Above 1200 Sq/FT The Warthog Hidey Hole

[jbmatth]

you put some Locktite on the bolt?

I didn't put any on, I know they have high temp Locktite, but would prefer to not have to rely on it. I really need to determine why it keeps coming loose on just that side. Anyone have any ideas?

JB, I outsmart myself way too often. When I put a set of headers on the '87 Corvette it was almost impossible to re-install the stock starter so I bought a rebuilt starter for a later model Corvette. It's small and light enough to get it in with the headers bolted tight.

It was also easy to make all the connections. One was so easy it was like the bolt wasn't attached to anything.

Good thing the starter was easy to get out. A little disassembly, a little soldering and some Loctite and it was as good as the rebuilt thing I ordered.

Good fix Bob, I broke the one I was installing on my S10 the first time too. That is when I discovered you can't remove the starter with the engine bolted in. You also can't raise the engine enough in the frame with the body bolted on. I hope the new starter never gives me trouble or it might take me days to change.

Congrats on the new family additions. Thanks for all the pics!

Thanks rixtrix1, I'm pretty excited to have them join the family. I try not to talk about too much personal stuff on here other than the things that only I'm involved in. However, this was a great time for our family and it marks half of us being "done" having kids. My parents now have 10 grandchildren with the anticipation of a couple more in the next few years.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

On another note I have 3 vehicles that have experienced AC failures this year and will need repaired and recharged. Does anyone have a recommendation on what tools to get that won't break the bank? To have someone vacuum them and recharge will be ~$125 each so I think I can justify buying the tools now.

JB

 

[bj383ss]

I have read pretty decent reviews on this setup. Chrisfix on youtube has a video on using them to recharge one of his vehicles.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SZ4QFW0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Bret

 

[mybigwarwagon]

I have read pretty decent reviews on this setup. Chrisfix on youtube has a video on using them to recharge one of his vehicles.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SZ4QFW0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Bret

I have that exact set. It is great.

The cans you buy now are special needs cans and have to have an adapter to make them work. This one is what I have.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NL2XM0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[don long]

Just catching up on your road trip.
Looks like you had a good time.

I'd like to take the corvette out on one of those trips. I think it would be a blast.
I also wish I knew more about the mechanical side of a car.

 

[jbmatth]

I have read pretty decent reviews on this setup. Chrisfix on youtube has a video on using them to recharge one of his vehicles.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SZ4QFW0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Bret

Thanks for the link Bret, I had looked at that one earlier but was afraid it would be too "cheap". I'll look at it more and ya'll will see what I decide eventually.

I have that exact set. It is great.

The cans you buy now are special needs cans and have to have an adapter to make them work. This one is what I have.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NL2XM0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thank you war wagon, I've added this to my cart as well.

Just catching up on your road trip.
Looks like you had a good time.

I'd like to take the corvette out on one of those trips. I think it would be a blast.
I also wish I knew more about the mechanical side of a car.

It was a blast Don, I really enjoy the trip every year and am already thinking about it next year. If you have mechanical troubles on the way I'd be happy to teach you everything I know, it'll only take a few minutes.



All,
Yes I am typing on my thread at 1:39 AM, not because I woke up this early, but because I was told to roll to nights for some emergency repairs that should only take one night...I may be very tired when I come back on daylights.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

I think I'm back on days now, my body isn't really sure but so far so good I guess. I would like to tell ya'll about the failure and repair but sadly can't other than I think I can say really big hydraulic jacks can move A LOT of metal that was displaced.

Anyway I've continued to work on the yellow car some more. I have the bumper pulled and was working to pull the engine and trans when I really got a good look at the rust on the car:

Those are the rockers, and yes it is on the lift, and yes I was nervous when I lifted it the first time. Now for a confession, I don't think I'm going to fix the car, it just needs too much and is too far gone, I'll end up loosing money and I'm not interested in doing that. Does anyone need parts off of a 2000 Ford ZX2 S/R? (I only hear crickets...)

JB

 

[fitter30]

If the electric meter has a box below probably has a main breaker in that box. In my case the house i purchased with a separate garage the breaker could receive four wires 2&2.

 

[cash68]

I would not put ANY time or effort into a ZX2. Those were garbage cars when they were new. Now an Integra GSR from the same period? Yes.

 

[jbmatth]

If the electric meter has a box below probably has a main breaker in that box. In my case the house i purchased with a separate garage the breaker could receive four wires 2&2.

Fitter30,

I would not put ANY time or effort into a ZX2. Those were garbage cars when they were new. Now an Integra GSR from the same period? Yes.

Cash68,
I have to politely disagree at least based on my past experience with them all in all. This one (by far the worst shape one I've owned) is the 5th ZX2 I've owned, I've put close to 250,000 miles on them total with no major issues that weren't self-imposed. Well there was the rolled rod bearing on the other Yellow ZX2 I own now but that was within 1,000 miles of buying it. Now pulling the engines in them, that is a total pain, I could have pulled the engine/trans out of 2 Silverados in the time it has taken me to almost pull this one.

Integra GSR

JB

 

[Grizz1963]

Looks too far gone.

But do we ever learn?

 

[cash68]

I'm not saying they weren't reliable. I am just saying they're not worth even washing unless you have some sort of emotional attachment to them. There were far better choices for the same amount of money when they were new, and even more now. As far as I know the mechanicals were basically just an ******.

 

[jbmatth]

Looks too far gone.

But do we ever learn?

I think I'm going to try to learn on this one, it pains me because of so many memories I had in a very similar car. Also they only made 1,000 of them so I feel bad. I know just because it is rare doesn't mean they are worth anything but who knew some cars would be as valuable as they are today.

I'll sell it for parts or as a whole and walk away...after I take some parts for mine that I'm keeping.

I'm not saying they weren't reliable. I am just saying they're not worth even washing unless you have some sort of emotional attachment to them. There were far better choices for the same amount of money when they were new, and even more now. As far as I know the mechanicals were basically just an ******.

Oh I see what you were saying now, yeah they were never anything worth writing home about. There were some differences but once again nothing great. The S/R's did try to step things up a bit but really fell short in my opinion on what could have been. They were/are sporty handling cars as compared to their class competition at the time but are now just used up cheap beaters.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

The last piece of the puzzle arrived last night, the wheels had anti-theft lug nuts on them that required a special key, two tries later I had the right one. With those removed I could remove the axles and eventually the engine:

It had a power steering leak that contributed to most of the gunky mess, yuck!

The girls want me to go look at a present for them this weekend, it could be expensive...

JB

 

[matthimself456]

Somebody's getting horses...

 

[Grizz1963]

Somebody's getting horses...

 

[jbmatth]

Somebody's getting horses...

Haha, not a chance, I am 100% against getting a horse. If they want to rent one that is fine with me. On the other hand Alex's wife has 13 the last he counted and trains riders as well as horses.

JB

 

[shortykorte]

Crickets? I’m going fishing this weekend and could use some crickets.
Do you know the Harry Olds? Twin Toronado- powered Cutlass 442, 67 of course.
How about a Harry ZX2? It would truly be a ZX”2”


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[jbmatth]

Crickets? I’m going fishing this weekend and could use some crickets.
Do you know the Harry Olds? Twin Toronado- powered Cutlass 442, 67 of course.
How about a Harry ZX2? It would truly be a ZX”2”


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Some very interesting comments there Shorty, I actually did go fishing this weekend and took the girls. Cat caught her first two fish ever:

Bear didn't catch anything and that was really getting to her so she decided to try to catch one by hand:

As far as a twin engine car I have wanted to build one of those for years now and the best modern canidate I could come up with was using the Impala SS/Grand Prix GXP LS4 engine. They are 303 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque and are fun cars to drive with just a single engine. Sadly someone beat me to it, Tony Angilo and Lucky Costa built one for the show Hot Rod Garage, they call it the Twinpala:

I actually just watched the episode where they built it originally this morning as it was just released on for Motor Trend on Demand. It now has a turbo for each engine, oh to dream.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

In other news, I am very close to being down one more car, the Green Dragon is close to the end after an accident this morning. First off I'm fine and no one else was involved, one of the sections of road I don't normally drive on washes out in some big rains. The last big rain we had was a couple of weeks ago and I incorrectly assumed the county had fixed that road like the many others around I have driven on lately. I hit the washout going faster than I should have obviously, here is what damage I could see this morning at 4:15 and no real moon:

Airbags both blew, I have a good scuff on my forearm from it, but nothing else I can see feel just yet. The core support is a little off but even with the AC condenser pushing back into the radiator it doesn't leak:

The most obvious damage was to the front passenger wheel:

I don't think I can make that round enough again, the other side is bent as well. Sadly I think it may be time to send this one off to be remade into Tupperware...after I pull some aluminum out for Andy and maybe try to sell the engine/trans.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

On a lighter note my better half has been on the lookout for a manual transmission Jeep CJ for some time now. I discussed it with her and we concluded having one with airbags and some more modern safety features (for a Jeep at least) would be a good thing. This is what we eventually settled on:

This is an '01 TJ with the 4.0L inline 6 and NV3550 5 speed trans. with 4wd of course. Her plan for it is to make it a little more aggressive but also usable by our daughters when they are driving age. They like Jeeps and Jeeping so I think they'll get a kick out of being able to actually drive it. We did have to take it out and get it a little muddy though:

JB

 

[MacTexas]

By the time your daughters reach driving age they will be the only ones in their high school that know how to drive a stick shift.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Glad you made it unscathed in your mix-up with the county road! That kind of stuff has a way of sneaking up on a guy.

All of my kids have learned with a manual/standard shift transmission. They are a rarity even in the current timeframe, it's the best anti-theft device out there!

 

[jbmatth]

By the time your daughters reach driving age they will be the only ones in their high school that know how to drive a stick shift.

That is somewhat the plan, I'd like to have some other random stuff for them to drive too like 3 on the tree, tractors, dozers, skid steers, that way they will always be able to drive something if needed. I'll start with a manual trans though.

Glad you made it unscathed in your mix-up with the county road! That kind of stuff has a way of sneaking up on a guy.

All of my kids have learned with a manual/standard shift transmission. They are a rarity even in the current timeframe, it's the best anti-theft device out there!

Thanks Outlaw, it sure does, I think "knowing" the road made it worse but on the bright side it was a car that didn't owe me anything and that is exactly what I'll get out of it.

I try to teach people how to drive stick any chance I get. I give Alex **** all the time because he hasn't driven stick in many years and doesn't think he still can.

JB

 

[Bob Heine]

I try to teach people how to drive stick any chance I get. I give Alex **** all the time because he hasn't driven stick in many years and doesn't think he still can.

JB

JB, it's possible I can't power shift as well as I could when I was a toddler but I am certain I haven't forgotten how to do the clutch and wiggly stick thing. And I do prefer the shifter on the column so my hand is closer to the wheel.

I do remember being at the drags when guys could shift a manual faster than an automatic but there were some real expensive missed shifts before the invention of the rev limiter.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Aluminum? Did somebody say aluminum?

Nice TJ.

 

[Bighead38]

On a lighter note my better half has been on the lookout for a manual transmission Jeep CJ for some time now. I discussed it with her and we concluded having one with airbags and some more modern safety features (for a Jeep at least) would be a good thing. This is what we eventually settled on:

This is an '01 TJ with the 4.0L inline 6 and NV3550 5 speed trans. with 4wd of course. Her plan for it is to make it a little more aggressive but also usable by our daughters when they are driving age. They like Jeeps and Jeeping so I think they'll get a kick out of being able to actually drive it. We did have to take it out and get it a little muddy though:

JB

Did they make a 2wd version?

 

[jbmatth]

JB, it's possible I can't power shift as well as I could when I was a toddler but I am certain I haven't forgotten how to do the clutch and wiggly stick thing. And I do prefer the shifter on the column so my hand is closer to the wheel.

I do remember being at the drags when guys could shift a manual faster than an automatic but there were some real expensive missed shifts before the invention of the rev limiter.

I'm sure you could still drive one better than many people out there. Sadly I've been the guy that shifts like this 1-2-3-2--4-5, it wasn't pretty but I didn't blow the engine...in fact I just did a 3,600 mile trip in it.

Aluminum? Did somebody say aluminum?

Nice TJ.

Al who? I don't know maybe, are you home tomorrow I have some wheels I can drop off along with a few old brass and aluminum radiators. I like it too, the winch is fun.

