What Did You do Today - Car Related?

[62131]

Basket cases are cheap most of the _time

[chopper526]

The one thing that building my '32 has taught me is not to be afraid to tackle anything, just keep moving forward.

[Rattiac]

Today I went over to my dad's to fire up the atvs to get ready to sell and 2 have dead battery and also the throttle is stuck closed. Been sitting awhile. 
Looking in the gas tank we noticed "Salt" like debris at the bottom of the gas.   
Walked away for now,  till next weekend. 

On the way home.  I stopped at auto zoo and grabbed a 02 sensor socket for the truck.  Once home I noticed the check engine light turned off.

I had the upper 02 sensors changed out weeks ago and then a new code said the passenger side was bad.  Guess it decided to cooperate.

[sixball]

I've been picking away at reorganizing my shop and have moved all the big tools that will get moved. I have learned that just moving things around does not create more space. 

I bought a 12000 lb Badland (Harbor Freight) winch and have prepping my 2014 Silverado for front and rear hitch mounts as well as the car trailer. These things have gotten very good reviews and for the price they are attractive. I got the winch, which mount, wireless remote, and a tree saver strap for $505. In the process I'm cleaning up some sketchy wiring added by previous owners and moving some of it to less damage prone  locations. Sometimes it's hard sorting out all of the free information on the different 4x4 sites. 

[Rattiac]

Sometimes it's hard sorting out all of the free information on the different 4x4 sites. 

Yeah,  I've noticed while searching through forums on wood burning stoves all the different "debates" on wood vs propane and single vs double pipe and the whole "no elbows" thing.  Could drive ya crazy. 🥴
I can imagine the debates on winches. 
Years ago I quit jeeping with groups.

[sixball]

There are two kinds of people: Those who do stuff and those who tell everybody else how to do stuff. 

[Rattiac]

Here's a couple tops from the last few weeks.
Haven't done a camaro in a year cause the factory doesn't want to pay the labor.
They say they will only pay for 2 hrs labor but our book said 7hrs minimum.
Wonder where they get this 2hrs from ?
Is it when the robot installs it on the line already attached to the frame?
Anyway my boss said no more camaros till they pay the proper labor rate.
Even thier own mechanics won't touch em.
This one came from Idaho/private owner.

[sammons]

There are two kinds of people: Those who do stuff and those who tell everybody else how to do stuff. 

Lol, I use to be in the first catagory. Now i'm in the second, (not by choice) but only when asked!  😁

Rattiac, GM only pays in house warrenty time, (or use too). All the techs use to hate getting stuck on warrenty jobs, big screw over!

Ran into that around '79 on a new Corvette with transport damage, rear quarter panel cracked. Repairable but because it was new it needed replaced. They didn't have anybody in their bodyshop that had fiberglass experience, or at any area Chevy dealers. Dad gave them an estimate to repair, Gm wouldn't approve hours or materials. We used Mitchell Collision Manuals for labor rates/ procedures, which were pretty much in line with correct times. The Dealership finally decided to pay the extra cost to get it fixed and back on the lot.

[sixball]

Well, I screwed up and ordered the wrong front hitch. Mine is a 2006 and I ordered one for a 2014. I can make it work but why? The right one gets the receiver and thus the winch higher with more clearance. My wife's Jeep is a 2014. 

I removed about 40' of heavy extra wire used by the PO for culturally based sound and lighting upgrades. That plus the synthetic winch rope will help off set some of my add ons. Poor old truck is confused and having identity issues. I think I'm going to have to do a total rewire on the aftermarket backup cam.

[sammons]

Just checking in. Looks like you guys are probably busy with spring "need too's". Been doing some of that myself. Got the mower serviced and up and running. It was kind of hard to start, got to thinking.....it's still got the original plugs in it from 1998🥴
Looking back at records, its got between 1,400 to 1,500 hours on it. Plugs still light grey color. Fires up quick now!😁 Starting it's 23 season, fingers crossed!

My buddy Tom was making good headway on his '58 LFC on the donor mock up chassis. Keep forgetting to take phone down for a quick pic. He has the HD 3500 front and rear axel, driveline in, power steering and new discbrake power booster installed. Then he got stuck rewireing his farm house and out buildings over head lines.

Checked on my buddy Shanes projects. He got his wifes new roller chassis in for her '27 T roadster. Then had shoulder surgery  so he'll be out for several months.

I haven't touched a car in 9 months🥴 Got back on my friend Dales '32 Dodge p.u. door. Had him weld in a patch around the lower door hinge. Somehow he warped it, hell i was kinda watching and thought he did good. So..making a bigger patch to cut out and weld in myself. He did get the chassis built and a 360/727 trans installed. Then he got side tracked pouring a floor for his workshop.

Anyway, hope all is going well with you guys.

[sixball]

I'm still working on setting the '06 Silverado up for winching from both ends. The last of the pieces will be here any day. It got more expensive and involved that I thought.
Also put together a temporary tank for citric acid rust treatment and soaked roadster parts. The tank turned out to be more temporary than intended but it got the job done. I emptied a big tote of motorcycle parts and will use it for rust removal over the summer.

Some of this (frame, axle, crossmember) is what I started with the blaster attachment on my pressure washer. The Citric acid did a better and less messy job, before the leaks.  I still need to wire brush some spots but not much. None of this was cleaned before getting dunked. It's a great place to start, fast easy and safe.

[sammons]

Too bad you don't live closer. We used to have a furniture restoration Co here, they had a large 4' x 4' x '8 foot long stainless steel caustic tank w/lid for stripping furniture.  My freind ran it last, closed and sold building. He gave tank to my neighbor, who was trying to give it away last year. If he hasn't yet, it's still in the roundtop behind my house. Nobody seems to have room for it.

[sixball]

I think the big tote will work really well. It won't fit a frame but most of the rest will fit. It may take two shots for a rear end. Mt trunk lid will probably take two dunks but the rest of the body panels will go in. I may dip a ford flathead block and bolt some of my speed parts on just for eye candy. The citric acid won't hurt solid paint. I'm going to try some old cans and signs. During the shop cleanup a lot will find it's way in there.

[chopper526]

Sixball, those parts turned out great! I would get away with the tote, but hat tank with the frame is about where my wife would draw the line
Sammons, you are right, personally, I have been spending a ton of time down Wildwood (the Jersey shore) getting the mini-golf and ice cream shop up and running, painting, upgrading, etc. Then, when I am home in Philly I have to catch up on all the stuff that has to be handled. Doesn't leave too much time for cars right now.

[sixball]

Sammons, getting ready to fight the weed.wildfire battle. My Kubota is the best tool I ever bought. Funny that I didn't meet the PO when I bought it 1/2 a big state away but we are now friends connected by interests in public roads, a big deal here where The Government owns most of the land and didn't make provisions for what they've away. Anyway the bucket on the Kubota makes life here possible.

Chopper my wife is so "left brain" she can't draw lines. She is great and drives by my piles of crap every day. I hauled a load off today. Looking forward to the opening of the miniature golf place at Tahoe so we can take the grandsons.