Tried that one a while ago. I really am going to have to deep on this one. Thanks rgrove.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Might also be a plugged vent line on the fuel tank after sitting so long... Same problem with the cap loose?

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

Good job running the Rotella, but I would be sure to get the Zinc DiAlkyl Ditho Phosphate, too. Evidently, it's the right stuff. I think the Rotalla has Zinc Diaryl Dithio Phosphate.



See this link for more.






Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

Yes, I am running 15w40 Rotella (the old stuff, not the new after the first of the year), and I am running 1 quart of Lucas Oil Supplement. great stuff.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

You must add GM EOS or STP Oil Treatment (or WalMart Tech Lube) to your oil right away. Today. Don't run the engine without ZDDP in the oil. The lack of ZDDP is the reason for wiped-out cams.



My truck had the same symptoms of the empty fuel filter. And I had a glass bowl on my carb, so I knew that I was having a fuel delivery problem.



Your fuel line is clogged, the line from the fuel tank to the fuel pump. And the bottom of the fuel tank is also gummed up. I think adding some acetone to your fuel might help, but you will probably have to drop the tank and wash the gum out of the bottom. I did this and it took some time, but it wasn't hard. After getting the debris out of the bottom, I filled the tank with water and added two 12 ounce containers of Red Devil lye and let it sit. I've heard of adding some clean, round gravel and swishing that around to help loosen the gum. I've also heard of taking the tank to the radiator shop and getting it boiled out.



I pulled the steel fuel line out through the front grill and ran acetone and other solvents through it until it flowed better. Put it back together and it worked perfectly.



Good luck. Add some STP Oil Treatment with ZDDP.

Best regards,



Paul Menten

Meridian, Idaho

thanks fellas.

I am breaking in the cam - well, was. She ran fine for about 5 minutes, then whammo, no gasoline, the filter dry as a bone. I believe I am going to have to recheck the lines, pull the tank, or whatever. Of course, the inevitable as always. I also double checked the fuel flow by attaching a remote electric pump just between the main feed and the mechanical pump, to see if I could get anything out of the tank (for those of you wondering, yes, I have 12 gallons in the tank). She ran and ran with just a trickle, although clean.

Well, I had my Vietnam Veteran buddy with me - Wayne Haines. He has a 56 Town Sedan (he is also the one who sold that 56 Town Sedan with only 31K for 16,500!!) Anyway - he has been around Y blocks for awhile and he was pretty impressed. He said he wished he could video tape it! I gotta tell ya, this motor sounds and runs good - she acts like she is itchin' to get out of the gate

Of course, there was an entourage of people with Wayne, too. My dad, my wife, my kids (oh yeh - my 4 year old son kept saying, Dad, "Make is sound louder, make it sound louder," --He's got the makings of a fine Y blocker, I'd say., and a few others from our school (I also teach at a Christian School). That reminds me - I forgot to mention (although this may something for another section of the website). I recently had the opportunity to go to our local Juvenile Detention Center and teach 14-16 year old boys about the Y block - thanks Jim for letting me use that banner - our church gets in there twice a month, and we had a wonderful time with 12 boys (sorry, I am not allowed to give names, take photos, etc) giving Y block sermons. Is there such a thing? Oh yes, I am a Baptist preacher, and you would be surprised what kind of great object lessons can be used for Bible preaching. Anyway, I have been invited back to their high schol 2 weeks from now, where I will be given 1 hour and 30 minutes to talk to the boys about what to do with their lives once they get out, how to get a job, what to get involved in, etc. etc.

Jim - if your are listening/reading - I can take them from the classroom to this website (all kinds of high speed, large projector screen kind of stuff, etc.) for Y block education! Yes, I already have pre-approved permission for all of this from the NRJDC. Nothing like a captive audience - they aren't going anywhere.  You would be surprised (well, most of wouldn't) at the response I got about the Y block - most kids have never heard about our motor. They are given a steady diet of scrub and import - how sad! This is scheduled for June 12th from 12:30 to 2 pm. One last thing, anyone have some footage of Y block racing on the web, or how can I get some video (racing, closeups of engine bays, maybe one of your gurus discussing one of your motors/cars, etc.) to show these boys while I am at it?

Y blocking's for everyone!

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Hi Dan, Let me also offer my congratulations!  Sounds like you've got a winner there.  There are a lot of guys out there who would like to have your oil pressure "problem".  Of course it will probably come down a little when the oil gets hot. 

I'm writing to remind you to break in your cam and lifters, I'm assuming you have a new cam.  Follow the cam grinders' instructions and run the engine at 2000 or so for 15-20 minutes.  This is probably more than needed, but might as well be safe.  I've got an old buddy who is a Chevy man, thinks he knows everything about engines.  He built a 283 for his '56 Chevy, installed a new Competition Cams flat-tappet cam and lifters.  He did not break them in, and was very sad when the cam lobes went flat and filled his engine with metal particles. 

He talked with our local speed shop, and they told him that he messed up, not the cam grinder.  This was about the same time I put together my current 312 with a Schneider Cam and new lifters.  He asked me if I ran the engine at 2000 to break in the cam.  Of course I said I did, and he was really sad that he hadn't bothered to read the instructions that came with his new cam. 

I'm probably telling you what you already know, and I apoligize for that.  Enjoy your new engine!  Nick Brann

Dan:

I think you are just a nervous new Dad.  The oil pressure will be fine at this point.  Indicates all is well with the bearing fits and the condition of the pump.  The fuel filter thing, I have noticed many times over the years.  I can't explain it, but the air in the filter does not affect anything.  Somehow the fuel still flows through the filter element just fine.  Congratulations on your healthy new baby!

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Finally had a chance to get back into the shop and rearrange the wires on the distributor. May I say, even though I don't work for ACCEL, that the points eliminator kit is a FINE product. This new Y fired up like it had a modern day ignition, Wuuuuummmmppph!! We are always nervous when that baby Y is delivered, but this one was smoooth. She sounded great. I let her one for a minute or two, checking for leaks, sounds, anything weird, you know. NOPE. Everything fine - and man that exhaust! no leaks on my system, and the pipes sound great. What a set of lungs on this baby! Of course I blipped the throttle once or twice - sounded sweet.

OK here goes, some newborn questions...1. I am running 55 psi at idle, and she went up to 65 psi on the oil pressure when I went up to about 1500 rpm or so. Seems a little high? Maybe because she is a little tight? 2. Fuel problem. Initially, I drained my gas tank that had been sitting for 12 years. Varnished gasoline of about 3 gallons (drained with the plug at the tank). Flushed with 1 gallon of fresh gas, then filled with about 12 gallons of fresh gasoline. Upon initial startup, the gasoline was good, clear, pumping through, etc. (I have an inline see through filter near the carb) Now, after a minute or two of running the motor, I am just about empty on the filter and it seems like I got blockage or something. However, when I unscrewed the fuel pump feed line, gasoline poured out. The fuel pump is brand new. Do I have to do the inevitable and pull the entire gas tank, etc? All rubber lines are brand new, and the steel lines seem to be in good shape, all connections good, and all clamps new and tight.

Thanks to all the fellas who have helped so far with this little build, er, delivery, of mine!

Dan

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com