LUVTruck.com

It was the right time and I jumped on it. My pleasure to be able to give back some benefit to others, as others have helped me too.

The head was done by Pacific Auto not so long ago with new Fel-Pro valve stem seals and pressure tested. They cleaned it again this past week, then gave me the opportunity to keep my costs down by dismantling and reassembling the rocker arms and shafts after they hot tank them to get all the sludge out that was created by the recent bearing meltdown. Well we're gonna do it the best I know how this time around, and by golly it ought to work.

I'm planning to go get an engine hoist tomorrow. I can't depend on others to bring me one and I need it several times. I want my own so I don't have the stress of meeting someone's deadline, so I'm gonna get it.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

I've heard of the teflon they put in frams messing up some motors.

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-Old ride-82 Luv diesel 5spd with some upgrades
-Past rides-82 Sierra, 78 Coupe De'Ville, 91 2dr Blazer, 86 RX7, 86 Porsche 944T (rear-ended and totaled)
-Curr. rides- 1970 Ford LTD 4dr, 390 4Bbl, 2nd owner! With a few Extras 00' Civic beater...

I got the parts from the two hot cold water valves, and decided to tear the one Catman gave me apart to see what it looked like. I found the parts inside were in better condition than mine, so I swapped the parts around, and I might have a working valve together now!!!

I went and got a foldable engine crane today. Put it together. I also got a load leveler. I will use it tomorrow to pull out the engine from my LUV, and then practice mounting it on the engine stand. My goal is to be ready when the block is here from Pacific Auto Machine. I want to know exactly where I'm mounting the bolts and this engine crane is going to make it all better. No more he-man antics and dropping the engine. Then it's going to be assembled with care. I got Plastigage today too. The pistons, bearings, and gaskets are arriving tomorrow. I ordered at the store with the PartsAmerica prices! The machine shop will get my pistons on Friday, then the work should be done sometime next week.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Hi John or anyone,
one more engine question. the crankshaft pulley bolt. Is it regular or reversed threads. I am trying to get mine off so I can replace the front seal but no luck. Any tips on breaking that bolt fee. Help thanks

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Did a v8 conversion in 1981 on my '76 luv
Current Fleet
#1 1980 Black 2wd, #2 1980 Blue 2wd, #3 1980 Black 4x4 #4 1980 black 2wd Long bed #5 1979 black 4x4 #6 1977 red 2WD
pics
http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q223/gs11x/

Put the LUV in high gear, and have someone stand on the brake for you while you turn the bolt counter-clockwise. I did it with a block of wood wedged in the crankshaft, but that was this last time when I was not worried about the crank, cuz it's toast already. The first time I did it, I had my wife stand on the brake as I described. Use at least a ½" breaker bar w/a 15/16 or metric equivalent. When you get the bolt out and you're removing the crankshaft pulley and harmonic balancer, don't get any dirt falling in the front cover! I would clean it above there first. Pop out the seal, and replace it properly!

Keep it straight!

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Ah the old wife on the brake pedal trick. I am usually alone but I got her out of the house in her PJ's and it worked. thanks john

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Did a v8 conversion in 1981 on my '76 luv
Current Fleet
#1 1980 Black 2wd, #2 1980 Blue 2wd, #3 1980 Black 4x4 #4 1980 black 2wd Long bed #5 1979 black 4x4 #6 1977 red 2WD
pics
http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q223/gs11x/

Cornwell, Matco, and Snap-on all make a flywheel holding tool that you can use by taking off the flywheel inspection cover on the back of your engine, then hooking the point of the tool into the teeth of the flywheel and then catching the flexible arm connected to the tool into the teeth too...or by hooking the other type tool on the edge of the flywheel where the teeth are.

Then you can brace the tool on the floor to prevent the engine from turning.

Here's what the two I have look like:


This prevents putting any strain on your drivetrain and your brakes that could cause any problems plus makes it easier to do by yourself...and is a helluva lot easier to use to keep your engine from turning over when you don't want it to.

I think I paid like $10-$15 for each...but that was a few years ago....but I have used them a lot.

Just my $.02 worth...

Looking good FullaLuv. You keep buying tools and you'll have a full blown engine shop before long. You got that engine out yet?

Got it out, yep! I took it out and some things apart. The legs were too spread apart to get through my shop door! I had to fold one up, but it worked!


