Moparts
Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something.
Posted By: T-Man
Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/19/09 04:25 AM
Do you'all have a tips and tricks section. Kinda like tricks of the trades.
And or don't do this or you'll screw it up like I did.
Tips and tricks.
Piece of paper towel in socket with nut will hold nut while you start it.
Use long rod to slide the washer and nut on a stud that is hard to get at.
Use a breaker bar on the bottom damper pully bolt and turn the key.
Disloge nut in socket by tapping it on its side with a hammer.
Take off rear brake drum and everything necessary to take out axle then replace wheel with a little slop and jerk to pop axle out.
Go out late at night pitch black open hood with car running and see if your wires are solid or is there st elmo's fire under the hood.
Use a long screwdrive to slide the springs back on drum brakes pivot points.
Idler tie rod end can be forced out by allowing the weight of the car to push against it as you let the jack down onto jackstand with board on it. POP
Pack wheel bering by using the palm of your hand and dipping motion.
use several strips of thin paper to check fit of door seals and trunk seals as well as window seals.
It's late and I can't think of anymore but there are 100's
thanks guys
gary
Posted By: jrlegacy23
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/19/09 05:54 AM
Actually, pack wheel bearings with a vacuum food saver, and store them like that with a dustless seal until you are ready to use it.
Posted By: RodStRace
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/19/09 03:16 PM
Turn the nut backwards until it drops into the threads to start.
Start all bolts or screws on something before tightening. Run down the easy ones first so the part is held in place when doing the hard ones.
Loosen fan bolts before loosening belt.
Bag and tag small stuff if it's going to be apart for more than a week.
Always twist a rubber line and break it free from a fitting before pulling. If replacing, slit the side of the hose where it's attached first.
Think where your hand is going to go if it slips. There is usually a better/safer grip.
Also think where that clip, nut and washer and going to go before removing. A shop towel can save you hours!
One manual's exploded view is better than 10 "helpful" friends...
Posted By: ChallengerGary
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/19/09 03:23 PM
Always wear thin vinyl or latex gloves - makes clean up SOOO much easier
RTFM - Read The Frickin Manual!!!!!
When you get frustrated, WALK AWAY! Took me YEARS to learn that one LOL
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/19/09 05:11 PM
When doing front disc brakes, I remove the spindle nut and remove the outer wheel bearing. Then I reinstall the spindle nut a couple turns and then grap the rotor and yank it off the spindle. The inner wheel bearing and undamaged grease seal will remain on the spindle.
My
Posted By: 340wedge
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/19/09 06:09 PM
The right tool for the right job
And in the last few years I have really found those telescopic little mirrors, magnetic tray and telescopic magentic pick up tool to be invaluable, the magnetic pick up tool helps starting bolts or nuts where it is difficult to reach.
If you are stuck and have an open end wrench that's too big for the nut or bolt, sliding a screw driver in to make up the difference helps.
Posted By: MoPar Jamie
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/19/09 10:44 PM
Good tricks! If you cant get a ratchet or socket on a stubborn bolt, only the box end of a combo wrench, put the box end of another sideways on the open end side of the wrench. put it on the side that you are putting torque against. Works like a cheater.
the top half of a floorjack handle makes for a good cheater bar.
Dont feel like leaning down to pump the floorjack? Use your feet to move the handle up and down.
If you cant break something loose with your hands and you have room, push with your feet. You generally have more lower body strength than with your arms.
Posted By: 5wndwcpe
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/19/09 11:24 PM
When removing cyclinder heads, instead of beating on them with a BFH to break them loose, try removing all of the head bolts except for (2), which you loosen but do not remove, then crank the motor over. The compression will pop the head loose and the two remaining bolts will keep from ruining your day.
Posted By: pishta
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/20/09 03:49 AM
Quote:
When removing cyclinder heads, instead of beating on them with a BFH to break them loose, try removing all of the head bolts except for (2), which you loosen but do not remove, then crank the motor over. The compression will pop the head loose and the two remaining bolts will keep from ruining your day.
Thats a good one.
When pushing on a wrench to loosen something, use an open handed grip. If you slip off the nut, your fingers will not get crushed by the wrench.
weld a nut onto a stuck stud, they are cheap to replace and you might even get it to come out. And PB Blaster is slightly acidic so douse those exhaust manifold studs the night before you want to remove them for best results.
slip the balancer on freezing cold. Youll get it alot farther on the snout before it hangs, maybe enough to get the original bolt to catch!
