Bill Ball

That's the key. I didn't drive it that month while it sat outside. So, whatever moisture/condensation got in there was allowed to fester. I should have suspected it because I noticed a long time ago that my previously uncorroded but high mileage engine compartment suddenly developed metal corrosion when I let the car sit outside for an extended period undriven.

Bill Ball

The expensive Beru set.

Bill Ball

Hard to believe, but I know those wires are not that old. My car has done so well over time because I have driven it almost every day. In this case, I didn't for a month and I paid for it in corrosion.

As to memory aids - yes, we need them, but I'm not sure we'd notice them. We're easily distracted. Ernest suggested something Earl Gilstrom does - put the torque wrench on the driver seat before you loosen any lug nuts. That might work.

Bill Ball

OK, here's what I'm talking about.

ROB EDWARDS - PLEASE LOOK THE OTHER WAY. I don't want to be responsible for any adverse effects on your mental health from viewing the photo material herein.

I have owned this car for almost 13 years. I used to drive it 80 miles roundtrip to work each day, particularly in bad weather, because if it was sunny I was generally on one of my motorcycles. Despite that, or maybe because of that, the engine compartment looked close to new for the first 15 years or so of the car's life. Then I left the car outside undriven for a couple of weeks and was immediately greeted with corrosion on many engine parts. The most obvious upon opening the hood was rust in the wrench scarred centers of the Allens that hold the crossbrace. They had been rust free before. The cad plated parts had lost some luster as well.

Well, here they are today after another episode of extended weather exposure without being driven. Drip edge material on the fenders will not prevent this.

AGAIN, ROB EDWARDS IS FORBIDDEN FROM GOING BEYOND THIS POINT!! ROB EDWARDS STOP HERE!! CLOSE THIS THREAD!! GO OUT TO YOUR GARAGE AND STARE AT YOUR OWN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND GET SOME SOFT RAGS AND DUST OFF ALL THE RECENTLY REPLATED AND REPLACED PARTS.

So, yes, these are old parts, but I can tell you they looked remarkably new for the first 15 years and quickly changed when I let the car sit outside undriven for just a couple of weeks. And they got far worse after the most recent episode. The ignition wires were involved as well both times. So, either park inside or DRIVE you car to prevent this from happening.



+++++++++++++++++ ROB EDWARDS FORBIDDEN ZONE STARTS HERE +++++++++++++++

Speedtoys

Thats it...intake refresh time.

Lizard928

Thats NOTHING compared to some of the cars that I have worked on.

Bill Ball

Yep, I've seen far worse. In my case, it was rather sudden, I'm suggesting from not having the benefit of the engine heat to dry things off. I was so proud of my sparkling engine compartment before, but now it is gone. It deserves at least a partial Rob Edward's treatment even though it is now driving well again. Maybe just a Dwayne-type polish job.

Bill Ball

Ah, I'm waiting for enough time to pull everything and install my Morton cam set at the same time. Right now the problems are once again just cosmetic.

Speedtoys

Will those require head work?

Bill Ball

Not REQUIRED, but with 240+K miles, it would be a rather good idea. Certainly do seals and likely guides. Valve work as needed. New lifters. OTOH, cams with new lifters, in the car, at the same time as my TB job coming due in another 10K miles, done. But then I think Jim would disown me.

Speedtoys

Little off topic, but whats the cost to refresh a set of heads? No upgrades.

danglerb

You must live in some magic corrosion zone. Picts below are of a car stored outside 100' from the ocean and infrequently driven with a tarp over it. Owner at that location for a good 5 years.

Bill Ball

Odd isn't it? 100 ft from the ocean and those plated surfaces look a lot better than mine. Maybe because it's nicely oiled up and I kept mine too clean.

Charley B

Just as I suspected. Cleanliness is next to evilness. Where was this knowledge when it would have protected me from my mothers wrath.

Fogey1

I had that thought, too. Or maybe silicone seal?