Did they make a 2wd version?

Bighead,
From what I could find they made them, they just weren't very common, I don't see the point personally in 2WD Jeep but they were made it appears.

JB

 

[Grizz1963]

Looking good from here.

 

[jbmatth]

Thank you Griz, it has been an eventful few weeks for sure.

JB

 

[oldironfarmer]

I am home tomorrow. Am I to be blessed with a visitor?

 

[mybigwarwagon]

I have been down some bad roads, but none bad enough to total my truck

 

[dreamingmuscle]

You need to turn that into the county. I've heard they can be held responsible for damage caused by poorly maintained roads.

 

[zmotorsports]

On a lighter note my better half has been on the lookout for a manual transmission Jeep CJ for some time now. I discussed it with her and we concluded having one with airbags and some more modern safety features (for a Jeep at least) would be a good thing. This is what we eventually settled on:

This is an '01 TJ with the 4.0L inline 6 and NV3550 5 speed trans. with 4wd of course. Her plan for it is to make it a little more aggressive but also usable by our daughters when they are driving age. They like Jeeps and Jeeping so I think they'll get a kick out of being able to actually drive it. We did have to take it out and get it a little muddy though:

JB

Very nice JB.

I would agree that the TJ was a better option than a CJ if you plan on driving it at all. A buddy of mine bought his 1986 CJ7 and although it is one of the cleanest and nicest ones in our area, he doesn't drive it much because it just isn't as nice of a driver as I think he first anticipated. He keeps talking about putting a 302 Ford (he's a Ford guy ) in it and making it more drivable but he's been saying that for about 8 years now.

One of his boys has a TJ and the other a JK and they drive them all over but my buddy usually trailers his to the trail which also makes it to where he doesn't use it often as he claims it is such a PITA to load and get to the trail, so he usually rides with one of his kids and leaves his CJ at home. I wish he would either sell it and upgrade to something he would drive more or finally get around to putting the powertrain he wants in it so it is more usable.

The nice thing about the TJ's is with only a few inches of lift and even 33's they are very, very capable rigs yet still very streetable.

Looking forward to seeing what you do with your TJ.

 

[BUGTHUG]

you about ready to warm up some welding wire? Happy 4th, stay safe and enjoy time with the family.

 

[jbmatth]

I am home tomorrow. Am I to be blessed with a visitor?

Well not today's tomorrow, but that day's tomorrow I would say your chances are pretty high Andy. I had a great visit with Andy and his farm, I'll summarize in a few minutes.

I have been down some bad roads, but none bad enough to total my truck

A truck probably wouldn't have been totaled, and this one really isn't totaled per-say. Andy and I talked about it and I have been thinking about it and I'm even more confused now on what to do but I have been driving it while working on the Lemon getting it in tip top shape for summer driving.

You need to turn that into the county. I've heard they can be held responsible for damage caused by poorly maintained roads.

It was graded before I could get photos of how bad it was and I may have been going faster than the county speed limit on gravel roads. For such a cheap car I don't know if it is worth ruffling feathers at this time. Had it been my truck, I would have been on the phone before I moved it.

Very nice JB.

I would agree that the TJ was a better option than a CJ if you plan on driving it at all. A buddy of mine bought his 1986 CJ7 and although it is one of the cleanest and nicest ones in our area, he doesn't drive it much because it just isn't as nice of a driver as I think he first anticipated. He keeps talking about putting a 302 Ford (he's a Ford guy ) in it and making it more drivable but he's been saying that for about 8 years now.

One of his boys has a TJ and the other a JK and they drive them all over but my buddy usually trailers his to the trail which also makes it to where he doesn't use it often as he claims it is such a PITA to load and get to the trail, so he usually rides with one of his kids and leaves his CJ at home. I wish he would either sell it and upgrade to something he would drive more or finally get around to putting the powertrain he wants in it so it is more usable.

The nice thing about the TJ's is with only a few inches of lift and even 33's they are very, very capable rigs yet still very streetable.

Looking forward to seeing what you do with your TJ.

