So, after months of saving, I finally bought the tracks and seals.
Today I began knocking all the old bearings and seals from the original bogies and installing a new bearings and seals... unfortunately the bearings arent giving up without a fight.
I search high and low for an extended length air hammer chisel with absolutely NO luck... So I picked up 2 packs of chisels from harbor freight, hacked the end off and extended it with some hardened shaft I had lying around in my shop, heated the working end and quenched it for added strength. Even then, my snap-on air hammer couldnt push them free.
Ive currently resorted to turning my plasma cutter all the way down (10A) and cutting a notch in the seal and bearing to make a crushing point. This is working, but taking a lot of time.
The other problem ive noticed is that 3 of the bogies had their seals ground all the way to the tube, and rounded the end hole so big; that the new seal literally just drops in place.... therefore I need to replace those tubes, which will cost $156 each.
Im going to call some more salvage places around the US and try to buy up some used ones, and pickup some extra bogie wheels since some of mine look VERY worn.
NOW, I installed a new battery in the skid, and plugged in the fuel pump (which I thought was dead, but a bench test revealed that it wasnt receiving power from the harness) only to find out that the pump is only turned on when the engine is cranking. No biggie, glad to see something works!
When the engine is idling, all is well, 100% throttle runs good as well. Its that mid range 60-95% throttle that it puffs and stutters. The tank was cleaned, and new filter installed.... still does it. Im hoping maybe the injectors are toast? I might try some 2 stroke oil... I remember this working wonders for my old cummins.... brought her back to life.... or.. more like gave me some more borrowed time before the lift pump finally quits.
Here is a video of it: