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

Finally ordered new rear bumper fillers from Replica Plastics today. I plan on painting and installing them myself. Any tips from those who have done this before, re: prep and paint work? I'm probably just going to buy a bunch of Duplicolor spray cans, unless there's a much better alternative....

 

Well, I took the Country Squire out on the freeway this afternoon after work, and sure enough, the oil leak has reappeared. It only seems to happen at speeds over 60, as I have noticed neither the oil smell nor the smoke at lower speeds. The crank and front pan seals appear good, and the engine does have oil along the driver's side of the block from the oil pump back to the trans inspection plate. The bottom of the ds exhaust manifold is where the oil is burning off from. So, though I have the area of the leak somewhat narrowed down, it's by no means "found". I'll need to have my son bring it to the vo-tech auto shop this week to get it up on the lift, to give the wagon a closer diagnosis.

I hate leaks.

 

Mounted a hood ornament on the wagon. It's correct for newyorkers but not for town and country wagons...... But it looks so right. Don't worry though, I didn't have the heart to drill a hole to mount it. I used 3M trim mounting double sided tape. It's really on there with the tape.

 

drove the wagon to Les Schwab, and had the dumb street rod valve stem replaced on my TTO Americans.... Much better now !

 

Just digging in on the 77 Malibu I grabbed over the weekend. A couple small issues. Rear hatch inop from years of sitting. Also, the power to the driver's side window switch decided ever so conveniently to drop out, so I'm looking into that. Also, the alternator quit putting out on my G-body, so I replaced that. The vacuum switch that controls the converter lock up failed two days ago on the same car and the tabs got replaced today. Will it ever end?

 

No it never ends!!! But I think we like it that way???? Repeat after me "it's my hobby and this is fun"

 

So, after working on customer projects, all day, I've come to the conclusion that I need to spend at least two hours daily after hours on my junk, or it'll never get done. The diver's side window controller worked when I got it, but stopped all of the sudden. Rummaging around in the driver's side kick panel, I spied a new Power window relay. Hmmm, well, that's odd but not unheard of. I test the relay, it's a case ground, passing power when energized and grounded, but no power to the switch. Nor to the power seat switch. I thought, well, the most logical point of a wiring would be in the door conduit, copper does work harden easily. I stuck a remote camera into the flex conduit and bingo. Could be one of the reasons this car wound up in a wrecking yard. Electrical can boggle the mind and if you start replacing components without proper diagnostics, it gets expensive. The perfect storm....Never mind the date on the camera, I never set it up when I bought it!
...and That's what I did today...

 

My son is driving the CS to the vo-tech tomorrow, where they'll get it up on the rack and diagnose the oil leak issue. I'm thinking more along the lines of the timing cover, leaking on the driver's side, as the whole DS of the block from the exhaust manifold down to the top of the pan rail is oily. I hope it is relatively simple. I was crawling around under my '66 Coronet on Sunday, moved in just the wrong way and tweaked my back, so I really do not want to have to do the work myself. It hurts too damn much to crawl around like that anymore, especially without a lift!

 

I drove the wagon home from work today. Threaded my way through an hour of rush-hour traffic to the gas station and home in the rain and wind listening to "Allman Brothers" on the 8-track. No drama.
Got home and realized that the wagon is so comfortable that I could sit there and probably sleep in her she was so warm and comfy.

I think I am in love again. Havn't felt that way since the '72 Mach One!

 

Isn't that strange that a Mach I and a wagon can both give you those feelings?

 

I like big blocks... I cannot lie...

 

I traded my modified, customized 1994 GMC Sonoma pick-up for a 2003 Dodge Durango.
On it, I added door edge guards, & removed the roof rack cross bars. Had to put a new P/S pump and a new battery in it when I got it to bring it home.
I have a new grill to put on it, after I get the hood and front fenders repainted, since the clear-coat is eaten thru!

I'm looking to find a 16" spare wheel and tire for this new toy, since it did not come with one! Found other sizes but not the one I need!

 

I see what you did there..........

 

Back in my college days when I used to imbibe, I did something similar. I had spent a little too much time at the beer garden and it was pouring rain when I pulled into the driveway. I decided I would sit in the car until the rain let up before I went into the house. Cracked all the windows to let some fresh air in. Then the beer took over and I fell asleep (passed out).

I awoke the next morning. The rain had long stopped and it was hot and muggy. I was covered in mosquito bites from head to toe where the little buggers had snuck into the car while I slept, and had a feast.

 

gas tank repair

OK so ive been trying to braze the rusted out pin holes in my gas tank.
but with every hole i filled 3 more appeared ???
so I cut the bottom out of it and made a patch panel.
hammered it out to fit the contours and tac welded back into place.
it still took a bit to completley seal it. I was pressure testing it
and checking it with soapy water.Finnaly it held pressur over nite !!
now I have to clean and re-seal it....