An Idiot and an Econoline

Head off with help of local teen.

This is prior to removing the valves to check all valve stem seals. Also, there is the bigger problem of figuring out the cause of three of the valves having been “hammered.”

At first it seemed as if the valve stem seal issue could be resolved without removing the head. With the help of the “rope trick,” a spring compression tool, and a homemade stud, two seals were easily replaced.

The third valve, however, is mushroomed—flattened by a poorly adjusted rocker or a bad lifter.

Gurus say it will have to be replaced, and for that, the head must come off. According to the 64 shop manual, the head comes off with intake & exhaust manifolds attached.

I was surprised to learn of this small, inexpensive, and essential rubber part.

Oil in the cylinders, fouling the plugs pretty quickly. Notable is the presence of oil on the spark plug threads of a couple cylinders if pulled when engine is warm.

Compression test shows good values (175-190) on all cylinders. According to mechanic Doug, who inserted a camera into the combustion chamber, cylinder walls look good. So we don’t think it’s rings, head gasket, etc.

On a trip to a friend’s cabin in ski country, I gave myself a third-degree burn by bridging the starter relay and engine block with my wedding ring. 

Here are just three of the safety guidelines I was ignoring: 

1) take off your ring before working on your car

2) wear gloves when working on your car

3) disconnect the battery when working on your car

At least I wasn’t wearing a necktie.

Puff scouts for whales.

Long may you run.

Removing and re-coring the old radiator estimated at $824.75.

A new aluminum radiator from ebay is $116.80. Can’t get a radiator to fit the original 170 engine because now there’s a 200 in there from a Fairmont. The original output is on right (passenger) side, so it wouldn’t work.

The radiator I got has the output in the correct place for a 200, but the mounting flange is on the forward face, so I cut if off and riveted it to the rear face.

I didn’t actually hacksaw the whole thing. Lining up the flange for riveting:

Rivets:

Mounted radiator from below:

Cost so far: $116.80 and a few rivets and Dremel cutting wheels.