ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[lilscorpion]

Here are a few pictures of the wing nuts installed on my son’s snowblower.


I think they turned out well and my son loves them.

They look fantastic and should make them easy to handle with gloves on!

 

[zmotorsports]

They look fantastic and should make them easy to handle with gloves on!

Thanks Matt. That was my EXACT thinking. I wanted them a bit larger so they could be adjusted with gloves on but not so large they either looked odd or were too much weight on the discharge chute.

Thanks for the comments and for stopping by.

I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas my friend.

 

[Finallygotit]

Nice job Mike!


Merry Christmas to you and your family.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job Mike!


Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Thanks Dan.

Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.

 

[zmotorsports]

 

[lilscorpion]

Thanks Matt. That was my EXACT thinking. I wanted them a bit larger so they could be adjusted with gloves on but not so large they either looked odd or were too much weight on the discharge chute.



Thanks for the comments and for stopping by.



I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas my friend.

Thanks Mike, Merry Christmas to you and you’re as well. I like simple flurries on it around Christmas Day but Denver is going to be dry this year. Hope you’ll get a little.

 

[zmotorsports]

I haven’t been in the shop much over the past ten days or so but I had to get my wife’s car serviced yesterday morning so we could bring dinner in to my in-laws in the afternoon.

For starters I was able to try out my new GRYPMAT that I received from my Secret Santa last week. I think I’ll like these.


I racked the Acura so I could drain fluids and rotate tires.




While fluids were draining I fabricated a small shelf for my battery chargers to get them up off if my drawers and make them a bit more tidy looking. This was the last shop related item on my white board at this time and I wanted it complete before the end of the year.

Once again, I utilized scrap metal from my supply so zero out of pocket cost on the shelf.












After finishing the shelf installation, filling the car with fluids, torqued the wheels on, vacuumed and wiped the interior down I swept up the shop and gave it a good cleaning so it was ready to go into 2020.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

That shelf looks great, nice, tidy way to get the chargers organized!

 

[zmotorsports]

That shelf looks great, nice, tidy way to get the chargers organized!

Thanks Marc.

That was one area that bugged me when I walked past it and thought it needed addressing because if appeared so cluttered. I would like to get a small power strip and mount it under the shelf so I can have all of the chargers plugged in and then only one going to the outlet with an on/off power switch for the entire charger bank but I'll have to get one in the near future.

After sweeping and cleaning up the shop yesterday but before closing up for the year I was happy to look around at how far the shop has come.

Thanks for stopping by Marc.

 

[fnieto]

That shelf turned out great Mike. I like the downward slope attitude.
Happy New Year!

 

[polexican23]

another nice little add to the organization of your shop Mike, well done.

When you service the fluids on your wifes care, you just doing LOF or do you do more "mike"...errr i mean extensive work?

 

[zmotorsports]

That shelf turned out great Mike. I like the downward slope attitude.
Happy New Year!

Thanks Paco. Happy New Year to you my friend. I hope you go into 2020 pain free and have a fantastic year.

 

[zmotorsports]

another nice little add to the organization of your shop Mike, well done.

When you service the fluids on your wifes care, you just doing LOF or do you do more "mike"...errr i mean extensive work?

Thank you.


I have a 23-point checklist that I go through when I service my cars which includes a basic engine oil & filter change then rotate tires. I also check a multitude of other things such as brakes, suspension bushings, struts/shocks, windshield wipers and then a lot of other fasteners and such.

I had my old carbon pile tester give up the ghost a few months back and I contacted my buddy at my local NAPA store where I bought it years ago and he finally worked out a warranty deal so I obtained my new carbon pile tester about two weeks ago and tried it out yesterday on the wife's car to confirm the alternator was putting out proper amperage when loaded, but that was a bit out of the norm for a standard service.

 

[losdudes]

I haven’t been in the shop much over the past ten days or so but I had to get my wife’s car serviced yesterday morning so we could bring dinner in to my in-laws in the afternoon.

For starters I was able to try out my new GRYPMAT that I received from my Secret Santa last week. I think I’ll like these.


I racked the Acura so I could drain fluids and rotate tires.




While fluids were draining I fabricated a small shelf for my battery chargers to get them up off if my drawers and make them a bit more tidy looking. This was the last shop related item on my white board at this time and I wanted it complete before the end of the year.

Once again, I utilized scrap metal from my supply so zero out of pocket cost on the shelf.












After finishing the shelf installation, filling the car with fluids, torqued the wheels on, vacuumed and wiped the interior down I swept up the shop and gave it a good cleaning so it was ready to go into 2020.

Great job, I could look at your welding all day long.

