Quiet

I put in a little time during the week to try to get this thing rolling and inspected.  After mucho mental debate and research, the decision to rid the engine compartment of the Holley Carburetor and replace it with a new Edlebrock 1406 was made.  Back in the day I had good success with Holley's, but the tinkering with them was a constant.   The Carter AFB based Edlebock will allow me to focus my tinkering efforts elsewhere.  

So far I am pretty impressed with it ease of setting the carb up other than the fact that the fuel inlet is on the passenger side.  To get the fuel line tucked away and away from the air cleaner I purchased Edelbock part # which set me back $50.  It took less than 15 second of cranking the fuel to the bowls to  get it to start and I didn't even touch the throttle.  As a matter of fact in the 5 or 6 times I have started it since it bangs right off hot or cold and I have been reaching though the window to start it.

Not exactly what a bunch of Holley fanatics want to hear but we aren't trying to break into the next lower second on the 1320.

On to the interior!

New Radio But No Sound

Got "some" things done today.  I guess when you get toward the end of a project the "level" of feel good isn't quite as exciting as starting up the motor for the first time.  The fun began on Thursday when I was to meet some friends at Railhead.  I decided to drive the truck over (I have insurance and tags, no inspection) and park it up front.  After about 10 minutes a 2014 Corvette parked next to me and I swear he door dinged me.  After a through inspection, I couldn't decide which scratch was his so I let it be.  Next time though...

If you have ever seen this episode of RoadKill, you will understand what I am about to say.  Not one guy gave the truck a glance next to the Corvette, but the girls sure liked it!  Yes, my wife was there.

So, back to today's work.  In quick order, I bought a rivet nut tool and some rivet nuts and fixed the rear view mirrors.  We spent countless hours trying to run speaker wire under the carpet, and 1.5 hours installing the radio.  The install turned out pretty nice using the Volvo bezel.  I was pleasantly surprised.  We plugged in the old Pioneer TS-55 speakers that my parents gave me for Christmas in 1986 and not only to they work, they are freakin' load!  These won't be what I am going to use for sound because I had them mounted on the dash.  So for now, the radio looks good, "but no sound".

Time for Depends

Long time no post but good things are happening.  So let me "break it down":

1.  Financial exam is behind me.  It was self inflicted so next time I get the urge, I will hand my wife a short piece of 1.5 inch diameter pipe and let her beat me till the urge passes.  

2.  After 2.5 months of studying one week of celebration was in order.  (I did pass)

3.  On Sunday the 23rd I listed the donor truck on Craig's List at 3:00 and it sold at 10:00 am the next day.

4.   On Thursday the 27th it actually got just warm enough to be wearing a T-shirt (86 degrees).  That's important, so celebration was in order!

5.  Saturday the 29th, I decided that Depends was the way to go to get the oil leak resolved for the time being.  (see below)  The thought of pulling the motor out again and doing the same thing doesn't make sense, so until I find a sure fire way to fix it, Depends.

Leak and Squeak Free

One week ago today I was pulling the motor out trying to find an oil leak.  Today I drove it down the highway and it isn't leaking.  I spent about 2 hours hooking up things Tuesday night that were disconnected the previous week.  There wasn't much to report other than I did hook up a oil pressure and temperature sender for the "idiot" gauges in the cab in addition to what I had under the hood.

Today we went down to the local pump and gassed it up then made our way to O'Reilys and got some fluids to top off the transmission and power steering pump.  While we were there I showed Doug (different Doug from the neighbor) the squeaking belt issue.  He exchanged me for a new belt and the squeaking stopped!  Squeak and leak free!

Afterwards we a run down I-30 and the results were good:

60 mph = 1,850 rpm
65 mph = 2,000 rpm
70 mph = 2,200 rpm

We finished the ride, checked for leaks, squeaks, and there weren't any.  We put it back in the garage before the winter storm descended on us tomorrow.  It was 80 degrees today.

For the next 3 weeks progress will be slow.  I have an exam that I have to study for and it is going to soak up my time.

Found the Leak

Body mobility was non-exsistant this morning.  The workout yesterday has me moving like some of the rusty bolts in my truck.  Eager to see the cam freeze plug, I ingested enough lubricant (coffee) to get the bolts moving.  

As I suspected, the lip below the plug had seeped out oil.  That plug had to go.  So in thinking how to get the plug out, I used the "weld a lever to it" method.  I took a piece of 1" pipe and welded it to the freeze plug and with very little effort, it popped right out. 

It was obvious that this was the "real" problem to my oil leak.  The lower side showed gapping areas (dark areas were it wasn't sealed) and looked to have a manufacturing flaw in it (the silver dot visible in the photo).  

The crankshaft had absolutely no grooves in it.  The main was easy to install as was the oil pump.  The oil pan and gasket I had ordered are going back to Summit due to an additional drain sump at the bottom of the pan that I feared would not give me clearance for the crossmember.  

