I have had a few problems, and some because of installation. The hose
running to the distributor was connected to a T connector that also ran to
the fuel recovery system. Because of the age of the recovery system, the
vacuum being sucked by the recovery system and the vacuum was lousy. When
Frank Condos traced the system and ran the distributor direct to the howell
system, the vacuum shot up to almost 20. Secondly, I lost an injector, and
then a second one. These are holly injectors and Howell cannot do anything
about them. However, I was able to get warranty on both. I do think that
the injectors are one of the problems. Others I have talked to have not
had problems with the injectors. I also had my rpm running higher than the
book says. I run about 800 RPM vs what they recommend as 650, but that
does not seem to be a problem. I did buy a second computer as a spare, and
Howell sent me the chip to go in it for the 455. I guess I have been a
test bed for some of these problems.
I ran my system from Albuquerque to Los Angeles, and on the way back went
by way of hw 60 past Phoenix. that's when I realized that I was in the
"white Mountains." I had to go through some "real" hills... from sea level
to 7,000 and then to 8,000 and then some, and camped at 7,000. I did not
have any problems. Mileage I think is around 8.5... and the up and down
was without incident. I think the howell or any EFI would do better
because it compensates for altitude, whereas the carb does not. I did talk
to Wes Caughlin about them and he does not recommend anything other than
the carb. However, when I asked him whether I should take it off, he said
no. If you are going up and down lots of "hills" the fuel injection is
better.
The person who did my engine has looked at the howell system and commented
that all of it was GM with the exception of the Holly injectors. All the
parts are GM and are easy to get. The Pump required is about 12psi and the
filters are standard NAPA. I did add a second fuel pump to keep fuel
flowing when I climb big hills. That was a recommendation from Osburn and
it worked fine. It only puts out about 4-6psi and if it fails it does not
stop fuel from flowing.
I did remove the engine fuel pump and only run on the electrics. I know
Gene bought one because I liked what it did for me.
Finally, I think the Carb system used technology of about late 1960 to
early 1970s and the Howell system was developed by Bill Howell for his
GMC. I still think it was a good decision as it brought me close to 1980s
technology.
So that is where I stand. I like it, I have had problems, and I still feel
that it worked for me. Whether you want to stay with the Carb system, or
change is up to you. At the time I decided to go with the Howell system,
Osburn had tried on a number of occassions to fix my carb and every time,
after I left his shop the thing would crap out. After many tries, the
carburator was just old and they said it was not worth fixing again.
Subsequently, Cinnibar is rebuilding them, but I will stay with the EFI
system.
I think my problems are over, and the shop that rebuilt my coach says the
power is impressive and worth considering. They liked the system.
That's all folks.
al
> -- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #3.1a PRODIGY ] --
>
> ok ok I heard that.....
>
> I would like to hear from all of the Howell guys.
>
> (mine is still in the box)
>
> 1 How do you like your system
> 2 Do you have any problems?
> 3 Would you buy it again?
> 4 Does there need to be any improvements?
> 5 Any other questions?
>
> I don't want any urban myths started on this subject since mine is still
> in the box and on the way to installation.;>)
>
> gene
>
> Gene 76Palm Beach /Or/CA
>
> GMC Technical Information
> http://www.california.com/~eagle/
running to the distributor was connected to a T connector that also ran to
the fuel recovery system. Because of the age of the recovery system, the
vacuum being sucked by the recovery system and the vacuum was lousy. When
Frank Condos traced the system and ran the distributor direct to the howell
system, the vacuum shot up to almost 20. Secondly, I lost an injector, and
then a second one. These are holly injectors and Howell cannot do anything
about them. However, I was able to get warranty on both. I do think that
the injectors are one of the problems. Others I have talked to have not
had problems with the injectors. I also had my rpm running higher than the
book says. I run about 800 RPM vs what they recommend as 650, but that
does not seem to be a problem. I did buy a second computer as a spare, and
Howell sent me the chip to go in it for the 455. I guess I have been a
test bed for some of these problems.
I ran my system from Albuquerque to Los Angeles, and on the way back went
by way of hw 60 past Phoenix. that's when I realized that I was in the
"white Mountains." I had to go through some "real" hills... from sea level
to 7,000 and then to 8,000 and then some, and camped at 7,000. I did not
have any problems. Mileage I think is around 8.5... and the up and down
was without incident. I think the howell or any EFI would do better
because it compensates for altitude, whereas the carb does not. I did talk
to Wes Caughlin about them and he does not recommend anything other than
the carb. However, when I asked him whether I should take it off, he said
no. If you are going up and down lots of "hills" the fuel injection is
better.
The person who did my engine has looked at the howell system and commented
that all of it was GM with the exception of the Holly injectors. All the
parts are GM and are easy to get. The Pump required is about 12psi and the
filters are standard NAPA. I did add a second fuel pump to keep fuel
flowing when I climb big hills. That was a recommendation from Osburn and
it worked fine. It only puts out about 4-6psi and if it fails it does not
stop fuel from flowing.
I did remove the engine fuel pump and only run on the electrics. I know
Gene bought one because I liked what it did for me.
Finally, I think the Carb system used technology of about late 1960 to
early 1970s and the Howell system was developed by Bill Howell for his
GMC. I still think it was a good decision as it brought me close to 1980s
technology.
So that is where I stand. I like it, I have had problems, and I still feel
that it worked for me. Whether you want to stay with the Carb system, or
change is up to you. At the time I decided to go with the Howell system,
Osburn had tried on a number of occassions to fix my carb and every time,
after I left his shop the thing would crap out. After many tries, the
carburator was just old and they said it was not worth fixing again.
Subsequently, Cinnibar is rebuilding them, but I will stay with the EFI
system.
I think my problems are over, and the shop that rebuilt my coach says the
power is impressive and worth considering. They liked the system.
That's all folks.
al
> -- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #3.1a PRODIGY ] --
>
> ok ok I heard that.....
>
> I would like to hear from all of the Howell guys.
>
> (mine is still in the box)
>
> 1 How do you like your system
> 2 Do you have any problems?
> 3 Would you buy it again?
> 4 Does there need to be any improvements?
> 5 Any other questions?
>
> I don't want any urban myths started on this subject since mine is still
> in the box and on the way to installation.;>)
>
> gene
>
> Gene 76Palm Beach /Or/CA
>
> GMC Technical Information
> http://www.california.com/~eagle/
