Inner Fender Removal

[Merle Coggins]

For my ol' buddy Dave Erb, to whom I've debated the ability to remove the inner fender for access to the tappet covers for valve adjustment, and anyone else to whom this will benefit...

Since I have the front of my truck up on jack stands for the brake upgrade, and since my tappet covers are leaking a little bit, I figured now would be a good time to get in there and adjust the valves and replace the cover gaskets. So when I was ready to lift out my inner fender I set up my camera in video mode to show how easy it is to take them out. What's not shown in the video is the removal of the 6 bolts across the top that attach it to the outer fender and the 2 bolts that attach it to the small triangular piece under the floor. I also detached the hood strap so that I could open that hood side a little more. I put a bungie on it to hold it open so it wouldn't fall on my head. It took longer to get my camera set up than it did to do the prep work for the "money shot".

And just like that, Bob's yer Uncle.

Merle

[JBNeal]

that's gotta be some trick photography or you're David Blaine or sumthin' ruther...removing mine requires the use of four-letter magic words

[Frank Elder]

Nice work Merle, how many takes?

[48Dodger]

Nice video Merle....should be one more bolt at the base near the radiator and removal of the wire block...blah blah blah...lol. Good to see you in moving pictures too.

48D:D

[Merle Coggins]

Nice video Merle....should be one more bolt at the base near the radiator and removal of the wire block...blah blah blah...lol. Good to see you in moving pictures too.

48D:D

I don't have any bolts at the bottom up front. I remember looking for somewhere to attach them there when I put the truck together, but didn't find anything. Maybe I'll have another look when I put it back in. And I didn't remove the wire block for the head lights. It is still in place.

Nice work Merle, how many takes?

I made one practice run before recording it. On the practice run I kept getting hung up at the front. Then I figured out that the bottom lip was catching on a bolt head. When you see me grab the front and give it a slight twist, that's to get the lip to clear the bolt.

Merle

[Frank Elder]

Same idea I had, but no matter how many times it came out perfect.....for the camera I think the air would be thick with@#$%.

About once a month I head down to the local hole in the wall to hoist a few, it is only 6 blocks from the house:), easy distance to pour myself home. Anyway we watch jepoardy and this one fella Mike always seems to know at least 75% of the answers..we asked why he never tried out and he said

1. It's always your turn in the bar.

2. No beer on stage.

3. Most importantly there is no camera and audience for me to choke in front of!

Anywho the moral of the story is, the pressure of being on camera is no fun.

[Plymouthy Adams]

4...you lose no money with a wrong answer in the bar

[48Dodger]

5. ...The camera adds 10 lbs of stupid.

48D:D

[HanksB3B]

How come you didn't end the video by saying "Bob's your Uncle"

Thanks for making it,

Hank

[Merle Coggins]

How come you didn't end the video by saying "Bob's your Uncle"

Thanks for making it,

Hank

Because I didn't think of it until I stopped the camera. Like Tim says...

...The camera adds 10 lbs of stupid.

48D:D

[grey beard]

Merle,

Wow, I'm really impressed. Does your inner fender have a great huge debit to clear the front shock and bradket? This was the point at which mine hung up on reassembly. Good to know this panel can be removed so easily on some Pilothouse trucks.

Question: Were your valves very far out of adjustment, when you got to them? Did readjusting them make much - if any - difference in the way it sounded/ran? I realize you haven't had it back on the road yet. Did you adjust your valves with the engine warmed and shut off, or warmed and running?

Thanks for the interesting tutorial. I'm on dial-up, and gave it half an hour, but never did get to see the entire sequence. Sorry 'bout dat'.

[John-T-53]

Nice!!! With the easy and stress-free and method you demonstrated in the video, you'd be a good candidate for hosting the home improvement TV show "Hometime" (if it's still on).

I did mine like this too - both sides, out and in. Like others, it took more time and some profanity, tho.... but it can be done!

[Merle Coggins]

Question: Were your valves very far out of adjustment, when you got to them? Did readjusting them make much - if any - difference in the way it sounded/ran? I realize you haven't had it back on the road yet. Did you adjust your valves with the engine warmed and shut off, or warmed and running?

I didn't get to it yet. I was rigging up an exhaust hose so that I could vent the exhaust outside while I continue to work in the garage without gassing myself. I plan to warm it up good and check them. Then I'll try the engine running method to see how that goes. I'll keep you posted.

Merle