Theadyn's Start Over 2016

[Theadyn]

That other log was just getting tooooo flippin' long.  Sorry bout that, haha.

As of now, I am still parked in the driveway of my daughter and son-in-law's place.  Housesitting until it sells or rents.  And, if not under contract by the end of May, it will be rented to a former co-worker of my SIL's.  So..  Pammy must figure out what she will be doing within this next month.

I toss and turn on what the next course will be.  I have applied for some xray jobs in the much bigger OKC area.  Still unsure if that is completely wise, as it will be very much more limiting on my time.  But then, the money would be way better than most other jobs.  Plus, make getting my foot in the door for a travel tech job in the future much easier.   Alas, have not heard anything on that front yet, and I have been out of the field a while.

The living situation is up in the air.  I go back and forth between taking up my parent's offer of getting their camper from south Texas for me to live in in the bigger city, or roughing it for a couple months in the van in the heat of Oklahoma while working and saving cash to find something I would like much better (ie. a class b or small c).

Then the other part of me remembers the freedom and I'm sooooo not wanting to give that up to go work the 9-5.  Like, the upcoming summer RTR's... the Colorado one is about a 9 hour drive.  Van Halen is running good and I want to go!!!   haha

As it is now, me and the doggy are hanging out in the house during the days, taking advantage of the internet I have here, indoor plumbing and kitchen.  I keep it clean and ready for viewers.  Me and doggy still have all our stuff in the van, and we have been sleeping in there every night for about a month now, it's just more cozy.  That dog doesn't move all night.  When we were sleeping in the house, moved all night long.

It's funny...   last weekend I went on a little trip with my high school bestie for her birthday, I drove my little car.  I don't know how many times I said 'well, I have one, but it's in my van'.  The hotel was okay, but really was just too big feeling. and the bed not comfy.  She wants to go somewhere again for my upcoming birthday of my choosing (and she's still insisting on paying for everything on this trip, as well, stubborn chick!!), I think this time I'll just go in my van.  She can stay in the hotel and I'll be just dandy in my own space in the van. :   At least it will be a trip in Van Halen, heck yeah!!! 

TL/DR:  Unsure of the future, where I'll live or work.  Still wanting to hit the road.  Mini trip in a few weeks.  Will update as things unfold. 

 

[nobodyG17]

Best of luck in your decision.   Darn things are tough sometimes.

 

[Queen]

If you can get into some specialty department, that will go a long way towards the traveling tech gig. My SIL is doing it now and she does cath lab stuff, she says they are "throwing money at her" since it's hard to find people with a specialization.

 

[Theadyn]

If you can get into some specialty department, that will go a long way towards the traveling tech gig. My SIL is doing it now and she does cath lab stuff, she says they are "throwing money at her" since it's hard to find people with a specialization.

I have a bit of experience in cath lab, actually. It's just been about 8 years since I've used it. It's a double edged sword... there are a lot of specialties that are hiring, yet I can't learn new specialties until I get back into the field. Argh. But yes, you are right, that is the better way to go. I WISH they were throwing money at me, haha.

Thank you!

 

[Queen]

I have a bit of experience in cath lab, actually. It's just been about 8 years since I've used it. It's a double edged sword... there are a lot of specialties that are hiring, yet I can't learn new specialties until I get back into the field. Argh. But yes, you are right, that is the better way to go. I WISH they were throwing money at me, haha.

Thank you!

I wish you all the luck, really wish I'd stayed in the medical field (former medic), so many opportunities out on the road.

 

[cyndi]

Do what's going to bring you happiness,whenever possible.

Sounds like you have some options/avenues of possibility. That's a good thing

 

[Theadyn]

Okay okay okay okay.... I went and done it now.....

You are looking at the proud new owner of an older Toyota Dolphin

Four hours ago, I saw it pop up on Craigslist. I have been scouting looking for a deal for the past few weeks on there, something I could afford that I could live in, with amenities. And that wouldn't put my parents out too much, with them offering me their small camper, but it was going to be a big effort to get here and tagged and such.

So tonight, I found this, a 1981 Toyota Dolphin, just an hour from me, runs, needed some tlc inside. Motor runs, no leaks, tires good, clear title, just some work on the inside and nothing fancy. And cheap. Heck yeah!!

Suckered my mom n dad in to going with me, we got there before the sun went down, checked out everything, knew what we were in for, but for the price, it was sold!

Mom made dad drive it to our town because 'he had more mechanical knowledge'.. grrr... whatever. it made the 65 miles back to our town, dad driving about 60. He thinks the carb needs adjusting. They parked it at their house, so we can go to work on it starting tomorrow!

Yay!!!

