The temp gauge on my truck has not worked since I bought it. I've narrowed the problem down to a short in the wiring, so rather than rip my dash apart, I installed a mechanical temp guage. The problem is that as I drive it reads 140 degrees, this seems low to me. I was wondering what temp you guys with 2.8L were running at. thanks

The Duke

There's somethin' women like about a pickup man

At the very least, your temperature guage should show right around the temp of the thermostat you have in there... I have a 195° thermostat in mine, so it runs right around the 195°-210°(F) range, usually closer to 195 than higher...

Tim
"The_Sandman_454"
[img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif[/img] '79 Suburban 4x4 454, 6" lift, 35x12.5s & '85 GMC S15 4x4

I got a 89 S-10 2.8 and it has a 192 degree thermostat in it. It usually stays right around the 190-210 range.

Same as above. It stays around 200 degrees with a new rad. and 195 degree thermostat.

Ditto for me. 1986 Jeep Cherokee, 2.8L 195deg stat runs about 190-200 range.[img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Are you running excessively rich? I think that'll make it run colder than it would if the mixture was right on... [img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

Tim
"The_Sandman_454"
[img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif[/img] '79 Suburban 4x4 454, 6" lift, 35x12.5s & '85 GMC S15 4x4

yes, my mixture is way off, my whole exhaust is lined with soot. When I shift I get a nice puff of black smoke. I can't adjust it because of the stupid rodchester carb (sealed at the factory,stupid mother piece of monkey @#$&). Sorrry just had to get it out. If anyone knows a way to lean out the mixuter, I'm all ears.

The Duke

There's somethin' women like about a pickup man

You'll be able to tell where the idle mixture adjustment screw is on the front of the carb... You must remove the carb for this: I believe all you will need to do is find a drill bit of the appropriate size, and drill in there until you get access to the screw, I doubt that the filler material is all the way in around the screw... Couldn't hurt to try anyway. Is it a metal type substance, or a plastic? Make sure you center punch it to be sure and get the center of the hole... [img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif[/img] I heard of this before... You might want to check with your local mechanic to find out what the deal is with it, and if that'll work.. Another thing to check first, is that your choke opens up all the way when it's warm... But I agree I don't like the Varijunk much either, but I just got myself a rebuilt unit (Holley rebuilt it so we'll see how it works, by the way, all the stuff is labled, and it's supposedly pre-adjusted also the idle mixture isn't sealed.. [img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif[/img]) I'll give a report of Holley's rebuild job on this Rochester carb when I have ran it for a little while (It'll be ready to fire up tomorrow, minus 99.999% of the emissions junk... [img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif[/img])

Tim
"The_Sandman_454"
[img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif[/img] '79 Suburban 4x4 454, 6" lift, 35x12.5s & '85 GMC S15 4x4

I'm not sure about the S-10s but my Cherokee's Rochester 2SE choke has an electric heater on it. The connector came loose and the 2.8 would run rough and rich after start up on cold mornings. The choke plate would not open fully. I put the connector on the coil blade and squeezed it down good with pliers. It runs better now. Also make sure that your heat stove tubing is connected at the air cleaner and exhaust manifold and the air intake flapper valve works. That would also make this little engine run better in cold weather after start up.[img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

BTW, Good Luck with that rebuilt carb, Tim! [img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

My richness problem is an all weather thing, not just winter. My problem only occurs when I floor it and/or take it to high rpms (35000 ), I'm not sure how adjusting the idle mixture screw will help. After you drill it out, does it need to be tapped? I am pretty confused about that part, I'll have to go look at it cause I can't picture it right now. I was also thinking that the choke was not opening up, because sometimes it idles at 700 (where I set it), and other times it will idle at 1000rpms. I'll have to check the choke heater connections also. Thanks guys

The Duke

There's somethin' women like about a pickup man