 

[zmotorsports]

Great job, I could look at your welding all day long.

Thank you. I'm still trying to perfect my consistency but I don't weld every day and sometimes go a week plus without being behind the hood.

 

[polexican23]

Thank you.


I have a 23-point checklist that I go through when I service my cars which includes a basic engine oil & filter change then rotate tires. I also check a multitude of other things such as brakes, suspension bushings, struts/shocks, windshield wipers and then a lot of other fasteners and such.

I had my old carbon pile tester give up the ghost a few months back and I contacted my buddy at my local NAPA store where I bought it years ago and he finally worked out a warranty deal so I obtained my new carbon pile tester about two weeks ago and tried it out yesterday on the wife's car to confirm the alternator was putting out proper amperage when loaded, but that was a bit out of the norm for a standard service.

cool. I always fear flushing the coolant. Always have even though i have done it a thousand times. But one day i am going to get a stupid air pocket and F myself someone while away from home. Just watched some Discovery show where their race truck developed a air pocket. Brought some nightmares to me.

 

[zmotorsports]

cool. I always fear flushing the coolant. Always have even though i have done it a thousand times. But one day i am going to get a stupid air pocket and F myself someone while away from home. Just watched some Discovery show where their race truck developed a air pocket. Brought some nightmares to me.

I purchased an Air Lift coolant vacuum system about 15-18 years ago and have used it to prevent air pockets and it works awesome. Definitely worth the money to reassure no air pockets. I even used it on snowmobiles and ATV's/sandrails as many times the engines are higher than the heat exchangers and can easily get air in the system if not using a vacuum system to pull the air out. I also like the fact that I can pull a vacuum, let it sit for about half an hour and verify it holds vacuum to confirm no leaks once the coolant goes in.

I highly recommend either the Air Lift or similar system if doing much of anything with cooling systems these days.

 

[mmsheb]

Mike,
Tell me about the Street Rodder picture display in post 3527.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,
Tell me about the Street Rodder picture display in post 3527.
Thanks,
Mike

That was a copy of the January 1997 issue of Street Rodder Magazine where my 1940 Chev street rod/race car was featured.

Next to that on the wall is another placard displaying the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Sand Sports magazine where a couple of our sand toys were also featured with my son riding them for the photo shoot at the Little Sahara Recreation area in Utah.

 

[mmsheb]

Nice 1940, Mike. No longer own it? What is/was under the hood?
Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice 1940, Mike. No longer own it? What is/was under the hood?
Mike

I sold it in 2006 when I got out of drag racing on pavement and took up sand drag racing for a bit, well my son did more specifically.

My 1940 Chev had a small block GM under the hood that I built along with a TH400 transmission and 10-bolt GM with disc brakes all around. Front suspension was Heidts Rod Shop crossmember and I built 4130 chromoly upper and lower arms with Carrera coil overs front/rear.

The engine was a bored .030" over 350cid with splayed 4-bolt mains. Forged crank, forged pistons and Isky cam. I ported the heads and then ran Manley 10-degree locks and then topped it off with a 250ci roots supercharger with Gilmer belt drive and Holley 750 double pumper carb. Also did a few little tricks in the transmission to help it hook and shift through the gears. Fun little car and ran really well, a little too hopped up for the street but was fun. If I had it to do all over again, I would have ran a crate engine in it and left it a bit more mild for the street and showing and then used the engine in the street rod in my other car or built another car altogether strictly for racing rather than using the street rod for street/strip.

My 1971 Chevelle would have loved that engine but I had a 400cid small block in it that I mildly built.

 

[mmsheb]

Sounds terrific, Mike. You have exceptional talent and drive to bring your ideas to reality!

 

[zmotorsports]

Sounds terrific, Mike. You have exceptional talent and drive to bring your ideas to reality!

Thank you. I appreciate that.

I have been very blessed in my career and have been able to continue to hone in my skill set. I’m still nowhere near as good as I wish I were though.

Thanks for following along on my projects.

 

[zmotorsports]

I haven’t been able to work in the shop for the past little bit but my son wanted to stop by tonight and use the lift to service his wife’s car and I wanted to make sure I was home to see them so while they were here I decided to do something productive. The worktable on my 20-ton Nugier hydraulic press has been tweaked for the entire almost 30 years that I’ve owned it. I decided to disassemble it, straighten the front and rear top edges and weld in some gussets. I doubt the gussets are necessary for the manner in which I use it but it was damaged while spending its first 10+ years in an industrial maintenance shop and I’ve just never addressed it after the initial rebuild of the pump and ram when I acquired it in the early 90’s.

