It's Never Done.....

[bobmiller1]

Current pictures 12/27/15

[streamquest]

Bob,

That engine bay looks so nice that you ought to install a piece of glass so people can drool over it. Beautiful job!

Charly

[Keyair]

Looks good Bob.
Interesting to see that belt routing! Is that a second air/smog pump between the AC and Alternator?

[bobmiller1]

yes, that is the second air/smog pump at the 12 o'clock position.

[Keyair]

I thought so...
Goodness, and there was me thinking there was a lot of stuff on my engine! Great place to slip in a second alternator tho!
What year is your's?
I note that you too have a hybrid serpentine/V belt system like my old '87 Suburban. However, being a CA Emissions, it was TBI.

[bobmiller1]

1989 325le

[bobmiller1]

Took the radiator to the shop today. Decided to have a custom four row larger core made and re-use my original Harrison tanks. I thought the price would be around $500.00, but then again the last time I re-cored a radiator was about 30 years ago. There is only one shop in the Albany, NY area so my price for this project is $985.00, I really don't see any other option and I want to eliminate the running hot condition that I have been experiencing over the last year. I am sure that the next owner of my 325 will appreciate it. The Onan is out now and going to the generator shop to be checked out and serviced. That will give me time to re-new the generator compartment

[bobmiller1]

I finished replacing the power steering/hydroboost pressure hose and two return lines last night...you got to love Rock Auto, all factory parts at a very reasonable price ! I took the 325's generator support tray to Trombley's Auto in sunny downtown Breakabean and used his new bead blast cabinet that I sold him and re-newed the tray. It is now ready for primer and paint. I will get the generator to the shop this week. Next weekend I will hopefully get the generator compartment finished.

[bobmiller1]

[bkahler]

Bob, how long did it take you to replace all of the power steering hoses?

[bobmiller1]

2 hours Brad......after I removed the radiator. Whenever I replace belts or hoses I position the clamps so that if I or a customer should have a problem on the road, they are accessable without having to remove other components.

[bkahler]

Ok, so 2 hours with the radiator out. I wonder how long it would take with the radiator in?

I think Steve just performed this same task, maybe he'll chime in with the hours required.

[bobmiller1]

It"s probably about the same time with the radiator in, it"s just easier to see everything with the radiator out. Also much easier to get at everything with the left inner wheel well removed !

[bkahler]

It is amazing how much better the access is to either side of the engine with the wheels off. I've found even just turning the wheels sometimes helps a lot.

[bobmiller1]

Re-installed my million dollar radiator ($985.00) today. Right now I put 3 gallons in it to not only check for leaks, (usually my luck) part of Murphy's Law I suppose....but also to run it next week and completely flush it out including the heater core under the couch. Installed a small ball valve 1/4" instead of the pedcock to make it easier to drain in the future. Also got a 30 inch vacuum hold on the AC system to recharge with R-12. Still working on the generator compartment and will finish up the fire suppression system soon. Purchased a new cruise control set up so alot of small things still to finish up before the motorhome get together.

[bobmiller1]

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

Re-installed my million dollar radiator ($985.00) today.

WOW Is it gold plated?!

[bobmiller1]

Not Gold Plated, but weighs twice as much as it did when I dropped it off, they did a great job and did exactly what I wanted them to do. The core now fills the entire cavity front to rear in the tank area, I saw the core that was removed and the small 7/16" tubes were plugged in the lower 20% area of the core. The tubes in the new core are 5/8" and spaced farther apart. The true test will be in April....two road tests planned, 1 without the tow dolly and if that one goes well one with the dolly towing the Chevrolet Volt. Finished two off the four panels in the generator compartment last night....coming out exactly the way I want it to !

[bkahler]

That's an amazing difference in the radiator. It will be interesting to hear how much difference it makes in cooling.

This may sound like a dumb question about your Volt but if you were to run an extension cord from the motorhome back to the car on the tow dolly could you charge it if you had your generator running while you're driving?

[bobmiller1]

To answer the not so dumb question......yes you could use the extension cord if you really wanted too,,,,but we usually charge at the campground overnite and we're good to go on electric the next day. Regards, Bob