I'll let you know -- I haven't really done anything since the hard cleaning weekend.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Unfortunately the exhaust bolts are seized pretty solid. I've been going at it with my impact gun for about an hour now and they're not budging. I knew it was going to be tough but figured my air impact would knock em loose without much trouble. Running out to pick up another can of PB, guess they're going to soak overnight.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Do you have an oxy acetelyne torch available to melt them out?

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Yeah I've got a MAPP torch but not at this location (I'll have to run home to get it). Its soaked in penetrating oil so I'm hoping to avoid using heat. If push comes to shove, I'll have to do it though. I can still unbolt the trans, TC and motor mounts today so it'll be ready to go once the exhaust bolts come out. Unfortunately this is taking a lot longer than I anticipated...whats new!

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Finally.


Sent from an abacus

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Last chance for an OM606 swap!

Fyi, just experienced explorer death wobble. Im reading from other more knowledgable folk its a very common air bubble in power steering from engine off steering wheel movement.

When you get this started, dont just take it out on the highway. Do a bunch of lock to lock turns and drive around town for a bit.

Scary as shlt, feels like both front tires are about to fly off. Maybe not a problem for gen3, but worth doing a few lock to lock steering wheel moves just in case

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Thanks for the tip! Steering wheel actually hasn't moved at all so hopefully that's not an issue, though I did manage to rip the coupling boot when removing the engine (some electrical tape and grease should work). I did see that one of the swaybar end links is broken so I'll have to replace that. Now that I can stand in the engine bay, it'll get a nice cleaning, wire brushing and rust protection, size up any other repairs that might be lurking while I have the room.


Sent from an abacus

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I have death wobble in the F250, which I had read the fix for on a superduty was more caster in the alignment. I will try the PS system though, its free to try, why not?

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

Update...nearly every but and bolt on this thing is seized somehow. Harmonic balancer will not come off no matter what...it actually bent the heavy duty puller. So I said screw it to the front chain ( which looks okay) and turned my attention to the rear. The flywheel bolts (60 ft lbs supposedly) aren't coming off with my 3/8 impact. Currently hunting down a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer so I can throw it on my big impact wrench. Absolutely nothing has been easy or even very pleasureful about working on this car.

The rear timing chain guide is completely nonexistent and the chain is rubbing on the screw that used to hold it in place. I'm thinking do the rear chain and put the engine back in, get some life out of it.


Sent from an abacus

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth