tequilasunset
Adventurer
Life begins at the end of our comfort zone...
Grats on having the patience to save the patient!
Grats on having the patience to save the patient!
Newbie AWD Astro Overlander Build
- Thread starter nobodyhome
- Start date
86cj
Explorer
Glad to help...
I wonder if the intake has been done can you tell by sloppy RVT, Etc..? 215K is alot for the factory intake gasket, it might make you feel better knowing. If it has not you don't have to pull the heads, just the lower intake you saw when you did the spyder. You will however get a good look at the build up on the back of the valves and see how much gunk is in the motor, that will be great info for future investment purposes.
villageidiot327
Explorer
Doing headgaskets is not that big a deal, and a valve job/valve seals shouldn't be more than $150/pair on those heads. I know around here I can get small block Chevy heads done for 120/pair all day long for a surface and basic valve job.
It's also not rocket surgery so with a basic tool set, patience, a camera and a bunch of ziplock bags, you ought to be able to do them if you have gone that far already.
It's also not rocket surgery so with a basic tool set, patience, a camera and a bunch of ziplock bags, you ought to be able to do them if you have gone that far already.
nobodyhome
Adventurer
No kidding, OK then I'll put the intake on the list, especially if the Seafoam doesn't go as far as I hope.
Village- I've only ever done a head swap on my '69 Nova's i6, which you can stand in the engine compartment and work on it. I figured there would be too many clearance issues on the Astro and I can't drop the cradle out from under it due to lack of lift. If it really isn't Brain Science, I'll consult the great big book of everything (FSM) and maybe give it a shot... anyone else here do this on an Astro??
:Mechanic:
Village- I've only ever done a head swap on my '69 Nova's i6, which you can stand in the engine compartment and work on it. I figured there would be too many clearance issues on the Astro and I can't drop the cradle out from under it due to lack of lift. If it really isn't Brain Science, I'll consult the great big book of everything (FSM) and maybe give it a shot... anyone else here do this on an Astro??
:Mechanic:
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Yes young Grasshopper... wise words indeed. I'm gonna steal this one, too good to pass up.
villageidiot327
Explorer
Just remember. No matter how intimidating, daunting, long, or drawn out the process may be. It's only nuts and bolts.
If things are rusty (exhaust manifold bolts/collector bolts) mix up a little atf/acetone mix 5050 apply with a brush DO NOT GET ONE PAINT. Start at the top, work your way down.
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Took her out this morning on the way to work... feeling better.
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Off the market, back in the driveway...woot woot! Misfire gone!
Since I blew the entire Overlander budget on the $7 misfire, there will be no significant news on this build for a very long time.
Thanks again everybody, what a great group of folks!
Chris
Since I blew the entire Overlander budget on the $7 misfire, there will be no significant news on this build for a very long time.
Thanks again everybody, what a great group of folks!
Chris
Mwilliamshs
Explorer
When build-out time comes you'll be on a firm foundation, unlike the guys with nice interiors, solar panels, and water systems sitting roadside in BFE with gas $ but not headgasket $.
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nobodyhome
Adventurer
Exactly. Thanks again for your support my new friend.
Now... It's time to lurk around everyone else's posts.. Muhahahahahaaa!
Now... It's time to lurk around everyone else's posts.. Muhahahahahaaa!
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Corneilius
Adventurer
Well....that escalated (de-escalated?) quickly. Very happy for you
nobodyhome
Adventurer
Oddly enough...yes. Eventually, I'll need a valve job but so long as I love my motor and keep it squeaky clean inside, I should get quite a bit more from her before then.
Cornelius, Teague- thank you both, happy to be back. We plan on spending time going places in the van now, despite the lack of build out... We'll improvise.
Cornelius, Teague- thank you both, happy to be back. We plan on spending time going places in the van now, despite the lack of build out... We'll improvise.
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nobodyhome
Adventurer
Did a little weekend work today. Invested $16 in a HF cut off/ grinder to trim out the rear wheel wells and put an end to all this @=%&£$#! Tire rubbing that had mocked my existence for months. This was a much cheaper solution compared to the air bags I got a while back. SD truck springs was nice enough to let me return them and recoup some of my budget to get other stuff done.
In the interests of low dollar improvements, spent $24 on a few cans of bed liner and painted the silly silver side trim. That really took out the soccer mom look. Also pulled the rear bumper cover and liked it better that way, so it got bed liner too.
In the interests of low dollar improvements, spent $24 on a few cans of bed liner and painted the silly silver side trim. That really took out the soccer mom look. Also pulled the rear bumper cover and liked it better that way, so it got bed liner too.
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