What have you done to your wagon lately? (Let's keep the thread going!)

Very, very nice. And I'm digging the blinds. But how much do they cut down on the heat?

 

Took the Way Back Machine into the shop today. For the last few weeks, it's been sounding funny. It's either really bad pinging when I apply any kind of throttle, or I think it might be a bad exhaust manifold gasket - at least that's my guess. Haven't heard back from the shop yet.

 

It might be something with the EGR system since it's supposed to cool the combustion chamber temps.

 

Just got a call...
The exhaust noise I was hearing is coming from a bad 'donut' gasket between the manifold and the start of the exhaust pipe system. I'm assuming it's the right bank, since that side seemed to be where the noise was coming from.

They also said I've got a small coolant leak on the top of the engine - they'll pressure-test the system; and also a small leak coming from the differential. All three things will be addressed.

UPDATE:
Small coolant leak turned into.......replace heater core. (I did get a whiff of coolant smell inside the wagon the other day. Thought, "Hmmmm...." Not a job for me.

Differential was a bit low on oil, and a bit of metal shavings in there. Changing the oil.....
Wagon should be ready Monday.

 

Long live the "way back machine"!

 

Vacuumed. Detailed inside and out. White walls white again. Wood panel waxed. All ready for the car show tomorrow.

 

Perfect day for a car show. Some really amazing cars, a couple of great wagons. I was so busy that I didn't think to take any pictures...

At one point I was moving a folding table around to lean on the back of the wagon. My 6 year old g-son was helping me. I said to him " go around to the back of Nan's car" and he sad "you mean wagon!" I just we have taught him well.

 

Ha ha, very cool. The kid's paying attention.

 

Today I replaced the plastic air intake duct to my air filter on the 1989 Crown Victoria. Funny that I got it from the junkyard and it was in good shape, and mine that I took care of was brittle and disintegrating. You never know?!

 

Last month I had a spring shop put new front coils on the front. Added a leaf and re-arched the rear leafs. Originals were saggy. Now it's sitting back to the proper ride height.

I know everyone likes lowering cars with springs or installing air-ride, but I like the beefy/utilitarian look of a full size wagon that's ready to haul. Even though all I haul is couple of lawn chairs.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

 

And I can't even keep a bit of air in my Gabriels. That looks excellent, and not so tired.

 

I got the windows tinted today, she looked so good that I treated her to an interior bath with some woolite soap, chrome cleaner on the bumpers and a can of refrigerant to top up the system.
I thought I was going to have to tear apart the climate control and redo everything but it was only down a 12 oz can of 134a. Good thing to because the tint people told me I couldn't lower the windows for three days.

 

Tried out the new hitch and pulled my little trailer.

 

In the last few months I rebuilt the ac system, changed the alternator to a 135 amp out of a newer ford, put a 4 barrel carb, and changed the fan to a clutch fan. I also rewired the trailer plug using relays ( the car had 5 different plugs on it and none fit my trailer.) I also found nos gauges from Stewart warner dated 1979 and put them in. The real small electric setup. I need to do a rear wheel bearing, rear brakes and fix an exhaust leak. 78 Country Squire

 

^^^sounds like you got the hard stuff out of the way