Most of us hop in our car, turn the key (or push the button) and drive away hardly thinking about how that machine turns dinosaur remains into us getting to where we want to go.
I’ve spent some time this summer relearning that process by working on my cars.
I tuned up the Mercury, changing the spark plugs which create the spark to ignite the gas fumes in the piston chamber.
I changed the valve cover gaskets on the 2-door, which help keep the oil on the rocker arms that open and close the valves that let the gas fumes into the piston chamber, and lets the burned exhaust out.
Those blue things are the valve covers, which cover the rocker arms you can see in the picture below.
I removed a bunch of extra parts from the wagon that I had hauled away.
Including the nice tire rims that were on it.
Fortunately, I had enough of these cars that I could poach all the spare tires from the other cars so we could still roll the wagon out.
I also replaced the plastic over the speedometer in the ‘72 2-door, which was hard to read through.
Which one would you rather have on your car?
I had to take apart the whole dash to replace it, which was surprisingly easy. About 15 screws and it just slid off.
And, finally, the guy who hauled away the wagon brought back the transmission so I can start working on putting it into the convertible.
15 comments:
Oh, somehow I missed it that you were getting rid of the wagon.
Good pics. The one of the rocker arms is quite artistic and a wee bit steampunk.
Okay this is gonna be fun, I just know it, when I can view....them! It's a whole lot of great story here...but I can't seem to access the photos...not yet anyway...this is only my 2nd attempt! I'll be back!
Lisa - Yeah, I haven't had it running for over a year now, been using it for parts for the other cars. I took all the parts I needed and the guy who pulled the transmission for me took the rest of the car too.
Karen - It should be working now, had a little server issue.
Great you're back! Or rather the cool (I just knew by reading your descriptions) coolest photos ever. Lisa's a bit right for sure ...I am a fan of Steampunk as well...and always of your collections and going back in time especially with cars....love that !
oops, forgot to mention how awesome your reflection photo is too!
Glad you found it worth your time to come back and check them out.
Amazing shots. The story was interesting too - I can see why you're a good teacher!
Wow, you know what you're doing, very unlike me I must say. You see I'm one of the ones who doesn't like to let the warranty run out when I get a vehicle, I don't have a clue how to fix anything on a car.
I'm looking forward to seeing your finished vehicle, hope you don't mind another follower!
Cheers.
Nice work, Max.
I never learned any more about cars than how to drive them without crashing into the other people, meself.
~
Alexia - thanks (blushing).
Darlin - welcome to the blog, the more the merrier.
My older brother put himself through college working as a mechanic at a gas station and my little brother took a lot of auto mechanics courses in high school. I learned most of what I know from getting their help with my cars. The rest was just trial and error.
I got lost after you changed the spark plugs. I'm one of those who wills it to start when I turn the key.
Great shots, Max.
Max thank you. AND if I ever need a good mechanic I'll get in touch with you seeings you have the connections! lol
darlin - Road trip, cool! I'm there.
Haven't a clue about the insides of cars, though I can at least check the oil and windscreen wash!
But I like the shot of the tyre trims!
that's more than a lot of people can do.
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