Builds Project Snowball ❄️ 85 FJ60 Cummins 4BT/ HX-30 SUPER/ NV4500/ SOA (9 Viewers)

[Hojack]

Changed the oil today. Just shy of 19,000 miles on the Speedhut gauges. While changing the oil I decided to remove the side oil pan plug and see what thread size it is.

Went to Napa and confirmed it’s a M22x1.5 which is awesome because that’s the size threaded oil pan heater I found.

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-8.1F this morning at the Crater Lake Property. This is why I want to be equipped for cold weather taking Project Snowball to the property. Now that I’ve got power I can keep the block warm with the new block heater and oil warm with the oil pan heater.
After changing the oil I decided to install the boost fooler on the HX-30 super and see just how much boost this puts out. I’ve been maxed out at 22psi. It spools super quick but at 22 psi the wastegate opens. Have been very happy with it but it’s time to turn it up.

Put a drop of blue locktite on the Allen screw as I didn’t want it to come out. I then took it for a drive home. Started with the screw about 1/2 way screwed in. Noticed an immediate difference. Up to 35psi.

38psi of boost. Not only does this turbo spool much quicker than the stock HX-30 but it produces some impressive boost! It climbs the grade home very nicely.

 

[Hojack]

Took the kids into the Cascades for our Christmas tree run. East of Estacada on the Prometory grade heading up the Clackamas River pushing the hill my EGT would climb up to 1250F in 5th gear so I’d need to down shift to 4th to drop EGT. With the HX-30 super turbo I ran the hill at 70 mph in 5th at 2030 rpms and had just under 30 psi of boost. What a difference.

Some fresh snow overnight and feet of snow on the way this week in the PNW.

Got home and the oil pan heater showed up.

 

[cps432]

I think I’m going to install a block heater in my truck. Never thought about a warmer for the oil.

 

[Hojack]

Just over 19,000 miles. My short throw shifter tower was leaking a bit. Ended up that 3 of the 4 bolts weren’t tight enough. I decided since I bought the Redline MT-85 it was time to replace the transmission fluid. Refilled with 5 quarts.

Then I drained the oil and removed the side plug and installed the oil pan heater. Added some zinc additive when I refilled the oil.

Connected the power cord and routed up into the engine bay.

 

[boots4]

When people see a couple power cords plugged into your cruiser you'll just have to tell them it's a hybrid.

A real question: have you plugged in your coolant heater to see how it works? Any leaks from the install?

 

[Hojack]

When people see a couple power cords plugged into your cruiser you'll just have to tell them it's a hybrid.

A real question: have you plugged in your coolant heater to see how it works? Any leaks from the install?

That’s funny Mike… no coolant leaks. With the colder weather coming I’ll be testing both soon.

 

[Thechief86]

That’s funny Mike… no coolant leaks. With the colder weather coming I’ll be testing both soon.

I look forward to seeing how well these things work. So far I've started mine down in the 20's without much issue, and didn't plug in my block heater. Will you test each heater separately as well to see which one makes the biggest difference?

 

[Hojack]

I look forward to seeing how well these things work. So far I've started mine down in the 20's without much issue, and didn't plug in my block heater. Will you test each heater separately as well to see which one makes the biggest difference?

Doing research, if you could do only one then install the coolant block heater. Thankfully the oil pan already had the 22Mx1.5 threads in the side of pan which made it a no brainer. Both of these cold start devices were very affordable. I liked the idea of having warm oil to quickly lubricate the engine.
I’ve started my 60 in the low teens at 6,000’ skiing at Timberline with only the aid of the grid heater.

 

[Hojack]

Went Christmas shopping to get it out of the way for the wife and lookie lookie what I happened to find… 2 shirts for $25!

They did a great design job!

 

[cps432]

I look forward to seeing how well these things work. So far I've started mine down in the 20's without much issue, and didn't plug in my block heater. Will you test each heater separately as well to see which one makes the biggest difference?

Trying to start when it’s -20 is a different story.

