Builds Moonshine - A Build Thread

[GLTHFJ60]

Replacing the intake gasket with a Remflex did not fix the problem, so I swapped out the intake manifold with a good, flat intake out of a '77, but I'm still getting an intake leak Are the remflex gaskets one-time use only?

I can't get rid of this damn intake leak and it's driving me fxxxing insane.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

<snip>
Are the remflex gaskets one-time use only?
</snip>

Dumb question? The fel-pro and factory gaskets can be re-used if done soon enough after the initial installation.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

I had/have the same problem and found that the remflex gasket is too distorted to use the second time. I doubled up on the Felpro gaskets instead and it worked for a few weeks. Now I had 3-puppies machine a good used one for me and I have one Felpro gasket in there. I still have a leak...

I'm now thinking that maybe my head is warped. It never ends.

TK

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I had/have the same problem and found that the remflex gasket is too distorted to use the second time. I doubled up on the Felpro gaskets instead and it worked for a few weeks. Now I had 3-puppies machine a good used one for me and I have one Felpro gasket in there. I still have a leak...

I'm now thinking that maybe my head is warped. It never ends.

TK

I'm glad I'm not the only one! This fiasco has been nothing but frustrating for me.

After putting on the '77 manifold last night, I still had a pretty serious leak, so looked under the hood again tonight. Somehow, I knocked off a vacuum cap from the front of the manifold, so after replacing it, Moonshine finally idles. Makes a HUGE difference in daily driving. I still have an intake leak, but as you said, the Remflex was a bit distorted after the first install. Soon I'll get another Remflex and throw it on there.

The diesel swap is jumping up on my to-do list by leaps and bounds after this mess.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

I'm glad I'm not the only one! This fiasco has been nothing but frustrating for me.

After putting on the '77 manifold last night, I still had a pretty serious leak, so looked under the hood again tonight. Somehow, I knocked off a vacuum cap from the front of the manifold, so after replacing it, Moonshine finally idles. Makes a HUGE difference in daily driving. I still have an intake leak, but as you said, the Remflex was a bit distorted after the first install. Soon I'll get another Remflex and throw it on there.

The diesel swap is jumping up on my to-do list by leaps and bounds after this mess.

Honestly I had way better luck with the Felpro gasket. I've been through two Remflex gaskets, a doubled up Felpro, and a single Felpro, plus three different freshly machined manifolds. life sucks sometimes.

Glad you got an idle. Hopefully you can resolve your issues. I've been throwing around either a diesel swap or a carbed 5.7 Vortec.


TK

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Johnny,

Next time you have it off check out the side of the block and see how it is. Have you doubled up a Yota gasket ?

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Honestly I had way better luck with the Felpro gasket. I've been through two Remflex gaskets, a doubled up Felpro, and a single Felpro, plus three different freshly machined manifolds. life sucks sometimes.

Glad you got an idle. Hopefully you can resolve your issues. I've been throwing around either a diesel swap or a carbed 5.7 Vortec.


TK

Thanks for the advice, ill try a felpro next.

I smell an oil burner in moonshine's future real soon.

Johnny,

Next time you have it off check out the side of the block and see how it is. Have you doubled up a Yota gasket ?

Will do, I need to pick up a straight edge first. No I have not doubled up a toyota gasket. I still have the factory gasket I took off so I'm thinking of picking up a felpro and running both of those at the same time.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

The stock 60 set up is the easiest one to seal up. It cant warp as bad due to the flex arrangements of the outside exhaust ports.

You can also get that surface machined flat.

 

[mwalls54]

I have also put a thin layer of the copper rtv around the ports on both sides of the gasket.

 

[wyorunner]

GLTH, I just finished reading your entire build thread. I must say, great work and thanks for the inspiration. I bought three 60's a couple weeks back and I'm using them to rebuild one solid one. A comment on your fridge, We've had ours for about 2.5 years now. It has ran consistently for 2 years of that time period, been moved a lot, and still works great. It was the best gift a couple could ask for. Again, great work, and good luck with the diesel swap. And if you'd like to see my build Here it is.

Turner

 

[GLTHFJ60]

The stock 60 set up is the easiest one to seal up. It cant warp as bad due to the flex arrangements of the outside exhaust ports.

You can also get that surface machined flat.

I'm hoping I don't have to go with the stock manifold setup. I like my headers and I should be able to get it to mate up properly. I've had it done properly before, I just need to figure out what's holding me up and get it fixed.

I have also put a thin layer of the copper rtv around the ports on both sides of the gasket.

That's an excellent idea! I'm going to do that on the next go-around.

