Wrenchheads's topics - tribe.net

New moderator?

MickD — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:25:45 GMT

I think it's safe to say the moderator of this tribe is gone. MIA. He hasn't updated his profile since 2005.

I'm going to try to contact him, but barring any news on the matter, may I throw my hat in the ring as the replacement mod?

Shall we put it to vote?

I don't NEED to be mod, so please do make nominations. But if no one else really wants the job, I'd like to have a shot at driving more traffic. I have a couple of ideas I'd like to put to the test.

posted in Wrenchheads - 3 replies

Building a custom bicycle

Jade — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 23:05:07 GMT

I started this with my nephew last year, it's a $35 roadmaster I picked up used. We stripped it last summer, set up the jig as you can see, cut the main tubes and extended it forward, but didn't have the tubing at the time to finish it. Anyhoo, I got my shop pretty much done now, the tubing bender in place and the notch cutter and here's what I have so far. It's not a chopper, sorta chopper-like. I started working on the lower tube the other day. We have the forks, bars, rims, etc. too. I'll update when I can, enjoy.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g30/jadewombat/S5000300.jpg

posted in Wrenchheads - 1 reply

"The Gift of the Turbi", a (post) holiday classic

patrick — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:07:08 GMT

There was a man, a young man of good heart and character, and he had a bus that he loved. The bus was the shiny yellow and black apple of his eye, and their love was complete. He veritably lived inside of her, caressing her ample bumpers and buying her all manners of distilled waters and fancy spray paints.

And she loved him too; she loved him as strongly as a bus could love a man, that tall (10 feet) long legged (35 feet) 19,000 lb lady from Hayward, and things were good.

She was a comely bus, old fashioned values and smog, and was blessed by the lord with the gift of turbo, a lovely tress of curly cast iron that adorned her intake manifiold like a jewel in a Princess' tiara. It was their pride and her joy.

And the man also possessed one thing of great sentimental and personal value: a classic turbo boost sphygomometer given to him by his grandfather, a toxic filled graduated glass and brass mercury tube of wonderful complexity that he would lovingly plumb into his beloved when he wanted to see her smile. On sundays they would go to the park and he would gently lift her covers one by one, and there they would sit, whiling away the hours in the joy that only lovers share.

The couple was poor, and didn't drink the finest Rotella, nor could afford Michelins on the table except during special occasions. And then one year, the Saint Valentine's Day holiday approached, and they were both left in a quandary, how could this poor bus and man properly show their love on this special occasion?

Finally February 14th arrived, and after a hard day at the yard, the man came home to find his beloved bride sitting, parked near the one ton, behind the trailer, near the stack of pallets where he stored the brake drums and the power steering pumps, with tears/condensation in her headlights, but still shining the most lumenous of glows towards her chosen seat taker. And the man excitedly approached her, cleverly concealing a package from his beloved's low beams.

(break for commercial)

(Scene returns to idyllic backyard full of bus parts and Japanese and American pickups)

"Look my dear" he cried, "I have the finest of gifts for the bus that has been my veritable foundation of transportation for so many wonderful years." And from under his cloak, he produced a box. And there, inside the box was a lovely air heat exchanger from Cummins in Paris, painted beautiful flat black and glowing with a non reflective dullness that shone like the night. (with all necessary connectors and fasteners, and a roll of pink teflon tape)

"Oh my Goodness", she screamed in joy, "how could you ever have brought to me such a precious and costly gift my love?" She began to sigh, and with tears now welling up in her turn signals, she said "We are but a poor couple, rich in maintenance but with a limited parts budget..."

"Well" he replied, "my love for you springs internal, just like your fuel lines, and I confess I sold the turbo boost gage to get the lovely part. but it is OK, we can do it by ear my sweet, love can conquer any vaccuum problem."

And then he spotted a splendidly wrapped box sitting on the dash. "Is that for me my love?" he asked. "A gift from the bus whose broad hips and leaf spring suspension has seen me thru my longest travels and darkest hours... I can't wait to open it!"

He carefully separated the twine, removed the paper, and gently lifted the lid off the box. And there inside was a 3/16" thru 7/8" SAE and metric adapter set for classic sphygamometers, lovingly hand chromed from Taiwan.