If you ever set a head on a block for mock up, hand thread 1 bolt, itll save your foot, or worse.
If an LA intake doesnt seat properly, dont force it down with the bolts, check for an alignment dowels in the front top of the block where the cork gasket goes. I split a cast iron one in half because I didnt see the old dowel and the replacement intake didnt have a hole for it.
Replacement reluctors can go on 2 ways for LA and B/RB distributors. Look for writing on the top and bottom to denote which direction it turns.
Compress your calipers using the old pads before you replace them, Makes the new ones go onto the rotor much easier.
if your torsion bars dont come out fairly easily, place your jackstands at the rear of your front subframe and use a floor jack under the K to remove any body sag. Theyll almost come out by hand.
Posted By: MMiller
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/20/09 03:59 AM
Pack a little grease in the back side of a lip seal before installation, to help hold the little spring in the back of the seal, when tapping the seal in.
When removing tie rod ends, hit the knuckle, on the side of the bore where the tie rod end is tapered into. If you beat on each side with a BFH, and a little load from a pry bar, and the tie rod end will pop out. No pickle forks for me!
When all else fails, get a bigger hammer.
Michael
Posted By: SPWC
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do somethin - 12/20/09 05:50 AM
Say your working under the hood of your vehicle and you have your wrenches sitting on the fender and one falls on the floor,or even better yet,you end up being "Mr Butterfingers" and drop that wrench your using to install an item under the hood
So What..You might have to climb under the car to retrieve the wrench/socket or even a fastener youve dropped ..
Just be glad its not a boat on the water your working on. 
Take that into consideration the next time this scenario plays out. It will help cool your jets really quick in most cases.
Posted By: Magnum
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do somethin - 12/20/09 10:13 AM
Some great tips here. This thread has potential.
A bit of electrical tape around swivel sockets. Almost like Viagara.
Don't trust 4 jack stands under the frame. One may not be loaded.
Run over some scrap 2 x 4's before you try to use your floor jack on a low vehicle.
Store your floor jack so the handle will not fall towards a car.
Posted By: CYACOP
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/20/09 11:36 AM
Quote:
slip the balancer on freezing cold. Youll get it alot farther on the snout before it hangs, maybe enough to get the original bolt to catch!
This will make it more difficult to install. Heat would be used to make it easier.
Posted By: T-Man
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/20/09 03:26 PM
Maybe he meant that the crankshaft needs to be freezing cold. And then like you said warm up the balancer.
In fact that's a good tip keep the shaft end in the freezer overnight and warm up the "slip over end" then put the two things together.
gary
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/20/09 03:32 PM
Quote:
Quote:
slip the balancer on freezing cold. Youll get it alot farther on the snout before it hangs, maybe enough to get the original bolt to catch!
This will make it more difficult to install. Heat would be used to make it easier.
I wondering his this myself. 
Posted By: T-Man
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/20/09 09:27 PM
Use white lithium greese to hold the fuel pump push rod in place while reattaching the fuel pump.
Spray the headliner with clean water then use a hair dryer to get the last few wrinkles out.
When installing wheel studs use several large thick washers and turn lugnut (installed backwards) slowly and wait a while to let it cool before continueing. 1/2 turn take a break 1/2 turn take a break etc.
Always put a nut on a shaft to tap it with a hammer to preserve threads.
To cut a bolt or threraded rod take two pieces of wood put rod between wood and clamp hard in vice. Prior to cutting run a nut past the cut line. Make the cut remove nut to clean up ouside threads.
On extremely hard to get at busted off studs, bolts, etc. get an explosives expert to POP it out.
To make a long run of two wires put them in drill stretch them out and run the drill the amount of twist is determined by the length of time the drill is run.
Had one guy that only liked to use one jumper cable he would touch the bumpers of the cars to be jumped then just use the positive cable.
Use a bright light in a dark garage to see leaks in floor boards, plugs, etc.
Having trouble finding a rattle drive down bumpy road with a friend driving and look for rattle.
gary
Posted By: Stanton
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/20/09 09:53 PM
Quote:
In fact that's a good tip keep the shaft end in the freezer overnight and warm up the "slip over end" then put the two things together.
