Like the title says what did you do in your garage/workshop/shed etc today?
Replaced the oil filter housing in the van today.
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I wish I could say I had the energy level to do a whole lot. I feel like I have got more done in the last week, though, then the last six months.
Replaced old florescent lights with LED lights that I had picked up some time back. Hung a set of blinds I picked up for thirty three cents, relative came over and put up window film for me on the walk in door (light and privacy), cleared out a bit of trash, then my body said done.
Really hoped to move my safe in place, just don't have the energy to move 1500+ lbs right now.
I had to repair a couple things at work today, then I did some tinkering on one of my airguns when I got home.
That tinkering involved a hacksaw, a screwdriver, drill & bit, files, and a torch.
Pulled apart an old Simpson 269 analog VOM to see what batteries it needed to get working again.
Pulled new coax into my HAM radio shack (room) that lives above my garage. As I get older, the physical aspects of working on cars is taking it's toll. I can't recover as quickly and need to take a few days off after a long car repair session to give my lower back a break. That's when I sit back and enjoy HAM radio operation and radio electronics work.
Pulling coax sounds so much easier on the back than working on a car.
RG58 or 59?
That is pretty much why I am willing to pay someone to work on my cars now, my back is too messed up at this point, and even putting my shoes on takes its toll. Never liked working on my daily anyway.
Happier to work on my lathe and other machine tools at this point, much easier on me.
Quote from: j.a.f.e. on Mar 17, 2025, 09:56 AMPulling coax sounds so much easier on the back than working on a car.
RG58 or 59?
LMR-400 Steve. It's very ungainly, but at least I can do the work standing up and it's an easy run trough the wall and inside of my garage, and then into the second floor.
I put up a horizontally polarized 6M dipole antenna a few weeks ago and just pulled the coax up into the shack. While I was at it I also pulled a second LMR-400 line to replace an existing LMR-400 line that fed a dual band 2M/70cm antenna. It was damaged when the landscaping contractor hit it with a backhoe last year. I patched it, but the SWR went from 1.3 at 147.5MHz (my sweet spot for local repeater traffic) to just below 3.0. It just wasn't right anymore.
Quote from: bmwrd0 on Mar 17, 2025, 05:45 PMThat is pretty much why I am willing to pay someone to work on my cars now, my back is too messed up at this point, and even putting my shoes on takes its toll. Never liked working on my daily anyway.
Happier to work on my lathe and other machine tools at this point, much easier on me.
I'm with you on the back issues my friend. I do love working on my cars, but sooner or later we all have to face the fact that even though the knowledge and motivation is there, the execution becomes the big problem. I'm still holding on, but I don't do work for friends and neighbors anymore. Most all of them understand my reasoning.
Never worked with LMR-400. Mostly RG58 and 59. I imagine it's pretty stiff.
I always liked terminating them though. For some reason that was always fun.
Played inexplicable coil pack games on mother-in-law's 2011 Nissan Altima. Car was running rough, obviously a cylinder misfiring and threw up a P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire) code. Swapped the coil packs between 2 and 3, fired the car up and it runs smoothly.
Had a similar thing happen with my Corolla a few years ago, problem never returned after doing the swap.
Quote from: Der Bugmeister on Mar 17, 2025, 11:30 PMPlayed inexplicable coil pack games on mother-in-law's 2011 Nissan Altima. Car was running rough, obviously a cylinder misfiring and threw up a P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire) code. Swapped the coil packs between 2 and 3, fired the car up and it runs smoothly.
Had a similar thing happen with my Corolla a few years ago, problem never returned after doing the swap.
It's probably the boot arcing through. By pulling it up and shoving it back down you most likely fixed the issue temporarily. Once the boot goes through some heat cycles the problem may come back -- Fingers crossed B-Meister.
I was in no shape to work on anything for a few years and only in the last two years have I started getting back to anything close to what I used to do. Yesterday I started pulling apart a 1968 Wheel Horse Lawn Ranger that I used to mow the yard for years apart. Likely have the old pooped out Tecumseh engine off tonight and start looking at what modifications I will need to make to repower the old girl with a 6.5 HP Harbor Freight Honda clone Predator engine. Likely a change on the base mount, and definite change needed to relocating and fitting the fuel tank.
