The SX/4 money pit

[Smitty]

Supposed to have come out of a donor SX/4.  Looks identical to what is in the wagon.  Pedal distance to the floor is the same as the wagon but 3 MC's fail to build pressure once they go in the car and are completely divorced from the brake system.  I will figure this out!!  Soon, I hope.

[IowaEagle]

Is the fire wall soft in that area.  Has been a problem with folks and their clutches -- reporting the same symptoms.

[Smitty]

That area is solid.  checked it all over when I put the new booster and new MC unit in.

[IowaEagle]

OK, one less issue to worry about.

[Pack Rat]

I haven't had a MC off a booster on one of these yet but most times the plunger rod in the booster is adjustable. Wondering if that might not be the problem since you say this has been an on going thing.

[Smitty]

I have adjusted it many times trying to see if it made a difference.  It is now set at exactly the same length as the one  in the wagon.

[Smitty]

Got a chance to spend  a few minutes on the money pit today.  I think this is the one I want to take to Kenosha so it might get a few extra things done to it.  I did manage to get the head pulled today and figure I will spend tomorrow afternoon during the snowstorm to put it all back together.  The carb nut was not in the manifold BTW and I have no idea where it went.  I really looked everything over too.  Guess it will be one of those mysteries and then one day it will be there on the garage floor.

One thing I did find that surprised me though was how loose the intake manifold bolts were.  I was very careful when I put it together last time to make sure the torques were exact.  I almost think I could have gotten some of them out by hand.  This is something I will pay more attention to in the future.  Maybe I will even recheck the wagon tomorrow to make sure they are still tight.  Guess those manifold bolts will get a torque check every six months or so from now on.  A few of them are a real pain to get to.

Since this is the last time I plan on going into this engine for quite a while I think I will see about recharging the AC tomorrow too after it is all together.  Got a vacuum pump and AC gauges the other day and might as well use this one as the first trial.  I will see if I can find the camera and do a small write up if there is any interest.

[jim]

Once again I like the way he says he does these things when he has a few minutes.  It would be many hours for me, not a few minutes.
Yes, a write up will be appreciated.

[rmedon]

     How much snow are you expecting there?  I'm likely heading up in your direction on Wednesday, at least as far as Utica. 

[Smitty]

The lower areas are forecast for 12 to 18 inches depending on temperature and how much falls as rain versus snow.  On top of the mountain we are ready for anywhere from 18 to 36 inches.  If it is light and dry then 36 inches or so and if it is heavy wet stuff then probably around 18.  Went out this morning and tanked up the XJ and the J10 and filled the snowblower and the generator.  Got an extra 5 gallons for the generator so we can manage for 3 days or so if the power is out.  It will probably be a false alarm and we will only get 8 to 10 inches like last week but you never know.

[Smitty]

Once again I like the way he says he does these things when he has a few minutes.  It would be many hours for me, not a few minutes.
Yes, a write up will be appreciated.

Actually, it was more than " a few minutes".  Took about 90 minutes to pull the wiper motor, drop the coil and plug wires, drop the AC compressor and bracket, pull the valve cover, remove rocker arms and pushrods, pull EGR valve and throttle linkage bracket, pull carb and fuel lines, unbolt power steering brackets, drain coolant, remove heater hoses, AC hoses and upper radiator hose, unbolt intake manifold, unbolt exhaust manifold, impact gun the head bolts and then yank the head out.  Then Skeezix came out and talked me into going out for dinner.     There is a place about 30 miles away that does an $11.95 prime rib special on Saturday nights.  She did not have to ask twice.  otherwise I would have had the engine back together tonight but now I am too stuffed. 

[IowaEagle]

90 minutes ain't half bad.  It takes me that long to find that socket I laid down where I would find it again. 

[Smitty]

Got most of everything put back together but I need to pick up some bolt sealant tomorrow.  Mine had dried up in the can and the front exhaust stud was not in the new head.  Since it goes into a water jacket it needs to be sealed. 

Found a few things I thought I would pass along to make someone elses life easier

If you do like I did and just unbolt the intake and exhaust manifold and leave the exhaust pipe attached it may be a little difficult getting it aligned with the new head so you can get bolts started.  After fighting it for a minute or two I decided to put a jack under the exhaust pipe where it goes to the rear of the oil pan.  I jacked it enough to align the height with the head and then a small tug forward and it popped right onto the guide dowels.  No fuss or issues with gaskets dropping as you fight with the manifolds.

Also,  the rear valve cover bolt is a PIA to say the least.  I used a drop of RTV on the underside of the head and put it in the hole in the valve cover before I slid the cover into place.  I then put in the front bolt and the side bolts so I knew the rear one was lined up and dropped a quarter inch drive and universal and the bolt went right in.  The RTV was enough to keep it from falling out as the cover was dropped on and there was no need to try to get my fat fingers back there to get the bolt started.  Usually I drop the bolt at least 5 times before I can get it started.

Hopefully tomorrow night I get will it buttoned up.  Depends if I am able to get out tomorrow.  BTW, we be getting some snow

[IowaEagle]

Great Tips Smitty!  I see its a winter wonder land there. 

[Smitty]

Yep, ole man winter sticking around.  Got about a foot so far and expect at least another foot tonight according to the weatherperson  (is that PC? )