MAPP hot enough to cook out GM nylon U Joint clips

[xring100]

The intake manifold on our 2003 Impala with the 3800 series II engine was plastic. It started leaking around 150,000 miles. It took me about 4.5 hours to change it out. The mechanic across the street said that was a pretty good time for a first time amateur. :laughing:

About right my 2004 series 3 did the same thing at 180k. My 4.3L s10 i replaced at 160k original owner did them once around 90 k. I had a 96 5.7 that i replaced at 121k miles someone had replaced them already as i pulled out felpros. I replaced all of them with the felpro metal gaskets.

The 3.4 l and 3.1l require you to pull rockers and pushrods. Which requires more time and is a pain.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm sorry, I meant to say it was a 2000 Impala, not a 2003. Anyhow, we sold it at 189,000 miles two years ago to the sister in-law of the mechanic that lives across the street. Its still putting around. Saw it two weeks ago. Somewhere over 210,000 miles now.

 

[QueBota]

That's the country pricing I was used to. The older fellow that used to own my local shop was very fair in his pricing. New owner moved in from the city, he sold his old shop and moved down our way. He's a good mechanic but needs to adjust his attitude and prices to our area if he wants to stay in business.

Q

Those nylon retainers are a weird design. I'd never seen them before. Several month ago I developed a strange vibration on our 93 Suburban. I thought maybe it was the new tires, as they are kind of an aggressive tread and the reviews said they were a rough ride after they break in. Well, they were smooth as silk until about 3000 miles, then bzzzzzzzzzz..... vibration. Couple weeks of this and I go to a McDonald's drive through and I here squeaking reflecting off the building as I drive. And I notice it getting louder and reflecting off medians and curbs, so I climb under and the u-joints are wobbling. Got two new u-joints, dropped the drive shaft, took it and the joints to work to press them out. Can't find any snap rings.... read my repair manual and it says to kill it with fire to melt the nylon factory retainers out. I look around and see the little holes where they plastic is sticking out. We're not allowed to use fire in our workshop at work so I took it to a friend that's a mechanic and he melted them out and changed both u-joints for $20. Can't beat that!

But what a weird design.

 

[QueBota]

Sorry forgot to update the thread. MAPP gas tank was lower than I thought. Went to HD to pick up a new tank, $11.99. They had a Bernzomatic MAPP/Oxygen kit for $59.99 which included small cylinders of MAPP and Oxygen. I had a $10.00 managers coupon, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Adjustment of Oxy is a little touchy but it works fine for $50.00. Nylon shot out of the holes, didn't take long. Haven't done anything else but I believe this setup will get hot enough to make steel soft. Not Oxy/Acetylene, but should be useful for my purposes.

Bernzomatic OX255KC Oxy/Map-Pro Torch Kit-331673 - The Home Depot

Q

 

[MossRoad]

That's the country pricing I was used to. The older fellow that used to own my local shop was very fair in his pricing. New owner moved in from the city, he sold his old shop and moved down our way. He's a good mechanic but needs to adjust his attitude and prices to our area if he wants to stay in business.

Q

I should have said I paid for the U joints, he charged me $20 for labor to do it in the garage behind his house. If he took it to his shop, he'd have had to charge me markup for the U-joints, plus standard shop labor. Would have been over $50.

 

[xring100]

... I believe this setup will get hot enough to make steel soft. Not Oxy/Acetylene, but should be useful for my purposes.


Q

It should i cut steel with propane / oxygen often. With my Harris torch and cutting tip meant for propane.

 

[pmsmechanic]

You guys heat them up???? I just stick them in my press and push the joint apart. A little bit of clean up with a die grinder and a flap wheel and we are good to go.

 

[QueBota]

I should have said I paid for the U joints, he charged me $20 for labor to do it in the garage behind his house. If he took it to his shop, he'd have had to charge me markup for the U-joints, plus standard shop labor. Would have been over $50.

Same here, ujoints provided, would charge about the same. New guy doesn't like to use customer supplied parts, says he cant warranty them. He wants one hour labor, current shop rate $115 per hour, to burn out the nylon and R&R two customer supplied ujoints. Seems a little excessive to me. Previous owner would press items on or off using his shop press for $10 to $20. Great customer service, would provide tips/advice on your current project, had over 50 years experience, an old school mechanic. Miss him being in business, great place to hang out. "Town council" there most mornings gathered around the coffee pot and donuts, muffins etc.

Q

 

[clemsonfor]

yea there is a shop , tire place in the town near me. I think I got them to do 2 ujoints and he charged me $20 for the 2 of them and was trying to justify his cost to me. I said its ok I understand.