Those pictures are horrifying! I did a similar job on a late model mustang and had the whole dash out too. That's when I swore never again. Best part on that job was learning the lesson I guess. The replacement core I bought was cracked too. Fortunately after the pain I had just suffered I made a point of inspecting the new core with a very critical eye and discovered the crack before installing the defective core. Had that gone in and leaked I would have blown the thing in place!

Re the LR, I ran it for a whille yesterday and the heat seems to be working pretty well now. I think it may have just been a void in the heater core. The fan remains less than impressive but it works.

I also spent a bunch of time on the brake light issues. It seems most of my problems are bad bulbs and dodgy connections. There's also a u-haul wiring setup for trailer lights that is spliced in. The only issue that remains is that when I select the RH blinker both rear directional lights flash. I'm going to get all the bulbs that are blown put back together and see what happens.

Also going to talk to exhaust shop tomorrow and try to get an estimate. I'd love to get rid of the cats and run duals but would probably be illegal and expensive too.

 

Taking her in for exhaust work tomorrow. We are cobbing the old system back together with a new tail pipe and muffler. The downpipe driver's side also needs to be welded back together. The estimate is $300-350. Yikes, more than I paid for the whole rig!

Also got all the bulbs in and the brake lights and turn signals are working now. I still have everything on the right side illuminating with the brakes though. That is, the RF turn and side marker lights. Odd.

I bought a piece of brake line from NAPA. $6.49 plus a little bending here and there and presto...brakes! Sure beats the $100 they wanted for the replacement piece.

I thinks that's the entire update for now.

 

May want to drop heater fan and clean out - it is below glove box, three bolts and it drops straight down, gets clogged with all sorts of junk, leaves, etc. While open shove shop vack up to suck up more junk. There is a write up in tech sticky on DIY pollen filter, I also shoved a piece of that fabric in the fresh air intake to keep out leaves.

 

Already sucked out all the debris (from above) with shop vac. I posted pictures a while back.

I'm waiting for my neighbor to follow me out to the muffler shop...should be a loud ride!

 

Not any louder than a Dolphin.....

 

Ha...how true! I like to call it the 'distinctive whine' of the mighty H65 Dolphin! Of course the only thing louder is the whine from the pilot's seat!!

Drove the LR to the shop. Wasn't too loud with the windows up and all the great outdoors to soak up the volume. This was my first drive of the old girl above 10 mph. Rode pretty nice and the trans shifted great into all gears Saw an honest 55 mph on the way there!

One concern is the temp gauge spiked quite a few times. It would run up from about 9 to 11 every so often but mostly stayed at nine. It's either very sensitive or erradict. I could have a suspect t-stat though. I may pop that off and throw another in for cheap insurance.

I hope to bring her home in a few hours...should be a much more enjoyable ride home. I may even turn the radio on!