We got it made...

Volfandt · Dec 22, 2005

I've just got back inside after going outside in the cold an dark to start the ole work van and it dawned on me just how easy it was.
Just turn the key and all that computer controlled fuel & timing adjustments take over. After a turn or two the engine starts right on up, I throw the selector to defrost/heat, temp control to HOT and I paddle back in, maybe a total of 30 secs out in the dark 19 degree weather.

Anyone remember the old days when you had to somtimes stomp on the throttle to get that frozen choke to close? Have the engine start only to stop again and have to play with throttle position to get it to start again? Run an engine down trying to start and having to breakout the ever present battery charger?

Yepper, we sure have it made anymore /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Volfandt

PineRidge · Dec 22, 2005

Anybody else remember starting either? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

gmsssi · Dec 22, 2005

Started the Tahoe Monday morning no problem. Set the temperature and defrost on high. Went back 20 minutes later and the found a 4' crack across the windsheild. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

ronjhall · Dec 22, 2005

found a 4' crack across the windshield. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
To much starting ether? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Wannafish · Dec 22, 2005

"Anybody else remember starting either?"

Yep - either it started or it didn't! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

HGM · Dec 22, 2005

Volfandt,
I'm glad to hear someone else mention it..... I've been working on cars since the carb was on the way out. I often hear guys say "get rid of all that electronics and give me a carb"........Well, I dont want to get rude, but lets just say that aint right.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Remember,carburator by definition is "a high tech device to provide, for every operating strategy, the incorrect fuel mixture". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.. If you traveled out to say Colorado from Florida, you would have to pull over and re jet the carb before you got there /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif..Great component huh?

Dont forget adjusting the points frequently. How about the tune up with points, condensor, cap, rotor, plug wires...... All this for 150hp in most cases.. If you got one with the 400hp engine, you might also get 8-10mpg as a bonus!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Things have progressed greatly, even if you dont understand the system and how to work on it..... We dont have carburators anymore,fuel injection handles the "correct mixture". No points,condensor,plug wires. We have platinum plugs now and except for an oil change you dont even need to lift the hood before 100k mi. That was worn out 30yrs ago /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Oh, and now we can get 24mpg out of our 390hp Mustang with a/c,power steering,pdl,pw,power "disc" brakes, with all the saftey features you care to have(and then some)...

Dont get me wrong, I wouldnt mind having an old car... It would be purely for nostalgia reasons though...My newer car would still be the daily driver... But thats just me /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

frank_f15 · Dec 22, 2005

OH boy do i remember that!!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Before i had a garage it was a real pain, had to go out set the choke, and try and start the car, then had to sit there until the engine would stay running with out constantly playing with gas pedal, then get out and brush the car off and wait for the febel heater warm up enough to keep th windows semi clear! for the last 15 years on every car i buy , new or used the first thing that gets added is a remote starter, the cars are now parked in garage, open the garge door from the house, and start the car from the house, when it is warm just get in and drivve away!!!!!! LIFE IS GOOD /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

getut · Dec 22, 2005

Thats the thing.. it doesn't HAVE to be an either/or situation. You CAN have your cake and eat it too if the car companies would just do it.

Not to start a diesel engine war (I even drive the one I am about to bash)... but take the Ford Powerstroke vs Cummins debate. On one hand you have a great solid engine that is diminished in reliability by the millions of wires, wiring harnesses, and sensors that snake all over the engine. I am talking about the Powerstroke if you aren't aware. On the other hand, you have another great strong engine NOT diminished by those same things. The Cummins is still a very technologically advanced engine, but the designers did not use technology just for the sake of technology.

On an older powerstroke, 90% of the problems faced are because of deteriorating wiring and harnesses and sensors due to engine heat and moisture. Every vehicle overtaken by the technology bug has similar issues. Use the electronics only where absolutely necessary.

HGM · Dec 22, 2005

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifI should refuse to comment /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'll just say, to a point..........

Highbeam · Dec 22, 2005

Ah yes. The cable operated choke that was all the way on to start and then shove it in half way to warm up. Don't forget a few pumps of the pedal to let tha accelerator pump squirt in some fresh fuel. Then the points system with the dwell meter, that meter and my timing light are collecting dust.

I now can not set my idle speed, no idle mixture adjustment, can not set the timing, no dwell or points to mess with. What's a distributor cap? The fan belt is always held tight with an automatic tensioner even, what about them new fangled paper air cleaners.

And then the things you don't know about like torque management where the computer offers less available power at 0 mph to prevent wheel spin. Top speed limiters, rpm limiters, and limp features to prevent further damage to the engine and tranny if an important component has failed.

My current 1998 model truck has a 350CI small block chevy engine pretty much just like it came in the 50s except with fueling and emmisions enhancements. The engine systems evolved but the engine is still the same underneath it all.

