(some of this is gonna be from memory, i shoulda started when i got the thing!)
08/08/09 - Purchased for $1400 (OUCH!)
12/07/09 - Began the disassembly [to inspect the heads]
03/28/10 - Took pics of the crankshaft gear
04/04/10 - Pic of spark plug I tried to modify to vacuum out cylinders
07/24/10 - Got the lower intake off this day
08/08/10 - Both heads were off this day
08/12/10 - Enter, PJ!
08/24/10 - Cleaned the block head surface
08/25/10 - Cleaned the #1 piston and saw how badly pitted it was
09/21/10 - Enter, the [first] 4-Wheeler
11/06/10 - Finally cleaned the passenger's side head to see how badly pitted it was; probably started weighing rebuild vs. new engine options
11/16/10 - Enter, the [second] 4-Wheeler
03/18/11 - CJ7 Brake Line
05/09/11 - Dewey Parking Brake
05/13/11 - Wild goose chase for burned out Pathfinder engine at pull-a-part
06/17/11 - Bought used VG33 engine for $650 from 365 Auto Salvage; Took pics of exhaust manifolds on heads
07/24/11 - Pulled the old VG30 out!
10/22/11 - Got hub caps, water tube, roof racks, cup holder at junkyard
11/06/11 - Second oil pan install attempt
11/07/11 - Inquired/got a response from Roadway Auto Parts about the harmonic balancer ($75 + $15 shipping)
11/10/11 - Initiated payment to Roadway for the balancer/brackets ($175)
11/10/11 - Oil filter adapter came
12/05/11 - "Loosely" set the VG33 into the engine bay.
12/23/11 - VG33 Upper Intake removed
12/24/11 - VG33 Lower Intake removed
01/14/12 - Cleaned water tube surfaces
01/17/12 - Mated water tube
02/05/12 - VG30 Valve Covers installed
02/24/12 - Started this timeline to get serious about tracking how way-too-long this project is taking!
02/25/12 - Installed Lower Intake, Injector Rail and removed "Pathfinder/QX4" Oil Filter Adapter
02/26/12 - Installed Engine Mount-to-Frame Bolts, left a little loose for wiggle room!
02/27/12 - Ordered torsion bar cups and tranny gasket/seal; Loosely routed the injector harness, got too dark to install the clips!
02/29/12 - Counted 6 Engine-to-Transmission Mounting bolts this morning...the other 3 better be in that bag marked "hidden", which I need to find!
03/03/12 - Connected injectors; installed oil filter adapter
03/04/12 - Cleaned transmission
03/06/12 - Transmission Front Seal and Gasket, and Torsion Bar Seals, came today
03/10/12 - Cleaned and installed front cover and seal
03/11/12 - Put throwing bearing and release arm on; put transmission in...sort of...no bolts, and i wanna take it back out to fix the sealer!
03/18/12 - Took the trans back out (the clutch disc is no longer centered...did I do that w/all the yanking and jerking on it during removal or the reinstall?)...Cleaned the trans mating surface again
03/23/12 - Went to the east lot, all automatics, but the mounting bolts are there...signed up for the VIP club...
03/24/12 - Bo helped re-put the transmission in, same problems, sealer dried before we could get it mated, and also the throwout bearing came off this time! Was finally able to get it close enough to get a FEW bolts started...but...couldn't get the bottom gusset bolts in...
03/25/12 - Spent ALL day/afternoon trying to get the two gusset bolts in, well, the driver's side went in ok (had to loosen the gusset), but the passenger's side was a major pain...but finally got it in (see pics)
04/02/12 - Bust at the junkyard saturday, NO engines or transmissions, went this morning and got the driver's side gusset bottom bolt, was gonna try for the starter but that's gonna take more time, so hopefully i can get it this saturday...cleaned the bolt, but couldn't get it started...now i'm looking at flex wrenches, T-ratchets, and possibly getting a flange solt to give some lip for a "conventional" wrench to do the job.
04/03/12 - Tried that bolt again, no luck...gonna hafta try it again, drastic measures mean that axle has to come out
07/09/12 - Soldered all but the one black wire; didn't execute properly on stripping one of the red/white wires...didn't execute properly trying to remove one of those transfer case switches...NEW WORK MENTALITY...ONLY way to do things is the RIGHT way...