The freeze plug became its own challenge of the day.  I had it narrowed down to 2 part numbers, both of which I could get my hands on today.  Dorman part numbers 555-050 and 555-051.  050 was a deeper plug that appeared to be the right diameter and 051 was a larger diameter with the right depth.  After studying each I realized King Kong couldn't drive the 051 plug into the block.  After multiple checks on the depth of the 050, I decided to drive it with JB Weld as a sealant.  It ain't coming out or leaking.  

Afterwards I slowly worked the motor back in and have it mated with the transmission again.  Now I can do small re-attachment tasks during the week if I get time.

3, 2, 1, Go!

So here's a new exercise challenge for you:

1. 8:30 am - run a 5k
2. 9:30 am - drink a few free beers after run 
3. 10:30 am - eat an early lunch
4. 12:00 pm - pull a motor out of your truck
5. 3:30 pm - take a shower
6. 5:00 pm - drive 30 miles for a dinner
7. 8:30 pm - drive home

Last Tuesday I decided to wait until dark and do a cannon ball run down I-30.  In the dark, and with numerous citations looming, Doug and I drove out a few miles west and back.  At 65 mph we were turning 2,000 rpm and the truck was pretty smooth.  

This gave me a chance to figure out several issues.  The PCV valve that came with the motor was not letting enough vacuum into the crankcase so the filter cap on the air intake side was puking out on the valve cover.  I got a specified one for the motor and no more puking.  The belt squeak was still pretty bad but seemed to be calming down towards the end of the run.  I am thinking that the high volume of belt conditioner that I put on prior to fixing the bottom pulley is causing this.  But my larger concern was the oil leak at the rear of the motor.  

That evening I ordered parts from Summit; rear main seal, oil pump, oil pan, oil pan gasket.  The motor is coming out.

So we yanked the motor out and got to the vitals at the back of the motor.  The oil pan gasket that I installed looked like it was in good shape and doing its job.  The rear main looked to be leaking BUT the camshaft freeze plug had oil on the bottom of it.  Hmm.

On our way home from dinner a thought occurred to me so when we arrived I immediately wiped of the cam freeze plug edges really good and went to bed.  

Running With Rattles

Today was not all that exciting, NOT!  We got the truck back from Phoenix Transmissions yesterday and drove it down to the bar at the end of our street for a beer.  The squealing serpentine belt was so loud I could hardly hear the motor so I doused it with a half a can of belt conditioner and that wasn't working.  My guess was the bottom pulley.

So today I went to the local pick and pull for a lower pulley and an AOD female plug so that I can hook up reverse lights and a neutral lockout.  I put the pulley on and it still squeaked but not as bad.  Then I hit it with a little more belt dressing and it quieted down for the most part.

Being able to hear the truck move down the road only facilitated the ability to hear other issues going on.  One issue was the rattling noise that stopped when the brakes were applied.  After a long session of truck shaking and listening, we pulled the wheel off and discovered that the brake pads were making the noise.

Readers meet Mr. Anti Rattle Clip.  He mates with the Mrs. Inside Brake Pad on the lower side.  However Mr. Clip has no association with those on the outside.  Those pads must be tuned with a hammer and a slight wallop.  Now that noise is gone.

Alaina and I drove around the neighborhood and on an access road.  The more we drove it the quieter it got and my guess is that the belt is settling in to comfort zone.  I still have lots of things to do and correct.  The biggest issue being the pesky oil leak at the rear of the motor.  If this doesn't stop, I could be pulling the motor out to fix it.

Trailer Up

Where do I start?  Today was one of those days that just happen and you look back and say "that's just nuts".  It started out with me preparing for the worst, a bad motor that was locking up and ended with me driving the truck on a trailer to head to the transmission shop.  

I started the day trying to study for a financial exam and it was going no where cause all I could think about was a 351w that wouldn't turn over.  Then Doug shows up with some 1/4 inch steel that needs to be welded up for his carport.  There isn't much that will calm you down and give you a sense of accomplishment like good old stick welding (when it goes right).  I haven't used a stick in a while but it was prefect timing.  

Afterwards Doug and I attacked the truck.  First, we checked to see if the bowels of the motor were locking up.  No.  Then we checked all the starter connections.  No.  Then the starter solenoid.  No.  Finally, the brand spanking new starter that I have used about a dozen times.  Something didn't look right.  The shaft going in to the nose cone was out of center and the bushing had worked it's way out.  Remanufactured in CHINA.  

Went back to O'Reily's,  lifetime exchange, and WOW!  Completely different starter action.  I must have started it 10 times cause I couldn't believe it.

Afterwards we got the seat in, then the hood on.  Alaina and I got in and "accidentally" squeaked the tires just before loading it up on the trailer.  We are headed back to Phoenix for some AOD setup and tune in.

I think she spent 20 minutes sitting there with her seat belt on.

Note: you can still see where mom had junk stacked on the hood for 20 years.