^Yep. No need for a dissertation.   I think it goes like this… *The Vega car was as good or better than anything else in it’s class in that era. *The aluminum 4 cyl engine…maybe not so much.  *I wish I had a Cosworth Vega.                    Done ... View more

😂 As soon as you get off your Rocking Horse tell us more about the Rochester FI system and the 73 Oldsmobile.  ... View more

I understand it’s not exactly what you were looking for but… My dad grew up working on cars. For him they were an appliance, nothing more. I sought education in prep for a different career. Because of that my adolescent fascination stuck and working on fun cars, on my schedule is, well…fun. So technically every time I mess with one of those cars I’m using what I learned in school.  sidenote: before anyone thinks I’m being critical of an automotive career, my brother bought the family business and retired earlier and in a much higher tax bracket than I did. ... View more

Nice! Grew up on a crushed rock road so I get this. Way less dust too.  Congrats!     ... View more

Agree on the radiator if it’s a modified engine or came with those damn plastic OEM end-tanks. That I would add to my RX7 as a no-brainer mod.  But I don’t know, on most cars with a stock engine aftermarket aluminum…especially with electric fans just doesn’t look right to me. While a cleaned and pressure-tested copper OEM with good hoses, belts and pump is fine the majority of time, unless slow parades on hot summer afternoons is your major thing. Again…I’m thinking no-brainer mods, as in…the factory should have done it that way in the first place.  ... View more

On my 93 RX7 moving to a programmable ECU and being able to remove emissions was kind of a no-brainer. That simplified the ‘rat’s nest’ of solenoids and vacuum lines by half, as well as some trouble-prone components. It also added needed space to the engine bay, removed a lot of heat and a improved performance. Lots of good recommendations for Pertronix, but my experience with an early 50’s Chevrolet over the past 40 years and maybe 40k miles hasn’t given me any reason to believe it’s really a “no-brainer” as I’ve not really had issues. 🤔 ... View more

I’d never buy a worn out used engine on-line. Especially from someone who desperately resorts to spamming forums. ... View more

If you caught these kids what should YOU do?   See if you can get an audience with your Council and/or County Board representative. Show them the pictures, civilly explain your concerns and request more patrol of the area, some targeted enforcement and possibly some barriers. Then maybe post something positive about the meeting on social media…politicians love that stuff, and it puts a bit more public pressure on both them and LE to take action. It can also be a catalyst for others in the hood to be vocal about wanting it.  This is where the value of your pics are. The police won’t use them as evidence for any retro- enforcement citations, and I would caution against any further detentions of violators on the path. You’re opening yourself up civilly and the pictures would also document that.   ... View more

First car to to interest me as much as pretty girls was the 1970 240z. I was 15.  I thought it just couldn’t get any better than that…until the Panteras started arriving at the local Mercury dealership. I was 17.  I just knew it would never get better than that…until the 1st Gen. RX7 came out. I was 26, recently out of college and could actually AFFORD one in 1981. I was positive it wouldn’t ever get any better than that…and it didn’t since I sold it a couple years later to buy a house. Then it was a pretty girl again… and I got married. Then children. Then the 3rd Gen. RX7’s arrived in 93 and I was absolutely CERTAIN it would NEVER get better than THAT! At least that’s what I told my wife. She remained unconvinced until we got a bigger house.  I did, eventually, wear that pretty girl down though and got the RX7 several years ago. I’m keeping it  but still want to get that 240z. 🤔 Just need to find a way to explain to her it just can’t get ANY better than that. 😉 ... View more

^ Regarding a rotary engine,  IMO it makes NO sense to buy a used engine when a new short block can be had for the same money, and from a number of reputable vendors here in the states. Your post looks like spam to me anyway. And if you have to spam, that’s usually a sign the product isn’t very good. ... View more

That’s a cool tool…and it looks like something even I could learn how to use. I’ve used cable ends just like that to add strategic grounds to my RX7. But instead of crimping I put it hollow side up in a vise and filled the hollow about 2/3 with molten solder using a heat gun.  Then I stick the pre-stripped wire in and after a few seconds letting the solder cool I can’t pull it out.  Slide some heat-shrink, or wrap with self-fusing silicone tape and it looks really finished too.  Of course this is with the wire out of the car. Your tool would be invaluable when that’s not possible or practical… which is giving me an idea. 🤔 ... View more