08/04/12 - Got a 19mm wrench from Autozone and got the transfer case switch off!
10/20/12 - [I'm gonna guestimate that I bought the starter this day from PAP...entered in 8/8/13]
03/17/13 - Bo and a certain vehicle towed it out from under the awning and let it roll into the parking pad (to free that space up for s10/other work)
05/06/13 - Ordered the alternator mounting hardware from nissanpartszone.com for $49
05/11/13 - Bought the alternator from K&D Auto Parts for $53
05/18/13 - Installed the ac compressor bracket, coulda done that a long time ago...need a ground bolt for the "new" alternator
05/20/13 - Got the oil sending unit/ac compressor harness from PAP (North) from a 96 Pathfinder and another wheel cover from a 95 Pathfinder for $6.03...they had 2 WD21's, both with engines, and both with the oil sending wire broken/missing!
05/21/13 - Got a bolt and washer for the alternator ground at ACE ($.51)
05/24/13 - Was gonna install the alternator, went to do it, and of course the "B" terminal nut from the old alternator is too small for the new one...Drilled the "B" and ground terminals on the harness to fit the new alternator
05/25/13 - Loosely installed the alternator...got the "B" connector nut, washer and lock washer from ACE...Bo brought the radiator over...went to Budget Auto Salvage to get the power steering pump but they were closed
06/01/13 - Got the ps pump from Dekalb Auto Salvage ($42 + $5 tip)
06/02/13 - Cleaned the pump and installed it, the long bolt apparently needs a nut on the backside
06/03/13 - Got a nut, washer and lock washer from Ace...tried to size up bolts for the cranshaft pulley, the holes are "wollered" out...gonna put teflon tape on the bolts (ones i used to remove the VG30 should work)...but that's only for when i need to remove the "new" pulley...installed the long bolt nut, washer, lock washer
06/08/13 - Couldn't get the crankshaft pulley bolt to budge! Gonna remove the a/c condenser and see if a straighter angle helps...also couldn't get the ps pump hose off...need the correct size socket (24mm, supposedly)
06/10/13 - Just ordered the fan pulley and mounting nuts
06/10/13 - Had to cancel the order for the pulley/nuts, 'cause Nissan has DISCONTINUED THE WATER PUMP PULLEY!!! that's what i get for waiting so long, but dang, how do you discontinue a water pump pulley???
06/11/13 - Called DAS "we don't sell water pump pulleys, my brother"...lame...ordered the one off ebay that i saved to my watch list the day before
06/13/13 - Got the 24mm socket at AutoZone for the power steering banjo fitting
06/14/13 - Removed the power steering pressure fittings, the VG30 hose won't really fit the VG33 'cause of that retaining notch...I think I will prolly just put it on in whatever orientation works, to see if it runs, then get the VG33 hose and see if it's a direct bolt-in, or get it modified
06/15/13 - Fan pulley came
06/25/13 - Bo brought his impact wrench over, we tested the fit, it fits, now just need the compressor
06/28/13 - Bo brought the compressor over that night
06/29/13 - The compressor/impact wrench worked to get the bolt off!
06/30/13 - Got a new harmonic balancer puller from Autozone...got two M6x75mm bolts and two M6 fender washers from ACE...it worked! got the old pulley off, put the "new" pulley on...(haven't torqued it down yet, though)
07/05/13 - Tried the heat shields, had to tap a hole, i think i'm still missing some of the bolts...and i'll need to trim the DS heat shield to get it to clear the dipstick tube
07/07/13 - Trimmed the DS heat shield, ran kept me from testing for fit!
07/08/13 - Got BOTH heat shields in! Had to trim more on the DS one, and had to tap just about every bolt hole to get 'em to fit
07/09/13 - Loosely installed the power steering pump idler pulley...currently looking for the correct-sized wiring loom! (measured the "space" in the old one, looks to be about 12")
07/15/13 - The "PIPE - WATER" came today
07/18/13 - Bought the lower radiator hoses...found the missing wiring loom under the bed! (whilst looking for "ointment")
07/23/13 - Put the looms, yes, two on the wires...tightened the PS pressure hose banjo fitting
07/24/13 - Secured the loom wire to the transmission-to-engine bolt; Tightened the PS idler pump pulley; loosely installed the radiator to see if the lower hose would fit, looks like it will!
