Winding down the overhaul of my Sons 1998 ZR2 S10 with 180,000 miles. I picked it up from him on November 2, about 800 miles away (he is in college) to fix a failed heater core, after calling shops local to him and not finding mechanics that had done the job before, and being quoted $1500 to do the job at a local Chevy dealer, Son also complained that when wet outside the truck would not start.

Eric gets the truck back tomorrow- my Wife and I are driving it to him as he is going to work over the holidays rather than come home for Christmas (I am not happy- but glad he is trying to earn some cash). BTW- when my Wife smells the coolant residue in the truck cab I am going to get 800 miles of not stop verbal pain....

This is what I STILL NEED TO DO THIS MORNING:
Fuel filter replacement
Transfer case flush
Rear differential flush
Coolant flush (did last three years ago)
Trans fluid replacement (trans replaced at dealer one year ago)
Rear shocks
New wheel hubs
Serpentine belt
Serpentine belt idler
Power steering fluid flush
Clean frame electrical ground
"Gorilla" glue rear view mirror
Clean and reinstall skid plates (super dirty from the cv axle boot leaking grease and oil lines leaking)
Pictures for “your ride”

WORK COMPLETED:
New CV axles
New axle seals
New upper control arms
New lower control arms
New outer tie rods
New inner tie rods
New tie rod sleeves
New idler arm
New front shocks
New heater core
New oil cooler lines
New motor mounts
New torsion bar bushings
New stereo
New speaker
New spark plugs
New spark plug wires
New air filter
Oil change
Oil filter
Front differential oil flush
New distributor cap
New rotor
New coil
New fuel injection (MFI to SPYDER)
New sway bar links
New sway bar bushings
New bump stops
New from brake lines
New rotors
New pads
New calipers
New defroster grill
New speaker covers
New passenger recline handle
New driver and passenger outside mirrors
Front brake fluid flush
Rust preventer on rusting area of front frame and brake pipes
Alignment

When the front end was done, I went for a test drive late Friday night just around the block. It felt like the front end was going to fall off. I was really concerned. I drove it 60 miles for an alignment early the next morning and the front end felt much better. I am guessing the suspension parts had to settle? A Chevy dealer did the alignment, they did not come back and say it needed anything, but likely would be needing a heater core as cab smelled of coolant- heater core replaced but coolant residue still present.

Also want to note how much of a workout wrenching on cars is, especially with no lift and a ice cold concrete floor. Many muscles used to get wrench in and out of tight spaces, who would of guessed.

Dealer didn't mention the core because they didn't want to do it.

Good job on all that work. You pretty much removed the radiator cap, and slid a whole new truck under the cap.

all the bushings and shocks need some time to break in before becoming "normal". i think if it was me with my luck i would have tried to have a good few local trips before going on a 800 mile trip with the wife in swinging distance. especially with so many things done. i would certainly be bringing tools and all the fluids now that its too late. drain pan too probably.

i dont care much for the fluid smells either and its going to be all over and probably dripping on the hot engine and manifold. i think a whole frebreeze bottle might be a good investment

Justin,

Great tip on the fabreeze and your timing was perfect. Drove 75 miles to COSTCO last night and what did they have front and centee- fabreeze for your car that clip to the vents. Why went in S10 this morning and said how nice it smelles- she wants the fabreeze for her car.

Mike,

I missed a few things, should of replaced the vacuum actuator under the battery and the actuator vent on the front differential. Just found out these go bad often and can take out the front drivetrain.

how did it do? i think the actuator would be an easy thing for your son if it goes.

Wow that is a ton of hard work you did for your son! Like a new truck!
I have to give you credit where credit is due...&..
You did it all at home without a lift..and survived to tell the story!
It may also be a wise move to carry a large can of Febreeze spray.

I carry one of these in the car and it works great for immediate fresh air smell.
Like when some diesel guy ahead chokes you..and for that moment of coolant smells!
Best Wishes and have a safe journey! I'm sure your son will dig his restored truck!

Trip went fine. Zero issues. Truck actually ran great for a vehicle with 180k miles.

I updated the fuel injection from SCPI to MFI as there has always been a lag/ response from hitting the throttle to the truck responding. After doing the update, not much change. What I found out is the failed motors mounts were the reason for the delayed throttle response. The new motor mounts made the 4.3l respond a little like my 71 ElCamino with the 350 that I had in high school.

The Fabreeze for vehicles is really a neat little device. My Wife complains about everything like it is too hot, too cold, I'm hungry, etc on a road trip. So much so I thought about putting her on a plane rather than drive 800 miles with a coolant residue from a heater core that failed. The coolant just puddled in the vent system- likely for many months.

The Fabreeze auto vent truly masked the issue. As the vent blows a higher volume, the Fabreeze auto scent kicks on more masking agents. I am allergic to perfume and I had zero issues with the Fabreeze

With the truck not starting when wet I may have uncovered a contributing factor. It rained the last 300 miles of the trip. I then remember that I removed the splash guards under the front wheel wheels that shield the engine from outside water getting to it. I need to replace those also. They have been off the truck 3+ years...

Febreze CAR Vent Clips Crisp Clean Scent | Febreze

Splash shields come in handy. Like not having to drill out a corroded #3 spark plug.

Yes, thankful for never-seize.

Forgot to follow up on how much better the suspension is doing with some miles under it. I would not of guessed it would get so much smoother with time, as a new car seems smooth right from the dealer. I guess the new shocks and new control arm bushings have to settle a bit.