When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Here’s a pic of the intake manifold. I should’ve had it hot tanked but ended up hand cleaning it at home due to not being able to get to the machine shop during their business hours.
Ordered up a few goodies from LCE a minute ago so should be able to show some progress next week.
Back at it this afternoon for a little while. I did get the distributor in but wasn’t able to install the NGK wires since they were too short to be used with the LCE loom. I’ll have to order a different set. Also I discovered the intake manifold location that I plan on using for the hose that goes to the PCV valve is completely plugged. Pretty tough to see in the pic but here’s a pic anyway.
Time for a little roto rooter job on the bigger in between the two threaded holes.
Almost forgot the intake has the LCE plug kit installed and the rest of the motor has the LCE block off kit. Also installed the intake manifold stud kit and four new exhaust manifold studs. I’m waiting on some Felpro intake and exhaust gaskets. Here’s a couple more pics. Cheers everybody!
After many applications of PB Blaster and WD 40 to the carboned solid intake manifold runner leading to the PCV valve vent hose I was able to grab a handful of slotted head screwdrivers in varying sizes and twist down through an incredible amount of carbon/tar/whatever else deposits to daylight. The process took close to an hour but it was rewarding in the end. Here’s a couple pics of extracted gunk.
I then capped the hole with an LCE block off plate but my plan is to replicate the PCV setup in the sticky “22R Desmog Tutorial” so that block off plate will need to be removed and drilled and tapped for an appropriate male adapter fitting to adapt from the LCE plate to the vent hose leading up to the PCV valve. Here’s a pic of the small block off plate as well as the Weber sitting atop the LCE Spiral Adapter.
I think the only other thing accomplished with the intake manifold was the installation of the thermostat and housing. Here are a couple more pics 🙂. Two Webers in one pic 😳
Still waiting on my intake manifold gasket but did get the exhaust mani cleaned up and installed along with the oil pan and oil pick up tube. Thought there was a new fuel pump in the parts inventory but no such luck. Should have one next week. Cheers!
Limited time today but enough to install the fuel pump and set the intake manifold in place. Manifold is held on by a single nut until everything gets torqued down tomorrow.
Cleaned up some brackets and pulleys today and then remembered the motor had a GM alternator and some homemade brackets holding it. Time to figure out what brackets are missing so that an OEM alternator can be installed back on this motor.
Finally back it with the front axle. New rotors, races, bearings, seals, etc. Just getting ready to reassemble everything and get it back in the truck.
After much ado the slotted head caps on the drag link finally loosened up. The one on the pitman arm end came loose relatively easily but the one on the knuckle arm end was an absolute bear. In the end a bunch of PB Blaster and an air chisel with a 18” pipe wrench twisting the flat end of the chisel proved to be the magic combination to break it loose.
Still had a little time so I coupled the original tie rod with some new ends to the FSM recommended length of 47.25” center to center and installed it on the truck followed by the steering stabilizer from Old Man Emu. That completes the installation of the OME suspension package. Still short one cotter pin for the castle nut on the driver side tie rod end but the 12” piece of smooth wire run through the cotter pin hole will eventually remind me to pick one up.
Double checked that all the nuts and bolts on the front of the truck were properly torqued today. Hoping to get hubs, rotors and wheels on tomorrow. Check out the wear on these two spring backed pieces that sit on either side of the knuckle arm ball inside the drag link. The same pieces on the pitman arm end show very little wear. Torque rod installed Spring bumpers or stops or whatever they’re called back in place.
The heat shields, hub and rotor assemblys and free wheel hubs are on. I misplaced the free wheel hub bolts so for now they’re held on with a few Allen bolts. Have a good weekend everybody.
Due to a piece of the front left inner fender having been cut out at some point in the past to facilitate access to the steering gear box I stopped work on the steering system assembly to repair the fender while there was room to work on it. While working on the inner fender I figured now was a good time to clean up the wheel wells also. Before pic of the area After welding in a patch panel and some bondo Fender wells repainted with some bed liner spray
Aug 15, 2021 | 05:19 PM
