good job, welcome to redneck problem solving....chemist wrote:For reinstalling bolts you can't reach with your hands, dip the end of your socket in grease, then insert the bolt. using extensions on socket, replace bolt.
I've heard if you can fit a kitchen magnet in the socket, it also works.
Tips and Tricks
Re: Tips and Tricks
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
Re: Tips and Tricks
The best penetration fluid for getting rusty stuff loose is
a 50/50 mix of Acetone & ATF.
The trick is to let it soak for 30 mins -1 hour,Longer for the really rusted on stuff.
I have removed old rusty 60+ year old tractor steering wheels
from steering shafts with this fluid mix.
Just recently unstuck a clutch in a 1949 ford 8N tractor that has been sitting
for over 30 years with this fluid mix.
a 50/50 mix of Acetone & ATF.
The trick is to let it soak for 30 mins -1 hour,Longer for the really rusted on stuff.
I have removed old rusty 60+ year old tractor steering wheels
from steering shafts with this fluid mix.
Just recently unstuck a clutch in a 1949 ford 8N tractor that has been sitting
for over 30 years with this fluid mix.
90 Astro Cargo V-8
90 Artro RS - V-8 Now running!
& a bunch of tractors
"there's nothing like a V-8 Polluting the Environment"
90 Artro RS - V-8 Now running!
& a bunch of tractors
"there's nothing like a V-8 Polluting the Environment"
Re: Tips and Tricks
Reaper,
so do you have to submerge the artifact in your special koolaide for it to work? does it work on a bolt or nut in place?
so do you have to submerge the artifact in your special koolaide for it to work? does it work on a bolt or nut in place?
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
Re: Tips and Tricks
If I had a tank large enough to submerge a 3500 lb tractor I would do it that waykings-x59 wrote:Reaper,
so do you have to submerge the artifact in your special koolaide for it to work? does it work on a bolt or nut in place?
It works with a nut & bolt in place.
I make my "koolaide" mixes in small tin can
then brush it on liberally.
90 Astro Cargo V-8
90 Artro RS - V-8 Now running!
& a bunch of tractors
"there's nothing like a V-8 Polluting the Environment"
90 Artro RS - V-8 Now running!
& a bunch of tractors
"there's nothing like a V-8 Polluting the Environment"
Re: Tips and Tricks
On the fuel tank-I read that it is quite feasible to cut a hole in the floor, pull out the pump/send unit and drop one right in. Seems a lot easier than dropping a fuel tank.
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
Re: Tips and Tricks
For yrs I have had about a 3 ft pc of brass 2" thick wall pipe flatten sort of on one end to accept wrenches and ratchets/breaker bars to use as a leverage on anything I wanted to loosen.The brass is more forgiven and has never bent or torn.It is one of the cherished tools I have.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Tips and Tricks
I've done 5 pumps so far (different vans). It really isn't that bad to drop the tank to do the pump.Meterpig wrote:On the fuel tank-I read that it is quite feasible to cut a hole in the floor, pull out the pump/send unit and drop one right in. Seems a lot easier than dropping a fuel tank.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
Re: Tips and Tricks
Well-the part that convinced me was that the poster ( I think over on AS.com) sold me on the fact he did the change in 15 minutes-in the parking lot-of the parts place.
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
Re: Tips and Tricks
The part that bothers me is I understand you have to cut a body reinforcement rib out of the way.I wouldn't suggest you do that.........Meterpig wrote:Well-the part that convinced me was that the poster ( I think over on AS.com) sold me on the fact he did the change in 15 minutes-in the parking lot-of the parts place.
1979 Malibu drag race only car
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY
1999 Sonoma 4.3 5 speed-Rufus
1989 Astro-Ole Yellar cancelled-still selling off parts
1985 Astro-shop van R.I.P. my friend
1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
1982 Winnebago single rear wheel-Chevy 350 Scraped 1/28/13-broken dreams......
Rochester,NY
Re: Tips and Tricks
1Gary wrote:The part that bothers me is I understand you have to cut a body reinforcement rib out of the way.I wouldn't suggest you do that.........Meterpig wrote:Well-the part that convinced me was that the poster ( I think over on AS.com) sold me on the fact he did the change in 15 minutes-in the parking lot-of the parts place.
That's interesting. I didn't read that part. Here is the thread.
http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.ph ... or#p106166
Didn't say anything about a support-unless that support is less than 1/2 an inch.
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
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- ASV Supporter
- Posts: 1750
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:31 pm
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Has thanked: 1 time
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Re: Tips and Tricks
people here have done it too but unless you either run your tank empty all the time and burn the pump out or buy really cheap garbage ones it doesn't make much sense since you'll almost never use the hole (hopefully) cutting the hole with tank and pump in place can be dangerous as well if you wanted to do it i would say drop the tank then cut hole and change pump (while tank is out) then reinstall everything. I'm not sure where you are but rust is a major problem here and any bear metal is a bad thing so cutting treated metal isn't the best idea here.....
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler
1997 gone
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- I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:50 pm
- Has thanked: 1 time
Re: Tips and Tricks
Not to mention it is more work cutting the hole than dropping the tank.
90 astro parts van gone.94 safari SLE.68 chevelle SS clone.
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- ASV Supporter
- Posts: 2060
- Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:27 pm
- Location: Misty Mountains of Cowichan BC.
Re: Tips and Tricks
I have a handfull of 8 pointed sockets.CaptSquid wrote:I had to use a 5/16" 12 point socket to adjust the brakes on my Freightliner. The heads were 4 point, not 6 point, and, as they do not make 4 point sockets...
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
Re: Tips and Tricks
Just so I am reading this right, dropping a 27 gallon tank-with residual fuel, vent lines, main line, straps...is easier and quicker than cutting a 6 x 6 hole in sheet metal? Not too mention, futzing around under the van with a tank over my head?
What do you think of my quest to swap transfer cases to the venerable BW4472?
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
viewtopic.php?f=58&t=9962
Photos including tear down for intake gaskets (PITA)
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-xSjRG/i-bHzD6cz
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 3117
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Re: Tips and Tricks
I'm with the other guys. I have a 11 yr old pump that still works great. How often are you really gonna do that?
A weak and rusty floor doesn't seem worth it to me. Besides, it gives you the opportunity to check the condition of all the other "futzy" parts you mentioned. That's why I do all my own work instead of giving it to someone else.
A weak and rusty floor doesn't seem worth it to me. Besides, it gives you the opportunity to check the condition of all the other "futzy" parts you mentioned. That's why I do all my own work instead of giving it to someone else.