07/26/13 - Installed the oil pan drain bolt
07/27/13 - Put in oil and oil filter; Removed the #1 plug to find TDC using the compression tester! installed the distributor; cut and fit the intermediate radiator hose
07/28/13 - Got the nuts for the fan and the shorter bolt for my ground cable; bought the alternator and ps pump belts at autozone...installed the belts...installed the radiator, and lower hose...installed the fan
07/30/13 - Cleaned the gasket mating surface of the (VG30) upper intake...thought i was missing a heater hose, but it was in the back! Too lazy to take a pic of it.
08/01/13 - Installed the spark plugs (BKR5ES-11)...almost ran into BIG trouble with the #4 (DS front) plug...it was in there TIGHT...and...it was the only plug that was Autolite???? wonder if/why it wasn't changed out with the bosch platinum 2's...and installed the heater hoses...i had the one on wrong
08/03/13 - installed upper intake
08/04/13 - hooked up remaining hoses and wires, hooked up intake boot; installed the cap, plug wires, tried charging the battery...6.5v to start, 12.3/5 later
08/05/13 - FIRST CRANK ATTEMPT!!!! it turned over, but kinda slow...then finally wouldn't turn at all, so gonna get a new battery
08/06/13 - Got a Group 24/600 batt from advance...solenoid clicks but no starter action
08/07/13 - cleaned the batt/terminals end, still nada
08/08/13 - tried jumping the solenoid...alotta sparks...AND SMOKE...no starter action
08/09/13 - still wouldn't turn over; pulled the starter; "tested" it, bendix pops out, but starter won't spin
08/11/13 - compared the original starter to the junkyard one, original is slightly longer overall; ordered a Pure Energy one from rockauto.com
08/25/13 - put new Pure Energy starter in
08/25/13 - cranked it while bo was there, he put some 87 in it; ran a little longer and better than it has before
08/27/13 - the exhaust gaskets arrived
08/28/13 - the O2 sensor came
08/29/13 - got the 5-gal gas can from northern; the LH front and intermediate pipes came...the LH front appears to have a "nice dent" in it...gotta send it back
09/01/13 - spent $31 on flange nuts, bolts, and clamps at ACE (for the exhaust)
09/02/13 - got a 3" clamp at ACE; assembled the heat shields to the new exhaust pipes; got antiseize from Advance
09/03/13 - YAY! ordered $200 more in exhaust parts (catalytic converter, muffer/tailpipe, gaskets) after seeing that those parts are gonna hafta be cut out
09/04/13 - did research, looks like advance (and this other place i found) carries some of the exhaust hanger hardware i need
09/05/13 - The other exhaust gaskets came; researched what kinda transmission/transfer case fluid ima need
09/06/13 - Went to PAP East, didn't have the exhaust stuff I needed, but did get those "fuel injector connector clips" (3), and the bolts for the coil and transistor (forgot to get the driveshaft bolt)
09/09/13 - The muffler/tailpipe and catalytic converter came today
09/14/13 - Loosely installed the front Y-pipe(s)
09/15/13 - Removed the hangers, cut the muffler 'loose but couldn't remove it 'cause it's binding on suspension components; gonna remove the LH shock absorber to see if that gets it
09/16/13 - Got the old muffler/tailpipe out, had to cut it; had to remove the LH shock, but to get leverage on the shock (twist it down), had to cut the end of the pipe out of the way; loosely installed NEW muffler/tailpipe; NEED TO TIGHTEN SHOCK NUTS; ordered exhaust hardware from Advance
09/17/13 - Cut the O2 sensor wire and took the cat/intermediate pipe out...took the broken mount off...need to cut off the u-bolt, and try and preserve that $23 bracket!!!
09/18/13 - The muffler-to-frame bracket came; cut one side of the U-bolt with the dremel tool (thx, bill!), then (after much thinking) was able to slide it off and thru the other side!
