so waht ya doin today?

[Bret4207]

Don't try to put words in my mouth, most especially when you don't know what you're talking about.

I'm not putting anything in your mouth. And I can assure you, I know exactly what I'm talking about when it comes to unions and corruption. If you're a union guy, good for you. It doesn't change what I've seen.

 

[Bret4207]

Bret: My shop has us sign up for Medicare and Part B. We get reimbursed for the cost of part B and the shop provides a wrap around Medicare Advantage coverage. For those who never qualified for Medicare (like me) who were not eligible via their working wives, they continued to get the same coverage as the working guys and those who retired who haven't reached 65.

As it worked out the coverage had been better for my pocketbook than when I worked. Zero co-pays (except $65 for ER visit if not admitted) and a $5 co-pay for prescriptions.

Hmmm. I believe we have some sort of credit for the Part B thing but that's it. Our union has never been very responsive to the needs of retired members. Once you retire, you basically cease to exist!

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Thanks! The exhaust manifold is simply rusted away, same on the F350. The old days of exhaust manifolds being made of new, high quality cast are long gone, like brake rotors. Now it's recycled crap at best. I intend to pull the valve covers and physically check for collapsed lifters. If I find any, and I think I will, I'll do the knock sensors when I pull the intake. I've seen people that took the knock sensors from under the intake and mounted them eternally as GM did in later engines. Seems like a good idea.

I will admit to being pretty down and PO'd about the F350 yesterday. The front fuel tank I put a new fuel pump in no more than 2 years ago and the rear got a whole new tank, pump etc. less than 6 years ago. Seems unlikely both pumps would go bad, so I think it's the fuel filter, or that's a place to start anyway. I have headers that came with the truck to put on, just haven't had few enough other crisis's to get the chance to go at it. I thought about fixing both trucks, selling them and getting a nicer, newer rig. Then I looked at prices!!! I'd prefer 3/4 ton to avoid NYS emissions nonsense and 4wd is a must, as is at least an extended cab and I need to be able to tow a decent amount, as in a vehicle or smaller heavy equipment. SWMBO requires something that looks "newish" and not rusty. All that adds up to $$$. Crazy money up here. If I do pursue that train of thought, I may well buy out of state (out of rust belt!) and go that route. I know, "Come to Texas Bret! No salt here!!!" Long drive man!

My '01 GMC had exhaust manifold issues... GMC choose ta use these bolts with lil bitty heads... The heads are aluminum bolts steel and manifolds cast something..,
The bolt head rust off and the manifolds crack and the bolts cease into the heads... Result costly repairs.

Manifolds was almost 900.. EACH! So I bought a "expensive" set of stainless steel shorty headers. Paid 600$ something. Had a local guy do the job for another 500. Less than 1/4 the cost of the dealer and there parts.



These headers bolt to factory exhaust.

Been on since and perfect.

CW

 

[Bret4207]

Were those factory manifolds or something special? I was looking the other day and a cast manifold runs well under $100 per side. Those sure are pretty headers though!

 

[Ian]

I can't speak to salt belt rust, but THE reason that both rear manifold bolts shear off around here is because the GM engineers didn't calculate the the curing growth of cast iron correctly for the material used and didn't allow for it in the fastener slots. Over time, the manifolds get longer along the head surface and the end bolts fatigue from being repeatedly bent during thermal cycling and eventually shear off. If the manifolds aren't cracked, it's best to resurface the old ones (if they even need it, they aren't notorious for warping along the head surface) and enlarge the slots so the bolts don't shear off next time rather than put on new manifolds which will do exactly the same thing the old ones did. Or replace them with tubular manifolds like CW did. Last I checked, the iron manifolds were something less than $100 each with gaskets and bolts at the parts store, but if you go that route, deepen the slots on the ends at least 1/8".

 

[462]

This brings up a question- Do any retirees with medical plans have them after age 65 or do all outfits push you over onto Medicare then? I thought the $$$ I paid in all those years was for a lifetime of medical care, now I find out they push me over onto Medicare on my bday!

Bret,
In '96, my wife took an early (25-years time in service) cash buy-out, when Ma Bell was downsizing and the Baby Bells were born. A stipulation of her separation contract was lifetime no-premium medical coverage for her and me. There were, however, small co-pays for things like office visits and medications. Her becoming Medicare qualified did not change the company's obligation, because it covered what Medicare Part A, B, and D didn't. The company's cost was likely lower, but that was all.

Then, ol' Barry's anointment screwed it all up. On 1-1-15, a part of Obamacare went into effect, dictating companies that had been providing premium-free health insurance to their retirees could no longer do so. (Where were the rich and powerful union bosses, then? Vacationing in the Bahamas? Hmmm . . .) In my wife's case, the company contracted with a third-party health insurance exchange (AON), and we had to select our coverage from a list of insurance companies and their plans.

The company created a "medical insurance account" for my wife. Each year the company approves a certain dollar amount for her and a smaller amount for me. We pay monthly premiums to our insurance company (Blue Shield of California) and the company makes monthly reimbursements till the dollars are depleted. The plan we selected (Medicare Plan F) has the most coverage and the highest premium. The company reimbursements usually run out in September.

