My 181 project pics

KAmes · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2016 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

I discovered this ethanol free gas last week in a town about 30 minutes away while I was fueling my diesel delivery truck. I suspect it's there because of a large marina that's nearby on an 11,000 acre artificial lake.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I've been driving the old gas out of the thing and today Julie and I drove there and filled up.

We drove the 30 minutes home mostly running 60 mph give or take, got the oil temp up to 210. Got home and put it straight in the garage and watched. Guess what? No gas smell, no dripping carbs. As usual after 15 or 20 minutes the carbs and manifolds were too hot to touch, no apparent gas boiling now. I'm not sure it's practical to drive there for gas all the time but I might more than not.

lqqkatjon · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 6:18 am Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

I drive plenty of old stuff.

http://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=IL

there is an app for that.

Ethanol free gas will solve 95% of your fuel problems.

KAmes · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 8:10 am Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

That's really interesting, thanks for the link. Indeed the station I was at is on that list. Ironically the sole Decatur, IL station, which is where I'm at, is the company that my grandfather sold our own fuel oil/diesel/gasoline retail business to when we went to propane only sales in the 80s. It's an unmanned credit card station that they operate next to their main facility. They have since become one of our major competitors for residential propane sales. I could actually buy it wholesale myself but I couldn't use it in the quantity I would have to buy it in and I don't want to get into selling it. The tax/regulation requirements for road use fuel are something I don't need in my life. We very occasionally sell some propane for road use and it's a pita.

hobie16 · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

We've had one station in town that sells ethanol free gas for a few years. I use it in the Thing and all the landscaping equipment.

Hawaii finally removed the ethanol requirement earlier this year because no one in the islands ever produced any. For some reason all the stations are still selling the power robbing crap.
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KAmes · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2016 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

I downloaded the pure gas app, kinda neat. Then I checked out the station in Decatur and there it is

Thats cool, thanks again! Very Happy

GI Joe · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 5:12 am Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

What a comparison for the pricing on that fuel!! Obviously one is priced Specifically for the lake folks! Lol....

On a brighter note, I used that website linked above and found a station closer to me, that carries "real gas"!!! I'll give them a shot, as the one I had been using must buy the "barely ethanol free" stuff.....

Everyone keep in mind, not all real gas is created equal! It can be anywhere from 0-9% ethanol, and still considered ethanol free..... So, if you try some and it just doesn't seem to be much better than the regular junk, then Please try another station, the benefits will be Very obvious when you find the good stuff!!
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KAmes · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 5:01 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

KAmes · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

New from The Thing Shop. Bumpers

For my bumpers

I didn't know I needed these. Glad I found out Wink

KAmes · Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2019 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

Today

Test

KAmes · Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

I decided to do something about my sticky throttle action. It works fine around town but if I drive at speed for an extended time it doesn't always come back down to idle. I've been messing with springs etc. and can't get happy with it.
I started by getting rid of my old push-pull linkage and installing a Sync-Link system. This thing is really neat. It was easy to install and is an absolute joy to adjust.

Next I pulled the pedals. That clutch hook is working on wearing through.

New pedals, with an X-Celerator Speed Wheel 2 kit installed. The X-Celerator kit is really nicely made, I like it.

The new clutch/brake assembly is not so great, I installed and removed it a half dozen times before I got it to all work right. I'm really good at it now. I had to recess the accelerator wheel pin more, it was sticking out where it goes against the tunnel. Replaced the stripped grease zerk that fell out, altered the stop on the clutch pedal to put it even with the brake, ground some off where it rubbed the floor, bent around on it to make the pedal faces relatively square with each other. I would have just used my original set if it wasn't in such bad shape. I had planned to replace the clutch cable too, but I couldn't pull it back through the old not so flexible bowden tube so I decided best to leave it until I order some more parts.

Installed:

It seems to be working pretty good now. I keep catching my foot on the center console, I'm going to have to do something about that.

Hyatt181 · Samba Member Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 128

What do you think of the synclink system?

I’ve thought about using it but can decide if it’s worth the cost.

KAmes · Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 7:07 am Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

Hyatt181 · Samba Member Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 128

Thanks

I hadn’t realized how close the bracket is to the fan shroud.

I see why you went for the set up you did.

Where does the sheath around the cable stop?

Hyatt181 · Samba Member Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 128

Do you know if the the normal synclink would hit the fan shroud for sure?

What manifolds are you using (wondering due to height)

Thanks

KAmes · Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:49 am Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

KAmes · Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:59 am Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

I just installed blue plug wires, because...well....um...
But hey blue plug wires!

For 1984 Ford Escort, if anyone cares. Ford Escort distributor cap fits the MSD distributor too, oddly the rotor does not.

Cylinder tin boots from an old set of wires.

It's just a slow Sunday so I'm messing with stuff, it's raining out.

KAmes · Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

KAmes · Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

I think they might fit, certainly you could make them fit with a little "additional machining" if necessary.

mondshine · Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: My 181 project pics

Nice looking engine Kevin.
I have to say that your fuel pressure gauge would make me nervous as a cat; thinking about things that might go wrong on those long drives.

Maybe it's just me, but when I'm all alone in the middle of nowhere (and the music is not a'blastin') my mind wanders toward losing a bolt, or an oil hose, or some other kind of surprise.
I suppose I have been very fortunate so far.
I hope to see you guys in North Carolina!


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