I suppose if you're a butcher and own a walk-in freezer this would make sense but I can't quite figure how the average Joe is gonna keep just the shaft end in the freezer !!!
... Ya, honey, all that meat's gonna hafta come out overnight, ok !?!?
Posted By: Stanton
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/20/09 09:58 PM
Quote:
Store your floor jack so the handle will not fall towards a car.
Good one. I also use a length of foam pipe insualtion over the handle "just in case".
Posted By: MoparforLife
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/20/09 11:30 PM
Quote:
Had one guy that only liked to use one jumper cable he would touch the bumpers of the cars to be jumped then just use the positive cable.
I attach mine where ever there is a convienet place. A ground is a ground.
Posted By: Dads426
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 02:12 AM
Quote:
When doing front disc brakes, I remove the spindle nut and remove the outer wheel bearing. Then I reinstall the spindle nut a couple turns and then grap the rotor and yank it off the spindle. The inner wheel bearing and undamaged grease seal will remain on the spindle.
My
I likey!
Posted By: CYACOP
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 02:15 AM
Cut up a tennis ball and put it on the safety latch for the hood to avoid a periodic headache.
Posted By: Boise Chall
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 02:45 AM
For that nut or bolt you just can't reach to put back on without dropping it.Put a little dab of 3M weatherstrip adhesive ( A.K.A.Gorilla snot) on the tip of your finger then stick the nut or bolt to the tip of your finger and put it on. Clean the Gorilla snot off with solvent ( I use OMNI MS251) OH and by the way the MS251 will make old crusty rubber like front bumper fillers on a Challenger look like brand new.
Posted By: strokin73cuda
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 03:31 AM
Use a vacuum hose on the end of spark plugs to screw them in or out. If you run out of masking tape put grease on the small parts you don't want painted then just wipe off with a rag when done. If you can't get your oil pump to prime up try filling the crankcase with extra oil even above the elevation of the pump then drain the extra oil when done. NEVER hook booster cables or chargers ground cable directly to the battery ground. hook up the positive side first then the ground side to a suitable location away from the battery to prevent sparking and potential explosion (dont' ask how I know
)
Posted By: GTXKen
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 03:56 PM
Quote:
On extremely hard to get at busted off studs, bolts, etc. get an explosives expert to POP it out.
Good tip, I've been wondering what to do with that explosives expert I had stashed
Posted By: GTXKen
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 04:01 PM
If you have to work on the floor under the car and don't like creepers (like I don't) you probably already lie on a piece of old carpet. In the winter for addes insolation I like on a couple pieces of the pink house wrap insolation, it makes a huge difference.
Posted By: CJK440
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 07:58 PM
The best way to drain fluids out of things that have no drain plugs (auto trannies, 8 3/4 rears) is with a drill. Drill fast to minimize the mess but when done, install a plug.
The auto tranny retrofit plug kits work good and an 1/8" NPT plug in the rear housing works good too.
Posted By: CJK440
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 07:59 PM
Quote:
If you have to work on the floor under the car and don't like creepers (like I don't) you probably already lie on a piece of old carpet. In the winter for addes insolation I like on a couple pieces of the pink house wrap insolation, it makes a huge difference.
Or go buy a rubber work out/gym mat.
Posted By: shupe
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 08:01 PM
Had one guy that only liked to use one jumper cable he would touch the bumpers of the cars to be jumped then just use the positive cable.
Reminds me of the time late at night in the middle of nowhere we jumped my buddy's Valiant with no jumper cables. Touched the bumpers and held two lug wrenches with ends touching each other and the socket end on the positive terminals.
Posted By: Pacnorthcuda
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 08:07 PM
Quote:
Quote:
If you have to work on the floor under the car and don't like creepers (like I don't) you probably already lie on a piece of old carpet. In the winter for addes insolation I like on a couple pieces of the pink house wrap insolation, it makes a huge difference.
Or go buy a rubber work out/gym mat.
Or use a piece of cardboard, when it gets dirty throw it out.
Posted By: Crizila
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 08:22 PM
Ya say you can't reach that paper clip ( or roach clip ) that fell down between the inside of the front window and dash. Simple soloution for sucking all kinds of debree from that area: Grab your trans funnel ( that's the one with the long neck on it). Stick your wet /dry vac hose in the large end ( where you pore the oil in ). Stick the small end in to the area where you want to remove the garbage and suck away. Be carefull not to suck the VIN tag off.
