I knew the first 3,000 mile would be the hardest; they always are. I figure it's a 30 year old rig running on a ten year old rebuild and two years in a field under a cover.
Due to a cheesy chrome bracket the alternator was cocked and chewing through belts. Rather than carry two spare belts and belt dressing (like the last owner) I shimmed the alternator bracket out so it wouldn't rub. After "fixing" it the brushes began to stick- pull the alternator. Go to replace the brushes an find that the peice of plastic that holds them is busted
. Buy a new alternator. Plug it in- no go. Test the signal-12v in; it's good. Bench test it- works fine
. The parts guy felt so bad because he couldn't diagnose that he traded me a single wire $100 alternator for the $69 one that wouldn't work. Go to swap it in- lower bolt snaps off in the block
. Buy a reverse drill bit; pull the bolt (came right out-THANK GOD). Throw in the new one- good to go.
Heater quits two days later. I figured it was the cheesy relay that the po put in. I replace the switch and hook up the factory wires again; nope. Now I need a motor; parts guy laughs at me when I ask him for a motor. Next........
I think I have a twenty two gallon tank; I fill up at the gas station with 22.3. Never mind that chrome holley fuel pump if you don't put a fuel filter in line before it . Beautiful steel braided fuel lines though
. Sorry about the thirty year old rusted out tank behind it; one more thing for the list.
I could almost hear the gremlins on the radio "okay fellas; he's going to suck up some rust and die in the road.....................cue up the failing stater..........and...................go!". Now there's no fuel and no starter; tow it home. Go buy a starter, a fuel pump, a filter, five foot of 3/8 hose, and six hose clamps. Get the starter in just as the parts store closes only to find my fancy hoses don't screw into a stock pump. I didn't feel too bad though; the aftermarket pump required two extra fittings to get the job done (and leak). Today I get up, hit the parts store and get the fittings I need and hook up the lines. Blow the chunks back into the tank, pressurize the tank, fill the lines; good to go.
Let's see... that's electrical, starter, fuel, and heat. Spark is looking good, that leaves cooling.
Once again I can hear the gremlins "damn it guys- he's catching up- call for backup". I look down and see the slight leak from the thermostat housing;p . Now I get to pull the alternator back off to re-seal the thermostat. Luckily it's a trickle; it can wait for some sunshine.
That leaves......thermostat, heater motor, windows, a leaky hub on the right side, and shipping the old fuel cell off to get boiled/sealed. Oh yeah... I wonder how long this tank ran without a fuel filter? Should I even bother with the carb or just go tbi with propane? I guess I'll wait and count the miles till it craps out too.
All in all I'm enjoying getting to know the pig, and the pile of chrome crap on the shelf in the garage is growing. Bling this
.-Josh
Due to a cheesy chrome bracket the alternator was cocked and chewing through belts. Rather than carry two spare belts and belt dressing (like the last owner) I shimmed the alternator bracket out so it wouldn't rub. After "fixing" it the brushes began to stick- pull the alternator. Go to replace the brushes an find that the peice of plastic that holds them is busted
. Buy a new alternator. Plug it in- no go. Test the signal-12v in; it's good. Bench test it- works fine . The parts guy felt so bad because he couldn't diagnose that he traded me a single wire $100 alternator for the $69 one that wouldn't work. Go to swap it in- lower bolt snaps off in the block . Buy a reverse drill bit; pull the bolt (came right out-THANK GOD). Throw in the new one- good to go.Heater quits two days later. I figured it was the cheesy relay that the po put in. I replace the switch and hook up the factory wires again; nope. Now I need a motor; parts guy laughs at me when I ask him for a motor. Next........
I think I have a twenty two gallon tank; I fill up at the gas station with 22.3. Never mind that chrome holley fuel pump if you don't put a fuel filter in line before it
. Beautiful steel braided fuel lines though . Sorry about the thirty year old rusted out tank behind it; one more thing for the list.I could almost hear the gremlins on the radio "okay fellas; he's going to suck up some rust and die in the road.....................cue up the failing stater..........and...................go!". Now there's no fuel and no starter; tow it home. Go buy a starter, a fuel pump, a filter, five foot of 3/8 hose, and six hose clamps. Get the starter in just as the parts store closes only to find my fancy hoses don't screw into a stock pump. I didn't feel too bad though; the aftermarket pump required two extra fittings to get the job done (and leak). Today I get up, hit the parts store and get the fittings I need and hook up the lines. Blow the chunks back into the tank, pressurize the tank, fill the lines; good to go.
Let's see... that's electrical, starter, fuel, and heat. Spark is looking good, that leaves cooling.
Once again I can hear the gremlins "damn it guys- he's catching up- call for backup". I look down and see the slight leak from the thermostat housing;p . Now I get to pull the alternator back off to re-seal the thermostat. Luckily it's a trickle; it can wait for some sunshine.
That leaves......thermostat, heater motor, windows, a leaky hub on the right side, and shipping the old fuel cell off to get boiled/sealed. Oh yeah... I wonder how long this tank ran without a fuel filter? Should I even bother with the carb or just go tbi with propane? I guess I'll wait and count the miles till it craps out too.
All in all I'm enjoying getting to know the pig, and the pile of chrome crap on the shelf in the garage is growing. Bling this
.-Josh
Now the 700R4 is spewing fuild. Over heating I am sure.
