LUVTruck.com

In preparation for smog inspection, I have began to work on my newfound 78 LUV. I decided to go ahead and buy several new parts, cheap stuff, like a new radiator hose, thermo, oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter, belts, new exhaust manifold gaskets.
While changing the manifold gaskets I noticed a 6 inch long crack in exhaust manifold. Upon removing the manifold I found another similar crack on the opposite side also. I looked hi and lo for a new one, then I took it over to a guy here in town named Alvin Wills. Alvin welded both sides and also removed the broken studs(heat shield) from the manifold and put new threads in one of the holes free of charge, since according to him I needed those to pass smog, and welding was useless unless it was on a useable header. The work took him about 1 1/2 hours and he charged me $30 bucks for the welding.
I rewired my fuel pump with new wire and installed a hidden toggle switch inline so no one gets too far without permission.
I was planning on getting a new carb, but when Kragen told me $451, I decided that a $12 rebuild kit and a little labor would be more appropriate. I rebuilt my carb cleaned the engine up, painted a little, and reassembled. Once the carb filled and the fuel line was pressurized I fired her up and she is purrin. I only have one problem, and thats the infamous LUV backfire between shifts.
I'm still satisfied with the performance of the truck, and I'm trying to remember if backfiring may have been a factory option, since 75% of LUVs I have witnessed do it so well, the other 25% percent have a v6/v8 conversion. Whadya think? I kinda like watchin all the THUGS on the street corners hit the floor between first and second.

sounds like you might still have an exhaust leak.

lol@ people hitting the ground. we did that to a guy while we were in a camaro once....oh the memories!

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03Cobra

Ya might check your coil , and your point gap.

HAHAHAHA thats hilarious. My neighbor had the same backfire problem and we couldnt figure out what was causing it. finally got frustrated and put a V-8 into it. then he wrapped it around a guard rail... problem solved!

In the four drivable LUVs I've had, the ones that have had the backfire problem all had the smog air pump removed. You might have a problem with yours (not uncommon) or the vacuum switch that activates it. (located right under the pump usually) The suggestion to check the coil and point gap is also a good idea. Ignition issues can cause it as well.

My 77 was setup with a glass pack (empty of course) and straight pipe for quite a while. I remember pulling the old turn off the key, pump the gas, turn the key back on trick on my way home from school one afternoon. There was a guy standing along the side of the road at a small bridge over a creek right next to me at the time. He managed to jump over the side of the bridge without going into the creek and then somehow back over in a matter of a split second. At night it was even better, I could get a flame to shoot out of that thing that was about 4-5 feet long.

i think you are right on the smog pump thing. as far as the old shut off the ig and pump the gas pedal... i still do that on my motorcycle. its cool at night, it lights up all the houses on the side of the road and scares the sh!t out of people. lol.

i think you are right on the smog pump thing. as far as the old shut off the ig and pump the gas pedal... i still do that on my motorcycle. its cool at night, it lights up all the houses on the side of the road and scares the sh!t out of people. lol.