09/19/13 - SPENT $60 IN PARTS!!! not pleased; ordered the intermediate pipe-to-transmission mount..and bolts for the driveshafts; gonna get the washers and nuts from ACE
09/26/13 - the driveshaft bolts and the transmission bracket came
09/29/13 - installed the muffler/tailpipe, but it's not gonna work cause that dent is not supposed to be there!
09/30/13 - returned muffler/tailpipe and ordered a new one; installed rear driveshaft
10/01/13 - realized I ordered the wrong tranny bracket! Ordered the correct one and a u-bolt; also, pumped out 5 gal of the old gas! Not sure how much is left, gauge shows way past E
10/03/13 - the UNDENTED muffler/tailpipe came, got it mounted, had to disconnect the driveshaft to get it in
10/04/13 - the bracket and u-bolt came; loosely installed that muffler-to-frame rail bracket; tried installing the pipes but the intermediate pipe is gonna hafta have the protruding ends cutoff
10/05/13 - got a hacksaw from Walmart, got the intermediate pipe trimmed; got correct cat gaskets from AutoZone; got additional hardware from ace; got it all loosely connected
10/06/13 - tightened all the exhaust fasteners (except the hangers), got 1 gal of 89 from shell, so a little less than 2 gal total, put in tank...b cranked it, let it run for awhile...smoking from somewhere near rh exhaust manfiold...i moved it backwards about 2 feet, then forward
10/07/13 - added 2 more gal of 89 octane...cranked it up and let it run; top hose got hot, lower hose did get warmer...took off RH heat shield to find leak/smoke...looks like it's that fiber padding on the exhaust that is burning...why didn't it burn with the old engine/setup?
10/09/13 - bought a quart of Valvoline Dex/Merc (III) from AutoZone, bled the system, noise is gone, no leaks so far
10/12/13 - readjusted the torsion bars (i didn't have the "initial" setting of the adjusting arms down low enough!)...right side seems higher, maybe it is!
10/13/13 - bought rubber hose to bleed brakes, but need an adapter to connect them...readjusted the timing (painted the marks white so they'd stand out better)...i think i have it at about 15º BTDC...hearing a whistle/whine...ps pump still?
10/15/13 - got brake fluid and vacuum connectors from Advance
10/16/13 - ordered the MT-90 gear oil from Summit, $65 + $5 tax + $10 ship = $80, ouch!
10/17/13 - the gear oil came!
10/20/13 - "bled" the brakes and clutch with the mityvac...not too sure of the results...brake pedal is FIRM...feels very hard to stop...booster?
10/22/13 - i tore the intake-to-check valve hose by rushing, not cool...ordered one from nissanpartszone ($23 + $9 shipping, ouch)
10/23/13 - slight setback...a tree branch fell on the truck and took out the sunroof and the a good bit of the windshield! And dented part of the hood, cowl and fender...wife got a tarp for me from big lots!
10/24/13 - wife and father-in-law...title...
10/26/13 - the intake-to-check valve hose came
10/27/13 - went to PAP South, they had one same color as mine, WITH A SUNROOF...but its condition was questionable (and i didn't have the "tools" to remove it...duh, you don't need any, found that out later...always read the manual!!!)...picked up vacuum gauge from Harbor Freight...went to PAP North...no sunroofs there
10/28/13 - applied for the title transfer! went back to PAP South, sunroof still there! got it, $38! installed it
10/30/13 - went back to PAP South, got a check valve from a 93 pathfinder, one from a 90 hardbody, and two from quests...also got the sunroof latch, and the driver's side windshield trim...installed the check valve from the 93, IT WAS THE CHECK VALVE!!! (separate article to come later)...put the new hose on
10/31/13 - added MT-90 gear oil (the whole gallon? whatever it is) thru the top (removed the shift lever); drove it, BAD grinding noise from the RF wheel; brakes? (i later decided it might be the hub bearings, gonna inspect those)...tested it around the neighborhood, got gas (3 gal) from the shell up the street, took it for emissions testing...IT PASSED! well, it failed the gas cap test, walked to autozone and got a new one, then that passed! (put insurance on it, rode the bike to the DMV, but the insurance wasn't in the system yet, arrghh!!)
