Thanks for the compliment, but I still have the ugly stuff to install , core support, radiator, fan shroud,etc.

found a very detailed, step by step sequence for ensuring that the sniper is fully functional without having to start the engine. You work down the checklist just prior to cranking the engine. That way if there is something not right with the Sniper you can fix it instead of cranking and cranking the new engine and are unable to get it to start. Ive been told that a new engine needs to fire as soon as possible.

 

Kurt that engine bay is looking great. I see you did the 3G alternator upgrade, and went with a serpentine belt setup as well.

 

Thanks John, someday soon you might be able to take a closer look 😁

 

Back at my trailer work yesterday and today. After bringing to my friend Wayne to help me straighten some of the frame wrinkles, he commented on how much it leans to one side in the back. It is noticable but I wanted to get a good measurement to see what I am dealing with. Putting a tape measure on the brace bracket on both sides, the drivers side is 14 inches to the ground and the passenger side is 16 inches.

2 inch lean!

I got out the old bottle jack again and with the long brace removed, put a 4x4 in place and routed my chain. I didn't feel like I made much progress, and I got the feeling that the length of the 4x4 was a problem, as it spanned almost the entire length of the area I was trying to bend.


Wow! tossed this as soon as I noticed it and replaced with a grade 8 bolt from my bolt bin.

Rearranged my setup, this time with the long brace in place along with 2 pieces of scrap. Tried again, and I could tell it was bending, but always spring right back. And again, same problem in that the pieces I am using cover the entire area of the bend. So not much luck there, although I did note that the measurement was now 14-1/2 inches.


So this was a much better setup, a short 4x4 that would only be over the center of my planned bend area. This time I cranked it really good & tight, and then while it was under stress I heated the frame with my propane torch. I know it's nothing like a real torch that could turn metal cherry red, but still I figured "heat helps metal move" and for sure I heard metallic pings twice as things "settled".

Working in the middle of the night during my 30 minute lunch break

That did the trick because now it's level across the back. Measurement is 16-1/4 on one side and 16 on the other. Close enough.


But there was collateral damage:

A new wrinkle..


Definite downwards bow

So Dave I think I need your help again to figure this out. Two heads are better than one and maybe you can help figure out a way to re-straighten this part without then causing the back part to go back down. Or at the very least, just make it look better and straighter.

 

Was that kink before or after I was there with the BMFH and you got it straight?
I want to say before and why you needed the hammer as it was good when I left.

I got a question?
Have you put a straight edge across the rear where the ramps would sit to drive on?
In the pictures it looks like it is bowed down on each end that would throw off your measurements.
Dave ----

 

Oh how did the trailer pull when you went to Wayne's now that all the wheels are pointing in the same direction?
Hope a lot better than when you picked it up and pulled it home.
Dave ----

 

That post about the frame kink was made before you came over.


This was the bend I started with.

This was after 5 sets of 20 with the 8 pound hammer.

And this was about 15 whacks with your 10 pounder! This was the right tool for the job

As far as a straight edge across the back, I have not done that but yes I think you are right it will probably show that it is crowned in the middle by a little bit. When I do my measurements on the sides to check the height, I use these brackets as my point of reference.


The trailer pulled straight when I went to Wayne's, I know it's not perfect only "backyard mechanic" straight but probably good enough for the time being, and maybe down the road I'll replace one or both axles.

 

I took care of the suspension bushings. Everything was straight-forward except for one hanger. It was very wallowed out and oval. As I recall, all the other points had the correct 9/16 bolts except this one which had a 1/2 inch bolt. So I guess the smaller diameter just let it move around and wear too much.



I figured I could increase the size of the hole big enough to get this alternator spacer through it. The inner diameter is a perfect fit for the 9/16 bolt and it's a nice heavy thick wall.


Tried to even it out a little with a dremel to try to make it more into a circle.


Just enough to get my spacer through

Cut the spacer into 1/4 inch thicknesses and pushed them in. I held a plate behind them with a clamp to make sure they didn't protrude into the spring area, then tack welded in place. Just enough to keep them from moving around.


After that, bolt fits perfect, no more slop.

 

Nice job.
You could have welded it all the way around and ground it flat like you did.
Take it you had to do that x2 for the inside too.

I found out yesterday the AC in the pickup stopped working again
It is really staring to **** me off as everything has been replaced and checked a bunch of times and dont know where it can be leaking from!

Also checked my driver Lic. the other day and see it over due.
Hit the DMV today got a number at 9am, told a L O N G wait!
At 9:30 they said no more walk ins but I was in so I was good.
At 9:45 they came out and said the computer system was down and no ETA when it would be back up?
Could be 30 min or 8 hours like a few weeks back!
I did not stick around and will go Wed as I think it will not be so full then ... I hope!
Dave ----

 

Wow that is awful, which drivers license office do you go to? The one in Four Oaks on 301 near Holt Lake? That one used to always have the shortest wait time.

