What have you done to your car today?

[Sanji Himura]

@kikie, if you have to replace even one of the spark plugs, replace them all. Though if I had to guess, bad spark out of the spark plug usually means cylinder or distributor issues, more likely the latter.

Back on topic though, I spent the last three days painting my dad's 63 Galaxie as part of a frame on resto. To be honest, we are nearing the final stages of the build as the last couple of things to go in will be the drive train, the chrome (what would be left of it on the car) and the interior. We chose to go with what came from factory, a sea green, but we added some pearl to the paint for that nice sparkle. Here is our journey over the last three days:

 

[kikie]

@kikie, if you have to replace even one of the spark plugs, replace them all. Though if I had to guess, bad spark out of the spark plug usually means cylinder or distributor issues, more likely the latter.

Thanks!

Problem is that I have to remove the inlet manifold to replace three of the six spark plugs.

What do you exactly mean with distributor issues?

 

[Sanji Himura]

Thanks!

Problem is that I have to remove the inlet manifold to replace three of the six spark plugs.

What do you exactly mean with distributor issues?

It could be bad, for starters. A bad spark from a spark plug would be an early sign of wear down in the internals. Depending on year, make and model, it is sometimes cheaper to replace the entire thing rather than breaking it down and replacing the internals (though on older cars that is a lot easier to do.) That should be your main concern when dealing with the distributor.

To be honest, I can't find the original post that describes your issue so that I can use terms that are related to your make and model.

 

[CyborgGT]

Last few weeks I've been working on that junkyard valve cover I picked up. I'm taking my time with this, and so far it's shaping up to be my best rattle-can project yet.

Sanded it all smooth. I'm keeping the factory look and leaving the letters and everything on this time.

Primed, let cure for a week, then wet sanded.

White base coat, cured for another few days, then wet sanded again. Since this layer won't really be seen I kind of half-assed the spray job, but it turned out damn near immaculate anyway thanks to the wet sanding. I've got high hopes for the final coat.

Ordering the final color this weekend. It'll be BMW's Monaco Blue Metallic, to match the color the car will be.

 

[kikie]

It could be bad, for starters. A bad spark from a spark plug would be an early sign of wear down in the internals. Depending on year, make and model, it is sometimes cheaper to replace the entire thing rather than breaking it down and replacing the internals (though on older cars that is a lot easier to do.) That should be your main concern when dealing with the distributor.

To be honest, I can't find the original post that describes your issue so that I can use terms that are related to your make and model.

If you mean by internal, you mean the engine (pistons, etc... ) that is not the case. The entire engine is replaced by a new one 2 two years ago and has only 11,200 miles. Even the starter, flywheel, alternator and clutch has been replaced.

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/thre...-your-car-today.100540/page-203#post-10007100



https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/thre...-your-car-today.100540/page-203#post-10016819


I replaced only one spark plug to test and see if this spark plug could be the reason for the engine stutter, mostly below the 2000 rpm, when acceleration fast. To check out the other 3 (out of six) spark plugs, I need to remove the inlet manifold.
I think I'm going to replace all six spark plugs and spark plug cables if this will resolve the stuttering issue. The spark plug cables are 12 y.o. .

If not, I'll sell the car. No more Ford for me.

Oh, before I forget; it's a Ford Mondeo ST220 with a 3.0 V6 Duratec engine.

 

[Sanji Himura]

Give me 24 hours to go over an English repair manual, but replacing the spark plugs and the cables will give you a great head start.

Sorry mate, but I think that I have isolated your problem. I have read the Haynes book for your particular model, and the chap that sold you the new engine gave you a raw deal. Here is the possible issues for your problem:

- Worn, faulty or incorrectly-gapped spark plugs
- Engine management system fault
- Vacuum leak at the inlet manifold or associated hoses.

 

[justin credible]

Cut down the threads on the cylinders on the Wilwood pedal box as it is manufactured with long threads and they cause the brakes to not release correctly and we changed the carburettor for a Weber degas one which is loads better after a bit of tuning.
Got stuck upside down between the seat and the pedal box and the roll cage, not much room in a mk2 escort

 

[Zona]

Installed a MK2 golf ball gear knob into my mk3:

 

[VXR]

Hand washed my car, after years of using a local car wash service. Felt satisfying and my new house has this parking bay out back, so it's ideal.

 

[JrDarknes]

When I originally did my lights they were pretty bad and could hardly see them go off during the day.

Used goof off to get rid of the tint and resprayed =}

 

[Bigbazz]

No pictures but I recently killed my Focus ST170, it still drives but sounds like a tractor, no power and knocking like no tomorrow. Took it to the garage today and he said the bottom end is gone, might aswel scrap it. Had the thing for just over two years, 150k miles on it though.

Have to say I'm a bit gutted, I loved that car. Think I might get a Focus ST2 to replace it!

 

[nk4e]

After how many months since I sanded it, I finally washed it and got it prepped to paint today.

 

[JMoney]

Spraypainted the bumpers.

 

[carracerptp]

Cleaned the bugs off my car from it's second autocross:

Replaced the air filter in the plymouth voyager.

 

[nk4e]

Rattle canned DONE!