GENERALLY speaking… 4-post for storage and very occasional maintenance. Less effort to get the cars on and off but they take more floor space and will require accessories like jacks and trollies to do stuff like brakes and suspension work. If you do go 4-post I recommend going with an open front model. A little more money but much better access and easier on your forehead.   2-post allows MUCH better access for almost any repair and maintenance task and takes up a lot less floor space. More effort to load the car. It will also require a minimum thickness of concrete and should be professionally installed. Not so good for storage as suspension is left in full droop and you don’t have things like  drip pans to protect the car underneath. I like the asymmetric models to easily get in and out of the car.  As for brands, I only have experience with the Rotary lifts. Popular in dealerships they’re pro-quality but that’s also reflected in price. They’re other good brands too. ... View more

@PaulShinn  Since I imagine just about every running ‘A’ has had the engine rebuilt at some point,  what was their objection to a detergent oil in it afterwards?   And apparently the starter of this thread doesn’t like the “conversation” all that much. He hasn’t been back since starting the thread 4 months ago.  ... View more

A few years ago I bought a big pipe cutter at one of those antique malls for $5. Think “brake line cutter” on steroids for a mental image. Lord knows I’m not smart enough to be a plumber, and not sure why I bought it. It wasn’t beat up and all the rollers/blades were still sharp, but it looked pretty forlorn with a lot of dirt and surface rust. But it was CHEAP. At least that’s how I tried to explain the purchase to my wife. Anyway, I got it to the shop and let it soak a day or two in the parts washer before giving it a good scrub, a generous shot of PB Blaster and then hanging it on the pegboard... until a week or so ago. I don’t have a fancy bandsaw but needed a clean and square cut on an exhaust pipe. That thing worked like a charm and earned its keep on that one single job. Afterward, I came home and bragged to the wife like “yeah, I knew it all along”. 😉 ... View more

Agree with hyperv6. Synthetic formulation has also changed a lot over the past few decades. What wasn’t appropriate in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s is as good, and often better, than what manufacturers recommended in the owner’s manual...as long as it meets API specs and contains  any needed modifiers.  Another consideration is availability. Most manuals recommend the manufacturer’s own brand, which usually costs a bit more and may not be as convenient as the local chain parts store. And that can lead to delaying or avoiding the fluid changes all together. All that said, if the owner doesn’t care to do the requisite research staying with that manual is always the safest bet.  ... View more

Edited ... View more

@TomMeadows ” Starting fluid is an excellent way to catch a car on fire, as I know from personal experience. On any modern car the mechanical temperature of the intake system will instantly turn the fluid into vapor that will create an educational fireball when it hits the exhaust system.”   I definitely agree there is that risk. The advantage of it over say...propane from a torch, is that any change in engine idle is probably quicker. I have used propane with success but you have to move slow around suspect areas to give the engine a chance to respond if it’s going to. There is a little advantage though of being able to more accurately find the location of the leak with the end of the propane torch. Helpful in some circumstances. These days I have a friend with one of those cool smoke machines.  But I think I’d still prefer to do stuff like that outside. ... View more

