I read a bunch on here about making adjustments to the starwheel, AFC, fuel plate, etc. and I thought I would try turning the starwheel to see what happened today. When I removed the allen cover the starwheel seemed to be really far forward - almost so far that I had a hard time turning it. I did try to turn it but it really didn't seem to turn much at all - and seemed to be turned as far as it would go? My truck is 100% stock as far as I know - and the cover has never been off or anything because the security screw is still there. Should I try to move the AFC forward more and then adjust the starwheel?

 

First thing, I don't see any gauges listed in your sig. If your going to screw around with the afc and plate, you should get yourself some gauges...at least a pyrometer. You need to know how far your driving egt up and the gauges will help you tune the afc and plate position.

Now, the way you asked about moving the afc makes me think your under the impression that moving it will give the starwheel more travel. That's not the case. The starwheel is part of the cover. So, if you move the cover, you will move the star wheel too. It will still be in the same position. With that said, by moving the plate forward, you may or may not need to make adjustments to the starwheel, and possibly the smoke screw, to control smoke. Also, if you do move the afc housing cover, make small movements, like 1/16" at a time, then take it for a test drive. Just get the gauges first.

BTW, the stock setting for my starwheel was full forward too...which I thought was odd for a stock setting, but, I guess it is what it is. My other stock settings were the afc housing was about 1/16" from full rearward, the plate was 1/8" forward of center, and the smoke screw I'm not going to describe simply because there's no way for me to do it that would make sense other than to say it was screwed in pretty far.

 

most star wheels are pretty far forward but they usually can go a little further it just takes time with a flathead screwdriver. i agree with hercules on the gauges, even though you most likely wont push anything near a high egt its best to have at lease an egt and boost since you should raise the boost to keep your engine efficient, i wouldnt go past 35 since thats when your stock charger loses its efficiency. i just did a fuel plate and starwheel adjustment on my friends 5 speed and he has seen nothing over 850* but i have heard of cases where the govenor arm gets stuck under the plate after you move it and i have seen pics of melted pistons from this (it was in an RV but its the same engine). an egt gauge would have indicated something was wrong and it could have been prevented and considering your engine wouldnt be covered under warranty i would take some precautionary measures just to know what your engine is doing. after that i would grind the stock plate flat with a ramp at the end for the last 1/2 inch and slide it to the front of the engine. good luck

 

Hmm, that's impressively low. What was the plate profile?