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6/24/08
So we painted the underside, and found we had some fuel leaking somewhere. Roy found the left tank was leaking at the seam (halfway up the tank, all the way around it). He pulled the tank out, and a week later I had a plug fabricated for the right tank crossover to allow us to put fuel back in the right tank and drive it. As the temp outside has been about 110 for a week, getting the truck running was vital to survival. Really.
Joe Ziola has taken about a week so far, and not gotten around to welding the tank seam.
I had thoroughly washed it out before giving it to him.
As I also have no instrument cluster, and I don’t have a fuel gauge or an odometer, I just have to top it off sooner than later. I should have had about 150 miles or so on what we put in the right tank, about 13 gallons.
7/5/08
Got the instrument cluster back, and while I don’t believe it, the gas gauge reads full. MAYBE the wiring is intact and it is working. Some driving will show.
We put the left tank in a few days ago, but did not hook it up as I would have dad to drain the right tank, etc.
Meanwhile, on a drive out to Piru with John, I noticed the truck pulling a bit to the right. I turned around, drove back about 8 miles, and had the tire guys down the street pull off the right front and check for leaks. Nothing. We checked air pressure in the left front, and confirmed all the rear tires had air.
So off we went, came back, and parked it until yesterday at which time Millie and Saul and I took off for Jeannine’s July 4th BBQ and fireworks.
The truck was pulling much more to the right, so I stayed out of the fast lane, as I felt something was about to happen.
At 103 degrees at about 4:30 PM on the 5 north just before Calgrove, there was a very loud BANG, and lots of banging and pounding noises and I thought the right front A-arm had fallen loose and the tire was surely dragging laying flat, banging against the truck, etc.
Not so. As I got it to a stop on the right shoulder, the LEFT front had thrown the tread and had beaten up the fender well, torn off the hood release sheathing, and it was sitting flat on the rim. NASTY. The short story is that within 90 minutes I had been towed to Castaic, got a new Laredo matching tire installed, and was on my way for $150. Pretty amazing.
I need to take a look at the fender well, as the tire hits when I turn it just so going in and out of the driveway.
When I get a little money I will take the truck to Jay to finish the dash and fan shroud.
7/7/08
The old electrical gremlin of no power to the gauge cluster continues. Usually, it is an every-second time thing. Now it is staying off for about the 3rd start.
7/8/08
Randy came by yesterday, and in our travels, suggested I try getting a bicycle cable for the hood release mechanism damaged by the tire blowout. After some time with Elliott at Reseda Bikes, I ended up with a 5’ long assembly, a lever assembly, and per Randy’s suggestion some old handlebars to use for mounting (just a small piece of it).
John and I did the deed today, taking about 3 hours or so, including welding a tab to properly position the cable for no slack, and procuring some u-joint u-bolts which worked to a tee. It’s nice to get something done, completely, including paint touch up. Works great. Looks fine.
7/14/08
I sealed up around the air box the other day and that improved the airflow and coolness. However, it stills falls off after prolonged use. I have not checked to see if it is icing up. I suspect that the vacuum anomaly is still happening.
I picked up the replacement Edge with Attitude computer today. It has an extra module on it now. I’ll install it tomorrow. Sure hope this does the trick and I’m done exchanging these units.
8/6/08
Jay is close to being done with his work. He has removed the radiator and had it tested-no leaks. He is about to complete the lower portion of the fan shroud. He found that the lower bolts holding the intercooler and radiator package to the core support were missing. NOT GOOD. He is correcting that.
He replaced the worn trans cooler line. This was a MAJOR near-disaster, and he added a protective hose AROUND them as well.
He has also ground down the center link on the steering to clear the pan.
The dash panel has been welded and cut out, and is in primer. It will need some final touch up and trimming for the AC controls. Jay also needs a little bit of flex hose for the AC ducting. So far, this is looking good.
I took Jay to lunch today at Salim’s restaurant, the Desert Rose, and had a thought while there. How about Jay rents some space in Sal’s shop, AND moves into Sal’s garage, which HAS to be converted per Sal’s garage and remodel permit to a living space anyway? This would get Sal some rent, give Jay a bigger shop, get some shop space used, and get Sal down the road a bit on his required remodel/addition.
I would much prefer to do this scenario myself.
There MIGHT be some work in there for me, perhaps as a trade with Jay for later work. This would involve me acting as the bank. That couldn’t happen, but perhaps Sal can fund the work. My guess is that per my past history with Sal, I would end up getting nothing profitable from this arrangement. Regardless, I think it might be good for them both.
8/21/08
Roy and I put some time into the dually today. I made a new lower right mount for the intercooler, as Jay did not connect my mounts back up. I got a bolt into the lower left one with some prying of the sheet meal panel. We added a hold-down system for the right battery. I took the truck to Battery Power, and it turns out the AutoZone battery was crap. Over to the local outlet and I got a new one.
The radio is back in, and is blissfully quiet. However, it does not hold programming. I will check the YELLOW wire, which is supposed to be always hot.
Roy and I did some additional rattle padding and tightening but we still have the clunking below.
I’m thinking it is still the center link, notwithstanding Jay’s grinding on it, or a loose shock bushing. It is damn annoying, for sure.
I have not installed the Edge back in, but will, perhaps tomorrow. I need to drill a large enough hole in the new dash panel to get the head wire and connector through there. I’ll install that head with double stick tape.
The AC is underwhelming. It just does not do what the 03 did. And it should.
I have tried to sell it to a guy back east doing a Duramax swap into an 83 truck, He would be SO smart to buy mine. I have given him lots of info, advice, and a small sales pitch.
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