My 1st Real Repair

mgbruno · 03-12-2007, 03:59 AM

Hi All,
I'm a faithful Pelican but don't post a whole lot - mainly since I don't have the expertise to explain/describe anything that would be interesting to you guys. But, about 3 months ago I decided to replace my oil return tubes. Jacked my baby up and put it jack stands - and I was thrilled - laugh(thats a first for me too)! Then I went to town on the tubes - boy did they ever need to be replaced! Course I took out the entire exhaust before I got to the tubes. The tubes took me a while but I got them in perfectly. Then I figured since it was cold, I'd cleab everything. Did the heat exchangers with sand paper - first rough, then fine. Boy, those baby's shine - who needs SSI's anyway - laugh. Then i took desgreaser to the entire bottom of the engine - with a toothbrush - ok, I'm anal! I'm not done yet, but, it looks incredible (brand spanking new actually) - and if I do get an oil leak, i will be able to tell where to go - immediately. Then, this weekend, the weather got nice and I put everything back togeather - usually this is where I have problems (where did that extra bolt come from?) I had to make a couple of trips to Sears to get the right tools - boy do the right tools ever help!!! Incidentally, in reinstalling the entire exhaust, I replaced all the gaskets too. Well, i got ever7ything back togeather again, added 11 qts of oil - or thereabouts, a new Mahle filter, and boy did my morning turn out great! 120+ on the freeway when noone was looking felt awesome - especially when I hadn't driven my baby for quite a while! Boy are these ever AWESOME cars! Quality, quality, quality! I'm gonna continue cleaning the underside of my baby each weekend - will post some pics next weekend after my next cleaning - so you guys can see. Then, the rear valence is all chewed up - so I'm gonna take it off and practice painting - on a new one. I just got new carpet - so thats in the works too. And then a nice set of manual sport seats is in the basement - but they are just the wrong color - before I install, I have to get them reupholstered. But my baby is finally starting to come togeather. KNow nothing really revolutionary here - but I'm just excited and had to tell someone - other than my wife - who just looks at me as though I'm from Mars. Will post some pics next weekend.

Mike

tonythetarga · 03-12-2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mgbruno
I'm just excited and had to tell someone - other than my wife - who just looks at me as though I'm from Mars. Will post some pics next weekend.

Mike

Good job Mike. We all know that feeling! It is kinda hard for women to share our excitement about oily car parts. Sometimes I have to work the line on 'how much I'm saving by not going to a mechanic' and THAT they understand and appreciate. LOL!!!
In case you didn't know...you're HOOKED on DIY. If you really want to get hooked, you should try a DE.

mgbruno · 03-12-2007, 05:50 AM

Actually, your advice is good. Will have to try that next time - do you realize how much this would have cost???? Laugh. Sorry - computer illiterate "you should try a DE"???? I can't WAIt to get started on the other upgrades. Car looks great but I want it PERFECT!!!! And I want faster, better handling, and and and - don't we all though

OldTee · 03-12-2007, 05:59 AM

First, tell her that you doing these kinds of things doesn't give you enough time nor money to have a girlfriend or to visit the widow down the block.

Second, find out about local driving stuff going on on Dorkiphus.net, a local DC BBS and come show your car off. Introduce yourself with some pictures and don't be surprised if they offer to come take your engine out for you.

mgbruno · 03-12-2007, 06:06 AM

Again, good advice - laugh - though I'm hesitant to use this type of "frontal attack"! I did post on Dorki a while back but got so wrapped up with work that I didn't have time for my car. And to be honest, I have been embarrased about my baby - wanted to get it a bit better before I start showing it off. But maybe I'm at a point now where I can meet a couple of these guys. Seemed like a great bunch.

kimlangley7 · 03-12-2007, 06:06 AM

Hey Mike:

I too spent the better part of SAT cleaning my new [to me] SSIs.. what a beautiful day!!