And then tears began to well up in his eyes, as he walked, slowly, to the side (driver's side, door behind the radiator door) of his beloved, and lifted her skirts gently for the thousandth time.

For he knew the truth already........ . . . there in place of her lovely turbo was a simple metal plate, her chestnut colored curl now nothing more than a 5 X 8 piece of aluminum or cast or pot metal or something, (it had paint on it) and her flowing manifolds had been shorn to the scalp.

And as they looked at each other, and felt the love and tender mercies that only a long time committed driver and machine can hold dear, and nurture thru the years,-- there was peace, and then they drove, hand in wheel, down to Flying J for a quiet, intimate fill.

And life was good, and love had flourished and flew and soared for a brief minute on God's Green Earth.

("The Gift of the Turbi", a holiday classic)
available on CD and cassette

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/CrownandGillig/

==================================================

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

check it out:

MickD — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 06:18:58 GMT

http://tribes.tribe.net/coolcars/thread/7706acfb-e3bf-4268-a8b8-d1c4e4b571c4

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

Converted the lawnmower to run on alcohol

Jade — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 22:47:50 GMT

So far so good for the conversion. It's a Murray-Briggs and Straton 4.5hp(don't buy one of these, seriously) which has broken on me at least six times in the past year and I haven't even owned it a year yet. I bought it from Home Depot with a two-year warranty, after it broke I found out the warranty doesn't cover engines! First the gas tank was rusting out clogging up the fuel screen with rust particles, so I took it off and coated the inside of the tank with gas tank paint. Then the carb gasket wouldn't seal right so I replaced that, then the push button primer dry rotted and stopped working. Then the o-ring on the manifold wouldn't seal so the engine would surge and barely idle. Sigh. I bought this stupid thing because it was cheap and I had no intention of experimenting with alcohol-conversion on a $350 Honda mower. I was looking for a used mower originally but couldn't find one.
So after fixing all these things and having the carb apart the last time, I added a motorcycle fuel filter, cutting the pickup screen off the end of the pickup tube, replaced the Champion spark plug with an NGK v-groove one, and bored out the main jet on the carb. These are the two main things to converting a gasoline engine to alcohol, hotter spark and a slightly richer mixture. The smallest drill bit you can get at pretty much any hardware store is a 1/16"(I hate imperials, BTW). This is still way, way too big. I found a machinist supply shop here in Lafayette, LA and they had all kinds of tiny drill bits to choose from. I found one slightly bigger than the plastic main jet on the carb and hand twisted it in. The bit cost $1.30. Carb rebuild kit $6.60. The other thing I had to make sure I had access to was a local supply of ethanol(usually hot rod or speed shops). The price went up recently, I checked on it a while back and it was $3/gal, now it's $3.50(this has very little to do with dino crude prices). I do have a still to make my own ethanol and the price per gallon for me will drop to about $.50/gal.
Anyhoo, I fired it up with a 80/20 mixture of gas to ethanol. It ran way, way rich. So much that it fouled out the plug. It also used a lot more fuel to cut the yard than it did before, about a 1/3. I cleaned off the plug and added straight alcohol and it runs fine. I plan to run the opposite mixture now, 20/80. The only idle adjustment on the carb is bending a throttle spring which I want to reset one more time. I think I did overbore the main jet too much though. Make certain when you size up the drill bit that's only one or two sizes up from the actual size of the jet bore. I.e. find a bit that will just pass through the jet no problem, then go up from there. Since I will be making my own fuel the economy of the motor isn't so important.

posted in Wrenchheads - 3 replies

Cam recommendation

Thu, 20 May 2004 13:33:05 GMT

I'm building an chevy engine for a '72 IH Scout. I'm running 10:1 compression ratio on a 350 bored over .030. I've got vortec heads on it and I'll be running a TPI from an '87 IROC 5.7. I'm looking for a cam that will give me that low end torque, decent fuel economy and won't be a problem with the TPI. Any suggestions?

posted in Wrenchheads - 7 replies

What do you wrench on?

luke_trash — Thu, 25 Sep 2003 03:01:32 GMT

I guess I did form this tribe.. I might as well pose a question... What sort of things do you like to work on and keep up and running?

