Pugly

[Naasau]

To you as well gman!

To CC: USS Pugly to get preferential treatment at shipyard. Repairs to be expedited. Nova commands countermanded until further notice.

 

[ahodges]

I take it that this is the end of the line for Pugly??

 

[gmanpaint]

I take it that this is the end of the line for Pugly??

Hardly!

Just a leak on the radiator.

 

[FIND]

He can rebuild it. He has the technology. The cost, about a hundred bucks.

 

[Twiztid]

He can rebuild it. He has the technology. The cost, about a hundred bucks.

:bsnicker: :scratch:

 

[Naasau]

He can rebuild it. He has the technology. The cost, about a hundred bucks.

Queue cheesy 80's music!

 

[gmanpaint]

Since I am away from home working (for another 2 months), working on the rig has become a pain. A couple of small tool bags, & a small floor jack is all I have to do repairs.

Already had to drop the trans and replace the main seal since on the road. Luckily there was a friend with a lift in his shop, a couple hours away to get that done.

Changing out a radiator in the parking lot of this complex.......yeah, that can't happen. How all of you that live in buildings with parking lots, and work on your rigs is beyond me.

The list of things to get done is building tho, I have to figure something out and fast as the cold winter months are bearing down here.

1) R&R Radiator
2) R&R steering box seals
3) R&R Speedo cable
4) Install rear sway bar
5) Oil change
6) Alignment

 

[Naasau]

Okay, when I had to do some serious repairs in a parking lot when I lived in an apartment, I used the far corner of a Walmart parking lot. Or in one case the top floor of their parking garage. Relatively clean and no one bothered me.

Crazy? Yes. Redneck? Yes. Did it work? Yes.

 

[Naasau]

Though it seems like the biggest job would be the radiator, for the rest you can get the parts together first (like grab a junkyard gearbox or somesuch) and get it all ready inside, then just walk out and swap!

Since you're on borrowed land and short on time, I assume, then streamlining your repairs/refits for the least possible downtime is the most desired path. Also, getting everything you need to make the job fast and easy would be a good idea as well, which could be spare pats, bolts, gaskets, etc., as well as tools.

 

[gmanpaint]

Been a long time, but I just managed to install a brand new radiator. Been adding coolant as needed this entire time.

Now there is a new issue. Lower Trans line is leaking on the radiator making a mess everywhere. Got it as tight as I can, but still leaks. Ugh!

Not sure I can continue to keep this rig around much longer. Really need a newer pickup for work. I do know when the time comes to retire Pugly it will be a sad day. She still runs strong, and has a ton of new parts.

 

[Glen4X4]

I personally would clean it up well with brake cleaner and use rtv as a bandaid to stop the leak. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

[Naasau]

It would be a sad day indeed. Just think of it as pugly wanting to spend a bit more quality time with you.

 

[gmanpaint]

Got the leak fixed.

I have way too much into this rig just to let it go. Pugly would be a dedicated trail rig until it meets it's end.

 

[Naasau]

Glad to hear it!

 

[gmanpaint]

Chalk another issue off the list. Had to repair the Dr side window motor with the handy dandy Dorman plugs. Works like new again.

Yesterday Pugly took a road trip that was 500 miles long in torrential downpour the entire time. About 400 miles into the trip, the chime starts going off, and the interior dome light came on, then faded off, then back on. A quick convo with Russ (nice59fordf100) and he deduced the door jamb switch had gotten wet and was shorting out. Pugly thought the door was open at 70 mph, and didn't want to lose a passenger. So audio & visual implements were used to warn us. Awe...

She dried out over night, and the issue hasn't returned.

 

[gmanpaint]

Pugly got her roof rack re-worked and painted today.

 

[gmanpaint]

Well.....

Not a good post.

Pugly has been battling a coolant leak forever it seems. After replacing the water pump, the radiator, both main hoses, T-stat, it still had a small leak. I was never able to find it. The leak was not crazy bad, but had to refill the reservoir once a week or so. Now the leak has grown worse.

I found the Drivers side of the engine soaked, and the leak travels to the trans pan area and then hits the ground. I grabbed a flashlight and started searching hard for the origin. The leak starts somewhere behind the timing chain cover and where the block meets the head.

So, I don't know which part has the problem yet. Head, or block can be cracked or a blown gasket. Either way, it don't look good for poor old Pugly. She ain't over heating, still runs great, but I'm afraid she will spill her guts on the road somewhere, if she keeps on being operated.

Bottom line= This sucks.

 

[Rick]

I bet it is a corroded water passage between the intake manifold and cylinder head... Just my guess.

 

[gmanpaint]

Well if that's the case, it will need a new block.

 

[ahodges]

It could just be the intake gasket is getting weak. You know the intakes have the coolant passages on the extreme front and rear between the intake and head. The coolant could be seeping out of the gasket when the engine is cold and starting to generate coolant pressure, then seals up with it gets hot... Maybe try tightening the intake down a little?