[AT] Was: More on the water pump Now: New vehicles/technology

[Ralph Goff]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gunnells, Bradley R" <brad-gunnells at uiowa.edu>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2010 10:39 AM
Subject: [AT] Was: More on the water pump Now: New vehicles/technology


> Yes getting to the fuel pump isn't as easy as traditional engine mounted 
> ones. But I've replaced a couple on my old vehicles which had far fewer 
> miles than my newer cars with in-tank pumps. So reliability over time has 
> been better in my experience.
> Of course I don't mind tuning up the '68 1-ton truck of dads. You can sit 
> with your feet in the engine compartment! That's a lot more like working 
> on our old tractors. Only the barest of necessities on those.  :-)
>
> Brad

I'd agree Brad, many of the80s vehicles had a lot of plumbing and hoses 
around and over the engine that made it awkward. My 81 GMC has the bare 
minimum since I installed an Olds gas V8 . Simple to work on and reliable as 
they come (one fuel pump in 25 years).
My old IH trucks are about the easiest to work on the engines. The hood 
lifts right off and I can lay on a fender to reach whatever I need to.
The first engines I ever worked on as a kid were Ford flathead v8s and I 
doubt there was ever an engine easier to change a spark plug on than a 
flathead v8 (or six for that matter).

Ralph in Sask.