Red's getting there. Slowly but surely. If I was 20 years younger, he would of been done last fall. Since I'm older, why push it. lol

I wish I still had my old over engine belly board tune up rack. I could lay over an engine and never have to hurt myself. Oh the good old days. lol. For this truck I took ladders and stretched a couple 2x12 across and put a partial sheet of plywood across the front (above so it didn't touch) and laid out over the engine. Not the most comfortable (not like my old belly board), but it worked so that I didn't have a hood retainer latch pushing into my oversized gut or lower. That was the main thought. It worked out well. If I have to do it again on the drivers side, I would take the EGR tube loose to have a bit more movement on that side. Otherwise, I can still get my hands into the back, so no big problem.

I've cussed doing tuneups on these Modulars before, but yesterday for some reason, wasn't so bad. This was the first I've done in over 15 years, so I was ready for almost anything. I found that #8 was a real sob to get out. I cleaned it at least 4 times, using air also, and still had a dirt ring around it that wouldn't allow the spark plug socket onto the plug.

After some serious air pressure, and my hook tool kit, managed to get enough dirt out to get it started. Once it got moving, I blew out more dirt and it worked. None of the others were this bad. When I pulled #2 it was dirty also, but not nearly as bad as #8.

 

I used to have a rough time getting into these things... but I weigh almost half of what I did a year ago (only need 10 more pounds off), so doing that intake on the 3V last weekend was a breeze. I am interested in seeing one of these belly boards though.... what kind of wizardry is this? Got a pic by chance?

 

Mine I think was a Sunex but I don't see it in the catalog anymore. This is similar, but the one I had was curved more when the stomach is. Where the 90* angle is under the stomach, Mine was a arc, not a 90. I'd say mine looks more comfortable than this one in the picture. lol

 

Well.... I'll be damned. Never seen such a contraption. Thanks for the info!

I agree, curved would be much better. I can see this thing in the photo making my back hurt, LOL.

 

I finished lil Red's tune up today. Was I pissed. #4 cylinder has non-fouler in it. It took an 11/16 socket. I was going nuts trying to see what could be wrong. I couldn't get a spark plug socket or a 16mm socket to fit. I kept at it. I kept trying socket until finally the 11/16 popped on. When I took it out, i couldn't find a reason for the non fouler to be on the plug. There was no oil on the fouler nor any on the plug inside. The spark plug burned real clean, so I doubt that there was an oiling issue. I'm thinking that they used that as a way to raise the back plug enough to get the socket on it. I installed the plug correctly without the NF, and drove it twenty two miles. The read out was great on all 8 cylinders. I'll just let that go and keep an eye on it just in case. Luckily I have the Expy motor for this fall to be put in.

 

Looks like I'll be putting an A/C compressor on my neighbors truck shortly. Any of you do a compressor on these yet? It looks like it will be a pain in the butt to get it out of there.

 

White.....check this out. It costs more to change the AC compressor in SLCity than it does in Anchorage. Unbelievable, considering the local shops hourly rates.

 

Do you have "shop fees and disposal fees" tacked onto your bills in AK? The state requires all of these stupid fees now.... which really don't do anything.

 

Most all shops do. The cost of oil disposal, antifreeze, etc has gotten so damn high, and all our stuff has to be barged south, so it does put a heavy dollar figure onto things. Spray chemicals and such, fit into the shop fees, and those can add up very quickly. You still have to have them, and you really can't charge for a full can, if you only use a small amount, so Shop Supplies/fees cover them nicely.

We have no city/state tax (yet!!), so I don't know about your area and taxing, so maybe that could be part of it. Otherwise it just makes no sense. lol

 

I'm about to tell this dude I can't do it. I've been helping him with all kinds of crap. I've done a brake booster, and an intake on his Expy, fixed the carb on his generator, and now he wants me to help him (which is code for ME doing it) put the compressor in. 'Bout to move just for this reason, LOL.