I used easy-off oven cleaner , steel wool [fine] brass brush and a 1300 psi water sprayer...

befor eand after...

also installed some bling > new pedals...

mgbruno · 03-12-2007, 06:15 AM

Hey Kim,
Wow! That looks great! You know, I got the bottoms of my heat exchangers looking awesome. then started doing the tops. Then after about an hour, I said to heck with it and stopped doing the tops - cause noone will ever see this part anyway. maybe next winter, I'll finish the job - for my peace of mind. Yours do look very nice though. If I had a 3.0 I would have gone to SSI's but figure I won't get enough bang with my 3.2. Figure, Monty muffler and a cat bypass, and a chip. But have other things I wanna do 1st. I never thought of easy off. Used coarse sandpaper, then fine 600 grit and water, then polish. They look brand new! But easy off is a great idea. Thanks for the tip. Love the pedals too!

kimlangley7 · 03-12-2007, 06:19 AM

I got the easy off tip from the guys on Dorkipus site > NVA /MD/DC guys.. now I'm waiting for my M&K 2in/1out .. oil lines from Pelican... and all assorted gasgets, nuts and bolts..

Just noticed the 100mph duct tape in the pedal shot > yeah > high tech all the way!!

kgl

tonythetarga · 03-12-2007, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mgbruno
- "you should try a DE"????

Drivers ED. Sounds boring right? WRONG!!! It is driving your car at the race track with an instructor that will help you really feel what these cars can do. You will be blown away, but at the same time learn what to do and what NOT TO DO while driving at higher speeds. Driving lessons learned are the opposite to what would be done on the street. (braking, cornering)
Watkins Glen isn't that far from you, but you also have Virginia International Raceway and Pocono close by. Check your local PCA rules as there are tech inspection rules, safety equipment (helmet Snell/SA2000 or newer), brake pad thickness etc. There is just too much to put in the response, but you can search for what to bring to a DE or how to prep your car for a DE.

mgbruno · 03-12-2007, 06:36 AM

Kim,
Those upgrades sound awesome! I want a monty - but thats gonna have to wait a while. Your in N. Va? I'm in Woodbridge - do you go to any of the local events? I haven't done any of that yet - just no time! Tony, hmmmmm, that does sound great! But i want to do a few things before I do that. The 1st gear synchro in my baby is going bad. So, thats the next MAJOR repair. While I'm at it, I want to change the gearing. But, I no have money!!!!!!!!! And tranny - yikes - thats beyond my new found wrench abilities - scares the crap out of me actually - laugh.

kimlangley7 · 03-12-2007, 06:42 AM

The local Porsche guys [and gals] frequectly use this site

http://dorkiphus.net/index.php

Great bunch of folks > more than helpful..

Grady Clay · 03-12-2007, 07:17 AM

Mike,

Congratulations on a successful first project. Many more to come.

Obviously you did your homework – lurking. Please don’t ever be shy about asking about a project plan. So many pelicans have done every aspect of almost every project, some with unexpected issues, that almost any project can be planned. That includes parts, tools and procedures.

A real benefit from proposing a project here is find out the possible problems or roadblocks you might run into. A good example might be your oil return tubes. What if an exhaust stud had broken? How could you prevent it? What would you do to fix it?

Another example might be planning shock absorber replacement. How do you get to the hardware? What tools are necessary? Why is it I can’t get the new Nyloc nut on the top of the front shock?

Another aspect is being prepared for the “while you are there” issues. We all realize the efficiency and worth of “while you are there.” That extra swipe of grease or $2 part can be worth not having to repeat the job.

Probably one of the best examples is the thread started by Pelican rcecale Reconstructing Constant Velocity (CV) Joints that every DIY involving CV joints should include.

Armed with your homework (searching Pelican Forums). Pelican Parts is then able to sell you the right and necessary parts. One difficulty with DIY (and many small shops and most Dealers) is you don’t have an “at home” (or on site) inventory of everything possibly necessary regardless of what you run into.

This is a very valid reason to consider a full “while you are there” for a given system.

An example might be; you are planning your spring brake pads and bleeding of the system with new fluid. You don’t know exactly how old the brake components are. What to do? Just buy a set of pads and some fluid?

If you search Pelican, you will find lots of references to regularly replacing the four flex brake hoses, cycling the caliper pistons and the possibility of the master cylinder failing (leaking) in the days/weeks after bleeding. What if you find brake fluid in the pedal assembly (pre-power brakes)? What if some caliper pistons are stuck?

