Builds Work In Progress aka: Badass (2 Viewers)

[cruisermatt]

Maybe go at this in stages:
Remove head in truck and check gasket and head for cracks. If bad, replace and put head back on...run it!
If “decapitation” reveals bad juju, continue with “The Full Monty”.

Please do this... this is like the fourth time you’ve gotten this recommendation for a reason. This is not the wrong way to to go about this.

Completely disassembling everything is not always “the right way”. What you’re not considering is there’s always a risk associated with opening a motor up like that. It takes ONE mistake and you will be pulling it again at minimum.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Please do this... this is like the fourth time you’ve gotten this recommendation for a reason. This is not the wrong way to to go about this.

Completely disassembling everything is not always “the right way”. What you’re not considering is there’s always a risk associated with opening a motor up like that. It takes ONE mistake and you will be pulling it again at minimum.

Loud and clear. And if it’s the rings? Just pull from above?
Ya’ll remember that my trans/tcase are attached by a bypass hose? And all the tcase bolts are dripping and my clutch is quite worn.
Still doing a leak down today, I’ll report back afterward.

 

[cruisermatt]

Loud and clear. And if it’s the rings? Just pull from above?
Ya’ll remember that my trans/tcase are attached by a bypass hose? And all the tcase bolts are dripping and my clutch is quite worn.
Still doing a leak down today, I’ll report back afterward.

If it's bad rings (which I doubt, you wouldn't see coolant in the oil like that) then pull the short block.

Just nurse the fluid levels in the gearboxes for now. Do the clutch if you pull the short block, but it's perfectly reasonable to only work on the engine right now. If you starting working on three or more different systems there's no way around it, the truck is going to sit for 6-9 months minimum. Trust me, I've been there and I've seen others there. Take small bites.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Trust me

Ok I appreciate you speaking up. I will definitely take your words into account Matt.
Also I gotta say, has anyone else noticed how f-ing BIG that hoist is? I was looking at used ones on the marketplace and they don’t compare. He modified it to hold bigger engines but damn. I said to him, “am I even going to be able to move that thing especially on my lumpy driveway?” He said he’d help if it came down to it.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Anyone have a better idea for positioning to do valve adjustments? I typically lay a doubled up yoga mat over the grill, radiator, WP and lay across them but inevitably my calves get so stretched. Walking up and down the halls at work last night was icing on the cake and now they’re still killing me.

 

[cruisermatt]

That is a badass engine hoist.

 

[89BIGBLUE]

Anyone have a better idea for positioning to do valve adjustments? I typically lay a doubled up yoga mat over the grill, radiator, WP and lay across them but inevitably my calves get so stretched. Walking up and down the halls at work last night was icing on the cake and now they’re still killing me.

Let a lot of air out of the front tires...

This might help your calves.
Also keeps truck from rolling.

It also helped me to get the engine on the hoist to clear the radiator on Ye Olde International when I pulled it years ago in the back yard. I used 2 sheets of plywood to roll it over the gravel/dirt. Just remember to always tuck the empty sheet under the “loaded” sheet. Gravity baby!
Keep engine/hoist low while moving after clearing the engine bay. Shorter distance to fall, and not as tippy.

And...wear scrubs! The truck will take you more seriously if you perform surgery in scrubs! Ha!

 

[g-man]

Anyone have a better idea for positioning to do valve adjustments? I typically lay a doubled up yoga mat over the grill, radiator, WP and lay across them but inevitably my calves get so stretched. Walking up and down the halls at work last night was icing on the cake and now they’re still killing me.

when I rebuild my back deck I removed some of the rotten 6x6 support posts. They were just rotten at the ground. I cut them into 2 ft sections and use them all the time. I stand on one or stack them. I place them in front of the truck and at the front wheels to help get up there.

 

[g-man]

How did the truck handle with the low compression #s? lack of power? sluggish? Were you still able to get up to highway speeds?

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

No compressor guys.
Ok did the leak down or fumbled my way through. Not sure I was doing it right. Kurt tried to bail and have me come over another day because it was raining so I told him, “unless it’s pouring I want to get it done, you can stay inside.” Maybe not the sweetest words. He didn’t really help, I didn’t want to hold him up cuz he had been out drinking the night before so I told him I’d figure it out.
I’m not 100% sure I was in compression each piston. Maybe a few, idfk. My readings are strange. IF someone who’s reading this has done one semi recently and can talk, seriously, call me cuz I just don’t feel like writing it all cuz I feel like I’ll sound so damn stupid. Please, 860-416-8889, you’ll be doing a girl a huge favor by helping to talk through this new task that I tried to do.
And I honestly think I need to get a compressor at this point so I can fumble my way through this again on my home ground where I’m not interrupting someone’s afternoon. How big a compressor would I need to sufficiently hold 100psi? And my garage only has a 110 outlet.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

when I rebuild my back deck I removed some of the rotten 6x6 support posts. They were just rotten at the ground. I cut them into 2 ft sections and use them all the time. I stand on one or stack them. I place them in front of the truck and at the front wheels to help get up there.

