New guy, goin' in dry
 

OK, new owner of '97 C2500, and once I got the truck home, I see it's lost some coolant. This was something I'd checked on the truck when I initially went to look about purchase it (it was a little low, PO topped it off). I questioned him about it, and I did notice it had a new water pump on it, which he referred back to as "probably just didn't get it filled back up".

Really doesn't matter at this point, I like the truck, it's exactly what I was looking for, "low miles" at 145K. Seriously, EVERYTHING I looked at from '99 up was either right at, or well in excess of 200K miles. On top of that, vehicles in Central Indiana look like they get parked in a salt pile :eek:

Back to matters at hand, it didn't take much time (internet) to figure-out what was going-on, since there's no visible leak, and oil level remains stable and viscosity clear, that led me to the intake gaskets.

Truck runs/shifts great, just a bit loud from the bad exhaust gasket. I think it'll make me a pretty decent truck. It will also need a set of outer rocker panels, but that'll have to be after warmer weather returns. Bottom of doors and cab corners still fine, uncommon around here for a truck that age. It's my belief it was a farm truck, which would explain the somewhat lower mileage, and can't help but wonder if it didn't set in a barn for the winter?

I mentioned in my introduction post (new member area) I'm not unfamiliar with mechanical work, just not on newer vehicles, so before this is all over, I may be asking for support here, or at least providing entertainment for others :metal:

Spent the past 2 days gathering parts, after reading several posts on which were the best.

So far:
The good FelPro Intake Gasket set
2 additional valve cover gaskets (they needed replaced anyway, and only 1 comes in the Intake Set)
The Upgrade SCFI to MPFI set (BWD) and Bracket
Replacement fitting for heater hose on intake
New AC plugs
NoFail Thermostat and new Coolant
Filter and oil

Both headlights need replacing (one chipped, other cloudy/sweating inside), and have a exhaust flange gasket leaking under the cab, which threw the only code the guy at the Parts Store found, 02 sensor, same side behind converter.

So tomorrow afternoon, I'm pulling it in to start taking things apart. I made it a point to read over and over the importance of paying special attention to the distributor location, and will mark accordingly. I'll also take lots of reference pics, and tag/label/bag things so there's no questions when it comes to reassembly time.

Once all that's done, I have plans to do a fluid/filter change on the transmission. Hoping to have it ready to set the intake back on (something else I know to be especially careful in doing to avoid gasket movement) Thursday morning. Then let it set until Friday to allow the UltraBlack to cure. Also aware of the torque sequence and amount.

I still may end-up getting the distributor drive gear, depending on what it looks like once it's removed, and can get that locally (and may just do it anyway while it's out).

I'm all ears if anyone's got suggestions/advice on anything I may have missed (though I may just have failed to mention it). I've done my homework, and the only thing that I really have concern over is the distributor installation.

I'm considering buying the scan tool from NAPA to check cam retard, be a handy item to have anyway, and I plan on keeping the truck for a long time.

Keeping my fingers crossed :lol: I'll be adding pics of the process over the next few days.

Oh, and it will be losing the farm bumper just as fast as possible :sexy:

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps9254bc45.jpg

Re: New guy, goin' in dry
 

Good luck man.

Re: New guy, goin' in dry
 

Looks good enjoy,sure beats coupon book

Re: New guy, goin' in dry
 

Thanks! Yep, can't beat a no-payment vehicle. I'd love to have a new one, don't get me wrong, but ain't got the money :waah:

Started at 12;45 and finished tearing down and cleaning at 6:45. My freakin' legs are about to kill me!

Kind of a PITA just getting stuff out of the way to get the intake off, but finally got there (now I remember why I stopped working on vehicles). Intake gaskets had been replaced before, had 2 different valve cover gaskets, because you only have to remove 1 to get the intake off, so that's all that comes in the intake set. I'm replacing both anyway.

