Today I...

[droptopron]

The Cruzes I've driven all handle so freakin nice. Absolutely no play in the steering, and its really quiet. Going 60mph+ in a 45mph zone is no problem if your not paying attention or even if you are. I've been able to pull off 90 degree turns going 25mph+ which I'd never dream of doing in one of our silverados.
If I ever buy a family car, it'd be a Cruze. The driving school I went to used a Cruze with the naturally aspirated Ecotec and that thing was a screamer for what it is.

The smoothness of a new car can't be compared to the old stuff.  My everyday car is a '10 CTS with AWD.  Even with the base engine 3.0 270HP it is spirited and it is the best handling & best brakes I've ever had.  TA WS6 included.   

[PARTSMAN76]

I agree droptopron...........I bought my wife a 2012 BMW 328i.........and that thing handles like
nothing I have ever driven.  It is alot of fun to drive, even with the straight 6.

[Casey]

It's amazing what independent rear suspension does over truck, I mean solid, rear suspension.   I like inline 6's, shame only BMW has kept making them.  The Supra and the Datsun Z cars were I6 and they're some of my favourite cars.  I like V8's the most though, not so much from any performance perspective but just for the exhaust note.  That's why I like the LT1 more than the LS1, the LT1 has the old firing order which just sounds better.  Yup, that's what really matters.

[DeCaff2007]

Last night I...  Oh man, was I ever busy.  got up @ 5 am (this is typical), took the woman to the airport, got home, did a workout, bought some POR-15 and found a tap to fix a control arm mount on my Camry.  It was already 1pm by this time.

Then, I had to remove the axle to fix said control arm mount...  it was  PAIN IN THE ASS getting that axle back in!  Then I got called into work!

Blaahhh!!!!

[TA6.6Liter]

Okay, Box started this thread under the following premise: More or less it's a thread for posting things you did to or for your car.

Well, I'm not sure this fits unless it includes rubbing some tread off the tires on my 98   Tried the Indy SCCA event at the former Grissom Air Force base today, north of Indianapolis with another TAC member that is very experienced in this event. Basically, it is autocross and it was the 1st time trying anything like it, so a bit intimidating, I guess. Not easy to get through the course as a newbie. Even with the expert as my navigator, so many cones and at speed, just a blur of confusing orange as to which way to go. I got it sideways and missed a few gates, but at least did not spin out.  Lots of practice necessary to know the course layout, especially with no map. Then the whole thing of when to brake and not brake, when to floor it and when to ease back. I rode a couple of times with the expert in his very non-stock 77 TA and I'm not sure I even breathed through the course, pinned against the seat. I might try it again, but at least I'll know what to expect next time.

[critter]

Cut the rear glass loose. Piano wire is your friend.

[77 TA man]

Well today I cleaned out the interior(again) on my '77.  Crap was just piling up in it, new parts and such for the 400, random bolts that I think are probably important just thrown on the dash or in one of the numerous coffee cans in the trunk. Gathered up all the trim and the shaker and put it in the trunk. Missing the tailight bolts but I believe those are scattered in the trunk.  I measured the floorpan and the new toepanel will cover what I need on both sides. We have primer that I'll use so I just need some body filler and carpet to get the body presentable. Since I'm not concerned with using a center console at the moment, do you guys think an early 3rd gen auto shifter assembly would work with a 700R4 in a second gen or would I have to move the hole where the linkage goes?

[Jack]

Cut the rear glass loose. Piano wire is your friend.

Done it few times, you need help (2 person job 1-inside the car and 1-outside) also wrap the wire onto a stick or similar to help in pulling without cutting your hands.

[DeCaff2007]

Wasn't today, but sometime over last weekend I...  snapped a sway bar link mounting bracket bolt off inside the frame    ... on my Camry.  Have to drop the subframe to fix it.  FML!  Also, I put on a new power steering belt.  That fixed the problem with the steering binding up.  I also finally figured out why the whole car handles like CRAP.  Every bushing and link in the rear suspension is dry rot and/or broken.  Had to order a whole bunch of crap off Rock Auto... and then they send me an email telling me their inventory levels are wrong, and that I had to redo my order.  I'm getting sick of this car and really wish I could either just get an old pickup or even go back to driving a Saturn.

Other than that, just been at work a lot and have had little time for anything else.

[77 TA man]

Wasn't today, but sometime over last weekend I...  snapped a sway bar link mounting bracket bolt off inside the frame    ... on my Camry.  Have to drop the subframe to fix it.  FML!  Also, I put on a new power steering belt.  That fixed the problem with the steering binding up.  I also finally figured out why the whole car handles like CRAP.  Every bushing and link in the rear suspension is dry rot and/or broken.  Had to order a whole bunch of crap off Rock Auto... and then they send me an email telling me their inventory levels are wrong, and that I had to redo my order.  I'm getting sick of this car and really wish I could either just get an old pickup or even go back to driving a Saturn.

