need some help

[screamin86]

Well this isn't 73-87 related nor gm related so I figured I'd ask here and see what you guys think. I've been helping a guy I work with work on a 68 dodge charger general lee replica and he is having what I believe is vapor lock issues. Ill give you a run down on everything a bout it to give yall a better idea. Its got a brand new crate 383bb mild rv cam 442/465 112 214/224 weiand dual plane intake 1406 carb hooker 1 7/8 primary long tube headers 2 1/2in true duals into flowmaster mufflers tci 727 transmission 2200 stall. All of this has been put on the car since last october.the issues started a couple of months ago when he swaped on these new 1 7/8 headers from some rusted out no name 1 5/8s or 1 3/4.when the weather got warm he got vapor lock bad and the car would die after idling for 5-10mins.he has had 4 diff mech pumps on it one was an edelbrock and now he has a edelbrock inline electric pump only back by the tank. Well seems that fixed it or he thinks but I think otherwise.now at around 4000 rpm he has problems with it breaking down really bad under load but if you let out of it and get back on it it will pull to 5500 were it shifts. It will free rev fine and pull good and hard when the motor is colder and when cool weather. It has a single 5/16 feed line and no return and I keep at him to swap in a 440 fuel sender which had a 3/8feed and 1/4 return but he will not do it. I told him to day to atleast try to hook up a fuel presure gauge and tape it to the windshield to watch fuel presure under loadbut now he is convinced that its the transmissing getting too hot and binding up the motor *sigh*. Anyway what do you guys think?

[slammed79]

I've had similar issues with mopars in the past. First thing, is the fuel line routed away from all heat sources and not kinking anywhere? I just wanna make sure. Assuming all is kosher there, and if he really doesn't wanna run a fuel pressure gauge, try and talk him into an electric pump.

 I'm almost positive the trans isn't binding up, and as long as its run to the cooler, I doubt its getting too hot. The 727 is a mighty transmission, the only issue I've ever had with them is from previous owner neglect, and reverse is their weakest point.

[screamin86]

He did put an electric pump on it and it fixed the obvious vapor lock you normaly would get from idling and such just now is only aparent in upper rpm. He ordered a after market cooler for the trans which he should have done anyway to begin with but anyway. I'm gona keep pressing the issue to throw a gauge on it just to prove my theory lol. I know he has put 10k in it on top of what he paid for it back last september.

[TexasRed]

Could it be the ignition? I just swapped out the internal coil on my HEI for an external along with replacing the module and it seems really good at pulling hard now. It sounded almost like his problem, colder weather seems to keep the stuff cool and it didn't have an issue. I was cutting out at higher RPM and it felt like it was running out of gas but it was running out of spark.

[big bear]

very possible..

[screamin86]

relaced plugs wires new points and even switched to elctronic ignition and still have same issue. tried timming anywere from 5-15 inital

[1979C20]

Maybe carb tuning too rich or starving for air? My truck would bog WOT when warm because it sucked in thin hot air and the carb was set rich. I flipped the lid on my stock air cleaner, that helped. Then i leaned my carb slightly. That fixed it. It ran fine in cold weather and before the engine warmed up.

[TexasRed]

Did you try replacing the coil or at least getting it tested?

[screamin86]

Yes tried 3 diff coils. Tried every jet spring rod combo that comes with the 1406 tuning kit. Getting full 12 at coil too.

[TexasRed]

I think you're right, next step is to see if he's losing fuel at high rpm. It may be something as goofy as a hose that's bad letting air get sucked in.

[screamin86]

He has been dead set on the transmission beeing the culprit and since he hadn't changed the fluid since the inital install (about 1000miles) he did and found some shavings and purpleish fluid. I'm not sure whata new transmission should look after breakin but anyway. He put a new filter in and new fluid. We took it out tonight and it was the first tike I experianced it but it ran perfect for 15-20miles maybe more launced it a few times off the stall would chirp going into third and the car has 2.76 gears. Although after cruising back roads for about an hour it started sputtering or cutting out around 3500+ with hard throttle. He wants to yank the transmission and converter and send it back to TCI but is gona add a big cooler first but when we got back from the ride and checked the fluid it was nice and red and no burnt smell and cooler lines were not overly hot. I convinced him I think to put a gauge on it tomorrow so we will see. Ill post back with results.

[Irish_Alley]

so

[screamin86]

Sorry for no updates but I'm out of town hanging out at the beach in the obx nc lol. Seen a lot of nice k5s out on the beach and trolling through town. Anyway we ended up yanking the transmission and stall out and shipped them back to tci. Personaly I still don't think it was the transmission making it act the way it was I've destroyed my share of motors transmissions and rearends but anyway no one listens to me lol. He still never would put the fuel presure gauge on it ugh! Anyway ill post an update when I get one. I've been workin on his car more than finishing my swap in my car lately :/.