Built by a 14 year old (with some help from my dad)

We got the engine wire brushed to get the dusty aluminum corrosion off and got the water pump off:


Then found a mouse nest down in the valley under the intake manifold:


This is how we kept track of the water pump bolts:

 

For a 14YO, you are a man among men sir! You remind me of a young @EatSleepTacos Great work.

The 3 best things about this project are:

1. You are doing with you dad and having an unbelievable bonding experience
2. You are learning so much by doing, that it will help you not only in life mechanically, but now you will have the confidence to fix anything on your truck because you know how to take it apart because you built it.
3. You are going to have a Kick Ass ride for years to come and value it a lot more than other teenagers do when they get their license. Most teenagers are just given a car and they can become careless and get into an accident early because of the lack of respect for their first vehicle.....this experience will also make you a more informed and careful driver.

Are you guys going to re-gear while everything is still torn apart?

 

Awesome job to both of you. Memories that will last a lifetime.
I see you beaded the LCA tabs, but I still very highly recommend this gusset set.Keep up the great work.

https://www.marlincrawler.com/axles/front-axle-armor/hd-lca-frame-brace-2005-2015-tacoma

 

Subbed! This thread is what I hope one day my son will want to do with me!
Keep up the good work!

 

We got the water pump black on. The water pump did come with both o-rings for the thermostat housing, so there is no need to buy extras.


and then the thermostat housing part with the new orings on the tube and in the water pump groove. we lubricated the orings with silicone grease


And we got a new idler pulley set ($50) on ebay and a new tensioner pulley bearing ($20 on ebay). Hopefully they are real koyo bearings


and a new aisin thermostat

 

We would like to, and probably should but it is just too much money right now

 

This is so impressive.

 

Words don't describe how awesome your build is!

 

we put new denso plugs in, they were very overdue based on the giant gaps:


And than primed and painted the engine with VHT engine enamel paint:


and also got the transmission cleaned and painted:

 

we got the steering pump and the alternator cleaned and painted and got the new idler pulleys back on with some of the the hoses. The $50 ebay idler pulley set seems like they are good quality.

 

The rear axle is back in place and we put the shocks on:


We still have to decide what to do with the reservoirs

 

I’m in
This is impressive.
Great work!!!

 

The AC didn't work before we took everything apart so we are going to replace the compressor and the condenser. We ordered an OEM rebuild from L&S compressor on ebay for $120, but they sent a new aftermarket UAC compressor. These sell for $200 on rockauto, so I guess we made out OK.

 

We got the ac compressor on with a new belt amd the engine is ready to go back in:

 

I wish my engine was as clean as yours.

 

Good stuff! When you finish with this project you need to start on a hot rod build.

 

Thanks, this is my dad's 65 mustng fastback. I helped with this when I was little:

 

We found a local shop to grind the flywheel ($80) and the guy let me watch the process. He pulled the pins out to grind the pressure plate surface to keep the step the right height:

 

We got the front wheel bearings installed back into the spindles with new seals. We are going without brake rotor dust shields