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Thu Dec 08, 2022 6:08 am

Dave I seem to remember changing this seal without totally pulling the engine. I think I strapped the transaxle up and/or put it on a jack (can't remember when I bought my transmisison jack), hung the engine from the crane, unbolted the moustache bar and TC, and was able to swing everything around enough. I seem to recall that this way I did not have to undo all the hoses etc and it was significantly easier. I think I also had to remove the muffler shield, maybe a couple other things. Could I be wrong? Absolutely.

Thu Dec 08, 2022 6:26 am

danfromsyr wrote: even more reason to install a poly vinyl garage :lol:

Besides the obviously visual of a tent garage, there is also a lack of flat land to set one up on.
My entire lot slopes down from the street, eventually draining into the Schuylkill River.

Anyway, the morning dawns, upper 40's with a forecast for Sun and temps in the 50's.

Looking at some of my hoses, they show oil damage on some and an abraded spot on the main return hose over the transaxle.
It was rubbing on the accelerator rod from the transmission. It is well worn, this was a disaster waiting to happen.
There always seems to be an upside to things going wrong if you look for them.
This may explain my sluggish throttle body return too, it would not always return to idle and I was blaming the cable from the pedal.

A trip to BusDepot (1 1/2 hrs round trip) is clearly in my future. It is a pleasant drive through the countryside to get to their new place...... all is good.

Ironically the abrasion was caused by BusDepot's stainless steel pipes.
I didn't like how they fit when I installed them and I did the best I could getting them in. The return pipe sits a tad long, it is pushing the hose towards the rear and against the transmission. I'll need to be extra careful putting on the new hose, maybe even trimming it a tad shorter.

So.......
In their defense it could be on me for poor installation, 🤷‍♂️
I had no instructions, the pipes were not marked in any way that made sense to me and despite a phone call asking...... I bumbled through it the best I could. I admit I was tired and it was cold, I just wanted that Van on the road by the time I got to those pipes.

Now, to Finish my coffee and off to the salt mines!

Dave

Thu Dec 08, 2022 7:00 am

mikemtnbike wrote: Dave I seem to remember changing this seal without totally pulling the engine. I think I strapped the transaxle up and/or put it on a jack (can't remember when I bought my transmisison jack), hung the engine from the crane, unbolted the moustache bar and TC, and was able to swing everything around enough. I seem to recall that this way I did not have to undo all the hoses etc and it was significantly easier. I think I also had to remove the muffler shield, maybe a couple other things. Could I be wrong? Absolutely.

Thanks for the suggestion,

I plan on simply removing the axles, dropping it all as a unit, undo the engine bolts and move it just enough to get the new seal in.

I don't want to "accidentally" stress the aging wires or tug on hoses.
I use a homemade engine hoist to hang and manipulate the engine around.

Dave

Thu Dec 08, 2022 9:02 am

Groan--the mere thought of this makes my circumphericals ache. A job that makes my singe wire--someplace--issue pale by comparison.

Good luck, Dave. Your car will thank you for the early Christmas present. Add a ribbon to help him/her/they/it feel the holiday spirit and you will be rewarded by 30 miles to the gallon.

Duncan

Thu Dec 08, 2022 4:11 pm

Well, we are well underway.
Engine is out.

I pulled the torque convertor seal, the rubber on it is as hard as a rock!

Absolutely no "give" to seal against the spinning convertor.

This seal is obviously my leak.
I looked at the bushing in the TC, it shows some wear but I also see that it is not readily available. I'll measure it in the morning and see how much slop I'm dealing with.

I stopped mid afternoon and made a run to BusDepot for some hoses.
I'm leery of reusing hoses that have been oil soaked and bulging at the end beyond the clamp.
I feel better replacing them.

Tomorrow is going to be colder but I've got till Sunday before the rains roll in.

Color me tired ........

Dave

Thu Dec 08, 2022 4:12 pm

Good job Dave!

Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:13 am

So begins another day.
Hopefully I'll get the Van reassembled and running.
Sadly with the morning temperatures around freezing job #1 was to build a fire in the Jotul in the living room to ward off the mornings chill.

Sadly, while my Wife will rejoice in the morning warmth, A warm fire will make it less enticing to go out and work in the cold!

Heavy Sigh..... I miss my old garage sometimes..........