The part of the contract -- premium-free health insurance coverage -- the company and my wife agreed to was made null and void by ol' Barry. Now, we have to pay one-fourth of our annual premiums.

Any legal and binding contract is only legal and binding till a non-elected think tank policy writer convinces the Capitol and the White House it's in their best interest to decide otherwise.

Hope this helps answer your question.

 

[Rick]

I'm not putting anything in your mouth. And I can assure you, I know exactly what I'm talking about when it comes to unions and corruption. If you're a union guy, good for you. It doesn't change what I've seen.

We are done with this BS. The only one that said I was a union guy is you and no, you have no idea what you're talking about. To say I've had enough of this BS is an understatement. Now, do you want to continue?

 

[Brad]

Being in a union doesn’t make one a union guy. Sometimes the job requires it so you go along.
Rick and John got the benefits they were promised and worked damned hard to earn.
I am actually a bit envious, I don’t get retiree health benefits at all.

 

[fiver]

i don't even get a retirement so [shrug]

crap Jon where was that video yesterday..... LOL
i won't forget it though, i still have a grundle of garlic sitting here.

lets see what'd i do today?
walked around in the rain for a minute.
clipped some parsnip seeds off, pulled the plants out.
watched the neighbors driveway, and half her front lawn, turn into a quagmire because she won't clean a path to the drain over there.
watched some music videos, threw a dirt clod at the neighbors dog, watched a footie game i taped, recorded, DVR'd, whatever they call it now.
didn't go to the parade for the county fair, went out and looked at some cucumbers, picked a pocket full of green beans...... pretty much it.

 

[Brad]

I worked out, went to work for a couple hours, did some drywall repair at my parents. Went to dinner with my wife and spent some $ at Menards for a storage cabinet I am building for the garage.
Tomorrow will be more drywall work, another couple hours at work, and who knows what else.

 

[462]

The Uni-Flow's cylinder wasn't moving too smoothly enough. Now it is.

My wife told me she wants the potting table, I made two-years-ago, painted.

Loaded some cast bullet test rounds for the .38 Special Uberti 1866 sporting rifle, for Monday's scheduled shoot. Found a 125-grain jacketed accuracy right off, but Lee's 358-158 RF has been elusive.

Speaking of right off -- right off the rifle said it didn't like 158-grain SWCs. Same-same the .357 Rossi/EMF.

 

[Ian]

Been turning, boring, threading, and milling metal for the last day and a half. The Chinese wannabe-a-lathe now has a tumbler assembly and stud gear shaft made and tested.

 

[Winelover]

If she was GM I believe the bailout is what cost her the retirement. I believe there are still lawsuits going on over that.

This brings up a question- Do any retirees with medical plans have them after age 65 or do all outfits push you over onto Medicare then? I thought the $$$ I paid in all those years was for a lifetime of medical care, now I find out they push me over onto Medicare on my bday!

Cindy never worked for the Big Three. Her company was in the adhesive business. Major competitor to 3M.

UAW Medical is lifetime coverage for you and your spouse. When you reach 65 years old, Medicare becomes your primary and BCBS becomes your secondary. Between the two coverages, they pick up the brunt of any medical costs. Your responsible for minimal co-pays, after meeting the yearly deductible............of around one thousand dollars.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Were those factory manifolds or something special? I was looking the other day and a cast manifold runs well under $100 per side. Those sure are pretty headers though!

Maybe but who knows. I was quoted for the job and that was the price... I do know my 6.0 is a special version of the 6.0. It takes different Plugs and every oil change is 25$ more cause of the special filter & extra wt of oil. (7 wts) I know its a torque monster. I go up all but the steepest grades never shifting maintaining curse speed easily. I was pleasantly surprised with the trip. The first time I towed my buddies 26' Donzi fishing boat 2x a year. He used to use his pops Tahoe with a smaller 305 and it labored the whole trip especially on hills. It also gets about 12mpg towing or empty...

CW

 

[dale2242]

Speaking of garlic......
I have peeled a LOT of garlic.
The easiest way I have found is to take my pocketknife and clip the root end off.
As you do pull the cover down one side.
Place the cloves in boiling water for 4 minutes.
Take it out immediately place in cold water to keep from cooking it.
When you have cooled the cloves, the skin will peel right off. Easy Peasy.
I pickle a lot of garlic and use a lot when canning and/'or pickling other veggies.
I may have to go to a drip system for my garden next year.
It`s not that I have to save water, but I hate the way sprinkling makes my tomatoes crack.

 

[Winelover]

Both our full size 2500 Express Chevy vans (2004 & 2010) have 6.0 liter engines. I ordered both, when new. No optional 6.0 engines, except for HD cooling package............which they both have. BTW, 6.0 liter engine is the standard engine for the 2500 Express (3/4 ton) van.

Only difference, I'm aware of, is the oil filter size. I've always done my own oil changes. There is a difference in oil capacity. The 2004 takes 6 quarts, while the 2010 takes 5.5 quarts. There isn't enough size difference between the oil filters, so I expect it's in the sump capacity. Sumps are slightly different.......oil drain is not in the same location on both engines.