I have two “fun” cars.  Both have been owned and maintained by me for a long time...one for over 40 years (since buying it from my parents) and the other almost 20. I mention this because it led me to being way too cavalier in repairs over the late winter, and caused both to still be on a lift well into I spring. Dirty details might bore, but on my old 52 Chevrolet 235 I needed to replace a leaking four piece oil pan gasket. This car is so simple by today’s standards....right?  So even though I hadn’t done it in 40 years, why should I take this job seriously?  Why indeed...🤦‍ ♂️ . Instead of doing a little research I jumped into it...and twice installed the gasket set wrong. After draining the oil on the second attempt it took all of 10 minutes of research on the net to discover how I was screwing it up. But by then I was buying my third set of gaskets at ~ $30 per. So with the shipping wait, a job that I thought would fill a weekend took about 90 days.  On my RX7 I developed a leaking transmission input shaft seal which required dropping the transmission. Something I’d done maybe a half-dozen times on my car over the years...and helped other owners on two or three more occasions. Once out, the seal replacement took maybe 30 minutes but there were some other “while you’re at it”  things I decided to take care of, including a new clutch disc and replacing a clutch master that was starting to sweat. No big deal, right? After everything went back together I spent the next 2 weeks trying to bleed the clutch hydraulics. Finally, after considering a night at the HOLIDAY INN and drinking a V8, a re-examination revealed that those hydraulics were doing everything they were suppose to do. But that new clutch disc I mentioned earlier? Yeah...I’d put it in backwards. Not being deliberate in something so simple caused me to spend another afternoon dropping that transmission a second time to flip the clutch disc over.  Anyway, just thought I’d vent and share in hopes it helps others down the line. Edit: this could probably be in Sajeev’s “when simple gets complicated” thread. He’s welcome to move if he likes.  ... View more

👍  Good list. Not sure why but I never remember the dialectic grease. Thanks for the reminder. FWIW I also like to keep low-temp (silver) anti-seize around. In addition to being requisite on plug threads going into aluminum housings and heads, a small light skim coat on hubs is great for keeping drums and rotors from sticking/rusting to hub faces. It also keeps aluminum wheels from sticking to the steel hub bores. Just a dab on stud threads helps get an accurate torque with those same wheels. ... View more

👌  Simple and easy. Both traits I tend to do well with. And I have a candidate car.  Now...how about some tips on how to find that damn tube with the dip-stick in the dark well of an engine bay with just room light. 🤔 ... View more

I agree, good questions. I’m not an oil guru but IMO it depends largely on the car. I won’t give you brands because  you’ve already figured out brands have their own hype. It ends up like asking what the best brand of beer is. BUT,  I own two nearly polar-opposite cars that I believe require different oil. Maybe this will help... Car #1: an early 50’s Chevrolet six. I run traditional mineral oil in an appropriate viscosity for my climate. I use traditional oil because it usually plays better with the types of seals and gaskets found in old engines, it runs cooler than modern engines and the tolerances were much more generous in those days, so the extra sheer qualities and cost of synthetic is wasted. I also use a brand’s “racing” formula even though suggesting it could be a race car is like saying Dolly Parton could be an Olympic swimmer. I use it because it’s got ZDDP which is sacrificial anti-wear metal that used to be common in old oil formulas but was taken out for environmental reasons these days in MOST oils. Hence the ‘racing’ part. Car #2:  A mid 90’s Turbocharged two-rotor import sports car. In that I run a modern synthetic. Machine tolerances are tighter,  the engine runs much hotter and the oils responsibility for cooling is way higher,  AND MOSTLY for synthetic’s superior shear strength and heat tolerance for the journal bearings of those hot turbos. Sorry, long winded way of answering your questions with...”it depends”.  ... View more

👏 👏 Just had “chase the threads” conversation with regard to a cast turbo exhaust manifold and downpipe. In that case I also recommended hi-temp anti seize which seems to get forgotten but also helps with an accurate torque...and hopefully avoid broken fasteners in the future.  ... View more

Had the old Chevy on the lift late this winter resealing the pan. I second the brake line inspection. I confess I wasn’t really inspecting but luckily happen to notice a hard line had broken loose and was lying against the frame. Fortunately caught it in time with no damage. But I’ll really “inspect” next time. Good tip. 👍 ... View more

I don’t recall seeing the Van episode either. I’ll have to look for it to stream. Pretty, young, and if she appeared on that show she likely had a good sense of humor. Obviously a great talent. Damn cancer.  ... View more

🤣 LOL...yeah.  ... View more

Out numbered I am, that’s for sure. 😇 I just hope someone doesn’t have a pet allergy. Gives them more choices.  ... View more

 🤦‍ ♂️   ... View more

I was just going to comment on the wheels too. The size and off-set look perfect for the car.  ... View more

Again, you’re trying to be gentle. I have a strong opinion that I don’t believe gentle is beneficial. I believe honesty and frankness is the better medicine...even when it doesn’t get me likes. And some things I said were for illustration, but nothing was “nasty”. 😇 ... View more

