What are you working on today??

[Just Carbs]

Rear brakes on the 72 New Yorker.
More often than not the new drums that are shipped are oval right out of the box. You might not feel it when you drive, but the brake micrometer tells the story. I think a little bump in the shipping is all it takes.
The only place in town to have them machined "wants" $40. The only reason they don't actually "get" the $40 is because nobody is willing to pay it.
So, last week I bought a used FMC/Snap-On brake lathe that cuts drums, rotors and flywheels. She walks, she talks, and yes she comes complete. Money well spent, highly recommend it. $500.
Also got a powered 1952 Biteman first of its kind (I think) rim clamp tire changer machine for $200 and a 1960 or so Micro-Precision tire bubble balancer for $50.
The tire changer works amazingly well for steel wheels. The bead breaker will for sure break the rim of aluminum wheels. Definitely, Absolutely, Positively for sure. But it is scratch free on aluminum for mounting/dismounting with a modern duck bill on the mounting arm.
Success rate with the static bubble balancer with 235/75-15 tires is very good. With fat 255/55-15, not so good.

 

[3175375]

Installed the Turn Off-road hardtop on ‘Lucy’, our 2021 Ford Bronco.
Rear window with wiper and rear defroster is coming. I already have all of the parts to tie in the wiper and defroster.

Early 2021 Broncos didn’t come with the hardtop or the internals to support it.
A gent on the Bronco 6G forum posted a parts list and the steps to install and program the computer.

We really like this top.

 

[Just Carbs]

The wind blows the Dodge van outside mirrors back against the door because the tiny little strap clamp screws strip out of the soft aluminum mount that the mirror post well swings in.
I drilled the 4 clamp holes 1/4 inch and taped to 5/16 for 5/16 bolts to replace the little 1/4 bolts.
Fixed.

 

[Big_John]

Took the 'vert out for it's annual New York State inspection. Went to an old buddy's shop and he had a Rambler Marlin outside. Didn't take a pic, I've seen it there before.

The car passed, as it should, and he pounded a new inspection sticker on it... I got home and decided I'd spend the afternoon installing an old rear end in my recliner.

 

[carguy300]

When I retire in 3-1/2 years Im gonna enjoy that life style myself!

 

[carguy300]

Ive got everything ready now, gonna try and start my 68 300, after 2-1/2 yrs of finding all missing parts and replacing a bunch of important engine parts! Gotta hook up the fuel line and fire it up!?!? Wish me luck!!

 

[3175375]

Picked up Mel after over 3k in bodywork. A guy pressed in the driver’s side front fender and bumper at an SDSU game. We were in the stadium when it happened. At least he left a note and his insurance paid for everything. The repair looks great.

 

[Big_John]

When I retire in 3-1/2 years Im gonna enjoy that life style myself!

I will have been retired 9 years at the end of this year.

Retirement was my best career move ever.

 

[3175375]

I will have been retired 9 years at the end of this year.

Retirement was my best career move ever.

I retired just over 7 years ago and it’s been one of my best decisions ever!

 

[3175375]

Progress continues on the renovation.
We should be moving into the new part by the end of the month.
We should have full capability next week…

 

[Just Carbs]

The 87 5th AVE heater don't work because the unavailable automatic climate control motor that's buried in the guts of the dash with the heater core is bad. So, the blend heat/ac air door that don't work isn't letting air go through the core. Stuck in a/c possession. So, no heat. But all the distribution vents and water valve work.

I abandoned the core and put one directly over the fan intake. Also set the air intake to permanent recycle. All is good know.

 

[3175375]

The 87 5th AVE heater don't work because the unavailable automatic climate control motor that's buried in the guts of the dash with the heater core is bad. So, the blend heat/ac air door that don't work isn't letting air go through the core. Stuck in a/c possession. So, no heat. But all the distribution vents and water valve work.

I abandoned the core and put one directly over the fan intake. Also set the air intake to permanent recycle. All is good know.

Ugh

Can you find a replacement on eBay?

 

[Just Carbs]

Ugh

Can you find a replacement on eBay?

Not the parts that are bad, or the rest of the hard-to-find sensor parts needed for it to work. And removing the entire under dash a/c heater unit is a very major pain. All of it must come out to service it. About 10 hours round trip, if all the moon and stars line up just right. They never do. Plus, the time spent figuring out what parts are failing. I can relocate the heater core seating on the seat for the most part.

Relocating the heater core takes about 2 hours to fix the problem, and it stays fixed. Easy to service in the future.

Now I can run the air through the heater core before it goes through the a/c evaporator and get warm dry air on the windshield. Very good for cold damp mornings. And it keeps the a/c evaporator from freezing on hot muggy days. Nice dry cold air.

Can't do that with Chryslers very bad stock blend door setup.
All the automatic temp controls still work automatic as stock because part of the auto system was controlling temp with the water valve, no change there.