Progress report
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: N. Gwinnett
Talked to my ol' fire buddy yesterday & that oil truck with the bus horn has been retired....<thinking of the possibilities> Grover Stuttertones, anyone?
I've driven a variety of vehicles with air brakes, but never gotten into the how-to. Belt-driven compressor, like A/C?
I've driven a variety of vehicles with air brakes, but never gotten into the how-to. Belt-driven compressor, like A/C?
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: N. Gwinnett
Thanks to all who have provided suggestions & advice.
Here's some results, now that the monsoon has stopped.
Replaced the clockspring, headlight switch & its connector.
There are pix in my gallery. The horn works, and the airbag
diagnostics say everything's ok in Airbagland. The headlights
seem to work without blinking. And now the inlaws want me
to work on their cars.
I added a piece of HD black stair-runner behind & under the seat.
Hope this'll keep things from rattling so much behind the seat.
Also used BG intake cleaner (plus BG44 & Techron Injector cleaner-
dual tanks) to see if it would even out the idle. I think it helped.
Got 2 more cans of the stuff.
My remaining prob is the driveline vibe.
I'm gonna start by doing the rear diff service-
see how bad things are in there.
Here's some results, now that the monsoon has stopped.
Replaced the clockspring, headlight switch & its connector.
There are pix in my gallery. The horn works, and the airbag
diagnostics say everything's ok in Airbagland. The headlights
seem to work without blinking. And now the inlaws want me
to work on their cars.
I added a piece of HD black stair-runner behind & under the seat.
Hope this'll keep things from rattling so much behind the seat.
Also used BG intake cleaner (plus BG44 & Techron Injector cleaner-
dual tanks) to see if it would even out the idle. I think it helped.
Got 2 more cans of the stuff.
My remaining prob is the driveline vibe.
I'm gonna start by doing the rear diff service-
see how bad things are in there.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: N. Gwinnett
Hi all-
Think the driveline clunk is a busted motor mount. Truck is parked across the drive & looks funny, but it's the only way to get it level. Got most of it worked loose, but being short su*ks. Have a taller, stronger friend coming over tomorrow to apply a little more persuasion.
How hard is it to break a long Craftsman ratchet?
I keep hearing these mounts are square, but I ain't seen nothing square about these. My parts guy tells me that they've always been square. But the ol "Sesame Street" diagnostic method says different..."one of these things is not like the other" I've probably just dated myself...Anybody else remember that little ditty?
I'm getting better at taking digital pix of everything - may not be worth 1,000 words, but I'd say it's worth at least two trips back to the store!
I did learn one thing worth storing away...I used my smaller jack to jack up the engine, forgetting it isn't as smooth as the big one. There's no "let 'er down easy", and I really DONT want to stress-test my cribbing. Next time, I'll use the bigger jack and work around it.
Gitting 'er done and cussing up a blue streak,
Liz
Think the driveline clunk is a busted motor mount. Truck is parked across the drive & looks funny, but it's the only way to get it level. Got most of it worked loose, but being short su*ks. Have a taller, stronger friend coming over tomorrow to apply a little more persuasion.
How hard is it to break a long Craftsman ratchet?
I keep hearing these mounts are square, but I ain't seen nothing square about these. My parts guy tells me that they've always been square. But the ol "Sesame Street" diagnostic method says different..."one of these things is not like the other" I've probably just dated myself...Anybody else remember that little ditty?
I'm getting better at taking digital pix of everything - may not be worth 1,000 words, but I'd say it's worth at least two trips back to the store!
I did learn one thing worth storing away...I used my smaller jack to jack up the engine, forgetting it isn't as smooth as the big one. There's no "let 'er down easy", and I really DONT want to stress-test my cribbing. Next time, I'll use the bigger jack and work around it.
