Where'd my change go?

One thing that I really, nay, truly enjoy about writing this blog is that it keeps me honest. I have to ask myself, every weekend, what the hell did I do to keep this project going. I've got to have something to update. 

Last weekend, I was smoked. My slow-to-motivate hindquarters pulled the motor last weekend, which involved renting a cherry picker, along with a pressure sprayer (for the house, thanks honey for doing the work on the house), using said cherry picker, then returning it the next day - for heaven's sake! I had to hook up my cheap trailer to the Forester to haul around my rented equipment. Any other person would've been able to keep up the pace, keep working, keep cleaning up equipment, keep the candle burning. Nay, yes twice now I've used the word, I was able to clean up the garage, but this week... this week has been an clean up week - translation: I didn't do anything, well mostly nothing. 

I pulled the carpet today, which took me all of 20 minutes of getting my hands grimy. No greasy, half-chewed finger nails, no antifreeze-induced headaches, no oily footprints around the garage. I pulled the carpet in the front and back seat areas.

Dirt, not just dusty dirt, I mean there was enough that I considered putting it in my garden. 

Holy geez people, let my floor board be a lesson to you - maintain your possessions! The way I see it, most people spend a ton of money on 3 things in their lives - education, house, and car, I refuse to allow parents' costs into my 3 investment triangle theory. Likely, you will earn more money in your lifetime thanks to your college degree. Likely, your house will be worth more when you sell it than when you bought it. You car, on the other hand, will likely not be worth more money or earn you money, so it depreciates. To make matters even more dire, most people spend money on a new, or at least new to them, car on a regular 3-4 year basis and each time you spend more money than you did the time before. For most people, your car will cost you money to own and maintain and when you're sick of it, if you're lucky you won't owe more than it's worth. So for the sake of everything holy, maintain your most frequently depreciating investment! Spend time washing your car. Spend time vacuuming your car. Spend time appreciating your depreciating investment.

Organic-rich soil, not dirt, soil.

I know my truck is 28 years old. I know it has seen two hundred, thirty-six thousand miles, but there is really no reason for there to be standing dirt under my carpet. The standing dirt was really more bog-like. I'm surprised I didn't find a squirrel under my carpet padding or at least a gnome tending his garden. I found golf tees, styrofoam peanuts, carmel corn (that Wally, my dog, found and quickly disposed), quarters, nickels, dimes, corroded pennies, and spent .22 shells. 

Spend .22 rounds and beer bottle cap - nice

Golf anyone? 

This week I will continue along my let's-not-get-hands-too-dirty and continue stripping the interior. I am seeing my project come together, which just reinforces, to me, the need to keep your pulled parts/equipment in an orderly manner. I have pulled so much little screws and parts that if they weren't diligently labeled everything I would be freaking out right now. 

I have an iron in the fire for an engine that I'll leave for another time. I'm seeing that as this project progresses, I see potential for other avenues for the build to go so it's difficult for me to completely know exactly what motor I want in it. Ah, it's part of the fun I suppose. 

The LC Diet

The LC lost a dramatic amount of weight this weekend - no Sleeping Beauty, Tapeworm, or Fletcherizing diets needed. What a weekend. I am exhausted, period. I truly don't know how guys do this job without having the entire front end off like mine. I pulled the ancient, tractor motor out of the engine bay!

Sizing up the clearance

I say I, but really it was we. I had help. You may remember this person from my "Getting by w/ a little help from friends", or something along those lines, title blog. I like to do things to the best of my ability by myself, get the work site ready, pull the parts that I can pull, you know basically do it myself until I need a hand. Just like last time I got a hand when I needed it and who can really ask for more? Not this guy. This time I wasn't wearing slippers either. I had on the steel toes for the motor pulling and so did she. A little side note before progressing to the next paragraph, I said she. Yes, my wife was outside taking a break from power spraying the house (no kidding), put on her pink cowboy boot, steel toes (yep, I just called you out honey), gloves, and helped me pull the motor - awesome.

