Ion Sense

[sepp2gl]

Hi John,
you wrote:
"It looks like the period is about 9.5 msec, so 15/0.0095 is about 1600 RPM.
I think stock timing at idle is 5° BTDC, I had it at least 10° beyond that, to ensure we would see knock. The factory knock sensor was still connected, and it was controlling timing."

Why do you try to detect knock @1600rpm idle-load?
kr, Gerhard

[JohnP]

Gerhard:

Thank you for that question, but all I have for the answer is excuses.

The 1990 Chevy Suburban with 454 engine failed to pass smog. It's unlicensed and could not be driven on the road. All I could do was test in the parking lot, while the owner's son rev'ed it in gear, holding it against the brake.

It's owned by a machine shop that makes a few small parts for me. It had been sitting since 2012 with a dead fuel pump. The last time it was licensed and actually driven on the street was '09.

I volunteered to get it running again if I could use it as a test vehicle. I replaced the rusted out tank, fuel pump, starter, and battery, got it running. They put a new set of tires on it and planned to use it again as a tow vehicle for their race car trailers. They did some careful testing and pronounced it road worthy, so I drove it to a smog test station but it failed the test.

They bought a new catalytic converter but "haven't got around to installing it". The two brothers that own the shop are now in their '80's with health problems. I stopped bugging them about it two years ago. They have a welder on staff that could install the converter, but the truck sits.

I lost my focus and my ion project has also been sitting. I will pay to have the converter installed and get it street legal again, and continue my development with renewed vigor, etc.

Nothing happens until you put it in motion, right? Again, thank you for the question, Gerhard!

[sepp2gl]

Hi John,
sh.. happens. I understand your trouble.
But: what is the relation to my question?
kr, Gerhard

[JohnP]

Gerhard:

As I said above, 1600 RPM was all we could get out of it while holding it against the brake. It's not street legal so I couldn't drive it.

In the video that shows my analog scope, you can hear my assistant rev the engine to a point, then it goes no further, as it is limited by the torque converter.

I'm going to see about resurrecting the truck later today.

[JohnP]

Stopped by the machine shop this morning. I connected my Lokithor jumper box and cranked it about five seconds and it started, after sitting three years.

I didn’t replace the fuel sender when I replaced the fuel pump and tank, as funds were limited at the time. Going to pay to have it done now, then have the new cat installed.