My current project is a 1980 Volvo with a Chevy 350 engine. And old Vespa scooters from time to time.

posted in Wrenchheads - 53 replies

Sentra rear deck

MickD — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 06:27:05 GMT

Hiya! My gf has a 1994 Sentra four-door. How do I get the rear speakers out? The plastic coverings on the rear deck appear to be integrally part of the whole deck. Do they pop off? Or is there a better way of swapping out those speakers?

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

I like wrenches - but what to wrench on?

Kriyanna — Wed, 24 May 2006 18:56:43 GMT

So, I don't know if I am in the right place to ask this question. But, I will just to see what happens. I just bought a diesel van (to convert to veggie fuel soon) and I am having trouble. I like to fix my own shit - it's knowing what to fix that I am totally ignorant about. I was driving down da road last night and after having to jump the thing twice, I lost all my lights and power (the thing still ran until I turned it off again). I had to drive home in the dark, very cautiously I might add and chanting protection mantras the whole way (you are snickering I can already hear it - what that's not the way you drive your car in the dark at night with no lights?). Anyway, the person I bought it from said it needed a new alternator belt - would that little thing cause such trouble or should I look elsewhere? It has a new alternator by the way...

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Peace,
Inanna

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

If you weren't so stupid you'd already have a bus from me. All of You remind me of that fat non-wrench turning son on American Chopper

patrick — Mon, 22 May 2006 22:45:45 GMT

Howdy fellow brethren of the open and box end
- - - - - - -
"I remember my first orgasm. I tell ya, I was terrified. Hey whattya expect, I was all by myself" --the late great Rodney Dangerfield.
--------------------------------
I'm Patrick, the King of California Buses. There simply Is No Equal, so don't bother looking. I already know some of you. I was going to write a generic letter explaining my self, and reason for existence, but instead decided to amaze and delght you wth this litle bit of mirth I call "my latest ad on Ebay". Enjoy......

Here is the text of my new Ebay ad. Send it only to those who have courage and gentleness, strong backs and broad hips, or something like that. It is titled (to attract Fat Older White Men With Money) "FOR SALE: MY ATTRACTIVE WIFE AND BUS"
=================
Well, I'm actually only selling an "image" of my attractive wife now. EBay rejected my first ad, and the wife weren’t too pleased either. She got on her computer, went to EBay and listed me in Antiques, subcategory "Jerks" so I guess I got what I deserved.

So what am I really selling in this ad? Well, what’s it to you? Are you here to buy a very good high quality long lasting rugged and powerful diesel bus from me, or give me hard time? I would definitely do the former, because I have a terrible temper and poor emotional control in most situations (except when helping a grateful and satisfied customer with their high quality ultra durable best deal on the Net rugged and capable diesel bus, or parts.)

You can see all the buses I got, it's ridiculous at this point. I'm getting 3-4 more this month. So why would a otherwise sane person be doing this?? (selling buses, not wives) Well read on my son, read on.

I do this bus thing to support my fabulous non-profit, the Wheelchair Project. My wife and I went to Central America (that was my first wife, she ran away with one of my buses, a tall strapping young triple axle with a full head of hair and a devil may care Bad Boy attitude. I still see them around town now and then, and it still hurts) and had kids brought to us who were either very sick, going deaf, etc. and it was just from lack of very simple stuff like clean water, and medicines you could get at Wal-Mart for three bucks.

So, we either had a chance to face it, or act like we didn’t see it, so we decided to face it. So we helped raise 9000 bucks, and sent it to some scam artists who were supposed to be legitimate (Hey I DIDN”T choose these folks, the group did) and went we got to Nicaragua, the hospital hadn’t been destroyed, they never heard of us, and the only thing that got down there was the 15 boxes of supplies we hand carried, and little cases of ampicillin and penicillin we bought in Mexico City.

So after that, I decided to never give away the Do Rey Mee, but to go in person and at least check the stuff into the hospital, school, etc. Then if it got stolen it would still go into some person’s sick behind, or under some wheelchair needy person’s fanny (I send lots of wheelchair, so my thing is called the Wheelchair Project)

By now you may we thinking, “Is he ever gonna get to the bus for sale?”