11/01/13 - got brake cleaner, brake fluid, 21mm socket, and cable ties from autozone; sized up/cleaned the PS auto locking hub bolts; 2nd mityvac clutch bleeding attempt (bled the damper this time, too), still feels weak; backed and forthed in the driveway, noise is still there, but less; installed the driver's side visor
11/02/13 - got a freewheeling hub cap bolt and a nut and washer for the found battery hold down j bolt; the head of the hub bolt is too big (bolt may be too long, also)
11/04/13 - jacked the RF up, did the wheel-rock test, there is SOME play, so i think it is the bearing...there is also a LOT of play left-to-right...further inspection shows the idler arm bushings/assembly is VERY WORN...ordered one from rockauto and ordered 8 freewheel hub bolts and a pivot for the glove box from nissanpartszone
11/05/15 - ordered the RF hub bearings and seal from advance, picked 'em up at lunch; called the DMV, insurance is in the system
11/07/13 - got the tag (PJB7782); the idler came
11/09/13 - started the hub/rotor removal
11/10/13 - got that spindle lock tool from napa (didn't need it)...got the rotor off
11/11/13 - ordered and picked up rotor and seal puller from advance; called moog, found out the zerk fitting is 1/4-28; removed the seal and inner bearing
11/12/13 - (after tree guy left), i installed the races the inner bearing, and the seal; couldn't get the hub-to-rotor bolts to tighten; may need to break out the tap and die set
11/13/13 - started threading the bolts
11/14/13 - finished the bolt threading that morn; 1st hub/rotor install didn't work...couldn't get the outer bearing to fully seat; got another bearing (and shop towels) from autozone, same results; measure old and new, seemed the same; put the new one on backwards, it went all the way on; put it on "frontwards", it went all the way on...put the hub on, couldn't get the bearing on all the way (although it did go further); decided to "evenly force it on", so i tightened the locking nut to 70 ft-lb...it will BARELY spin in either direction, but gets stuck...will adjust it properly today, hopefully
11/17/13 - supported the rear axle on jackstands and ran it in gear, noise was there; concluded it is the rear driveshaft flange rubbing inside the transfer case output dust seal, I pried it down a little, maybe that will help until I get a replacement; Bo had brought the passenger's seat over yesterday!
11/20/13 - first drive to work!!! did okay, steering wobble is there, clutch release point needs gettin used to; radio is fuzzy sounding; made note of which interior lights don't work
11/21/13 - 2nd drive to work, noticed wipers don't work! (tree branch musta knocked it loose)
11/22/13 - 3rd drive to work; was misty in the morn; wiped windshield, it didn't rain; the lift supports came; bought pack of grease fittings, pickle fork and degreaser from advance
11/23/13 - reconnected (and repositioned) wipers; tightened up exhaust (two bolts/nuts were missing, that's what i get for waiting so long!) went to check LR tire pressure, valve stem stuck open! spare was flat, but aired it up, and it held air; put spare on, drove to tire city; got a used RF tire ($44) to replace "naily", and got a valve stem put in ($10) the LR; he swapped the spare out for me; noticed it rode MUCH smoother
11/24/13 - got PCV valve from autozone; cleaned interior out (some; some of the jack tools are there); went to PAP, got a hood and the freewheel hub bolts; noticed strong fuel odor on the way and back
11/25/13 - it did that hunting for idle thing this morn..no belt squeal..still strong fuel odor
11/26/13 - first day in the rain, wipers did their job; oh, i think there's a leaf in the blower, been noticing that a few days. prolly caused by no screens in place!
12/12/13 - power balance test didn't show anything AND NOW i'm getting a code 51!!!! put a new cap and rotor on, though
12/13/13 - drove it to work, poor power the whole way...struggles in every gear...still code 51
12/14/13 - tested the wiring harnesses to the injectors (for continuity)...got NO reading on #2 and #5..."ironically", those are the two cylinders i was able to pull the plug wires off while the engine was running...ordered two new injectors and an intake manifold gasket set
01/11/14 - finished putting the plenum on
01/12/14 - put new radiator and plug wires in...tested it...ran ok! (258626)
01/13/14 - drove it to work today..did ok (still doing the hard to stay running when cold, thing)...did seem more responsive and peppy, though...but i can still "feel" a miss...
