Workin' on the Pocket Rocket: part 1

Friday found me with a handful of cash, a set of ramps, and a dream. It was time to change the fluids in the Rocket, and by hell, I was going to enjoy the good weather. Plus the Pocket's official roadie, Greg, was on hand to take some pictures.


After getting her up on the ramps, and chocking the back tires, it was time to get down to business. I had stopped at the Advanced Auto Parts place just down the street, and the friendly cats working there helped me get all the necessary items to continue on my quest of making the van road-worthy for our trip down to Texas in mid-March. They even rented me a torque wrench when mine wouldn't function.


The oil needed a serious change, since we'd been pushing her through the mountains of PA. Nothing seriously wrong, just the rich black of a engine run long and hard. If you're interested, she runs 5w-30 through her, usually of the Castrol High-Mileage or the Valvoline High-Mileage specialty blends. As with all old vehicles, I also add in a small bit of the Marvel Mystery Oil into the crank case.






Here's the various fluids she takes. Of course, we bought a case of oil. Why? She gonna need an oil change when we get back from Texas anyway, so why not have the oil ready? Also, I try and use K&N fliters (sponsorship, K&N?), but this time I had to go with a Fram, since Advanced was out of the K&N filter for the Rocket's massive engine.

Also, the scrapers are for the next bit, lowering the transmission pan, cleaning the pan, replacing the filter, and refilling the transmission fluid. How much fun is that? I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Just layin' around

Wiping down the transmission pan

All clean and ready to be reinstalled

"How the hell does this thing go back on?"

"Let's just get this out of the damned way..."

"And now we dance the dance of joy!"

After all was said and done, the transmission pan drop was much easier than the last one I had to do on my old 1980 Chevy Citation, but that's because I had to use gasket sealant, which is just a stone cold drag. Whatever. Anyway, the Pocket Rocket is ready shoot off to Texas, carrying the band members in comfort, safety and (1977) style. Awwww yeah.

Keep an eye here, as I'll be doing a brake inspection on the van on Tuesday, and if we manage to get any shots that won't bore the tears out of you, they'll be posted here with a full tear-down assessment.

Keep up that funk, ya'll.
-Nate on bass