Fix4Dirt '98 XLT

[Fix4Dirt]

A bottle of k seal will tell. Might even get you going for a bit while you acquire parts.

Edit.
If you try k seal, make sure to bypass the heater core with a double ended barb nipple until the product has a few heat cycles to set up. Then, reconnect heater core and refill coolant.

Not going to hurt anything at this point. If you have a head lifting at temp, or, a heat crack, this might fix it temporarily. Either way you gotta get the engine out.

Would it leave deposits in the rad? If possible I wanna keep these parts for the next engine (assuming I stay SOHC)

Sounds like you might need a 302

Think my bank account needs more zeroes for that to happen My retirement account has enough but I want to let it compound so I can retire on time

 

[Josh P]

Would it leave deposits in the rad? If possible I wanna keep these parts for the next engine (assuming I stay SOHC)

Think my bank account needs more zeroes for that to happen My retirement account has enough but I want to let it compound so I can retire on time

I like money, I'm a big fan of it. I have a little.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Haha, yep! I still have probably 50 years til retirement so I want to save all I can when Im young so itll be worth alot more later on haha

 

[Josh P]

Haha, yep! I still have probably 50 years til retirement so I want to save all I can when Im young so itll be worth alot more later on haha

I'm glad to hear that. The power of compounding interest can turn a small investment into a large one over time. $10k invested at 18 will turn into a million at 65 at just over 10% interest which is easy to get in the stock market.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

I'm glad to hear that. The power of compounding interest can turn a small investment into a large one over time. $10k invested at 18 will turn into a million at 65 at just over 10% interest which is easy to get in the stock market.

Im figuring at this point considering I leave in Sept & w/ work, not enough time to do a 5.0, but I think a reman SOHC should serve me well for the next while. Its not the most fun option, but I think its the most cost/time effective, considering I probably have until Sept to work out the bugs... or wait until winter to start the whole project, but the same problem

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Im wondering if I could bypass the heater, put bars in the system, drive it a bit, then flush the system (so that only the hardened areas remain, presumably where the crack/break is), then reconnect and refill, so that there isnt any more circulating around in the system but there is a sea l over the crack area. So then at elast I can DD it again, maybe not wheel with it, but in the meantime while I prep everything or kick the can down the road (depending on how the sealer does), I can still drive it without blasting the heater

 

[Josh P]

Having a working heater is great for the cool mornings where the condensation forms on the glass and you can't see.

 

[410Fortune]

I bought Amazon at $90 a share back in January of 2025, amazon was up to 2200 and then it split 20:1 so shares were $100! It’s already back up to $240 a share in 7 months

Diversify!!! I never made a lot of $$$, I’m basically a glorified cad operator who sidelines working on trucks, and helps my wife with her carpet business. With a steady paycheck for 30 years, and some hard work we have amassed a great deal of wealth. Much of it in real estate and some in the market. Amazon is still a good buy at 240, nvidia is a stock I recently got into and is affordable

Diversify! Never put all your eggs in one basket
Invest now!!!! Smart move.. especially with the rising cost of living, some places of this country cost a bit more then others lmfao Cali is sooo bad!

 

[Josh P]

I bought Amazon at $90 a share back in January of 2025, amazon was up to 2200 and then it split 20:1 so shares were $100! It’s already back up to $240 a share in 7 months

Diversify!!! I never made a lot of $$$, I’m basically a glorified cad operator who sidelines working on trucks, and helps my wife with her carpet business. With a steady paycheck for 30 years, and some hard work we have amassed a great deal of wealth. Much of it in real estate and some in the market. Amazon is still a good buy at 240, nvidia is a stock I recently got into and is affordable

Diversify! Never put all your eggs in one basket
Invest now!!!! Smart move.. especially with the rising cost of living, some places of this country cost a bit more then others lmfao Cali is sooo bad!

I like dividend stocks. Some of my stock picks are paying 16% interest and have for years. Every 4-5 years the amount doubles.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Having a working heater is great for the cool mornings where the condensation forms on the glass and you can't see.

Yes sir! Im planning on recconecting the heater after the stuff has had a chance to solidify and I flush the excess out. At least when I get around to putting it in haha.

