Small victories

[f6john]

Weather being disagreeable and unpredictable, I have attempted to do some vehicle maintenance. Wise or not, I decided to work on two vehicles at the same time alternating between as fatigue and exasperation dictates. My Corvette hasn’t had an oil change in two years (I know, I know) and I’ve never changed the fuel filter since I’ve owned the car even though I bought one over a year ago.

I like to change the oil after I have at least warmed the car up but that would have required to open the garage door but it’s cold outside and the wife would never allow that! Not to worry, when I tried to pop the trunk lid to get my jacking pucks out, no joy, the battery was dead, so it wouldn’t have started anyway. So out comes the battery charger and I look over at the Wing and it didn’t get its end of the year oil change either, so I hop over to it and guess what, I couldn’t remember where the oil drain bolt is located. The bike and it’s body work are pretty low to the ground and I don’t have a lift for it so I drag out the factory service manual to find out where that dang bolt is located! Then I had to guess three times what size socket the bolt requires. Easy peasey after that so I switch back to the Vette which has enough juice to pop the lid so I can get the pucks out, install them on the frame rails, so I can then position the lift under the car.

Once the car is in the air things get as easy as they can get for an old guy to crawl under a car that is still a little less than two feet off the ground. Cold oil drains slow, so I take the drain bolt out and the oil hits the drain pan on first try, yea! By this time the oil has drained out of the Wing, so time to remove the filter. If you read the manual you have to remove a bunch of plastic stuff if you want to go straight at the filter with a filter wrench that’s made for that specific size. Well, I’m doing that! So out comes the adjustable pliers and there  is just enough room to get a bite on the filter and break it loose. Now where’s that new filter. I have filters on the shelf for every while I own, except the Wing. So back to the Vette and it’s barely dripping oil but, the drain bolt on the pan is on its nose not on the bottom. By experience I know I must jack up the back of the car higher than the front to get all the oil out of the “batwing” style oil pan. So now oil is running again, might as well go get that filter.


To be continued 

[Rams]

John, you didn't do too bad, yesterday I went into a room three times to retrieve something that was needed and ended up leaving each time because I couldn't remember why I was there.   Yep, easily distracted.  Today, I did remember to get the item but have no memory of why I was getting it.   

Rams

[old2soon]

   And here it turns out I "thought" I wuz the king of procrastination!   I can Not find it in my heart to berate at all. I've let some easy peasy jobs slide by cuz of the cold here to! Go back to yer G/W manual find that page on the oil drain plug and take a pen and write down the socket size so the Next time you put off the oil chasnge ya only gotta find he right size socket!   RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

John, you didn't do too bad, yesterday I went into a room three times to retrieve something that was needed and ended up leaving each time because I couldn't remember why I was there.   Yep, easily distracted.  Today, I did remember to get the item but have no memory of why I was getting it.   

Rams

That is happening to me all the time.  It always did, but more often now.

Since I live in a 3 level split and get tired of running up and down stairs all the time, I try to multitask (and multi hand when doing it).  So I know what I'm doing with the thing in my right hand, but why am I carrying the thing in my left hand?  So I set it down on the table so after I walk by and look at it a few times, it may come back to me. 

[Rams]

John, you didn't do too bad, yesterday I went into a room three times to retrieve something that was needed and ended up leaving each time because I couldn't remember why I was there.   Yep, easily distracted.  Today, I did remember to get the item but have no memory of why I was getting it.   

Rams

OK, now I've forgotten where I laid the item after remembering the why I sought the item out.  I'm sure my ever loving wife will remind me once she sees that I haven't accomplished what ever I was supposed to do. 

Rams   

[f6john]

Lots happening since last I posted. On the wing, the oil change is done and the side cover that has to come off to access the dipstick and add oil, I noticed that the the rear brake needs some fluid but I haven’t verified Dot 3 or 4, but I’m leaving the side cover off until it gets raised up to full. I’m going to adjust the rear brake pedal height too. I had it off to remove the exhaust cover over a year ago and I may have missed it by a notch or two on reassembly which causes my foot to have to move further down before the caliper engages. Still more to do, even have some speed bleeders to install sooner regather than later.

