Well the saga of the Quest continues. I got up around 6:30am and after having an iced coffee, I jumped right in to working on the Quest right up until I needed to get ready for my "real" job. The radiator is all plumbed up and I installed the thermostat and even torqued the thermostat housing bolts to the correct 85 inch pounds. Tomorrow morning I will fill the radiator and bleed the air from the system. I bought a funnel kit from Harbor Freight that is supposed to make that task a bit easier. Making progress. Here are pictures of the old and new radiators as well as the old and new thermostats and the fill kit.
By the way, has anyone used one of these funnel kits? https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...fa6417e1c5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8d04d0c164.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...afa4d581b5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c81454f855.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...76156a7532.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...22101958cd.jpg

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Okay so I got the fluids all topped off and the system "burped" but i think i still have some air trapped in the system. I drove the van to work today and when at interstate speeds with the ac on and cruising along, the temp would go up one block on the gauge. This vehicle has an LCD screen for the fuel and temp gauge and the temp always and I mean always stays right in the middle. So, like I said, the tem poll would go up one block on the gauge and stay there. When this happened, I turned off the ac and turned the temp to heat and within a few minutes the gauge was back to the middle. My work commute is 33 miles and I did this several times, when the temp was in the middle, I would turn the ac back on and in about a mile or so, it would be back up but always one block, then I would repeat the process.
Does anyone have any ideas as to burp the rest of the air out? Pretty sure that is all it is, no leaks at all.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I previously had difficulty with an '89 VW Golf.

The heater core might need special bleeding, or the heater switch should be set to "full heat" in order to circulate full fluid flow through that, and burp the air out of it.

Thanks, I had the heat all the way over to the hottest setting, might need to put the funnel back on it and bleed it a little more. I thought that maybe by circulating through the heater core, if there was any trapped air, it would get pushed on out. Also when I bleed the system with the funnel, I had the front up on my ramps to get the radiator up as high as I could. I think I will run the heater again all the way home tonight and see what happens.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I changed the oil in the wife's car tonight.

For years, I've been struggling with spilling oil on the driveway. At first I thought it was splashing out of the pan, but now I think there's a crack in the bottom of the pan I've been using. I also hate emptying that pan into a container to take to the recycling place. It always seems to spill.

I went to the farm store and bought a 5 gallon pan with a spout on the end. The car barely covers the bottom of it, but there's no splashing, no muss, no fuss, and it's easy to empty. Should have done that years ago. My only concern is that it's plastic.

IT Verks!! I got an old 1940s? Ritter model C dental machine from my freind that does cleanouts. I made the light into a wall light for my workbench. Today I worked on the rotary tool. Its powered by a cable that runs back to the motor. I got the pulleys all loostened up and wired it up with the foot pedal and everything. And it works good. Iv got to modify the end to work with dremel bits and im going to make a stand or maybe a wall mount for it. The mounting bracket and motor parts that are painted pink are solid brass so ill polish that up and make it the coolest dremel tool ever. And he said hes going to bring me like ten more !http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678229641.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678229641.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678229641.JPG

I changed the oil in my wife's car today too. Messiest oil change I've ever done. I started out hoping to just suck the oil out and not change the filter as I really didn't want to get down on the cold concrete. Couldn't get the hose for the Mityvac all the way down to the bottom of the pan, so only got one qt out before crying UNCLE. I jacked up the front end and put the front wheels on stacked two by fours. Went to get the drain pan and.....it already had oil in it!
I guess I never got around to taking it to PEP Boys for recycling last time I did a change. I only change our oil once a year cause we don't drive much now being retired.
So, I grab my big ol' pan similar to what you describe, open for all the drippings to drop in and a spout to empty it. Well....I get the oil filter loose and start to unscrew it and oil is dripping down my arm and my latex glove won't let me turn the filter as it's covered in slippery oil and more oil is dripping down the side of the pan and it's in the way since it's so tall compared to my other pan and oil is dripping all over the cardboard I'm laying on and it's just getting out of control....at least it's cold oil as I didn't start the engine to warm it up.
See, there's a bright side to everything, right?
So I get all the oil drained and now the wind picks up and blows the last remaining dribble all over the place.
I finally get it all buttoned up and my wife says 'You're too old to do this now, you need to pay someone to do it next time.'
At least I know it was done correctly, all the little cover bolts are back where they belong, the plug is torqued good and the filter is snug enough.
Next time I'll just plan on doing it when she's not around.

Well I may have figured it out. I forgot that this van has rear heat and air so on my drive home I turned on the heat for the front as well as the rear and after a while of driving the temp stayed in the middle. I don't know how the rear heat works but maybe there is a heater core for the rear, I dunno, but is all good now. Yay!!!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...eec6234706.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1d74ff47b2.jpg

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Super truss 24 inch extension and the weight distribution hitch installed.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678289124.jpg
Next project a hoist with winch attached to the garage ceiling to lift and long term storage of my fiberglass truck shell.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678289165.jpg
Then the camper can finally be installed onto the truck.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678289337.jpg

Furnace.

Short cycling.

Check Filter, clean flame sensor, clean pressure switch path from blower to switch.

Fingers crossed.

