What Did You Do This Weekend?

I didn’t do a thing to the car..but did gain a point of view unusual about longevity: after 400k miles a relative had to replace seals in the injectors of his rig. First engine repair.He wasn’t happy about that whatsoever. He started in the days of mechanical injection big rigs in the 1970s. Reminding himself via notes that 10000 more miles had passed to get an oil change and grease…all the way nonchalantly to a million miles…through 3 rigs….and 30 years… One rear end change, and its a big catastrophe to hear the story.I got an old subaru that stayed original drivetrain to 120k and 22 years, and swear its going for a world record. Auto standards are so bad,always have been, I think I am doing good…until I hear my dads stories of trucking.

I finally fixed the rust hole in the back of the Suburban. I also found out just how fast bondo cures (pretty darn quick) and just how bad I am at fixing body work. It is all sealed up and re-painted but is a bit lumpy and looks like crap. Better than before but still crappy. I might it another try when I have time again next spring. (winter will set into Ohio in the next month making driveway repairs impossible.)

Got sub, amp and deck installed in my g6 at a local audio installer and they put a 4 inch scrath and dent between my back door and wheel. Of course I didn’t bother to take pictures because I was runnning late for class so I had no proof and they flat out denied it. So yay me I’ll be out like a grand to get this fixed all for some audio goodness. At least I met a cute girl to (sorta) even out my shitty weekend

Since my Firebird blew a gasket (next post) I had to rush getting the Grand Prix back on the street. I recently replaced the front struts, then the passenger side strut bearing let go, letting the strut mash against the underside of the hood (fortunately no topside hood damage).
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I temporarily fixed the renegade strut by taking the top nut off (obviously no spring stress on it at that point) then removed the large extruded (bowl shaped) washer. Using a screwdriver and with the car slightly lifted, I pushed the strut down below the former bearing and installed the washer inside the strut tower upside-down and let the strut rise back up through it. I then fashioned a hole in a piece of plate steel and torqued the end nut back on. Not kosher for long-term, but extremely strong for a temporary repair until a new bearing could be obtained.
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Anyway I did the actual bearing replacement on Saturday then tried to find a place that could inspect the car (inspection expired in March). Had ZERO luck with that of course. Decided to try again Sunday and found that Pep Boys had openings in a more rural location about 45 minutes away. Got there at 9:00 am with my son and finally got out $485 lighter and 6 hours later.
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Needed an alignment, I knew that from tire wear and handling. Needed 3 bulbs and balancing. Also needed to have the passenger-side strut removed (yet again) and the spring alignment wedge rotated…
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Oh and NO stickers, yet. I also had to pay for a full engine diagnostic (85 bucks) to be told that I need to replace the catalytic converter (they didn’t have). Found one at Advance Auto parts today over the phone. They dropped their $268 price to match AutoZone’s $208 price at my mere mention of their price being beat.
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Tomorrow after work I get the converter and install it asap, then go back to the Pep Boys, pay an additional $25 for the inspection AGAIN and then, finally, the car will have inspection and emissions stickers.
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Oh, and today I picked up a set of Angel Eye foglamps for the Prix, to finish the whole angel eye theme in the front. In fact, it’s 10:43pm and I’m about to go outside and install those suckers. Bye now.

Mine is a tale of woe, or maybe whoa…
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Last Wednesday my “new” firebird became incontinent in the worst way. It blew a headgasket on the passenger side. Dosen’t matter really which side cause they both then gotta be redone after the tear-down. I stopped the car immediately and there was no evidence of coolant having mixed with the oil because the dipstick was clean (although that’s only one indicator).
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I was quoted $250 to tow the car to my house 30 miles away. Seemed steep. I re-joined AAA for $108. Got the Premium membership although I’ll have basic coverage the first week. Paid $112 to the AAA tow operator, will have tow coverage for the next year (including one 200-mile tow!) AND saved $28 when compared to saying yes to the first guy for the tow.
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I’ll start the tear down tonight, starting with the upper intake and throttle body, and hopefully be finished that effort early Saturday when I take the heads to my mechanic.
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I’m not bummed about this. This is an opportunity for me to make the engine bay a far better place than it ever was. You will love what you see and some of it will be unique, mark my words.

if I could be anyone, I think I would be you.

wow, that sounds like such a cool trip. You guys are lucky bastards.

I re-attached my rear view mirror with JB weld after it fell off on my way to school the day before, and then it fell off again today. The package clearly states it can bond metal and glass, and is good up to 300 degrees…