Ok, I’ll start, but only after reminding you that I’m going to Haiti in about 2 months, gonna ship a Ford bus with a healthy CAT motor, full of the stuff the folks requested (school supplies, generators, Honda Trail 90 motorbikes, medical supplies, a copy machine, etc…..no junk or used clothing please!)

So when you buy a high quality near eternal timeless hand crafted bus of bliss from me, I will take said money and buy more stuff for the project, or bend over deeply then write the check to get the bus through the Panama Canal (6 Grand, oh I love it) or change the differential (the bus only goes 50) and drive it to Miami, great fun in a noisy front engine bus with a sheet of plywood/wall right behind the driver.

But enough about me. What do YOU think about my project?

OK you wanna bus, I gotta bus. How about a mid 70’s Gillig or Crown? Why these models you say? Because the are simply the best, unequalled in quality, and bonehead simple for boneheads like you (and your extended family) and me.

These buses were built by hand (both left AND right) and sold for over 100 thousand George Washingtons back in the day, and that was back when 20 bucks could buy you a Deusenberg or an entire politician. Kids nowadays, nothing but a bunch of lazy gang bangers, driving around with that loud “music” blasting….Boy I could just grab one of ‘em by the neck and squeeze until their eyes pop, but I can’t because I teach in the public schools (20 years of tears, laughter and spineless administrators)

OK I guess I’ll sell you the Crown bus I have. It is a good bus. It is very clean. It bathes regularly, goes to church on Saturday (I don’t know why either) and will give you years of love affection and loyalty.

It’s a 1970 Crown, with a healthy and happy 220 horsepower Cummins and a 5 speed transmission. (ONLY 220 horsepower in a 19,000 lb behemoth?) Yes, only 220 horsepower, but it produces it at about 1800 RPM, and would squash your SUV like the overpriced insect that it is, and just drive right on without even a glance back.) The engine is 743 cubic inches of six cylinder hell, built for torque, and will haul 15,000 lbs without even blinking a headlight. I know, I’ve done it a time or 8. The tires are good too. They are really. They are all Michelins, tubeless, with the biggest size on a bus, 12R x 22.5. (Are you bidding yet? I can hold for a minute while you do…)

The bus is almost perfect inside, and 100% original and stock like the day it left the factory. I’ve already put about 400 miles on this bus, and let me tell you, it towed perfectly behind the wrecker. But seriously, it’s a great bus, clean, starts and runs and drives like Rolls Royce, handles like a Ferrari, and gets better mileage than those new hybrid cars. I regularly get 40-42 miles per quart, and only fill up every third Leap Year, and even then these old engines will run on bathtub water, dirt, or old paint from your neighbor’s garage.

And if you’re one of this long haired wiseacres that smokes that stuff and thinks they know everything, then this bus can easily be converted to veggie oil. I have some young friends who smell vaguely like rotting cabbage, but they can convert a bus over to veggie faster than you can say pass the bong. But they’re only good until about 4:20 in the afternoon, then after that, park your bus and lock it.

But they will help you if you wanted to go veggie or biodiesel, I’m just too busy to explore the technology right now.

And I hope you realize that I’m not just selling This Bus alone. I am violating every rule made by God and EBay, and hoping they won't notice that I am trying to hustle everything I own with one ad. I’ve got other buses and lots of parts for sale. I even work on buses (once again a crappy way to make a buck, but you do meet lots of nice people, and their wives too if you play it right) and I learn from every job I do.

So write call, or just wire directly to my bank account in Zurich. It’s the one next to Jack Abramoff’s, right behind “Duke” Cunningham’s tear stained Certificates of Deposit.

OK feel free to call me off this site and help me evade EBay’s fees. They pay ABSOLUTELY NO ATTENTION to what I write anyway. Heck, I sold somebody’s mother in law to Liberia about 2 years ago, no problem, smooth transaction.

