Build Shipwreck

SuperBuickGuy · Sep 24, 2025

how many times have you thought "how the heck did I screw that up?"

I saw something on this on a feed on FB, didn't think much about it until today when I decided to see what was what....

the tape measures (in order of the first picture)

note the Stanley is 1/8" different then the Craftsman?
But it gets worse, there is a 1/4" difference between the Craftsman and the Bauer

Irony, Bauer and Harbor Freight - same company, Craftsman/Stanley - same company

CreeperSleeper · Sep 29, 2025

So... Which one is correct? LOL

SuperBuickGuy · Sep 30, 2025

CreeperSleeper said:
So... Which one is correct? LOL

absolutely no idea lol

the real question is what do I do with the outliers? I'm thinking sending them to a donation organization... or is that just too evil?

SuperBuickGuy · Oct 19, 2025

Well, Shipwreck is back.... moving is a lot of work, so I've been avoiding fixing this issue.
The short is the power steering pump leaks. It shouldn't leak, it's got 4k miles on it. But it leaks - I've been avoiding taking it apart because I figure I'm opening a can of worms. Between the adding of the hydroassist steering, the hydroboost brakes, and the heat generated from all of this - I think I'm on borrowed time with the pump... plus, it didn't make noise and it would leak down past the hole and be fine.... fine, I say.

but it's time to figure out - mostly because I'm going to be at SEMA and I figure that if I diagnose the issue, I can look for solutions there.
This is pretty easy to take apart, it's just a front drive from a Tahoe

but first, look for the leak

I have no idea
The level it won't leak
hard to see but just below where the dipstick shows empty

and, of course, the fun of this is I'm not sure I know where my power steering pulley puller is.... moving... ugh

SuperBuickGuy · Oct 21, 2025

to remind

I pulled the pump enough to get a good look at the back and my 'assumption' doesn't appear true

I filled it with more oil tonight and cleaned the snot out of it - but it really appears to be leaking from either the adapter or from the front seal...

so the question is:
do I upgrade? it'd be nice to add capacity which would aid cooling and get rid of the sheet metal tank....

I have another pump somewhere (did I mention I hate moving?)... but even it's just a replacement of what I already have - maybe I'll find a solution at SEMA...

SuperBuickGuy · Oct 22, 2025

I think I found the leak... that stupid hose - we will see, tightened and dried off - let it leak for a day and see

hmmm... maybe this would a good idea

SuperBuickGuy · Oct 23, 2025

I either fixed it or I didn't

then fun of getting the serpentine belt on

I don't know - hopefully I slowed it down. One thing is the fluid was red - PS isn't red, there is atf in the air compressor pump but it doesn't look like it's leaking. it's a manual transmission without a cooler - so there is no other red fluid...

ah the joys

SuperBuickGuy · Jan 19, 2026

repair time - I used to drive an hour or more to go snow wheeling, now I simple drive my property... love it... but with driving comes finding repairs needed.
1) air compressor - this hose now has an additional hole in it

2) everyone seems to complain they don't have low fan, I don't have high fan

and
3) ditch light doesn't light

SuperBuickGuy · Jan 29, 2026

As many know, I'm ADD level at focus, so I don't just work on one thing at once. While the Buick is getting some hammer love, it was time to start on the repair list for the '40
Apparently a 20 year old air hose only lasts another 10 years in an engine bay.... pretty sure I got my money's worth

replaced with FI high pressure hose

then dug the new PS pump (with the wrong housing) out and realized the last time I used my PS pulley puller the puller did not survive.... that will likely be next

Mike Shull · Jan 30, 2026

SuperBuickGuy said:
how many times have you thought "how the heck did I screw that up?"

I saw something on this on a feed on FB, didn't think much about it until today when I decided to see what was what....

the tape measures (in order of the first picture)

note the Stanley is 1/8" different then the Craftsman?
But it gets worse, there is a 1/4" difference between the Craftsman and the Bauer

Irony, Bauer and Harbor Freight - same company, Craftsman/Stanley - same company

This is true! I had a tape measure at various locations in my garage and I ran into this exact problem. You should throw away all of those and get a REAL tape measure. Let me see if I can help you out with a link and/or pictures. You will never go back.

Mike Shull · Jan 30, 2026

SuperBuickGuy · Jan 31, 2026

Mike Shull said:
View attachment 4077175

presuming this is how you measure cubits? I'm not quite that old.....

SuperBuickGuy · Feb 11, 2026

Usually, when I start getting to the "rebuilt it, it wore out and needs replacing again" I send it down the road.... yes, if someone offered me stupid money, I'd take and build another but until then, I fix.
better pump, it's high pressure and, according to Borgeson, designed for what I'm doing

of course, it doesn't come with the right oil reservoir - and that just came in

So, once I replace the turbo and turn up the fuel on the K5, I'll get back to this major fix... then back to the Buick

SuperBuickGuy · Feb 17, 2026

sometimes you guess and you have a spare part... other times
FJ40 fan motors are $438.00. This was $42.

yes, I'll have to modify the base plate and make a vent cover for the top but otherwise, it will work.

SuperBuickGuy · Feb 19, 2026

Repairs, continued
apparently my wires self-air gapped

the green wire, a thread or two - so simply cut and spliced them all
easy enough to fix

success

and plugged another hole

it also fixed the fan - not sure what broke the wires but easy fix
In other news, the new fan will remain as backstock...
onto the PS pump
disassemble

assemble with the correct reservoir

I'll swap the pump Sunday

SuperBuickGuy · Feb 23, 2026

PS time

mostly out and draining

I have one more night before parts start arriving for the Blazer.... shouldn't be a problem (crossing fingers, toes, and puzzles)

SuperBuickGuy · Feb 24, 2026

there is where it was leaking, that upper bolt/stud

impossible to get while in the car...
I kind of gave up trying to just lift it out so I used some random bits to create a lift point

out and off

before I put this together for real, let's just check fitment

impossible to see but one of the return lines is hard against the steering u-joint

note how I cut the same line down on the old one? yeah, that's why

here's what it looks like

and then an executive decision was made
I ordered a fully remote reservoir and pump reservoir.... I meant to do this and I do have the bits from my 6.5 diesel stuff (of course, it's completely packed somewhere safe and inaccessible (or 4 hours away in Kennewick - which is the same thing)
so more to come....