Any helpful hints?

[Guest madmax]

Hey guys, I'm going to replace the stock exhaust manifold bolts in my 93 tomorrow. I'm okay with the wrench, but am basically learning and teaching myself as I go along with the Pathy maintenance/upgrades. I don't quite know what to expect from this tomorrow..... any helpful hints or suggestions?

 

I'm also replacing the valve cover gaskets on the V6 because the left side seal is leaking oil.

 

The ride is really ROUGH. I think my shocks might be dead. Any sure way to tell? What is a good replacement? Anything that can help improve street ride quality?

 

Thanks gang! :bow:

[88pathoffroad]

Getting to the manifold bolts through the fenderwells is a bit easier, I think. Hit each stud with a small hammer and/or an impact tool a few times before attempting to unscrew it from the head. This seems to loosen any rust or corrosion holding the threads of the studs and make them easier to remove. Otherwise you may end up with a handful of broken-off studs and no room to drill them out. If you do need to drill one out, use a reverse-cut drillbit or a stud remover, if at all possible. DO NOT drill too far in or you'll puncture the water jacket of the aluminum head and then you'll have to replace the head.

 

A good way to test the shocks is to push downwards as hard as you can a couple of times on one corner of a bumper and let go. If it rebounds only once or twice at the most, they should be OK. If it continues to bounce three or more times, then your shocks are probably shot and need replacing. Shock choice is up to you, other people like the way OEM shocks feel on the road and I can't stand them. A good all-around replacement seems to be Monroe Sensatracs or something like that. I prefer gas-charged shocks like KYB's or full-out offroad shocks like Ranchos.

[Guest 88PFMN]

hints??? Contact a therapist when it's all said and done. Just got mine back from a trusted friend of a friend...1 rebuilt head, 2 weeks and $800 later, I'm all set to go... :oops: :oops: :oops:

Let us know how yours goes and good luck, brotha!!!

[Guest madmax]

Well, 2 days later and I got the right (passenger) side finished. Replaced the valve cover gasket, exhaust manifold gaskets and all 9 bolts (6 to the head, 3 to the exhaust.) It was a HUGE PITA!!!

 

Still got the left side to do, but that'll have to wait for another day.

 

Anyway, got lucky..... when I removed the heat shield, I found only one of the bolts snapped but it did so between the nut and spacer. Go figure. Anyway, of the remaining 5, 2 of the bolts came out with the nuts while the other 3 stayed lodged in there. I hosed 'em down with WD-40 and let 'em sit until morning. I didn't have a extraction tool, so what I did was use 2 of the locking nuts..... tighten 'em down on each other on the bolt and then start loosening. It worked like a charm for the 4 full bolts. The fifth one had only about an inch of thread left, but I was able to tighten one nut onto it and just keep working it, tighten and loosen until the bolt finally started to come.

 

It was fairly straightforward, but accessibility was an issue with reaching some of the nuts. Going through the fenderwells was a great tip...... thanks, 88. Also, the WD-40 and a hammer helped loosen the nuts, too.

 

Passenger side valve cover is a piece of cake. Straightforward, easy access to all screws, not much attached to it, only two hoses and one wiring bracket. The driver side is going to be HELL! It's sitting under that big @$$ air intake and there's a lot of crap attached to that! Nope, not looking forward to it! -thnkboutit-

 

Other than that, at least one side is done. Actually sounds a lot better, not as much clattering as before the change. The bolts do make a difference. Now, it's on to the next problem..... the 93 has been burning some oil since I bought it. I only smelled it when I was parked or if the wind caught it right, so I didn't think it was a big deal. Today, when I started the Pathy up after the fix, I realized that this thing smokes like crazy. Anyone know what it might be? From under the car, it looks like there's a pretty good leak from somewhere..... oil pan, tranny, lots of wiring are streaked with oil. My friend said it could be the oil sending unit..... I dunno.

 

All help appreciated. Thanks in advance. :bow:

[Guest madmax]

After taking a closer look, well as best I could in the middle of the night with a flashlight, I can say that the oil leak is somewhere on the right side of the block. The right CV axle, wiring, oil filter are all splashed or coated with oil. Is the oil sending unit (oil pressure switch) located on that side of the block?

 

Thanks.

 

[MatterHorn]

is the passanger or driver side? ... it's most likely the oilpan gasket ... especially in the rear corners which are prone to leaking ... the oil pressure sender is just to the rear of the oil filter ...

[Guest madmax]

It's the passenger side. Oil pan gasket, huh? Okay, I'll check that next chance I get. Thanks.

[88pathoffroad]

Try degreasing everything thoroughly and pressure washing it, then you may be able to ID where the oil's coming from if you find fresh leaks after the old stuff is washed off. Oil on the passenger's side is typically just remnants from removing the oil filter that drip everywhere...