I would have preferred repowering with an old Kohler 7HP side pulley engine, but cannot justify doing so with this HF engine sitting here, new in the box that I have had for 10-15 years. For just a little fab work, and virtually no cost I can put the WH back in service. I feel a tad guilty repowering this fine old machine with a Chinese Honda clone, but console myself with the knowledge the next owner can always do the job right with an old Kohler with just a few hours of work. Besides, my need is immediate, I have no money to burn for another engine, and the HF Predator engines have fantastic reviews.
The only downside is the original engine was key start and the HF engine is recoil start only. But on the plus side, no replacing the battery every other year.
Friday I did an front cover and oil pan gasket
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Started taking apart an old plane to see it I could get it into decent shape.
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This what I do when I have insomnia and don't want to make a lot of noise.
I Evap-O-rust soaked a few old rusty wrenches, finished off on the wire wheel, also soaked several rusty c clamps. The clamps got cold blued followed by an oil soak, then stored away.
Cold blue as y'all know isn't the most durable, but it is fast and easy which works well for me. Plus, it looks super when done. I can always easily redo if ever needed.
I had to do some work on my Coleman bt200x minibike.
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I had to remove the rear wheel to identify where the leak was, and realized that the tire really just needs to be replaced so I'll remove the 1st too and replace both.
I also worked on relocating the support bracket for the aftermarket muffler and exhaust header I had installed on it about a year ago.
Once I get the important issues fixed, the next thing will be replacing the tool bag I had mounted on the rear rack with the toolbox somebody abandoned in the parking lot where I work on Sunday.
I wish I was in your shop for 15 minutes. I would love to try that Wright 15" ratchet.
I really like my Easco one, but am looking for something for my niece.
Quote from: AbiggerGarage on Apr 10, 2025, 09:21 AMI wish I was in your shop for 15 minutes. I would love to try that Wright 15" ratchet.
I really like my Easco one, but am looking for something for my niece.
The WRIGHT 3425 is 11".
I wish they offered a 15" 3/8 ratchet, that would be awesome.
Quote from: Uncle Buck on Mar 31, 2025, 07:22 AMI Evap-O-rust soaked a few old rusty wrenches, finished off on the wire wheel, also soaked several rusty c clamps. The clamps got cold blued followed by an oil soak, then stored away.
Cold blue as y'all know isn't the most durable, but it is fast and easy which works well for me. Plus, it looks super when done. I can always easily redo if ever needed.
Any pictures of the cold blued stuff or what you use to do it?
I did some more work on my minibike after work today.
I took a few inches off my aftermarket exhaust header, then made and mounted an exhaust header support.
I also went through the carb and checked the gas tank since I haven't been able to ride it in over 6 months.
The carb bowl was spotless and the fuel was still good.
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Quote from: AbiggerGarage on Apr 13, 2025, 06:08 PMQuote from: Uncle Buck on Mar 31, 2025, 07:22 AMI Evap-O-rust soaked a few old rusty wrenches, finished off on the wire wheel, also soaked several rusty c clamps. The clamps got cold blued followed by an oil soak, then stored away.
Cold blue as y'all know isn't the most durable, but it is fast and easy which works well for me. Plus, it looks super when done. I can always easily redo if ever needed.
Any pictures of the cold blued stuff or what you use to do it?
I have a number of pics of tools I have cold blued. Sadly, I have yet to figure out how to get the pictures from my phone to the site. If I do ever figure out how to do that I will have tons of pictures of tool/shop pics I really want to share.
Have muddy give you a tutorial on saving your pics to an online free photo hosting site and then link all those pics back to the GH. It's free and quite easy to do.
So far today I just removed the front tire off my minibike, but when my tires arrive this afternoon I'll install them then get my minibike back up and going and go for a ride.
Fired up the old South Bend to see what I never got around to adjusting properly and put a price on it, to make room for the Logan. Beautiful lathe, but too big for my tiny shop.
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Quote from: bmwrd0 on Apr 16, 2025, 07:22 PMFired up the old South Bend to see what I never got around to adjusting properly and put a price on it, to make room for the Logan. Beautiful lathe, but too big for my tiny shop.
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Great looking old machine!
Quote from: Uncle Buck on Apr 16, 2025, 08:15 PMQuote from: bmwrd0 on Apr 16, 2025, 07:22 PMFired up the old South Bend to see what I never got around to adjusting properly and put a price on it, to make room for the Logan. Beautiful lathe, but too big for my tiny shop.
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Great looking old machine!
I have to second that.
Put brakes on the daily beater. Had a helper, he's very organized and focused... At least for on corner then I had to do the rest. Guess that's what happens when you hire 7 yr olds ;) The left rear caliper needs to be rebuilt, so I ordered a kit.