OK you can do one of the following:

1. Call me at home. (559) 251-3814

2. Write to my e-mail. It is WheelchairBusProject@yahoo.com

3. Go to my web site. That won’t accomplish anything, but nobody goes there, and my URL is lonely and depressed. It’s a good site, loads fast, etc. There are some pictures of my first wife there too, she’s the one holding the meat cleaver. It is www.fresnoalliance.com/wheelchairproject

4. Have some fun and write me going through (ugh) the traditional EBay channels. Then both you and the other folks who have endured this ad, and have way too much spare time, can read and enjoy my ridiculous answers to your attempted questions.

OK start bidding. There isn’t that much time. Don’t bid unless you really mean it though. I’ve suffered enough heartbreak and disappointment in life already, will be 50 in about two months, and just don’t need the hassle. But for those lucky few, bid now and bid high.

Bid for yourself, and bid to support the troops. Bid. Now. Bid bid bid bid bid. Get your wife involved. Heck it’s fun for the whole family. A bus looks good in the den or driveway, and can be used as a temporary holding facility for your oldest daughter and her boyfriend when he gets out of jail.

Ok gotta go, the wife’s waking up.
So BID, bid now, and bid high, …………………because If You Don’t bid, the terrorists will have won.

Specialist 4 Patrick Young
64C20/30 (light/heavy truck driver)
Decorated veteran of the 501st transportation company
Kaiserslautern and Frankfurt Germany.
“Keeping the Russians at bay since 1974”

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

Honda z50r 1994 shifter probs,,,,help!

rob — Thu, 11 May 2006 06:18:19 GMT

My z50r is stuck in neutral and I'm not sure why. I pulled the cover and looked inside, but it's a mystery. I usually build Jeeps with V8's in them and this 50 is a whole new ballgame.
Rob
512-496*6758
any help would be great,

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

A bike project

Jade — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 04:29:48 GMT

I posted a picture there of my bicycle project. I'm out of town most of the time for work so instead of wrenching on my cars for very, very long amounts of time and not finishing I decided to lower my sites a little and do the bike. It's a mid-70s Huffy I bought in New Orleans for $30 the week before Katrina hit. It had a three speed hub and cable brakes, fenders, reflectors, etc. but I got rid of all that shit and stripped it down completely. I bought a new rear rim w/coaster brake, new bars for the front which I narrowed 2cm on each side, new seat, sprocket, grips, tires/tubes, and neck(new pedals not shown). I had to sand all the chrome off the rims with a dremel(sandblasting didn't work) and sanded the frame and forks by hand. I then sprayed everything with four coats of automotive paint then 3 coats of clear mixed with gold pearl(the pearl looks better in sunlight). I welded a small chain on the forks for fun, too. It rides great, it's not for speed or anything, just Sunday rides. I also have a rack with will go on the rear.

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

iPod harnesses?

MickD — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 22:18:42 GMT

Is there a third-party manufacturer of iPod harnesses for autos? I'm looking for one to fit a Volvo S90. I don't want to do the cordless/radio thing, and I'd like to avoid the cassete harness.

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

magnets?

MickD — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 02:40:43 GMT

Anyone know anything about the alleged benefits of those fuel-saving magnets?

posted in Wrenchheads - 1 reply

Please help me name that device!

DJKnightmare — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 00:28:33 GMT

OK I have seen this thing before, but I cant find it now. I will try my best to describe what it is. After pouring oil into the engine there is still a fair ammount of oil still in the quart container, so what you do is screw the "empty" quart upside down into a collector. 4 of the emptys are connected upside down into the device and the 5th is under all of them and collects all the left over oil. If I do find out what I am talking about I will post a link, but if you can figure out what the heck I am talking about PLEASE let me know, and hook me up with a link or what-have-you. Thanks

posted in Wrenchheads - 7 replies

NIssan Frontier pickup suddenly is squeeling! What might be causing this and how to stop it?

aaronironscmt — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 04:05:49 GMT

Hi all again. Ive posted in here recently about being rearended by some woman a couple weeks ago.

Now all of a sudden, i started my truck and for the first time ever since ive had it, it immediately started this high pitched squealing sound! As I turned the steering wheel to make a turn it seemed to affect the pitch of the squeel a little bit. Then after about 10 seconds the squeal stopped, but then squeeled again 2 or 3 minutes later for @ 10 seconds, when driving.

