My 6.0 swap into 82 Chevy

[team39763]

I'm not sure about the batch fire or sequential thing, I'll email MSD and see what they say. 

I'm sending it to Dodge because their head mechanic is really a GM man and he builds some pretty nice GM rides.  Also, when I went to the GM dealership, nobody knew what an LS6 was and they also said there's no such thing as a crank relearn - that right there told me that they didn't know much about the products they sell/work on.  I'll snap some pictures of this Dodge dealership - it's overflowing with some nice GM's(both workers' rides and customers').

[team39763]

Well, I just changed my mind about taking it to somebody else.  I don't mind asking for help, but I can't have somebody else do the work for me.  I honestly want to learn as much as I can.  So I'm gonna just sit down with my Holley book and rebuild my carb and set it to stock specs.  Then I'm gonna test the sensors(cam/crank).  I'm thinking I should buy new wires since the ones I have are secondhand and were probably removed because they were bad.  New sparkplugs will go in too.  If you guys can think of anything else, let me know.  The timing is set with those pre-set pills, so I'm hoping that one of them is close to what I need.

[Captkaos]

We will help you as best we can.  Was the Holley not new?  I would start with the timing and get it straightened out first, especially if it won't stay running.

[bowtieguy]

your on the right track, do it your self.  So next time if it acts up, you will know just what it needs! 

[team39763]

That holley is used.  It was setup with plugs instead of PV's and has the jets squared(76's).   I'm getting ready to pull the accessories and check on the timing chain, if that's good then I'm swapping in new plugs and wires and maybe new coils.  I'm picking up new cam/crank sensors today, so that'll be next.  If all that doesn't take care of the timing/spark, then all that's left is the MSD box.

[Captkaos]

How many miles are on the motor?  Wasn't it running fine before the swap?  These motors will go up to 400K miles without going into...  I would put some smaller jets in there.  I would also give MSD a call on the controller and see what they say...

[bowtieguy]

ya man don't crack the front cover.  It should be just fine.  You mentioned swapping spark plugs and what not, did you do that?  Can you get a carb off of a vehicle you know is working.  Swap that out? Keep it simple, what worked when it was EFI should still work now as far as internals. 

[Fordeatinz71]

ahh, i hear ya on the GM guys...that is ridiculous that they didn't know basic GM info.  makes me glad i'm a mechanic.  i'm really happy to hear that you are doing it on your own.  you will be a lot more satisfied (as will your wallet) doing it this way.  my vote is still the MSD box...but hopefully whatever it is you find really fast...i know how annoying these things can be.

[team39763]

The motor has less than 30,000miles on it. I'm planning on throwing in some smaller jets, what sizes do ya'll suggest?  I contacted MSD, at first they said check the grounds(did that), then check the cam sensor(did that), then I asked about my wires(they said mine were fine).  The directions say not to use solid core wires, but I don't know what kind the stockers are.  I'm gonna try to borrow some MSD wires and see if it makes a difference.  I'm gonna buy 2 sets of sparkplugs and a few different power valves + jets and a rebuild kit.   I tried a carb off a bigblock, but it idled really high(2000rpm) on my truck and the owner wouldn't let me adjust the idle.  So I guess I'm better off just rebuilding my carb.  Somehow I feel like it's the MSD box too.  I'm getting a ride to town in the afternoon, so I'll pick up all the parts I need and stay up late installing them.

[Captkaos]

Definitely don't pull the cover with only 30K miles.  We turbo'd my brothers 5.3L at 130K miles, and didn't think twice about doing it.  Are the current wires stock, if so they aren't solid core.

I would pick up a power valve and some 68 or 70 Jets to start off with on the primary side?  What model carb are we talking about here....

Just found this, read through this for some carb info...
http://www.bob2000.com/carb.htm

[team39763]

It's model 4779-9.  I still haven't figured out the -9, I don't see it on Holley's website.  All the previous owner told me was that it was a 4150 style 750cfm double pumper.  He didn't mention any mods to it, just that it had been passed around by a few guys.
  I have two power valves here at the house - a 6.5 and a 8.5.  I'll be sure to grab those jets too. 

[team39763]

The auto store didn't have the rebuild kit I needed, so I just bought what they had - a set of 68 and 70 jets and some gaskets.  I popped in the 68 jets and threw in the 8.5 Power valve then I set the float level dry and spray everything out really good and tried to clean the air bleeds as best I could with carb cleaner and a thin metal wire.  I also swapped in some new plugs(gapped). When I first started it this morning, it wouldn't stay running.  It would die after a few seconds(about 15).  I figured it was the dirty air filter so I took it off and the truck ran good.  Then I checked my fuel pressure while it was running, and it was at 4psi, so I cranked it up at the regulator and it was all good.  I drove it around the block and the transmission shifted firm just like I wanted(even with the 3500 converter).  At the end of the road, I stalled it up to about 2500 and let loose.  I hit the rev limit on the 1-2, but the truck felt good and strong.  I only held it for a couple blocks, but I don't think I've stopped smiling for the last 30minutes or so....I'm happy with it. My wife was leaving, so she didn't get to record it, but she said it looked and sounded good and was 100% better than last time she saw me drive it.  The only thing that went wrong was that the power steering pump blew that plug out and spewed PSF all over the driver side of the motor.  I'm gonna weld the hole shut this weekend, so hopefully the truck stays running good like it is.

[123 pugsy]

Glad to hear its better. Keep plugging away and it always works out.

[team39763]

Looks like the fun is over for a little while.  I took it out for a hard run on the back roads and the belt tensioner broke and the motor started overheating.  It spit the coolant all over.  The pulley of the tensioner broke off completely and took my belt with it.  My buddies were impressed with it eventhough it wasn't running right.  There seems to be a vacuum leak somewhere because when I hit the brakes, it wants to die(sometimes).  And also, the rev limiter was pre-set to 5500, and I could tell I needed more RPM...these 4.56's had me through the gears quick. I didn't know the tensioner broke until I got home.  What would cause a tensioner to come apart like that?  It wasn't under a lot of tension, and everything is the same stock accessories that I ran before, so nothing should have been out of alignment. 

[team39763]

I got the tensioner replaced and raised my rev limiter.  It runs better now, I just need to adjust the carb a little more and then get a wideband on it to see what's really going on.  Those preset chips that came with the MSD box have 5500 rev limiter, so I have to do my own timing now.  I'll let you guys know how it goes. And thanks for all the help guys.  Merry Christmas.