Then comes tools and techniques. Having the proper “flare nut” wrenches is essential for not damaging hard pipes. That little bit of grease under each flare nut will allow servicing three years from now.

My point is; an important system like brakes deserves some overkill “while you are there” where you replace still functioning parts with new. If I were planning to add grease to a slow window I would not buy a new motor, regulator or channels – unless the grease didn’t fix the problem and I identified the cause.

Monday morning 2¢.

Best,
Grady

mgbruno · 03-12-2007, 07:27 AM

Kim,
I'll go back to Dorki soon. Thanks! Grady - great advice. Thanks. I will heed your words. I know that I've just scratched the surface. But I'm having a great time doing it. What a satisfying obsession to have - huh! I can't wait to do some more stuff. You are right - what if an exhaust stud had broken - laugh! I've done a few repairs and there ALWAYS seems to be the unanticipated problem. You should have seen all the WD40 soaking i did before I removed anything! And concerning the tools comment - yep, yep, yep. The right tools are ABSOLUTELY essential! Went to sears and bought a universal swivel as well as some extensins and adapters. Sure made things a whole lot easier! I'm with you 100%. Your comments only reinforce my beliefs. Now, concerning researching on Pelican - yep, I will definately do this BEFORE i tackle my next project. On this note, I wonder if you know about this - my left front fender was replaced before I bought the car. Whoever put it on did not line it up 100% correctly. So, there is about 1/4 inch where the hhod and fender don't marry. And also, where the bellows are - you can tell it doesn't line up. Now, at first thought it was the frame - but then I realized that its just the fender alignment. Any threads you know of, discuss loosening the bolts and properly aligning? I'll check mysel as well.

Mike

kimlangley7 · 03-12-2007, 07:38 AM

Mike:

you shlould be able to loosen up and adjust your fender/bellows

I installed a front air dam on my SC and had to remove the front bumper .. install the air dam and was pleased that it fit pretty well

Grady Clay · 03-12-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mgbruno
On this note, I wonder if you know about this - my left front fender was replaced before I bought the car. Whoever put it on did not line it up 100% correctly. So, there is about 1/4 inch where the hhod and fender don't marry. And also, where the bellows are - you can tell it doesn't line up. Now, at first thought it was the frame - but then I realized that its just the fender alignment. Any threads you know of, discuss loosening the bolts and properly aligning? I'll check mysel as well.

Mike

Mike,

I won’t claim to be a body expert – but….

The fender is sealed to the chassis with “putty” for lack of better term. It won’t move if you loosen the bolts.

I would drive by some body shops and listen to their diagnosis, recommendations and price estimates. Don’t tell them up front you are considering DIY.

There is also the possibility something in the chassis is bent. If so, most areas have someone skilled in “pulling” a shell into shape. There are chassis measurements in the Factory Workshop Manuals. You might consider carefully measuring your car and compare to the specs and another Pelican’s original example (where you can measure non-specified dimensions).

This is something I would carefully research and find many opinions before attempting. It is possible this may be the best it can be without serious work.

BTW; PB Blaster is far better than WD-40 for that use.

Best,
Grady

mgbruno · 03-12-2007, 08:30 AM

Thanks Grady,
Definately gives me something to think about before tackling full on. The fender was replaced as I said before. The guy who had it before me didn't do the best for my baby. He had a "friend" install and paint the fender. The paint job is actually quite good, but I highly doubt if the "friend" used any type of putty - laugh. Heck, I didn't know this when i bought the car, but the "friend" forgot to install the overflow gas tank! Drove it home through the desert on a hot day, stopped to get gas, went inside for some water, and aiyyyyy, there's gas leaking from under my new car. I was clueless at this time so I had no idea. Luckily it wasn't anything serious. The frame is not bent, i'm pretty sure, but I will proceed with caution.
Kim,
Thanks for the pics. Love your car. Here's a pic of mine - you can kindof see the misalignment. Your pics give me some idea - so you can take the bumper and front valence off without even doing any loosening of the fender bolts. A guy on Dorki offered to help me with the project last year but I was just too busy to take advantage of his kind offer. His name was Pari. seemed very nice

mgbruno · 03-12-2007, 08:31 AM

The front and back. No problems except left front fender.