It was dark when we got in, so haven't really gotten to go over all or take any pics. We are starting bright and early on it tomorrow, the cleaning and remodeling. Mom already has SOOOO many plans, lol. Dad needed a project and loves this kind of stuff. He's got a full shop of tools at his disposal. I've got a month to get this really cute and working.

I'm so excited!!

And sad... I will be selling the van. Van Halen will be going up for sale, since I'll still have a small RV.. that's actually better on gas.. AND has a shower!!

You know me, I will eventually be getting the new wheels set up for boondocking, adding solar as I go and getting everything geared that way.

The thing is old, but she's cute, small, and paid for.

Now, to think of a name.....

 

[masterplumber]

If you can keep your travel freedom, that of course would be ideal. Another option might be seasonal work. No idea what that would be for you, but it's working out really well for my son that was with me at RTR. He just finally got back from Baja last Thursday - He's still in CA at my sister's, trying to decide which seasonal job will be the best fit for him this year so next winter he can travel for an extended time again.

We'd love to see you in Colorado, even if it's just for a long weekend at the summer RTR.

 

[Theadyn]

Agreed, I'd like to keep my freedom.

Oh, forgot to tell my other news... last week I find out my one and only child is pregnant. Yep, first grandchild for me on the way. Wee!! Still getting used to that, haha.

I would love to hit the Colorado RTR. If things allow, I will be there

 

[ainley53]

Agreed, I'd like to keep my freedom.  

Oh, forgot to tell my other news...   last week I find out my one and only child is pregnant.      Yep, first grandchild for me on the way.  Wee!!  Still getting used to that, haha.

I would love to hit the Colorado RTR.     If things allow, I will be there

The blessings are piling up. (see my PM) Congratulations again on the forthcoming grandchild.

You could always call the new rig 'Skipper' after the old TV show and since you will be skipping around the country in it. LOL.

 

[Queen]

Woo hoo, new grandbaby AND new wheels, sweet!!!

 

[nobodyG17]

Waiting on pictures!

I talked to someone who had one of those once.  I think he got rid of it due to the anemic engine in it.  Be careful on any steep inclines.

 

[rvwandering]

Congratulations on both the RV and the soon-to-be grand baby Pam! The RV sounds like a fun project and you have some great helpers. Hope everything else falls into place for you!

 

[rvpopeye]

LadyTheadyn
I was desperately looking for one of those a few years back and got on the yahoo group to learn about 'em. ( I kinda still am but the more I sink cash into this thing the less likely it will happen for me!)
One head's up thing is...the pre 1986 Toy's had a factory recall on the rear axle.
The old 5 lug ones were found to be a problem and they were putting 6 lug free floating rears in to fix the prob. Yours might have already been done , and if not you might still be able to get Toyota to do it for free !!!

On the 4 cyl 22r engines , they are a little under powered BUT ! They have the reputation of being "bullet proof" reliable Just relax going up hills and you'll get there eventually!!!!!!! 15 -20 mpg was not unheard of.

I'm super happy for you and kinda (no , really) green with envy !
I hope your dad has a ball helping you with your new toyhome , I'm not even going to suggest possible names , that will be your own , personal concoction !

OH yeah , the 14" tires are super cheap to replace when that comes up !

 

[masterplumber]

Ha, I was wondering what I missed? Toyota ? then I realized we were posting last night at almost the exact same time. Congrats on the new ride!It probably won't be as comfortable as the van to take of cross country in a hurry, but why hurry? It will definitely be more comfortable to live in!

 

[highdesertranger]

congrats on all the good news. highdesertranger

 

[29chico]

About the Toyota 22r engine:  Good engine. You lucked out as you have one of the two 22r engine years that have the far superior double row timing chain system.   However there are a few things to be aware of:

First is highest probability of happening, last is lowest:

The AAP (auxiliary accelerator pump) diaphragm in the Aisin carb is known to fail.  Very easy to diagnose:  Pull the vac line off the nipple that is on the roundish cover for the AAP diaphragm.  If gas drips out, the diaphragm has failed.  Replace diaphragm & clear vac system of the liquid gasoline that was dumped into it. 

The front main oil seal seal will start to leak as the seal will cut a groove in the harmonic balancer where it runs.  Replace seal and install a seal saver on the balancer.

With over about 160k miles on the engine, the body of the EGR valve will develop excessive clearance where the pintle runs in it.  This will cause a vac leak.  Replace EGR valve.

With over about 180k miles on the engine there is a good chance that the throttle shaft bushings in the carburetor have developed excessive clearance and a vac leak will result.  Have throttle shafts re-bushed, might be a good time to have the carb gone thru by a pro that rebuilds carbs full time.  Stay away from rebuilt carbs, having yours properly rebuilt is a much better way to go.


If the RV has sat a lot, as evidenced by low miles, the diaphragm in the mechanical fuel pump is likely to fail and dump fuel into the crankcase oil.  If the dipstick smells of gas, replace the fuel pump and change the oil & filter.

