Let it begin
 

Well I finally made it back from my deployment the other day. Took a look at the truck and decided why not try and fire her up. Well that was a no go, for what reason I can not say (my father suggested it could be a 'fuse wire' since I had no power to anything). So I said to myself, looks like a good reason to start breaking it down and getting it ready to pull the motor.

So after a couple of hours I have pulled most of the top components off (Alternator, Air Filter, Carb, Distributor, Coil, A/C compressor, Battery) and drained the oil and removed the filter. Still need to drain all the coolant and remove those hoses but I figure I will save that for anther day.

Let the journey begin! Wish me luck, and any advice is greatly appreciated

Re: Let it begin
 

1st, thank you for your service. Glad you're home safe.

I'm here nearby in Vacaville. I'm not an "expert" on these trucks, but I've definitely learned some things about them over the years. If you need anything, let me know.

Jason

Re: Let it begin
 

Thank you for the support!

I will be rebuilding pretty much the entire motor, starting with the top end. I am sure I will run into quite a few snags and will need plenty of help and advice so I am grateful for the offer! I cant wait to really dig into this thing, I have been looking forward to it for months

Re: Let it begin
 

First things first: Thank you for your service!! One of my friends is in the Air Force as well, he's stationed in Alaska right now. Good luck with your truck, looks like you know what you're doing.

Re: Let it begin
 

God bless and thank you for your service. :flag:
Keep us posted on the firing up.

Re: Let it begin
 

Thank you for your service! I might have been more inclined to see if I could get the engine running before pulling it, just to get an idea of what i had. That's a moot point now obviously, and I'm sure you'll have it running better than ever. Good luck and remember we love pics, so keep them coming.

Re: Let it begin
 

Hello
Thank you for your service from a disabaled Vietnam Vet, and good luck on your truck>
John

Re: Let it begin
 

Welcome back, I did the same thing when I got back from Africa the tear down is easy. Just make sure to take some pic so you refer to them later if you need to. lol Where do you work? I am POL here at Luke

Re: Let it begin
 

I am a C-17 Flying Crew Chief at Travis. Glad to know I wasn't doing a rookie move by taking pictures of every part before I took it apart lol.

Re: Let it begin
 

Just pulled the covers off to kinda see what condition things might be in. I'm at a stand still at the moment until I get a pan to drain the coolant and pull the freeze plugs, current pan is still full from my Fords 6.4L

Re: Let it begin
 

yeah and I also see I'm not the only one having trouble with my pictures posting sideways lol.

Re: Let it begin
 

Thank you for your service. I am also in Vacaville and could lend a hand if needed.

Re: Let it begin
 

So today was draining the radiator, removed the water pump/fan, took out the radiator, and removed the intake manifold. Next will be the plugs, exhaust manifolds, and headers.

Re: Let it begin
 

You don't need to pull the freeze plugs while the engine is. Just drain all the fluids and yank her out at this point. Stick it on an engine stand and go to town.

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I think I found the exhaust leak.

Re: Let it begin
 

The spark plugs on the drivers side are not looking so good, they have a lot of oil build up on them, not even sure how they were able to spark.

Re: Let it begin
 

Any of you Fairfield/Vacaville guys know where I could take the block to get cleaned, machined and painted?

Re: Let it begin
 

Good afternoon,

From a fellow truck guy, thanks for all your service to this country. I'd like to follow this thread to watch the progress. Best of luck on the progress!

Re: Let it begin
 

Well, she is ready to come out, everything is off and or disconnected. Hopefully my next pictures and update will be of me pulling it out and getting it on the stand.

Re: Let it begin
 

So it has been a little bit, I finally was able to get the hoist and stand I needed to pull the motor. I got her out of there and on the stand with no issues thankfully. Pulled the heads off, harmonic balancer, time chain cover and timing chain, crank shaft, starter and fly wheel.

It was a long day my hands are a little cut up and I'm pretty sure some of this grease will never come off but hey, it was a good time. (Also when I turned the motor upside down on the stand I found out there was quite a bit of coolant left in the block, my garage floor is partially flooded)

All pictures from today's fun will be posted

Re: Let it begin
 

after the heads were removed

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Crank shaft and what not

Re: Let it begin
 

Next time save yourself a ton of work leaning over the fenders and pull it out in 1 piece . Then drop it off in one piece to the machine shop and let them handle all the grease work , not to mention saving yourself all the clean up and dealing with multiple pieces and loose hardware . It just makes the whole process more efficient . And saves you some busted knuckles :chevy:

Re: Let it begin
 

Take it to the machine shop at Napa auto parts in Vacaville. Talk to Rick.

Re: Let it begin
 

The whole reason I got it was to do the break down myself, it is sort of a learning process for me. I will let the shop handle the cleaning and all that good stuff though. I will also be rebuilding it myself. But I will definitely take the advice of putting it back in the truck in 1 piece.