Removing the engine/The transmission input shaft and the clutch fork


Hanging over the workbench/Pressure plate and clutch plate


Flywheel/Signs of overheating


Debris in #3 main bearing. It was full of sludge, top and bottom/G180

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Another trick for the dampener bolt i have used is to get your wrench on the frame or the ground and hit the starter (spin the motor over for thoughs with a sense of humor)If that don't take if off it ain't coming off(wana bet)I gots a BFH as last resort.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

i had to do that once on my austin healey i had

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My old but now gone Luv...

like the cherry picker out of curiousity how much did that run?

cool cool

James

Nice pictures John...but a big paper sack with two eye holes would improve them greatly.

BTW...how many pounds does that big wide-angle lens weigh that you have to use to get your big butt and your stuff both in the same picture?

J/K...

I see John that you are a person of Harbor freight appreciation. I was there this morning and bought one of there hyd. pipe benders.Just so you know i have the same leveler in the garage. Your progress is commendable keep up the work you will be on the road in no time. Heres to ya

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

I got a lot to say today. I might not say it all cuz somebody might want to put a muzzle on me. They're already thinking of putting a bag over my head! Well photos can be joined with software, and I use Arcsoft's Panorama Maker to join photos. My avatar is two photos that were subsequently resized to 150x150 pixels.

This morning I went to pick up my new pistons and take them in to the machine shop for them to put on the rods. I also picked up the bearings, thrust washers, a new head gasket, pilot bearing, clutch throwout bearing, and chrome piston rings. I took in the rocker shafts which I had rubbed for some time with the green stuff, but Ted at Pacific Auto Machine said they weren't good enough and gave me some emery cloth strips to do it better. I picked up my engine top cover, and oil pan all cleaned up and ready for painting. Really clean! I also got the front cover cleaned, and the oil pump parts they checked out and recommended. I discussed breaking in the new engine, and was told there would not need any breaking in since there was no new camshaft. I discussed the oil pump with Ted and he said they will loan a pressure pump to me for priming the oil galley. I painted the top cover and the oil pan with hi-temp paint, and installed the oil pump into the front cover. Some of the parts are hanging up for staying out of the way. I got started on the rocker shafts, then my wife called me in for her homemade pizza.









Ham and pineapple pizza, made from flour, yeast, olive oil. tomato paste, & mozzarella cheese.

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Hey...that pizza and you have the same shape...lol

I'm a comin' down there to get ya! LOL

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Johnny Boy! Hows it going I have been MIA due to the loss of sight temporally. I got a nice piece of metal in my eye and it decided to rust in there. The docs had to drill it out it was lovely! Then it took until yesterday just to get a follow up eye examination and more contacts. Looks like you have been busy, Have a new cherry picker I see, how much did that thing run ya? So your gonna start up a Isuzu engine shop or something? Hey I need that fender emblem off your peg board! Got the old engine out eh. Those old bearings look lovely Nice pics, as always. That has to be one of the cleanest oil pans that I have ever seen that wasn't new. Glad to see such progress. Well I am off to the shop maybe I can catch you later on today.

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I like my LUV emblem too. It's the same one as is on the LUV truck, and right now it's not on the peg board. I fastened it to the light over the workbench. I think Tazman might have what you need, I suggest you give His Ugliness a buzz.

I hope you don't have to get a glass eye. I saw a program a few days ago on how they make 'em. They pour a soft compound into the eye socket, and let it harden, then take it out, and go from there. They go through several processes then end up with a painted-on iris and pupil. It's covered in acrylic and polished. When they get it all done, it's conformed to the musles in the eye socket so that the artificial eye moves exactly the same as the one you still have left. If you're still reading this you better be warned. Two strikes and the sight will be gone; even if they drill a hole in your forehead and give you a third glass eye, it won't bring back the eyesight. WEAR THE FRIGGIN' EYE PROTECTION!

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'78 1.8L 4-speed Fleetside

The only thing more beautiful than a sunset is a sunrise.

Been there and done that. Man i know it ain't no fun When you get metal in your eye you need to go to the doctor asap before it has a chance to rust. I learned this the hard way also. Hope that eye gets ok.


That advice from Fullaluv about eye protection is good advice for everyone here.