off but. Years ago I worked on a 240z and we were having similar problems which we finally desided was fuel related.After lots of hours and large raw spots on our heads from scratching we dropped the fuel tank in desperation.On close inspection it was a piece of NEWSPAPER in the tank. It didn't desolve and plug the fuel system,no,it was layed out flat and pickled and would float around until it went up against the fuel pickup,no fuel.Let it set for a while and it would float away and we'd be running again for a day an hour etc. You may need to check the fuel lines,tank,etc.I'm sure it's not even close to your bugaboo but it's a story I'll always remember and tell.Good luck. :?
Author:  USAJon [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 5:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
I new a guy with a grudge with a fellow service dude...he tore up his down sleeping bag and put the down feathers into the dudes fuel tank...they would work thier way into the fuel line.swelling off and on ..the guy figured it out after he tool the lines off and back preaured and the feathers came out
Author:  USAJon [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 5:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
I new a guy with a grudge with a fellow service dude...he tore up his down sleeping bag and put the down feathers into the dudes fuel tank...they would work thier way into the fuel line.swelling off and on ..the guy figured it out after he took the lines off and back presured and the feathers came out
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