It started on Friday. I called a local tool rental joint to inquire about an engine hoist and while I was at it we might as well get a commercial grade power washer to clean up the house for spring. I was really just wanting to keep the project going, so I need to do some research on the engine hoist. As much as I would like to have my own, I know it would just end up as something that crowds my limited garage space, so buying is not a option for this guy. A research call turned into an appointment for Saturday. It's on, oh it's so on.

I thought I had the motor ready to pull out. I had the driveshafts removed. I had everything connecting the motor to the frame or other components removed. I had bits of the interior removed, so I could pull the carpet to gain access to the stick shifts. I figured I had about 30 minutes of set up time then 30 minutes of actual engine pulling (cue the storm clouds...)

This is going to be sooo easy... 

We set out first thing for the hoist and pressure washer. No problems at the rental joint. Get home and she gets the washer figured out and gets working on cleaning up our siding, soffits, gutters, side walks, patios, and the like. No problems. I get the hoist assembled and holy geez that thing is heavy even in pieces. Fortunately for me, the rental joint rents hoists that are collapsable for easy transport, so I had to put it together and holy geez that thing is heavy.

First thing I am satisfied that I turned the truck around before I started really tearing into it, so that the front of the truck faced out of the garage - score one for the planner, me! I positioned the hoist and assumed the position under the truck to assess the situation. I'm good right, I think. Oh yea, you're good just remove the transmission support, drop the back end of the transmission to make room for the shifters to drop beneath the floorboard and pull it out - easy. Yep easy. The engine went out in 30 minutes just like I thought it would. I had everything removed beforehand just like I thought I did. Yep easy (storm clouds arrival... now!)

Did I get that exhaust hanger??

I had to cut up the carpet around the shifters, which I thought I had a good handle on just being able to remove it. Nope, I had to use my buddy the utility knife, so much for orderly removal of stuff. I am not taking an hour to pull out the carpet, out comes the knife. I had to cut the carpet to get access to the shifter boot mounts, pull the mounts then the shifters should be a synch to get out. Nope.

Fast forward an hour and it's still in the truck. I've got the hoist secured to the cylinder head that I haven't yet sold. Trusty Patrick is resurrected to secure the engine hoist lifting chain. Removing the motor mounts was pretty easy enough, but could've been easier with better designed mounts - thanks again fired Toyota engineer. The front of the engine is now completely supported by the engine hoist. Okay, now on to removing the transmission support - not fun, many obscenities were heard by the cheap tools surrounding me.

Okay, judgement day and this motor is coming out. I have everything disconnected. I have everything removed. Lift up the hoist, engine should pull up, then pull out, place on 1000lbs rolling cart, have a beer, end of day.

Oh, I had everything disconnected, except the speedometer cable and an exhaust hanger and some other hanger I have no idea what it supported and the shifters. Fortunately for all the young cheap tools, my wife came around to help save my sanity. All the hangers and miscellaneous items were removed, even the shifter was removed - thanks to my 4.5inch angle grinder, take that you selfish shifter cable I wanted to keep you, but nooo you wanted to dent up my floorboard as I tried to thoughtfully make you presentable for a new home well your new home is going to be my trash can you ungrateful piece of ... young cheap tools in earshot.

What is that???

Well we got it out of the truck. The storm clouds are gone. We spend the rest of the day power spraying out house and had some beers to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. I celebrated another Patrick as well. It was Patrick the head bolt who offered his last selfless service to my engine. It was he who allowed me to secure the engine to the engine hoist. Thank you my good Sir.

Where did my right foot go?

The Head Bolt Conspiracy

I can see them conspiring against me. Head bolts. Their smirky threads whispering about me and my cheap tools. I will have these tools long enough to cheater-bar you out or in other words long enough to remove any history of your sorry-ass, tractor-like power band, tractor-like efficiency, and tractor-like weight from my 28yr old Toyota frame - thank you very much you jackass. Yea, it's getting personal.