Other than that, just been at work a lot and have had little time for anything else.

That Camry has been giving you a lot of problems , and I dont know you situation but is it worth it to you to fix it? I mean a Camry isnt exactly rare or anything....

[DeCaff2007]

Wasn't today, but sometime over last weekend I...  snapped a sway bar link mounting bracket bolt off inside the frame    ... on my Camry.  Have to drop the subframe to fix it.  FML!  Also, I put on a new power steering belt.  That fixed the problem with the steering binding up.  I also finally figured out why the whole car handles like CRAP.  Every bushing and link in the rear suspension is dry rot and/or broken.  Had to order a whole bunch of crap off Rock Auto... and then they send me an email telling me their inventory levels are wrong, and that I had to redo my order.  I'm getting sick of this car and really wish I could either just get an old pickup or even go back to driving a Saturn.

Other than that, just been at work a lot and have had little time for anything else.

That Camry has been giving you a lot of problems , and I dont know you situation but is it worth it to you to fix it? I mean a Camry isnt exactly rare or anything....

1.  I'm in the rust of rust belts.  NEPA, so of course it's going to give me problems. 
2.  It has 268K+ miles and the previous owner did ZERO maintenance.
3.  It was free, and required a mere $30 part to get it running.
4.  I don't exactly drive like Miss Daisy.  Drive it like you stole it or get the Hell off the road!  That alone  can account for half of the problems.
5.  I can't afford new, overpriced parts, so j/y parts it is.  We all know how long they can last.... or not.
6.  Last but not least, it's my ONLY vehicle and I cannot afford another one.

So your answer is yes, it's worth it to fix it because I have no other choice.  That doesn't change the fact that I'm getting sick of it, though.

LoL anyone have a Chevy pickup they want gone for cheap?

[Dreamn2]

Today I.....Drove it to work!



Friday I.....Drove it to work!



 

[roadking77]

Nice Dreamn!

[Jack]

I drove mine to work twice this year, I park in an underground garage in a high rise with tight entrances and spots... it takes me 10 minutes just to park it.

[roadking77]

I drove mine to work twice this year, I park in an underground garage in a high rise with tight entrances and spots... it takes me 10 minutes just to park it.

Cant you just valet, (ferris bueller style )

[mrbandit]

....watched the new Star Wars trailer 3 times.  I can't wait to see this one. 

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbxmsDFVnE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbxmsDFVnE</a>

[Casey]

Had someone offer me a 2007 Honda CBR600RR.  Between that and shakerz' 2006 Harley Fatboy it's a shame I can't ride a bike at all.

[DeCaff2007]

Today I... fought with an alternator belt for an hour.  Got it on though.  No more squealing from the engine bay.  Also, replaced the tie rod ends (under warranty).  I'm patiently awaiting my rear control arms, and my handling problems will be 75% solved 

[droptopron]

Had someone offer me a 2007 Honda CBR600RR.  Between that and shakerz' 2006 Harley Fatboy it's a shame I can't ride a bike at all.

As trade offers come your way, think about if the vehicle you'd be getting is an easier flip.  Remember, you don't have to marry it. 

[Raptor]

I started my red '79 Mustang  for the first time since July after a lot of work was done to it : floor pan repairs, interior restoration, front brakes rebuild, some parts replaced on the engine (mainly ignition). It doesn't run all that well and won't hold idle for long, but hey before I bought it last June, it had sat for over 20 years. i didn't touch anything to the engine yet besides replacing spark plugs, wires, distributor cover and rotor, head cover gasket, air and fuel filters, the basic stuff. But I need to move it because there will be some work done where she's been sitting for a three months.

I moved the white one as well, put a battery in and in fired right up. Gonna have to push the Vaquero Gold one though, to get it out of the way.

[77 TA man]

Today (really yesterday)
while touring a friends engine shop I saw a Ford Aftermarket performance engine block, that he said was stroked out to 590 C.I.D! I put my hand into a fist and put it in a cylinder and the cylinder wall wasnt even close to touching my hand! Just massive bores on that thing.

[Casey]

Had someone offer me a 2007 Honda CBR600RR.  Between that and shakerz' 2006 Harley Fatboy it's a shame I can't ride a bike at all.

As trade offers come your way, think about if the vehicle you'd be getting is an easier flip.  Remember, you don't have to marry it.

If I knew how to ride a bike I'd go for it, but besides on what to do in theory I'd end up killing myself.  If I'm going to trade it'll be for something I'd buy and keep, trying to turn around and sell something I know nothing about and most likely despise can't be any easier.  "Ye, it's a lame Accord sedan I took in on a trade.  It runs, being you're looking at an Accord that's all that should matter right because that's all I know."  See, just a terrible idea.

[Casey]

Today (really yesterday)
while touring a friends engine shop I saw a Ford Aftermarket performance engine block, that he said was stroked out to 590 C.I.D! I put my hand into a fist and put it in a cylinder and the cylinder wall wasnt even close to touching my hand! Just massive bores on that thing.

