RDP'S "What are you working on?"

[monkeyswrench]

Soaked with pb blaster overnight.

What I've been doing, run it, spray with PB or Kroil when hot, and just "crack" them loose. Do everything else that needs doing, and come back to them.

 

[530RL]

 

[callbob]

Making your own gas chamber or is it going to be sub to go to the titanic?

 

[TPC]

What I've been doing, run it, spray with PB or Kroil when hot, and just "crack" them loose. Do everything else that needs doing, and come back to them.

Kroil is da stuff.

 

[just_floatin]

Still tinkering with the 64 Impala in between building an LS/4L Squarebody truck frame.

 

[wayniac]

this.. i design test cards for silicon wafers....

 

[monkeyswrench]

this.. i design test cards for silicon wafers....


View attachment 1363417

Dunno what silicon wafers are, or how to test them, but that looks very "Tron" to me.

I can do simple wiring harnesses for automotive ECU's, but have no clue what magic and pixie dust is inside the silver boxes

 

[530RL]

 

[Mr. C]

Got the cabinet. Now trying to figure out Uplighting or down lighting. before the final finishing steps. Obviously needs more on other shelves. Just what I have for now. I’m leaning toward the uplighting as they are now

While actually for the maybe the second time all year having ball on. And rooting for Denver.

 

[Mr. C]

Ok. So the little woman ( I do as well) wants to add a complete top and fill in the sides of the cabinet.
So I’ve done some real quick cut and see mocked up panels for reference.
I can’t screw them in from the cabinet. So I’m thinking some wood glue and a good adhesive silicone caulk on the wall side.
Then add either a custom fit peice of finished wood or maybe granite type top.
Any suggestions gladly accepted.

 

[Sharky]

Helping a freind.

Wipers, power windows, power locks, dome light inop. It's a Ford. . . . Only one thing it can be. . . . . GEM

And, the front windshield is not leaking.

I hate Fords! But, he pays cash and straight time.

 

[pixrthis]

Ready to go for the new owner in the morning. Runs like a champ, I’d keep it if it were 4X4.

 

[JayBreww]

Well this was a first, put a Fabcraft Posi in the extra 3rd member i have. Waiting on axles and in the 55 it goes.
View attachment 1358461 View attachment 1358462 View attachment 1358463

Decide to jack the car up and remove the axles and third member.
Axles came out easy with the slide hammer, interesting one of them appeared original and the other seemed to have just been installed. They’re 29 spline and the new posi is 31 so chromoly dual pattern axles will be here Tuesday.
The third member I removed had 3:23 gears in it and the replacement has 3:42.
Installed Calvert Catrac bars as well.

Also put some seat covers from LSeat in the rear to replace the Mexican blanket.

 

[Andy B.]

Was lol

 

[monkeyswrench]

Decide to jack the car up and remove the axles and third member.
Axles came out easy with the slide hammer, interesting one of them appeared original and the other seemed to have just been installed. They’re 29 spline and the new posi is 31 so chromoly dual pattern axles will be here Tuesday.
The third member I removed had 3:23 gears in it and the replacement has 3:42.
Installed Calvert Catrac bars as well.

Also put some seat covers from LSeat in the rear to replace the Mexican blanket.

View attachment 1366547 View attachment 1366548 View attachment 1366549

I'd never used Caltracs before a few years ago. A friend and I assembled an S10, poor man's rocket. 400sbc, TH-350 with a brake and an Explorer 8.8 with 4.10's. World of difference. I was pleasantly surprised with the difference.

 

[Willie B]

Helping a freind.

Wipers, power windows, power locks, dome light inop. It's a Ford. . . . Only one thing it can be. . . . . GEM

And, the front windshield is not leaking.

View attachment 1365838

View attachment 1365840


I hate Fords! But, he pays cash and straight time.

… The top photo looks very similar to my 1999 expedition…

 

[530RL]

 

[Sharky]

… The top photo looks very similar to my 1999 expedition…

Pretty much the same

 

[TPC]

Our first two weeks in Parker this year and the weather was excellent. Cool nights and cool breezes during the day.

Our River Fleetwood slide-out trailer is in it's 24th year.
This year: New 12V batteries, new streaming TV's, new fan motor in the AC, all new plumbing fixtures throughout.

I put a new roof over the existing roof 8 years ago and that was the best thing I've done to it. Has it ever held up.

