My 69 Coronet project

[CoronetDarter]

Backtracking to the EFI install: I posted my install on the FiTech thread, starts on Post 70

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/fitech-efi.98175/page-4#post-910464284

The first time I fired up the engine it wouldn't run more than a couple seconds. Went into the Setup Wizard on the handheld, realized I had set cold idle to 25 RPM instead of 800; makes a difference. Reset and the engine fired right up. It ran rough and wanted to die when shifted into gear, but the ECU keeps learning. Since then I've driven the car about 30 miles total. Not a lot of miles yet, but it runs smooth. The combo of beefy suspension pieces and gusseting the K member really tightened up the front end. And the Bilsteins ride nice! Add in the Firm Feel p/s box and the Coronet really does drive as good as a newer car. The car show on Sat is about 30 miles away; should be a good test.

And i'd be remiss if I didn't throw a shout out to Hawk for talking me through the EFI ignition install. And thanks too to Devin (747 Mopar) for helping me out on the Lokar setup. FBBO members are awesome!

 

[CoronetDarter]

Working late on the car getting ready for the show. The grille that originally came with the car was painted all black; i have an extra grille that is painted argent around the perimeter but was unpainted in the middle. Painted it with SEM Trim Black, stuck on an R/T emblem and finally got a front grille.

 

[747mopar]

I'm doing a post on the EFI install under a different thread; I'll link it to this one when I'm done. And thanks for your help on the Lokar install - it went pretty smooth.

I'll keep my eyes open, I'm a stubborn one that hates to give into a computer vs a screwdriver for tuning but really like some of the benefits of EFI. I'm just glad that it went smooth with some of the issues orhers have had with installing them.

You'll love the A/C. Just installed mine this spring, 30 degrees at the vents although I really have a hard time rolling up the window where I can't listen to that BB rumble haha. One piece of advice is don't settle for less, I've been scrutinizing every little thing since putting mine on the road and have finally got it to the point that there's no will to drive any other car but it. Had the alignment guy tell me "those cars just drove like that" when I complained about the alignment which is B.S. and then other little quirks that slowly got ironed out. Point is it's easy to call them done but staying on it pays off when it comes to confidence and enjoyability.

 

[Darius]

See you tomorrow Rich! Dennis and I are going to Sac CDJR on Fulton after the park for another show.....thinking they need some REAL Mopar Muscle at this event!

 

[747mopar]

See you tomorrow Rich! Dennis and I are going to Sac CDJR on Fulton after the park for another show.....thinking they need some REAL Mopar Muscle at this event!

I'd love to see yours in person and think I'd enjoy meating Dennis, sounds like he knows how to enjoy his car and not just look at it. Have fun guys.

 

[CoronetDarter]

See you tomorrow Rich! Dennis and I are going to Sac CDJR on Fulton after the park for another show.....thinking they need some REAL Mopar Muscle at this event!

I'm planning on hitting the later show too.

 

[Dennis H]

Maiden Voyage! Sacramento, California. Congrats Rich. You and Maria are the best. Car looks stunning in the sun.

 

[CoronetDarter]

Yep, a picture is worth a thousand lies.

 

[Dennis H]

A crowd circled the car when Rich pulled in.

 

[440+6]

As they should!

 

[CoronetDarter]

View attachment 345586 Maiden Voyage! Sacramento, California. Congrats Rich. You and Maria are the best. Car looks stunning in the sun.

Love those rear-end shots (not yours Darius)

 

[CoronetDarter]

View attachment 345588 A crowd circled the car when Rich pulled in.

FI is the hot topic. Apparently FiTech is gaining momentum 'cause most people I talked to had heard of them already.

 

[747mopar]

Looks great Rich, she's a beauty for sure.

 

[watermelon]

Awesome ride.

Congrats.

 

[themechanic]

Looks like all your hard work, patience, and dollars paid off.

Very nice. Job well done.

 

[CoronetDarter]

Maria and I took the car up to Auburn for their second Friday cruise night. For 32 years downtown Auburn has hosted a car show on the second Friday between May - Sep.
There were several Mopars out there; caught a few:



And then there's the Coronet



Now the bad:
The car is having cooling issues; ran into the same issue two weeks ago driving down to Mopars at the Park.
Cruising the 20 miles up to Auburn the coolant stays around 180* (I have the FiTech handheld inside the car so I can monitor the temp to the nearest degree).
Exited the freeway, drove 5 blocks to the cruise site, idled for about 8 - 9 minutes and the temp shot up to 212*. Outside temp was about 90*. Might've gone higher but as I was backing into my space the engine died. Last problem: engine wouldn't start; heat soak on the starter. Had to push the car back to the curb. Three hours later when we left, car fired right up, ran fine the entire way home. No traffic though at 8:00 pm.
First the cooling issue: brand new 26" copper core rad from Glen-Ray. 7 blade fan with a shroud; blades are about 1/2 in, 1/2 out of the shroud. Rubber insulation installed on hood, sealing the top of the radiator. Running 50/50 mix green coolant/distilled water; 180* Stat thermostat. Because the Classic Air a/c pump was interfering with the fan, had to use a spacer behind the fan. But now the fan base is only 2 1/4" from the radiator; even the 2765 Hayden clutch fan won't fit. There's about an 1" clearance between the fan tips and shroud; is that too much space? Looking through this site there's lots of members running a setup similar to mine, some with a clutch fan, and keeping their temps at or below 195*. I'm wondering what I'm missing.
Engine dying: it had to be fuel related; possibly vapor lock? The fuel line from the mechanical pump to the Fuel Command Center is draped across the top of the engine; possibly engine temp heated up the fuel line or filter enough to vapor lock.
I'm going to look into either elevating the fuel line off the engine with some kind of bracket or re-route the line across the bottom of the radiator over to the FCC.

Starter heat soak - happened at Mopars at the Park too. Got a new battery last week; 810 CCA, fires the engine right up when its cold or warm. But when it's hot the starter acts like the battery is almost dead. Excess voltage drop and/or heat soak in the starter solenoid. Not a lot of room with the headers but I guess I need to fab a heat shield for the starter. The batt is in the trunk, running 1/0 ga to the front; also need to check voltage drop. Any ideas from fellow FBBO members?

 

[Superfreak]

Have a look on page 2, there is a thread "Starting problems when car is hot" should help you out.

 

[themechanic]

Try using DEI heat shield on your fuel line and starter.

http://www.designengineering.com/products.asp

 

[CoronetDarter]

Try using DEI heat shield on your fuel line and starter.

http://www.designengineering.com/products.asp

Lots of good stuff here. Thanks.

 

[CoronetDarter]

Have a look on page 2, there is a thread "Starting problems when car is hot" should help you out.

Found the thread, exactly what I'm looking for. I'm going to do the voltage drop test, but also need to invest in a starter shield regardless. Summit has several to choose from.