Monty's 1989 CV LX

[packman]

That sux!!! I broke 1 of the 12 water pump bolts on my Ranger and was put out by that. When I was done crying, I removed the water pump, applied extra permatex to the area of the broken bolt, and stuck it back on there. No problems since. 4 though; like Bobcat said; you will want to easy out them.

Packman

[monterey1962]

What's a good way to clean the timing cover and lower intake? Any type of chemical that I can soak them in for a while once they're off the engine? How about gasoline? I have to pump all that old fuel out of the tank anyway.

[knucklehead0202]

What a fucker monty, sorry about the luck but douche that stuff with some Kroil or other penetrating lubricant and take another whack at it. I'm looking at doing a water pump, timing cover, and timing set soon. Not exactly looking forward to it. Hot as balls in SoCal summer. 108 last week. Yuck...

[Tiggie]

I use degreaser in a spray can (gunk) and a pressure washer.

Guess this makes a good time to check out the timing chain and gear?

[monterey1962]

I have a slightly used double roller timing chain set from my old '88 on hand ... I ... think. Where did I put that? If I can find it, it will go on the '89.

[monterey1962]

Valve covers, lower intake, and timing cover are off. Got the broken stud out of the block.

[sly]

looks pretty for the most part except that rear coolant passage... woof.

[monterey1962]

Yeah, that was the "dead end" coolant passage. A lot of goop in there.

What do you guys think of the small amount of slack on the timing chain? Enough to replace it or just leave it in there? I was surprised to find a double roller when I took the cover off. I'm assuming this engine was never opened before since the oil pan gasket was still the one piece that I had to cut.

[monterey1962]

New timing chain is in. Picked up some new coolant lines, but can't find the throttle body coolant lines at O'reilly's. Going to check NAPA tomorrow.

[sly]

I'd just use fuel hose if no coolant hose can be found. little more spendy, but will probably be the last time it's ever changed.

[VicCrownVic]

Yep, 5/16 fuel hose is what I use for those coolant lines.

[gadget73]

I don't think anyone lists 1/4 coolant line. I've also used fuel hose in the past.

[monterey1962]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot.

I got two of the three broken studs out of the timing cover. Third one won't budge. Even heated it with the torch. Drilled into it and I think I hit the threads, but it's not coming out. NAPA shows a new cover for $108. Guess I'll be ordering that tomorrow.

[knucklehead0202]

Bummer to hear the hardships Monty, but glad to see you anyway! If it's got tits, tires, or a trigger it'll give you problems. Having some stuck-screw issues on an old mauser I recently acquired too. Walked away but about to get back into it.

[monterey1962]

Walking away for a while is a good thing.

I just can't afford to spend $100+, right now, so I went at the broken stud again this morning. Drilled it out from the back side of the cover. Remembered that I have a tap and dye set. Tapped the hole and it actually worked. I even test fit the pump on the cover and it lines up.

The only problem I ran into is that I had broke the odd ball sized stud (circled in the pic below). No kit seems to come with this length and the AC bracket mounts to the stud. What I plan to do is buy another water pump stud kit, and take the longer stud, cut it down and use the dye to thread it. Just hope that works.

Edit: Didn't even have to buy another set. Two of the old long studs were still in decent shape. Dye cut one and it works. Victory!