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Jonathan wrote:Perhaps I'll consider a GM truck if they ever decide to build one again. It used to be that GM offered the best powertrains, but they don't anymore. Topping that their platform engineering sucks monkey nads. It'll suffice for the occasional hauling of flower pots and trash bags, though, more than enough to satisfy the suburbanites.

I couldnt agree more. I used to be a big chevy fan until recently. I used to hate ford, and now i like their trucks (super duty's only). That IMO is a real truck. Solid front axle, no bullshit motors...its just built like a truck, not a car.

Okay here's what i've gotten done so far, what i understand and what i need to do:

First off, the shop teacher checked out the A/C System yesterday using an electronic Freon detector and he discovered that there was a leak, obviously a pretty large leak because the whole system drained in about 24 hours ( about .3 lbs left ). I was then told to call up local shops, etc and find out quotes on a repair, because they ( Shop teacher ) normaly don't undertake this type of project so late into the school year. I had a little bit of spare time so i called up the stealership (Dodge) and asked for a quote, here's what they gave me. $39.99 just to look it over, detect any leaks etc (would this include the testing of the clutch?) $112.00 for a refill of freeon + the cost of freeon, and that was all he could give me..

So if i have the system checked out and they verify there is a leak and lets say they repaired it ( how exactly do they repair the leaking spot?) what do i do about the fuse blowing everytime the clutch is plugged in?
What i am asking here is, is there a way to test this clutch to ensure it is working properly? and if so HOW? :help:

Sorry if this is all a little confusing, but A/C seems to be a topic a lot of people don't understand at all, and there really isnt' to much out on the net explaining it. I've searched how to test a/c clutch's etc.. and come up blank.

Thank you to all of you who are helping me out with this.. summer is acomin' and i dont wana be roatsn
-David

I'd find an actual a/c shop, it would probably be a WHOLE lot less...

As far as fixing the leak? Well, I guess that depends on were the leak is... Pretty much anything to with a/c is probably going to be expensive...

The fact that clutch isnt locking when you manually jump it isnt a great thing. It might be time to price a new compressor...

Jonathan wrote:Dorman plugs, replaced them when I did the tranny swap (converted from Auto to manual). Really that's the only problem with those trannies, though, other than bent forks if you shift really hard. But if you speed shift anything with less than 100hp you're retarded to begin with :) .

Never was a 4.3 fan. 90 degree V6s aren't the greatest design and only came about because they already had V8s to base them upon and it was cheaper. With a 4.3 they might as well have given you the extra two cylinders and left it as a 350. The GM 60 degree V6s are great engines, though, especially the 3.8L.

4 cylinders aren't really my thing to begin with, but the 2.3L is a pretty good one. Power wise it's a dog, but welcome to the 80s.

Perhaps I'll consider a GM truck if they ever decide to build one again. It used to be that GM offered the best powertrains, but they don't anymore. Topping that their platform engineering sucks monkey nads. It'll suffice for the occasional hauling of flower pots and trash bags, though, more than enough to satisfy the suburbanites.

Now what about S-10s and Blazers? I've seen maybe 3 of those that didn't end up being a massive pile of fecal matter

yeah, dorman plugs... brain fart. I swap for them while I was replacing the clutch.

Do you ever check out Rps - rangerpowersports or trs therangerstation?

I've had pretty good luck with the 4.3s. I dont really care for the W code vortecs though, the fuel system on those are just flat out retarded.

The 2.8 tbi and carb motors in the s-series are bearing spinning pos. The 60 degree mpi motors that came in the cars arent my favorites either, but atleast they have decent power. You have to watch them though, the like to crack heads/blow head gaskets and intake gaskets as well as spin a few bearings.

That would have been pretty sweet to have a factory v8 option for the s-series, but oh well....

The 2.3 are awesome. I sold my ranger to my cousin after I bashed on it for 2 years or so, he tried killing it for 8 months and failed, then he sold it to my uncle who has to be the hardest person in the world on cars, hes had it for a couple months now and its still going strong.

I really like the 88-98 fullsize chevys. If I was going to buy a new truck I'd probably go with ford, the new chevys arent really doing it for me.

It took me forever to find my blazer, so you just shhhhhh da f up... :happy055:

MobileAudio219 wrote: I've had pretty good luck with the 4.3s. I dont really care for the W code vortecs though, the fuel system on those are just flat out retarded.

I HATE the w code vortecs. I have one in my jimmy, and ive replaced the lines twice and the spider once. Not that its a pain in the ass job, its actually kinda easy. but when it decides to let loose halfway into your 7 hour trip, it sux. I was lucky i didnt spin a bearing.

Justin, are you a mechanic? just curious.

ridr4lif wrote:I HATE the w code vortecs. I have one in my jimmy, and ive replaced the lines twice and the spider once. Not that its a pain in the ass job, its actually kinda easy. but when it decides to let loose halfway into your 7 hour trip, it sux. I was lucky i didnt spin a bearing.
Justin, are you a mechanic? just curious.

What are you trying to say? Surely you dont think gas in the oil is a bad thing? :happy055:

Yeah, I had to change the inlet line on my cousin jimmy, it wasnt to bad at all...

I know I got 3 defect fuel pumps in a role from napa, then my uncle had a few bad ones in a role also... And before anybody asks, yes we changed the harnasses, cleaned the tanks, and changed the little filters...

I'm pretty mechanically inclined. My uncle owns a shop so I'm always out there helping them pull motors and trannys.

I think my uncles got me talked into building a 5.7 for the blazer, probably going to stick with the tbi though...

Yea, i thought about doin a 5.7 in my Jimmy, but its too much work for something i wont be keeping. Pretty badass conversion tho.

you two want me to start a new thread so you can discuss your trucks there...?

Well i'm just saying F#ck it, i don't use A/c all that much anymore, and this is pricing out above my budget.

The leak could be pretty much anywhere, but typically it'll either be in the condensor/dryer or the lines.

You really can't test a clutch properly until it has freon in there. You need to get the leak fixed and then worry about the clutch.

A good mechanic should be able to give you a free estimate on this. Most are offering some form of deal on A/C work anyway since this is the time of year people are wanting it.

dmeyer07 wrote:you two want me to start a new thread so you can discuss your trucks there...?

Sorry, didnt meant to hooker up your thread.

on a *on topic note*, jonathan is right, check out a few shops and get some estimates...