Oil finally all drained out of the Vette and of course it was a snap to finish up. Even remembered to put the drain plug back in while I was under the car putting on the oil filter. Takes about 6 1/2 quarts to top it off. Next on the list was a new fuel filter/ pressure regulator as I’m betting it is the original. I’ve had one on the shelf for over a year, the car is on the lift, I’ve got one of those fuel line release tools so I thought, might as well. Has three fittings to deal with, inlet, outlet and return line. The outlet and return line were not the type of fitting I expected even though they were a push on fitting. They only required tool was a pair of narrow pliers to squeeze the ears of some clips together and pull those lines off. The inlet side was another story. It was of the type I was expecting but I could not get my tool to work although I was sure it was the right size but ultimately it require a trip to the auto parts store. My tool was metal and the shoulder that does the work appeared to fat to slide between the fuel line and the filter fitting. I found a set of plastic release tools and they were thinner and possibly smoother. That the filter off in two minutes once I got home. Since all the lines just push on reassembly was a snap and only one bolt secures everything to the frame.


But today, oh my, have you ever tried to change spark plugs and wires on a LS1 C5 ? I know many cars present a problem when it comes to plugs but I’m just a shade tree mechanic and I don’t have to deal with all of them. I started at 10:30 today and just stopped about 30 minutes ago. Progress so far all four plugs on the drivers side out and new plugs back in. The most time was spent getting the old wires off the plugs where they were pretty much destroyed in the process. Wasn’t going to use them again anyway but they put up a valiant fight. My fear was reinstalling the new plugs into the aluminum heads where the holes were completely hidden from view without cross threading them. Long story short I got them back in and the only casualty has been my hands as they are beat up and bloody. I did, in the end resort to some mechanics gloves I had stashed away in the tool box.


Tomorrow, round two, and the passenger side plugs. There may be less room to work over there than the drivers side! I’m also facing an oil pressure sending unit replacement which will very likely require removal of the intake manifold. I’m also contemplating my car may never run again!

[Jess from VA]

I'm also only a shade tree mechanic.

1) Before taking off brake or shift levers that I am happy where they are adjusted, I drag a center punch or something across the lever and the shaft output, so I have a benchmark when putting them back on.  Not a big old scratch, just a little drag mark.

2) When trying to get hard to reach spark plugs started without cross threading, I stick the insulator end of the plug up into a snug fitting short piece of old fuel line (mm?).  It's not as good as finger feel, but will let you get them started gently, but if it tries to cross thread, the plug will turn in the fuel line and not allow cross thread. 

[f6john]

Both good ideas Jess. I didn’t have any rubber line of sufficient size so I used the spark plug socket and a short extension. I still used only my hands to start them and I must say that they started fairly easily. I think the heads were cast with a helpful slope leading to the threads. I’ll be marking my brake pedal once I’m happy with it again.

[Jess from VA]

I've used the socket and extension (and no ratchet driver) myself too.

Being short of stature and legs, I remember having to lay belly down over the engine to reach things.
 
I had my '69 350ci/350hp droptop Stingray out at March AFB, and the base was old (dating to 1918, and WWI flight training) and had rows of little tiny garages where I kept it (which probably had had Model Ts in them).  So small I put foam rubber on the walls so the doors didn't bang them opening.  The wife would come out with some chips and a coke and watch, and laugh.  The very first time she got in it (in shorts), she took the skin off her legs on my hot sidepipes and kicked the car and said bad words.   

[f6john]

With the quick lift, if I took the wheels off I could just about set the frame rails on the ground. The best part is I can set it to a comfortable height and if I drop something under the car in a matter of seconds I can raise the whole car back up.




The hydraulic unit is rated for 5000 lbs so I could use it on any vehicle I have with a few adapters.

[Jess from VA]

That's a really nice rig (and car), I haven't seen before.  

My Dodge Ram van (the only 4 wheeler I own) sits up so high, I can easily slide under for any work I might need to do (none yet).  I've never had a flat in the 10 plys, and never taken down the spare, though do keep the proper pressure in it.

Not mine (same truck)




I have no grey water tank, but look at the room under there.  I could camp out under it.  


On the other hand, the hood is just for checking fluids, air cleaner and plugging in diagnostics.


