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Put a model on the hood of my car and took some photos. Despite her best efforts, the hood has a nice scratch now. Oh well...anything for the shot, and the hood needs paint anyway...
The reason for the caps is it was hell to fix. I really don't like working on the dash. Had to remove most of the dash to replace a few diaphragms for comb and footwell flaps. Also put the Jager braces on for the center console. Been putting the diaphragms off for a few years. Now the darn thing works perfect! Checked all the settings and temps and it is right on the mark. Looking forward to getting some nice cold ac when it gets scorching hot here. Before I had some warm air mixing and it was not cooling enough.
Just did a couple of the worst jobs... Replaced the clutch master cylinder, yes the whole housing and everything. I had already replaced the guts from inside a few times it was time for a new unit. I also replaced the steering rack bushings. This wasn't anywhere near as bad as I had expected it to be. Air chisel was my best friend on that one.
I had to find tune the alignment (and will have to even more as the front suspension settles) because I replaced a tie rod. The inner end was getting sloppy, so I got a nice used one from Mark last December.
More projects completed during winter storage:
I was having temp gauge issues, it would intermittently drop to nothing, then pop back up where it belonged. Checked the wiring and the circuit plastic, had good continuity; cleaned up the contacts where the black diamonds go into the gauge itself. That seems to have fixed it. We shall see. Of course, now the fuel gauge is doing the same thing. Stays at "empty" at first, then when the car warms up a bit goes to where it belongs. Which means I probably have to pull the pod again. Although I'm getting good at it.
Got the pilot bearing and the shifter arm ball cup replaced. Had a challenging time getting the pilot shaft out, but with the excellent advice on here, was able to get it out. Found out that my friction discs and TOB are practically brand new.
Got the skid plates from Carl and put those on. Already hit them once.
There was some wetness on the PS return hose to the PS cooler so
I had replaced the soft hose from the hard line section to the PS cooler with a new oil hose and an adaptor to join up two oil hoses with different sizes (3/8" & 1/2").
Bulb & holder on left work great. Just need to refurbish the three ("magic") triangles...
Holder, LED and OEM on the right however... different story. (Yes, for '84 US and may have the wrong- or at least less than correct- LEDs for 19 or so dash lights.)
Old bulb (right) has + & - divided as left and right such that wire from left side wraps front to back; wire on right does the reverse (back to front). So... Power source can be applied either left and right or front and back. Or moved around as one end of each wire can be freed. IOW- however bulb goes in, it can make contact.
LED? Solid L-R and can't bridge gap in holder to make contact. Or as we say in Hawaii "No Can!"
Thinking of a possible workaround... (Other than using different LEDs, of course!)
Nothing, again today. Well,... I looked at it. I have a "to do" list, but it could run 1500 miles tomorrow, so why tear it down just to do the front brakes, dash lights, RMB?. GOD knows, maybe I'll take a DA grinder to it like Jeff did.
Replaced the ball-joint boots, top and bottom, replaced tie-rods, replaced grease in CV joints, installed the chin spoiler, threw the tires back on and took her for a spin.
She was kind of squirrely at first, but the suspension settled down a bit and she tracked down the road nicely. She ran beautiful, not a hiccup, even mashed her to the floor a couple times and she broke the wheels loose each time...sweet. I believe me and this car will enjoy spending time together, had my doubts for a while.
Time to sit down with the insurance man and then get some plates.
Drove it for the first time in 2 years. Its been torn apart for a repaint and that is finished. Good news is it looks great. Bad news is the power brake booster is not working and it has developed a nasty little skip. The skip will be an easy fix, not sure about the break booster.
04-06-2015 | 01:20 PM
