350 single turbo project - 72 Skylark

[techg8]

I like to think this is the kinda thing they would have done in the post-apocalyptic Mad Max world. Except theyd be brewing their own fuel or something. Running off Manure methane....

Need to fine tune the fit a little bit. Flanges not perfectly square etc. Filing a little at a time should do it.

I thought I was all done ready to reinstall when I stripped the Vband clamp's threads. Brought me to a screeching halt. I now have two en route.

I guess I will move on to the air delivery and fuel systems while I wait for them to arrive.

[techg8]

routed the air piping. Came up 1 silicone and 6 clamps short. parts on order. pics soon

BTW I have been really pleased with CXRacing on ebay. They sold me the air stuff and they communicate well, ship fast, and their products are very good quality. They have been much better to deal with than the other ebay vendors on this project. FWIW

on to the Fuel system next.

[techg8]

The last round of "fitting" the wastegate flange and turbo exhaust flange worked like a charm. All I have is a mystery pinhole in one of my welds now. I will locate it and zap it, then the exhaust is all sealed up.

I routed the air piping some more today and still am one silicone short. But I have the piping done from the carb to under the drivers door, and from the turbo to in front of the rear axle done. The intermediate pipe just needs that last silicone then I can install it and put some hangers in place.

Still havent got to the fuel system. Also need to start considering the Blow thru Quadrajet.....

I did drive the car today. the resonance only occurs at a standstill. Driving around the car interior is silent excepting the turbo "whizzing" which I LOVE!

This thing had better move for all the effort and expense!!!>>>>!>!!!!!

[gsjohnny]

you count the dollars and cents.....i gave it up a long time ago.

[Sean Buick 76]

The last round of "fitting" the wastegate flange and turbo exhaust flange worked like a charm. All I have is a mystery pinhole in one of my welds now. I will locate it and zap it, then the exhaust is all sealed up.

I routed the air piping some more today and still am one silicone short. But I have the piping done from the carb to under the drivers door, and from the turbo to in front of the rear axle done. The intermediate pipe just needs that last silicone then I can install it and put some hangers in place.

Still havent got to the fuel system. Also need to start considering the Blow thru Quadrajet.....

I did drive the car today. the resonance only occurs at a standstill. Driving around the car interior is silent excepting the turbo "whizzing" which I LOVE!

This thing had better move for all the effort and expense!!!>>>>!>!!!!!

Are you sure you are up to workign witht he Q jet? It would be interesting, just a lot of work I think. here is some info that might help:

http://www.originalho.com/TFProjectUpdate1b.html

http://www.theturboforums.com/smf/ne...-too-no-b-s-)/

[techg8]

yep. the blow thru Qjet is what the whole experiment is about.

I completed the air piping, though I need to install a coule hangers to position it just right.

I got the fuel pump and regulator installed in position, and am working on the -8AN fuel lines right now.

Ran out of sun-time today and it got too darn cold to finish up.

I am definitely moving along. A couple more warm days and I will have it all done except tuning. (EDIT actually I need to consider the fresh air supply to the trunk as well....)

pics soon.

Trying hard to get it ready for the spring Meet. Slippy TH350 drive gear is a problem I am ignoring for the time being. Dont it figure something like that pops up when I am under a time constraint.

[Sean Buick 76]

Thanks for the update!!! i am very interested to hear how the Q jet works!! I was wanting to try that but gave up and went the easy way (holley)...

[techg8]

Well I finished up the fuel lines and hanging the piping. Pics attached.

I need to wire power to the fuel pump then clear the lines.
Need to get vacuum to the wastegate and BOV too.

On to the Qjet!

fuel pump.JPGfuel regulator.JPGpiping1.JPGpiping2.JPGpiping3.JPG

[Sean Buick 76]

Great work!!!!!!!!!

[techg8]

The only thing I dont like right now is the appearance of the carb hat to the side and the elbow there.

In the future I may rearrange it for aesthetics, but for now it works fine.