There was a bracket stud on the back of the right side head which also holds a couple ground straps, the nut was started, but they never tightened it. I'd also read that it's real common for the ears on the distributor where the threaded holes are that hold the dist cap bolts are prone to breaking. Well, 1 of mine had, because they JB Welded it back on. I can't afford a new distributor now, so it's gonna have to go back in as-is for the time being. I did also get that janky heater hose fitting out of the intake, and will be replaced with a better quality part.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps11a7f86b.jpg

Inside of motors clean as a whistle:
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps15f4da7f.jpg

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...psdc077a99.jpg

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps9242dd70.jpg

Looks like a leak here, a spot of milky oil, so oil and coolant had to be meeting. Was on the rear of the left side head/intake. No comparison to the quality of the new FelPro replacements.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...pseebb4c4a.jpg

Was good to see it still had the old stock injectors, made me feel better about spending an additional $300 for the MPFI upgrrade.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps6f6bdf23.jpg


Intake and Plenum cleaned-up:
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps44bc2618.jpg

So, got everything done I wanted to, and will get the intake back on in the AM, then hopefully back up and running Friday.

Re: New guy, goin' in dry
 

Looking good!!!

Re: New guy, goin' in dry
 

Thanks!

OK, question....what do you guys suggest for using on the (8) intake bolts? I've read thread locker, or thread sealant. Not sure which to use?

I'm going in shortly to get back on it. I'm going to cut 4 bolts to use as guide studs to reinstall the intake, and let the Ultra Black cure before torquing to specs, so I'll check back before installing the original fasteners. Thanks!

Re: New guy, goin' in dry
 

Got the intake back on 1st thing, I used medium (blue) Loctite on the bolts.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...pse2b9bfe8.jpg

Took a little head-scratchin' to remember where and what sequence things went back together, but got 'er done!
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...psaaa37336.jpg

New heater hose fitting on intakem cut the end off hose and did away with quick connect
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...psd883f73d.jpg

Swapped-in a new set of plugs, no idea how old these were, but no fouling of any sorts.
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps828e7425.jpg

I was really curious as to what tomorrow would bring when I tried cranking it up, so I slid behind the wheel and gave it a go.....she fired right up! I only let it run about 10 seconds, no check engine light, but that may change tomorrow when I let it run to leak check and change the oil.

Was gonna install the 2 new headlights, but someone had stripped-out the rusty old screws, so tomorrow I'll have to pull the grille to try and get them out. I'm a happy camper!

Re: New guy, goin' in dry
 

Nice job...looks good!

Re: New guy, goin' in dry
 

Nice! What did you use for your heater hose fitting replacement?

Re: New guy, goin' in dry
 

Thanks guys! killthewabbit, I just picked-up a fitting at AutoZone ($6.99 P/N-098806 *HELP#56360), same as used on the old small block Chevys. 1/2" male pipe thread 3/4" heater hose size on the other.

OK, went in and fired-up the truck this AM, could tell it was running a bit rough. Shut it down, and double-checked distributor...sure enough, I smooched the pooch and had it 1 tooth off. SO, reset it and runs like a champ!

Changed oil/filter, serpentine belt, added a mount and lamp for license plate on that fugly farm bumper to at least get me legal. Took it for a 10 mile spin, and visibly checked for leaks, so far so good.

Thought I might tackle the exhaust leak at the converter flange under the right rear side of the cab(behind trans mount cross member and frame cross member about 18" aft. The gasket I have is the wrong one anyway, and I saw someone had broken 1 of the 3 bolts off the flange, so I decided I'll probably just take it to a muffler shop and let them fool with it.

There's a bolt the flange on each side of the 2 pipes, just couldn't get them in the pic. AZ didn't even have a listing for it, and ORileys wasn't the right gasket. Anyone have any ideas, or had to replace this gasket?
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps2f248f79.jpg

Be nice not having to worry about a coolant leak. I'm wondering if that's not the reason the PO sold it. He'd just replaced the water pump, maybe he thought it was the source of the leak?