24 years old AC unit so I had to to grind off some screws + replace the cowling.

The replacement motor was more powerful with 600 more RPM so the airflow is amazing. I remember when those replacement motors were $240 wholesale, now 1/3 that. If you can find them with ball bearings spend the extra $20. The motor runs cooler and draws way less power, lasts longer and sound like turbines when starting.

I noticed a few other RVs were having a general RV repair service change out their roof AC's. The installers were confused why the unit wiring doesn't jive, not a direct drop-in.

The mfgs have gone from the conventional 4 or 5 wire analog controls to a 2 and 3 wire digital control.
A direct change-out may mean running new low voltage control wiring and T stat. The old wiring is often stapled inside the walls to the frame so ya just select 2 or 3 of them and wire the new unit accordingly. Hopefully color coded for the DIY people. You can still order the old style controlled units, hold that thought because the person you are ordering from may not know the difference. You'll need a new t stat to jive with it as well.

I adjust the unit's gas to a "summer charge" and people are amazed I can leave the front door open, just the screen door and the Trailer cools nicely on a brutally hot day.
I did this with our past river Fleetwood too. Cold winter the charge has to be adjusted back to normal. Takes 10 minutes.

I had a new AC unit sitting in the back of the truck in case the repair did not go well. It's actually fun and easy to do. All replacement parts are available on Amazon.

All the plumbing faucets were crumbling so on eBay and Amazon I ordered all new. Easiest and cheapest project you can do on an RV. Don't even need tools. $6 bucks each, kitchen $18. So old and mounting at oddball angles even Spankies didn't stock them.

They made RVs better back then. Not saying good, just not as bad as they are today.
I always remember Rocky, AKA Boat Floating on RDP mentioning years ago Fleetwood is good at hiding their shortcuts. I discover how true that is in every project.

 

[JayBreww]

Decide to jack the car up and remove the axles and third member.
Axles came out easy with the slide hammer, interesting one of them appeared original and the other seemed to have just been installed. They’re 29 spline and the new posi is 31 so chromoly dual pattern axles will be here Tuesday.
The third member I removed had 3:23 gears in it and the replacement has 3:42.
Installed Calvert Catrac bars as well.

Also put some seat covers from LSeat in the rear to replace the Mexican blanket.

View attachment 1366547 View attachment 1366548 View attachment 1366549

And complete.
In order to mount the tires I have to drop the drive shaft and disconnect the shocks which sucks but I shouldn’t have to do it too often.
Now to break in the posi for a hundred miles or so.

 

[Mr. C]

Latest update
Ya I know. It’s not build but it’s what I got going on. Lol
Shelves are in / done level I’m happy.
New cabinet came damaged but no biggie we were doing a whole new top anyway. Which is slightly bowed hence the brick and paint can to try and get some levelness out of it. Before nailing it in place. Just need to get the finish front pieces and paint the color on the front of the cabinet to match the rest.
New mantle came in. Raised the tv again.
Trimmed what was left left of the surround mantle stuff. Not sure if we are gonna keep that or do something different in the future.
Speakers above the tv bug me. But don’t sound bad Might move the sound bar below the new mantle.
I’m just done. I think. lol.

 

[4Waters]

Latest update
Ya I know. It’s not build but it’s what I got going on. Lol
Shelves are in / done level I’m happy.
New cabinet came damaged but no biggie we were doing a whole new top anyway. Which is slightly bowed hence the brick and paint can to try and get some levelness out of it. Before nailing it in place. Just need to get the finish front pieces and paint the color on the front of the cabinet to match the rest.
New mantle came in. Raised the tv again.
Trimmed what was left left of the surround mantle stuff. Not sure if we are gonna keep that or do something different in the future.
Speakers above the tv bug me. But don’t sound bad Might move the sound bar below the new mantle.
I’m just done. I think. lol.


View attachment 1368623 View attachment 1368622

Looks great.

This is a what are you working on thread not what car are you working on, LOL. A couple inmates posted a beer because that is what they were working on. This is exactly what you are working on.

 

[Mr. C]

Looks great.

This is a what are you working on thread not what car are you working on, LOL. A couple inmates posted a beer because that is what they were working on. This is exactly what you are working on.

You get what I meant. Some have so much talent and tools and bitchen car/ boat builds to do so much more that I am amazed by. Mine seems minuscule in the grand scheme of things.
Yet I still am pleased what I have done with what I have.

