What did you do with tools today?

[goodfellow]

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.

[Muddy]

Is 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

[Hickory n Steel]

I used the 1×30 belt grinder to turn my little Channellock nippers into a flush nipper.

[goodfellow]

Is 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.   

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.

[Muddy]

Is 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.   

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

[Hickory n Steel]

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.

[Muddy]

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.

[goodfellow]

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

[Muddy]

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.

[goodfellow]

.........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.