I did wire the fuel pump up and flushed the lines. Car runs on the electric fuel pump now. I have a fuel pressure gage installed loose, I need to mount it to the cowl.

On that note - do I have it right that I want my pump set to hi pressure, then the boost ref regulator regulating to what I want to see at the carb??

I think the F/Pump is at 14 psi right now, and the regulator at 6.5 plus the boost reference. This makes sense to me.

[Sean Buick 76]

The only thing I dont like right now is the appearance of the carb hat to the side and the elbow there.

In the future I may rearrange it for aesthetics, but for now it works fine.

I did wire the fuel pump up and flushed the lines. Car runs on the electric fuel pump now. I have a fuel pressure gage installed loose, I need to mount it to the cowl.

On that note - do I have it right that I want my pump set to hi pressure, then the boost ref regulator regulating to what I want to see at the carb??

I think the F/Pump is at 14 psi right now, and the regulator at 6.5 plus the boost reference. This makes sense to me.

Here is some info that might help:

http://www.hangar18fabrication.com/fuelpump.html

[techg8]

Fuel pump is LOUD. I may want to add some more rubber to its mounting surfaces. Lots of fine tuning I can see once the whole kit gets functional. I was planning on some insulation/dampner for the trunk metal anyhow.....

Fuel system holds 6.5 lbs right now, and responds well to boost signal. we will see if its sufficient when I get the carb squared away.

I am going to start with a Qjet setup that I expect to be a little lean under boost and increase fuel from there. I have the basic mods done to a 7043240 1973 buick 800cfm Qjet. Phenolic spacer plate modded for boost.

I am waiting for an accellerator pump seal to come in then I can test it out.

Next thing on the liust i think is to run boost lines back to the WG and BOV

really getting close now.

[techg8]

boost lines to the fuel regulator and WG are done.

The universal BOV has a vacuum fitting to assist the blowoff. I am thinking I will leave that unhooked. Anyone see a problem with that?

I guess maybe a check valve inline could stop boost from getting to it, then free up when vacuum signal is there?

Looking for some wisdom here.....

[techg8]

I installed the hood today and mounted the fuel pressure gage on the hood.

Its a gaudy chrome cup 2.25" gage from summit. I really dont like the look. But I wanted to be able to see fuel pressure while tuning the Qjet for boost. Once the carb is tuned Ill probably remove the hood mount gage.

I need to start thinking about timing and how to work it. I imagine I will lock out mechanical advance and use a vacuum advance can as boost retard.

Tried today to add rubber isolators to the fuel pump but it is still LOUD....any suggestions on quieting it?

[techg8]

I received my accellerator pump seal today and installed the Qjet.

I had to disassemble it and reassemble it twice for flooding issues due to an improperly adjusted float, then a non-sealing needle and seat. what a mess.

Once I got the carb straightened out I took it for a spin.

I made at least 8lbs of boost at one point, but i was watching so many gages I cant be certain. I need more seat time. I was watching fuel pressure and a/f ratio more than anything. Once I get in the secondaries the turbo spools up fast. driving in the primaries I dont see too much in the way of boost.

The wastegate and BOV both are functioning as desired. It took me a couple runs to get used to the racket they make.

My Qjet lean-cruises at 13:1 and held 12.5:1 under all other conditions. I may up the rods one size to try to lean out the cruise but otherwise I am happy for now. I didnt hear any pinging at all but who knows.

I didnt do any quarter mile passes so thats something I will have to tune a bit.

I need to work on the timing and small tuning items.

All in all I am happy with todays drives, boosting little by little waiting for something to go bang. Nothing did.

As my confidence in the system grows, I will continue to tune. But the basic functionality is there. Its a thrilla to hear that turbo sing

unfortunately I am definitely slipping the transmission - another thing to tune up.

There were times I felt the power come in and it was nitrous-ish in its effect overall. Other times it stuttered a bit - possibly a timing iussue or a leaking boost line....

as I get more used to the system and its performance I will update and try to get some "times"

I really need to get rid of the 3.08s and get some 3.42 or 3.73s in the rear. I think my stall is about 2400rpm