I recently had a "power package" installed in my '93 by a reputable diesel performance shop. The package consisted of the standard mods....16cm housing, pump timing tweaks etc. I was very impressed with the mods and after my first hard highway run to see what the girl would do I found I was unable to shut my truck off. My diesel would just keep on dieselin' . I shut my truck off by stalling her in 5th and went back to the shop A.S.A.P.and they installed a new fuel shut off soleniod and told me that when these pump mods are done to an older pump the rubber plunger on the soleniod can be blown out. The shop installed a new soleniod free of charge and off I went. My next highway run produced the same results, my truck would not shut off. I went back to the shop and they were not so happy to see me back. They were very anxious to find the problem elsewhere and checked my fuel pressure etc. The mechanic installed another new soleniod and I watched him turn down my fuel screw about two turns and I lost alot of power The mechanic said he had no choice but to do this and that the soleniod will not stand up to the pressure. I asked him if there was some kind of aftermarket soleniod to handle my mods and he said no. Since the fuel screw was turned down 2 turns the soleniod worked flawlessly until I decided to turn the fuel screw up in small increments and I blew it again!!. I have since gained the basic knowledge of the VE pump and have hooked up a choke cable to the manual fuel shut off lever to shut her down. My questions are has anyone gone through the same problem as me??. Does anyone know of an aftermarket soleniod that can handle the pump mods?. And lastly but most Importantly if I was to install larger injectors on my truck would this allow me to back off my fuel screw thus relieving the fuel soleniod, but still enjoy the same level of performance as when my pump was maxxed? I despise having to use the manual shut off lever but just can't handle losing my power either . Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any info you guys could share!


P.S. I in no way hold the shop responsible for any consequences of my need to go past there "safe settings" for my soleniod and found the service thus far at P.D.R. to be excellent.

 

Bigger injectors will let you back the pump down and keep your power. I haven't heard of any aftermarket solenoid either. I have heard of guys shredding the tip on the solenoid before, you're not the first one it's happened to.

 

Mine is shredded, don't think I'm going to replace it, I'm starting to get used to pulling the cable. Was trying for awhile to find a replacement, then decided it probably wasn't worth the money (plus I finally figured out how to get that piece of bailing wire to stop rattling). If I ever have $50 burning a hole in my pocket, I might change it, but I'd rather have the power, and I don't think it would last long anyway. You're lucky you've got those guys at Piers close by to steer you in the right direction.
AJ

 

I just went thru this when fixing my throttle shaft leak and turning up the pump while I was there. If it isn't destroying the plunger you may be able to fix it by carefully and uniformly stretching the spring on the solenoid. It took me a couple of tries to get the spring just right but it works great now.

 

I would agree...
First the injector upgrade will allow you to use an "eased back" fuel screw setting...as if you're gonna stick with that plan for more than a week right ...
Second, the solenoid plunger is prone to failing like yours but it is usually due to having internal pressure raised...not the only reason but the most common.
If you crank the fuel screw that hard it will cause the same thing.
I personally did the "stretch the spring" trick and so far, no problem.
Uniform stretching is important too, as noted.
I went to roughly a "shy" 1/8".
This helps hold the rubber tip on it's seat and prevents the tip from chattering up and down which in turn causes the tip to fail or fracture.
The manual shutdown is not a big deal and several guys are using it on other 1st gen trucks.

Anyway, have at 'er bud...

bob..

 

Thanks to everyone for thier help on this one, I think I'll leave my manual shut off system in place and just enjoy the ride!. By the way bushy I see your rig around here in port kells and I must say it is one rockin' machine.

 

Hey thanks Shorty.... next time don't hesitate to flag me down...always glad to chat with another 1st Genner...

bob....