[Jax]

Well, I chickened out. I spent forever today getting the forward cooler head gasket off, then cleaning the engine. I finally used my fingernails.

Anyway, the sun was setting and while I had time to install the cooler . . . if something went wrong, I'd have been in the cold and dark for a while.

I gave that up when I left the Army . . . .

Did I mention that I did not remove the lower radiator hose? I have no problem working in there. It's nice to be small.

 

[Jax]

The Beast Lives!

First, I'd washed my coveralls. I went to pull them out and found I'd not moved them over to the dryer, damnit.

So, out to the shop to get another. As I am putting them on, the leg seam gives way. REALLY?!?!
So, inside I go. Sew it up. Start to put them on, and see another suspicious seam. Yeah, I ended up sewing both sides of both legs.

Back to work. Surprisingly, it went in well. Got all the bolts started. Of course, they were too hard to turn with my fingers and too loose for the ratchet. Grrr. I tightened a little more than the 18 ft-lbs, maybe 25 ft-lbs.

No leaks yet.

Are there any other bolts I should put a wrench on? I'm still rather miffed at how loose the bolts were.

 

[Blue-Truck-Nut97]

If you can get to them I'd run over the exhaust bolts just to be safe.

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

 

[Dustybumpers]

I'm with Jake. I always retorqued exhaust at least twice on a new build. I didn't follow my own rule on my 94, now I have a header gasket ticking at 1,000 miles

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Blue-Truck-Nut97]

Headers are annoying. I had a real problem with the set in my 79. Finally resorted to custom gaskets.

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

 

[Dustybumpers]

I usually use copper gaskets, but forgot to order them. Had some leftover mr gaskets from another project. Lets just say they dont make things like they used too

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Jax]

Hmmmm . . . . I think I mislead you . . .

The book refers to the two ends of the oil cooler as the front oil cooler header and the rear oil cooler header.

 

[Jax]

But so far, no drips!

 

[Jax]

Wonderful things about the truck:

It took the hills, towing the travel trailer, and never slowed down!

Even the lousy towing mileage was way better than the Tundra's.

It fires up in single digit weather.

I do not like single digit weather.

 

[tjctransport]

did you ever get heat?

 

[Jax]

did you ever get heat?

Yes! I used the old actuator -- plugged in the hinge turner, but did not snap it in place. I could use it to close the blender door and got heat into the cab.

 

[Jax]

New Question! Can one freeze the parking brake?

It didn't hold the truck and trailer in our Frozen Hell of Cascade, NM . . .

 

[cjfisher]

Yes! I have water get into the park brake cable and freeze it stuck.

 

[Jax]

Well, the truck did fabulous. Me, not so much. I am definitely a fair weather traveler.

 

[tjctransport]

yup, as cj said if water gets into the cables they will freeze tighter than a clams ass out of water.

 

[Blue-Truck-Nut97]

Really happy to hear that you made it home safely.

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

 

[Jax]

Really happy to hear that you made it home safely.

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

Wait, did I say that?

Murphy was still lively . . . Trailer tire shredded just this side of the AZ | NM line. #$%^&*(

 

[tjctransport]

Jax, i think you have been hanging with me and charlie too long, and our good luck started rubbing off on you. 😁

 

[Blue-Truck-Nut97]

Wait, did I say that?

Murphy was still lively . . . Trailer tire shredded just this side of the AZ | NM line. #$%^&*(

Yes, but you are home in mostly one piece, right?

BTW, I think you are sharing your luck, I spent the day before yesterday on foot broke down in that [email protected], then yesterday replacing my new front main seal. You can stop with the voodoo thing now, I'm good

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

 

[Jax]

Oh, Blue, man, I am so sorry!

Yeah, I'm calling it a day.