Fri Dec 09, 2022 6:44 am

This is where one of those 'torpedo' heaters come in handy. They are great to blow heat on you while you toil under the bus.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Forced-Air-Prop...lsrc=aw.ds

Fri Dec 09, 2022 6:48 am

Don't worry, Dave. I just talked to the electrician and he will have the heat on in the new garage we built on your neighbor's property by 10 this morning. I already called AAA and they are moving your car on my account. Should all be toasty by 11.
It's 14 outside up here this morning and I'm going out to the unheated garage to try to sort out the no start later on. Haven't started up the wood stove inside.

An early Merry Christmas from the weather gods.

Good luck with it.

Duncan

Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:04 am

DuncanS wrote: Don't worry, Dave. I just talked to the electrician and he will have the heat on in the new garage we built on your neighbor's property by 10 this morning. I already called AAA and they are moving your car on my account. Should all be toasty by 11.
It's 14 outside up here this morning and I'm going out to the unheated garage to try to sort out the no start later on. Haven't started up the wood stove inside.

An early Merry Christmas from the weather gods.

Good luck with it.

Duncan

Do you have to pour thicker pads for the lift?

Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:26 am

dobryan wrote: This is where one of those 'torpedo' heaters come in handy. They are great to blow heat on you while you toil under the bus.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Forced-Air-Prop...lsrc=aw.ds

I used to run one of these, they are extremely loud due to the heavy duty fan used. They certainly put out some BTUs. I would turn it on, go make and eat breakfast, and come back to a warm garage. Things would slowly get colder over the hours but I'd always be hesitant to turn it back on due to noise.

I much prefer this style. I'd run through a tank in a weekend if I was working in the garage the entire time.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mr-Heater-Tank-Top-45-.../304907200

Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:33 am

4Gears4Tires wrote: dobryan wrote: This is where one of those 'torpedo' heaters come in handy. They are great to blow heat on you while you toil under the bus.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Forced-Air-Prop...lsrc=aw.ds

I used to run one of these, they are extremely loud due to the heavy duty fan used. They certainly put out some BTUs. I would turn it on, go make and eat breakfast, and come back to a warm garage. Things would slowly get colder over the hours but I'd always be hesitant to turn it back on due to noise.

I much prefer this style. I'd run through a tank in a weekend if I was working in the garage the entire time.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mr-Heater-Tank-Top-45-.../304907200

Those radiant heaters are nice inside but not so good outside where you need hot air blown on you a few feet away.

Fri Dec 09, 2022 8:15 am

Im using a Berko electric heater Keeps my garage VERY comfy
its more like a small furnace w/o the fumes

Fri Dec 09, 2022 9:32 am

This little heater at least gives an illusion of warmth! 😂
Doesn’t compare with the woodstove currently at 500° but it helps
Fortunately it is 40° and Sunny!

Cleaning up the TC where the seal runs with some fine crocus cloth and then we go back together.

Dave

Fri Dec 09, 2022 9:33 am

Engine mated with transmission!
It is all detail work now!

Fri Dec 09, 2022 1:56 pm

hurry up, we need to know where the next drip is coming from 8)

Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:07 pm

First a trick.

On the automatic there are three 12mm head bolts to hold the engine flex plate to the Torque Convertor.

You access these bolts through the "mystery" hole on the front left of the engine case.

These bolts are short and you DO NOT WANT TO DROP THEM into the bell housing!

Lacking magnetic sockets I simply applied masking tape on the inside of a six point socket, 3 or 4 flats get the tape.
Push the socket on to the bolt head and it is firmly wedged on.

Cheap
Easy
Effective

Dave

Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:18 pm

Did I finish?
One word answer?

No.

I invested a surprising amount of time into playing with my Stainless Steel cooling pipes.
They were ill fitting when I installed them and they actually created a coolant hose rubbing situation that could have been catastrophic.

I loosened clamps, I rotated pipes, I pushed, I wiggled, I cussed a little bit but once the dust and foul words settled, the fit is acceptable, not great, but I've got all the hoses clear of obstructions.
I'm not thrilled with the kit but it is now simply okay........
(My original plastic pipes were rendered unusable by repairs done by a PO)

What is left?
*Add coolant and bleed.
*Hook up left axle
*Remove right axle and replace torn boot
*And an optional extra, change the engine oil.

Half a day tomorrow.

Engine back in........(God is under it lifting it into place, thus the heavenly glow) (actually it is the Sun shining under the Van, thanks low Winter Sun angle)

Thanks to my home made engine hoist, installing this engine was a painless breeze!

As always, this has taken longer than anticipated but..........

Dave

Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:21 pm

A quick shout out to BusDepot, they had everything I needed and I picked it up within hours of ordering....... 👍
This really hastened the job along!

Fri Dec 09, 2022 7:10 pm

And you should also shout AT Bus Depot for not labeling their SS pipes.