Cheap tricks that'll keep ya moving

Those are great, marinade in red wine and garlic over nite and rub down the BBQ with 10w-30 (not 10w-40), BBQ at medium heat for 6 minutes a side....

 

Didn't they use animal fat to grease wooden wagon axles? Bear grease or sheepfat?

 

A friend of mine told one. Back when he had a carbed engine he use to take a brass mesh screen and place it in between where the carb meets the engine. He told me that it would make the fuel mist and he got much better fuel mileage out of it. He just had to replace every month or two depending on how much he drove. No idea as to the validity of this but if it works it sounds like it might be something worth trying.

 

Brass screen was old trick.. i tried that in the early 70's
It allowed atomization of fuel to explode by busting up the fuel droplets and mixing with air as it enters the manifold.( i guess) I had to retune the carburator to allow for the restriction, not worth the difference if any.

 

Oh, boy. Sooo many "improvised" repairs, none recommended.
Here are a couple more memorable ones;

Radiator hose clamps to secure U-joint caps after the zillionth powershift ripped the straps off the pinion yoke. Was strong enough to get home with VERY gentle clutch and throttle application.

Urine substituted for brake fluid. Sometimes you do what you've gotta do, it's yellow. I still can see my buddy Dave crouched under the hood, laughing hysterically, trying to aim for the resevoir and not soil himself.

 

------We did that with the Conastoga and Studebaker wagons on our way out West to mine for gold. But coming back East we just stopped at NAPA and bought some wheel bearing grease with the money we got for the gold.

 

More brake fluid coming up!

 

====Seriously.----- Many years ago, like in the 70's,. I had a few small warts on my fingers. Used all of that wart remover stuff plus tried to cut them off. One day I was doing a brake job and got brake fluid on my hands. A few days later the warts were gone. Don't try this just because I said so. I am not a doctor. But I play one on the internet sometimes.:banana:

 

Simple trick for a leaking radiator is to simply remove the cap!
The radiator will only leak down to the hole and the water will still circulate enough to get you home.

I did this with a '77 Chevrolet Malibu just cresting the rim of of Crater Lake with a full family load (Wife, three kids and cooler full of icy drinks and lunch).
The leak was near the top of the cross flow radiator. It stopped leaking soon as the pressure was off so simply left the cap off and drove home 4 days later. Also cruised around the area during that time and watched the temp and water level.... no radical changes even with the AC on.

Won't be a fix for everyone but worked for me.

 

^done that plenty of times. For any small cooling system leak that will leak under pressure but not gravity. I leave the cap on but just not cranked down. Usually stays cool enough as long as you don't drive it hard or encounter any big hills.

Last winter on the 89 6000 wagon, the EGR valve decided to snap off and the car would barely run. I folded up a piece of cardboard to block it off and it ran pretty good till I got to work and made a steel plate to block it off. It's still that way, doesn't run any different than stock.

 

Urine has many uses. I hear peeing on ones (Not your buddies) feet will clear will clear up atheletes foot ..... thereby enabling one to limp home under his/her own power ...... the topic of this thread!!(I slay me!!)

 

I have heard that before...not really interested in trying it though.....

Wonder if it works for acne???

 

If you don't slay you one of us is going to! Are you a doctor? I made it clear on my medical brake fluid report that I am only a doctor on the internet and don't really have medical license. I only practice...much like most doctors I've had! I slay me!PS no wonder I don't have atheletes foot or acne.

 

Doctor? Me? No but I recall a tee-shirt "No I am not a gynocoligist but I will take a look!"

If you will notice my original atheletes foot comment I said I "hear" ... therefor not being a statement of fact I cannot be held liable for any malfeasance in the shower.

 

I've done this one many times!

Also - pantyhose makes a decent temporary fan belt.