 





 

[f6john]

I had a GMC 3500 lwb van that I worked out of for a number of years, not as big as yours but very versatile and a handy as a pocket on a shirt.

[f6john]

Those pesky spark plugs that gave me so much trouble and cost me some skin in the process.







Not too bad considering how long they had been in there. I was especially happy there was zero evidence of any oil fouling.



Just some of the tools I had to employ to get the wires and plugs out.

[Jess from VA]

I have no idea about your car, but the gaps in those plugs look wider than I've ever seen.

[f6john]

Those are platinum plugs from back in the day which called for a .060 gap.  The latest iridium plugs come with a .040 gap. The plugs had a “tab” of platinum on them and some of those tabs are missing off these which would make the gaps even wider. The car ran pretty much normally with them.

[Jess from VA]

I wasn't trying to call you out.... just noticing. 

[f6john]

I wasn't trying to call you out.... just noticing. 

And I was just clarifying for everyone’s edification. Always good to add stuff like that for future reference.

[GiG]

Son has a small Victory for sale - 2014 Kingpin 1700. He was Polaris mechanic did all this own maintenance. Nice.  


Smaller than a Cross Country Tour or a Valkyrie Interstate by weight & by footprint

[Big Rick]

Hardest car I ever had to change plugs in was a Chevy Monza that had a 350 in it, I had to undo the motor mount bolts and jack the engine up, and to change the oil pan, it was either drop the whole front suspension or pull the motor out of the car...I didn't keep the car long, because I was still to young and dumb, I couldn't keep the car on the road from doing burnouts and other stupid stuff. Car had a four speed and I went through clutches fast...traded it for a Pontiac Grand Le Mans

[f6john]

Son has a small Victory for sale - 2014 Kingpin 1700. He was Polaris mechanic did all this own maintenance. Nice. 

Never thought of the Kingpin as small and that rear tire and wheel was killer!

Hardest car I ever had to change plugs in was a Chevy Monza that had a 350 in it, I had to undo the motor mount bolts and jack the engine up, and to change the oil pan, it was either drop the whole front suspension or pull the motor out of the car...I didn't keep the car long, because I was still to young and dumb, I couldn't keep the car on the road from doing burnouts and other stupid stuff. Car had a four speed and I went through clutches fast...traded it for a Pontiac Grand Le Mans

I’m sure there are worse cars for changing plugs but I had read so much on the Corvette forums that I had made it worse than it was. If memory serves me correctly, the big block 428 in the Mustang Mach One were legendary.

[HayHauler]

My brother had a Smokie and the Bandit Trans Am.  He paid me and my younger brother to change the spark plugs.  THAT was the most difficult car/truck I have ever changed plugs in.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[f6john]

A couple more small victories today.






Installed my used driveway ramps that I bought off marketplace a couple of weeks ago. Gosh they make a difference as I drove the Vette over them today. The Wing will get its chance tomorrow. I’m sold and I’ll be keeping my eye out for another set for the front driveway.


Then I spent the rest of my afternoon attempting to program an additional 3 button remote for my garage doors. Try as I might, I finally had to admit defeat and called Chamberlin for assistance. Success, and the call only took about 30 minutes start to finish so I declared a double victory for the day.


For a short window today the temps creeped into the mid 50’s, thank you Jesus!

[Jess from VA]

Nothing like a speed bump driveway apron.

I got a 3 hr ride today in that low 50s weather.  Still nippy, but fun.  Some old speed bumps around (in my shortcut streets) here have lost all their paint and no signs, and if you don't remember them, you come clear out of your seat.  WTF!!???

You have a nice lawn there John.     I bet you don't mow it with a walk-behind.   

[f6john]

Nothing like a speed bump driveway apron.

I got a 3 hr ride today in that low 50s weather.  Still nippy, but fun.  Some old speed bumps around (in my shortcut streets) here have lost all their paint and no signs, and if you don't remember them, you come clear out of your seat.  WTF!!???

You have a nice lawn there John.     I bet you don't mow it with a walk-behind.   

