I'm the same way. I'd heard that my dad had made spare money fixing cars when he was younger. We bought a few cars that needed work, new clutch, or other minor stuff but were otherwise in good shape and fixed them to use over the years.

I continue to fix most of my own stuff for two reasons. 1 It's usually a lot cheaper for something that's not usually that difficult or time consuming. 2 If I do it, I know it will be done right.

I've seen too many people screwed by shops over the years. Finding a good one is not easy. I've had some shops that otherwise seemed to do decent work blow it by not buttoning things up right at the end. On 3 or 4 occasions, I've gotten a vehicle back from having work done and discovered that bolts were loose or vacuum lines weren't connected or something else small. I once discovered the loose bolts when they bounced out from under my car on the freeway at 70.

Ford Zetec (Focus, Contour, etc). Grafted into a Vanagon.

Hmm, is that a popular swap? How much HP/torque available? I assume that someone makes a conversion/swap kit for that? I'm very interested in getting a Vanagon but don't want to shoot myself over the engine hassles. :)

Grab the torx with s "bolt out" from sears.

As I age my wrench love is unaffected. Hate that I have to recuperate afterwards tho.

Didn't that van get a new motor already?

Did a motor swap on my daughters Kia. Not a lot of fun but would have been a lot easier 10 years ago (I turn 60 in a few months). Did the timing belt and water pump on the used motor.2 weeks later the new water pump starts leaking (yeah Napa) so have to tear it down again.
I still enjoy tinkering.....just takes me longer and I don't have the upper body strength I used to.

My mind still likes working on cars/trucks/bikes/houses but my body not so much.

Doesn't your wife help you? Or do you guys prefer your women to stay out of the way? Or are you needing strength? I want to be able to hang out in the garage and watch, hand over tools, ask questions, watch how things work, help out whenever I can...

Hey, Jyl I saw your other post sounds like you maybe ready for a career change.
Bikes are big business these days.

^^^^ I wish my wife helped over the past 25 years, but neither she or my daughter have interest. My 17 year old son has some interest, but I've lost interest over time. :(

Tweez, I am in a similar position re strength, age, eyesight and flexibility. I would love for you to come hang out, hand over tools, ask questions, and watch how things work! (We have a guest room!)

Best,
Tom

She probably would if I asked, but she's definitely not interested.

Muggle.

Definitely takes more mental effort to get under the car as I get older, but I'm fine once I'm rolling and I enjoy knowing what I'm doing and having the right tools to do it. When I got my 930 13 years ago, it needed rear wheel bearings, which is no small job. (IIRC, I was quoted 18 hours and over $2k.) I did the job over several nights. I used to work all day, get home for dinner and play with kids and spend time with wife, then sneak down to attached garage after 10PM to 12-1AM and bang away at the car. Didnt think twice about it. Nowadays I set aside weekend daylight time for it because after I hit the couch in the evening it's not going to happen.

Pretty popular. Subaru swaps are more common but Zetecs are cheaper and Bostig makes a very good conversion kit including wiring harness and detailed instructions. About 140 hp, but they now make a turbo kit too.

Tell me more if you would, how much does it transform the van? How many HP were they stock? Does it cruise quietly at 75+mph and go over a mountain w/o overheating? A/C work well? Thx.

They are 80 hp stock.

W/ Zetec, the van will cruise at 75 mph, not quiet but that is wind and road noise, the engine isn't noisy. Hills that the stock van labored up in 2nd at 40 mph are now 3rd at 55-60 mph. (Mine is a Westy so quite heavy.). Still not like a "modern" car, heck minivans have 200+ hp now, no-one even downshifts to climb hills anymore. No overheating which the stock engine is prone to. It is as reliable as, well, a Ford Focus. I never hooked the AC up (Portland) but have the compressor, it should work fine.

I look at my herd of motorcycles, snowmobiles, sport cars and the depressing fact is:

I have at least 29 carbs and 18 batteries........Carbs and bateries can be a full time job.........

I have quite a few cars that I am stickler when it comes to maintenance and upgrading them. Sadly no lift at home (yet).

I enjoy working on them but find on the weekends I drag my feet (drinking coffee and catching up with Forums) when it comes to working on them, usually by noon time frame I am ready to turn the wrenches, and half the day is done. I find having music in the background is a great companion when I am working in the garage.

Yasin

I am changing the CV boots on my 95 M3 . Normally this is a pretty easy job. But not this SOB. Stripped head of bolt on the CV had to cut it off. Then stub axle will not come out. So decided to replace both boots from the inner end. PITA. Going back together now on day 3 and now have 5 day back order for the 6 CV bolts.

I haven't worked on my car for years. I do appreciate all that it has taught me though. One of the reasons that I have given up DE's. It use to be that I couldn't wait to jack up the car, bleed the brakes or change the fluid, replace all the pads, remove and grease all the sway bar mounts and suspension, change the oil and filter, clean the car inside and out, and do all this again when I get the car back from the weekend. Just writing the list is making me tired! My kids use to joke about daddy's "take apart car", like I was just a big kid who liked taking it apart just to put it back together. I am going to change my oil one of these weekend's though, just for old time sake.