This one reads that it has 305k on it. I'm not sure I believe it. It still has riveted brake linings and the factory steering stabilizer, and some other telltale things. But it's fun bragging rights, for sure.
Stood in line and got my temp tag today. NC gives you 10 days to get an inspection, and then you get a real plate. Taped the paper temp plate to the rear glass because it's supposed to pour rain all week.
Took it for a ride after I fixed the tail lights and cleared the temp sensor code off the ecu finally. I got the wrong sensor twice and jut went down to NAPA today and bought an Echlin part. Done in 5 minutes.
1. The power steering is being a real pain in the ***. I got a bunch of bubbles out of it, but it really only gives you assist with engine speed over 1k rpm. So, I may have to put a pump on it. I'll have to tear into that tomorrow.
2. It's doing a weird low power and stuck in 2nd (maybe) thing. I took it to put fuel in it and rassled it around the curvy roads here with power-thennotpower-power steering. The whole time it was really low on power, which is concerning. It's either in some limp mode or something is off. It should be racing down the road with the EQ heads and 120+ compression on all cylinders. Probably something stupid I forgot. Or maybe one of the 100 nightmare scenarios I have floating in my head (bad cam, bad lifters, bent pushrods, blown head gaskets, etc)
3. I have some weird jangly noise underneath that I need to figure out. Sounds like a loose exhaust clamp jumping around at idle, but increases with engine speed...
4. Tag lights. Gotta fix those. The ends of the pigtails are buggered, so I need new ends. Like 10 bucks and an hour. Necessary for inspection, if I get some boyscout just out of SAE school trying to throw the book at me.
This thing drives like a pregnant whale. I need to check the tire pressure before I drive it again.
Victories:
1. Oil pressure is great. Over 45 lbs hot and idling.
2. Temp is staying solid at 195, even without the shroud on the fan and the leaky POS busted rad in there catching all the garbage floaters in the system. Even idling in traffic it wasn't even creeping, which is kind of a big deal for a v8 without a shroud and a 195 stat.
3. Rear diff is hanging in there just fine.
4. 4wd works. Took it down on my lower property below the barn to clean the detritus out of the bedliner. drove down in 2wd and drove up in 4hi. Light on the dash illuminates, axles actuate, and t-case doesn't groan or moan or crackle. I need to get that t-case saver ordered and on there. But one thing at a time.
5. Radio sounds great. Premium sound, son.
6. Shift indicator doesn't work. Certified beater. It comes out of park, but hangs up at reverse. Perfect.
Onward.