 

[4Waters]

You get what I meant. Some have so much talent and tools and bitchen car/ boat builds to do so much more that I am amazed by. Mine seems minuscule in the grand scheme of things.
Yet I still am pleased what I have done with what I have.

What you did may give someone else an idea that's a little different or maybe add the lights to theirs.... this thread shows how amazingly talented the inmates are.

 

[lenmann]

I'd never used Caltracs before a few years ago. A friend and I assembled an S10, poor man's rocket. 400sbc, TH-350 with a brake and an Explorer 8.8 with 4.10's. World of difference. I was pleasantly surprised with the difference.

I have been thinking about adding these to my 55 Belair. What got better with the bars added? Did the ride change much?

 

[JayBreww]

I have been thinking about adding these to my 55 Belair. What got better with the bars added? Did the ride change much?

I just added them for when I take it to the drags.
I drove it around today and haven’t noticed anything significantly different in the ride, other than it doesn’t want to spin the tires out if the hole like before. But that could just be from adding the posi.

 

[monkeyswrench]

I have been thinking about adding these to my 55 Belair. What got better with the bars added? Did the ride change much?

It seemed a little stiffer, but not much to be honest. It seemed to act like a progressive spring though. As the truck would squat, it became more rigid, but only under load. It allowed the use of the trans brake, where as previously just leaving on the stall would blow off the 10.5 "cheaters". It took a good set, straight, and then allowed us to mess with the bottle in second and third. If I remember right, the replacements for the eye bushings were too big, and I had to turn them down?

 

[GNEnsrud]

picked this up a while back. It had been sitting for at least a few years, so working on getting it checked out, cleaned up and ready to go. It’ll be our first summer with a boat in 23 years…. wish me luck.

GNE

 

[Backlash]

picked this up a while back. It had been sitting for at least a few years, so working on getting it checked out, cleaned up and ready to go. It’ll be our first summer with a boat in 23 years…. wish me luck. View attachment 1369147 View attachment 1369148
GNE

That is by far the sexiest ski boat ever made! I've wanted a Barefoot Warrior since I was a kid! Perfect colors too! I'd love to see some pics of it out on the water!

 

[SoCalZero]

this.. i design test cards for silicon wafers....


View attachment 1363417

That hurts my brain! Do you put little characters in your designs? I have seen videos that pop up in my YouTube feed where they tear cards apart to reveal characters/special designs.

 

[coolchange]

Rewiring the dish washer. Should I add a scramble button?
FPOS

 

[4Waters]

View attachment 1369522
Rewiring the dish washer. Should I add a scramble button?
FPOS

More power

 

[JayBreww]

View attachment 1369522
Rewiring the dish washer. Should I add a scramble button?
FPOS

Rewire? I usually just send mine out to get a mani/pedi or hair done. Never thought to rewire it.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Rewire? I usually just send mine out to get a mani/pedi or hair done. Never thought to rewire it.

Been a lot of those miss-wired models in the news lately...same with sammich makers

 

[attitude]

The family hauler. Plugs, wires, coil pack swap, compression test, and now 8 new injectors and it still has a cylinder 5 misfire…

 

[monkeyswrench]

The family hauler. Plugs, wires, coil pack swap, compression test, and now 8 new injectors and it still has a cylinder 5 misfire…



View attachment 1369542

Steady misfire, or random? If it's steady, but compression checked out, I'd be thinking coil or injector harness end. If it's more random, or when hot, I'd be thinking head gasket weeping. Not real common though. Depending on your scanner, may be able to check the injectors and compare their readings, same with coils. I never know what the numbers should be, but if one is off th charts different it gives some clues.

 

[attitude]

Steady misfire, or random? If it's steady, but compression checked out, I'd be thinking coil or injector harness end. If it's more random, or when hot, I'd be thinking head gasket weeping. Not real common though. Depending on your scanner, may be able to check the injectors and compare their readings, same with coils. I never know what the numbers should be, but if one is off th charts different it gives some clues.

It’s a steady misfire, I’m trying to track down someone I know with a professional grad scanner that can read deeper into the codes and fuel trims. I will pop open the valve cover and take a look in there as well, however there is no unusual valve train noise.

I did see one commit of someone having an ignition coil connector going bad so I will check that as well.

I was really thinking it was the injector, so I am regathering my game plan lol.

