You got it finally.....congrats!

 

Began the 98 field repair yesterday. Took a good part of the day to set up, only 3 tool runs so far....forgetting stuff sets you back lol. Got her up and the air, offed the front wheels, wheel well liners fell free within seconds from 1/4" impact vibration, hanging only by a few christmas tree fasteners. The fender tabs that secure the liners in place have rusted completely. Not much left of them. I expected something like this. As long as the rot is just body related, I'll press on. For giggles, fenders 136.80 plus 88 to ship, not bad for both. The engine compartment is clean. It wont run for long without wheel wells. Pretty much forced into it.....if I continue anyway lol.

Upon inspection, all long tube header primary's (5/8x 16 Gg mild steel) have cracked to some degree at the header/head 3/8 flange. The headers and Y pipe were installed April of 2019. The system was built from mild steel, so it was very cheap, 240 for the headers back then and I hand built the Y, about 40 in materials. Didn't expect the truck to last must longer, so material quality was seriously pimped. The first set of LTH's were installed in 2006 after the factory manifolds went south. Those were built from aluminized steel which held up well for 10 years before showing signs of compromise. So, the header and Y rot isn't a big surprise. The truck sat most of that time, parked in the tall grass.

Pulled the header/head bolts out. Headers aren't worth repairing so chopped a few primaries to make that easier. Bolts were SS and came out easy. The old Y was built for quick release with Torca coupler sleeve clamps. Good friend has close ties with the company and provided a few goodies last time around..very cool. Had the Y separated from the headers and mid- pipe in about 15 minutes.

Didn't expect to be doing this again, it's border line ridiculous. However, the truck IS mechanically sound, frame is solid, the motor hasn't used oil between changes (every 3000 miles). It does have a cold start knock that goes away before reaching operating temp. 367,000 miles/Michigan truck. There's life left in it, succeeded locating the correct factory OEM exhaust replacement parts for the most part...and at low cost. If that didn't happen, this wouldn't be. It was enough incentive. Found a nice level spot to do this over by a travel trailer I have stored out there. Fooling around with that as well. Got it up and running, makes for nice break room.

Anyway, that was day 1. If there's an interest I'll take pics and update further. I don't take the time to so for myself anymore, for some reason...use to be into documenting this stuff, not sure what happened there, just lost it apparently. Could us e a push I guess.

 

Hows the car coming along white, almost ready to shoot ?

 

Brew, we always want pictures! We grew up in the TV age and don't have imaginations any more. Pictures or it didn't happen as they say.

 

Yep. Ya put it where ya could easily find it. BTDT.

What it is???

 

Feel good being involved
But
Who was selling parts during all this?

 

 

Haha, - normally I'd agree.....isn't always the case. Majority rules unfortunately

Almost slipped my mind, ordered another EGR tube. Was hoping I wouldn't need to until yesterday. It was fused in there already, - wouldn't budge red hot.

Heck of a price jump Amazon, -





Purchased the same part 3 or 4 years ago.... LOL

 

A piece of paint from the Golden Nugget.

Geez.... ridiculous. I spent the day removing and repairing the quarter windows. What a tedious task! Not hard, just a lot of patience. They are primed... and I'll shoot them tomorrow. It was rainy all day, and the primer and dolphin glaze took longer to cure.

 

I hope that is where the 16-penny nail is that you heat to use as an iron. Or, with your actual iron... and flux... (both acid and) non acid, for electronics. A small $1-store tool box will keep this stuff together. Find one; find all. I do the same w my mapp-gas torch.