Today I... "Redux Edition"

[roadking77]

Holy crap Ryan, I got sidetracked over the holidays, and forgot all about our unfinished business. I will be in touch.

[Jack]

Today I got myself a "new to me" DD.

[Jack]

The funny part is I drive a Camry, with the exception of the luxury stuff and the 3.5 liter engine the cars are identical.

[Jack]

I went back and forth between these two but picked the Lexus. I guess I am an old man 

[5th T/A]

Jack, Enjoy you should get many years of trouble free service. Honestly almost all cars are pretty good today, they last a long time with minimal service. If you read Consumers Reports, Lexus and Toyota are at the top.

[roadking77]

Nice car Jack!

[FormTA]

Nice! My daughter just started driving and she bought a 03 Lexus ES300. Basically a Toyota Camery. My wife and I had an 02 back in 03. She drove the heck out of it and we did nothing but oil changes, tires and brakes and we owned it for almost 10 years. It still ran perfect when we sold it (I did change the timing belt because everyone that contacted me about it asked if it was changed). It also got great crash test ratings back then so when I found this 03 we kinda pushed it on my daughter.  I drove it the other day and for an 03 with 150k and of a cost of $3500 it drives just as nice as a new car and has most of the bells and whistles of a new car too.

Your car should give you many, many trouble free years.

[Jack]

Thanks all, my Camry (for the rest of today) has been great but it's 4 cyl base model, great on gas but that's about it. This one has the 6 cyl 3.5 l engine with a timing chain so I should be fine. I like that it has a sunroof, heated leather seats, etc. I am excited but waiting on my insurance to do the paper work before I go and get it... Also not looking forwards to going to the DMV 

[Jack]

Drove the Lexus today and I am impressed how smooth and comfortable it is... never had anything as fancy as this.

[chief poncho]

Well on Saturday anyway, I fought with getting the hardware installed in my drivers side door including the window regulator and window rails.  It's going to be fun as heck getting the glass back in and properly aligned.

[76455sd]

Drove the Lexus today and I am impressed how smooth and comfortable it is... never had anything as fancy as this.

Nice car Jack.  I hope it treats you well.

[FormTA]

Well on Saturday anyway, I fought with getting the hardware installed in my drivers side door including the window regulator and window rails.  It's going to be fun as heck getting the glass back in and properly aligned.

What are doing? Just replacing things or?

[72projectbird]

Been cutting and buffing paint on the 78 I'm building.

[FormTA]

Nice!! What compound do you use and is that single stage or base clear?

[72projectbird]

Nice!! What compound do you use and is that single stage or base clear?

I usually do base clear, but this time I experimented with single stage. It mixes 4:1 with its activator, but I thinned it out with reducer, making the mix 4:1:1. It lays much flatter.

After that I cut and buff using 1000, 1500, 2000 and 3000 grit wet sanding. On this car I used Meguiers 105 and 205 cutting and polishing compound. The 105 I use a white 3M foam pad, and the 205 I use on a black polishing pad. It looks a mile deep in person. 

I'll try and grab some pics of the entire car. It's been snowing/raining for a while now, but as soon as the sun comes out I wanna see it outside!

[scarebird]

...achieved initial operational capability with the L84 transplant in the 71 Lemans.



This is a new 2020 5.3 with direct injection and VVT; the AFM was deleted and the cam was replaced with a non-AFM LT1 grind and LS6 lifters.  Aftermarket support for this engine is nothing compared to the LS series but will grow with time as the architecture was introduced in 2014 with the 1500/2500 and Corvette.   The 2019 and newer engines use a AI type ECM that does not lend itself to swaps, but 2014-18 E92 ECMs can be used if a few sensors are changed.

This is coupled with a TKX trans; a leap ahead of the TKO.  The shifting is excellent and very minimal tunnel work was needed to clear - just under the shift porch.  Ratios I selected are

1ST: 3.27 / 2ND: 1.98 / 3RD: 1.34 / 4TH: 1.00 / 5TH: 0.72 / REV: 3.00

To my knowledge the TKO is being phased out.

Initial drive showed very positive; slightly less torque down low compared to the 440P it replaced, but midrange seemed nice.  200 pounds off the nose was nice for handling; these scale in at 398 pounds with flexplate.  The battery was moved to the right side of the trunk (45 pounds)... finished pix to come.

[FormTA]

Oh wow! Someone has been busy! Totally cool!

[FormTA]

Nice!! What compound do you use and is that single stage or base clear?

I usually do base clear, but this time I experimented with single stage. It mixes 4:1 with its activator, but I thinned it out with reducer, making the mix 4:1:1. It lays much flatter.

After that I cut and buff using 1000, 1500, 2000 and 3000 grit wet sanding. On this car I used Meguiers 105 and 205 cutting and polishing compound. The 105 I use a white 3M foam pad, and the 205 I use on a black polishing pad. It looks a mile deep in person. 