 

[mjc]

It’s a steady misfire, I’m trying to track down someone I know with a professional grad scanner that can read deeper into the codes and fuel trims. I will pop open the valve cover and take a look in there as well, however there is no unusual valve train noise.

I did see one commit of someone having an ignition coil connector going bad so I will check that as well.

I was really thinking it was the injector, so I am regathering my game plan lol.

Maybe a lifter in the DOD stuff.

 

[attitude]

Maybe a lifter in the DOD stuff.

That was my first thought but cylinder 5 is not a DOD cylinder.

 

[monkeyswrench]

That was my first thought but cylinder 5 is not a DOD cylinder.

Usually a DOD failure gives me really low compression numbers.

 

[4Waters]

View attachment 1327942

Won't idle, has a brand new carb and same issue as rebuilt carb. It is very very lazy on the Rev, dizzy is set correctly but it even get it to fire you have to retard the shit out of it. We are down to a base engine problem, we think the cam is off a tooth. We don't know anything about the build except no one has been able to make idle since it was rebuilt (4 owners now). Time to pull the motor and split the case.

Unknown size, Unknown cam, all we know is it came with a 356 speedster carb (just one) and a 356 dizzy.

The owner is a friend or ours that is battling throat cancer and they need the money.

Update:

As said in a post 1369 we had @coolchange come over and put a different set of eyes on it and he agreed that it was a cam timing issue so out came the motor.

Pops got it tore down and the cam was timed correctly by the timing marks which made us scratch our heads even more. So out came the degree wheel and an inch of dust on the box. I have only degreed 1 cam and it's been 25ish years since I did that so out came the wire brush to start knocking off the rust on me. We spun it a few times before I finally remembered what I was looking at and got accurate numbers.

Yellow card is what the valve events are supposed to be, white paper is what it is.

Yes, that is the intake opening 3°ATDC, no wonder why this thing was having an attitude and being lazy as fuk. A bad grind on the cam. Bought a new cam and it runs idles and revs.

According to Engle the numbers on the cam show the cam being ground in the late 60's, this cam had zero wear and the cylinder walls had zero wear, they looked like they were honed last week.

Now that cam could have sat on a shelf for 30 years or more but it's obvious that this engine was put together new and no one was able to make it run correctly or possessed the skills to diagnose it properly, including a VW shop that the current owner took it to (scary).

A big thanks to Bruce @coolchange for taking time to look at this with us and help with the diagnosis.

I knew it was a cam issue, be it a timing issue or a valve event issue it was a ultimately the cam.

Now the owner can sell it to help with medical bills

 

[monkeyswrench]

@4Waters , the 110 was kind of the "go-to" cam for decades. That's insane. Some new kid loaded the blank that day and out it went. Glad it got sorted, too bad it's so much work to swap cams though.

 

[4Waters]

@4Waters , the 110 was kind of the "go-to" cam for decades. That's insane. Some new kid loaded the blank that day and out it went. Glad it got sorted, too bad it's so much work to swap cams though.

That cam was ground Monday before lunch or Friday after 3pm. The 110 is probably the most popular VW cam sold and yeah it's a PIA for sure, this was the first VW I have played with and I hope the last.

 

[coolchange]

That cam was ground Monday before lunch or Friday after 3pm. The 110 is probably the most popular VW cam sold and yeah it's a PIA for sure, this was the first VW I have played with and I hope the last.

Good times….

 

[wayniac]

That hurts my brain! Do you put little characters in your designs? I have seen videos that pop up in my YouTube feed where they tear cards apart to reveal characters/special designs.

hurts my brain sometimes too... when i was younger i did for sure, words, and occasional character... i have done so many at this point, i dont even want my name on the documentation.

 

[530RL]

 

[Bigbore500r]

Latest bastard DIY creation . . .

6 stage Turbine HVLP sprayer, to paint the Chevelle eventually....

Apollo wants $2500 for their unit. Built this with the same spray motor, for $600.....

Ametek 6-stage vacuum / spray motor

25amp speed controller

Misc bags of stuff from Home Depot

Gauge panel / cover layout

Control panel cutouts

Ready to spray! Adjustable from 0-11 PSI

Put some of the money saved towards a nice gun - can't skimp here with the Turbine stuff.
Apollo 7700 gravity feed

 

[530RL]

Beginning

In Process

 

[jpstine]

Hunting

 

[jpstine]

Hunting