What are you working on today??

Vaanth · Feb 10, 2025

Vaanth said:
I am replacing the wiper linkage bushings on my 1979 Newport.

R-bodies, such as my Newport, have hidden wipers with the linkage in the cowl like E-bodies, 1971-later B-bodies,
C-bodies, etc. One bushing had broken, but the others were not far behind. All were replaced with Chrysler 3799089 bushings:
View attachment 705795
The polyurethane bushings, or retainers, appeared on the 1973 A-body and B-body models, then spread throughout most product lines in subsequent years, continuing through the 1990s on some models.

I replaced the original bushings in the 90s on this Newport, and the Chrysler 3799089 that I used back then were just now replaced. So, on this car, I'm getting about 22 years and 150000 miles per set.

On the 78-later B-bodies and R-bodies, the assembly that connects the linkage to the wiper motor changed from a metal retainer attachment to a large molded polyurethane snap-in assembly. This also broke after 44 years. No longer available from Chrysler, but reproductions are available. I have adapted the earlier style from a 1976 Fury to use instead.

Linkage with new bushings ready to install:
View attachment 705793

The Newport bushing install is complete. Now I am doing the same to my Fury:

As removed:

Linkage refurbished, pivots lubricated and new bushings installed:

3175375 · Feb 12, 2025

While continuing to work on the pantry bookcase, I am working on a couple of clean up items for the kitchen. I had shortened the doors to accommodate the built in microwave and used some extra shelf brackets to make another shelf inside the cabinet below the microwave. I doweled together 3 pieces of walnut to create the shelf. I have fit checked it and now to finish it. This provides good space inside the tall volume.

I’m using aliphatic glue and 1/4” dowels.
I really like how this is coming together.

Pizza pizzazz just fits in nicely. 8^)

Vaanth · Saturday at 10:21 PM

3175375 · Sunday at 3:55 PM

Put first piece of 1/4” walnut plywood on the back of the hidden bookcase.

I will probably finish putting the sides in tomorrow.

Vaanth · Monday at 11:03 AM

Building a new wiring harness using bits from used harnesses and some NOS pieces. It has modifications including electronic ignition and changed alternator wiring but maintains a stock appearance.

Big_John · Monday at 12:19 PM

Vaanth said:
Building a new wiring harness using bits from used harnesses and some NOS pieces. It has modifications including electronic ignition and changed alternator wiring but maintains a stock appearance.
View attachment 706711
View attachment 706713
View attachment 706712

When I've done those, I use a piece of plywood and some finishing nails. I've seen this in a few factories where they are assembling a wire harness.

3175375 · Monday at 2:04 PM

Bookcase progress continues…

Vaanth · Monday at 2:17 PM

Big_John said:
When I've done those, I use a piece of plywood and some finishing nails. I've seen this in a few factories where they are assembling a wire harness.

That is a good approach, especially with more complex wring, or running and terminating new wires. I've used similar to some scale in the past for things of mine. In my pasted case, I had the old harness to go by for where to make branches for some wires, and the car sitting right behind me for fit checks, particularly for the wiring modifications.

The method is used in a lot of industries for building harnesses. We used it at Rockwell to build harnesses for missiles, guided bombs, and aircraft systems. Those harnesses were all hand laced. I didn't do that work though. I repaired and calibrated test equipment and test systems as well as maintaining the division's electrical and electronic standards in the Metrology Lab.

Big_John · Monday at 3:03 PM

Vaanth said:
I repaired and calibrated test equipment and test systems as well as maintaining the division's electrical and electronic standards in the Metrology Lab.

Small world. I was partners in a calibration lab until I retired. I did mechanical type stuff, even going out and calibrating granite surface plates. Our lab was on the 4th floor of an ex-Rockwell power tool factory in Syracuse.

3175375 · Monday at 3:51 PM

Vaanth said:
That is a good approach, especially with more complex wring, or running and terminating new wires. I've used similar to some scale in the past for things of mine. In my pasted case, I had the old harness to go by for where to make branches for some wires, and the car sitting right behind me for fit checks, particularly for the wiring modifications.

The method is used in a lot of industries for building harnesses. We used it at Rockwell to build harnesses for missiles, guided bombs, and aircraft systems. Those harnesses were all hand laced. I didn't do that work though. I repaired and calibrated test equipment and test systems as well as maintaining the division's electrical and electronic standards in the Metrology Lab.

Same thing with me with my career at Hughes Aircraft / Raytheon.

3175375 · Monday at 3:58 PM

3175375 said:
Bookcase progress continues…

View attachment 706728 View attachment 706729 View attachment 706730

Other side:

I will place the top of the recipe cabinet in tomorrow. Then it’ll be time to clean up the entire thing and do one more fit check before staining and clear coating.

I suspect that I will have this project done by St Patrick’s Day.

Vaanth · Monday at 7:45 PM

Big_John said:
Small world. I was partners in a calibration lab until I retired. I did mechanical type stuff, even going out and calibrating granite surface plates. Our lab was on the 4th floor of an ex-Rockwell power tool factory in Syracuse.

3175375 said:
Same thing with me with my career at Hughes Aircraft / Raytheon.

Cool small world coincidences. My work at Rockwell was in the 80s, then I went to Bell Labs for a few years. Still involved with all manner of equipment including research and design of some stuff for manufacture and testing of optical fiber. After that I switched to the IT world, specifically UNIX administration at Hewlett Packard and other companies. Plenty of exposure to computers, etc, but not a lot of electronic test equipment as before until I went to Google where I did both computers and some test equipment, plus networking and more, in their data center environment. I was there until I retired in 2019.