Farrar's car blog

[Farrar]

I did not get around to installing all of the silicone hose today, but I did get to install the new O-rings under the intake manifold. I saw evidence of a vacuum leak in the form of stains where I took the old O-rings out -- the edge where the O-rings push in is very sharp and the O-rings had been cut by it. So this time I oiled the O-rings generously before putting them in. Although I didn't get a chance to start the engine, I was also able to install my security system, so I accomplished two things today!

[stevedmc]

I was also able to install my security system

Security system?

[Farrar]

Security system?

Yup. It's only mostly done, actually -- I didn't have time to install the remote control yesterday. I hope to get around to that today, but I have tons of other non-car stuff to do first.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Yup. It's only mostly done, actually -- I didn't have time to install the remote control yesterday. I hope to get around to that today, but I have tons of other non-car stuff to do first.

Set your priorities.

[jawn101]

Yup. It's only mostly done, actually -- I didn't have time to install the remote control yesterday. I hope to get around to that today, but I have tons of other non-car stuff to do first.

Damn, I was hoping it would be one of these...

[Farrar]

Set your priorities.

1. English paper (just finished)
2. Lunch
3. Grocery store
4. Math homework
5. Song transcription for one of the two bands I'm in
6. DeLorean

Those are my priorities of the moment. Supper may get in there somewhere, but I hope to get to the car before it's dark. Fingers crossed!

[Farrar]

1. English paper (just finished)
2. Lunch
3. Grocery store
4. Math homework
5. Song transcription for one of the two bands I'm in
6. DeLorean

I only got as far as #4. Good night.

In other news, I think I found out what a strange and occasional "thump" coming from the left rear of my car was coming from: a loose body/frame bolt. The bolt which screws into the captive nut in the end of the frame on the left side (17mm hex head, so presumably a M10x1.5 bolt) was so loose that I could turn it with my fingers. When I looked on the other side, I found that nut and bolt to both be missing entirely! I tightened the bolt and hope it solves the "thump," but now I realize the proper course of action would have been to remove both the nut and bolt, then take them both to the hardware store and get stainless steel replacements. Unfortunately, it's supposed to rain all week.

[Farrar]

Finally got a chance to get the pictures off of my camera from Saturday.

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That brown "stain" at the top of the recess for the O-ring looks like a possible vacuum leak to me. Perhaps the O-ring was damaged by the sharp edges of the recess in the block and created a leak. The edges of the chambers inside the intake manifold are also sharp, so I have to be careful how I put it on.

I lubricated the new O-rings before installing them.

My battery evidently was not very well-charged by the short drive I made with the car a few weeks ago -- just four days after installing a blinking red light, it had stopped blinking. Fortunately, I have a good battery in the daily driver and a long set of jumper cables.

[Farrar]

From the "One Thing Led To Another" department:

I decided to replace my vacuum lines today and this is what happened.

I knew this seat stud was broken...


...but I didn't know about this one!


Water caused bunches of rust and for the wood to completely separate on the passenger side...


...but the driver's side wood is mostly attached.

HEY, WHERE'S MY STEERING COLUMN BUSHING? Oh, well -- least of my worries at this point.

Sparky's previous owner evidently skimped on fasteners:



Here is where I stand now:
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I may not make it to Orlando in June.

[sean]

I may not make it to Orlando in June.

Lots of time to finish.