Chevy K3500 4x4 454 (7.4) Dually engine tune-up summary

[@keithtreadwell7699]

Thank you for taking the time to show issues you found on your truck and detailed ways to fix them . I learned a lot . Some of your comments also had things I would have never known.

[@under_coverrr]

I have the 1997 vortec 454. Put a volant cai, jet maf, flow masters and hyper tech chipped it. Gas mileage is amazing and I raced a 5.7 dodge ram and a 6.2l GMC through WV mountains, Virginia and down to NC. They could not keep up. The driver's faces were hilarious. Mileage went from a poor 7 mpg in city to a 16mpg using premium

[@JDB-ru4lp]

Hey I have the same truck. Can you please put me on game. I want my build like yours!

[@iamtipzy658]

16?!? What kind of tires you runnin and what gear ratio?

[@under_coverrr]

@zy658 Stock 3:73 gears that came in the truck i believe and dynapro ATM P245/75R16 109T

[@stephendoing2253]

Hi, do you have a parts list on the parts you are recomended?

[@under_coverrr]

@@stephendoing2253 Nope, it's just tuned and it has a cold air intake. If you want to go mild then just do a simple cold air intake, long tube headers, no mufflers. Make sure it's a vortec tho since they make the most power

[@TheBusinessRoom]

Nice truck ! I love these 454 duallys. I have a 1998 K3500 crew cab dually with the vortec 454. Just built a new 454 for it with ported heads, bigger Cam, long tube headers. Still working on it. Had the truck for 8 years as a daily and it’s been great. Just guzzles gas lol

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Hey - Thanks! Curious how you engine turns out. Would like to do the same for my truck at some point. Let me know how it turns out.

[@oddlyrightoddlyright2475]

@@petermuehlbronner8431 open the exhaust that’s about it…..beyond that get a diesel…..I cannot believe the performance/mileage my 6.0 powerstroke gets…set the cruise at 70 she won’t even shift down climbing hills…I’m here because I’m considering buying a deceased relatives Chevy 3500 for a work truck

[@Phuq_it]

How do you keep it cool?

[@billclisham8668]

You can usually find the factory repair manuals that the dealerships use for vehicles on Ebay that have the complete wiring diagrams and very detailed specs on everything where the Chilton and Haynes manuals usually cover the basics over several years. I even found one for a 1973 C60 Chevy truck I bought a few years ago. The peanut port heads are exactly what you want for a truck that you will be towing with, they build great torque for heavy load hauling.

[@urbanburbanadventure7124]

You should definitely do a towing video with this truck!

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Maybe this fall!

[@watchmen7772]

I have the same truck same motor and injection system I felt my motor was lacking also I purchased a throttle body separator called chaos I noticed an improvement in fuel economy horsepower and torque for under 70 bucks

[@tr4x4]

I wish have those here in Brazil... Nice truck...😎

[@BigPawTivald]

I've owned (3) tbi 350s, no issues...my 1993 454tbi has been nothing but a headache. After replacing injectors, TPS, IAC,PCV, MAP and all 3 coolant sensors and their harnesses (plus grounds) it is still running like crap. I've replaced the ECM sensor (by the thermostat) and the temp gauge sensor (driver side) twice. Fuel pressure is 9-13 as it should be. 195 thermostat. I believe my timing is off, thats my last attempt. it was 8-12 advanced, had the shop time it and it still says 8 (i dont think they did the brown wire disconnect) Great vid and informative.

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Hey Sean - Play with the timing a bit. My truck has a Banks air filter and exhaust..... Banks suggested a different timing than the "factory".... I forget what it was but after playing with it a bit it ran much better.

[@jf4872]

Could be the timing chain teeth are worn and or tooth missing on the sprocket.

[@Phuq_it]

Timing chain, if a mechanic touches your truck it will be set at 8 degrees BTDC. 4degress BTDC is factory setting

[@BigPawTivald]

New distributor and alternator solved it.

[@donrussell1577]

With vehicle off.... disconnect the single wire that connects computer to distributor. Then turn vehicle on and set timing. With vehicle off re-connect single wire computer to distributor. Test drive.

[@jf4872]

Putting a T stat other than the 195 rated will mess with the ECM fuel table. Causing it to run richer and lower MPGs.

[@t.l.robinson2162]

Eldelbrock sells a multiport injection kit. It really wakes this engine up.

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

I'd love more torque but it runs very well stock so I'm hesitant to mess with it.

[@Anthony-bt2vo]

Would love to see more about this truck love it I have one just like it. Abs love how did it do after all that u did to it ?

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Hey Anthony. After finishing up the work the truck runs quite a bit better. Smooth idle, good throttle response, no more oil leaks, additional items I did were a new alternator as the older one was not charging well, I replaced the o2 sensor as well. The trans even shifts better as it relies on one or more sensors for info. Very happy overall. It's now my daily driver as I just like driving it!

