Progress Thread Therapy Car-- Freshening Up the Lower Intake

Olivethefet · Apr 5, 2020

You do make a good point!!

Olivethefet · Apr 7, 2020

Well it's all back together and not leaking, so far. I got everything put back on the car today. Of course when I put the harmonic balancer on that somehow alerted the water pump discharge hose that it needed to start leaking. oh and the way I had positioned the clamp made it impossible to get to with the balancer installed. So off it came and I got it taken care of.

All I've got to do now is put oil in it and fire it up. Maybe tonight. We'll see.

Olivethefet · Apr 9, 2020

Not car related. I'm building a bunk bed thing for my son. There is no bunk on the bottom. Just open space. Fun project so far.

Rdub6 · Apr 9, 2020

Olivethefet said:
Not car related. I'm building a bunk bed thing for my son. There is no bunk on the bottom. Just open space. Fun project so far.

Cool man! You going to do a little desk space under there?

Olivethefet · Apr 9, 2020

Nah. He's four! It will just be a little more play space for now. I'm sure it will change over time.

Olivethefet · Apr 9, 2020

Fired the car up today and let it run for about 20 minutes. Let it cool for a few hours then decided to check the oil. Basically the only thing that came out of the front sump was water. Just a little on the main sump. Putting pressure on the cooling system now. Going to check for water in a bit. This is so frustrating. I've done several time chain covers. I've never had any trouble. At this point I'm thinking about just getting a new cover.

90sickfox · Apr 9, 2020

I can't remember if you did the lower intake gasket. They can leak coolant into the block. With all the work you've done with the timing cover I just can't see it still leaking. If the front intake coolant ports are leaking they will fill the front sump of the pan. Timing cover leaks usually leak outside of the cover...not inside.

I hate to see someone going through what you are dealing with. It truly does suck. Wish there was a way to test that theory.

Well there is. A coolant leak will equalize to the level of the leak. Fill the system with water and let it leak down. The time it takes to leak down depends on how big the leak is. The level that is in the radiator should be the level where the leak is.

The timing cover coolant ports are significantly lower than the intake coolant ports. The only issue is how long it will take to equalize. Pressurizing the system will make it happen faster but could give a false reading.

If it were me I'd pull the intake off. 9 put of 10 it's a coolant port leaking past the lower intake gasket. If it isn't you've got more stuff to throw around the garage. If it is the source you'll feel super accomplished and know that you dodged a bullet that could've killed the engine.

Your attention to detail leads me to believe that it would bring you satisfaction getting rid of all the dirt and grime that builds up around the lower intake anyway. Who knows how old that gasket is...and it's a known failure point. It's not hard at all.

Olivethefet · Apr 10, 2020

Checked on the car this morning. The cooling system still has pressure on it. It leaked down a little but not much. Got under the car and pulled the front drain plug. Nothing really came out. I'm going to grab a little more conventional oil and a new filter. Fire it back up and check it again for water.

Olivethefet · Apr 10, 2020

I got a lot done on the kidos bed today.

Olivethefet · Apr 10, 2020

Checked the car again. It doesn't really look like I'm still getting water in the oil. I put a new filter on it. I plan on taking it out for a short ride tomorrow and then checking it out. I'm optimistic. Kind of excited! I haven't had the car on the road since November. I'm going to pressurize the system again tonight. I have enough oil for another burner oil change. If things look good I'll run the current oil for a bit then change it out only to change it again for the oil I normally run.

Olivethefet · Apr 11, 2020

Got a lot done today. Nothing to do with the car though. Tomorrow the plan is to get paint done so we can disassemble this thing and move it into the house. Currently its sitting beside the car and weighs a ton! I cant move it as one piece.

Olivethefet · Apr 11, 2020

This is one sad looking car. With some luck it will be out of the garage tomorrow.

droopie85gt · Apr 12, 2020

Nice woodwork! Back last fall my wife asked if I would help her friend make a somewhat similar setup for her friend's 2 teenage daughters. They were moving into a 2 bedroom apt and needed to save space. It was a fun project and actually turned out pretty good.