I so dont need more problems especially financial ones right now!
Any ideas what might be causing this, and if it could possibly be related to being rearended (not major, just a small dent in rear bumper and mild to moderate softtissue injuries)?

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

$$$ paid: Looking for Dodge/Plymouth parts car and parts

Ethan — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 22:46:57 GMT

Here's the brief version:
I am looking for a 65-70 225ci slant-6 with an A904 push button trans.
I am also looking for a complete 8.75in rear end from a dodge truck.

The engine/trans were very common in Dodge Darts and Plymouth Valiants. Some Dodge Vans (D-100), and Dodge Trucks came equiped with these and would work as well . All complete vehicles considered. Body damage/rust, bad title, etc, fine. Remember I am looking for a PARTS car that will probably never drive again.

my ideal vehicle would be a Dart or Valiant with Power Steering, A/C, a running engine, and properly operating trans.

If I can drive it home top dollar paid.
email on here
or karkid@gmail.com

Ethan
paso or bust

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

hard-wiring a y-adapter

MickD — Thu, 01 Dec 2005 01:43:12 GMT

My cigarette lighter Y-adapter cracked, but the wiring is still intact. I'm thinking I might wire the thing directly into the fuse box of my '98 S90. Any suggestions on how to conveniently do this? Where to tap into the system? Run the wires? Is there a wiring harness that already exists for things like this?

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

Audi Allroad

Sun, 26 Jun 2005 16:11:06 GMT

Anybody here wrenched on one?

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

Volvo Technicians?

MickD — Thu, 08 Sep 2005 19:42:10 GMT

Anyone know of a Volvo Tech in Atlanta who can do the 75K service on a 1998 S90 relatively inexpensively?

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

440" in a 50 Dodge?

Riff Raff — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 08:53:20 GMT

I ve posted in another tribe but i need HELP!

Im pulling out my beloved flathead out of my 50 Dodge. my wrench found a hairline crack in the back of the block so im planning on dropping my 440 into the bay. just need to know how much to trim off of the pass side wheel well/fender, what kinda steering linkage to pull from the boneyard and any other things to consider..do i really need a k member?

r.

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

New project

McG_for_me — Sun, 07 Aug 2005 19:42:26 GMT

Picked up an 88 Thunderbird Turbocoupe last weekend, and am pretty anxious to jump into it. 2.3L turbo, which seems to run fairly well, just needs a tune-up (drove it 60 miles from the seller to the house); T5 tranny (5sp); 4 wheel ABS/discs. It has 93k miles and needs some work, but I'm expecting that within 2 years, I can have a decent street & strip car (I'm estimating 13.0 @ 105'ish) for about $8k (including paint). I'll probably take it to a couple shows (they're becoming somewhat rare, since most people strip them and throw everything into mustangs), and if I can keep it around 18-20mpg, then hopefully at least 1 Power Tour.

Here's the cardomain on it:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2060282

posted in Wrenchheads - 1 reply

Good deal?

Poopie — Sat, 06 Aug 2005 23:48:30 GMT

Hey everyone,

I've been spinning wrenches since I was about five, working on my bicycles and such. When I was old enough to get a car I bought a '66 vw bug. Restored it with help from my dad when I was seventeen, and i've been driving it for the past fifteen years now. it has been a thorn in my side many a time, enough to where I almost hate it now, but i've been with it too long to let it go.

I have been wanting to get another car for awhile now. One with a heater that works good, is reliable, easy to work on for the most part, and so on.

I've come across a 1989 toyota corolla station wagon. It is an automatic and the transmission was destroyed by it's owner when she threw it into low trying to pass a car at about 60 miles an hour. She said that it made a horrble noise and she put it back into drive, went a couple more miles and it "locked up". She slowed down and pulled off the road.

So here is my question:: Does anyone think the engine could have been damaged by what happened? Could the crank and/or main bearings been hurt? or anything else? The car only has 88,000 miles on it and it starts and runs great. Perfect interior. No dings or dents.