GLTH, I just finished reading your entire build thread. I must say, great work and thanks for the inspiration. I bought three 60's a couple weeks back and I'm using them to rebuild one solid one. A comment on your fridge, We've had ours for about 2.5 years now. It has ran consistently for 2 years of that time period, been moved a lot, and still works great. It was the best gift a couple could ask for. Again, great work, and good luck with the diesel swap. And if you'd like to see my build Here it is.

Turner

Turner, thanks for the props man! I'm glad you've had great luck with your fridge. I haven't had a chance to use mine too much but I like it thus far. Based on your review, and many others, I should get many years of use from this unit.

I'll make sure to keep an eye on your project, it looks like you've got a lot planned Keep up the good work!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Not a whole lot going on lately. Transported a blown 1FZ-FE for a buddy of mine, but spilled oil over the entire interior. In cleaning, I realized that removing the factory insulation was the only option, so I did this. It took forever to do this with a chisel and hammer. Next time I'll opt for the dry ice method.

Then went and installed one of my big ammo cans as a center console. Took out the factory console, marked and drilled holes, then used the factory screws to hold it in place. Soooo nice having a console that I can rest my arm on.

Most recently I picked up a set of 6 shooters w/ ARP hardware and a trunion eliminator kit for a hell of a good deal. Now I have almost all of the parts I need to build my new front axle

Finally, I've picked up a DD. 9mpg was starting to get really, really painful, so I found this sweet 1989 Jetta Diesel 5 speed, with a WVO conversion already installed, for only $2400. I'm going to do a couple of typical VW mods, including wheels, maybe a set of coilovers or airbags ( airbags would be tits ) and a couple of body tweaks here and there.

I love this car

All-important WVO switch ( controls the diesel / wvo fuel solenoids )

WVO tank in the trunk

Engine bay. WVO heater is in the bottom left hand corner, solenoids are above and to the right, right next to the timing cover, brand new injection pump smack dab in the middle.

AC / Radiator install and new rear springs + shocks are the next couple of big projects for Moonshine, so stay tuned

 

[brokenparts]

Mmmmm... French fries.

Nice find.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I've always liked the look of those 6-shooter knuckles. I probably would have picked up a pair myself if I wasn't doing my diesel swap.

The Jetta is a nice find too, what are you averaging for MPG?

 

[klinetime574]

Nice! Those six shooters are beefy!

I bet that Jetta gets 30+ mpg

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I just realized that Jetta looks like it has a Bosch VE pump, its probably getting even better mileage. The dodge trucks that run that pump get around 20-24 MPG.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Mmmmm... French fries. Nice find.

I've always liked the look of those 6-shooter knuckles. I probably would have picked up a pair myself if I wasn't doing my diesel swap.
The Jetta is a nice find too, what are you averaging for MPG?

Nice! Those six shooters are beefy!
I bet that Jetta gets 30+ mpg

I just realized that Jetta looks like it has a Bosch VE pump, its probably getting even better mileage. The dodge trucks that run that pump get around 20-24 MPG.

Thanks guys!

I don't know what the Jetta is getting for mileage yet. I filled up the tank when I got it ( 2 weeks ago ), have put about 320 miles on it and am at 2/5 of a tank. I will fill up this weekend and I'll let y'all know, should be somewhere north of 40mpg.

6 shooters are mega beefy. I can't wait to get them installed The only problem I've heard of with Trail-Gear is their customer service, but since I bought these from a fellow mudder and are only steel parts, I don't think I'll have a problem. Need to figure out what the taper is on these arms

 

[TLC Norway]

Ive been happy with TG coustomer service so far. And that is from way over here. Only hazzle was they shipped everything in different boxes, making shipping way more expensive. Now i'm shopping most of my parts from davezoffroadperformance ,service is good, shipping is tight, safe and neat. And pricing is good.

Im interested in hearing the experience with the trunnion eliminators, my bearings are at their end after one year. Using the 60 probably 80% as a DD, takes its toll on the trunnion bearings.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Im interested in hearing the experience with the trunnion eliminators, my bearings are at their end after one year. Using the 60 probably 80% as a DD, takes its toll on the trunnion bearings.

I have those trunnion bearing eliminators in my front axle, I haven't had any issues. It steers exactly the same as with bearings. They're really easy to install too. I like them and it is nice not to worry about thrashing bearings.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Ive been happy with TG coustomer service so far. And that is from way over here. Only hazzle was they shipped everything in different boxes, making shipping way more expensive. Now i'm shopping most of my parts from davezoffroadperformance ,service is good, shipping is tight, safe and neat. And pricing is good.

Im interested in hearing the experience with the trunnion eliminators, my bearings are at their end after one year. Using the 60 probably 80% as a DD, takes its toll on the trunnion bearings.

That's good news with the TG customer service. I've never dealt with them before so I only have what others have written on this board. I have no reason to think that they'll work as expected

I'll let you know how the trunion eliminators work out when I get them installed later this year.