As far as the water in the oil, if it's hold pressure and you've changed it a couple of times with no signs of water, you're probably good. Just keep an eye on after you heat cycle it several times. Probably wouldn't hurt to 'give it the beans' and make sure all is well.

Olivethefet · Apr 12, 2020

It's done! Mostly. I was falling some really terrible instructions on how to build this. Mostly a few pics and incorrect instructions. I didnt cut enough roof slats and Lowe's was closed. I'll get the rest of the wood tomorrow. Overall been a lot of fun. It took the entire weekend though so no car stuff. His room is small and this thing is huge so I had to take two pics.

CarMichael Angelo · Apr 12, 2020

Olivethefet said:
It's done! Mostly. I was falling some really terrible instructions on how to build this. Mostly a few pics and incorrect instructions. I didnt cut enough roof slats and Lowe's was closed. I'll get the rest of the wood tomorrow. Overall been a lot of fun. It took the entire weekend though so no car stuff. His room is small and this thing is huge so I had to take two pics.

I’m thinking that making that bed and changing the sheets is gonna be a pain.

Olivethefet · Apr 12, 2020

CarMichael Angelo said:
I’m thinking that making that bed and changing the sheets is gonna be a pain

You sir are absolutely right. This was not my idea. Making it was actually fun. As far as changing the sheets.... that isn't my job.

Olivethefet · Apr 15, 2020

Took the car for it's maiden last night! I backed out of the shop about 30 feet and pulled it up in front of the other bay, so I could change the oil in my truck. Thats sad I know. But hey! At least I can move it around under it's own power again. Thats a win in my book.

Rdub6 · Apr 15, 2020

Olivethefet said:
Took the car for it's maiden last night! I backed out of the shop about 30 feet and pulled it up in front of the other bay, so I could change the oil in my truck. Thats sad I know. But hey! At least I can move it around under it's own power again. Thats a win in my book.

Beats pushing it, that’s for sure!!

Olivethefet · Apr 15, 2020

So this evening I did actually take the car out. Put 10 or 15 miles on it. Didnt get on it or anything like that. Just a leisurely cruise to Lowe's and then the long way home. No interior except the drivers seat and no funtioning seat belt. I'm such a renegade!

The car drove out well. The wheels didnt fall off. I plan on getting it on the lift just to check everything out. Check the oil for water and give it a good once over.

The biggest negative of the first ride was the speedometer. I put new gears on it and went from wrong speed to no speed. I hope I can get it figured out without having to pull the tail housing.

On a side note. Right before I parked it in November the dash lights quite working. The rheostat doesn't do anything. You can turn it all the way to on and nothing. When you roll it back the dome light flickers. I'll check the connections just to make sure I haven't knocked something loose. Otherwise I guess it must be that the rheostat took a dirt nap.

Olivethefet · Apr 16, 2020

Proof that it moved yesterday.

Last night I got under the car and checked everything to make sure nothing was loose. Everything was tight except for one bolt. The bolt that holds the right rear lower control arm to the car was loose. I got it tightened up. I dont think it loosened up. I think I didn't tighten it down. I tend to be a little paranoid anyway, so I'll probably perform this check a few more times before I feel good about everything.

While I was under the car i checked to oil. The good news. It doesn't appear that I lost any water out of the coolant system. The not terrible, but not great news. The oil looked terrible.

I think it's just residual crap that was in the engine from the water leaking in. My plan from the beginning was to only put a few miles on this oil and change it. I've already got the fresh oil and a new filter. I plan to change it tonight. If any of you more experienced/knowledgeable guys suspect something different please chime in.

Progress Thread Therapy Car-- Freshening Up the Lower Intake

I will own your nuts! LOL

I will own your nuts! LOL

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So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues

I will own your nuts! LOL

I will own your nuts! LOL

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands

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Hookers and Beer for life!

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my rearend will smell so minty fresh,

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I will own your nuts! LOL

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues

I will own your nuts! LOL

I will own your nuts! LOL

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