Major tune up.
#11
07-28-2023, 05:03 PM
There's a slight curve to the block under it. I don't know if there's enough room for it to exit underneath. Before I start grinding or drilling, I want to finish the timing chain work. I don't want a chance of metal bits getting in the engine if I can avoid it. I'm cleaning the intake and doing all the fittings on it right now. With the heat, I work a bit then go in the A/C.
Once the lower engine is closed up and the intake is ready to go on, then I'll start drilling. The truck overall looks like I dragged it out of the weeds recently. Mechanically it should be like new when I'm done. As I've worked on stuff, I'm surprised it ran as good as it did. Plenum bolts removed by hand, a flat beer can laying inside under the intake, and oil soaked cigarette butts all over it.
Once the lower engine is closed up and the intake is ready to go on, then I'll start drilling. The truck overall looks like I dragged it out of the weeds recently. Mechanically it should be like new when I'm done. As I've worked on stuff, I'm surprised it ran as good as it did. Plenum bolts removed by hand, a flat beer can laying inside under the intake, and oil soaked cigarette butts all over it.
#12
07-28-2023, 07:13 PM
I've seen jobs done like this before. The beer can lets me know quite a bit was consumed while the work was done. Besides the butts, I found a bunch of oil soaked twigs in the engine too. A couple of the plenum plate bolts were REALLY tight and others I undid with my fingers. I try to stay in shape, but I'm not THAT strong. I suspect this truck will run really strong once I get it back together. The PO had to redo the headliner as the guy he got it from was a chain smoker and you know what that does to headliners. I just marvel at how well it ran with copper spray gasket sealer but NO intake manifold gaskets.
#13
07-28-2023, 07:59 PM
I've seen jobs done like this before. The beer can lets me know quite a bit was consumed while the work was done. Besides the butts, I found a bunch of oil soaked twigs in the engine too. A couple of the plenum plate bolts were REALLY tight and others I undid with my fingers. I try to stay in shape, but I'm not THAT strong. I suspect this truck will run really strong once I get it back together. The PO had to redo the headliner as the guy he got it from was a chain smoker and you know what that does to headliners. I just marvel at how well it ran with copper spray gasket sealer but NO intake manifold gaskets.
So, the truck was at Larry, Curly, and Moe's garage for a while???
#14
07-28-2023, 08:17 PM
It may have either been at their mechanics shop run by "Dewey, Cheathem and Howe" or over at "Jack Leggs" shop. My Dakota might have been worked on by the same people. Nothing this bad though.
#16
08-02-2023, 03:01 PM
Had some time today and put the new timing chain in. Popped right in and everything slid into place without much tapping with an assembly hammer. Then I got to the timing cover. The gasket where it meets the block was just there, no sealant. The mating seal for the water pump though, I spent nearly 2 hours cleaning that. Wire wheel and torch. I remember back in the mid to late 70's when RTV sealants became available. Before that, I had to use "Indianhead" shellac. That's what someone used on the water pump. I want to get the cover on and sealed before I try to drill the broken intake bolt out.
#17
08-16-2023, 08:14 PM
Got that silly broken bolt taken care of today. Most of the day trying to get it out. I drilled the center and ruined two E-Z- outs. At least I didn't break one off, those are fun to get out. I went to H-F and got some LH thread drill bits. I kept enlarging the hole trying to turn the broken stud out. I ended up drilling the hole bigger. I'll get a couple of longer bolts and just use a nut on it. That thing was NOT going to come out. It's out now and I can proceed with reassembly.