I had a great day this week. My wife woke up, decided to work from home and thought that I should do the same. Oh, I stayed home, but I didn't work. I took the day off - much like Ferris, but without the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California. No mysterious, non-specific, illness where I lick my palms needed. I called in the day off by text.

My task for the day was the intake/exhaust manifold and head. The intake/exhaust manifold were essentially joined at birth, so they've got to come off together. All bolts off and true to fashion it damn thing doesn't move. I flashed back to the oil pan incident. Damn not again, I think, damn. I do not want to have to use the torch-motivator again to heat this thing up. Next best thing, let's pry if off, yea that seems like the thing to do. I get my pry bar, Craftsman incase you were wondering you freakin head bolt, but I digress. I get the pry bar, find a place to apply some leverage and ... it moves, so I know it isn't seized to the block, thank you Lord. Something's holding this thing up. Ah, the EGR Cooler is still attached to the back side of the intake (?, I forget) manifold and the damn exhaust manifold is still attached to the exhaust downpipe.

My buddy Dewalt took care of the exhaust downpipe - take that head bolt - did you see that? Did you see me pull out the sawzall and cut the downpipe? I do not need you anymore little head bolt, so fear not if you give me trouble I will... who am I kidding here you, my worthy adversary, have the upper hand.

The casualties - exhaust downpipe and air rail. The air rail didn't make it
past the first volley. 

Alright, now the EGR Cooler is out of the way and the exhaust downpipe lay slain at my feet. A bit of a pry here, ok it still wants to move, but it's still on the block. What the hell? Off with the cloudy safety glasses - those things are so jacked up by now I can't see a thing. Oh there it is - one lone exhaust manifold bolt snuggled up next to the firewall. You did this didn't you Patrick! Who's Patrick? Yea, I named my nemesis the head bolt.  

I first got to know Patrick when I was removing the head bolts. Patrick was hiding under the rocker arm assembly. I saw him, oh I saw him, but I was more concerned with his buddy in the driver side corner against the firewall, hidden in the lift anchor.

The Toyota engineer, my friend from a couple blogs back, before he was fired, lost his house, wife, and dreams insisted on designing an anchor by which the engine can be lifted from the frame. The anchor would be connected to the engine via head bolts, so in order to remove all the head bolts, and therefore then the head itself, I had to figure out how to get the one head bolt hidden behind anchor. Little did I know this head bolt was the Second in Command - we'll call him Gerald. Let the laughing and trash talk begin from the head bolt army.

Damn you head bolts. Gerald was protected because I could not get my socket to bite as a result from the anchor. Well done unknown Toyota engineer. I'm glad you were fired, no more loyalty from this guy. The intake and exhaust manifolds must come off first to gain access to Gerald.

The head bolts, organized by Patrick, directed by Gerald, telepathically communicated with the last exhaust bolt foot soldier to keep the fight coming to me. Safety glasses off, now I can see you little soldier in your fox hole. The last hold out removed, the manifold resistance folds. The manifold system is now sacked. Gerald you are next, but little did I know his mission was not over once he was removed.

Gerald's fall back position - the anchor 

Update: Gerald gone, anchor gone, manifold system destroyed. Battle lines are now drawn at the block. I am on the offensive. The head, now should simply lift off... I repeat, the head should now simply... lift ... off ... the block... what the hell?

The oil pan seizure is still in my head. I am a magician, I remember. The damn oil pan remained connected directly to the block even though all the bolts were removed. I had to torch the block and pan  then beat it like a mule to get the pan off the block. The head is now doing the same. I am not going to torch this thing. I need a dead blow hammer to beat this thing like it took my basketball. No dead blow, okay bfh + 2x4. Okay, still no progress. What the hell?

