Question for any of the Vortec rigs
- Thread starter Devortex
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- Thread starter
- #62
I think I've solved the issue but not 100% sure yet. I need to get some more miles driven to completely test it. Right now I've got both drive shafts over at Inland Empire Driveline for rebuilding and balancing. (unrelated to the issue of this thread) Hopefully I'll be able to pick them up tomorrow on the way home from work and I can get them installed in the evening.
Here's what I came up with. I had a fuel pressure issue, replaced pump with Walbro and solved that end of the problem.
Kept burning plug wires so tried the straight boots with insulator socks. Looked good but same issue. Turns out the wires still burned, just not quite as bad but when the wires got hot, the boots became more flexible and the inner cylinder wires would flex very close to the down pipe of the rams horn manifolds. With the little bit of burn through, the spark would jump and ground at the manifold making an occasional misfire that was very evident when the torque converter locked but not noticeable at acceleration. Found a set of OE GM heat shields for the rams horns from an old Chevy truck, redid the wires with angle boots, got longer wires and routed them behind the manifolds and along the block up the back to the distributor.
I've driven about 200 miles since with no issue (except a nagging vibration from the rear drive shaft so I figured I'd better bite the bullet and get both of them done). Planning to drive out to the Overland Expo at the end of the month so I'll get a good 1000+ miles to test things.
Don't ask me how I discovered the shorting plug wires...it was a shocking experience
Here's what I came up with. I had a fuel pressure issue, replaced pump with Walbro and solved that end of the problem.
Kept burning plug wires so tried the straight boots with insulator socks. Looked good but same issue. Turns out the wires still burned, just not quite as bad but when the wires got hot, the boots became more flexible and the inner cylinder wires would flex very close to the down pipe of the rams horn manifolds. With the little bit of burn through, the spark would jump and ground at the manifold making an occasional misfire that was very evident when the torque converter locked but not noticeable at acceleration. Found a set of OE GM heat shields for the rams horns from an old Chevy truck, redid the wires with angle boots, got longer wires and routed them behind the manifolds and along the block up the back to the distributor.
I've driven about 200 miles since with no issue (except a nagging vibration from the rear drive shaft so I figured I'd better bite the bullet and get both of them done). Planning to drive out to the Overland Expo at the end of the month so I'll get a good 1000+ miles to test things.
Don't ask me how I discovered the shorting plug wires...it was a shocking experience
Isn't the Overland Expo in Amado, Az? You'll be real close to Tucson. How lond you going to be there. I would like to check your swap out. What ya think? matt
- Thread starter
- #64
My plan is to arrive there on Thursday afternoon and leave on Sunday morning. You are more than welcome to come by to check out the truck. There should be some incredible rigs to ogle at!
- Thread starter
- #65
Got the truck running like a champ, drove it to work today for a final road test before heading for OX tomorrow. Well......head gasket let go 
. What a bummer. Guess I'll be taking my F150 tomorrow and I'll be doing the top end of my Vortec motor starting next week. On the bright side, I'm glad it didn't let go on some remote trail in southern Arizona.
. What a bummer. Guess I'll be taking my F150 tomorrow and I'll be doing the top end of my Vortec motor starting next week. On the bright side, I'm glad it didn't let go on some remote trail in southern Arizona.