I also changed headlights from halogen to LED. And changed the engine oil. The spots that the car has been leaving for a while now appears to be the typical intake manifold gaskets. I've done 4.3 engines several times but the 3.1 looks more involved.
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Is that not your fathers old Oldsmobile? (I always thought that was the worst marketing that helped kill a good car company)
Installed a cat door & porthole ....
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Pep
Nice work guys! Everyone of your projects look pretty cool.
I have to tackle a transmission fluid and filter on my 03 Dakota. Will tackle that tomorrow.
Quote from: AbiggerGarage on Apr 19, 2025, 11:22 PMIs that not your fathers old Oldsmobile? (I always thought that was the worst marketing that helped kill a good car company)
Nah my dad was smarter then me to buy an Oldsmobile lol
I used the 1×30 belt grinder to turn my little Channellock nippers into a flush nipper.
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Quote from: Muddy on Apr 21, 2025, 06:01 PMQuote from: AbiggerGarage on Apr 19, 2025, 11:22 PMIs that not your fathers old Oldsmobile? (I always thought that was the worst marketing that helped kill a good car company)
Nah my dad was smarter then me to buy an Oldsmobile lol
:) Maybe, but I know a lot of "car guys" who will only buy early 2000's Ford Panther platforms or any GM platform with the 3800 V6 and 4T60 or 4T65 transmissions. "Dad" or "grandpa" cars like these are bullet proof and cheap to own. Easy to fix and parts are still plentiful. 8)
You're a mechanic and the last thing any of us that ever turned a wrench for a living wanted to do, was to work on our own cars. Wife/girlfiend --OK, but a mechanic's own ride usually received little attention.
Quote from: goodfellow on Apr 27, 2025, 05:01 AMQuote from: Muddy on Apr 21, 2025, 06:01 PMQuote from: AbiggerGarage on Apr 19, 2025, 11:22 PMIs that not your fathers old Oldsmobile? (I always thought that was the worst marketing that helped kill a good car company)
Nah my dad was smarter then me to buy an Oldsmobile lol
:) Maybe, but I know a lot of "car guys" who will only buy early 2000's Ford Panther platforms or any GM platform with the 3800 V6 and 4T60 or 4T65 transmissions. "Dad" or "grandpa" cars like these are bullet proof and cheap to own. Easy to fix and parts are still plentiful. 8)
You're a mechanic and the last thing any of us that ever turned a wrench for a living wanted to do, was to work on our own cars. Wife/girlfiend --OK, but a mechanic's own ride usually received little attention.
Buying a OBD2 but pre over computerized car for a daily beater is the best thing a guy can do
I did some work around the yard trimming most off the rose bush and the other plant next to it.
Then I had to work on my little electric chipper.
The blades were hosed and needed to be flipped around to the fresh edges, but the screws were frozen and starting to strip a bit.
I had to gently heat then wd40 the screws, tap on them a little, then hammer a T40 bit into the 6mm hex and take em out with the 1/4 impact.
Since I put it off last weekend (which was chilly and damp) I ended up doing the leaking intake manifold on my car today (which was colder and windier then last weekend)
So I improvised a bit and pull it in the basement/garage a bit.
I'm not doing a write up on this as I don't want to remember doing it. Definitely more of a chore on the 60° V6s then the vortex style. 20 lbs of crap in a 12 lb bag.
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Great job Tim. At least it's a proper aluminum design. Replacing intake gaskets on modern cars that are equipped with thermoplastic manifolds is often a quick lesson in frustration. Keep working on the older vehicles and keep them on the road. It's money on the bank.
Glad Sam was able to help.
GF
Thanks Ray. I've had it for about 5 yrs now. This is the first "major" project I've done to it. Other then brakes and brake lines.
I believe the front main seal is leaking (I'm hoping it just the seal and not the whole front cover) it rotted the rubber out of the front motor mount. So it needs motor mounts too. And while taking the belt off I learned the tensioner is shot. So I have a belt and tensioner coming.
Otherwise its just the typical 90s GM quality that nickel and dimes you.
Quote from: Muddy on Nov 29, 2025, 07:20 PM.........Otherwise its just the typical 90s GM quality that nickel and dimes you.
Isn't it ironic that we used to bitch and complain about the cars at the time, but when compared to more recent model years, those old car engines and electronics now seem like quality designs.
I'm a firm believer in the notion that the heyday of modern cars were the years between around 1995 and 2010 - Give or take a few years depending on the manufacturer.