Moore_rb's 66 Ebay Patrol (re)build thread

[moore_rb]

It's 6pm... I'm done with work for the day, I've got this Patrol that doesn't have a steering wheel, and I've got this refurbished steering wheel that doesn't have a Patrol...

But its 108 F outside (it topped at 115 F today, or 46.1 C for you Oz-landers) with NO BREEZE in the air, and I have about as much motivation as this bottle of suds I'm sucking down...

Looks like my Patrol project is going to be on "pause" for a few days until the next break in this heat... The rest of the week is supposed to be unholy like this...

[jwgreen]

It's 6pm... I'm done with work for the day, I've got this Patrol that doesn't have a steering wheel, and I've got this refurbished steering wheel that doesn't have a Patrol...

But its 108 F outside (it topped at 115 F today, or 46.1 C for you Oz-landers) with NO BREEZE in the air, and I have about as much motivation as this bottle of suds I'm sucking down...

Looks like my Patrol project is going to be on "pause" for a few days until the next break in this heat... The rest of the week is supposed to be unholy like this...

But it's a dry heat though!!!

Come enjoy some Texas heat/humidity!!!!

[miller]

Ooh that sounds toasty! Given its bloody freezing here at the moment I might need to jump a flight to AZ and assist in the motivation

[moore_rb]

Got my steering wheel re-mounted, gave the Patrol a driveway "tape measure" alignment, and fired it up to go for a ride. Even took the kids for a short spin up the block and back...

Topped it up at about 35 MPH, and no signs of driveline vibration- suspension is also smooth

But, all is not well - Once it is fully warmed up, it has a tendency to just randomly die - it could be idling, then dead suddenly, or driving along, then dead.

starting it back up is always difficult unless I hold the throttle wide open while cranking, but it is not showing any other signs of flooding out (no black smoke, etc)

So, I'll start with the carb and check the floats, and the needle & seat, etc... I'll also throw the rebuilt fuel pump on it and see if that helps.

[Toads Patrol]

A definite lack of fuel or if it's as hot as you say then vapor lock. Vapor lock being rare in a Patrol but that's a classic symptom. See how your fuel lines are routed. Look to the carb next and make sure float is not sticking. If you are brave put a capful of gas down the throat if it starts right away and then dies you have a fuel issue. Rochester or Hitachi? Fuel pump problems ae usually not temp related. How about the choke? Does it have any help in starting the engine when warm?
A last thought. What is your gas tank like. If there is rust and crap in it then it is like a sponge that collapses and blocks the fuel inlet slowly. The engine starts and you drive around and it stops. Hours later it's like nothing happened and the story repeats. Blow compressed air back through the line to clean it out and see if that helps in the short term. Also replace any fuel filter.
The problem should be easily fixable it's just a 60s truck. Frustrating eh? The beauty is that once a Patrol is back to its norm it's a touch on the starter in all seasons.

[bosque]

But, all is not well - Once it is fully warmed up, it has a tendency to just randomly die - it could be idling, then dead suddenly, or driving along, then dead.

So, I'll start with the carb and check the floats, and the needle & seat, etc... I'll also throw the rebuilt fuel pump on it and see if that helps.

It does sound like lack fuel and we have seen so many folks working hard on their Patrols right now. One common thing I keep hearing is the gas tanks being a bit rusty or worse. No big...they can be fixed but before you gunk up a fresh rebuilt pump, $105, change the filter and really gauge how long it takes to get red or brown....that gave me an idea of how bad my tank was. I also like the Mr. Gasket 12S electric pump, $40, back near the tank, with filter because it can be set up as a back up to the mechanical or visa versa....but at this testing stage it can help answer some Q's . I just bought a clear filter for this purpose and to replace the metal housed one it normally has.

[moore_rb]

I know it's not the gas tank (page 8 of this thread told me so... )

vapor lock is a legitimate possibility in this 105+ heat , especially if this crusty old fuel pump isn't keeping the fuel pressure up above 3psi

I've also got another recently rebuilt Rochester carb on my other Patrol - I might swap them out just to test - that Patrol will be getting a Weber 2 barrel anyway...

[Toads Patrol]

Couple of more (helpful) comments:

seeing Page 8 and the gas tank cleanout and refinish makes me think there could be trouble in the gas tank. It was VERY rusty inside, flaky rust it looked like as if water had gotten into the tank.
here is a picture of my SRL311 tank dropped from the frame.

IMG_0101.JPG

There were two problems, one obvious and one hidden. The obvious one was that the tank needed to be sealed. Not that it was leaking but that the interior condition was degraded enough that a cleanout and seal were warranted. I've learned this hard lesson from other older cars and especially steel tanks on motorcycles. Your Patrol tank looked a lot worse on the inside and although you cleaned it well there is no stopping continued shedding of rust particles and chips. just an observation.
Second problem with the Roadster tank was that the steel fuel pickup tube from the bottom of the tank to the gasoline line fitting (on right side of pict) was nearly clogged like a clogged artery. Compressed air would not do it, it took a mini drain router apparatus made from a motorcycle clutch cable and a hand drill. Then blew it out - oh the smell!
So in summary I still suspect that there is blockage of fuel from the tank to the fuel pump, or a very weak fuel pump. This would lead to blocked fuel delivery, or as you said vapor lock.
A properly running fuel system should not have vapor lock problems, 105 deg days were not uncommon in China Lake.

[moore_rb]

Well....

The good news is that I am 99% sure I have found (and solved) the problem. I will know 100% later this evening when it cools down enough for me to go take an extended test drive.

The bad news is that NONE of us earned our title of "World's Greatest Internet Patrol Troubleshooter" today.

Each of us was wrong... it was the coil

[Toads Patrol]

I hope you have vapor lock and starve to death in some arroyo far in the desert. Send a last post via a Gila monster or roadrunner or whatever desert critter offers its services to you.