Mike,
Thanks for stopping by as always, I'm glad that you agree with my thoughts as well. Even with the 4.0 I-6, it is not a speed demon but does well enough I suppose and my feelings for air bags are a little stronger every time they go off and I don't get hurt. There are a few little things I'll need to fix before driving it a lot such as some play in the steering, and a few I'd like to fix such as grinding going into 2nd and having cruise control that only works on rare occasions. For the most part it'll just be a bump around vehicle until the girls get old enough to make informed decisions on what they want. If all goes to plan the house will be paid off well before that happens and I won't have to Just Empty Every Pocket.

you about ready to warm up some welding wire? Happy 4th, stay safe and enjoy time with the family.

Herb, I have a few "emergency" repairs to do, but you are welcome to let me know when you'd like to bring it down.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

My Independence Day celebration started a little early this year, I spent the first part of it going to pick up some wheels for my mother's daily driver after she was in a fender bender a few weeks ago. (She is fine and it wasn't her fault luckily.) While wandering around the pull-a-part type yards I ran across some cool cars I would have loved to have saved:

Floors were gone in both but overall not that bad. While I was there I picked up a few odds and ends one of witch was a new wheel and tire for the Green Dragon just because but more on that later. I then stopped by Andy's farm where for only the cost of 2 brass radiators, 3 aluminum radiators, and 8 aluminum wheels he taught me about using a match plate to make forms (I hope that is right Andy, correct me if I'm wrong please.) to cast QST emblems:

Time ran short on me and I needed to hit the road to get home, he sent me home with my very own memento, I haven't determined where it should be displayed but for now it is on my drill press:

For the few of you that don't know these were designed to pay homage to a member of the GJ who impacted many of us more than we will know. Steve Church, known mainly as 1/2 Cup on the forum, would say he enjoyed a little QST which stood for Quality Shed Time. I'll see this and be reminded of a great man I never met in person but will remember and continue to be influenced by for years to come.

On the 4th I received a few message and eventually a call from Grizz1963:

We had a nice chat and was nice to talk to someone nearly 1/2 the world away. It was fun hearing a South African try to speak the Queen's English and an Okie Redneck try to speak American Colonial English.

The girls and I enjoyed a little time fishing by a damn near the house, no luck but they enjoyed the sand and water. Later we watched the town fireworks out by the lake. The next day I mowed and shuffled cars around as my parents, one brother with his son, and another niece came for a visit:

I'm only missing the Warthog, Pinky Pi, the Rendezvous, and the other yellow car Later I took my brother for a drive in my S10 which he used to own and he was blown away. Then his son for a ride in the cobra, we didn't go far before he was down for the count:

I think there were a few other things keeping us busy, we had a small bbq, I worked on a few cars and put a new dash in the S10 to replace the old cracked one but nothing really photo worthy. All in all it was a fun filled weekend and we took a little time to stop and smell the roses.

JB

 

[BUGTHUG]

If you think Sunday afternoon is a good time to bring the hearse down, I can try to arrange to get it down. I'm going to talk to my cousin today and see if I can use his trailer to do this. If he has it ******* I'll see when and what is a good time for everyone.
I'm wanting to get it down to you cause I would sure like to drive it around and to a couple of car shows.
I have to have surgery on my left shoulder in a couple of weeks, so I'm sure my QST not going to be much. Then after the left I have to have the right. Can't win for lossin

 

[jbmatth]

If you think Sunday afternoon is a good time to bring the hearse down, I can try to arrange to get it down. I'm going to talk to my cousin today and see if I can use his trailer to do this. If he has it ******* I'll see when and what is a good time for everyone.
I'm wanting to get it down to you cause I would sure like to drive it around and to a couple of car shows.
I have to have surgery on my left shoulder in a couple of weeks, so I'm sure my QST not going to be much. Then after the left I have to have the right. Can't win for lossin

It would need to be late Sunday, I have other stuff going on until later in the afternoon, do you still have my cell phone number? It should be ready to drive by later this summer depending on the brakes, but I have a plan for them as long as I can get the info I need.

Sorry to hear about your shoulder, hope the surgery goes well and you don't have too much trouble recovering.

JB

 

[BUGTHUG]

Late Sunday is good, might be a little cooler
What time is too late? I'm thinking I'll try to get there around 6:00, don't want to interfere with your rituals. Yes I do have your#, I will call you in a couple of days to make sure "all systems are a go"