what did you wrench on today??

[Sandy]

Changed oil. In six oil changes on this car, I've tried about 6 oil filter wrenches and haven't yet found one that properly grabs the dinky filters that this engine uses. I wasn't able to twist the filter more than 1/2 turn after it was finger tight, because the cap wrench cams off.

Sounds silly but maybe try a different filter next time. The cap wrench I have fits the small Fram filters and most others properly but the Quaker state I bought last time the wrench didn't fit nearly well enough to even use. Just a thought.

 

[Guest]

Sounds silly but maybe try a different filter next time. The cap wrench I have fits the small Fram filters and most others properly but the Quaker state I bought last time the wrench didn't fit nearly well enough to even use. Just a thought.

I've been trying that. The grip on Frams makes them too large for the cap wrent. I had to mutilate the Fram to get it off, and it's difficult to get access to mutilate and grab it. This is the second STP filter and the last one I'll use (I bought two at the same time). The only ones that I haven't had troubles with are the Auto Zone store brand. I'll probably take the cap wrench with me next time, to check the fit before I buy.

Interesting note, the filters for this car are only 2 5/8" in diameter, and 2 5/8" high. Some displays have another filter that is the same diameter, but is 3 3/8" high. I used one of those, figuring that it would have more surface area for filtration. It is also easier to get a wrench on the longer filter. I plan to hacksaw open one of each to see if there is any difference inside.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Installed the new seat I got from Redneck yesterday. Thank you very much man.

 

[Rover]

Got my exhaust off without breaking any bolts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[steve murdoch]

Starting to wrench on my CBX project...AGAIN!
I bought this 2/3 finished project 4 years ago and i am determined to finish it this time.
All electrics, carbs and sub-frame need to be completed.
Fixed the brakes today.

 

[chuck hahn]

Built the floor in the shed that was given to me, then took both the 750s for a short ride to get the stabil thru the fuel systems and topped them off for the winter.

 

[Dave8338]

More work on an Escort. Should be a week or less away from painting the whole car. Still need to finish the brake lines and apply the undercoat.

What a time trap the beater has turned into. Oh well...even at this rate, the cars owes me nothing.

 

[Guest]

More work on an Escort. Should be a week or less away from painting the whole car. Still need to finish the brake lines and apply the undercoat.

What a time trap the beater has turned into. Oh well...even at this rate, the cars owes me nothing.

Warning, thread drift..

Hey, you being a Ford man and all. I just got a 97 Exploder(Explorer) The thing only has 86k on it.
Anything I should be on the lookout for?

First Ford I've ever own besides the 57 I had with I was a kid(that I never got to drive)

 

[Dave8338]

Warning, thread drift..

Hey, you being a Ford man and all. I just got a 97 Exploder(Explorer) The thing only has 86k on it.
Anything I should be on the lookout for?

First Ford I've ever own besides the 57 I had with I was a kid(that I never got to drive)

Yeah, front wheel bearings and ball joints. Wheel bearings cause cupping on the inside tread face of the tire and a humming noise while going down the road. Ball joints (usually the lowers) will make the front wheels tip out at the bottom. Both a "do-it-yourself" repair if you have a wrench or two and a little know how.

Otherwise, the things run forever. Some of them had a little cam chain noise as a result of Ford using nylon, where they had no business doing so however, that is just some and it won't hurt a thing.

The 4.0L SOHC engines are known to run 250-350K trouble free miles.

Sad but true...the "winner" of the "kill contest" during the Cash For Clunkers program was a 1995 Explorer 4.0L with 187K miles. Took nearly 40 minutes to kill the thing AFTER the oil was drained and the pan filled with Liquid Glass...

 

[Dave8338]

Not so much a wrench

Not so much a wrench

Little more work on a 'Scort.

BEFORE:

DURING:

AND AFTER (well, sort of, still need to apply the seam sealer and Satin Black):

Brake line parts are all here, so that little chore, is next.

 

[Dave8338]

Hold the boat!!!!!!!!!!!

Hold the boat!!!!!!!!!!!

Finished changing speakers on my Mazda. New rear speakers went in first, and gave the effect that I had hoped for by replacing all four. Replacing the front speakers had a bigger effect than replacing the rears. It took longer than it should have, but it was worth it.

Took the Mazda to a garage to replace the timing belt, other belts, and water pump. There is no labor charge for replacing the water pump when the timing belt is changed. There are problems since the change. The new belts are noisier than the old ones. This effect seems to be decreasing as I get some miles on them. Also, the sound is masked completely by road noise at higher speeds.

