Thread: Gutless wonder

Originally Posted by snowbound

Hi Garry

I have "Rangella" booked in to Gas Tune on your recommendation. I have suggested that they tune it just for Gas (As advised in this thread) but they are confident that they can get it to run sweet on either. I know these guys are pro's but so are some of our forum members, some of whom I would describe as experts even, on Landies at least! I may start another thread even to canvass thoughts out there.

Cheers!

Jez

Originally Posted by garrycol

Gas Tune in Tuggers are pretty good.They set mine up three years ago and it is still running fine - no noticeable difference on gas or petrol - I have 9 degree BTDC set up with standard heat petrol Plugs.

Garry

I have cancelled my booking with Gas tune as a mate has had more recent bad experience with them. i now have it booked in at Belconnen with the guys who apparently know my vehicle. i have printed off the advice gained on this forum for their guidance.

Originally Posted by bee utey

Tune the bloody thing for gas, then try again. Properly set up gas should lose less than 10% over petrol on average, and most of that at high rpm only. Spark plugs should be 1 step colder than petrol, the gap set to 0.7mm, timing advance put forward to about 10 degrees at idle, then adjust the gas flow for full load.

Took "Rangella" in for her tune this morning, complete with a print of this blog ( would trust in the knowledge of the knowledgeable ones on here over a general mechanic) However, they have called me to say that the gas regulator is way to small for the V8 and a bigger one is required. Cost not much change from $1000. Given that she is only a weekend car I have advised to just tune for petrol and I will decide if I am to rip the gas out altogether as it will take for ever to recoup that sort of savings given the mileage that I won't be doing. Thoughts guys?

Originally Posted by snowbound

Took "Rangella" in for her tune this morning, complete with a print of this blog ( would trust in the knowledge of the knowledgeable ones on here over a general mechanic) However, they have called me to say that the gas regulator is way to small for the V8 and a bigger one is required. Cost not much change from $1000. Given that she is only a weekend car I have advised to just tune for petrol and I will decide if I am to rip the gas out altogether as it will take for ever to recoup that sort of savings given the mileage that I won't be doing. Thoughts guys?

You should have gone to Gas Tune - a new one for my 3.5 was $250.

Garry

Interesting. .. Thats the third 3.5 I know of that has a small convertor. Just so you know it's easy to buy and install a convertor, but of course frowned upon, just sayin.

Dad had a 77 with one too small, made the world of difference with w larger one on there, and better economy too.

A "too small" converter will usually work fine until you reach its gas flow limit, so you limit the revs not the bottom end power. Converters are common on ebay, start by telling us what's on yer truck and someone will find you a suitable replacement.

So, maybe delay ripping the tank out just yet I think. also petrol prices are said to be about to soar!

Thank you all.

So, just got got a call from the workshop whom I tasked with tuning my truck. It was sold to me as having a fully rebuilt motor about 34K ago. I'm advise that either I was lied to, or whoever did it did a crap job! I have low compression on one bank, the dizzy is stuffed, at least one cam shaft is stuffed, plugs are gunging up and the carbies are pretty ordinary too. I wonder why it lacked power? Clearly I am not very happy right now, but what do I do? I am going to pick it up shortly and have another chat with the mechanic and will have to make some decissions I guess, maybe not right away but soon I suppose. Sell it, to cut my losses (cost me $4000 so far to buy and get through rego) do I rebuild the V8, and fit 4 port inlet manifold with hollies (as mechanic advises) or maybe find a diesel donk for her? What costs are involved I wonder?

Spark plugs can be replaced fairly easily and cheaply so start here.
The dizzy is fairly easy to replace with a good second hand one (Might also be a time to look at BeeUtey's Bosch ignition module upgrade), or it may just need a clean out chances are it hasnt being "oiled" when serviced and has gummed up.
If you have Strombergs/SU's replacing them with a Holley more often than not is a step backwards especially if your using it for 4x4ing. But if you running on gas it doesnt matter if its a bit poor on fuel you only need to make it to the next servo ... So maybe dont worry about the carbs in the short term
Its a push rod v8 so you only have one camshaft so I fail to see how "atleast one" is worn out.
Low compression on one cylinder is another matter but if I were you start simple (Spark Plugs/Dizzy) and see how you go from there.