I don't tow or rack up the mileage. Both engines are plenty powerful for passing, even on grades. No issues with exhaust manifolds, yet.

 

[Bret4207]

I can't speak to salt belt rust, but THE reason that both rear manifold bolts shear off around here is because the GM engineers didn't calculate the the curing growth of cast iron correctly for the material used and didn't allow for it in the fastener slots. Over time, the manifolds get longer along the head surface and the end bolts fatigue from being repeatedly bent during thermal cycling and eventually shear off. If the manifolds aren't cracked, it's best to resurface the old ones (if they even need it, they aren't notorious for warping along the head surface) and enlarge the slots so the bolts don't shear off next time rather than put on new manifolds which will do exactly the same thing the old ones did. Or replace them with tubular manifolds like CW did. Last I checked, the iron manifolds were something less than $100 each with gaskets and bolts at the parts store, but if you go that route, deepen the slots on the ends at least 1/8".

Huh! Well that makes all the sense in the world for those that break with no rust. Good observation Ian! I am more than a bit leery of starting on the GM because I know wherever I park it, it will be in the way. And getting into intakes and possibly head removal is not a 1 hour job! I wish these heads were like on the older Jeeps where you could get the lifters out without removing the head, but that doesn't appear to be possible from what I can find. I was also under the impression this particular 6.0 has cast iron heads, but I am probably wrong on that. Most of the info I seem to find relates to the later "LS" engines with the "AFM" fuel system and roller lifters, I think. Anyhoo, I have to fix both these trucks. Headers on the Ford, a left side exhaust manifold on the GM, body work on both. And in the end I may sell both and try to find a different rig. I dunno at this point. Too many irons in the fire!!! Oh, and winter is right around the corner!!! Gotta figure out a plan, and fast.

I think today I'm going to putter and do some catch up work. I have a LARGE amount of roofing to unload yet, a dog run to finish, the lawn needs mowing and there is stuff scattered everywhere from numerous mini emergencies. It's also hot as heck, but there a good breeze blowing. I found that trip to get the metal took a lot more out of me than I realized. I don't bounce back so hot anymore. That bothers me.

 

[Bret4207]

Bret,
In '96, my wife took an early (25-years time in service) cash buy-out, when Ma Bell was downsizing and the Baby Bells were born. A stipulation of her separation contract was lifetime no-premium medical coverage for her and me. There were, however, small co-pays for things like office visits and medications. Her becoming Medicare qualified did not change the company's obligation, because it covered what Medicare Part A, B, and D didn't. The company's cost was likely lower, but that was all.

Then, ol' Barry's anointment screwed it all up. On 1-1-15, a part of Obamacare went into effect, dictating companies that had been providing premium-free health insurance to their retirees could no longer do so. (Where were the rich and powerful union bosses, then? Vacationing in the Bahamas? Hmmm . . .) In my wife's case, the company contracted with a third-party health insurance exchange (AON), and we had to select our coverage from a list of insurance companies and their plans.

The company created a "medical insurance account" for my wife. Each year the company approves a certain dollar amount for her and a smaller amount for me. We pay monthly premiums to our insurance company (Blue Shield of California) and the company makes monthly reimbursements till the dollars are depleted. The plan we selected (Medicare Plan F) has the most coverage and the highest premium. The company reimbursements usually run out in September.

The part of the contract -- premium-free health insurance coverage -- the company and my wife agreed to was made null and void by ol' Barry. Now, we have to pay one-fourth of our annual premiums.

Any legal and binding contract is only legal and binding till a non-elected think tank policy writer convinces the Capitol and the White House it's in their best interest to decide otherwise.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Only massive self control and good manners prevent me from going totally foul mouthed when I hear of such an event!!! Same with the GM people and others who lost their pensions due to .gov interference!!! I'm sorry to hear that happened to you. It's simply wrong on mulitple levels, but only the ruling class can get away with such crimes!!!

 

[Bret4207]

Being in a union doesn’t make one a union guy. Sometimes the job requires it so you go along.
Rick and John got the benefits they were promised and worked damned hard to earn.
I am actually a bit envious, I don’t get retiree health benefits at all.

And I was forced to belong to a union also. That is why I have the opinion I do on unions!

 

[Bret4207]

Cindy never worked for the Big Three. Her company was in the adhesive business. Major competitor to 3M.

UAW Medical is lifetime coverage for you and your spouse. When you reach 65 years old, Medicare becomes your primary and BCBS becomes your secondary. Between the two coverages, they pick up the brunt of any medical costs. Your responsible for minimal co-pays, after meeting the yearly deductible............of around one thousand dollars.

I misunderstood your reference to "matching GM " then, sorry. I'm still not clear on just what I'm going to have to do, but all the older retirees say it ends up costing us more. I also wonder how Obamacares "cover your kids till they're 27" is going to work if I'm on Medicare? The younger 2 miscreants still are covered under my plan. Can't get a straight answer on that either.