Pffffftttt.......

[DeCaff2007]

Today (really yesterday)
while touring a friends engine shop I saw a Ford Aftermarket performance engine block, that he said was stroked out to 590 C.I.D! I put my hand into a fist and put it in a cylinder and the cylinder wall wasnt even close to touching my hand! Just massive bores on that thing.

Pffffftttt.......

LOL @ pffftttt!!!!!!

[77 TA man]

So back to my mess of a Pontiac 400, timing gears and distributor are in the right positions so timings out.
Somebody suggested doing a compression check but it ran solid before and we didnt take the heads off, just took rocker arms off. Can an engine just loose compression sitting on a stand? Oil comes out of the lifters, valves open and close properly. New HEI distributor, plugs and wires, fresh gas. Just cranks and cranks and cranks.

[Casey]

I just had someone offer me a 2001 Accord Coupe 5-speed, that's the first offer somewhat close to what I'm looking for.  Supposed to have someone look at it Saturday and someone was supposed to today but they ended up having to take their mom to the hospital and plans to set up another day to see it.

If timing is right and you're getting spark then that'd leave lack of air or fuel.

[77 TA man]

I just had someone offer me a 2001 Accord Coupe 5-speed, that's the first offer somewhat close to what I'm looking for.  Supposed to have someone look at it Saturday and someone was supposed to today but they ended up having to take their mom to the hospital and plans to set up another day to see it.

If timing is right and you're getting spark then that'd leave lack of air or fuel.

Then my suspicion would be the orignal carburetor as the problem.

[pancho400cid]

So back to my mess of a Pontiac 400, timing gears and distributor are in the right positions so timings out.
Somebody suggested doing a compression check but it ran solid before and we didnt take the heads off, just took rocker arms off. Can an engine just loose compression sitting on a stand? Oil comes out of the lifters, valves open and close properly. New HEI distributor, plugs and wires, fresh gas. Just cranks and cranks and cranks.

Why not post this question in the "Mechanical section".

The engine won't lose compression "per se".  Did you put a compression gage on it?  If it "for sure" has low cylinder pressure, most likely something is off with the valve adjustment (pushrods/rockers holding one or both valves open).

I see it is a Pontiac 400.   Does it have a stock valve-train (non-adjustable) or aftermarket (adjustable) valve-train?

[77 TA man]

So back to my mess of a Pontiac 400, timing gears and distributor are in the right positions so timings out.
Somebody suggested doing a compression check but it ran solid before and we didnt take the heads off, just took rocker arms off. Can an engine just loose compression sitting on a stand? Oil comes out of the lifters, valves open and close properly. New HEI distributor, plugs and wires, fresh gas. Just cranks and cranks and cranks.

Why not post this question in the "Mechanical section".

The engine won't lose compression "per se".  Did you put a compression gage on it?  If it "for sure" has low cylinder pressure, most likely something is off with the valve adjustment (pushrods/rockers holding one or both valves open).

I see it is a Pontiac 400.   Does it have a stock valve-train (non-adjustable) or aftermarket (adjustable) valve-train?

I did awhile ago, its not quite stock with a aftermarket cam and lifters and noisy gear drive but still uses the stock 4X heads.

[mrbandit]

....Rebuilt the frontend site for TAC.

[pancho400cid]

....Rebuilt the frontend site for TAC.

Looks Great!  Thanks!

[72projectbird]

Went to Providence, right in the heart of the ghetto, and picked up another set of Recaro seats. I'll recover these ones in black leather and take my 81 Recaros and put them back in the Daytona.

[pancho400cid]

Nice...  Those should look VERY nice covered in black leather... (like a girl I used to know!!!     )

[72projectbird]

Nice...  Those should look VERY nice covered in black leather... (like a girl I used to know!!!     )

Both things look great in black leather! 

I plan on all black leather, but in the center inlay I want to do a diamond stitch pattern. I'll use all black thread, I don't want them to look too crazy. The best part is the netting in the headrests is perfect! And both seats were only $100.

[pancho400cid]

Sweet deal.  Good on you for seeing the diamond in the rough.

[Casey]

When I think O.E. Recaro's I think these:

If it doesn't hug you in place without belts there's not enough bolstering.

[72projectbird]

If it doesn't hug you in place without belts there's not enough bolstering.

Surprisingly these seats really hold you in good despite the fact they're from the 70's/80's.  They're very comfortable too. 

[Casey]

I imagine they're worlds better than the standard seats, but the bolstering looks lacking for a Recaro.  I'm sure someone there at the time was like, Americans... oi vey...

[roadking77]

72 project, those are exactly like the ones that were in my car when I got it, except mine were tore pretty bad. I gave them away to a guy. I wish I would have held on to them sometimes.

[Lucky Phil]

Today I did nothing to any of my cars....hmmmmm
But my wife made me do tiling......
Tomorrow will be all mine....mine I tell you.....