“None of us were born having owned. driven, worked for or sacrificed for a car, so that doesn't make sense as a complaint. Enthusiasm at an age when one does not have the means - and experience with the culture is what combines to create the motivation to drive/purchase/build that first car.” So by your definition the 4 year old neighbor boy who is “enthusiastic” about cars and likes to ride a battery operated corvette up and down the driveway is part of the “car culture” or “community”?  Nope.   You can be enthusiastic about being a Chef, but until you sweat hours over a stove, burnt your finger on a hot pan, created your own recipe or added your own twist to an old recipe ...your not part of the culinary culture or community,  Seems most are bending backwards to be kind to a adolescent boy...to encourage him with his interest. That’s fine, until he starts confusing reality. Despite lacking ANY semblance of experience do I recall him seeking guidance or opinion. Instead he authoritatively shares his opinions and perceptions gathered from in front of his laptop. If it continues, if he’s not corrected, I see REAL disappointment...and a comfort animal in his future.    ... View more

👍 I agree...would make an awesome thread keeping us posted on your project, especially with pictures as you progress. Who knows, it might help someone else down the road...pun intended. 😉 No personal experience but I think the process is reversible, so it might make sense to save the OEM bits if you have the room. Just a thought.  I do have indirect experience thru friends who unknowingly bought Chinese knock-off pumps. So I would stick with the well known vendors to avoid that ‘junk’ that Sajeev mentioned.   ... View more

Of course the big elephant in the thread is that you really know nothing of the “car community”. You’re a 14 year old adolescent who hasn’t  worked and sacrificed for a car. You don’t own a car. You haven’t driven a car and you haven’t repaired and maintained a car. In my opinion being a real part of the community requires one or more of the above. Being enthusiastic isn’t enough. I suspect that if you really did experience hostility in those other platforms of social media that it was as a result of this lack of any real experience.  Like computer gaming, you’re confusing reality again...which is really sad. I guess this puts me in the “bad” category, but I can guarantee you won’t beat up a 10 year old.  ... View more

I’ve got one that needs “restoring”. But it’s a newer modern metal-clad door on my shop and still functions fine, so I’ve been procrastinating. Some years ago my then teenage son volunteered to move the old car from in front of the door. Turned the key and pushed the starter button but forgot to put it in neutral.  ... View more

    “ Almost always better to be "over" equipped than "under", or even just "adequately"...” I disagree. A decently maintained 1/2 ton truck is just fine for the majority of towing tasks the average owner will have. And you don’t have the cost of purchase, size, increase fuel cost and other baggage that comes with 3/4 ton. For many, like me, larger is largely unnecessary, especially with a “tow package” and modern trailers.  I’m not certain where you guys are driving and I know there’s always the lowest common denominator, but I rarely see the issues you describe. In fact I see a lot more of what I call “compensator  trucks”...way more truck than the owner will ever need...often with a spotless receiver. A free society and free market are wonderful things. 👍     ... View more

Solely because it’s pulling a goose-neck doesn’t mean a half-ton truck is anywhere near overweight or unsafe at all. Indeed, it might be safer than a 3/4 ton truck with a bumper- pull trailer of equal or even lesser weight.  As a former Emergency Vehicle driving instructor I can testify that the world is full of people who think they’re better/smarter drivers than they really are. That includes your’s truly when I attended my first instructor class...and still occasionally in my sports car. That’s one of the reasons its fun. While I’m not generally a fan of nanny-ism, drivers aids usually are good things. And driver aids don’t get you into trouble, but they don’t always overcome over-confidence and bale you out either.  You are almost always the limiting factor.  ... View more

When do you go to school? ... View more

*Gasket paper, for the NLA gaskets. * 90w gear oil. Seems like it’s getting harder to find and because multi viscosity is for young girls. * Just bought a bag of SAE zerk fittings. It’s getting so that even farm equipment are using metric and one of the 3 chain parts stores near me didn’t have any at all...either that or the younger clerk didn’t know what they were.        ... View more

