Well since I bought my '85 project runner, I've been slowly fixing all of it's idiosyncratic irritations. My first mod was to disable the door/key buzzer (blessed relief). Then, I found the source of the annoying moaning noise when I steer.

That noise was illusive, but I persevered and discovered that the spring loaded flat-nosed needle that rides on the brass disk behind the steering wheel (presumably, to provide for power to the horn button while allowing for the full range of motion of the steering wheel) had lost it's lubrication over the years so it was riding the surface with too much friction. A little dab of white lithium grease and no more moaning....at least not from the truck.

Next, I had the rear drive-line rebuilt and machine balanced. This eliminated the 65-70 mph buzzing and it's accompanying resonance inside the cabin.

Today, I removed the old muffler. It had broken it's rolled metal seal at both ends where the pipe inserts into the muffler body. I suppose that is the weakest link and years of road shock broke it's back (oh my, I said Broke Back.... ). I measured and welded a new muffler on and voilą'!; no more exhaust leak noise......

Another task completed, was the MASSIVE oil leak it had. The previous owner thought that the motor was blown because of the leak and so I was able to snag the truck at a legendary Walmart-esque price. I knew what the genesis of the leak was and before securing the deal, but after a hearty handshake, I divulged that it was actually the front main oil pump seal which had failed......He let me have it at the original asking price anyway.


So I fixed the pump seal and replaced the timing rails, timing cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, water pump and gasket and cleaned up the oil mess from under the truck....well, kinda.

I'm getting there.....When I have these nattering issues handled and the weather breaks cooler, I get to begin my suspension build-up and Yota-guy mods



A final note to those who may be considering a repair involving the removal of the front main crank bolt: A handy trick for removing that bolt with little effort is to remove the coil/igniter wire (stay with me, now.....), Put an appropriately sized 1/2in drive socket on the bolt, click a craftsman 1/2in drive breaker bar onto the socket, turn the crank pulley clockwise until the breaker bar handle rests on the TOP of the truck's DRIVER'S side frame (or other solid metal item on that side), open the driver door, insert the key, go back under the hood and check to make sure the coil wire is off, now bump the ignition.

The torque of the starter motor will pop the bolt loose and you can remove it, likely by hand, from there.














uh, I won't mention what happens when one forgets to remove the torque wrench from the main crank bolt before starting the engine....... :cry: .....................not that I would know.

 

 

Glad to see your making progress in spite of the heat Fuster. Getting ready for Lion's Back I know...
Hope you had a Great 4th!

 

*nervous laugh* Oh yeah.........Lion's back........

Yes, the 4th was great for us. Hope ya'll enjoyed yours too!

 

Very clever for removing that front crank bolt. Keep us posted!