Hi All,
A month ot two ago, I related to you that being summer in Phoenix, it
seemed like a good time to fix that water pump on the BJ8. As you may
remember, one thing led to another, and I eventually had removed the
radiator and hoses, water pump, oil filter, oil pressure relief valve,
brake servo, and the starter and solenoid. All were suspect with
respect to some long time, nagging problems I had been experiencing.
Here's what I did:
STARTER:
Had the starter checked at a reliable shop, and it was diagnosed as
perfectly healthy. It had been struggling to crank when hot.
Removed all the battery cables, replaced them with #2 gauge welding cable.
Installed new solenoid.
Cleaned and tightened all connections, including ground cable to frame.
OIL PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE:
Original showed wear patterns on the plunger and spring suggesting
cocking and/or hanging up in a partially open position
Replaced with new spring and plunger
OIL FILTER
Found a metal washer and a felt washer missing (according to the Moss
catalogue, thank you!) from my filter assembly when changing the filter.
Bought new washers as specified, and replaced in appropriate location.
WATER PUMP
Bought new, and replaced. Used Hypalon on gasket surfaces as suggested
by List, no leaks upon re-assembly.
RADIATOR
Had rodded out, replaced, no leaks.
RESULTS:
Car starts like a dream, hot or cold. It never even gets beyond the
first turn of the starter, no extended cranking, it just starts almost
instantly.
Oil Pressure is about 42psi, 2000-2500 rpm, hot. Goes to about 50-52
psi at 4000 rpm, hot. My idle isn't set properly at the moment, is fast
at 1300 rpm which is what I do before visiting the smog dogs. But even
at only 1300 rpm, oil pressure is 28-30 psi, hot. My oil pressure was
never that high in the past 13 years!
Having changed a number of components, I'm not sure exactly what led to
my improved starting and oil pressure levels. I really do suspect the
welding cable replacement of the original battery cables provided the
biggest help for the starter. Don't know about the oil pressure, but I
sure am pleasantly surprised!
Now if I can just get that PCV Valve installed, as Ed suggested! No
more leaks?
Thank you all for your many, helpful suggestions.
Regards,
Russ Staub
Mesa, AZ
'50 Austin Atlantic
'56 BN2
'60 Bugeye
'67 BJ8 (really happy now)
|