Cory W
05-01-2012, 11:44 AM
I usually don't talk much about work I do on my car. Today I feel chatty.
Sunday I tore into my valley, unsure of what I would find. I had no idea if or when the manifold has ever been off the car. Turns out it wasn't as bad as some we've seen here.
10016
There was coolant below the large pipe from water pump to Y pipe, with evidence of seepage. That would explain the faint coolant smell when the car was running and you were standing behind the car. Cool. I have managed to pick up most of the coolant that has been seeping from the loosened or freed connections since I unbolted things. (You have to love Dollar Store turkey basters to quickly and easily suck it out of the channels.) What you see here has accumulated since Sunday night; these were taken about an hour before I wrote this.
No rodents, but it looks like something used to call the engine home. Looks like some sort of food pellet, nothing we have around here. May have come from Montana.
10017
Everything came off fairly easy. I use a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF because I like the result, but didn't have to along the way. Surprising (or, someone was in there shortly before I got the car) Of course, there's always the person who doesn't get the memo....
10018
Yes, you can see a Y pipe bolt snapped pretty much flush at the head. Frak. At least it let me move the coolant pipe below the Y pipe freely. So, keeping my cool about things, and not in a major hurry when my block is on the line, I have already researched the forum, developed a plan of action, and have been liberally soaking the bolt with my Acetone/ATF mix.
This morning, I took a very fine electronic screwdriver and dug out the sediment between the pipe and broken bolt. It's suspected (and I do hope so) that the bolt could be frozen in the Y pipe and the block could be ok. I know this is a best-case scenario, but I'm prepared and ready. I plan on going further with it tonight, after a bit more soaking.
When the valley is properly cleaned, I'll finish the tune up and do a couple other things:
-Valve lash check and adjustment
-New valve cover gaskets
-Spark plugs, wires (I have the aftermarket ones, and they look like they'll block the water!), distributor cap, rotor, and coil.
-New O2 sensor
-Remove and thoroughly clean alternator and all mounting points
-Check out my A/C idler pulley bearings
There's a couple of other things, but I think you get the idea.
I have no plan to paint or coat my valley. I'm hearing too many stories of it working like the epoxy on the frames. Now that I've been there, I'm not worried about going in every few years or so to inspect.
I'll shoot another pic or two when it's back together. I'm not in a major hurry, and this is my busy season, so I work on it when I have time.
Since I was taking pictures, because I've just seen others discuss these lately, here's a shot of my black anodized coolant bottle. I have no idea where it came from, as it was already on the car.
10019
Sunday I tore into my valley, unsure of what I would find. I had no idea if or when the manifold has ever been off the car. Turns out it wasn't as bad as some we've seen here.
10016
There was coolant below the large pipe from water pump to Y pipe, with evidence of seepage. That would explain the faint coolant smell when the car was running and you were standing behind the car. Cool. I have managed to pick up most of the coolant that has been seeping from the loosened or freed connections since I unbolted things. (You have to love Dollar Store turkey basters to quickly and easily suck it out of the channels.) What you see here has accumulated since Sunday night; these were taken about an hour before I wrote this.
No rodents, but it looks like something used to call the engine home. Looks like some sort of food pellet, nothing we have around here. May have come from Montana.
10017
Everything came off fairly easy. I use a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF because I like the result, but didn't have to along the way. Surprising (or, someone was in there shortly before I got the car) Of course, there's always the person who doesn't get the memo....
10018
Yes, you can see a Y pipe bolt snapped pretty much flush at the head. Frak. At least it let me move the coolant pipe below the Y pipe freely. So, keeping my cool about things, and not in a major hurry when my block is on the line, I have already researched the forum, developed a plan of action, and have been liberally soaking the bolt with my Acetone/ATF mix.
This morning, I took a very fine electronic screwdriver and dug out the sediment between the pipe and broken bolt. It's suspected (and I do hope so) that the bolt could be frozen in the Y pipe and the block could be ok. I know this is a best-case scenario, but I'm prepared and ready. I plan on going further with it tonight, after a bit more soaking.
When the valley is properly cleaned, I'll finish the tune up and do a couple other things:
-Valve lash check and adjustment
-New valve cover gaskets
-Spark plugs, wires (I have the aftermarket ones, and they look like they'll block the water!), distributor cap, rotor, and coil.
-New O2 sensor
-Remove and thoroughly clean alternator and all mounting points
-Check out my A/C idler pulley bearings
There's a couple of other things, but I think you get the idea.
I have no plan to paint or coat my valley. I'm hearing too many stories of it working like the epoxy on the frames. Now that I've been there, I'm not worried about going in every few years or so to inspect.
I'll shoot another pic or two when it's back together. I'm not in a major hurry, and this is my busy season, so I work on it when I have time.
Since I was taking pictures, because I've just seen others discuss these lately, here's a shot of my black anodized coolant bottle. I have no idea where it came from, as it was already on the car.
10019