THe lady is willing to sell it for $350, but I'm pretty sure I can talk her down. I've found trannys from different places ranging to $200 (not rebuilt, just yanked out), to $600 (rebuilt w/warranty). The cost of putting it in would be around $500.

So what do you guys think? Anyone?

posted in Wrenchheads - 1 reply

Filling panels

McG_for_me — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 11:23:47 GMT

I'm pulling the roof rack off a '97 Subaru Outback Sport, because I'm starting to get some surface rust around it. To fill in the holes, I should be able to just spot weld them closed, right, and grind them down?

Also I'm removing the rear wiper since the motor is dead, to give it a smother/cleaner look. What guage steel should I use to fill this in?

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

overdrive

MickD — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 19:38:34 GMT

Technically speaking, what is happening when I turn my overdrive off? Why would I ever want to keep it off?

posted in Wrenchheads - 1 reply

Lexus Lighting

MickD — Wed, 25 May 2005 15:50:10 GMT

I have a 1995 Lexus ES300. On a right turn, the turn indicator blinks rapidly, but when I check the lights, they all appear to function properly, but they look a little dim, and still blink rapidly. What could this be? The fuse? The bulb? A relay? All of this started after driving down a rough cobblestone road. If it is the light, how do I get in to change that? I only see one bolt that's obviously holding the lens in place, but I can't imagine that's the ONLY thing I have to undo to get to the marker/turning light (it's not readily accessible from the engine compartment).

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

Newbie to this tribe and auto repair

talena — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 16:31:29 GMT

I hope you all don't mind a totally clueless wannabe infiltrating your tribe. I don't know ANYTHING about cars but will be starting school at Universal Technical Institute in May for automotive technology, so it won't be long before I can hold a candle. I hope. :D
I also made a tribe for UTI students and alumni in hopes of finding others who have gone there, and creating a supportive community for prospective students, or current students who may just need a little help.
http://losangeles.tribe.net/tribe/e56eee39-b24b-4f44-a9c6-981149adade5?r=10025
Please Join if you've been or are or plan on it!

And in the meantime I plan to be around a lot reading everything, and I hope you guys don't mind a lot of stupid questions. For me it's sorta like picking up a book in a foreign language and trying to understand it, I'm probably going to look like a total ass frequently when I ask what a "tire" is.

And another question that is rather important, I'm told by my admissions councilor I'm getting a discount if I buy a digital multi-meter (required tool for the course) from them for $105.
I looked at walmart and saw one for $18.

Someone tell me if there is any reason on earth I should believe I need to spend $105 on one instead of $19? Are there different ones that are WORTH that?

Thanks!
Talena

posted in Wrenchheads - 7 replies

79 buick riviera

wisdom — Thu, 17 Mar 2005 00:12:22 GMT

look, i've had this car for 2 years, i bought it from a 90 year old woman so there are now about 94000 miles on her. the power steering is leaking somewhere, for a while now...it seems the transmission is slipping. it's an old assed car, but i am willing to put moneyinto it to make it a reliable old car. what do you think i am realstically looking at, and does anyone know of a really good mechanic who won't charge up the wazoo for labor in san diego area?

posted in Wrenchheads - 5 replies

'69 falcon been sittin' around

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 01:25:33 GMT

for almost a year. the interior's all moldy and everything. it supposedly ran fine before it was abandoned. once i get a battery for it, what should i do before just trying to drive the thing? please be specific - i'm mechanically inclined but lack experience.

posted in Wrenchheads - 4 replies

Hi Mom! I'm on Discovery Channel this Tuesday!

ashley — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 08:18:19 GMT

Cole Foster and Salinas Boys Customs to be featured on "Biker Build Off" prime time on Discovery channel this Tuesday, March 1! Don't miss this compelling episode as Master builder Cole Foster goes up against the Boys from Georgia, Hank Young. They have 10 days to build a bike from scratch and then ride it from Monterey to San Diego.

http://media.dsc.discovery.com/fansites/bike/bike.html

Air Dates
Tuesday, March 1, 10:00 pm
Wednesday, March 2, 1:00 am
Saturday, March 5, 6:00 pm

The bike built on the show is currently for sale, contact susanchurch18@aol.com for spec info and price.

