Paveltolz
Доверяй, но проверяй
As I said in the 6.5 Performance section WRT my build thread…In the spirit of 'it never ends' I'm taking the truck off line for the foreseeable future. Hopefully not for more than a year or so.
I've learned a lot in the past few years and I've learned that a few mistakes I've made REALLY need to be un-done.
For example, The lift I chose was tearing up steering components every couple of years. To reduce the wear and tear, I dropped the lift but didn’t change out the modified upper control arms. Result…instead of tearing up steering stuff to the tune of $400 every couple of years I’m destroying front differentials every time I turn around.
Error 2. The 635 rebuild was too expensive and when it came time to install the motor, I didn't allow enough time, pushed a tight schedule to get it done and have been chasing oil leaks, exhaust leaks and possible poor sealing at the water pump. Given the amount of RTV and Permatex used, it’s hard to believe but, the issues are what they are.
I am currently chasing my tail trying to do what I want and keep the truck available for day to day work related stuff and loosing. Right now it is scuffed for paint prep, running in two-wheel drive configuration along with a few other issues that all add up to frustration.
To add to that, Motor oil samples still show silicon, Potassium and sodium contamination though there is no visible signs other than a very slow coolant loss previously attributed to the weeping heater coil fitting on the T-stat. All levels of particulates, metal or chemical were down 50% or better but something is up. Same sample results from another lab stated ‘no glycol’ present. The notes from the second lab also said, “Possible sealant additive”…busted. I used an additive to try to stop some oil burn smoke a few months ago. Turned out to be a rear turbo oil seal that was cured with a new center section. With the numbers down, I’ll not panic but will still pull the motor and figure it out along with addressing other minor issues...the 'while I'm at it stuff.'
Nothing mechanically wrong with the motor so while it's only the gaskets and seals between oil and water I'll be digging into I may not pull the main and rod bearings and replace.
In order to maintain 4x4 daily available truck like capability...I purchased a 1995 Tahoe that belonged to SSForce's grandparents. It's a cream puff and was available at a great price. Only downside is that it is a Gasser but that's neither here nor there. The idea is to be able to get from here to there this winter.
So, along with tightening up the motor I’ll be addressing most of the following.
"Frame off Restoration": pull the bed, install the driver's side rear leaf spring shackle hanger; clean up frame, prime and paint; finally set up auxiliary filtering for the tranny and engine; redo/correct routing of the wiring, fuel sender, lines etc. with the bed off; clean up the engine bay with the motor out and sound dampen the fire wall; clean up the motor and fittings to include pounding out the F'n dent the front differential made in the oil pan; repaint the motor; lift the body enough to get at the frame and clean it up and paint that half too; sound dampen the rest of interior; replace passenger side fender; return upper control arms to OEM units and adjust torsion bars correctly; replace door hinge pins and bushings; body work on the truck that I can do; reassemble; farm out body work & paint; restore to 4x4 ("New" front Diff and CV Half Shafts); proper lift (BDS); install the new grille, bumper etc. sitting in the basement and then try to enjoy the thing for a while. Of course there will be the ‘while I’m in here’ stuff that will create the dreaded ‘mission creep’ projects but that’s the fun of it too.
Most of the stuff to do this project I have on hand but, of course, some new tools will be needed (darn). With the addition of a great shop air compressor, I’ve got the ratchet, air chisel and impact wrench along with a basic boogie set of paint guns.
Parts and materials I have on the shelf include: new bed bolts and isolation pads; bumper(s) with bolts and trim, new molding (thanks Steve), grille, fender, turbo(s), all OEM stuff I’ve taken off, plethora of gaskets (upper/lower intake, heads, exhaust, turbo return line and others), tubes of black RTV and other Permatex products.
The main thing though is, I now can take the time I need/want now and not worry about having to take leave or 'have the thing back together because I need it for work next morning.'
Speaking of morning, tomorrow I'll probably finish a wiring druthers on the Tahoe's headlights and then start back in on this project by:
Dropping the front differential and storing it for spare internal parts (front drive shaft and Half Shafts already pulled as well as 'shop tires and rims' swapped on), toss the old half-shafts, make room on the shelf for the plethora of rubbermaid containers I'll use to hold the small parts.
