Carbon Buildup and Stuck Valves

[ilvracn]

i agree, california regs are terrible, cat prices are rediculous. i'm in iowa, so i'm far enough away from cali, i don't have to deal with those cars much. some vehicles cats cost more than the car is worth.

[TJ's GMC]

CA is pretty much The worst state to live in. Just look at their political views(far as I go). And they think that stricter gun control is gonna help....Really?

The main issue I've have with cats is that it takes the sound away from the exhaust system. The new camaros supposedly have high flow cats in them.....still they are way to quiet. Heck, my 305 is louder than they are!

[bigblockv6]

It's because the new Camaro's run 4 converters along with quiet mufflers My 02 Trans Am has two converters and an aftermarket Bassani True Dual Exhaust with X pipe and it's plenty loud

[TJ's GMC]

Originally Posted by bigblockv6

It's because the new Camaro's run 4 converters along with quiet mufflers My 02 Trans Am has two converters and an aftermarket Bassani True Dual Exhaust with X pipe and it's plenty loud

Ah ok. 4 cats? Sheesh!

[br-549]

So let me give an update and attempt to but this post back on track. We have removed both fuel tanks from the bus and they are both on pretty bad shape. The main tank feel like there is prop 2-3 pounds of tar sludge sliding around. My original plan was to use a chemicals and then a steam jenny to clean the tanks via the sending unit holes but as my luck would have it there are 2 baffles/ 3 chambers to each tank. The plan now is to cut access ports to properly clean the tanks and then make steel plates to seal them back using gaskets and screws. The sending units are also toast- the are AC brand model C if anyone has some spares. So, in a nut shell, i do believe that the tar/varnish in the tanks is what caused the valves to stick. Thanks for your insight and assistance. JA

[tommr]

BR the valves sticking on the cold start is classic varnished up guides. When the engine is hot everything moves but when it cools down the guides get very tight. Fresh fuel on top of the tar sludge was probably sending "thickened" fuel to the engine. The 401 in our 47 Clipper sat for 24 years in a barn. Had tarred up lines but tanks were pretty much just rust. Eventually had the tanks blasted inside and out and coated inside and out. Google up gas tank repair or recoating and you will see outfits offering the service. Ours have been good since doing them in 2004. Sounds like we have the same baffled 42 gal tanks. We did Myrtle Beach, SC last week of June. Did the 625 mile return to Philadelphia in 1 day. Glad you made your OH trip.

[br-549]

Hey, Always great to hear from another FLX owner! Great looking bus! You don't see many any more with the original seats. Are you a member of the Flxible Owners International? If not you need to join us. We have a rally in Loudonville Oh every even year in July. email me at jerry.ashley28694@gmail.com for information.

We have the tanks out of the bus. I drilled 2 four inch holes in the top of one tank. It is terrible inside. I am looking into having new tanks made. They did not leak but these would never stand being sand blasted. there is about 2 inches of tar, rust and crud in the bottom and are paper thin. I don't know how it even ran. Thanks for the reply. Take Care, ja

[tommr]

Hi Jerry. if the tanks are thinned out you probably don't have much choice but to build new ones. There may be a universal style available that would physically fit the space but you might lose some capacity. Ive seen the OH event but its a conflict with Baseball stuff. Our bus was originally a Warner Bros Studio fleet unit that was driven East in the early 70s and parked in a barn. That's why the interior is intact. Stitched in new sides on the backrests and new foam last year. Did full exterior LED lighting this past winter/spring. New lighting harnesses as well. Original harnesses throughout were aluminum wire and had tons of issues. Eliminating old light wiring was a huge help. Inspecting and repairing engine and dash wiring as needed. It will get a better dash layout and complete rewire when it gets re engine. The fun doesn't end. Tom