Weekend Project

[RyanZ71]

Went to Pep Boys and got me a case of Valvoline 10W30 Oil, 2 Delco PF-59 filters (they had them in stock can you believe that!? I let out a little "Sweet!" when I saw them) picked up a Purolator Fuel Filter, and another AC/Delco oil filter for my Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Also purchased 2 new Trico wiper blades, and some 90 degree grease zerks.

 

 

Then came home, let the truck cool down, and proceeded to give it an oil change, (first time I changed the oil myself in this truck) and spend an hour trying to get the grease zerk off of the Passengers side idler arm so that I could put on a 90 degree zerk to make it accessable to get a grease gun fitting on it, but I ended up stripping the dang thing out because there was no room whatsoever to work with to get the thing off! check out the article on this website at http://www.gm-trucks.com/IAR_zerks.shtml it has some great info

 

Also changed out the fuel filter and followed the instructions given at http://www.gm-trucks.com/IAR_Fuelfilter.shtml and they worked great! highly recomended. I swear my truck runs a bit better since replaceing the fuel filter!

I have the wrench sizes written down if anyone is interested in knowing the sizes that will be needed.

 

Unfortunitly I can't really grease most of my fittings as the grease gun I have has a straight nozzle and you need a flexible nozzle to get at them so that really sucks, I'll just take my truck into the GM Dealership or my local trusted oil change place every other oil change to make sure it gets greased up. Its a pretty simple vehicle to change the oil on, just make sure the exhaust pipe is nice and cool before doing so otherwise you will burn yourself.

 

I intend on replaceing the PVC Valve soon, but Pep Boys didn't have the Valve I needed in stock so will have to go to Checker or Auto Zone or Napa or Car Question or GM Dealership to get the PVC valve.

 

I also intend on having the serpintine belt replaced, and also getting a new battery for the truck as I don't want to have what happend to many others happen to me, that being the AC/Delco battery positive terminal going bye bye.

 

Also going to get transmission serviced and a spray in bedliner before the end of the year.

 

All in all it was a good afternoon, finished it off by cleaning the inside.

[HillHound]

I also intend on having the serpintine belt replaced, and also getting a new battery for the truck as I don't want to have what happend to many others happen to me, that being the AC/Delco battery positive terminal going bye bye.

What's that about? Hadn't heard of this problem.

 

But I remember what you mean about the grease fittings. Some of them were tough even with a flexible hose gun.

 

Let me know what you decide to do about the bedliner. I want to get a spray in next year too.

[RyanZ71]

It's been a big discussion thing on the other GM Truck Fourm site that I go to:

 

http://www.chevytalk.org/threads/showflat....sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[RyanbabZ71]

I intend on replaceing the PVC Valve soon, but Pep Boys didn't have the Valve

 

they didnt have once because they dont make a PVC Valve its a PCV Valve

[tmf6902]

yeah...the flexible hose for the grease gun is key, I just wish I had a thrid arm so I could hold the hose on there, hold the gun, and pump it.

[xcanuc]

If you have an air compressor buy an air grease gun. That allows you to use one hand to hold it on the fitting and the other to pull the trigger. It is the only way to go.

 

Faerge

[Elwood 2000]

A battery powered grease gun is the only way to go. About $125-$150, but once you use one,you will never go back to "pumping" a grease gun again!

[LogixRat]

If you have an air compressor buy an air grease gun. That allows you to use one hand to hold it on the fitting and the other to pull the trigger. It is the only way to go.

 

Faerge

 

Think'n this is a great idea considering you can pick up some of the smaller compressors for cheap, and there are a ton of uses for them. One being a nail gun, which I had the pleasure of using this weekend. *Grunting*....oh what a trip, I'll never nail traditionally again!

[JAF1]

You guys want to see a magic trick for the fitting that's on top of the idler arm on the passenger side? Turn the wheel slowly to the left or right (I think its left) until it magically appears. I had my wife turn the wheel slowly while I was under there so I could see tell her when to stop. The linkage opened up and I zapped it.

