Summer Job!

[Baskinator]

Installed a new 5/16" feed line today which is secured along with the brake line by nice new clamps, but I only got to unbolt the old return line when after an hour into it raining and getting dark I decided to quit for the day. I actually plan on replacing the evap line anyway since I have an extra 25 ft coil of 3/16" steel line that won't be used otherwise.

I also attempted to do the cooling system today. The thermostat housing still leaked from the gasket I made before, so I removed it and made a new gasket. However, upon reinstalling it, the new one ALSO cracked. Boy this is a pain, I'll have to take it back to Advance and get another. I hope I can get the next one to work quickly, I want that part DONE.

[Baskinator]

Return line is (pretty much) done, probably the hardest part was getting the old junk off. Now to do the evap line and finish it all up.

The new thermostat housing is on snug now and I'm letting it cure overnight just to be sure. Once that's finally sealed, I can flush, clean, and fill the radiator. Then I'll do the trans fluid again and Seafoam/change the oil.

To do list for inspection:

-(More) Rust removal and welding

-Coolant change
-Trans fluid change and universal drain plug installation
-Seafoam the engine
-Change the oil/filter
-Bleed brakes

-Fix or replace shifter
-Replace speedo cable
-Install exhaust (Cat to tailpipe)

-Reinstall trim and bumper(s)
-Fix and install driver door handle
-Replace left tail light assembly
-Replace windshield wipers
-Replace tires and get alignment

Everything but the welding will be simple for me to do, but I'm really cutting it down to the wire here since school starts in about a month. I'm also volunteering at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, so that's about a week less to work on it. A friend of mine from high school just agreed to help with the welding, which is great because he's a sheet metal worker and lives right down the road from me. Time to get my butt in gear!

[Prafeston]

Good luck making your deadline. Hope you don't run into any issues along the way.

[Baskinator]

Hope you don't run into any issues along the way.

You and me both. Thanks, I'll need it!

[Baskinator]

The flange is welded to my catalytic converter!



I'm gonna try installing the exhaust tomorrow since it's all ready to go on.

I also totally finished the fuel lines and evap line. But whaddya know, the "triple gasket seal" that I put on the water outlet didn't hold in the water, despite letting the "no wait" gasket maker cure overnight. I'm gonna try putting on a really thick coat of the red rtv I have when I do it next. Third time's the charm.

[Baskinator]

Boy, I got a lot done today (at least it feels like I did)! My exhaust is installed, aside from the hanger(s), and it sounds good. I popped the cover off the shifter too, I pretty much busted it off the screws that I tried drilling out, but it already had a big crack in it. I still don't know how I'm supposed to take the shifter handle off though.

I also put the new drain plug on my trans pan (lower left corner):



It's not green, that's just the flash reflection. My previous paint job is kind of messed up though, but I didn't bother doing it again. The pan is now reinstalled and holding fluid, I'm gonna drain it once or twice to flush out some of the old, coolant-contaminated fluid probably tomorrow.

When I ran the car, I don't know that the water outlet was leaking anymore. Maybe it actually sealed up then, but the tank was still full afterward.

[philotomy]

My shifter handle had a allen head set screw holding it in,some cars you have to shift to 1st gear then pull it off.My shifter screws(the 4 phillips screws that hold it down) seem seized and I will prob have to drill mine out as well

[Baskinator]

I tried your suggestion and shifting to 1st(automatic) seemed to help a little. I just finished taking the whole thing apart and it needs a new cable since the old one snapped. I'm just glad I could get it apart, it took forever to figure out. The thing was dirty as heck, and I'm going to repaint the handle part before reinstalling it.

[philotomy]

A cable huh? Usually we had steel rod linkage from the shifters to the trans in the Eagles unless someone had put one (cable)in afterwards,like an aftermarket B&M model.

[maddog]

when Survivor's shifter broke it to had a cable but there was no screw holding it together so i had to get one from a local yard.

[Baskinator]

No, it's just the cable that the button (in the handle) pulls up on to lift the tab, allowing you to move the shifter. I just bought one from home depot for $0.26 that I'm going to try rigging.

This is the newly painted shifter rod, and the L piece is what the cable attaches to inside of the rod. The cable lifts the L so it can move along the slots. The old cable must've broken from wear, and that's the new cable I got to fix it. I'll have to figure out how to attach the cable to the L.



I adjusted the carb slightly today so it wouldn't stall anymore. It seems to be idling okay for now, and I still didn't see the water outlet leaking.

[Baskinator]

I just got done draining and filling the radiator again and nothing leaked at all this time, so I will do a flush and fill tomorrow and possibly get to change the oil. Yay, it's all coming together now !

[Alcology]

Nice work!  You are motivated.  I've got a bunch of busted screws on my shifter as well.  My plan is to soak them in penetrant and then when I get my trans out, use a piece of wood to pull the screws through. 

[Baskinator]

Thanks! I've got a lot of money into this and about a month left to get it on the road, I have to be motivated

Just before I added the coolant yesterday, as I was idling the engine to circulate the cleaner, about 6 minutes in my water outlet once again sprung a leak. I removed it and applied a really thick layer of red rtv and have let it cure on the engine since. I figured I'd use this down time to change the belts.

I got the first belt off with no problem. However, I couldn't figure out how to loosen the other one, on the water pump and power steering. Can anyone tell me how to do this or direct me to some pictures?

[Baskinator]

Water outlet seal is holding and cooling system is now done! I tried bleeding the brakes, but didn't get to finish. I should be able to get at least one new belt tomorrow to replace that, and if I'm able to finish the brakes, maybe I'll try driving it and then change the oil.