View attachment 1969691

I’m only 5’5” that wouldn’t do jack squat for me.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

How did the truck handle with the low compression #s? lack of power? sluggish? Were you still able to get up to highway speeds?

Always good. Always felt strong. Never had flat spots, no hesitation like before w/ my non rebuilt carb, even better tho w/ City Racer. Truck would easily ride at 65 no sweat, always steady.
I have noticed steam/smoke from the air cleaner to valve cover blowby hose, I ‘thought’ it was correct. I am being told now that I’m not correct. I have noticed coolant sludge in my oil fill cap but I figured it was because of short trips and simple condensate.
I held a mirror to the steam/smoke before putting the valve cover on today while running and tho it was cold today and truck wasn’t hot yet, it was causing a fogging on the glass.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Let a lot of air out of the front tires...

This might help your calves.
Also keeps truck from rolling.

It also helped me to get the engine on the hoist to clear the radiator on Ye Olde International when I pulled it years ago in the back yard. I used 2 sheets of plywood to roll it over the gravel/dirt. Just remember to always tuck the empty sheet under the “loaded” sheet. Gravity baby!
Keep engine/hoist low while moving after clearing the engine bay. Shorter distance to fall, and not as tippy.

And...wear scrubs! The truck will take you more seriously if you perform surgery in scrubs! Ha!

Annoyingly mud won’t let me quote less of your words. Plywood is wise, thank you, I’ll remember that tip.
And scrubs? No way! I’ve got work pants I wear and beat up shirts. Wouldn’t risk scrubs for wrenching. Plus too thin, I need the protection of thick fabric on my legs and ass especially w/ my craptastic drivway. I even have designated pieces of a snow blower box just for laying on!

 

[Willard]

I’m only 5’5” that wouldn’t do jack squat for me.

Railroad ties?

I have used one of those little step ladders. the ones with 2 steps and then lean over. Makes life easier on a lifted vehicle.

I think they are called kitchen steps or something.

 

[g-man]

I did say you could stack them. My neighbors 10 year old stacked them 3 high to eyeball the timing window while I turned the flywheel from underneath. I'm sure he's well under 5 ft tall.

I wouldn't go purchasing 6x6 timbers to make this happen. You could always pick up some free pallets at a hardware store or nearby warehouse. Tear them down and reassemble to make a bench or stool. Prob more trouble than it's worth with all the staples in them but if you have energy and not a lot of money this is an option. I've used milk crates too but they are less stable.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Here ya go can put a cape on and stick your arms and legs out like superwoman lol

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

View attachment 1970292
Here ya go can put a cape on and stick your arms and legs out like superwoman lol

I was pondering this as my neighbor has one I think labeled for painting. Honestly I think I just have to suck it up. Calves are going to get stretched, no way around it no matter what I stand on. I have a tire step, I have a metal folding chair, I have two step step stool, milk crate and plenty of wood for building whatever stool I can envision. It’s the leaning over to reach the furthest valves that gets me. I’ll shut up now. If I was doing the same reach once a week or more I’d probably just get used to it.

 

[2mountainfish]

I was pondering this as my neighbor has one I think labeled for painting. Honestly I think I just have to suck it up. Calves are going to get stretched, no way around it no matter what I stand on. I have a tire step, I have a metal folding chair, I have two step step stool, milk crate and plenty of wood for building whatever stool I can envision. It’s the leaning over to reach the furthest valves that gets me. I’ll shut up now. If I was doing the same reach once a week or more I’d probably just get used to it.

I have tried to use that exact creeper and it sucks, don't bother .

 

[FJACS]

Clip your belt to the hook of that engine crane and get your boy to roll you in place.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I agree those back 2 cylinders are hard on your back. I'm 6'2" and it's still a huge issue. I hate the yearly valve ritual and have been known to avoid it. It's worse in a spring over 40, trust me.

The tire step is good, and specifically good for this particular job.

Power through it, you'll get there.