The issue with the S-10 setup, besides the fact that, that they shoe-horned this engine/drivetrain into place, is one of logistics. A guy like me could easily deal with this mess with one simple (HA!) method.
Take the Cab off the frame.
That’s how GM made these trucks. Frame and drivetrain and all the under-guts in place BEFORE they installed bed and cab.
That ‘one bolt’ that everyone cusses up a purple storm about is a nothing burger when the cab ‘ain’t there’. But doing so is a Pandora’s box of treats.
Speakin’ of Treats! Happy Hallo’s eve to y’all. The whole scene slipped right-a-by me and didn’t hit home till I went out for Ded-kow for the mamakat. Lots of goblins and freakies runnin’bout the local town. So, if’n you are into the season of such, Enjoy.
back to that ‘one bolt’
Flexplate/torque converter bolts undone. Top two bell bolts were easy peasy with the heads out of the way. Lower bolts not so bad, once I found them under all that gook and grime. But that ONE,,, looking from the back of the block, its about the 10 oclock position, and butted right up to the fire wall. Can’t get a wrench on it from the side, can’t see it all from up top, could probably get it easier by dropping the transmission centerbrace out and all the fun of that. but losing the engine, I’m rather fond of that center brace being in place for this job. I wrangled with it for 2 hours. DID get it loose. Amazingly with a 1/4″ set up of wobble extensions, and a 1/4″ impact socket courtesy of Cornwell tools (Link is NOT Cornwell but sockets are same as what I have.) Honestly, this is going to be a jiggle wiggle bolt removal. Its loose, about two turns out and I can’t get anymore because of that firewall. So, lossen the engine up and get the hoist on it, wiggle it out 3/8″, turn bolt a couple more turns till it hits firewall, wiggle engine, wash rinse repeat, until that bolt is free. It is the ONLY thing holding that engine in place currently. (its resting on the engine mounts, but the bolts are free once I take weight off them.)
Then the weather turned to grey cast skies threatening rain. Not in the forcast, but it ‘feelz’ like rain weather. Don’t wanna be out in the open with tools scattered about. The carport cover I have is only 6′ deep to keep the rain off the immediate work area: ain’t gonna keep Dio or tools dry. (that opens up another project/plan/future endeavor,,, but I want paperwork finalized FIRST,,, It ain’t yet: long story.)
Meh, good enough reason for me to wrap up and take the rest of the afternoon of a weekend OFF. Still wonderful temps outside, not supposed to drop below 50 tonight. just GREY and BLAH. It feels like autumn out today. Crunchy leaf smells and just warm enough that a long sleeve shirt is plenty.
And tomorrow we reset the clocks. It’s not the complete ‘fubar Dio’s internal clock’ that the spring forward is, but it still sucks as there will be much less daylight to me after I return home from the J.O.B. I truly hated this time of year when I worked at the Vault:10hr days that started before 6 am and leaving work to watch the sunset in my rearview. I fought bad depression those years They paid off though: I managed to build my house on the income from that job. What can I say, I’m a solar kat; I needs that sunlight to maintain proper internal chemistries.
but I am getting closer and closer to having Buffalo back on the road. Once that engine is out, the real fun begins, but the end result will be well worth the grimy fingernails and busted knuckles. And then I won’t be so dependent on BlooTwuck for the day to day
And get to go kayaking again (when the weather is more apropo, of course)
more tomorrow. maybe some strange wyrd monologue from creepy dreams like I started this day.
Love y’all
Stay Curious
Live
LOVe
Laugh
Learn
LOAD!!!