How about carburetor icing? That was a bugger.

escavader · Dec 22, 2005

AAAH YES MY 73 F-IOO PLOW TRUCK 360 V-8.I love the old thing ,tryed everything under the sun,including a new fuel pump and check valve,you still got to pump the heck out of it to get her going.Dont even think your going in...even if its purring like a kitten,that darn thing will quit as soon as you close the dooron the house.It seems each year there aint at least one snowstorm go by that i dont tweek the timing or jig the idle adjustment.oooh well its better than paying 35 bucks a storm,its got a good heater,and kind of fun too.
ALAN

Volfandt · Dec 22, 2005

Never used ether on my personal engines. I heard that it destroys rings and cylinder walls so when I need to direct inject more fuel for cold starting, I use an old syringe my dentist gave me to clean out my wisdom teeth sockets after he pulled them. I fill it about 1/4 full of gas then squirt it directly into the carb. It either worked or flooded, but most times it works!
I still have to use it on my ole WheelHorse on those cold cold mornings. It's not the same syringe tho, it's one of those turkey injector syringes now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Now the WheelHorse will eventually start with just the choke but so much oil gets into the combustion chamber after all that cranking that'll it'll smoke for a couple minutes once it starts. When I direct inject fuel, it'll start on a couple turns and no smokie /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I used to have a 76 Vega, yeah I know, but it was my only wheels at the time, and I ended up putting a manual choke on it. I also had a throttle lock rod that I used to keep the rpms up so I could run back inside. The rod had a clamping lever that fit under the dash and the other end pushed the gas pedal down. Once started I set the pedal to the desired rpm then lock her down! I got it at a truck stop.
I always had thoughts of dropping a 350 in it bit ended up tradeing it for Ranchero w/a 302 2bbl and a working electric choke /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I really moved on up to the east side on that one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Every engine had it's own personal nuances and part of ownership was to learn them so you could start 'em up quickly at any temp.

Now back in the day when I was in the service we had to use ether to start our old wind-broke diesels that earlier techs had ruined with the either. Most used these little ether capsules that fit in an injector that feed straight into the intake manifold. They are the same size/shape as CO2 capsules for gas BB guns. Once you put the capsule in and closed the lid, you'd start cranking the diesel while simultaniously hitting the plunger that relased the ether. You'd then hope and pray that it would start because those old Detroit slant 6's didn't have an electric start back then, no sir. They had a hydraulic accuator starter that pumped up during engine operation and hopefully would maintain enough pressure over night to start the next morning. If there wasn't enough pressure, you broke out the pump handle and manually pumped that mutha up. We're talking a couple hundred pumps! So anyways thats why we used the ether cause we didn't want to have to pump up several pieces of GSE gear every morning /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
They started changeing over to electric starters when I got out, the wimps /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif .....
Man, where did that come from, one of those old memories I rekon. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Volfandt

tpost · Dec 23, 2005

I am really dissapointed in you guys in starting your vehicles and leaving them unattended....don't you know that it is illegal to do so ???? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif you are all in violation of the law /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

I forgot ....

Merry Christmas to you and your family !!!

HGM · Dec 23, 2005

I ride my tractor, that I drilled a bunch of holes in the ROPS for lights, while carying my loaded shotgun in one hand, trying to drop start my chainsaw with shorts on over to start my truck to let it warm up on a cold day/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dont think I need tell you guys its tounge and cheek /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Merry Christmas folks.

Oh, almost forgot the cel phone to my ear /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

turnkey4099 · Dec 23, 2005

Ah yes, the gas in the carb trick. I didn't figure that out until this fall. My old snowblower doesn't like to start when cold without priming it. My usual was to pour a capfull of gas in the carb. The light bulb went off this year and told me to just reach for my battery bulb gizmo. Works great, stict in the can, squeeze, apply to carb squeeze for a small squirt and return remainder to the gas can, no dribble.

I also use the same tool to suck the gas out of the tank on the blower and on the log splitter went putting them away for the season.

Harry K

Hydraman · Dec 23, 2005

On this date in 1983, here in Western ND, when I got up in the morning, my thermometer showed 56 degrees below zero. That's actual air temperature, noyt wind chill, and my 1978 F-250 started on the first try!!!! No block heater or anything!!!!!!!!!!!! However /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif, (don't ya always like the however's) when it fired up, the 10-30 oil was so thick that it turned the rear seal and just started pumping oil right out on the ground!!

Jstpssng · Dec 24, 2005

( "get rid of all that electronics and give me a carb"........) Ah yes, the good old days. Pump that throttle every time you let the clutch out until the engine's thoroughly warmed up; by then you've arrived at your destination. 100K was a milestone... most vehicles died before then.

If you can't reach that now without major repairs there's something wrong.

Despite all the technology the basic 3 remain the same; Compression, fuel, ignition. With those you're in good shape; with only 2, you're walking. I realised long ago that if you're competent enough to keep the old engines running PROPERLY, you can do equally well on the new stuff.

Since realising that, I don't touch anything... including my ol changes.

merry Christmas, everyone.

LBrown59 · Dec 27, 2005

It could be easier and quicker.
Install a remote start and you don't have to even spend 30 seconds out in the cold-heat rain or snow.

I gave my brother 50 bucks for ChrisrtMas to put towards one for his truck.

LBrown59 · Dec 27, 2005

How about carburetor icing? That was a bugger

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And vapor lock.

LBrown59 · Dec 27, 2005

The light bulb went off this year and told me to just reach for my battery bulb gizmo. Works great, stict in the can, squeeze, apply to carb squeeze for a small squirt and return remainder to the gas can, no dribble.

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Great Idea: A real genuine why didn't I think of that!