What did you do to your truck today!

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Bad day today.

I had help, which was a GOOD thing. But when we filled up the coolant? At first, a happy day.
The reconfiguring and re-cinching of the lower radiator hose worked!!!! Then coolant started pouring all over the place.
Out of the freeze plug just under the motor mount on the driver's side.

Drats!!!!

Well, while that drained, we put in the TH350 shifter shaft seal with the special tool that came in the mail today.
Then, we were ready to put in the trans pan drain-plug. The guy that helped connect the tranny to the motor stripped the
new shiny aluminum pan plug threads. Never said a word.

So, instead of pulling the motor, we (I SHOULD SAY, "Butch"), removed the motor mount, the motor mount bracket, and then the rotten plug.

Napa Auto Parts had the ticket...a 1-5/8" rubber and steel dry-install plug for the block, and a one-oversize tranny drain bolt/plug.
$9.50 for the freeze plug and drain plug, $40 for 2 more gallons of Prestone and some extra little stuff, another hour of Butch's time.

Next saga tomorrow. Maybe fire it up if the fresh oil we'll put in doesn't spew all over. And if the trans fluid stays in.
And if the coolant doesn't find another hole. And if........

Lessons?

Note One to self: "When sealing up the motor on the stand, replace all the freeze plugs".

Note Two to self: "When installing a trans pan plug, don't have someone tighten it that won't
be around when the trans gets filled...Do it myself".

[VWNate1]

Ah , crap .

You'll be very sorry you used the worthless rubber plug thing when it fails next year far from home...

It's a simple thing to raise the truck then jack & block the engine and remove the mounts & brackets , use a big socket and long extension to hammer in a brandy new brass freeze plug , then it'll be done forever .

BT , DT many times over .

You're close now, don't give up nor take shortcuts .

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by VWNate1

Ah , crap .
You'll be very sorry you used the worthless rubber plug thing when it fails next year far from home...
It's a simple thing to raise the truck then jack & block the engine and remove the mounts & brackets ,
use a big socket and long extension to hammer in a brandy new brass freeze plug , then it'll be done forever .
BT , DT many times over .
You're close now, don't give up nor take shortcuts .

Thanks.

Fired her off today. Mud daubers filled up the hard line between the tank and the new fuel pump.
We found out because I wasn't getting gas (duhhhh),and I had installed a fuel pressure gage at the carb...
,,,No pressure.

Good news/Bad News: The motor mount lined up after we removed it and the bracket to put in the "worthless rubber plug thing";
Good News: The "worthless rubber plug thing" held;
Good news: Gas tank didn't have to come out;
Good news: After much fiddling, the 350 is a runner;
Bad/Good News: Failure of another freeze plug at the back of the block;
Bad news: Tranny still leaking from the shifter shaft after a new seal install;
Bad news: Tac didn't get wired correctly....My Bad, as they say in the hood;
Good News/Bad News: Trans is coming out to get a good shot at no-leakee;
Good News/Bad News: Motor's coming out to install all new proper freeze
plugs.


Undo a years' work because I was too stupid to:

1: Put in new freeze plugs while the motor was out;
2: Get my arms around the TH350 leaks properly. I just did seals and a new pan gasket.
They can leak from many other places, Boys and Girls.

Trans fluid, gas, coolant all over the shop floor. One fluid at a time, over and over again.
More good news: The fresh engine oil stayed inside the motor. For now.

[VWNate1]

LOL ! you have the right attitude , don't sweat it , just take some more time and fix whatever you can whilst the engine is out .

Most of my vehicles come from junkyards , backyards or barns so I know the mud dauber wasp nest issues well .