I'll try and grab some pics of the entire car. It's been snowing/raining for a while now, but as soon as the sun comes out I wanna see it outside!

Thanks,  that is almost exactly how I did mine. I used PPG single stage and sanded to 3000 an sometimes 5000, buffed with wizard compounds using white and black foam pads. The single stage really does polish up amazing and is really deep. Only problem is it shows everything, even touching it leaving finger prints...

Great work on yous there. I know how much work goes into it. I wish I would have waxed mine right away as it really helps protect it. Good carnauba wax will keep it looking amazing.

[Jack]

Lemans numbers are very impressive.

[72projectbird]

Since the weather has continually been a mess, I grabbed a pic of it standing on my lift.

The decals should be here this week. Can wait to get it all striped up!

[Jack]

^^^ nice.

[FormTA]

Ditto!

Today I flipped the F1 frame over and primed the other side.

[5th T/A]

Scarebird, nice new motor and great looking Lemans. Cant wait to see more pictures.

[5th T/A]

Projectbird, unbelievable finish, you must be very pleased!

[scarebird]

Obrigado!

[ryeguy2006a]

Love the aerial shot of the two birds. 

[72projectbird]

Love the aerial shot of the two birds. 

It really tested my upper body strength. Basically did one big pull up on the lift until I could swing a leg up on it. Not as easy as I thought it be lol

[FormTA]

I notice a lot of things aren't as easy as I thought as I get older.... I feel like I aged 10 years in the last two...

[nas t eh]

On Friday my doctor removed a small fist sized lyphoma(mostly fat, I think) from my clavicle area, it was getting close to pressing on my carotid artery, so it had to go, he said it was bigger than he expected once he got in there.

Today I,  pulled out the packing(he told me how to do it), cleaned and redressed the opening. Now I just need to see him Friday to have the stitches removed, he says I can’t do that myself as he used mattress stitches and they are a little more difficult to remove properly.

Had a full physical the prior week, including the famous prostate exam( great news on that one) so I will hear the results of the bloodwork on Friday, but I think I’m in for mostly good news.

Getting old(I’m 62) kind of sucks but I’m retired now and doing mostly what I want, so seeing the doctor regularly has become more important if I want to enjoy what ever is left of the rest of my life.

If you haven’t been to see your doctor in a while, please don’t wait any longer.

[Jack]

Getting old sure sucks, I couldn't even get up from under the car few weeks ago... and it's been years since I've seen a doctor. I'm afraid of living on meds if I ever see him.

[Jack]

Anyone hear from Kerry? Hopefully all is well.

[FormTA]

Nope, not going to doctors. To me they never do any good. I avoid them at all costs. Yes it will be what kills me but then, it will be my time. I hate them so much I stitched up my own leg (huge 8" gash from an edger). I used to go when I thought I needed to but every time whst they did was such a hack, I could do better. So you all can go, that's fine and maybe I'll go sometime in the future but not now. I just don't trust them, they don't have my best interests in mind, just what can they do to charge me more money.

Sorry for the rant. I am not a doctor or hospital type guy.

[Jack]

I do think a yearly check-up is a good idea (although I don't remember the last time I had one) especially as we get older. Blood work gives you a snapshot of your overall health and will catch most major issues earlier.

[nas t eh]

Some stuff needs to be caught early or you risk a few very bad months/years and an early death.

I have a great doctor, that is a very important part of it as well and partly why I’m an advocate, if I had a crappy doctor I would likely sing a different tune.

If you don’t want to see a doctor, buy a blood pressure machine(they are cheap, I got mine at Costco) and test yourself each morning for a week or two, if BP is under 130/85 each time then sure maybe you are good, but if it is any higher you should get it solved as the risk is a very crappy life changing event.

[roadking77]

Hi Jack, thanks for inquiry, Im doing fine, been super busy. If nothing else a bit of egg on my face as I am still waiting on my motor that was 'promised for Christmas', but I didnt really expect it then. Maybe a week or two later but....... My son said March, I am thinking he may be correct.

[Jack]

I wouldn't sweat it, especially if nothing can be done... at least its not lost or damaged. 

[FormTA]

Just got back from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  What a great trip this time. Snowed like crazy so we had plenty of snow this time, it was our third trip up this year. I really live it up there.







Saw this roll into the bar. Stock engine too.

[b_hill_86]

It’s a different world up there for sure. In a good way. Been going up there to my parents place since I was 3 weeks old. Been in the family since the early 40s. We stick to the warmer months though 

[5th T/A]

A winter wonderland in the UP, glad you got to do what you really enjoy. It’s been many years since I have been snowmobiling. I found that having the right gear makes all the difference in the world.

[FormTA]

You are 100% correct! My wife would never have been caught dead outside after November.  I bought her some really good gear and she always says she is warm now and doesn't complain. This is really amazing, you have to know my wife to truly understand it is a miracle I get her outside at all in the winter.