Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread

[Turdle]

You haven't lived a full life till you've installed a V8 explorer radiator.

 

[CDW6212R]

Whew, I hope to never do that again. I have to make a list and go to a JY to buy some things, those V6 condenser brackets for sure.

 

[Turdle]

Just as @410Fortune said,

I loosened the oil plug and at least a cup of coolant escaped thru the threads into the pan,

I dumped a quart of cheap oil thru also.

 

[Turdle]

Guys, I do think Betty is on the road again!

Huge relief for the household. It'll be good to leave town for a change.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

You haven't lived a full life till you've installed a V8 explorer radiator.

i cheated that and used a v6 condenser and mounts. good thing to because ive had the motor in and out enough times that i should use Velcro to hold it in

 

[Turdle]

i cheated that and used a v6 condenser and mounts. good thing to because ive had the motor in and out enough times that i should use Velcro to hold it in

I'm seriously considering this.


Next up, I m going to remove the off road bumper and roof rack, throw em in storage and clean install the factory type front bumper. These changbes should be worth about 4 mpg . Need to bring her back up to 18 mpg+ like she used to do.

Bumper and roof rack yields 14.6 mpg if you keep it under 65 mpg. LOD on scangauge runs high at highway speeds also. Averages around 70-75 at 65 mph.

If the rack delete and bumper yield a lower LOD , well know if it worked.

Problem is, I carefully trimmed the welds holding the factory bumper brackets to frame horn. I guess the best thing hing to do is make an inside bolt on mount I could weld the factory mounts to, making them removable. Anyone done this? Ideas?

The winch bumper is held in this way, thinking a plate drilled to it's pattern, bolt it in and weld to brackets.

 

[Turdle]

Too good to be true. Coolant Draining now cause I get to do this all over again. Pretty upset right now, going for gasket set at AutoZone.

Got oil and coolant leaking. Questioning my abilities now.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ouch, that really sucks. Take it easy, don't break something cause you're mad at it. Go slow and enjoy everything coming off easily and clean.

I spent a ton of time checking my old timing cover and the whole gasket surface area. I worked the RTV into the corners above and below the gasket, using a small screwdriver to push it in there well. I was worried about the oil pan section leaking, as I couldn't add any sealant, but rely on the old gasket to hold. I filed on my old timing cover around the two coolant holes, it was degraded along there a bit.

I hope it works this next time for you.

 

[Rick]

Sorry to hear that Jon. I have been in the same boat. Finish everything up only to find it has to come apart again. Extremely frustrating.

 

[Turdle]

I have semi good news.

Removed lower rad hose to get rad out and found it badly clamped, coolant come by from there.

Got rad out, removed balancer and yup, I tucked the front seal when I put the balancer on. That'll do it by golly, explained oil slinging everywhere.

Timing seal actually looks ok. Gonna attempt front seal replacement . Glad I left it out a tad, should be able to pull it out

 

[vroomzoomboom]

there was a time when i really enjoyed working on cars and trucks.
there was also a time when i had hair.
coincidence?

 

[Rick]

there was a time when i really enjoyed working on cars and trucks.
there was also a time when i had hair.
coincidence?

I think you're on to something!

 

[Turdle]

Oh hell nah!


Ain't pretty, but it's out.

 

[Turdle]

Ok, what else is fudged up in here?

 

[Turdle]

@Rick and @vroomzoomboom ,

I am now going grow my hair long since it was brought up. Seems like a lot of people are anyway Gonna have a fro like Ricks , except it'll look more like a broom. A big gray broom.

 

[Turdle]

Front main seal replacement is doable under hood.

 

[Turdle]

I drained and saved the precious new mobil 1 oil, as I thought I was going to remove the timing cover again.

Got the balancer seated slow and smooth, after oiling it and the seal, watched the seal as it went in this time.
Refilled oil, started engine just for 2 second nds and shut it off.

Cardboard placed under to see if the udders still leak.
Mules have udders right?

Drips are from water pump snoutso ignore them. We'll see how it looks tomorrow.
What mess. Some always gets away.

 

[410Fortune]

Battle on! You are winning
Now back to your bumper roof rack projects

I’m telling you I have zip ties the condenser to the radiator about 15 times, forget those v8 style clips. However you do get better at the clips over time… they are still never “easy”

 

[Turdle]

There is a trick to the clips, and I found cleaning them a bit and silicone lube helps. Tiny bit of lube, just a spritz. That stuff gets on your fingers and good luck grabbing anything.

 

[Turdle]

The radiator trick literally took 5 minutes!

First rest driver side of radiator on pad.

Then, underneath, push in the small lock as far as it will go

Then, no pic because it takes 2 hands, while holding radiator, reach one arm up to align the lower tab with radiator slot.

Now going up your top tab will be aligned also

Now you slide condensor over till fanny clip aligns, and snap it. Hang passenger side of radiator up on its pad. Done.