[@NoMonkeyBizz]

Did u add more power

[@brad2701]

I may buy a truck like that but great video sir

[@stephendoing2253]

Nice truck. I would ditch the TBI...

[@baderrammal6537]

What is the purpose of the small cooler hose (5/8") that goes from the water pump to the thermostat housing?

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

I believe that would be a coolant bypass hose for when the thermostat is closed.

[@Mrbfgray]

If they specify 195 thermostat that's what I use, you won't get better cooling from a 165 you'll only get an engine running too cool most of the time. When it get's hot a 195 is just as OPEN as a 165.

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Hey Bo - Funny as I recently went back to a 195 TSTAT as the truck was running very cool all the time with little heat output as well. With the 195 it seems to run too hot but I really dont trust the dash gauge..... so just keep an eye on it for now. Thanks.

[@jf4872]

@@petermuehlbronner8431 They ran em hot during that era (smog nazis) and the dash gauge was not very accurate. Use an IR temp gun on the T housing and you'll often see the dash gauge 20-40 degrees higher than the housing.

[@Phuq_it]

@@petermuehlbronner8431 how hot?? 220? 230? Mine runs 220 225 in Arizona summer. Towing it runs 260. Your clutch fan doesn’t fully open until 235. If you have a severe duty that thing will give off 11000 cfm at full engagement. Im full stock no after market stuff yet but I can’t run my ac because 240 is too hot for a rebuilt 454.

[@Phuq_it]

@@jf4872 yes your right but the sender is in the heads. Those are correct temperatures and the intake is 20 degrees cooler. So the intake manifold is 205 then add 20. If the upper radiator hose is 195 add 30 because the hose is thick. Get right behind the thermostat housing and that’s the intake risers and she’ll give you the correct temperature. That’s coming straight from the block and if it’s 240 or more you better believe it. I’ve had this truck for 7 years in the Arizona desert summer and it gets hot. Never popped a head gasket but I’ve melted a few wires, overflow tank and the batteries do not like heat. There’s a wire that runs from the coil to the starter. It needs wrapped with heat shield tape and then wrapped with electric tape to stop heat soak on starter. It gets so hot it won’t carry a current . Did that 6 years ago and I’ve never had a heat soak problem since.

[@jf4872]

@@Phuq_it That is normal behavior. be sure and run 60 percent distilled water vs coolant. Water cools better than coolant. Also flush via the backside of the radiator with a soft psi hose.

[@DavidJames-ev9qo]

Behind the tbi there's a vac uum port in the center between the two fuel lines. Is that capped off on yours? I just got a truck and it's exposed.

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Mine appears to have a hose on it.... not sure where it goes.

[@Phuq_it]

Don’t cap it. It’s very important and will cause a major vacuum leak

[@jgf-u6e]

what type transmission

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

4L80-E

[@cumulusvapes7]

You would never get that truck here for $2500(id say do the visors.. and 5th wheel gate, more like 5-6g here). I JUST got one, its alot rougher.. but(has a brand new trans), solid in the right parts and i paid $700. These trucks have fetched much much more, but.. Idk, the market is still weird on them! For the most part, they are super easy to build and pretty cheap parts wise! I think, its pretty logical, it will jump in value like the square body.. Just needs a lil more time..

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Yeah - I bought it as a package deal so the amount I paid was offset by the sale of the boat that came with the truck. I'm not thinking about selling so I don't really worry about what the market is doing. I know it will probably increase overtime.

[@cumulusvapes7]

@@petermuehlbronner8431 Yep, i have no plans to sell either, cant see why i would? Certainly not to buy a 90g truck and start hucking 5g parts at it, when it breaks! lol

[@Mr.WS6]

How much did you pay for it? I'm looking at one

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Hard to say. I bought the Truck, Trailer and Boat as a package deal. Paid 13K for all. Sold the Boat for 8K so I paid 5K for the truck and trailer. Trailer was worth around 2500 so I guess I paid about 2500 for the truck.

[@daltonmiller7532]

Those zip ties cut through those hoses yet?

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Interesting question..... I will take a look to see if any wear. I doubt it as the zip ties don't have a sharp edge and are not strangle tight.

[@daltonmiller7532]

It’s the constant vibration is all I worry about using them. Not against using zip ties. Just curious

[@biggun98056]

I have a 1993 suburban with the 454 I also think it a dog and been trying to figure out how to get more power out of it I’m starting to think moving towards a Ford F-150 with the 5.0 it has a lot more power then my 454 boat anchor gas hog and the ford gets better mileage I just having trouble justfing the price

[@criley2723]

How to spend all of your money on fuel with zero performance = tbi 454. I really wanted to like mine. 30k and 2 mechanics later, still runs like shit. No power, and no mpg.

[@michaelmay3137]

Raddiataor lol sorry i thought it was funny

[@petermuehlbronner8431]

Maybe a Philly thing😉

[@misterspot1552]

The reason why we don’t have diesel motorcycle is because of the way diesel have such low speed power. We biker’s need high power.