I bought Amazon at $90 a share back in January of 2025, amazon was up to 2200 and then it split 20:1 so shares were $100! It’s already back up to $240 a share in 7 months

Diversify!!! I never made a lot of $$$, I’m basically a glorified cad operator who sidelines working on trucks, and helps my wife with her carpet business. With a steady paycheck for 30 years, and some hard work we have amassed a great deal of wealth. Much of it in real estate and some in the market. Amazon is still a good buy at 240, nvidia is a stock I recently got into and is affordable

Diversify! Never put all your eggs in one basket
Invest now!!!! Smart move.. especially with the rising cost of living, some places of this country cost a bit more then others lmfao Cali is sooo bad!

VOO is mine of choice, since it automatically diversifies. Then some oil and what not sprinkled on top haha.

I like dividend stocks. Some of my stock picks are paying 16% interest and have for years. Every 4-5 years the amount doubles.

Which ones are those? Most of what Im looking at is close to VOO, so not 16% haha. Ive been picking ones with decent returns but good safety, but I might be willing to let the net fall a little since I can take more risk than I do now

My hope was pretty much a somewaht set it and forget it account, as long as the returns are fine and what not. Between work & school, Im trying not to think much about it At least my UC account is doing decently for what it is. Speaking of UC I should be working, since some of yall pay my wage!

 

[Josh P]

Which ones are those?

A few I like that are in the 10-16% range are
pnnt
pflt
DX
agnc
I've held those for 6+ years. I also like closed end funds. I'll buy at a discount.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

A few I like that are in the 10-16% range are
pnnt
pflt
DX
agnc
I've held those for 6+ years. I also like closed end funds. I'll buy at a discount.

Ill look into those. Im pretty much a substantial amount goes into VOO. As long as its somewhat hands off! Some of my friends nearly day trade but I dont have the time for that Id rather go to work

 

[94Eddie]

Ill look into those. Im pretty much a substantial amount goes into VOO. As long as its somewhat hands off! Some of my friends nearly day trade but I dont have the time for that Id rather go to work

You have time on your side so investing in riskier accounts gives you time to even out the dips and peaks of the market over a longer period of time.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

You have time on your side so investing in riskier accounts gives you time to even out the dips and peaks of the market over a longer period of time.

47 years to retire on time. Unless I keep working for UC and get a pension... then might be earlier

 

[Josh P]

You have time on your side so investing in riskier accounts gives you time to even out the dips and peaks of the market over a longer period of time.

Exactly. Life is too short!

 

[94Eddie]

47 years to retire on time. Unless I keep working for UC and get a pension... then might be earlier

The time will go by so much faster than you think it will in your younger years. The best advice I can give to people in their 20s and 30s is to live well within your means and invest every dime possible. The more interest you pay the less you will have at retirement.

 

[Josh P]

Buy a house as soon as you're able to afford it, and as 94Eddie stated, invest as much as possible. I bought a house at 19, sold it when the market was hot in 2005. I bought my current house I 2007 and will have it paid off when I turn 47. I'll retire at 50.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

The time will go by so much faster than you think it will in your younger years. The best advice I can give to people in their 20s and 30s is to live well within your means and invest every dime possible. The more interest you pay the less you will have at retirement.

Good part is Im on track to graduate college debt free and engineering should have a good starting salary so that I can buy a house sooner & put more in my retirement!

Buy a house as soon as you're able to afford it, and as 94Eddie stated, invest as much as possible. I bought a house at 19, sold it when the market was hot in 2005. I bought my current house I 2007 and will have it paid off when I turn 47. I'll retire at 50.

Yes!!! I dont think Ill be able to buy a house in the next few years, but its possible maybe in my mid 20s. Thats what Im shooting for is 2 or so years after I graduate college

 

[94Eddie]

Good part is Im on track to graduate college debt free and engineering should have a good starting salary so that I can buy a house sooner & put more in my retirement!

What area of engineering are you majoring in?

 

[410Fortune]

I cashed in my 401k early and used it as
Down payment for first house

It is great that you are even thinking of this at your age. You may actually be able to retire by 50 which is huge… most people carry debt and keep working until they are 70 and then it’s hard to enjoy all your toys