Fired up the Ramcharger Last Night!

-
ramcharger

ramcharger

Dismember
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
14,081
Reaction score
489
Location
Colorado
Broke in the cam last night at 10:00 pm and all is well! :cheers: The oil is still so clean that its very difficult to read the level. It's a Crane cam rated @ 216/224 degrees of duration @ .050 lift. and I'm using 1.6 ratio roller rockers. I used the goo that Crane supplies on the cam itself and Valvoline VR-1. When warm I'm running 55 psi of oil pressure at idle. My only concern is that I feel that I should be running more vacuum at idle as I'm only getting about 12 inches at 900 rpm.

The engine sounds freakin' great and the response is instant. I have no video camera so I can't post it, dammit!
 
Thanks Thrash! I was thinking that I should be running 14 to 16 inches with this small of a cam, emperically speaking, but it idles smooth and sounds great. The whole damn truck twists 6" to one side when I whack the throttle to 3000 rpm. I think this thing is going to be a serious mid-range torque monster, which is exactly what I was shooting for. My goal was 350+ hp and as much torque as possible in a easy to manage daily driver. I can't wait to get this sucker on the road. Should only be a couple weeks away.

BTW, if any Colorado members should happen to have a video camera and a half hour to spare this weekend, the beers on me!
 
Great news ramcharger!!:cheers:
I have to put this in my calendar, The day you woke up the beast.:blob:
I wish I could help on a video and a sound bite.
I have shown your site to allot of my family and friends.
Could you up date me on the parts you are still needing for
your ramcharger? Seems like you are needing some int.parts still.:scratch:

I wish it was later in the evening I would bop a top and cheers to ya.
Did you get your hart rate when it first fired up.:bom:

Congratulations on a job well dun sir:thumleft:
 
Thanks Mike! Wish you were here so we could share a couple of cold ones!

I found a '79 that someone was parting out, so I've got just about everything I need. I do need the little inspection cover on the 727 tranny that's held on by two small bolts. I can't find the original one anywhere. It must've grown legs and ran off. :sad8:

Thanks 340! Gone are my aspirations of winning 3rd runner up in a crappy local car show, lol! I have to get this together NOW, as I'm moving into my new house at the end of the month. It's orange, black and primer and looks scary as hell right now. At least people will get out of my way when they see this sucker.

I'm really looking foward to having the Duster in my new shop though. Here in Colorado, to get antique plates I only need one emission test and then it never needs to be tested again. I'll do a quicky engine rebuild on the existing 360, get it titled and plated then start on it from the ground up.
 
Are you talking about the fly wheel cover?
 
It's actually an inspection cover that's screwed to the flywheel cover. It's maybe 4" x 2" and held on by two little 5/16" head screws if I recall correctly. It's mounted on the flywheel cover at the 6 O'clock position.
 
vacuum seems a little low compared to mine. I get 11-12 with a 244 duration cam @900rpm. maybe you can adjust the timing a tick. I know you'll have it where you want soon.

happy you got fireworks :)
 
daves66valiant said:
vacuum seems a little low compared to mine. I get 11-12 with a 244 duration cam @900rpm. maybe you can adjust the timing a tick. I know you'll have it where you want soon.

happy you got fireworks :)
Click to expand...

Seems low to me too Dave. Total timing is set to 35 degrees, I don't want to bring it any higher than that. Idle mixture is set to highest vacuum possible at idle. Maybe I've got the valves set a bit too tight, I'll check them again this weekend. I was very careful to set them at zero then another 3/4 turn down.

Then again, it could be my gauge. It's got to be 20 years old. I think I'll check it with my vacuum pump tonight before I do anything. It's the Occam's Razor way of troubleshooting, "All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best."
 
ramcharger said:
It's actually an inspection cover that's screwed to the flywheel cover. It's maybe 4" x 2" and held on by two little 5/16" head screws if I recall correctly. It's mounted on the flywheel cover at the 6 O'clock position.
Click to expand...

I know now what you are talking about. :cheers:
I have to go to the old home place and get a parts washing tub, so if
I see one I will pick it up.
Have a good one ramcharger
I am on my way out side to change the oil in my new 83 ram 150.
 
No problem Mike and thanks for looking. I know the Duster has an auto but I'm not sure if it's a 727 or a 904. I might steal a cover off of it or just cut one out of sheet metal.

I just installed my B&M Truck Megashifter last night. All the mechanicals are in, I just have to cut the console to fit the hump.
 
or just cut one out of sheet metal.

From some of your handy work I have seen of yours,:read2:
That would be easy for you.:cheers:

Sounds like you are getting allot dun ramcharger.=P~
keep us up dated on this grade A truck:cheers:
 
Wow....great to hear you got it running! I have a dig camera that takes video...maybe I can get a hall pass this weekend!
Joel
 
Slanted66 said:
Wow....great to hear you got it running! I have a dig camera that takes video...maybe I can get a hall pass this weekend!
Joel
Click to expand...

That would be great Joel!! Go over to ramchagers and fix him up and get one of yours too. :cheers:
 
Sounds good slanted! Still have my number? If not PM me.

Mike, it's supposed to be nice this weekend. Maybe Joel will drive the Dart over. I wouldn't mind hearing what his slant sounds like too!
 
Same here to ramcharger!! take a good close picture and sound clip of his manifold side please.:cheers:

46.jpg
 
Time to make sure the cooler is full ramcharger!
help is on its way.:cheers:
 
Ram...I am not sure if I will be able to get up there tomorrow and Sunday is out. I will call if I can sneak over tomorrow afternoon.
 
Slanted, no problem. Life has a way of changing our plans for us. Get a clip of your Dart for Mike and I though. We's both like to hear that Dart run!

Doctor x: Thanks! A PM is on your way. Supposed to be nice tommorow, what kind of beer do you like? Don't worry, I won't take up your whole day. A few minutes of video and some Mopar talk over a couple of brews. Thanks again for your help.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Similar threads

RustyRatRod
Flat Tappet Camshaft Replacement
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
Kern Dog
Kern Dog
WarHammer
Choking Out
Replies
24
Views
708
toolmanmike
toolmanmike
D
Car Programs
Replies
11
Views
613
340six
340six
RustyRatRod
This Ain't Mopar....
2 3 4 5
Replies
107
Views
5K
SpeedThrills
SpeedThrills
D
Can use some Thermostat and Rad Cap advice
Replies
18
Views
498
abodyjoe
abodyjoe
Back
Top Bottom