Gitting 'er done and cussing up a blue streak,
Liz
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: everywhere and nowhere
what year is your truck? i know all about replacin motor mounts, had to replace em on the new motor in the beast last week, but for a different reason. i am not sure how hard it is to break a craftsman ratchet, but i have broken a craftsmen torque wrench, and it did take a little doin to make that happen, hope you find what you need, and tht you can get itall taken care of!! best of luck!!
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From: N. Gwinnett
Apparently my '94 has '93 mounts. There's 2 pix in my gallery of the wallered out mount.
Had to let out my inner redneck - my helper didn't show, so I found a bigger wrench!
Parts will be in Tues.
Working on fan clutch & u-joints, and it's almost beer-thirty!
Hey Evil, how's the beastie doing?
Had to let out my inner redneck - my helper didn't show, so I found a bigger wrench!
Parts will be in Tues.
Working on fan clutch & u-joints, and it's almost beer-thirty!
Hey Evil, how's the beastie doing?
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From: N. Gwinnett
I thought about using the torque wrench. It's long enough, but the dang things cost too much.
I have a 1/2" Craftsman flex-head that's @ 16" long. It did the trick with no cussing, not even a "d" word. Yesterday though, I was working those "f" and "m" words pretty hard. Kept it under my breath, though - lots of kids in the neighborhood.
If things get REALLY mean, I have a 4' prybar floating around here somewhere, and a bunch of cribbing.
I have a 1/2" Craftsman flex-head that's @ 16" long. It did the trick with no cussing, not even a "d" word. Yesterday though, I was working those "f" and "m" words pretty hard. Kept it under my breath, though - lots of kids in the neighborhood.
If things get REALLY mean, I have a 4' prybar floating around here somewhere, and a bunch of cribbing.
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From: everywhere and nowhere
the beast ran to the gas station today, for the first time with the new motor, i smoked em down twice already cuz i am not used to havin power!!! 500 hp at the crank makes alot of difference, but it idles funny, i am not used to havin a roller cam and rockers in it, and it has one helluva lope in the idle. but other than that, it is runnin fine, just have to put a bolt wit a nut in the bottom of the power steerin pump to stop the belt from squeelin. and all should be good to go, along wit gettin a fittin for the cruise control. preciate ya askin, glad to hear that you didnt hafta cuss up a storm, take it easy, and keep on wrenchin!!!
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From: N. Gwinnett
Motor mounts...DONE!
Truck idles as smooth as my Crown Vic....
If ya could do it bass-ackwards on this job, I did. Turned out the second mount was gone too, just not nearly as bad. And now my brother-in-law asked me to help do his (81 Chevy 350). I gotta quit opening my mouth!
On the 2nd try, I got the right fan clutch. Can't find a wrench for it though. AutoZone rents them, but they didn't have it in stock. IIIODTIA (If It Isn't One D*mn Thing, It's Another). I may try something EASY tomorrow, like changing the trans filter.
Truck idles as smooth as my Crown Vic....
If ya could do it bass-ackwards on this job, I did. Turned out the second mount was gone too, just not nearly as bad. And now my brother-in-law asked me to help do his (81 Chevy 350). I gotta quit opening my mouth!
On the 2nd try, I got the right fan clutch. Can't find a wrench for it though. AutoZone rents them, but they didn't have it in stock. IIIODTIA (If It Isn't One D*mn Thing, It's Another). I may try something EASY tomorrow, like changing the trans filter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Perry,Ga.
Originally Posted by Ladyfire3374
Motor mounts...DONE!
Truck idles as smooth as my Crown Vic....
If ya could do it bass-ackwards on this job, I did. Turned out the second mount was gone too, just not nearly as bad. And now my brother-in-law asked me to help do his (81 Chevy 350). I gotta quit opening my mouth!
On the 2nd try, I got the right fan clutch. Can't find a wrench for it though. AutoZone rents them, but they didn't have it in stock. IIIODTIA (If It Isn't One D*mn Thing, It's Another). I may try something EASY tomorrow, like changing the trans filter.
