Yes the clutch works awesome. The brace I added really helped. From what I understand, these pups had issues with the firewall flexing right from the factory, so the flex I saw was probably there all the time. It's not anymore <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The radiator cools well. The gauge stays between 1/4 and 1/2 the way up no matter how you're driving. It will be interesting to see what happens as the weather warms up, but I don't anticipate any problems. At low speeds the fans work awesome and keep it nice and cool. Before with the C223 this thing would over heat coasting down hill with the engine turned off <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Oh and even without exhaust, it's not very loud. The in-cab noise is louder than I like, but I had my friend drive it down the road while I watched and it really wasn't that loud. I think full exhaust all the way back without a muffler will sound awesome. I can always put a muffler in later, but I don't think it will be necessary.

Ok, haven't got to updating the site yet, but I got it back Saturday and it's on the road (about 150 miles over the weekend) so I wanted to put up a little update.

The exhaust sounds awesome. It's 2 1/4 all the way back without a muffler. It's nice and quiet in the cab, but roll down the window and it sounds awesome. Really throaty and the turbo sounds nice.

The transmission shifts a little harder than I'd like when it's cold. It doesn't grind or anything, mainly just 1st to 2nd requires a little more umph to get it in. Now that I'm figuring it out, I can match the rpms better and it's not too bad. Just not how I'd like is all. After driving a few miles and things warm up, it shifts like butter.

It drives very well. All the suspension and steering work I did to it paid off. No funny vibrations or noises.

Still a few things to do to it, but nothing that will keep me from driving it as I finish this stuff up---

Fix glow plugs. It starts fine without them, but it runs rougher than I'd like unless you give it a little gas, and it blows a lot of blue smoke for half a minute or so until it builds a little heat.

Replace leaky sliding rear window with a solid one. It vibrates and I hate it.

Convert to power steering. This engine came with a pump, so I just need to round up the other parts. From what I understand it's a pretty straight forward swap from a Trooper???

Add cruise control.

Fix my blinker dealy as it only returns when it decides to. And the washer button doesn't work.

Fix wiper motor. Only low speed works, and they won't park themselves.

Maybe relocate the gauge pod on the dash. I'm mad at myself. I mounted it right above the speedo cluster and it fits and looks good, but I found at night the gauge lights glare on the windsheild and it drives me nuts. I should have put it off to the side above the radio like I had originally intended. I put holes in my then perfect dash pad to mount it where I did, so I don't know what to do now. As Homer would say- D'oh!

If I can find a heater box with a/c, I'll put that in someday too. My engine came with an a/c pump also.

After I run a few tanks of fuel through it, to establish a baseline, I will replace the timing belt and tweak with the pump (timing and fuel rate) and boost a little. It has plenty of go right now, but more wouldn't hurt. It gets about 12 psi of boost, but I hear that can be turned up to about 16 easily.

Oh, and I figured out my glow plugs. Or how I am going to make them work at least. I'm going to use a VW glow plug relay to switch a Ford solinoid. The VW relay has the timer, temp sensor input, and dash light feed all built into one little relay. My plugs are 12 volt, so going this way will allow me to wire it all up to work as original. No push buttons or nothing, just turn the key and wait for the light to go out and start. The VW relay lights the dash light for about 7 seconds and then has about a 20 second after glow. I had one laying around so I started tinkering and its going to work well. Except I fried it on accident, so I have to get a new one.

Will report back with MPG when I burn through this tank. I put about 100 miles since filling it so far, and have used about a 1/4 tank according to the gauge.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> -Thats how I looked driving it this weekend.

Can you provide a little more info on the VW glow controller? Make and model, or where to look under the hood/dash if I find one in a junk yard? Any wiring info? I think I may go this route as well.

The one I have been using is for a 86 Jetta turbo diesel. They are all the same as near as I can tell though. Mine is mounted in the main fuse/relay panel under the dash.

Here is a pic...



I will have more info this weekend when I get mine setup. I kept the wiring harness from that Jetta too, so I was able to trace the wires and figure out what was what. I'll have all that info this weekend also.

I think it's going to work well.

Very nice project. i love isuzu pickups single cab. i have a problem with my 4JA1 engine when idling and the ac is on, engine shakes very noticeable. already check the vacum and it's ok, when ac is on, the engine revs higher sothat means may ac vacum or what do you call that is ok. i wonder whats the problem? but it is normal when i rev up.. thanks! hope you can help

First tank got 29 mpg!!!

That is an actual figure...I did the speedo check on the interstate, and then checked that with a GPS, and adjusted the odometer miles accordingly to compensate for the bigger tires.

It sure is nice being able to go 249 miles on 8.5 gallons. Especially at 3.94 a gallon.

I don't know what you guys are getting with the C223's, but I think that is dang good. My worn out C223 would get 20-23 tops. Remember, this is a 4x4 also.

That is with a lot of idle time and hard driving too (cause it's just soooo fun <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ). This was with mixed driving on the freeway at 70+ mph, around town, and a little playing in the mud. Plus, I always forget to put it in 5th in town. Not used to having that extra hole there yet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> It just hums around town at 35-40 in 5th and will accelerate even.

I filled it up and switched to grandpa mode. This tank I want to see what the absolute best is.

It could really use some bigger tires to lower the rpms on the freeway. Power is not an issue. It will bark the tires going into 2nd gear, and at 70 mph on the freeway when you push on the go peddle, it GOES!!!! I know I could get even more mpg with some bigger tires.

Oh, and I got my glow plugs working. The VW relay works like a champ. I did all my own wiring and eliminated (most) of the factory QOS system, only using the keyed power wire going to the original controller. Had a few minor bugs; I need a new temp sender as mine isn't closing when it warms up. I need to buy a different relay, I should have bought the "fast glow" one instead of the standard one. The standard one glows longer than necessary, like 20 seconds before the light goes out, and with a 5 second after glow. The "fast glow" one glows for about 7 seconds till the light goes out, then has to ~20 second after glow. Thats the one I want.

Getting the indicator light to work took a little head scratching. The relay triggers a ground to light the indicator light. Oddly enough, thats the same way the original controller worked too, but it took me a while to figure that out. It makes sense now as all the lights on that side of the dash are triggered by ground; brake, filter, 4x4. Then I got it all hooked up, and still no light. It had 12 volts and came on and off like it should have. Then I remembered the VW has an LED in the dash, so I though it probably only puts out enough amperage to light the LED. Sure enough, replaced the 194 bulb with an LED, and we have light!!

Nearly all the blue smoke at cold startup is gone now. Thats all I was after, as it started up just fine without the glow plugs, but this will keep the hippy's off my back, even though my 'lil diesel pollutes far less than the worn out WWII vintage VW bus their driving. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Jerry and I were talkiong about the VW glow plug timer last night and I thought that is a great tip for my GP system on my I Mark project. I am using an alarm led that flashes when lit.
I think I'll put the VW relay in mine and keep the manual switch as a back up / over ride. Plus I'll leave the flashing relay to remind me it's counting down.

It's running great so far.

Curtis