Self Isolation in the Garage - Post Your Car Projects

[twistedwankel]

So after one year and a week I had to top off the AC with a lb of juice =$8. Cheap fix for an original 16yr old car w/93k. Cleaned the wheels for the first time in 6 months.

[aw614]

Forum posts seem to mention those with ABS having the rear brakes wear faster than the fronts.

Now that you mention it, most of my later Hondas behaved like that.

Well for sure my rwd RX8 wore out 2 sets of rear pads to one front set but I attributed that to traction control.
Doesn't explain a fwd Honda?
My vette and Crown Vic wore out the fronts first by a mile.
A number of years.

My FWD GTI did the same thing, I think at 30k my rears were half worn while my fronts looked good.

Those are basically the only cars in my family with rear discs, the rest all have rear drums...

[Evil MS3]

I'm still on my OEM original rears on the Mazdaspeed3 after 75k miles. Weird. Been through plenty of front pads tho lol

[Rawkkrawler]

Clutch time!

In all fairness to my clutch, I had a rear main seal leak for a year or so. The pressure plate was a little oily. Clutch wasn't terrible, just a light slip at low RPM under acceleration in 5th gear.

What was done:

Clutch
Pressure plate
Throwout bearing
Resurfaced flywheel
Oil pan gasket
Rear main seal
Rear pinion seal

[Jamie]

Over the last month, I've removed the entire drivetrain from the parts Suburban...the engine came out last weekend. Turning it over by hand yielded no ugly noises, and it pumped the oil I squirted into the spark plug ports right back out onto the floor, so it seems to be sealing OK; a leakdown test will confirm that. Then on to replace the water pump and flush the coolant passages, convert the distributor from breaker points to electronic, test the alternator and starter, find new temperature and oil pressure sensors, get the carburetor cleaned...it's nowhere near ready to put into the running truck yet, but at least it's out where I can work on it. And the transmission needs to be sent out for a rebuild, unless I find a 5-speed unit that will plug in without drama.

[twistedwankel]

Good thing I sold Vette to daughter.
Yard looks great.

[Solar]

Started in March and its still a work in progress, I've been getting the 240sx back to running well and being a reliable weekend driver for the last few months: new MAF, plugs, wires, vacuum lines, belts, hoses, battery, rebuilt trans, aluminum flywheel, new clutch, supported the engine and dropped the lower K member and fixed every damn oil leak (front, rear main seal, oilpan gasket), power steering hoses, and re built the rack, cleaned and degreased the engine, installed a new aluminum engine shield pan . Streetable alignment pretty much back to stock, new Michelin all season tires all the way around. Getting the interior squared away, replaced the faded and ugly wiper and turn signal stalks, new LED guage lights, shifter boot, new carpet and have the seats, door panels and glove box down at the upholstery shop. Hope to have it in the body shop by the end of the year and get a nice new coat of well needed paint.

[twistedwankel]

Way to go Brian. I too have street alignment and AS performance tires on RX8. Lord we've owned these cars way too long

[Tim_M]

Brian - that is some transformation! The carpet shot is impressive...

[Loren]

I feel like such a slacker. I'm lucky to just get in each of my cars and get them out for a drive every week or so lately!

[twistedwankel]

Brian and Loren are you both still skinny after being cooped up for 6 months? I'll bet even tall Charles has a paunch by now
I use the garage door exclusively to go get the mail now. Drive to box and back as air is filtered in car.
Changed filters last year as one was covered in Squirrel or Rat shit blocking AC to driver's side. Good ole FL. Only had it under carport a couple months with car cover. Now leave partially opened bag of mothballs under car parked there always. No more animals. They just finished a new house next door after 15years so maybe the vermin will be gone now?
Still the bag of Balls works great and puts new meaning to a mothballed car for me.

How come we have to wear a mask more places than before? This is getting rediculous. Just leave the party bars open until they all get immunity. Those same kids are now going to work in the polling places to replace the bailing oldies so we mailed in our ballots early.

Thinking about a cheap cruise in Nov or Dec. Need to go somewhere. Anywhere interesting. Can't drive anywhere with FL plate as they will quarantine us there for 14 days in a hotel. Yikes. Prices in stores are so high now that the masked checkout people now say "Stick em up."

Hope you all stay well. I'm thinking about renaming Dougopolous to Harmony. Would rather live in Harmony.

[Loren]

While I've not done anything with cars for nearly 6 months, I have managed to not gain weight. Cathy and I actually decided to go vegetarian a couple weeks ago... I might even be losing weight.

Driving school business exploded this summer. Busy, busy, busy. Teaching while talking through a mask sucks, but at least we're not spreading anything around.

[Solar]

Brian - that is some transformation! The carpet shot is impressive...

Thanks Tim ! I should be getting the seats and door panels back from the upholstery shop this week and I will post some pics. Going into the body shop at the end of the year, figured I have rare stock no rust 240sx, so might as well make it nice. Won't be as nice as your Nova though

Doug, I had been off work for 4 months and just got back to work last month, those 4 months were either working on the 240, drinking beer,, and.......I think thats it lol. I had put on a couple pounds but after a few weeks back on the bicycle and eating well again I'm lean and mean again

Loren, good to hear you're doing well, Steve had been telling me how well your school has been going Not sure about the vegetarian thing though, how can you not eat BBQ anymore ?

Stay safe everyone !

[AScoda]

2 words. Square top.

[AScoda]

I have to fix IAT connector. The wires coming out of the plug were barely attached and when I started messing with they wires disconnected completely right where they come out of the connector, so nothing to splice to.

[Tim_M]

2 words. Square top.

squaretop.jpg

Drew - I don't speak Miata...what does this mean?

I see a turbo...did you add that?

Brian: where are the pics of the seats?

[Solar]

Drew: Yes I agree with Tim, what is happening ? Is it the tower bar ?

[Solar]

Brian: where are the pics of the seats?

So funny you happen to ask, I finally got the drivers seat back yesterday after 6 weeks, it was really battered and they did a great job rebuilding it. Got everything installed in the interior today and its pretty much done minus a small vinyl repair on the door panel, getting that done next week. It came out great, hard to believe its the same car inside, and I got the sound deadening pad on the carpet and that was really worth it, much quieter inside. Going to the body shop in November/December, after that it should be worthy to park next to the Nova or at least be parked at Cars & Coffee.

[Tim_M]

Brian - that looks like an image out of a 1990's 240SX car brochure - very nice.

[AScoda]

Oh, yes. for the non Miata guys- New intake manifold. Tim, this is a Mazdaspeed factory turbo.
The square top or flat top manifold was never used in the US. Europe and Australia are most common sources. It flows a little better than the ones on US versions. The stock mani on this motor has butterflies in the intake runners that will choke the flow to help with cold starts. Super useful in Florida.
So larger upper plenum and no obstructions in the lower intake runners. Also saved maybe 3 pounds.