Alright, perhaps I can pry it off with a scraper. Allow me to bring the fight directly to the engine block with my trusty scraper + bfh. The scraper seems to work, but it's taking forever. I am in the process of retreat right now. What the hell am I going to do to get this thing off? Okay, take off the cloudy safety glasses and look. Look around. Look around the head. Surely I got all the bolts off. Look. Look...

Patrick in his rocker arm assembly bunker 

Patrick, defenseless 

Damnit - Patrick. Patrick was holding out under his rocker arm assembly bunker. The last line of defense for the head was the rocker arm assembly. Boom. Shock and Awe. Boom. Rocker arm assembly gone. F-you Patrick. Much like finding Sadam in a rabbit hole I find you, Patrick, unshaven, disheveled, hungry, and scare. Fear no more Patrick, my worthy adversary. I am Bill the Butcher to your Priest. I will finish you quickly and with respect. I will honor my victory over you every year for you were the last honorable head bolt worth removing.

Head Bolt, Patrick: 1984-2012

What a Mess!

Much more room with that off. 

All the cleanup work I could've saved if I would have just put a tarp

under it before I started. 

What a mess. What a ridiculous mess. My hands are dirty. I have oily grime in the lines of my dried fingers. Usually I'm happy to have 'working hands', but I cannot get the grease out of my bitten nails. I knew that was a bad habit and now I have permanently greasy skin beneath my nails. I know the grime will eventually clean out, but in the mean time they'll serve as calling cards to all like minded people - kinda like the bat symbol cast in the night sky. How did Batman see the bat-light anyways - wasn't there street, office, and building lights in Gotham? Bat-vision, I suppose... 

Up until this point, I'm quite proud of the job I've made by keeping up with everything. One part comes off - any hoses or electrical connections get taped, the tape gets labeled, the part gets cleaned, bolts get cleaned and accounted, then on to next part. Easy. Orderly. You don't have to know how to work on cars to take off parts, you just have to be purposed and focused.

This week, things changed. My whole one part for one part got changed. The focus of this week was getting parts off to sell them. The only problem was when I had a guy asking me about a part that I wasn't ready to pull - the power steering pump - cue dark ominous tones. I had to pull the water pump to get better access to the power steering mounting bracket. I had to pull the thermostat housing to gain better access to the water pump. One thing leads to another and more antifreeze gets deposited on the floor.

I enjoy getting to run this selling thing - Paypal, Excel, photos, and confirmation numbers. I've created a spreadsheet with username, name, address, parts sold, date sold, and confirmation number. I know it's really nothing, but I think it's important to know where parts go, for how much, and when. I don't know how many posts I've read with buyers posting hateful comments about the seller and the seller claiming complete ignorance. I have an opportunity to do this right and it's exciting.

A bit dramatic perhaps, but selling my parts does make me feel like Sally Field, oh how I love, nay intensely love, Ms. Sally Field. You love me! You really love me! 

Label, label 

I'm still attempting to pull one part then clean, but now everything seems to have either antifreeze, oil, or gas in it and it goes all over. Oh yea, I had oil pans underneath and a pad of carpet under the truck, but it still goes everywhere. It's the nature of the beast, I suppose, but now it's going to be grimy until I get that motor out, body off, and frame rolled away to the blaster.                                    

 

To add to the mess that's beginning to imprint in my garage floor I can't seem to find anything now. Initially, my goal was to clean my tools and put them up each night. Best laid plans I suppose don't necessarily dictate progress or access to the tool I need for that matter. The tools are now staying at the truck. It's funny, really. I have a two car garage. My tools are located on the opposite wall. I can make the trek from truck to tool without having to stop to hydrate along the way, but it's entirely too far. 

A few things I've learned thus far - keep your bolts ordered, count them; use painter's grade masking tape; use black magic markers any other color is for a high school art project; your hands will get grimy even with gloves; presentation, presentation - sell your parts by cleaning them and taking good photos (says the person who has sold 3 parts); oh and you need more space.