Update:

So I went to Autozone, picked up a radiator, ATF, 180 F thermostat, more antifreeze and came home.

Started loosening the radiator and the bottom hose to the transmission was a bit tricky to get off, but I got it eventually.

Pics taken by my Blackberry, sorry its not as clear as the others.



I decided I wanted to be a slacker and just put the new one in and button it up, but did I? oh no, I started looking closer at what it would take to do the thermostat and went, well heck, the radiator is out, I'll just pull the shroud out, unbolt the thermo housing and be done with it.

Which leads me to the, oh snap, what did I get myself into.

Serpentine belt: Yep no problem
Shroud out without taking the fan off.
Alternator: 2 main bolts, 5 smaller ones for wires - no problem.
AC Compressor: yeah, took me a sec to think about it, undid the 5 bolts around it and moved it a inch to the right. Plus the one holding the AC line on top.

Just enough room for the thermo housing, took it off and what do I see? evidence a damn redneck has been into this truck again. UGG!!



More of the grey goop/BS!!!



So, I guess tomorrow after work, I will go back to autozone get a thermostat housing and then get my shop vac out and clean the area around the block and scrap off the rest of this gray goop/BS!

I have to say, after spending all weekend working on my truck, I am exhausted!

 

Small update:

Got replacement parts for thermostat, havent put them in yet, I got lazy today.



So Ive got the engine apart right now, so the real question now.. do I check the plenum? Im scared... If I do, I will have to take the rest of it apart and pull the keg off and do the gasket fix, or replace it with the AirGap intake.

 

Wow, redneck fixes FTL.

Oh shoot! I'm a redneck!
lol

I'm glad to see the truck running good and that it is coming together for ya!

 

SplatSTi...How much did you pay Autozone for the radiator? Just curious, because I just bought mine from Performance Radiator for $140.00 + tax.

 

I believe it was around $146, I will have to go to the car to get the receipt out of the bag and confirm.

 

been running saltwater in it? lol

 

Wow, and I though my water outlet looked bad when it was pulled and replaced last week...make sure you do a real good flush n fill. And yes if you got $600 to crap out then get the F1 Airgap Manifold!!! They are f-ing sweet

 

Update:

Removed the pulley assembly off, found more crap, cleaned all that off.
Cleaned thermostat area back to metal
Ran the hose through that hole till it ran clear out the bottom.
Put the thermostat, gasket and thermostat housing back on.
Checked all my water hoses, surprisingly not a hint of rust anywhere.
Put the pulley assembly back on, as well as alternator and AC compressor.
Put the shroud back on and put the radiator in, bolted in quite nicely.
Put the top hoses back on, no problem, the bottom one? OMG that was a pain in the ***! I eventually got it back on. While I was there, I put the bumper back together, it split on the end where the clips where. Looks to be better now.
Put the AT lines back on.


I was about to fill the radiator with water and flush when I hear thunder, so I put the radiator cap on, closed the hood and packed my tools away before it started raining.

I am absolutely exhausted, I think Im just going to take a shower and then a quick nap.

 

This thing is coming a long nicely...great job!

 

Video today after adding fluids and running for 10 minutes. Engine does not get much above 180F since I installed the 180F thermostat. Pretty happy so far with the progress, now its time to work on the brakes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdZ04XyFqzI

Before I did these changes the temperature was sitting at 230F.