[Butch 02 Denali]

Even easier is to put the front end up on jackstands so both front wheels are free to turn. Leave the key in the steering wheel un-lock position. As your greasing you can push the wheels side to side with your foot and find the best position to get at them all. A flex hose on your grease gun really helps, but an air grease gun with a flex hose is the way to go. One hand on the trigger and the other holding the flex hose on the fitting.

 

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

[gnutruk]

Sure agree on the flex-hose grease gun.

 

I can't justify the expense of an air power system, though, since greasing the truck would be the only thing I'd use it for. IMHO, all that's needed is a pistol-pump type of grease gun. Those lever units are just plain stupid; they require three-and-a-half hands, it seems. With my pistol grip design, I can hold the end of the flex hose on the zerk with one hand, then easily squeeze the handle with the other. Easy for me, anyway, since I still have ok forearm strength from all my years mountaineering and big-wall rock climbing.

 

Since I've never used an air powered system, I don't know how much control there is with them. With my pistol-type manual gun, I can squeeze a partial dose into the zerk, slowely, and watch if it starts coming out the rubber boot. I like that control. Maybe the power systems do that too, for all I know.

 

After having used some synthetic lube grease, which I had trouble with because it went all runny, I've gone back to using the good-ol white lithium. Given that I give all my zerks a shot ot two every time I change the oil (about 4,000 to 4,500), I don't think the extra life of syn is going to make much difference.

 

You know, I've found that on nice days, after you've finished the particular task you set yourself, laying on your back under the truck and just looking around and thinking up mods and alterations to do under there, or just figuring out how the truck is put together and how things work, isn't a bad way to spend an extra half-hour. Sorta helps some of the stresses of everyday life go away. It's also a good way to delay having to take on that chore she wants you to do next.

 

gnutruk

[LogixRat]

You know, I've found that on nice days, after you've finished the particular task you set yourself, laying on your back under the truck and just looking around and thinking up mods and alterations to do under there, or just figuring out how the truck is put together and how things work, isn't a bad way to spend an extra half-hour. Sorta helps some of the stresses of everyday life go away. It's also a good way to delay having to take on that chore she wants you to do next.

 

gnutruk

 

 

Amen brother....nuff said.

[Butch 02 Denali]

Sure agree on the flex-hose grease gun.

 

I can't justify the expense of an air power system, though, since greasing the truck would be the only thing I'd use it for. IMHO, all that's needed is a pistol-pump type of grease gun. Those lever units are just plain stupid; they require three-and-a-half hands, it seems. With my pistol grip design, I can hold the end of the flex hose on the zerk with one hand, then easily squeeze the handle with the other. Easy for me, anyway, since I still have ok forearm strength from all my years mountaineering and big-wall rock climbing.

 

Since I've never used an air powered system, I don't know how much control there is with them. With my pistol-type manual gun, I can squeeze a partial dose into the zerk, slowely, and watch if it starts coming out the rubber boot. I like that control. Maybe the power systems do that too, for all I know.

 

 

gnutruk

Check out HarborFreight for the absolute best deals on air grease guns, and all other tools too. They've got the air grease gun for $12.99 and it comes with a flex hose. I have this exact grease gun and it works well. The grease is completly controllable. This is the way to go, IF you have a compressor of course!

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Cate...=330&pricetype=

 

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

[LogixRat]

Thanks for the link Butch. That seems like a fair price on the grease gun. I take it you have bought from this company before, or just the same model of gun? Either way, for $12.99 I might have to try them out.

 

And as far as a compressor goes....I know that alot of people don't have one (myself included - at least right now), but if you don't go monsterous you can get some of the smaller and perfectly capable compressors for fairly cheap. They are ultra useful to have around to do many tasks such as simply air up tires, change tires, grease parts, nail stuff (*grunting*), and many other things.

 

In the past I just always had one of those air tanks at the house for airing up tires, but after tasting the power I'm definitely gonna invest and get the good stuff. Time saved over the years will justify the cost I feel.

[Butch 02 Denali]

I buy from these guys all the time. definatly get on there mailing list, they have lots of specials. I got one of there hyd log splitters about 6 years ago and it is still great and splits 5 cord per year fo me. That is the exact gun I got from them. Decent quality, certaintly good enough for home use. Can't beat the price! Check out their air compressors too.

 

Butch 02 Sierra Denali