Mechanical Maturity
 

I think I've reached my mechanical adolescence.

I learned quite some time ago how to wash a car. After that it wasn't long before I was cleaning its windows, too.

Eventually, I could fill the tires with the correct amount of air. A milestone for me.

Not long after, I got a job sweeping up the local garage, and learned advanced mechanical engineering techniques such as changing oil, and even lubing grease joints with a gun. I felt like a god.

Fast forward 17 years, and here I am. Some of you may remember that last year, I adjusted my 911's valves for the first time. They were so noisy afterward, I took the car to a mechanic who claimed he'd "never seen valves that 'out' on a running car".

Thanks for the commentary, Mr. Positive Attitude.

Today, I adjusted my valves for the second time. The exhaust side is a little noisy, but no noisier than they were before. The intake side is starkly quieter than before. I'm rather pleased that I actually saved myself a few bucks for real, and even got a few other little things done - a new fan belt and the prerequisite oil change.

Thanks to Wayne and the rest of the Pelicanite population. It was fun (for the first six hours).

I'm going to bed now.

Mark,

Congrats on the 2nd valve adjust and the 'quieter' valves!

Yes, at some point it becomes very satisfying to go to bed dead tired knowing that you accomplished something on your vehicle that could have cost in the hundreds to Kilo-buck range ... but that you were able to do in your own driveway or garage! And, having it run better afterwards is only a part of the reward ... the feeling you call 'mechanichal maturity' is as much internalized as the wallet you didn't have to lighten to get the job done!

<b>Slaying dragons .. is fun business! It's the Gorgons you have to watch out for! </b>

Congratulations, Mark. Those valves will get quieter each time you adjust them. All beginner, and I mean ALL beginners, leave them too loose the first time, no matter how many valve adjustments's you've made on other cars before. Some of your biggest fans are right here on this board, Mark.

Next lesson: wiper blade replacement.

You mean...you can replace those?

;)

Thanks guys. I agree about leaving them too loose. Next time I'm just gonna leave that blade in there and snug up the locknut and crank it down whilst counterholding. Each of the 12 valves has its own technique, and I know about 3/4 of them personally now.

The exhaust of #1 is the worst. It's also the 2nd one you do!

I think next up is some suspension work.

Suspension work is fun. The occasional smack with a baby sledge and a separating fork (tie rod ends and ball joints) makes you think you're really fixing things. Don't get crazy or you'll end up like me.

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