What are you working on today?

Rinsed the salt off the Escape and X3, just the dirt off the truck. Alot of melting next week seemed liked a waste to do a full wash. Washed and lubed both bikes, back to riding. Think I gained 10 pounds not riding for two weeks. Went to the lowes, library, menards and another library branch šŸ˜‚ Getting little stuff and trying to read all the Reacher books in order.
 
Garage re-work time!

Getting rid of whatever this mess was. My garage used to be a carport and the previous owner had this back wall and a closet done. They used some soffit as a wall covering. It all has to be removed to update electrical, insulate, and drywall the entire garage.

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The ranch gator battery did not survive a 4 day freeze. It was a John Deere battery that lasted 5 years. They were not open today, so in went a walmart U1. After a 20 minute property fence line patrol the FE290 is performing as it always has at 1389 hours.

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Suffered through a back injury today to mount 4 new tires for my dump truck. That turned into finding a wheel seal starting to leak and pulling a hub. Gotta drive into town tomorrow and find a seal and set of brake shoes. I’ll steam clean the hub and drum to get the oil out of it. Normally I’d replace the worn drum and do shoes on both sides but I plan to do a hub pilot conversion soon and it’ll get changed at that point. The anchor pin bushings were very stuck so I went after them with my Snap On anchor pin and bushing press. They came right out.

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I was toying with this Solus Ultra I picked up recently, and I was curious if it could still be updated
Turns out Snap on trucks won't touch it anymore, and it was $500-$1000+ even when they did
I found a guy on a forum somewhere who for $50, made me the files to take it from how I bought it (13.2) to the last update they made for it (21.4)
I also gained Euro brands, and Harley-Davidson support
Even though it's older, it seems to hold it's own
Responsive, fast to power on, and if it lists a function, you can bet it works
A little different than the Autel/Launch products I cut my teeth on
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I was toying with this Solus Ultra I picked up recently, and I was curious if it could still be updated
Turns out Snap on trucks won't touch it anymore, and it was $500-$1000+ even when they did
I found a guy on a forum somewhere who for $50, made me the files to take it from how I bought it (13.2) to the last update they made for it (21.4)
I also gained Euro brands, and Harley-Davidson support
Even though it's older, it seems to hold it's own
Responsive, fast to power on, and if it lists a function, you can bet it works
A little different than the Autel/Launch products I cut my teeth on
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Those are still $900-1500 on marketplace around me. Crazy money for a product with virtually no OEM support anymore
 
Those are still $900-1500 on marketplace around me. Crazy money for a product with virtually no OEM support anymore
And they aren't clean or updated like mine šŸ˜’
I peeled the factory screen plastic off this one ā˜ŗļø
I'm into this for less than average, it might replace my assortment of MT2500 and MTG2500 red bricks 🧱
If anyone's looking for a clean one, I'll have several nice kits put together in the near future
 
2002 Forester:
-oil change
-new spark plugs & wires
-repaired battery hold down ‐- why is every vehicle running around with a loose battery????
-replaced LH valve cover gasket and tube seals. I had to use Fel-Pro which bums me out but all I could get quickly

Before:
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Getting ready to go back together. Looks like maybe someone previously got happy with a wire wheel or Scotchbrite. I used only elbow grease and rags to get it to this point. Also note the older 5-bolt pattern:

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-repaired battery hold down ‐- why is every vehicle running around with a loose battery????

It's pretty bad...Doesn't surprise me one bit to find a free range battery under the hood of a vehicle.

Not the biggest fan of Japanese marques using J-hooks that get lost & a steel crossbar that gets crusty, Domestic marques use a far superior/simpler design!
 
Not a Hemi follower But never knew the oil filter location is like a SBC

It's on the right front of the engine, GM V8's for the most part are on on the left rear. GM LS & LT engines don't have the oil filter boss cast into the block....The filter can be moved so the engine will fit different platforms. Holden built Pontiac GTO & V8 Trailblazer/Envoy are examples of that
 
Hark, this hose of heat doth link unto the radiator's base, yet the fastening clasp doth face downward. I scarce can reach it with my digits, but cannot seize a hold to pull it low. 'Tis needful to lift the carriage aloft and remove the tray beneath. Alas, I cannot do this. 'Tis time to seek a workshop, then. By the heavens, a curse upon this!!

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It's on the right front of the engine, GM V8's for the most part are on on the left rear. GM LS & LT engines don't have the oil filter boss cast into the block....The filter can be moved so the engine will fit different platforms. Holden built Pontiac GTO & V8 Trailblazer/Envoy are examples of that
I see that know
On the front instead of the rear

What’s your plan for this engine ??

And good to see you post Been awhile since I’ve seen anything from you !!šŸ‘šŸ‘
 
What is your break in procedure or do you even use one?

Keep the RPM up around 1800 or so after it builds initial oil pressure for 15 to 20 minutes, I vacuum fill the cooling system so no need to worry about burping the system.
Shut the engine down, Change the oil & filter to get the Lubriplate out, Take it on a drive varying RPM, Load, & use engine braking if available for about 30 minutes.
Instruct the owner to have the oil changed @ 1000 miles.

I use 15W40 diesel oil for the initial fill, Then 10W30 conventional for the test drive. Recommend 5W30 synthetic after 1000 miles.

The same for all GM LS/LT & Hemi engines I build.
 
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