I have one too. My problem was the dried out cat-gut drive belt. Mine came from my grandfathers practice.

But my X-ray machine probably still works....

All finished up and no leaks, yay!!!!
My daughter told me today that the name of our van is Vanilla, I thought that was funny. A little girl she used to babysit named the van.
Van-illa!!! [emoji23]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...37147d6b03.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...510d679aea.jpg

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Mine has a chewed up spot where mice probably got it. It still works fine but he gave me two motors so i have an extra thats better im going to use. Today i stripped off most of the paint from the brass. Its going to look good.

The next door neighbor locked her keys in the car. I think its a 2008 or so honda civic. It was funny because I saw her out there walking around it with a coat hanger. She gave up and 2 minutes later the phone rang. I knew it. I went over there with a few plastic bicycle tire irons for pry bars. Probably less than 1 minute i had it open. I couldnt believe it was so easy no wonder its the #1 stolen car.

New wheel studs and lug nuts came in today. I’ll swap them in tomorrow, and then pack everything up for the track.

What is the purpose of the super truss extension?

I wondered the same thing. I understand the weight distribution part behind the tongue.

To my untrained eye, it looks like a jury rigged system, but there has to be something to it

The hitch extension is so he can tow with the camper on.
The camper overhangs the rear bumper and the extension brings the connection point further back.

Of course, just didn't put the two together. Thanks Billy.

Fixed the throttle cable stay on the Mantis. My very first attempt at welding.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678399503.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678399661.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678399759.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678399873.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678399952.jpg

So you spend 1.2 amu per Cylinder "kit" that includes rocker shaft, gaskets, piston and rings but it doesn't include a wrist pin... Riddle me that batman. Anyway the pins came in yesterday and we installed jugs today.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678412686.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678412686.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678412686.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678412686.jpg

Agree if it were a single square tube extension that would be very weak.

These https://www.torklift.com/rv/supertruss extensions can be made as long as 60 inches for a truck camper that has a lot of rear over hang.
The longer the extension the more sway you may experience too.
The weight distribution hitch doubles the tongue weight rating of the extension.
Without an extension when jack knifed the rear camper jacks will hit the V nose on the trailer.

Now my next project is rigging the 14 foot tall open beam garage ceiling with a truck shell hoist.
Something like this....But a little more robust to take the weight of the truck shell and tailgate and lift it off the truck to a point 8 feet above the ground.
Once raised it will have safety chains holding the weight, not the cables or winch.
Figured I'll hold onto the truck shell in case I change my mind and decide to to ditch the camper. ;)
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cGWj92_BM9s" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yesterday I changed the brake pads front and rear on the Lexus RX350. They were only about half the thickness of the new ones but they were rusty looking on the back sides where the shims are. Also had an issue with water getting into the driver's side floor, these vehicles have a known issue of rain water intrusion if the drain holes in the rockers get clogged. I took the inner wheel well liner half off and loosened the rocker cover and sure enough, I found a lot of leaves, acorns, and a lot of built up sand in there, cleaned it out, vacuumed out the little bit of water that was in the floor and washed the vehicle and had no water intrusion, I could see the water dripping through the drain holes now.
I also ordered a complete set of new lug nuts for the vehicle. Each wheel had a mix of orginal lug nuts as well as a bigger size that the lug wrench wouldn't fit, had to use a deep well 6 sided socket to get them off, thank goodness I didn't have a flat tire at any time. Good day and got something accomplished!!! Today, I am working on doing Nothing!!!!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...fd6d813cf5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...02c60100a2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0eccec5980.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e52fdb93b8.jpg

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Started covering this yesterday. Bellanca scout.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678966383.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678966383.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1678966383.jpg

Wow, now that's a cool project!!!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

The lugnuts arrived yesterday so, sometime in the very near future I will be replacing all of those mismatched lugnuts on the RX350.
Looks like a little box of jewelry!!! [emoji23]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2cb0a7814f.jpg

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Right up till I found a crack in the tail post today! Now it'll be here an extra week at least.

Continuing Thread: What Are You Fix-It'ing Today?
 

That’s Awesome!!!!! I’m getting ready to get back to the VariEze. Need to address a hydraulic leak on a brake line and then get the right main wheel back on.

Today, I started assembly of the winch mod I’m planning on the Honda Pioneer side by side.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...beda645d0e.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9849653798.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ba117ad2ef.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ebdc58a40e.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...beb19079dd.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Helped my buddy work on his sons Honda. For some reason, he bought a different set of headlights. This required pulling the front bumper cover off to access them. Fortunately, there was a YouTube video that explained everything and it took us three hours to disassemble and reassemble. The kid is making it a ricer. The good news is, he’s into cars.

You Tube is fantastic and has helped me countless times to forge ahead on various projects, including the headlights on my Silverado.

I love my White '02 Silverado 1500 4.8L 2WD with 235K on the clock. Full size 8' bed extended cab! Like a rock, baby!

I need to polish the lenses and will do so in the near future.

In the meantime I replaced all the non-working bulbs in front, including the daytime driving lights and side blinkers. I also put LED's in the rear backup lights.

Not doing LED's in front because I don't want to be "that guy".