Truck idles as smooth as my Crown Vic....
If ya could do it bass-ackwards on this job, I did. Turned out the second mount was gone too, just not nearly as bad. And now my brother-in-law asked me to help do his (81 Chevy 350). I gotta quit opening my mouth!
On the 2nd try, I got the right fan clutch. Can't find a wrench for it though. AutoZone rents them, but they didn't have it in stock. IIIODTIA (If It Isn't One D*mn Thing, It's Another). I may try something EASY tomorrow, like changing the trans filter.
.Easy!! 
Changin the tranny filter is easy but aahhhh........... how do I say this.....VERY MESSY!!!
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From: N. Gwinnett
Yeah, Ranger I "adapted" one of those plastic boxes some people store their Xmas wrapping paper in. It holds 7 or 8 gallons, so there isn't much sloshing. It's long enuf to catch both the TC drain and the tranny pan, and not so tall that it gets in the way.
I think the last time I had to bleed brakes, I used the plastic top from a store-bought cake. About 5" deep, plenty of room & a good excuse to go buy another cake.
I'd rather think a little bit than clean a lot!
I think the last time I had to bleed brakes, I used the plastic top from a store-bought cake. About 5" deep, plenty of room & a good excuse to go buy another cake.
I'd rather think a little bit than clean a lot!
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From: N. Gwinnett
Got the tranny done today...but it took 2 tubs clamped together!
Judging from the crud in the pan, the filter hadn't been changed in probably 60k mi. I'm glad I was suspicious when they said the trans had been "flushed".
Since I mostly wanted to have a look inside the pan, I didn't drain the converter & only changed 7 of the 17 or so quarts of ATF. The vibe is still there, but much improved. I'm thinking I'll give the fresh fluid some time to do its' cleaning thing, then change the filter and ALL the fluid.
Any suggestions on how long I should let it work?
Judging from the crud in the pan, the filter hadn't been changed in probably 60k mi. I'm glad I was suspicious when they said the trans had been "flushed".
Since I mostly wanted to have a look inside the pan, I didn't drain the converter & only changed 7 of the 17 or so quarts of ATF. The vibe is still there, but much improved. I'm thinking I'll give the fresh fluid some time to do its' cleaning thing, then change the filter and ALL the fluid.
Any suggestions on how long I should let it work?
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From: N. Gwinnett
Latest Adventure: brakes started grinding. Pads, right?
Truck parked sideways across driveway again - I imagine the neighbors think the rednecks have invaded! Pulled the brakes and YUUCK! Shoulda known things were bad - the bleeder wouldn't & when we got it out, the part inside the caliper was corroded. Calipers were shot, one hose was leaking and the fluid that came out was about the color of black ink.
Had the rotors turned, checked & repacked wheel bearings & am replacing calipers & both hoses - just need to finish the details. Been cycling fluid thru the master cyl - now it's the color of light beer.
I had a friend from school coming over so we could replace his oxygen sensor, so he lent a hand with the brakes. I'm so used to having to do everything by myself that I had forgotten how easy things can be when you have good help.
I had also forgetten, after being miserably hot all summer, that I don't particularly like being cold, either.
Truck parked sideways across driveway again - I imagine the neighbors think the rednecks have invaded! Pulled the brakes and YUUCK! Shoulda known things were bad - the bleeder wouldn't & when we got it out, the part inside the caliper was corroded. Calipers were shot, one hose was leaking and the fluid that came out was about the color of black ink.
Had the rotors turned, checked & repacked wheel bearings & am replacing calipers & both hoses - just need to finish the details. Been cycling fluid thru the master cyl - now it's the color of light beer.
I had a friend from school coming over so we could replace his oxygen sensor, so he lent a hand with the brakes. I'm so used to having to do everything by myself that I had forgotten how easy things can be when you have good help.
I had also forgetten, after being miserably hot all summer, that I don't particularly like being cold, either.