Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Installed gauges, do I have a problem?

[esamuelson]

I just finished installing boost and pyro in my 98 12v. The max boost I see empty on a hill wot is 30-35, pyro says 1100. Pyro drops fast when you let off the go pedal. The truck has what I believe is stock plate slid slightly forward and star wheel slightly forward. I found that the wastegate actuator is bad, not opening, and leaking. Should I replace the actuator or are these numbers ok? The plate and star wheel were originally set full forward when I got the truck, I didn't have gauges than, I moved plate and star wheel to current position to try and get better mileage. I get best mileage today before I found bad actuator, at 17mpg. Would the actuator help mileage? Should I slide plate full forward and see what happens or will I push head gasket and turbo to far? I would like better mileage out of truck if possible. Just had timing set at 16. See sig for other mods. Thanks guys

 

[CumminsPower98]

Sounds like pretty normal readings to me. Pushing the stock plate full forward shouldn't hurt the head gasket any. I have been pushing more fuel then that and towing on a stock gasket for several years now and prolly over 170k. I am also at 16 deg. timing. I have my waist gate disabled and the most boost I have seen is about 37. I try not to run past 30 much though in order to save the gasket. The waist gate shouldn't have any affect on mileage that I know of. I'm sure others will chime in with more info.