GMC Motorhome, FiTech install process

Sure seems like the word has hit a note, many of you are asking more questions about these new self learning fuel injection systems.  Hey and I call it good reason, it only took me 26 years to finally understand that, technical progress (self learning systems) AND marketing has brought us what we need to keep our vintage vehicles on the road.  Hey and I’m talking about all of them!  You have an old vintage car you really enjoy but the dang thing sputters, spits, vapor locks and basically you feel like there’s a Gremlin (no offence to you AMCers) under your hood that goes with you everywhere……. is that you?  Then do this!

I’ve had many contact us interested in some sort of a guide as to what we’re finding as a good installation of the FiTech kit.  I’d like to offer that but I’ve maintained when will I get time to do that!  I mean time is money……. do I work on a coach or put together an install manual?  Hey….. lets do both!  Call the past couple of post in my archives (they have “FiTech” in their daily titles) the first couple of chapters and print out each “daily pose” post (with “FiTech” in the daily title) as another.  I’ll explain what we do during this installation……… you can have it that way, watch us do one….. hey and if you appreciate that we’re offering this information in print and maybe even doing a couple of “Motorhome Rehab Ranch” videos…….. recognize that by signing up and be a “Ranch Hand”.  Supporters of the Co-op can have it for free…. everyone else too for that matter….. hey but I DO appreciate your support……. 

I’ll put the labor expense (time) out of the Motorhome Rehab Ranch budget….. the CPA can’t yell at me now!

OK so lets get into this next procedure offering:

From the last episode we found it’s really important to verify the condition of the motor BEFORE attempting to add the FiTech or any modification like a fuel injection system.  You saw this original, well kept motor was totally full of cooked oil carbon deposits which would have destroyed this motor if left in there.  This is important….DO NOT skip this step thinking your motor is fine!

In fact after seeing the inside of the motor we backed up yesterday, pulled off the mechanical fuel pump block-off plate to really suspect the motors timing chain.  Now remember, this coach drove in fine and really other than some belts, hoses and a radiator we were happy with it’s performance and good compression!  We already had the radiator in….. good thing we had modified the radiator support bracket to make it a snap to remove the radiator in the future!  The future is now so popping out the radiator was the snap it should be    Note the brackets and bolts holding the lower core support up.  BTW, pulling out the fuel pump blockoff plate for a quick timing chain check, dude…. wait til you see THIS!

So back in we went, we had replaced the green radiator and the fan clutch was leaking…. removing all that, Kaitlyn pulled off the water pump the coach came in with…. you can see the “weep hole” there on the snout (water pump is shown upside down) has no residue line so we were going to leave it in…….  Now that it’s on the ground it’s cheap to just install a new one…. good thing we’re doing that, somehow rust had startet to form on the inside of that pump…. check it out    wonder what problem THAT would have caused down the road!  Then she…. and yes, I have a certified diesel “she” mechanic….. and her boyfriend is my other mechanic!  We’re keeping it in the family!    Anyway, pulling the timing chain cover you could see the original plastic timing chain still on duty    Checking the chain tension Kaitlyn found this  So guys, what can I tell ya…… Step 1: on your FiTech install is pulling your intake, blocking off the exhaust crossover with Stainless steel block-off plates (we have them) and sealing back down the intake manifold with Parmatex “Ultra grey” sealant and a Mr. Gasket “fiber intake gasket set (we have those too)…. get that damn heat away from your new FiTech doo-dad and get all those Keeblers out of the motor!  STEP 2:  Replace your radiator if it’s green with a 4 row, 14 fin per inch high efficiency core, install a new Hayden 2747 (heavy duty) fan clutch, pull off the timing cover and replace your chain with a Cloyes 9-3113 “double roller” timing chain.  This will also replace your front main seal in the Felpro timing chain gasket set (we’ve got that too).

Hey, you can get all that stuff locally and it’s fine if you do.  If any of it seems hard to find I’ll send it to ya.. cost are @ the same… honestly!

Step 3:   Get your intake manifold cleaned and magna-flux checked for cracks  .  Now the crack is still there… look closely   but reinstalling this original cast intake properly with these .

So cleaned, checked and painted in our colors Marlin’s intake is ready to install    Lets end today’s offering to the FiTech Gods.  Next I’ll show you bedding down the intake and some welding you’ll need to get done…….. see ya then

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