If you like a rubber mallet I think you’d love a plastic dead-blow hammer. I have two sizes and find myself using one or the other...a lot.  And lest we forget....     ... View more

No Pontiac’s in my garage these day, but yours looks fun. Roll bar  and a mild tub doing a cone run....IRS? My favorite color and year for a TA too. 👍 ... View more

@Kyle  Good food for thought, thanks. Never thought of the punches and had never seen that particular gasket scraper.  Too bad too, as I just bought a ‘better’ quality razor blade scraper for a current project.  But I’m a little bothered by those pictures.  Your fingernails are just a little too clean and there were no bandaids visible. Come on man....do Corvairs never leak or bite back?   😉 ... View more

Yep...been going on for years and not just on the west coast. Trucks are a favorite target in my area as they’re abundant, often have two converters and their height gives the thieves easier access. Nothing new other than the scope of this case. But maybe California should be consistent in their logic and outlaw cordless tools. Who needs a high capacity ratchet or a hacksaw that goes full-auto? 🤔 ... View more

  😒 Pssth. “Organized”? What a bunch a sickos.  When your my age and trip over something it’s just reassurance that almost falling down wasn’t from a stroke.  ... View more

“ Worst car or motorcycle journey” Anytime my wife is with me in the small sports car. The car with high bolster seats. The car with a stiff suspension and sticky tires and holds a G in a hard corner. The one that does 80 in 2nd gear. She’s not into spirited driving. A fact she reliably reminds me of every time. And since I love her to death...something that’s reliably ignored. 😉   On the other hand, when we take the old 50’s Convertible out for a slow cruise together...it’s hard to beat.  ... View more

  Years ago I source aftermarket rear shock tower brace for my other car that was strong enough to be suitable as a harness bar. Useful for stuff like autocross which I did back in the day. It’s a fairly rare item these days and I just recently dressed it up a bit with a RX7 emblem made by a specialty vendor. Subtle, personal and impersonal...since it tends to make the bar look OEM.    ... View more

A certain 52 Chevy convertible was handed down to me thru two older brothers for a high school car. By then the old 216 was burning more oil than gas. Dad acquired a 54 Chevy with a 235 and told his then 15 year old to “get it running”.  Some will know that the 235 is much improved over the older 216, with full-pressure oiling, aluminum pistons and hydraulic lifters among other changes. After it ran and he was satisfied he told me to swap it into the 52.   Still have the car 50 years later, which still has that subtle personal, but impersonal, modification.  ... View more

 @Rob1  In my experience a battery maintainer is typically not a charger or at least not a very fast one. A maintainer can be left connected practically indefinitely as they bring the battery up to capacity but don’t overcharge. So no need to disconnect. You may not perceive it but your batteries probably do lose some charge over the winter. I used to do the same thing but found batteries seemed to last longer if I left the maintainers hooked up. A nice bonus is you don’t have to reprogram radios and it’s less hassle when I want to throw doors open and move them around.  And to the OP...Sajeev is spot on, just buy a good one. I’ve never had trouble.  Price and cost are two different things.  ... View more

@silverado  ....and welding would help. With electric and oxy acetylene welding. Agree that it often comes in really handy. But oxy-acetylene is pretty old tech. In my experience it’s not used much anymore other than for really heating stuff. MAYBE the occasional brazing. If you can only afford one welder, a MIG (some call it wire-feed) IMO is probably the handiest. And companies like Lincoln make relatively inexpensive 110v setups that will handle a majority of common tasks. With a small mixed gas bottle and kit, a Harbor Freight cart, some magnets, gloves, auto-dim helmet and an assortment of visegrips (that many guys have already) maybe $500-$600 all in. And it’s not hard to teach yourself the basics and get better with practice.  And practice is easy to get because once you get one you’ll keep finding more and more uses for it. ... View more

Yep, I love cars, but they don’t always love me back. Case in point...me hoping the third time is the charm in getting a non-leaking seal on the oil pan of a Chevrolet 235. A project that regardless of diligent study and planning will likely come down to a Voodoo witch-doctor, some chicken blood and rolling bones across the shop floor.  ... View more

Don’t feel too badly Mr. President.  ... View more

TIG welding. Done. ... View more