The idle was steady and low before the change, and now it goes up and down. And it has less power at very low speeds, running roughly until 7 mph in first, 13 mph in second, and 23 mph in third. I don't know how that can be related to a belt change, though.

Changed oil. In six oil changes on this car, I've tried about 6 oil filter wrenches and haven't yet found one that properly grabs the dinky filters that this engine uses. I wasn't able to twist the filter more than 1/2 turn after it was finger tight, because the cap wrench cams off.

TOM:

Who ever installed your timing belt, SCREWED IT UP!!!!!

EVERY symptom that you describe is indicative of a timing belt that has been installed WRONG!

My guess is that the timing is now (retarded) as a result of:
1. The timing marks on the cam and crank, being off, OR

2. The belt jumping a tooth (which didn't happen because you mention the "louder" belts, than prior to the repair (THE sign of a timing belt that is TOO tight).

Take it BACK and let them know you know what is wrong.

Just saying...

Change ALL my own timing belts and water pumps.

Ford owns Mazda.

Wrench both.

 

[Dave8338]

The first of many S-curves in an Escorts brake line system.

Really, Ford!! You couldn't have designed this without the 6" piece of hard line and 2 fittings (that cost me wholesale, $4.36 each AND I NEED 16 of them)

10mm metric that run through 3/16" hard line. Ford quit making them...

 

[DanTheMan]

Finally, after visiting with Dave8338 on Tuesday, trading a headlight bucket and ears for another 'Jammer fairing, yesterday I started work on the motorhome for our Thanksgiving trip(leaving Friday afternoon). Pulled the generator out of its' hole, removed the starter so it could be rebuilt, found the cause of an annoying vibration on the main engine (exhaust system clamp), and got about 1/2 done last night on putting the plastic shrink wrap on my windows for the winter trip so we'll stay much warmer. Most of it will be finished today, with loading up the fridge and putting clothes and stuff in before leaving Friday morning, wife will be loading her clothes and stuff tonight. Pictures of the generator operation to follow.....

 

[Runningdog]

Yesterday PM, I rebuilt the carb on the snow-thrower and got it purring......no snow at the house, yet, but it's sneaking down the mountainsides, and should be here later this week.

We've been really lucky with weather this fall, usually have snow before Halloween (it disappears, tho'), but it's comin'..supposed to be a La Nina year, so we have a 50% chance of the winter being colder/snowier/warmer/wetter than last year.

 

[Dave8338]

Hey, Dan.

Yeah it was fun talking with you and seeing that the fairing went to a good home. Not sure you mentioned, where are you and the wife off to?

Looking forward to seeing the pics of that generator. As I mentioned Tuesday, I would love to get my hands on a little 3-cylinder diesel, like you have on your motor home generator.

OH...the possibilities!! :-\\\ :twistedevil:

Hope the hip gets better and be sure to send plenty of pics from your trip!

Dave

 

[ozarkdrb]

Getting Jeep ready for Winter

Getting Jeep ready for Winter

Had a day off yesterday, so I changed antifreeze, drained and replaced front and back differential fluid, transfer case drain and fill, rotated my tires, new brake pads on front, new serpentine belt, and new spark plugs in a 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade.
Not too tough wrenching until you get to the Plugs on that 3.7 engine. Yoiks! What a pita!
Built like a boat ignition with a coil on each spark plug riser... no wires! And do NOT cross-thread these suckers as they are 6 inches down in a hole.
Ready for winter in the Ozarks!

Ozarkdrb

 

[DanTheMan]

Here's some of the work I've been doing getting ready for our trip in the motorhome to Ogden, UT.

The genset-removed the starter, had it rebuilt, now installed, genset running.

 

[Mindless]

At work I built computer and server barracks / staff quarters for the Norwegian army and NATO.

At home I fiddled with some exhaust valves to determine whether or not to replace them with new ones.

 

[kyscootertrash]

Kz1300

Kz1300

Removed the motor from a KZ1300 6 Cylinder, and completely disassembled it,(even split the cases). As a side note, these are the only motorcycle engines that require a hoist. Every other bike I have worked on, I just bribe a buddy with a couple of beers to help me set the engine in or out of the frame.

 

[bonanzadave]

our trip in the motorhome to Ogden, UT.

Damn ! Thats what I call over the river and through the woods. Have fun !!