Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Been Gone

[JTroiano]

I am finally getting back into reading up on trucks. I've been gone for about a year due to divorce and not having a pc.



I have been having a problem with my truck and would be greatfull for some ideas. My truck has been having a hard time starting at times. It doesn't matter if it is cold or hot. But it will crank and not start or start slowly. If I cycle the key sometimes it just starts perfect on the next cycle. Its almost like the VP is not letting fuel in. I have a feeling it mite be going out. I do have fuel pressure. The grid heaters are comming on and it' not really that cold here. It would start easy with out them. My idle fuel pressure is about 25psi and full throttle will go down to about 5. When I do get the truck started, (always run with the comp box on 4x4) It will only run like the box is off and other times it runs like it is supposed to.



If it is the VP. should I put another one in? And were is the cheapest place to buy one? I also have a P-pump sitting in the shop. I want power and dependablity. What would be the cost difference of the P-pump and how hard to install?



Also just installed my fourth clutch at 48k. South Bend 13" FE. After getting stuck in the mud and giving is a good flogging it is slipping. Any Ideas? The last FE lasted about 20k with only two drag strip runs. When I pulled it out, there was plenty of meat left but the disc was dish shaped. It was only contacting partially the pressure plate and disc.



I would appreciate any ideas or comments. The divorce drained the pocket book so every penny counts. It will continue to be drained for quite a few years to come.



THanks in advance

Jon Troiano

-- email address removed --

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Your hard start problem is probably due to high fuel pressure. According to Cummins/DC anything over 7 psi can cause a hard start condition which is why they cycle power to the lift pump while cranking to keep the pressure down. If you have a relay powering your pump then your are bypassing that cycling because it's so quick the relay probably isn't cycling. On my truck if I try to crank it while the fuel pumps are running then it will take longer to start. If I wait till the pumps shut down and then crank it starts right away.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Pressure plate warpage is directly related to heat and therefore to slippage. That in turn relates to driving habits/applications. Souith Bend is a good vendor and they will discuss your situation with you if you call them.

 

[JTroiano]

Steve, it does have a relay and it has o pressure when starting. I've had this setup for about 3 years and it has now just started acting up. I did have an issue of it hesitating a while back but that has stopped and know I have this new problem.



Joe, its not the pressure plate that is warped. It is the disc and it probably does get hot when pushing it to the limit. I'm pretty frustrated and I know South Bend is fair. Its my third one. I want something I can drive on a long trip with and then thrash it when needed. This clutch, unless you dump the clutch it will always slip. I want one I can rev up and let it out progressively. When you are stuck in the mud and have no boost. Either you will break something of stall it. Same thing when doing a burn out with big tires. Both have always slipped unless you rev it up and dump the clutch.



Keep the comments coming.



What is needed to put a P-pump in? I found a guy that will go through mine and make sure it OK for a 100 bucks.



Jon T