Also check out the latest issue of Rodders Journal where the cover and centerfold features the 1936 Ford Coupe Cole and boys are building for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett.
http://www.roddersjournal.com/

Big Thanks to:
www.salinasboys.com
www.bmcchoppers.com
www.corbin.com
www.hippodromestudio.com
www.customchrome.com/
www.youngchoppers.com

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

Choppertown: The Sinners Movie

Zack — Sat, 15 Jan 2005 21:13:14 GMT

Hey Gang,
Thought you guys might be interested in checking out the site for our upcoming documentary film about The Sinners. We rode with the Sinners for three months last year and we're trying to show the real thing... We're editing now and busting our asses to finish this spring, so please send us your words of encouragement/beratement!

www.choppertown.net

Ride hard,
Zack and Scott
Producer/Directors of Choppertown

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

New member

dan — Mon, 01 Nov 2004 13:09:10 GMT

Hello to every one.
Thought I'd let my self known.

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

CV joints

bigdea0629 — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 22:24:25 GMT

I'm about to take on a CV joint replacement on my 96' Probe SE . CAn anyone give me any insight as to what this undertaking is going to be like? If you can tell me about any possible pitfalls let a brotha know.

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

Junkyards

88Esq — Fri, 30 Jul 2004 09:51:44 GMT

Anyone know of a national listing for junkyards and pick a parts? I want to find one near SF to get a new hood for my car.

posted in Wrenchheads - 3 replies

fuel pump help

dave76er — Mon, 17 May 2004 09:27:51 GMT

I have a '79 caddy, trying to replace the fuel pump. Any tips on how to get the push rod positioned correctly? Can't see it or feel it. Do I just need to get a special mirror and some really long needle nose pliers? Any ideas would be great. :)

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

nice ouT

mike — Mon, 08 Mar 2004 00:48:46 GMT

HEY, it finally got warm enough here in South Dakota to take my hot rod out for a short run. Yippppeeeeee

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

Sites and Books

mikehoffman — Thu, 05 Feb 2004 01:38:17 GMT

Can you guys give me some sites and books for a newbie who is a fraction away from being completely auto-mechanically ignorant? Thanks!?

posted in Wrenchheads - 1 reply

coolant in ventilation?

MickD — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 22:57:42 GMT

I've got a Taurus that ran fine until a recent (dealer) oil change, when I started to smell coolant in the ventilation system. The engine appears to run at normal temperatures, never spikes hot. There is no white smoke which would indicate a bad head gasket. It starts easily. I see no coolant on the ground beneath the car. The smell seems to renew itself every day, and only shows up if I run the heat. Ventilating cold air produces no smell. Any ideas on how/what this is?

posted in Wrenchheads - 10 replies

new engine

MickD — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 17:34:36 GMT

I'm preparing to make an engine swap in my '88 Prelude Si. Anyone got advice on where to get the new engine H22A engine cheaply? How about exhaust systems? What kind of exhaust kit can I use to boost performance and keep the thing emissions legal?

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

Anyone in NY / NJ??

Thu, 08 Jan 2004 13:26:32 GMT

Are there any members in the NY / NJ area? IF so, drop me a line and tell me what you in to.

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies

68 'stang

joohn — Tue, 07 Oct 2003 08:45:51 GMT

sitting around, waiting for its 289 to come back from rebuilding. don't laugh, it's 289cid but the things i'll have 'em do to it... heh heh. here bowtie bowtie...

posted in Wrenchheads - 1 reply

Brake's

stacey — Thu, 16 Oct 2003 17:23:19 GMT

I'm in need of help! I have replaced a single master cylinder with a dual,all new lines so forth, now left font wheel lock's up no matter how I adjust the drum's (all 4 wheel's) there is no prop valve. what did I do wrong?

posted in Wrenchheads - 2 replies

68 'stang

joohn — Tue, 07 Oct 2003 08:45:38 GMT

sitting around, waiting for its 289 to come back from rebuilding. don't laugh, it's 289cid but the things i'll have 'em do to it... heh heh. here bowtie bowtie...

posted in Wrenchheads - 0 replies