Builds The Mule: My OM617 swap and other improvements

[DPV7070]

Which part number did you get? Because there are 2 sizes of sensors. Thank you.

DTL-6 Diesel Tiny-Tach with 6mm transducer. Standard length leads are fine, actually too long

Have you had a chance to get the engine up to operating temperature and compare the dash temp reading with an infrared temp gun?

Not yet. I might get it out of the garage today...

The metric one
Edit: Looked through my email and it was the 6mm one.

Yep! OM617 injection lines are 6mm, not 1/4"...

 

[cruisermatt]

Couple questions.

Is that battery tray (sides the cowl mount) pre-fabricated?
Will the Tiny Tach be permanent or just for initial testing? Maybe a discrete mount would be cool?

This 40 is bad ass (this is not a question). I love the details and the workmanship.

 

[DPV7070]

Big day today

 

[DPV7070]

Couple questions.

Is that battery tray (sides the cowl mount) pre-fabricated?
Will the Tiny Tach be permanent or just for initial testing? Maybe a discrete mount would be cool?

This 40 is bad ass (this is not a question). I love the details and the workmanship.

The battery hold down is from Ruff Stuff. I fab'd the heater block off and mount.

I'll have to get some pics of the tiny tach mounted, but it'll be permanent.

Thanks for the encouragement. It's been a long process.

 

[jstncse]

Congratulations.

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

Woo! Sounds great!

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

That sounded sweet!

 

[Pierps]

Congratulations!!

After seeing how much work this swap was, I think I'm going to stick with my SBC. All of my romantic ideas of doing the same swap have mysteriously evaporated... which is my way of complimenting you for your perseverance!

 

[DPV7070]

Got some exhaust put on it.

 

[davegonz]

Nice

 

[DPV7070]

Nice

Dave, did you ever drip time Hamp or mess with the timing? It's running pretty good right now but I'm only getting about 9 PSI on boost, I thought I read somewhere you were getting about 12 PSI.

 

[davegonz]

I never messed with the timing and I think I was getting 9-10 psi on it. I don't remember 12, but I have a lousy memory.

You need to turn the OCD off and just drive it now!

 

[DPV7070]

I never messed with the timing and I think I was getting 9-10 psi on it. I don't remember 12, but I have a lousy memory.

You need to turn the OCD off and just drive it now!

Haha, rog!

 

[DPV7070]

So I took @davegonz 's advice and drove the Mule today. I put Bilstein 5125's all around and I'm VERY happy with them! Overall, I put about 100mi on it and burned about a little more than an 1/8th of a tank. Seems like the mileage is pretty good.

After driving ~45 miles at highway speeds (55 - 75mph):
Avg Boost - 6PSI
Hi Boost - 11PSI
Lo Boost - variable
Oil temp: 225- 230F
Water temp: 183F
Turbo housing temp: 360F
Intake air temp: 116F
Power Steering Cooler Temp: 126F
Transmission temp: 135F

I feel like all these are fine, the oil cooler might need a bit of air piped into it. I was driving it pretty hard in 4th gear due to the hills, etc. Average speed was about 60. I hit 75 at one point but backed off because I have a fear of the windshield just blowing into my face, haha...I got a lot of stares from people and a couple of winks from some chickies, but I flashed the ring at them. HAHA!

Overall, 5th gear (27% overdrive) is not really useable on anything except flat or descending ground. My assessment is that the NV4500 is not the best choice due to the wide ratio. Something like a H55F, H41, or H42 would probably be better.

However, the NV4500 IS PERFECTLY DRIVABLE! You just have to learn the shift points.

The LizardSkin thermal barrier I put on the firewall is definitely worth the work and effort. The firewall temp was 115F, which all things considered, isn't that bad.

Part of me wonders if the 40 needs a new name since it's been born again?

 

[davegonz]

Awesome.

 

[davegonz]

That engine really likes to rev high. That's why I was happy with the H41.

 

[franklin40]

I don't remember reading what gear ratios you have in your diffs. do you think that would make the overdrive a little more useful while adding a little more low end?

 

[DPV7070]

I have 4.11s. Overdrive is useful at about 65-70 mph it seems. Anything less than 60 and it's bogging. I'm pulling about 2500 RPM in 4th gear at 60. 3.70's would be even worse I believe. I still love driving around though, it just takes some getting used to, especially coming from a 350 with a 4 barrel.

 

[cruisermatt]

Your overdrive issue is a good problem to have.

Although the NV4500 is a bit clunky it's a hugely underrated transmission, deep overdrive, low crawler first, best of both worlds. Do you have the 6:1 or 5:1 first gear? Either way you have 80:1 or 100:1 which are sweet crawling ratios in a "stockish" 40.

 

[DPV7070]

Yeah, I knew it would be an issue when I chose the tranny, but I couldn't pay the crazy money for a H55F, which is a much more refined tranny.

I have the 6.34:1 first gear. So with 4.11's and 4:1 lo range I have a final drive ratio of about 104:1