One thing i had trouble with putting my timing cover on for the first time was the seal that seals up the crank shaft keeps the oil inside the pan. I didnt put it in "correctly" ended up leaking oil shortly after.

 

Good to know, thanks man. I will keep an eye out for that and hope i can do it right the first time. Thanks for the tip.

 

Press the seal in with a flat plate to make sure it's square and flush
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...65&gid=1&pid=4

 

Got the water pump off today. Bypass hose had a hole in it, causing the coolant leak. Water pump had previously been replaced in the unknown past. Started removing old hoses to install new ones.

As I was removing heater hoses, I noticed that the lines to the heater core moved around an inch or more. Is this normal? Is there metal lines through the firewall and flexible lines between metal lines and heater core?

I texted Mechanic neighbor to stop by on his way home and take a look. He was concerned about it also. Since we are going to replace the dash pad when it gets here, we decided it might be a good idea to replace the heater core "while we're at it". He also noticed the intake manifold is leaking at the water passages to the heads, so that's going to be done "while I'm at it", including plenum repair.. Have to borrow his fuel line removal tool.

Has anyone else had this wobbly heater core lines issue or is it normal?

Thanks,
Joe Truckster

 

The stock heater core had solid metal tubes out the firewall, some of the aftermarket fellers have 'swivels' on the tubes, to make them easier to install....

 

I wish we could find the OEM style heater cores again. Seems that all of the readily available heater cores for 2nd gen trucks are made with the swivel style tubes.

 

It moves more or less circular, close to 1" at pipe end. I went to parts store this morning and purchased intake gasket set and valve cover gaskets. I asked the parts man if he had a new HC I could look at when I explained my issue, he sent another employee to fetch but that person couldn't find it. I may check another parts store to see what that place has.

I also posted this under "heater core lines" also.

Coolant leak has progressed from WP replacement to include all the hoses -- bypass hose had a hole in it -- and thermostat, new double-roller timing chain and intake manifold gasket set. I think that's all the "while you're in there" items for now.

Since it's summertime, I may bypass the heater core for now and replace it when we take the dash out to install new dash pad when it arrives from LMC.

 

Since my last post, I have:
removed intake and replaced plenum gasket; old gasket was intact,
replaced OE timing chain with 1/2" of slack with double-roller chain,
new valve cover gaskets and PCV,
re-installed intake and timing cover, but haven't torqued TC bolts yet.
"While I'm at it," will replace distrib cap, rotor button and spark plug wires, all the cooling system hoses, thermostat, coolant temp sensor (OE was broken),and WP. And whatever other parts I've purchased.
Hope to have Truckster running again this week.
Will send pics later.

Dash pad came Friday from LMC. Will Coordinate with Mechanic Neighbor to get that installed.

 

And maybe a new heater core "while I'm at it"

 

Wednesday 5/26 I finished (for now). To sum up: new water pump, new WP bolts, new thermostat, new upper & lower radiator hoses, new heater hoses, new bypass hose, new inlet pipe, intake gasket set with new bolts, plenum repair, replace damaged coolant temperature sensor, new double roller timing chain (old one had 1/2" slack), new valve cover gaskets, new PCV valve, new distributor cap and rotor button, new plug wires. Filled radiator and cranked it over. Started right up, no check engine light, let it idle until thermostat opened, shut it down and checked for leaks. Drove it to Lowe's to return new fire extinguisher I bought earlier in day that had no pressure on gauge; no issues. Next day, no puddles underneath. Flushed cooling system three times before putting in fresh coolant, changed unknown age oil, now with rusty coolant water additive, for Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-30 full synthetic and oil filter. Drove around neighborhood, checked fluid levels, all's well so far.

AC compressor clutch didn't pull in while checking out vehicle yesterday, was working before I started all this, likely low on freon, will get that looked into next week. Then an alignment, check S-I-L's brake job and rotate tires, and spark plugs. Maybe new heater core when Mechanic Neighbor and I replace dash pad and do the Heater Treater thing soon (depending on his schedule). When I'm satisfied Truckster is running properly, I'll work on appearance items, like new headlamps, headliner and carpet replacement and what ever the Vice-President of Finance deems is needed.

Spent today putting tools back in their proper place and cleaning up. I'm tired.