Weren't those NEW??? Considering how little you have driven it...... I would almost think the shop was looking to point at those, and tell you that you needed new ones.... which they would happily sell you, and charge to install.

Also, how in the heck do you do an alignment, and NOT touch the tie-rod adjusting sleeves????

 

Yes, brand new.

They even reused the cotter pins.

But they're telling me they never touched it and are only offering a free alignment. I'm going to get an estimate from a shop, and then bill them. If they don't pay, I might file a petition in small claims. don't know what else to do.

In any case, here's a picture of some of the new hardware. I love when new parts are on an old vehicle, especially when there are a few.



Next up is the oil pump job. Going to take a day or so off.

Had real problems with the front shocks - the rod would just spin with the nut. Eventually used some vise grips on the rod and bent the hell out of the top nut with a deep socket and was able to break them free. Both sides wanted to act that way. After removal, installation was nothing... except that the top and bottom bolts are the same size 1/16 apart. Dumb idea, in my opinion. LOTS of travel. Sore arms haha.

edit; ok I called the shop back and they told me again that I could bring it down so they could look at it. I then asked, "well, if you're saying that you definitely didn't do this, what good is it for me to bring it to you?" He says, "a free alignment". I respond, "the issue is the repairs and new hardware that needs to be installed. What about that?" He says, "we didn't do it so I don't know what you want". I just hung up.
I'll send them a bill and if they do not pay, small claims court.

 

I'll grant that I'm not very good at front end work. I have to wonder how they aligned it without touching the tie rod ends. That's usually what's involved in an FEA!

 

So tomorrow I'm doing the rear main seal and the oil pump. Here are all of the components for the job.



First of all, I'm going to run the Liqui Moly through and drain the oil. I'll drop the pan (supposedly easy to do on this van), dig out the rear main seal with the sneaky pete tool, install new seal, pump, pickup tube, oil pan gasket, and finish it off with a Ford oil filter that I happened to end up with.

One thing is, the pump pickup tube doesn't get real tight in the pump when in the proper position, and you cannot tighten it another turn. I'm fairly certain that the pickup tube is not supposed to be loosely sitting attached to the pump, but tightening it up places the pickup tube away from the bottom of the pan.

Maybe I'll have to see what the position with the old pump is to know for sure.

Any thoughts on this?

edit; I see that there is no way that the pickup tube will be tight in the correct position.

I'm thinking of putting some JB Weld on the threads to keep the tube seated in position.
Thoughts?

 

You probably won't be able to tighten it into place by hand.... Might try a strap wrench, or something similar, that won't crush the tube.

 

A very handy tip good sir! Many thanks problem solved.

You know, there is no mention of the pickup tube in the Chrysler service manual. I mean, there is a diagram of its position, but nothing about installing or removing the pickup tube. I would have thought that they'd want a special tool, "Use tool C-1234 to remove the oil pump pickup tube" or something.
The Haynes on the other hand said to tighten the pickup tube so that no air may enter, but that's all it offered.

 

Putting some teflon tape on it might make it easier to get where you want it, and have it STAY there as well.

 

Got started on the first part which is removing the exhaust cross over. And the day ends still on that part.

Turning this


into this


does me no good. The exhaust is hopelessly and permanently stuck in place. Using a pry bar would rock the engine. Banging on it doesn't work.

The solution is going to have to be to cut the crossover component loose to access the oil pan, and then repair it with a repair sleeve and/or exhaust tape of some kind. I spent all day on the exhaust and decided that it's not worth any more of my time trying to get it off. I'll just cut it with a hacksaw tomorrow.

 

Are you still working on this. I just got a 1994 B350 and you are an inspiration to me.

Please continue posting.

 

Thanks for that input - I am sorta still working on it - I just came on to give an update.

I live in a very rural, mountainous area, and I've just recently experienced an interruption with various services. As such, I'll be relocating and so the project must be on hiatus for now.

I expect to be back to work on it in less than a month, and will update accordingly.