KStretch55

Geez! I still gripe cuz' a few years ago they went to a 5% salt, 95% sand mixture here. Now they dribble or spray some manganese somethingrother everywhere, who knows what effect that's gonna have! :-\

100K is generally considered to be normal life expectancy of most vehicles. Granted, Soobies do seem to be the exception to this rule, fortunately for those of us who enjoy and drive them. Platinum spark plugs have been used for many years in aircraft engines, long before they were available for ground vehicles. They were used on aircraft because platinum can sustain higher temps for long periods without eroding, thus eliminating fouling and keeping combustion byproducts from buidling up on the electrodes. There's a big difference between fouling a plug and pulling over to clean it and fouling a plug and looking for a survivable place to put it down. So, if you choose to spend the extra on Platinum plugs, more power to you. A good quality one should last you 100K. If they don't, I'd think twice about spending that much green on them again and find another brand. LOL, if you choose to change them at 60K, can I have your old ones??

Real platinum spark plugs should last the life of your vehicle. If you're paying over $10 a plug you'd better be getting real platinum plugs or you're getting ripped off. Otherwise, buy good quality Autolite or NGK and change them every 30K for a lot less $$$$$.

Look like rust collectors!! Do they mix sand with the salt for the roads back there?

"Thwarping marbles"??? Danged if I know. I thought it sounded like a term our mates from down under or the land of the Kiwi would use. But, Mudrat blew that theory.

Also, have him check your throttle position sensor. I've found them with a "worn" spot in the range where they sit during cruise and normal driving. It sends an intermittant signal and the ECU thinks the position has changed or there is no signal. So, you get a stuttering kind of feeling.

My ex in-laws used to have a cabin near you then. It was at Ten Axe. Isn't that about MM 84.5 or so?

Just re-registered my 91 wagon in Boise County. $32.00. I work in Boise, but moved up out of Ada county to get out of the city. I grew up in small towns. Another reason was to avoid the ridiculous annual emission check required in Ada county. They require a brand new vehicle to get a check, but an ancient old smoker doesn't need one. Now, you tell me, is that just another way for the county to get some of my hard earned cash, or what? Hey Hush, what side of the hill do you live on? Hwy 55 or Hwy 21? I'm about halfway between Boise and Idaho City.

Great article, thanks! Hey, has anyone ever tried adding grease with a needle poked through the seal? I wouldn't think the needle hole would leak too much. Actually, last time I replaced a set of rear bearings thats kind of how I greased them. But, it was before installing them, so I didn't have to go through the seal. I had them assembled on the shaft with the spacer between them and carefully slid the needle between two rollers and pumped them full of grease. Of course, now I'm wondering after reading that article, if they have too much.

As much as I like my Fords, you have a point!! Most people consider the normal life of a vehicle to be from new to first engine overhaul. Most would be around 80K, just when most Soobies are starting to loosen up and get good!!

Ditto on the Autolites.

As large as the fuel filters on these are I'd be really surprised to see one actually clog. Has anyone ever had one they could honestly say was the root of a fuel flow problem? The one on my Ford F250 and a Ranger that I used to have are around the same size, if not slightly smaller, and the Ford wizards all say they'll last the lifetime of the vehicle. Unless you put dirt in the system or something.

What does TSD stand for?

Thanks, I didn't know that.

I had to ask, cuz' I've never cum up with a logical use for it. Thought maybe some soobie wizard had one. "Virgin switch" is an appropriate name though.

Does anyone know why it's there and what it's real purpose is, other than a good way to drain your battery if accidently or inadvertantly left on??

There's also a certain bit of irony to the statement someone made that "the rubber covers really don't do much".

Rod, When you start looking for parts in the local area, Bow Wow is a good source for new/rebuilt stuff and Jalopy Jungle in Nampa is a good JY for Soobies. I agree with most of the others, sounds like you've got a combination of some relatively minor stuff. Hang in there. Stretch

Almost anyone can turn a wrench, but good troubleshooting skills are an art best learned through experience and sharing experience with others.

A couple of tricks you can use to find vacuum leaks: 1. A piece of heater hose or garden hose about 2 feet long. With the engine running, hold one end against your ear and scan around the engine with the other. It helps isolate the sounds. Listen for hissing. 2. A squirt bottle full of soapy water. When you find a hiss, but can't quite isolate it further. Start squirting individual connections and mating surfaces in the area. Look for places where the bubbles are sucked in and listen for the engine to falter.

Mine does that once in a while and I think it's the starter solenoid, but haven't had a chance to tear into it. Usually, if I just keep trying it will start. Sometimes it seems to help to hold the key in the start position for a few seconds. My oldest daughter swears that opening and closing the hood works for her everytime. Probably does cuz' when the hood drops it jars the solenoid just enough to make contact. Hoping to look at it this weekend. Also, there was another thread on here somewhere with a very similar problem and I think all the experienced soobie wizards were pointing in the same direction.

I did one once, several years ago. The only thing I recall was that you need to be sure to have a puller for the tie-rod ends. Don't use a pickle fork to split them. It will ruin the rubber boots.

I thought there was no help for rust in Alaska! Was in Anchorage on a trip years ago and rented a little beater from Ugly Duckling. The two guys in back had to sit close together cuz' it was so rusted through that when it rained water came up through the holes in the left rear fender and soaked the seat from the bottom up. LOL

Wow! I don't feel too bad. My '92 SPFI, AT Wagon with 175K is doing pretty well at 26 mpg mixed between highway and town then. Wooo hooo!! Even if it does sound like there's 4 li'l ol' ladies peddling sewing machines under the hood!! LOL

Dislo, have you tried starter fluid or fuel down the intake? WD40 is supposed to work too.