Cooling system rebuild

[BrettinSanAntonio]

How does this suck? Let me count the ways.

Remember: A job that consists of a 1000 steps always turns into a 10,000 step procedure.

It's slow but I'm steadily chipping away at my radiator and water pump replacement. I found that having two battery trays and other electrical accessories makes this a more labor intensive job.

I've had to remove both battery trays and all the associated electrical crap. After draining the cooling system, I found cracks in the fan shroud and transmission cooler lines. After a quick trip to the dealer, the parts are on the way. I'm spending a lot of extra time cleaning everything and rewiring some of the accessories.

When I finish this job, I'll have a new radiator, water pump, thermostat, fan clutch and drive belts. Sweet. I just hope I can remember where everything goes.

[rrdogma]

That actually looks worse than my TRE project.

[cool breeze]

Is there a 1fz under all that dirt? I bet if you just washed your engine it would run 10 degrees cooler.
Did you see any unusual build up? also the fan clutch seldom needs replacing, just swap out the fluid with something higher, at least 7k for down here. I still have some left over, its yours if you want it.

[BrettinSanAntonio]

Josh are you talking about the fan clutch oil to do that mod with the thicker oil?

[cool breeze]

Yeah, Its seldomt the clutch itself. The oil breaks down over time and it looks like thinker oil and calibrating the thermo on it helps. At least that is what the smart 80 guys said.

[rrdogma]

do i need that??? and more importantly is it easier to do than those 40 TREs???

[cool breeze]

Are you having cooling issues? It is an integral part of the cooling system so it wouldnt hurt and is very easy...well should be anyway. Only takes a good overnighter for the old oil to drain out.
if brett doesnt want the oil you can have it. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[Bear80]

so how come you went all out? From what I've read the water pump on the 80 series rarely goes out before the engine.

[TejasYOTA]

You will be okay if you only forget to reinstall 3 or less bolts!!!!

[BrettinSanAntonio]

Originally Posted by Bear80

so how come you went all out? From what I've read the water pump on the 80 series rarely goes out before the engine.

That's what others have told me and I agree but this is such a pain with the extra batteries and other stuff in the way, I feel good about spending the extra money to do it while I'm right there. It literally took 15 minutes to pull off the old pump, drink a beer then put on the new one. It's done and I'll never worry about it. Now I (and the club) have a working spare. The old one felt pretty good and probably has a lot of life left in it. I will say that the new one turns easier though.

[BrettinSanAntonio]

Originally Posted by cool breeze

Are you having cooling issues? It is an integral part of the cooling system so it wouldnt hurt and is very easy...well should be anyway. Only takes a good overnighter for the old oil to drain out.
if brett doesnt want the oil you can have it. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Being that I already purchased and installed a new fan clutch a few months ago, let Kelly have the oil. The blue hub clutch should be fine for the next several years.

[BrettinSanAntonio]

Originally Posted by TejasYOTA

You will be okay if you only forget to reinstall 3 or less bolts!!!!

Man, I've got bolts and nuts all over the engine bay. This is the least organized job I've ever done. I hope I can find everything to put it back together.

[rrdogma]

Originally Posted by cool breeze

Are you having cooling issues? It is an integral part of the cooling system so it wouldnt hurt and is very easy...well should be anyway. Only takes a good overnighter for the old oil to drain out.
if brett doesnt want the oil you can have it. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

No cooling issues. It always runs at 186, except now that is has been so hot it runs at 190. The other day in traffic it went to 200 at a long light. The A/C is still icy though.

Is this the fan fluid thing that Ben said was very easy to do but that "I" should just replace instead?

[cool breeze]

LOL, Im assuming yes but didnt listen to the tapes yet from that conversation. Its real reasy and will sav eyou at least 100 dollars.

[Bear80]

Here is the link to my writeup I did for the mini-truck's fan clutches.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota...ml#post2369392

The LC's are pretty much the same but the fluid drains out of them much much faster than the little pickup's. Overnight was enough for my 80 series clutch. Just remember to have some patience with the rubber o-ring and to fiddle with it before you refill the clutch with new fluid.