Quarter Million Mile Build - The Mule

My gasket kit didn't come with a rear main seal retainer gasket so I started looking for one and then that led down the rabbit hole of seal replacement discussion and sucking it up and buying an OE one to ensure its one and done. $58 later, I pick up my seal and gasket from Toyota tomorrow

 

Anyone know what part number or what this sleeve is called where the rear seal retainer attaches? I'm missing one and my Ace doesn't have anything with a thin enough wall.

 

I've always heard them referred to as locator sleeves. But that could just be shade-tree slang. It could also be called a hollow dowel pin. But I think that may be a stretch in this case.

 

Thanks! I'm still searching

 

"Fuck it, I'll just make it"

 

Almost last piece to the puzzle before Rubicon 19.

 

Got the engine all back together and back under the hood. Started filling it with coolant this morning and it starts pouring out the top of the water pump. I knew that new gasket was shit just got back from oriellys for some ultra grey. Fucks.

 

That sucks.

I put I a new rear main seal recently and after I put the oil pan back on and started driving it around it started shooting oil out the back of the motor... Thought maybe I got a bad rear main seal but it was just the oil pan gasket had kinked, user error. Had to pull the pan again.

Anyway I know how it feels.

 

So I redid everything with grey and buttoned it up last night. Filled her up and everything is fine. While putting the headers back on I hear a drop. WTF! Go look and one of the core plugs is weeping I think I'm going to try and seat it with a love tap. If that doesnt work I guess I'll pop it out and fix. At least it the front one on the PS which is the easiest to access.

 

I was also standing there last night thinking "maybe when I fire this thing up, the expanding/contracting might help it seal up." Apperently this sometimes does happen with core plugs or so says some internet mechanics. I guess I will fire it up and then love tap it if it's still weeping. And then swap in a new one if all else fails.

 

Came home tonight looking forward to getting this thing rolling but found the water pump had some coolant pooled up on top off it again. So sad, wtf. Figured it might be a non flat surface so let's check. Drained coolant, disassembled everything in about 20 minutes. Amazing how fast you can do it after three times in four days. Cleaned off the rtv from both surfaces, took a scientific ruler and both the face and pump are flat enough for government work so let's put this thing back together with an even thicker bead of rtv. Went to install it and rtv pushed out from all areas with the exception of the top part where it was leaking, wtf. Pulled it back apart, cleaned all the rtv off and took a closer look. And there it was, the aisin water pump swoops but the POS cover does not which only leaves like a 1/16" for the gasket. Well at least I got to the bottom of it. Hoping a cheapo WP from oriellys/napa/autozone is straighter. I'll find out tomorrow.

 

Welp, my dumbass didn't know there are two different timing covers (early and late) for the 22r. One swoops and one doesn't. Live and learn! Part on order and since I was ordering parts I figured I'd get the brass freeze plugs while i was at it. Fingers crossed, we might be rolling this weekend.

 

We're back on all fours and rolling! After dumping 5 quarts of oil on the garage floor because I forgot to put the temp plug back in the side of the block, filled her back up and drove around for about 30 minutes. Still gutless but fresh. Yes, its done!

 

Also, the core plug stopped weeping after yesterday's drive.

 

After dumping all that oil on the passenger side, my truck would take a hard left when you hit the brakes due to all the oil on the rotor and pads so I stripped it down and cleaned it up last night. Going to grab some new pads at lunch. Also going to bleed the brakes after that since they're pretty squishy.

Also, it seems I've lost a tooth on the starter so one of those should be here tomorrow.

A short list for the Rubicon trip at this point

 

$14

 

Brakes are in and the pull issue is fixed. Yesterday I installed the front diff armor. Super chicken shit welds, we'll see if it stays put. I'm not convinced it will but if it doesn't, I'll redo it when I pull the axle next.

I can yard on it as hard as I can and its solid but I don't weigh as much as a truck.

3 days until the trip. Bleed brakes and stretch the new winch line and we should be all set to go.

 

Make sure to check the studs on the knuckles and the bolts on the hubs after you wheel it a little.

I never had problems but both my brothers and dad (we were all running Toyota axles under various rigs) all have had issues with them loosening. One brother broke (exploded) a hub on the rubicon and it messed up his stub shaft splines.

Actually check everything. I’ve had my driveline bolts come loose.

Looks like your ready, have fun!

 

Thanks. I've been going over them. Thursday AM I'm going to do one last check.

Thanks for the reminder on the knuckle studs.