 

[CyborgGT]

Ordered some Hawk HPS pads for the front of the RSX a few weeks back, only for them to get stolen before I get home (went straight from work to use my parents' garage to swap my RSX's silver carpet for black; loving that 'mod'). No insurance on the shipping - my bad - meant I'm just out almost $100, so I ordered another set and had them sent to my parents' house (much nicer neighborhood, lol)... only to try and put them on today and find out they're way off. What PartsGeek.com lists as being compatible with my car isn't, and they're not going to pay return shipping for their own screw-up [*ed. - it's actually a mistake by Hawk themselves, by bad; I contacted them].

My custom valve cover is finished. It looks absolutely sick for a rattle can job; a few tiny pimples but otherwise flawless. I'm just trying to figure out my spark plug cover situation. I have one old broken cover that I'm trying to repair and paint stock-like silver but it's being a pain; I might end up having to find one online.

 

[Doog]

It wasn't exceptionally dirty or anything, but just had a fine layer of dust all over it. A rag and water corrected that to a satisfactory level, considering that I wasn't using any special engine cleaners.

 

[Joey D]

Replaced the trans cooler line on the Passport. While I was under there I also replaced the fluid and filter on the trans too. Hopefully this clears up the leak.

I also ran some Seafoam through the engine and it really helped clean out years of crap.

Next up I probably need to swap out the diff fluid but that's for another day.

 

[CyborgGT]

... aaaaaand, six months later, I finally get around to installing my front Eibach sway bar. I do love being able to do my own work, but why do cars have to be so frustrating? Just like with the rear bar, the end link nuts on the front had to be cut off due to corrosion. The car feels sooooo much tighter now though. I can take familiar corners at slightly higher speeds without getting the tires to chirp now. I actually said, "oh my god," out loud while driving today.

******* love my car.

Photos of the H22 valve cover. I do love Honda for caring to make their engines look pretty.

Before clear, I got the letters sanded down to 1000-grit:

After clear:

To show what the cover will look like on the car, I threw on the shaved alternator wire cover and spark plug cover; the latter was a cracked one I tried repairing that turned out so poorly I'm just going to go ahead and order a new OEM one. The primer just didn't want to stick, and bondo's not the strongest bond, and they ruined the whole thing.

 

[Slash]

Spraypainted the bumpers.

View attachment 228043
View attachment 228047

The direction you're going with that truck is one I like. I'd do a light tint on the lights.

 

[Bopop4]

View attachment 223944

Hand washed my car, after years of using a local car wash service. Felt satisfying and my new house has this parking bay out back, so it's ideal.

Best colour ever.

 

[CyborgGT]

Hawk HPS front & rear. No hang-ups on the swap for once, either. I still need to get off my butt and clean my wheels to see how these things dust. EBC Green Stuff were horrible for that, and they didn't hold up well at all to slotted discs. So far these are pretty good padsl. The first few stops while they're still cold suck, but that's to be expected. I was invited to join a drive with a Colorado Nissan VQ club next weekend, so I should be able to test these thoroughly then.

Might be getting wheels next weekend, too!!! Factory 2005-2006 Type-S rollers, but in my eyes they look better on these cars than anything aftermarket that I've seen. Can't wait.

 

[CyborgGT]

Washed my car, and ordered my wheels. What tires to go with...

 

[kikie]

Changed to wheel bearing of my car. I'm .... smart

 

[Murcie_LP640]

Diagnosing problems. SIC EM has developed an inch-long crack in 'er radiator so I'm up for a new one of those. My partner's Daihatsu Terios has been having issues with starting. Replaced the starter motor, new battery, new spark plugs, new leads but there's still no signs of life; cranking but not starting.

 

[Jet Badger]

I went to tighten the sloppy handbrake and there turned out to be a piece of the self-adjuster mechanism in one of the rear drums that had fallen out. Uh oh, it didn't run away far.

Now just to sort out the sticking front caliper and the leaking master cylinder...

 

[CyborgGT]

Arrived Friday. I took them into Firestone to get the tires removed. One needs a new valve stem, but because it had a racing slick attached, they weren't allowed to even remove the tire for me "in case something happened". The guy I bought them from dragged his RSX. Mine's strictly for street legal use. Stupid Americans suing everyone over dumb s*** gotta make life a pain for the rest of us. Taking that last wheel into a shady shop on Monday...

I probably won't bother with tires for a while, since they'll get sticky summer rubber and winter is coming.

*ED. - 11/10: Discount was only too willing to help me out with that last wheel. Disposed of and replaced the valve stem for free. And, because I'm a nerd, I got some genuine Honda HFP wheels stickers! I also finally got around to taking off my obnoxiously large and horribly off-center wiper nozzles and re-drilling holes for the stock sprayers; still gotta get some fiberglass and fill in the old holes, but it's so much better. No photos.

 

[Crash]

Meant to do this earlier, before it really started raining, but I replaced the wiper blade inserts on the 5 today.

Also got both the BMWs washed today, and they are nice and clean.

 

[Clark]

Weighted Stormworks Motorsport Stainless steel gear knob. Gearshift has lost all of its notchiness now

 

[Davis]

Weighted Stormworks Motorsport Stainless steel gear knob. Gearshift has lost all of its notchiness now View attachment 254754

So if I get a weighted knob, my gearbox won't feel as notchy?