I’m swinging a leg over the bike tomorrow at least for a little while. It won’t be long now before I’ll be getting up close and personal with that grass. I’ll probably try to fire up the Scag turf tiger sometime tomorrow. The battery hasn’t been on a tender so it may balk on me a bit. It’s got a fuel injected Kohler so as long as it gets spark , it’s going to run.

[Rams]

Hardest car I ever had to change plugs in was a Chevy Monza that had a 350 in it, I had to undo the motor mount bolts and jack the engine up, and to change the oil pan, it was either drop the whole front suspension or pull the motor out of the car...I didn't keep the car long, because I was still to young and dumb, I couldn't keep the car on the road from doing burnouts and other stupid stuff. Car had a four speed and I went through clutches fast...traded it for a Pontiac Grand Le Mans

Reminds me of a Pontiac Fiero I had we dropped a Cadillac V8 into.   Changing those front four cylinders was not something I cared to do very often.   But, only did it once before I moved on to a supercharged 3.8L V6 in another 88 Fiero.   Both were a blast to drive although, the 3.4 DOHC engine we put into another 88 Fiero was just as much fun due to the RPMs that thing would pull.  But, regardless of the engine, the front cylinder backs were never any fun.

Rams

[f6john]

Another project coming up and I will be plowing new ground, so to speak. My Titan has sprung an oil leak after 20 years and 207,000 miles. It appears that the drivers side valve cover is the culprit. Waiting on parts for now, this being a 4 cam engine with the spark plugs being well hidden down between the cams, I decided since I have never changed them now might be a most opportune time.

Here’s the twist. The valve covers are plastic! And even though you can buy just new gaskets, the consensus is to replace the valve covers along with the gaskets. So that’s what I will be doing. When you order you get the covers, the gaskets, new seals for the coils and a new pcv valve already installed. No plug wires to deal with as the coils attach directly to the plugs, I sort of like that I think.

Other than oil changes with oil and air filters this will be the first time I’ve had to do any wrenching on the 5.6 V8.

[f6john]

With all the wet weather and parts rolling in I was able to tackle needed repairs on my truck. While waiting on my valve covers and gaskets to address the oil leak, I heard some strange noises coming from the the rear end. I was afraid a rear bearing was going out but turns out the parking brakes located inside the rear rotor hat had failed, so more parts ordered.

My brake parts beat my engine parts to my door by one day so I started on them last Friday and finished them up on Saturday. Much like doing a brake job on an older car with drum brakes but with somewhat poorer access to fasteners. I started on the valve covers yesterday and it has been quite a challenge. The entire wiring harness for that bank on the engine is attached to the valve cover. So you have to disconnect the fuel injectors, coil connectors, wiring for the O2 sensors, the throttle body harness, and a few other wires that go to places unknown. Once everything is free from the covers you can then move the harness out of the way enough to remove the valve cover bolts and remove the covers. I did replace the spark plugs while I was at it and after 200,000 miles they were pretty well used up.


So now in preparation to start putting that side back together, I find that these plastic valve cover have a two step installation process. They are supposed to be torqued down in a specific pattern to 18 inch/pounds on the first pass and 73 inch/pounds on the second pass. Only problem is I don’t own a inch/pound torque wrench. But, I do now! I couldn’t find one that would measure as low as 18 inch pounds so I has to just do a snug down on the first pass then I did a second pass at 50 inch/pounds and a third pass at 73 inch/pounds. I think I’m good with that process.


Ready to start reattaching all the harness connections and that side will be done. Dentist appointment this morning and then start on the other side this afternoon. I wish I knew the dealer cost of these jobs which would make me feel better about my effort and loss of skin and blood in the process. At over $100.00 an hour shop rates I feel like it was time well spent and money saved for more important endeavors like motorcycle rallies!

[f6john]

Looks like a slow day on the general board so I’ll update this and let it die a slow death! No more oil leaks on the Titan. I was pleased as punch about the conditions under the valve covers. Absolutely no gunk or sludge to be found. Being an OHC motor the cam lobes were right there in my face and they looked new no visible wear. I still have a SES light on and the code reader still says it’s the cats so I’m going to throw some snake oil cat cleaner in the tank to see what happens, works for some, so I will see! I think this old girl may have another 100k in her! That is after some needed suspension work