For the AC slow leak, do you have that leak detection kit with the black light and special glasses? I think just out of frustration I would just continually refill it lol.

 

Smithfield on 301 just down of the DMV for plates.
That where I have gone in the past and they knew me when I was in a few months back.

Also the system was down state wide and not knowing when it would be back I will try a different day.

I do have the dye in the system and have a black light it look with. I just need look when it is dark or in the garage so I can see, outside where bright don't work to good.
Going out in a few to look for leaks and if I got a can or 2 put them in so I got AC again.
Dave ----

 

I looked the AC system over with black light and did not see any smoking gun type leak
I did find a little oil at an adapter and cap on the low side fitting but no oil drops below it.
Going to have to fill the system back up and pick up a sniffer to test all the fittings mostly that one.

Some have said that the cap / adapters can push in on the valve a little and let the gas out so need to look into that deeper.
Dave ----

 

Got my Lic renewed yesterday I went first thing and could not get into the parking lot it was full up
I went back about 130 and got a number right away but had to wait 1.5 hours to get called up.
Yep they knew me from my pass visits
Well when all said and done I still have my class A (trailer truck) but lost my tanker endorsment because I cant pass the eye test.
I was giving up the hazmat but upset about the tanker part. The other thing was to put the class A on hold, they only do it for 6 months and if not renewed it is gone, or what I did and get to keep it for 8 more years. If I want / need tanker I then have to get the eye tests like before each year I want to keep the Lic.
At that point I would just get medical card every year like I was both for my eye and high blood psi.

Then took the Durango for inspection. Safety only that is a good thing as the CEL is on
It goes in on Tue for check and fix. Think son said front cats on the Y pipe 1 is weak so they both have to be replaced.
May also have them do a tune up as it has been a bit and it has a little miss at times.

On the way home picked oz cans of 134a for the pick up.
Today after food shopping I added 2 cans and she is blowing cold again.
With only 1 can the compressor would run all the time like it should till the RPM went up. That pulled the low side of the system below the low cut off switch setting and shut the compressor off. I dont know what the high side was as I used one oft hem quick shot lines that only has a gauge and hook up on the low side. I also dont think the gauge is right as it was reading pretty high when done to keep the compressor on.

I talked to my son about a AC sniffer from HF that he will pick up as the store is pretty close to his work.
Once I have it I will checkthe system again but for now I left the cap off the low side adapter as that might be where it was leaking from?
That is where I found a drip with my finger and black light but was no drops below in that area.
The drip could also be front that adapter and the low side connection?
I have seen posted that some caps push in on the valve and cause a leak and why I left the cap off.
Time will tell.

I then did the weekly garbage run and it blew cold there and back
Dave ----

 

I am glad you have cold AC again, even if you have a slight leak and have to refill it every year or so! Maybe when get the sniffer it will find the leak. I had never heard that about the cap possibly pushing against the center thing, but I guess if maybe not all caps are the same one might sit a little lower.

I cannot believe how long the wait was, I am dreading when my license renewal is now. I think I have 3 more years.

Tom has been down all week, he's been working on his shop. Meanwhile I am working my regular shift, tinkering with the trailer, and helping him out in the evenings. The heat has not been kind to us although yesterday was the nicest day so far this week. He has 2 very large heavy machines that we need to move tomorrow, hoping that the engine hoist and some straps will be able to do the majority of the work for us. One is lathe, I can't remember what the other is. They look like they are from the 60's. Very heavy duty.

My tomatoes have been going like gangbusters, I think I have gotten 4-5 tomatoes off every day this week!

 

I wish it was refill the AC once a year but think it has been a little more than that
I left the cap off till I get the sniffer to see if that dose anything.

On the Lic. I think only CDL holders have to go to a building because of the BS we have to go thru to make sure everything is in order.
A normal Lic. I think you can renew on line as there is a link to do so.
I do think every few years you have to renew the picture but other wise renew on line.

Because of my eye I cant lift / push / bend over but if you think I can be of help like me know.

When we first moved down here Mary had gardens that I used the tractor to make / plow but the ground has to much sand and cant grow much of anything.
She did try a raised bed but I think she used the wrong dirt, it was more like mulch.
The heat down here and most of our yard is in the sun dose not help either.
Now that Mary has a had time walking I think she gave up on a garden here and then is fine with me as she would start it and I would have to do the weeding.
If I wanted to do weeding I would have started the garden!

I may get something to make a good raised bed and good dirt and have it up by the house so Mary has something but I would need to set up before it gets hot LOL
Dave ----