Burken Boys’ and Girl’s Journey

[Miami-Dade]

Been a while since I posted anything here. Kids have been busy with school. Joseph was the manager for both the Fresh/Soph and Varsity football teams. Javier is still working after school at the body shop he started working at last summer. Molly is busy with dance after school also.

This last weekend, Joseph and I took on the task of taking care of a squeak/growl from his rear axle. Thought it might be a axle bearing or brakes needing some work. Plan was to replace both since we were going to be at it.

Getting the cover off the differential was fun as the bottom three bolts broke off and I had to use a bolt extractor on the rest of them to get the cover off.

Joseph got to learn about using left hand drill bits and taps.

While spinning the drive shaft to position the rear diff to pull the c-clips, I discovered the true cause of the noise. His rear u-joint was pretty well toast so I decided to leave the axle bearings alone and button up the rear diff, put new lube in it, and move on to the brakes.

Joseph now has been able to work on both drum and disc brakes. He has a better appreciation of the simplicity of disc brakes after helping replace all the springs, pins, brake cylinder and shoes on drum brakes.

After the brakes were done, we went and got a new u-joint, popped it in and called it a weekend.

Was a great time to hang out with Joseph, turn some wrenches and teach him a few more things.

Here is a picture my wife took during the process of dealing with the rusty bolts on the differential. You can see my tap set is already open there.
View attachment 354016

I fell behind about 10 pages but caught up now. Both Joseph and Javier are amazing. You are Blessed to have them and they are Blessed to have you!

Prayers sent to both Joseph and your Dad for a quick recovery!

 

[wjburken]

Well....tonight didn't end so well for Joseph and his truck. While Javier and Joseph were on their way to Youth Group tonight, which is about a 20 minute drive, I got a call from Joseph saying that the heater wasn't blowing hot air anymore. Then he said they heard a sound like breaking ice from under the hood. When they called, they were only a block away from the church parking lot so I told them to get it there and id come look at it. They said there was coolant dripping from under the truck. I get there and can't see any obvious leak points or holes in any hoses so I get some coolant from the closest AutoZone and start pouring it in. I get about 1-1/2 gallons poured in and notice that I have it coming out the bottom just as fast as I am pouring it in, but not just under the front of the motor but also around the bell housing. Since it was 8:45 at night and 4F out I decided I would leave it there overnight and deal with it tomorrow.

On the way home, I was quizzing the boys some more and learned that prior to loosing heat and hearing the sound of breaking ice, Javier said there was a lot of white smoke coming out the exhaust covering both lanes.

My guess is at a minimum a head gasket bit the dust, but I am thinking it may be more than that.

 

[Rocket Man]

Uh-oh.

 

[adventurenali92]

That’s a bummer on the truck! Good on them for faking you to tell you and you being close enough to come get them!

 

[Tonyrodz]

Would it be worth fixing? It'll be a great how to with the boys tho.

 

[wjburken]

Would it be worth fixing? It'll be a great how to with the boys tho.

It might be. Will just need to get it home and dig into it. I forgot that the intake manifold gasket is a common failure as well so that’s another possible failure point to look at. I’m just hoping the motor is salvageable. Otherwise, there are a couple options for swapping a motor ive found fit cheap around here.

 

[Tonyrodz]

It might be. Will just need to get it home and dig into it. I forgot that the intake manifold gasket is a common failure as well so that’s another possible failure point to look at. I’m just hoping the motor is salvageable. Otherwise, there are a couple options for swapping a motor ive found fit cheap around here.

Hoping for the best. Either way I'm pretty sure the boys will be up to the challenge.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Sorry to read this. But, they say that out of adversity comes opportunity.

 

[wjburken]

Hoping for the best. Either way I'm pretty sure the boys will be up to the challenge.

Thanks Tony. The crazy thing is in looking at just getting a different truck of this same vintage they are going for $3000 and up.

 

[wjburken]

Sorry to read this. But, they say that out of adversity comes opportunity.

Thanks Joe.

 

[Sparksalot]

Thanks Tony. The crazy thing is in looking at just getting a different truck of this same vintage they are going for $3000 and up.

I haven’t seen one for less than $5K in a very long time.

 

[wjburken]

I haven’t seen one for less than $5K in a very long time.

Joseph sent me a link to one that might be feasible for $3200.

1999 GMC 1500. Z71. - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive...

I am selling my 1999 GMC K1500 Z71 chore/hunting truck. I am asking $3200. I am selling it because my family is growing and it does not fit a car seat well. This is a great truck with a strong 5.7...

cedarrapids.craigslist.org

 

[pwtr02ss]

Could it be a freeze plug at the back?

Also, if you're interested in a trip to TN, a know a guy that has a 97-98 4x4 ext cab. IIRC. Its not perfect and IDK how much he wants for it but I can ask.

 

[wjburken]

Could it be a freeze plug at the back?

Also, if you're interested in a trip to TN, a know a guy that has a 97-98 4x4 ext cab. IIRC. Its not perfect and IDK how much he wants for it but I can ask.

Could be, but who knows. Need to get it home and take a look at it. All I know is I can't go and get to it to haul it home until this evening and its a balmy 10F here right now so it should be nice and cold tonight after the sun goes down.

 

[wjburken]

Also, if you're interested in a trip to TN, a know a guy that has a 97-98 4x4 ext cab. IIRC. Its not perfect and IDK how much he wants for it but I can ask.

Unfortunately, I’m not so sure the wife would think a trip to Tennessee would be necessary, but it would be fun! Truck would probably have a lot less rust than anything up here, that’s for sure.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Unfortunately, I’m not so sure the wife would think a trip to Tennessee would be necessary, but it would be fun! Truck would probably have a lot less rust than anything up here, that’s for sure.

He said he's asking 4500 for it so I don't think it's a screaming deal but with today's prices, who knows.

 

[wjburken]

He said he's asking 4500 for it so I don't think it's a screaming deal but with today's prices, who knows.

Thanks for checking. Definitely crazy times right now. See a lot of trucks listed for $3000 with descriptions like: “runs well but rear and front gear ratios aren’t the same but have correct rearmed to go with truck.” Or, “4x4 works great, just needs new front differential for it to lock into 4x4.” Or “Motor runs great, heat blows hot, a/c blows cold. Typical Iowa rust, but won’t go into 3rd or 4th gear.” A lot of people are trying to get rich selling crap that isn’t road worthy for stupid prices.

 

[pwtr02ss]

Thanks for checking. Definitely crazy times right now. See a lot of trucks listed for $3000 with descriptions like: “runs well but rear and front gear ratios aren’t the same but have correct rearmed to go with truck.” Or, “4x4 works great, just needs new front differential for it to lock into 4x4.” Or “Motor runs great, heat blows hot, a/c blows cold. Typical Iowa rust, but won’t go into 3rd or 4th gear.” A lot of people are trying to get rich selling crap that isn’t road worthy for stupid prices.

He drives this truck everyday right now. I think he's fixed about everything that's broken or need general repair. He's needing a duramax to pull equipment with. Its got a dent in the bedside in front of the tail light but I'm pretty sure it's rust free. The bed floor was perfect the last time I saw it but since he's using it as a "work truck", who knows now. It's long way for you to ride when you can go a bit south and find something equal or better for the same money. I was thinking he was in like $3k and for that, it would've been a great deal

 

[Tonyrodz]

Might be better to maybe buy a jy motor. Around me an almost complete running motor with decent mileage would be around $500. Might be your best bet.

 

[wjburken]

Got it loaded up with my brother in law and heading home. Kind of cold out right now.