01/26/14 - still leaking fuel at that front fuel rail hose; bought pressure test gauge at HF
02/02/14 -cleaned EGR/tube guide, test drove it to aunt gwen's to see madia, CEL went off!
02/03/14 - light still off, code 55 (reset it anyway, just to make sure) got emissions test at the dekra off jimmy carter in Norcross, it passed!
02/25/14 - clutch went out on me! jack towed it home; looks like the release cylinder is leaking...
03/02/14 - replaced the clutch release cylinder; b had to help me bleed it! (mityvac wouldn't get it done)
03/11/14 - rushed trying to install the zerk fitting into the idler arm; didn't tap the hole, so it went it crooked...ordered a new one...that is a new IDLER ARM!
03/14/14 - stopped by PAP North after work; 94 2WD auto, got a factory radio out of it, got the radio/climate trim panel, got the steering column covers, but i think i broke most of the screw holes during removal; looked at getting the door trim, but i think the window has to come out/down; it had a jack in it, couldn't get the seat to fold down to check for tools; the idler arm came (so did the torque wrench); idler arm (and torque wrench) came
03/15/14 - installed the radio, it works and so does the display!!! also saw that the cig lighter was disconnected so hooked that back up and it works, too; wanted to swap the ac vents (the foam is in better shape on the "used" one) but couldn't figure out how to get the vents free from the clips, and also couldn't get the harnesses disconnected; (the cig illumination works, too! just checked it!); (and bill got his mustang running! dizzy was "180 out")
03/22/14 - changed oil (260499; valvoline 5W/30, new filter (fram extraguard)); aired up tires
04/13/14 - put the zerk fitting in (at hc, on the vice), not perfect, but much better
05/03/14 - heard the RF brake making a noise yesterday...caliper sticking? rotor warped? pads worn? briefly inspected it, thought ii saw a groove on the rotor, and it was HOT; got ANOTHER set of jackstands from HF
06/28/14 - tightened alternator belt (too tight? 263645)...gonna test it tomorrow on the crank up/drive/to/from/church...bought oil and filter today, but gonna change that tomorrow after church, now...so engine will be warm...change that, weather is too nice...just started it up, and no squeak...changed oil, PH7317
10/03/14 - got rearended; damage to tire carrier and right taillight
11/10/14 - got 4 new tires, starfire sf510's from kauffman (falcons' deal)
11/22/14 - oil change; 268406; was AT LEAST a quart low (wasn't registering on dipstick at all)...i was motivated to change it 'cause i was hearing lifter tick...not sure if it's gone or not...it still made the noise immediately after the oil change...only driven it once since, and i don't think i heard it on startup, but i'll listen out for it...
02/21/15 - been hearing a pulley noise for about a week or so; broke out the mechanics stethoscope, pretty sure it's the water pump bearing...
02/24/15 - replaced LH (driver's side) headlamp bulb; 271176
05/09/15 - oil change; 273103; noticed "leaking area" at oil pressure sending unit
06/04/15 - got a sunroof and sunshade from PAP north, $25, no hitch!
06/08/15 - checked on a '90 at north lot, no hitch; ordered the timing belt parts from advance
06/10/15 - timing belt kit and hose came
06/11/15 - intake gasket came
06/16/15 - found a hitch (potential) on car-part, penrose auto salvage in colorado
06/17/15 - the hitch was the right one, ordered it!
07/18/15 - LF turn signal went out
07/19/15 - 275056, changed LF turn signal (still has corrosion/loose connection at base)
09/27/15 - ordered RH front door handle and clutch stopper(s) from nissanpartsdeal.com
10/01/15 - RH front door handle and clutch stopper(s) came (fastest shipping from them ever)
03/07/16 - ol' battery let me down this morning! (been turning over slowly the past few days, 'cause i went almost 2 weeks without cranking it...HOPEFULLY it just needs a recharge); put the battrie on charge when i got home around 4:30...took it off charge around 10...