After seeing how much force it took to straighten the lips of the work table I seriously doubt I needed to add gussets. I haven’t bent it any worse in the nearly 30 years I’ve owned it but while it’s apart on the bench I may as well add the gussets.









That’s it for tonight so stay tuned for when I have time to weld the gussets and reassemble.

 

[fnieto]

That should keep her in line.

 

[zmotorsports]

That should keep her in line.

Yeah, I don't think that table will bend any more with what I'm going to throw at it.

Thanks for stopping by Paco.

 

[zmotorsports]

I thought I was going to have to clear snow tonight when I arrived home from work but seeing as how that wasn’t the case I opted to rack the Jeep and do a LOF service as well as finish up the press work table.



I tried out my new connector pliers and they sure work slick.


These 37’s sure seem bigger when they’re off the Jeep.




They are wearing excellent so far. New they had 18/32” and they are still at nearly 14/32” with just over 15.5k miles on it in exactly a year now.




The LS engine is actually easier to change the oil than the OEM 3.8 liter Chrysler engine. The oil drains without running all over my suspension links and the filter drops straight down at the rear of the engine vs. the front near the harmonic balancer which would have oil running down my steering drag link and tie rod.


While the oil was draining I welded the gussets on each channel for my press work table.










Also, while I had the welder out I went ahead and repaired my welder’s third hand again and hopefully for the last time. I used a Cummins N14 wrist pin as the weight when I built this one and butted the 5/16” cold rolled stock up against the end and TIG welded it but several times now it has broken off right at the HAZ. This time I extended the round stock under the wrist pin which should hold much better and not be so delicate.


I then added some silicone bronze to the tip similar to the feet which promotes good current flow when using as a ground.




I painted the work table so it could be drying while I finished up the service on the Jeep.


Some good ole’ Chevrolet Orange should help it perform better.


Installed with the lift cables adjusted.


Completed with arbor plates residing on the table.


Lastly, after test driving the Jeep and parking it in the garage I swept up and took one last picture before locking up for the night.


Thanks for looking.

 

[lilscorpion]

Some damn nice welds Mike! Press is good to go now.

Getting good miles on those tires. Wish I’d tracked mine more closely. I’m going to get a gauge so I can do a better job going forward.

 

[jbmatth]

Mike,
Nice repair on the table, but I have to ask, how did you straighten it up? I would guess you used a torch set/rose bud, but can't ever remember seeing one in your shop.

Also I thought I saw some of that white **** in one of your photos, good luck with that, we were 54°F this morning at 4 when I left for work, I'll take it.

JB

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

I'm going to need a part number for those connector pliers please. I have a bit of a "problem" when it comes to specialty pliers. I see it... I need it...

 

[fnieto]

Strong work Mike!
I too have an obsession with specialty pliers....Inquiring minds want to know make model and part number.

 

[LXCam]

Looking good as always Mike. But the cheby orange should keep that press table true, flat and super fast for the rest of its life

And I gotta commend you on the engine oil drain locations. Being I’m a modern hemi guy Chrysler has made a complete **** show outta everything for the last 15 years when it come to servicing fluids. And this past weekend while cussing a trans service on my ram I was just so excited to see how their exhaust engineer elected to F with the service side. That sumbitch had a foot in either direction to route the crossover to the other side, it would have been no problem moving it a few inches fore or aft. But nooooooo, mr comedian decided to put it directly under the drain plug and the top of the tube is relieved so it creates a lovely swimming pool to boot. And just to add to the cluster f, adding fluid requires the engine running with temps around a hundy but the fill location has you delicately trying to fish the fill tube right into the port directly adjacent to the Y pipe. It’s a lovely battle of trying to pump in a few quarts of fluid before the exhaust gets hot enough to scorch the hand.


Btw it’s been a while since we’ve caught up. But my boy child came to work for me out in Phoenix a couple months back. As luck would have it my big project out here has hit a dead period for a few weeks. So I’m sending my crew up to the Draper project in your neck of the woods. If possible would ya keep an eye on the boy and if he gets outta hand slap him around for me. Thanks!

 

[lilscorpion]

I'm going to need a part number for those connector pliers please. I have a bit of a "problem" when it comes to specialty pliers. I see it... I need it...

Ah ****, I wasn’t going to ask because, if I did, I know I’d have to have them. I’m already ordering the damn tire tread gauge he showed...so i guess shade the number please. [emoji3061]

 

[zmotorsports]

Some damn nice welds Mike! Press is good to go now.

Getting good miles on those tires. Wish I’d tracked mine more closely. I’m going to get a gauge so I can do a better job going forward.

Thanks Matt. My welds are coming along. I wish I could get them more consistent in ripple spacing and conformity but I don't weld enough these days to get as good as I want to be.