Hang on, here we go again!
I've learned a lot in the past few years and I've learned that a few mistakes I've made REALLY need to be un-done.
For example, The lift I chose was tearing up steering components every couple of years. To reduce the wear and tear, I dropped the lift but didn’t change out the modified upper control arms. Result…instead of tearing up steering stuff to the tune of $400 every couple of years I’m destroying front differentials every time I turn around.
Error 2. The 635 rebuild was too expensive and when it came time to install the motor, I didn't allow enough time, pushed a tight schedule to get it done and have been chasing oil leaks, exhaust leaks and possible poor sealing at the water pump. Given the amount of RTV and Permatex used, it’s hard to believe but, the issues are what they are.
I am currently chasing my tail trying to do what I want and keep the truck available for day to day work related stuff and loosing. Right now it is scuffed for paint prep, running in two-wheel drive configuration along with a few other issues that all add up to frustration.
To add to that, Motor oil samples still show silicon, Potassium and sodium contamination though there is no visible signs other than a very slow coolant loss previously attributed to the weeping heater coil fitting on the T-stat. All levels of particulates, metal or chemical were down 50% or better but something is up. Same sample results from another lab stated ‘no glycol’ present. The notes from the second lab also said, “Possible sealant additive”…busted. I used an additive to try to stop some oil burn smoke a few months ago. Turned out to be a rear turbo oil seal that was cured with a new center section. With the numbers down, I’ll not panic but will still pull the motor and figure it out along with addressing other minor issues...the 'while I'm at it stuff.'
Nothing mechanically wrong with the motor so while it's only the gaskets and seals between oil and water I'll be digging into I may not pull the main and rod bearings and replace.
In order to maintain 4x4 daily available truck like capability...I purchased a 1995 Tahoe that belonged to SSForce's grandparents. It's a cream puff and was available at a great price. Only downside is that it is a Gasser but that's neither here nor there. The idea is to be able to get from here to there this winter.
So, along with tightening up the motor I’ll be addressing most of the following.
"Frame off Restoration": pull the bed, install the driver's side rear leaf spring shackle hanger; clean up frame, prime and paint; finally set up auxiliary filtering for the tranny and engine; redo/correct routing of the wiring, fuel sender, lines etc. with the bed off; clean up the engine bay with the motor out and sound dampen the fire wall; clean up the motor and fittings to include pounding out the F'n dent the front differential made in the oil pan; repaint the motor; lift the body enough to get at the frame and clean it up and paint that half too; sound dampen the rest of interior; replace passenger side fender; return upper control arms to OEM units and adjust torsion bars correctly; replace door hinge pins and bushings; body work on the truck that I can do; reassemble; farm out body work & paint; restore to 4x4 ("New" front Diff and CV Half Shafts); proper lift (BDS); install the new grille, bumper etc. sitting in the basement and then try to enjoy the thing for a while. Of course there will be the ‘while I’m in here’ stuff that will create the dreaded ‘mission creep’ projects but that’s the fun of it too.
Most of the stuff to do this project I have on hand but, of course, some new tools will be needed (darn). With the addition of a great shop air compressor, I’ve got the ratchet, air chisel and impact wrench along with a basic boogie set of paint guns.
Parts and materials I have on the shelf include: new bed bolts and isolation pads; bumper(s) with bolts and trim, new molding (thanks Steve), grille, fender, turbo(s), all OEM stuff I’ve taken off, plethora of gaskets (upper/lower intake, heads, exhaust, turbo return line and others), tubes of black RTV and other Permatex products.
The main thing though is, I now can take the time I need/want now and not worry about having to take leave or 'have the thing back together because I need it for work next morning.'
Speaking of morning, tomorrow I'll probably finish a wiring druthers on the Tahoe's headlights and then start back in on this project by:
Dropping the front differential and storing it for spare internal parts (front drive shaft and Half Shafts already pulled as well as 'shop tires and rims' swapped on), toss the old half-shafts, make room on the shelf for the plethora of rubbermaid containers I'll use to hold the small parts.
Hang on, here we go again!