I spliced in replacement daytime driving light sockets because the old ones were corroded. Somehow water finds it's way into those. I noticed the new replacement sockets had a very tight gasket-fit so maybe that's an upgrade to address leaking.

I also replaced the front passenger seat cover and cleaned the entire interior in preparation for a headliner replacement on Thursday. I removed most of the handles and hanger hooks and got them cleaned up.

After I get the new headliner, next on the list is re-tinting with ceramic and then body work.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1679328021.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1679328021.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1679328021.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1679328985.JPG

I’m a distinguished graduate of YouTube University…….

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6e3036f0f9.jpg
Worked on the Varieze’s electrics


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

^^^ Sane here unless I already know how to do it, I watch a YouTube video or two to get an idea of what to do.

Not alot of real-estate for avionics in those birds you must be an obgyn.

Yesterday was a big day because I got the headliner replaced in the Silverado!

STOKED! The person who did it has a lot of experience and she did a great job!

Here's the old one:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1679679040.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1679679040.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1679679040.JPG

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1679679040.JPG

So, Monday and Tuesday I was in Florida helping my sister move a piano and furniture and boxed up a bunch of diecast cars from my Brother-in-law's collection, Sis and Nephew gave them all to me. Returned home and went to work Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, nice short week.
Saturday I drove up to Chelsea, Alabama to level a new LG side by side refrigerator for my Mom and Charlie. Charlie took a pretty big spill last year and really messed him up, he has recovered pretty well but he can't do a lot of things that he used to do so I help when I can. Got the fridge cabinet and doors all leveled, changed some light bulbs for them and then Charlie was having trouble loading some clips for his Glocks so I finished loading them for him. My Mom wanted to "hire" me to do these things, so I told her she could pay me with hugs. They did fix us a nice lunch and she topped off my gas tank which I didn't want her to do but she and Charlie insisted.
Today, I finished up the 1972 Lincoln Continental Town Car wheel cover.
I think I will take a break now. [emoji23]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ad176df802.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1ee36462c8.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...179d664e95.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...54f0c55341.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...369f20fb53.jpg

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I’m not sure if this counts, but I replaced the shoestrings in my Topsiders. The kit comes with a metal needle about 4 inches long. You thread the leather strip into the back of the needle and push it through the brass holes and leather.

My ongoing project this winter.
A ridiculous and needed amount of snow this week with more on the way.... another day in the paradise we call northern UT. Pretty heavy for ut powder.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680306184.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680306184.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680306184.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680306184.jpg

Since it was a sunny day, I decided to start splitting some wood. I got about half way through the pile of rounds on the left, along with getting some other things done around the place. I found out again I'm not as good at hefting big chunks of wood around as I used to be. I have make a rack to cut the pile on the right into lengths to fit in the fireplace before splitting.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680407252.jpg

Round stone top came unglued from a friend’s outdoor table base, fell off, and broke. This was at his house in the Bay Area where I was staying.

I took it to another friend’s place. We used clear epoxy and a clamp to glue the pieces back together, filled the cracks and missing bits with more clear epoxy, sanded the epoxy to dull the gloss. Cut a round of 5/8” marine plywood, set T-serts into the wood to bolt the table legs to, used construction cement to glue the wood to the underside of the stone top, applied Varathane to the wood, bolted the table base to the wood, and I brought the repaired table back to friend #1’s house.

When I entered the house, there was a big shout of “Surprise”. My wife had arranged a surprise 60th birthday party for me, and all my Bay Area friends were there! One guy even drove up from Santa Barbara.

I had been happy spending my 60th in friend #2’s workshop doing a project with him, but the party was a nice bonus.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680411525.jpg

Here’s the table, before the final crack filling and sanding that we did the next day.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680411602.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680411709.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680411817.jpg

Here’s a couple random shots from the party. The weather cooperated, which was good as a rain-free day is hardly a given in the Bay Area this spring!

Here’s the table after the final filling and sanding.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680411917.jpg

After that I went down to L.A. to see some friends. One of them, who was my surrogate mother in L.A. when my wife and I lived there in the 80s/90s, gave me a couple slides of my wife and I when I was 28 yo and my bride was 31 yo.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680412114.jpg

Damn that was a long time ago.

My “L.A. mother” is in her 80s and downsizing, which means every time we go down there she gives me stuff. I drove back to Portland with a trunk full of china, copper pans, interesting knick-knacks, and - my best loot this trip - an IBM Correcting Selectric typewriter!

While I was staying at her house, I was bothered by the dim light in her kitchen. She has 10 inset ceiling floodlights which were various mismatched and low-lumen CFL bulbs. I went to Home Depot and found these cool LED floods that are 100w equivalent and have a switch to change the light temperature from 5000K to 2700K, and are dimmable. I bought ten bulbs and a dimmer wall switch. The dimmer can either take the illumination from low to max at the selected temperature (she chose 3000K) OR can take the light from low level at 2000K through max at 3500K and then max at 5000K. She preferred the former so that’s how we set it up. Her kitchen is much brighter now, she likes it better, and I don’t feel like I’m wearing sunglasses indoors.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1680412915.jpg