 

[Hojack]

A real question: have you plugged in your coolant heater to see how it works?

This morning I plugged in both the block and oil pan heaters to test them. Outside air temp low 30s. This is temp at the heating element after an hour.

I felt around the block and it was warm to the touch.

Same with the oil pan.

 

[Thechief86]

Doing research, if you could do only one then install the coolant block heater. Thankfully the oil pan already had the 22Mx1.5 threads in the side of pan which made it a no brainer. Both of these cold start devices were very affordable. I liked the idea of having warm oil to quickly lubricate the engine.
I’ve started my 60 in the low teens at 6,000’ skiing at Timberline with only the aid of the grid heater.

Awesome. My pan also has the threaded bungs that yours has, so if the freeze plug block heater isn't enough, I'll probably buy one of those as well. But it rarely gets below zero in TN, so until I see a deficiency, I'll probably spend my hard earned elsewhere for now. I've got a lot of work to do yet...

 

[Hojack]

Headed to the Crater Lake Property for a few days to enjoy the winter storm. Decided to take HWY 58 over Willamette Pass.

Salt Creek Tunnel

While climbing the grade I passed a vehicle and heard a pop and heard massive surge.
Pulled over to see I blew the boot. Being so busy I forgot to order the reducer boot from Frozen Boost. Was able to get it back together in the blowing snow.

Willamette Pass

 

[cps432]

View attachment 3182124
Headed to the Crater Lake Property for a few days to enjoy the winter storm. Decided to take HWY 58 over Willamette Pass.
View attachment 3182106
Salt Creek Tunnel
View attachment 3182107View attachment 3182108
While climbing the grade I passed a vehicle and heard a pop and heard massive surge.
Pulled over to see I blew the boot. Being so busy I forgot to order the reducer boot from Frozen Boost. Was able to get it back together in the blowing snow.
View attachment 3182095
Willamette Pass

Nothing like a snow storm to light a fire under your ass to get it fixed!

 

[Hojack]

Made it to the property just as the snow was setting in.

Took a trip across the property.

Bought this electric infrared stove at Coastal Farm & Ranch on the way down for $159. Amazon has it for $299 which I’d almost bought.

Brought down a log chair I made and a solid wooden wire spool.

 

[franklin40]

looks like you’re getting things set up to deal with cold starts nicely. if you find that you need more cold start help a webasto or espar are really nice (albeit expensive). i have a webasto and use it a lot when its -20C and colder here. it’s also really nice when there’s no power to plug into!

i’ve also had some hose pops over the last year. the frozen boost reducers are really nice

 

[Hojack]

Unloaded and went down to Sand Creek Station, 2 mile drive down the Hwy to grab a sixer, it’s the only stop between Chiloquin and Chemult. They were just serving biscuits and gravy for breakfast but now there’s a full menu.

Took a drive to see if I could make it to the Pinnicles.

Made it just over 5,000’ and decided to turn around. 15 miles from the highway with a winter storm wasn’t the best idea solo.
Found some trails to explore.

Back home.

 

[Hojack]

Picked up a 20 amp GFI outlet and weather proof box on the way here. Installed the outlet and ran the power cord to the 60 for the block and oil pan heater.

 

[Thechief86]

Looks like you're having a fun winter! I've had my charge pipe blow off at the turbo while pulling a big hill with a trailer, and got the tip from my buddy who has a 4bt in his old Jeep to spray hair spray and then slip the boots on. The wet hair spray will let the boots slip on easy, then help keep them from slipping off when it dries sticky.
I haven't had an issue since, and have put about 7500 miles on the truck since getting it running.

 

[boots4]

The best holding is a good clamp and a good boot with the tubes having raised ends for boot holding. The boot Hojack used was a temporary rubber deal to get him home from my shop when we installed his new turbo. The silicon boot he plans to get should solve this issue. Due to compress air being hot air (especially climbing grades with higher boost) any spray's are likely to heat up and melt (even paint, personally found that one out) and could act as a lubricant to slip the boot off. Clean, even lightly scuffed tube ends would be best.