What's One More Iron In The Fire!

[JTS71 Mach1]

Steven that is plumb scary! It's a wonder listening to your description of the little truck. That you didn't run away in fear! I've bought several like that over the years that had my wife saying what were you thinking, but somehow I could always see a diamond in the rough. And most usually I ended up with something good out of the deal. Hope it works out that way for you too. JTS 71 Mach1

[Steven Harris]

Well I ended up with a severe tooth infection that s-l-o-w-e-d me down drastically for a few weeks ending up with a trip to Ohio to see my dentist. So glad that is behind me!

Anyway, I was able to spend a few days with my older children and granddaughter and even caught a local car show.

So, back to work on the Ranger. My daughter and I finished off the cleaning and began reassembly. Now to repair the Y-pipe and reinstall the motor.

[Rare Pony]

What, you don't like the dentists south of the border!

At least you got to see your family.

[Mister 4x4]

Yeah, well I got all of it off me (I think).

The motor still needs more work. Anyone have a good tip of some everyday household cleaner that will cut some very tough baked on grease?

Easy-Off Oven Cleaner. Wear a mask, goggles, and gloves when you spray it on, and pressure wash it off. Let it soak in, and most of that stuff should come right off.

I also had good luck with the Permatex Engine Degreaser Gel and Foaming cleaner as well on my '89 AOD. I started with the gel, soaked, then rinsed it off with a hose nozzle (not a pressure washer like yours). Then took a stiff bristle brush to the bad spots. Then hit it again with the foaming stuff, let it work its magic, and rinsed it off again - tranny was almost spotless.



Still had some spots I missed because of the tranny jack, but I got them after it went into the car.

[JTS71 Mach1]

Sure looks good all painted up nice and pretty. What all did you end up doing to it? Just curious, hope it runs as good as it looks. JTS 71 Mach1

[Steven Harris]

Just a simple tear down, inspection, clean, (new timing chain, water pump), reseal and paint. It ran great before and the only reason for the tear down was the excessive amount of oil it was leaking. That and to double check all should be well for life in North Dakota.

I was hoping to get to the Y pipe today but that did not happen and won't happen tomorrow or Friday either. Saturday is always full for ministry and needless to say Sunday is out. Maybe on Monday.

[JTS71 Mach1]

Yeah shoot for Monday! God needs are time too. JTS 71 Mach1

[Steven Harris]

So my daughter and I were able to spend yesterday working on her Ranger. The motor is now in and all that is left is to connect the A/C compressor which was still dirty and then the radiator.

Maybe by the end of the week we will have part one (the motor) done. We also had to clean up the exhaust system. It should be leak and rattle proof now.

[Rare Pony]

Congrats! Sounds like the hard part if behind you! Your daughter is going to impress all her friends with her knowledge about auto mechanics!

[JTS71 Mach1]

Hey Steven Looks good, I like the y pipe, and how you made it work without a reducer. Nice job necessity is the mother of invention. Are you going to squirt any paint on it? It still looks to be that dead red? Unless you just like maroon, it wasn't very pretty when it was new. Oh well to each his own. You've done a good job on the little truck it should take care of her for years to come, and you taught her something in the process. Excellent. I hope she's proud to have a good Dad. JTS 71 mach1