As for the tires, yes, I am very pleased with the mileage thus far out of these big Nitto's. They're also wearing very true and flat as well but I do a 5-tire rotation at every oil change which helps. I don't know why I track tread depth but for some unknown reason I've tracked them on my cars for a while now.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,
Nice repair on the table, but I have to ask, how did you straighten it up? I would guess you used a torch set/rose bud, but can't ever remember seeing one in your shop.

Also I thought I saw some of that white **** in one of your photos, good luck with that, we were 54°F this morning at 4 when I left for work, I'll take it.

JB

Thanks JB. You are correct about the oxy-acetylene torch and rose bud but I then used my 10-ton porta-power and pushed the deformed section upward. It required much more force than I thought it would when I attempted this repair.

The last couple of days it has been high 40's and even one day was low 50's but we've had our share of snow already this season and supposed to get hit hard again today and another storm on Saturday so I'm sure I'll be moving snow.

Come on spring......

 

[zmotorsports]

I'm going to need a part number for those connector pliers please. I have a bit of a "problem" when it comes to specialty pliers. I see it... I need it...

Strong work Mike!
I too have an obsession with specialty pliers....Inquiring minds want to know make model and part number.

Ah ****, I wasn’t going to ask because, if I did, I know I’d have to have them. I’m already ordering the damn tire tread gauge he showed...so I’d like the number too please. [emoji1787]

Thanks guys. I'll get you the manufacturer and part number for those. I do remember they had to come from Japan as I couldn't find any other manufacture of them. Seems like there were two brands and both out of Japan, one with blue handles and one with red. I'm a red guy so.....

I also remember they took quit a while to get once I ordered them so don't be in a hurry.

 

[zmotorsports]

Looking good as always Mike. But the cheby orange should keep that press table true, flat and super fast for the rest of its life

And I gotta commend you on the engine oil drain locations. Being I’m a modern hemi guy Chrysler has made a complete **** show outta everything for the last 15 years when it come to servicing fluids. And this past weekend while cussing a trans service on my ram I was just so excited to see how their exhaust engineer elected to F with the service side. That sumbitch had a foot in either direction to route the crossover to the other side, it would have been no problem moving it a few inches fore or aft. But nooooooo, mr comedian decided to put it directly under the drain plug and the top of the tube is relieved so it creates a lovely swimming pool to boot. And just to add to the cluster f, adding fluid requires the engine running with temps around a hundy but the fill location has you delicately trying to fish the fill tube right into the port directly adjacent to the Y pipe. It’s a lovely battle of trying to pump in a few quarts of fluid before the exhaust gets hot enough to scorch the hand.


Btw it’s been a while since we’ve caught up. But my boy child came to work for me out in Phoenix a couple months back. As luck would have it my big project out here has hit a dead period for a few weeks. So I’m sending my crew up to the Draper project in your neck of the woods. If possible would ya keep an eye on the boy and if he gets outta hand slap him around for me. Thanks!

Thanks Cam. Yeah, if he's in Draper he's only about 45-50 miles south of me. Tell him he picked the wrong time to come here to northern Utah. If he needs anything feel free to give him my number, glad to help.

 

[zmotorsports]

For those that wanted the information on the wire connector pliers, they are made by KTC and the part # is AD101.

Here is the link I used.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/KTC-connec...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

EBay was about the only place I could find them but again, they are slow. If memory serves I ordered them around the end of October but didn't see them until mid-December. They were definitely on the slow boat.

Like many of you though I see a specialty tool and for some reason it triggers something in my head and I have to have it.

 

[Boosted1]

Nice work as usual
Q about your Jeep wheels.
I recently bought similar style Method wheels for my 4Runner
After mounting a tire I noticed the faux bead lock lip is going to hold water (and dirt).
Do you have to wipe inside to clean out water?
Does water puddle behind the lip when it rains?

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice work as usual
Q about your Jeep wheels.
I recently bought similar style Method wheels for my 4Runner
After mounting a tire I noticed the faux bead lock lip is going to hold water (and dirt).
Do you have to wipe inside to clean out water?
Does water puddle behind the lip when it rains?

Thank you.

Yes, the downside to this style of wheel, either beadlock or streetlock, is that water is retained behind the lip. When washing the Jeep one of the last things I do is run a chamois around the inside of the wheel to collect that small amount of water that remains but when it rains I really haven't worried about it as it usually is expelled while driving and/or evaporates and then by that time the whole thing is ready to be washed again anyways.

My son has the Method 101's on his WJ and he had Fuel streetlocks on his LJ both of which exhibit the same characteristics.

Thanks for following along on my projects.