Finally have to pull the trans.

[fastpakr]

I'm actually second guessing myself. The 2.3 may be internally balanced. It's been quite a while since i pulled a 2.3 transmission.

 

[9723]

I haven't done very many in a long time either. One a year and a half ago, before that....20 years. The new flywheel has 4 balance holes in the back side about 1/4" deep..

30 years ago did many air-cooled VW clutches, not many since.

Uhh, 40 years ago.

 

[bilbo]

If I remember right, the bolt holes were just slightly goofy on my 2.3 so the flywheel only went on one way.

 

[9723]

I'd be surprised if it's possible to put the flywheel on in the wrong orientation.

Yep, checking with my caliper, two of the holes are a little further apart.

Thanks

 

[9723]

I still have a couple other details to complete before putting it all back together. I'd rather make sure now, then during.

 

[9723]

Nice excuse to use my 85mm macro lens.

This is hard to believe....that it stayed in, but maybe it welded it self in the hole? It was pretty hard to get out!

N

Some one thought I maybe able to tap this out. Hope so, but I'm waiting on the new upstream sensor, it's only the top two threads. I'll at least carefully feel the threads, then decide.....might be able to rent a tap. 18mm thread, I think. I'm betting it won't thread at all.

When I start putting everything together, I don't want to stop for anything that I know I'll have to do. Still have a couple other things too.

 

[9723]

18mm x 1.5 thread is most common. Looks like a typical course thread. In 18mm there also spark plug savers...thread clean/repair taps to fit on wrenches and sockets. Tapered, spiral fluted? I don't know much about taps.

 

[9723]

This could be a big problem. If I can't fix it, Magnafow had doubled in price since I bought this one...only 3-4 years ago. Almost $500, a cheapy for $200+.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Might be cheaper to weld in a new bung. Even if you have to pay someone else.

 

[fastpakr]

Agreed. This is one to hand off to an exhaust shop with a lift and the right tools to handle it quickly.

 

[9723]

Might be cheaper to weld in a new bung. Even if you have to pay someone else.

...these days nobody will touch any cat other than replacing it.

Agreed. This is one to hand off to an exhaust shop with a lift and the right tools to handle it quickly.

With new stricter epa regs, most exhaust shops I've talked to in the last few years won't touch it. And I'd have to drive 100 miles into San Antonio and back...if I could find one that would do it. Don't really wanna put it in my Acura, but I could... surely don't want to have the Ranger towed.

I really need the muffler and piping too

So looking at Rock Auto...both could set me back $700 , maybe more. I just don't know what brands, and aluminized pipe? I'd rather not, stainless system, very expensive. More research, but I'm not apposed to buying a kit.

I think I'm going to have to try a tap?

Fortunately it's not due for inspection until 05/22.

 

[fastpakr]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something. Aren't we just talking about replacing an O2 sensor bung? That's normal work.

 

[9723]

I think I might as well put the trans in while I figure out what exhaust part I'm willing to buy. I do have to wait for the upstream o2 sensor. I have never been able to get to that connector until I removed the trans....and I'm sure that's why this happened. All I ever did was twist the wires, or pre-twist the wires attaching that sensor back into the cat. Now I'm replacing it for the first time. Maybe I should look for an extension so if I ever need to replace the o2 sensor again I'll be able to get at the connector.

 

[9723]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something. Aren't we just talking about replacing an O2 sensor bung? That's normal work.

What's a bung? Just the hole (fitting), or that end of the whole piece?

I checked one of the chain shops a couple years ago. It was all or nothing. Most of the good'ol shops are gone now. . ... maybe a performance shop. Either way, I'd have to take the ranger there to make sure it fit when they're done. 100 miles each time.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The bung is the round threaded part the o2 sensor screws into. A muffler shop should have those in stock. The bung is about 1/4" bigger than the hole.