1986 Ambulance revival

[ribbert]

Incidentally, is there a reason that the splitter has to be a Y and can't be a T?

The line routing can be altered to suit your comfort. So a T vs. a Y is not a problem as long as it all fits under the tank and allows the fuel to flow. The air box adds to this challenge as it eats up some room that could be used for alternate line routing. If you find a way to make it work and it does not affect your safety then I say go with it.

Excellent advice!

The angle or number of the fittings has no effect on flow as fuel is only required at a trickle.

Just use an appropriate fuel line for the application.

Noel

[JPaganel]

And she runs.  



This is what the permanent extra ground looks like - red wire grounded to a screw on the frame (replaced with a stainless one).



This resolved both the running issues caused by weak spark and the blinking dash.

I think the issue is that some stuff is grounded tot he engine, some stuff to the frame, and some to the subframe. These three pieces don't necessarily have good contact once you have a bit of corrosion in the threads.


This is how I made the Viton hose work.



5/16 Viton hose is exactly like the OEM hose. However, it's not molded. It makes bends fine except the circle around the carb hat. I resolved this by running it inside a spring, which prevents it from collapsing. One important consideration is not leaving the end that goes on the petcock too long - that is guaranteed to pinch if you do.

Also, I put some stainless safety wire on the petcock before putting it all back together.


Bike runs and drives pretty well. There are slight issues with idle. It's a little high at 1500 RPM and there is some stumbling at lower speeds. I think I might need a new set of plugs and maybe to play with mixture screws. I'm sure they've been messed with.

One other thing I did last night is disconnect the anti-dives. Brakes were mushy and one of the fittings showed signs of a leak. Much better brakes now. Will be better still when i get the 89 fork on it.

[FJmonkey]

Awesome, I love hearing things getting fix and working properly again. Good fix with spring and hose.

[Arnie]

Good to hear that the extra ground fixed a bunch of your "issues".
I'd want to replace that RED wire with a BLACK or GREEN one though.
RED is generally +V while BLACK or GREEN is generally ground/earth.
It won't matter for you (as long as your memory holds out), but any
future owner or auto-electrician may be cursing you if you leave it RED.

[ribbert]

This is how I made the Viton hose work.

Excellent fix!!  The later bikes use the same thing.

Well done.

Noel

[JPaganel]

I'd want to replace that RED wire with a BLACK or GREEN one though.
RED is generally +V while BLACK or GREEN is generally ground/earth.
It won't matter for you (as long as your memory holds out), but any
future owner or auto-electrician may be cursing you if you leave it RED.

Red was the only 10ga wire I had. I would like it to be black, and maybe to attach it to the terminal differently.

Excellent fix!!  The later bikes use the same thing.

Well done.

Noel

Same kind of hose? I thought the fuel pump used a smaller line.

[ribbert]

Same kind of hose? I thought the fuel pump used a smaller line.

I was just referring to the use of the spring to stop it kinking, not the actual hose.

Noel

[JPaganel]

I was just referring to the use of the spring to stop it kinking, not the actual hose.

Noel

Huh. I had no idea.