Introductions from North Texas

[It'llBuffOut94]

Hello all,

I'm a biologist and graduate student from Texas.

My mechanical background on cars/trucks is limited, but I did an enlistment in the Marines as a helicopter mechanic/troubleshooter, and I do all the maintenance on my vehicles.

I have a 2WD '83 4spd with the 2.8L that I brought back to life, which I am looking into getting rid of the feedback carb system, either through durasparking or other, more obtainable means (hard luck finding one of those old distributors).
Eventually if that engine quits on me, I'll go the 5.0 route.

I've also got a '98 2WD 2.5L Automatic that I've been using as a daily driver and road tripper for over a decade now. The only thing I would do to that truck is potentially put a 5-speed in it if the automatic transmission starts having issues, but as of now, my goal is to keep it looking like it did when it came off the lot.

It's cool to have all this experience and information in one place. I look forward to checking in as I do maintenance or upgrades to my trucks.

Thanks for having me.

 

[superj]

Welcome to the club and glad you used your military time to get into an education that takes care of you. I dont know why some guys get out and never do that.

I cant help on the engine question but the trucks sound good, minus the worked needed on the 4.0

 

[superj]

I dont know which helis the marines have but 46s and ah/uh1s? Are those what you worked?

 

[It'llBuffOut94]

I agree, it definitely helps, and I would have never hoped to get a higher education otherwise.

I worked on the AH-1W and UH-1Y. They have since upgraded to the AH-1Z.

 

[superj]

Those the only ones i know. I used my military benefits to go to a&p school and work depot level maintenance now and do some marine corps stuff. Not at cherry point, obviuosly, though they were high on my list of places to hope to work at since my dad was at lejuene when i went to school

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site. Thank you for your service.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Welcome! Where are you in Texas?

 

[DILLARD000]

Welcome to the Herd!
Lots of friendly knowledgable folk in these forums.
As a former ChopperMechanic, you should have no problem figuring out these vehicle problems.
Originally from TX & an Engineer myself, just a retired old bas'ard now.
Question: is there any Biology in TX thats still living & left to study; figured Oil+Chem industry had killed it all off by now?

 

[Josh B]

Hello Buff, welcome to TRS

 

[Bobber64]

Hello all,

I'm a biologist and graduate student from Texas.

My mechanical background on cars/trucks is limited, but I did an enlistment in the Marines as a helicopter mechanic/troubleshooter, and I do all the maintenance on my vehicles.

I have a 2WD '83 4spd with the 2.8L that I brought back to life, which I am looking into getting rid of the feedback carb system, either through durasparking or other, more obtainable means (hard luck finding one of those old distributors).
Eventually if that engine quits on me, I'll go the 5.0 route.

I've also got a '98 2WD 2.5L Automatic that I've been using as a daily driver and road tripper for over a decade now. The only thing I would do to that truck is potentially put a 5-speed in it if the automatic transmission starts having issues, but as of now, my goal is to keep it looking like it did when it came off the lot.

It's cool to have all this experience and information in one place. I look forward to checking in as I do maintenance or upgrades to my trucks.

Thanks for having me.

Welcome. I had the same problem finding a distributor to do a conversion on my 85. I just found NOS one that should be here tomorrow. I’ll post the info when I’m sure it’s the correct one.

 

[It'llBuffOut94]

Thanks for the welcome!

I'm in the DFW area, until I can escape that is, haha. I grew up here and came back here, but the dream is to disappear into the mountains someday, We'll see how that works!

As far as biology is concerned, believe it or not, Texas has some very unique ecosystems, and one of the most interesting challenges I face is working with private landowners to help manage them for not only the wildlife, but for the agriculture and energy production we depend on. I think one of my biggest goals as a native Texan from a rural area is to link environmental science with the people that actually work and depend on the land. I think that link has been ignored, and as a result, people think of environmental scientists as tree-hugging weirdos instead of practical people who not only love the natural world, but also love things like loud V8s and backstrap.

Bobber, would love to hear about the NOS distributor you found. Was considering ordering one from the UK, but I suppose that is for another thread.