Sometimes the cylinder head in the 22r will get badly corroded internally by improper or just plain old and neglected coolant.  Replace head.

Here is the big one that thankfully is fairly rare, but known to happen on the 22r:

The thrust bearing feature on the middle main bearing will sometimes fail.  If the harmonic balancer is moving forward and back when the engine is running at idle the thrust bearing is starting to fail.  I have seen this happen.  If it is doing this shut the engine down. Continued running will eventually cause the crank and rods to fail and usually blow holes in the block as well.  I have seen this happen right in front of me.  Replace the main and rod bearings and possibly crankshaft as well or replace the engine or just the block assembly.

If your harmonic balancer is not moving forwards and back there are a couple of things that can be done to lower the probability of the thrust bearing issue happening.

Use a premium oil filter that has a dark orange silicone rubber anti-drainback valve in it.  Look at the working end of an oil filter focus on the the ring of holes that surround the central threaded hole.  If you see black rubber the filter is junk as the black rubber anti-drainback valves tend to fail and allow the oil in the oil filter to drain down into the crankcase when the engine is shut off.  If you see a dark orange silicone rubber anti-drainback valve thru those holes that surround the central threaded hole in an oil filter you have a quality filter in your hands.  The Fram Ultra oil filter that can be bought at Wally World for $8 is such a filter.

This drainback is an issue on the 22r due to the the way the oil filter is oriented on the driver's side of the block.  When the oil filter has drained down while the engine is stopped it takes longer for the oil to get to the main bearings when the engine is next started and the possibility of the thrust bearing issue happening becomes more likely.

The second way to help prevent the dreaded thrust bearing issue only applies to vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.  By putting the trans in neutral an NOT depressing the clutch pedal before starting the engine you will avoid putting axial pressure on the thrust bearing during startup via the clutch throw-out mechanism.  If you decide to do this I suggest that you make a practice of putting your left foot firmly on the brake pedal to prevent the possibility of the RV jumping forward if you have forgotten to put the trans in neutral.  Luckily your RV is old enough that it does not have a starter-clutch interlock system that would have to be disabled to perform the above trick.


Hope this helps!

In a former life I was the engine tester at a shop that sold used Japanese engines that we imported.  I have also owned a bunch of Toyotas from the late '70's thru the late '80's and am very familiar with the primarily vac based emission systems related to the Aisin carbs.


The below link is for the folks that are THE source for many vintage Toyota engine parts and tech info:

http://www.lcengineering.com/tech.html

Not a problem area, but if you need a radiator buy a Koyo brand aftermarket radiator.  Koyo has been making OE radiators for Toyota for many years and their aftermarket rads are high quality for a good price.

Avoid non-Japanese made oxygen sensors for your RV.   Stick with Denso or NTK (made by NGK) oxygen sensors.

Enough?

 

[highdesertranger]

very good advice from Chico. the only thing I would add is the timing chain tensioners. these are wear items, replace them before you have a problem if they haven't been done. highdesertranger

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Theadyn this is my personal experience, I have owned three of these engines, the first one had timing chain and carburator 100,000 miles no issue when I sold it, bought new not one issue, regular maintanance. I still own two, one with 150,000 miles a Townace with a timing chain and carburator have owned it for 18 years. In all those years I have changed one tie rod end, reconditioned two front calipers because it sat too long one year, and changed oil and filters, I haven't even done the brakes two sets of tires, two batteries, so basically just maintenance, the other one, a Rav4 with 135,000 miles, fuel injected and timing belt, owned it for 12 years, redid the timing belt water pump as regular service, other then that oil changes and new tires as well as front brake pads. I can't say enough good thing about them, never had any vehicles that have done as well and I have had lots of vehicles. Ps congratulations on the new rig and grandchild, gramma.

 

[Theadyn]

Thank you all very much!!   And all the advise, most extremely welcome!!!   I will read it to my dad while he tinkers on the motor.  Actually, today, he is taking his little Toyota truck to a local mechanic that he trusts, and will be asking him if he will take a look at mine even if it's an RV.  Right now, there is an idling issue and a 'dead spot', as he calls it, while accelerating.  That and need the emergency brake fixed, not working right now.   Since it's a manual, definitely want that working.

Pictures incoming!!  

Bear in mind... it's not perfect..  not my first pick for layout.. BUT... it was $1200 

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They had ripped out the old stove and didn't replace, we are working on that.  The cabinet they built isn't complete, me and dad are putting our heads together to figure out a solution.  Dad says the fridge they had in there won't work, so I will probably be on the lookout for a dual powered one.  Don't have the bed set up good yet, mom just threw a blanket over, excuse the chaos lol. 

Lots of crap thrown out, some treasures found.  More fun today... post more laters...