What have you done to your square lately??

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bucket

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Got to work on the valve seals. Then I discovered that for whatever reason (probably because they decided to stick with just o-rings on the exhaust valves) they didn’t machine down all of the valve seats for press-on seals. I could measure, but it wouldn’t make a difference. Some slid on, now I’m running into some that are damn near the same diameter of the seals themselves. No rhyme or reason.

Then I discovered I couldn’t find the Pioneer umbrella seals I have somewhere- probably ferreted away in the shop. I took it as a sign to walk away for the day.

I did get a chance to try this tool that worked awesome for getting spark plugs under tight headers. No more futzing around with an open end wrench with #5 and 6. Just gotta be gentle since there’s no rubber grommet to protect the porcelain.
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Between these few tools, no header will ever be in your way. Or steering shaft or whatever.

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JamesSam

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Enjoyed the foliage during a ride down a two lane road out to Powhatan today. Dropped Kelley's Motovox bike with his cousin for a tune up.
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Doppleganger

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Cleaned up all the new welds, then used a 2K seam sealer and finished redoing all the old, including (and especially) inside the cowl, then primered the bottom and another coat of primer on everything. Officially done til Spring. :hat:
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DoubleDingo

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Got to work on the valve seals. Then I discovered that for whatever reason (probably because they decided to stick with just o-rings on the exhaust valves) they didn’t machine down all of the valve seats for press-on seals. I could measure, but it wouldn’t make a difference. Some slid on, now I’m running into some that are damn near the same diameter of the seals themselves. No rhyme or reason.

Then I discovered I couldn’t find the Pioneer umbrella seals I have somewhere- probably ferreted away in the shop. I took it as a sign to walk away for the day.

I did get a chance to try this tool that worked awesome for getting spark plugs under tight headers. No more futzing around with an open end wrench with #5 and 6. Just gotta be gentle since there’s no rubber grommet to protect the porcelain.
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I take the rubber out of my spark plug sockets as soon as I get them. Have broke too many plugs (1 back in 1986) with the rubber in the socket. Haven't damaged a spark plug since that fateful day in 86
 

JamesSam

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Have been driving it a couple times a week, as I have posted, even with the leaky rad. Driving it for distances of 20 miles here and there and the rad stays full even with the leak. I also have been topping off the reserve when it gets low. My driveway is not level on the spots we park. Possibly leaking due to topping off too much? Or likely I have a leak minimal enough to not hinder here and there driving? Starting to think maybe I top off too much.
 

JamesSam

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Have been driving it a couple times a week, as I have posted, even with the leaky rad. Driving it for distances of 20 miles here and there and the rad stays full even with the leak. I also have been topping off the reserve when it gets low. My driveway is not level on the spots we park. Possibly leaking due to topping off too much? Or likely I have a leak minimal enough to not hinder here and there driving? Starting to think maybe I top off too much.
Replacing the radiator would make me feel better but does anyone have any other input? Truck stays cool and I want to drive it....
 

Travlr

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Replacing the radiator would make me feel better but does anyone have any other input? Truck stays cool and I want to drive it....

Do you have an overflow bottle/expansion tank on it? If not, I'd put one on and monitor the coolant there. You might find it fluctuates by the warmth in the engine.
 

JamesSam

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Do you have an overflow bottle/expansion tank on it? If not, I'd put one on and monitor the coolant there. You might find it fluctuates by the warmth in the engine.
Yes, there is an overflow tank and I always monitor it. Ever since I have bought the truck it gets below the fill line for the reserve periodically, so I have reactively always refilled it.
 

Ajax19

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Have been driving it a couple times a week, as I have posted, even with the leaky rad. Driving it for distances of 20 miles here and there and the rad stays full even with the leak. I also have been topping off the reserve when it gets low. My driveway is not level on the spots we park. Possibly leaking due to topping off too much? Or likely I have a leak minimal enough to not hinder here and there driving? Starting to think maybe I top off too much.
Always wanted to know if this works to Crack a egg in there and send it
 

ChuckN

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Replacing the radiator would make me feel better but does anyone have any other input? Truck stays cool and I want to drive it....
IMHO, man, you’ve been battling this thing for a while now. It’s likely going to get worse at some point, I’d just be done with it and replace it, but that’s just how I roll. You do you.:cool:
 

JamesSam

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Always wanted to know if this works to Crack a egg in there and send it

IMHO, man, you’ve been battling this thing for a while now. It’s likely going to get worse at some point, I’d just be done with it and replace it, but that’s just how I roll. You do you.:cool:

Do you know for sure that it's the rad? If not, you need to find the source of the leak first
Yep, I need to pull the trigger on this one. Especially since I will likely be handing it over to the garage to replace the AC compressor next. Thanks for the motivation fellas.
 

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