03/08/16 - fired right up! HOPEFULLY that's all it was, and the short drives to and fro the marta station don't zap it again
03/26/16 - first ride with Tee! took him to honey creek
((
04/09/16 - got a nail sometime today? during my errands; came home and put on the spare
07/03/16 - went to PAP; one xterra still has the engine, and out of the 3 others, i'll have most of the ac parts i need; deleshia was there and recognized me; she watched trev while i scoured the yard
07/04/16 - went back to PAP in the morning and got the suction hose, condenser, receiver/dryer, water pump pulley, and some wiring ($93.45, OUCH)
07/08/16 - brake and ABS light starting up again...level low? haven't checked like i should!
07/11/16 - brake and ABS light happening more frequently, especially during right turns; ABS light (only) came on and stayed on around downtown decatur; got home, went out to check mail, and brake lights were on; you guessed it, brake pedal pads were broken...THAT was those bits of plastic i saw in the floorboard when i got off work! (same as the clutch pedal stopper); put some cardboard in it (candy cigarette box) temporarily, it's raining, so i'll tape it up later; put a bolt and nut on the left side (must be the one for the brake lights, lights when out, and didn't when i first had it on the right side); ordered 2 rubber stoppers, the LH quarter window molding, and the hvac controls light from courtesy parts, $45
07/20/16 - the parts (HVAC bulb, weatherstrip, rubber stoppers) from Courtesy came
08/20/16 - FINALLY installed the brake light switch rubber bumpers; sprayed the clutch pedal stuff (since i was spraying the wiper arms on the frontier); (278977)
09/20/16 - woke up to find i got got for some of my stuff (tools)
02/05/17 - went to honey creek to get it for emissions; fired up after a few dies at idle; (shifted into 4-LO to make it up that hole by the front!); brake reservoir was empty (discovered that when i got home!); pedal went to the floor; got the emissions (passed) at dekra in stone mountain
02/13/17 - did a 'preliminary' inspection of the master cylinder, no obvious leaks, still at full mark
02/18/17 - bled the brakes (using mityvac); well, thought i did; felt even worse than before; but did find the leak culprit...RF caliper, now to find out WHERE on the caliper it's leaking
02/19/17 - tried the gravity bleed, waste of time and fluid; b helped bleed the brakes the conventional way; pedal returned to "normal"
02/25/17 - put the reman caliper on; lost one of the sealing washers right before that step in the assembly, never found it, aaargh! CLEAN WORK SPACE; all the fluid leaked out, too...gonna bleed the whole system tomorrow; oh, also saw the sway bay bushing has come out of it's retainer; and looked at the worn ball joint even more
02/26/17 - had b's help bleeding them again, this time "bled" the caliper; seemed to go ok, but i missed checking the reservoir after the RF and it ran empty; oh well, didn't feel like redoing em all; pedal felt like it did before i did any of this bleeding; gonna get some used lines and retry the whole thing
03/29/17 - the jack tools came
04/05/17 - went to kauffman about a tire, didn't have it in stock, said he'd order it
04/06/17 - acted funny; died on me when slowing down/turning (clutch depressed) a few times; bought an air filter from autozone (STP SA4309) and installed it (280523); did the "weekly" fluids check, all seemed ok
04/07/17 - didn't do the dying thing today; called kauffman about the tire, said it's there and being held
04/08/17 - took LR tire off (had a screw in it, that's probably what was causing the faster leak, plug was working!); spare was @ 22psi, aired it to 26psi; spare is on, took tire to kauffman in papa's truck; just put the new tire on (280545), $26.97!
04//09/17 - got oil filter, 4 quarts oil, and fuel filter from autozone ($33.76); changed the oil (280551); replaced the fuel filter
07/18/20 - bought new battery (75/86) from advance for a tire kicker that never showed; cleaned windshield, added a bit more antifreeze, m/c was completely empty, didn't try and crank it
11/12/24 - installed the water pump, partly motivated by me and tee seeing a green 5-speed WD21 at columbia and old trust company bank
12/12/24 - put the lower timing cover on....BUT...the leftmost bolt (long one) wouldn't thread in...so i loosened the water pump bolts, wiggled it loose a little bit, at which point some coolant leaked down...did it get on/compromise the gasket? we'll find out soon enough...but that worked to align the bolt.....why that ONE was off only Murphy will know