CrabbyMcNab's Adventure with Blunderbuss

[stormlover]

Just my two cents. I have found that boost in a diesel is usually a good indicator of overall performance of the engine. I have found that low fuel pressure can cause a boost concern. I would check fuel pressure, if you don't find any leaks. Generally low fuel pressure will not cause a code or much of a symptom on a 6.0l other a little white smoke and/or lower boost pressures.

Crabby did the blue spring upgrade so he should be getting 65 psi or so. A fuel pressure gage and pyro are the two gages I have that I added that the Scanguage doesn't monitor. No pids.

How about the up pipe? Any chance it's not mated just right? Sounds like you still have a leak somewhere.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

Went to the pick and pull today looking for female seat belt ends for the sienna seat conversion. Everything was trashed, barely any useable parts in the place. Now I turn to the internet to find a set.
Edit: yikes, $85 a piece!

 

[mgmetalworks]

Went to the pick and pull today looking for female seat belt ends for the sienna seat conversion. Everything was trashed, barely any useable parts in the place. Now I turn to the internet to find a set.
Edit: yikes, $85 a piece!

Send this guy a message... He dismantles dozens of E-series chassis cabs per month. He's had every part I've asked him about and has been very reasonable on prices.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E150-E250-E...ONT-/221811690582?hash=item33a501cc56&vxp=mtr

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

Thanks MG. Search terms are everything apparently.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

Anybody have any suggestions for things to do, places to see or eat near Littleton, NC (Lake Gaston)? Into history, site seeing, anything outdoors, less obscure things as well (especially ghost/historical tours). Raleigh is close by, and we've never been.
I know Ujoint is in the same state and about 5 hours one way, don't know if the wife would appreciate that though!
Also, anyone with a ujoint lifted van nearby who wouldn't mind meeting up so i can see one in person?

 

[Bbasso]

I can't suggest anything near that area but I know plenty of things to do in Charlotte if you're interested... As for the drive to UJOR it would be very scenic, beautiful mountains and while you're in Asheville area plenty to see and do there.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

Well, I'm in a pickle. Got the cloth sienna seats bolted up to the rear ujoint seat bases. Have my l-track all cut and ready for drilling holes in the floor. Spent time converting the Toyota seats with the ford seat belts...son of a gun if the females don't fit the males in the back of the van. Something so simple, and I didn't try them out nor know they were different to begin with. When I purchased them, I thought "of course they will fit". I need a solution by Saturday as we are heading out.

My options, 1. Find rear "captains" chair from a ford for the female seat belts, the local pick and pull was a bust.
2. Use the Toyota females that came with my seats, find Toyota males and an upholstery shop that can sew them in pronto. 3. Reinstall the benches for the trip.

 

[bknudtsen]

#2 Gotta be plenty Toyotas in the junkyard.

 

[350outrage]

Dont your benches have a matched pair of male and female belts in the center position, bolted to the seat frame? Why not swap those over? Btw, if you're into camping, the drive to UJOINT would be worth it, as there are some beautiful national forest roads, with rivers, white water rafting, etc. just a few miles west of Fletcher NC.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

The three automotive upholstery shops won't sew seatbelts for liability issues. I'm going to try the foot long bench seats receptacles. The upside is, the kids are still in their car seats, so the extra length isnt a huge burden at the moment.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

I removed the double female seat belts from the bench seats and attached them to the seat base. I "slid" them through the original slot/opening for the female ends of the sienna plastic, and then under the seat. Attached using 1/2 inch grade 8 bolts. Now I need to attach the "secondary clip" for the outside most seat. I'm thinking of mounting it horizontal instead of vertical since I don't have the capabilities of reforming the bracket or altering it in anyway.

I've got the holes drilled for the outside most seat track, the body "shield" is loose enough to get my hands in there to tighten the bolts. Thankfully I have long skinny arms to maneuver around in there. Since the bolts are too long, I'm trying to figure out how I will handle. The bolts would preclude the shield from fully reattaching to it's original position. I want to keep the shield for it's intended purpose. Has anyone cut the bolts shorter, say a 1/2 - 3/4 inch shorter?

 

[350outrage]

I removed the double female seat belts from the bench seats and attached them to the seat base. I "slid" them through the original slot/opening for the female ends of the sienna plastic, and then under the seat. Attached using 1/2 inch grade 8 bolts. Now I need to attach the "secondary clip" for the outside most seat. I'm thinking of mounting it horizontal instead of vertical since I don't have the capabilities of reforming the bracket or altering it in anyway.

I've got the holes drilled for the outside most seat track, the body "shield" is loose enough to get my hands in there to tighten the bolts. Thankfully I have long skinny arms to maneuver around in there. Since the bolts are too long, I'm trying to figure out how I will handle. The bolts would preclude the shield from fully reattaching to it's original position. I want to keep the shield for it's intended purpose. Has anyone cut the bolts shorter, say a 1/2 - 3/4 inch shorter?

I haven't shortened these particular bolts, but I've done it many times on other projects. Just cut the bolt with sawzall or hacksaw, grind off any burrs, making a slight bevel for the starter thread, test it out/clean it with appropriate nut or female die, and you're ready to roll.

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

Careful in the West -

To all you who are out west, and those in NC where a few pesky eastern fires are burning...
Be careful in your adventures. It is really heating up and it's DRY. Fire danger is extremely high and the littlest spark can start an inferno.
Be cognizant of your surroundings, your equipment and keep an eye on the weather forecasts.
Fire behavior can change rapidly which can result in extreme smoke miles from where the fire is located and can close escape routes.

Check http://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/nfn.htm prior to your end of summer adventures.
One quick fact: to date, more acreage has burned (more than double) than the same time in the last few years. This is a good indicator of things to come.

 

[bknudtsen]

To add to that point, Western Washington (well known for its rain) has had brush fires almost everyday on the freeway medians and shoulders for weeks now. It is nuts!

 

[CrabbyMcNab]

To add to that point, Western Washington (well known for its rain) has had brush fires almost everyday on the freeway medians and shoulders for weeks now. It is nuts!

My buddy just went out to Northern California to help out. You know it's bad when resources from the east are called.
I do miss it, one of the greatest jobs I had.