Posted By: Stanton
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 09:21 PM
Quote:
In the winter for addes insolation I like on a couple pieces of the pink house wrap insolation, it makes a huge difference.
I hope you mean the rigid stuff and not fiberglas ... that stuff's a b!tch to get out of your clothing!
Posted By: Crizila
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 10:27 PM
Running eliminations on a 95 degree day and there is 140 cars in your class? I fill up a plastic spray bottle with cold water from my cooler and toss it in the car. While I'm in the staging lanes, I will pop the hood and mist down the radiator. By the time I get ready to make a pass, I be Cool!
Posted By: meepmeep70
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 11:29 PM
1)if you drop a bolt,nut screw,tool ect.,just let it fall and watch it,don't try to catch it,cuz you won't,you will fumble it bounce it off your car or knock it to that place where things go to never be found,and it still fell,just let it go and you will see where it is,dropped a wrench,tried to grab it and it bounced of my hand into my car,luckly before paint 2)if you need to put several extensions together,like reaching through trunk,tape them together so they wont pull apart 3)grease in a socket will hold a nut in place when going on a tight vertical spot 4)wrapping cardboard on your bumper ends when installing or removing will save your paint. this could be a great thread
Posted By: meepmeep70
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/21/09 11:41 PM
when installing new headliner,install all screws with rough location measurements for seat belts,coat hooks,visors,dome light,mirrior,ect,install headliner,it is easier to feel the screw head the a screw hole,make a small slit on screw head and back out screw install whatever that screw holds perfectly and watch as your headliner wrinkles go away
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 12:23 AM
Quote:
if you can't get your oil pump to prime up try filling the crankcase with extra oil even above the elevation of the pump then drain the extra oil when done.
there's been a couple of posts here in the last several months where guys were pulling their hair out as absolutely could not get their eng to prime. Your unthinkable tip would have done it
Posted By: dodgeram440
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 12:29 AM
Quote:
Quote:
if you can't get your oil pump to prime up try filling the crankcase with extra oil even above the elevation of the pump then drain the extra oil when done.
there's been a couple of posts here in the last several months where guys were pulling their hair out as absolutely could not get their eng to prime. Your unthinkable tip would have done it
I heard you can take the cover off and pack the rotors full of vaseline. That will get it to prime right away. I've never tried it, but it's what I've heard.
Posted By: T-Man
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 12:47 AM
Quote:
Quote:
On extremely hard to get at busted off studs, bolts, etc. get an explosives expert to POP it out.
Good tip, I've been wondering what to do with that explosives expert I had stashed
You'd probably be very surprized how many of these guys are around. Just ask a few Vietnam or Desert Storm vets in your area they will have several names for you.
My friend owns a tool and die shop he said every once in a while he hears a pop out back and knows that they just got their guy (Vietnam Vet) to pop out a broken stud or whatever.
Now just to show you how it can work to preserve the base item. They were working on a Plastic engine block (Detroit hush hush stuff) they broke off a tap in the plastic block. No one thought of asking this guy to blow it out until he walked by and said what's up. They explained the problem he said "no problem" blew the tap out of the block not only did he not hurt the block, the threads were not damaged either.
Anyway he was so good that no one would mess with him. One day the foreman can up and said he wanted my friend to fire this guy because of some reason my buddy said no you fire him which the foreman then declinded. LOL 
Posted By: manymopars
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 01:10 AM
Masking tape on brake shoes before installing,(keeps them clean and grease free)
If bending up new brake or fuel lines,use the old lines as a template,as you make your bends use tie wraps to keep the lines together.
Remove and install screw in type upper ball joints with control arms still bolted to car.
Electrical tape wrapped tightly around the outer edge of a socket will help retain a bolt or nut in the socket.
Posted By: Posest
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 01:38 AM
Use a couple of hair ties when you have long hair and plan on using a creeper. LED or florescent trouble lights are much cooler when working under a car hood and you touch one. Stubby wrenches are a must for starters and headers.
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 02:06 AM
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
if you can't get your oil pump to prime up try filling the crankcase with extra oil even above the elevation of the pump then drain the extra oil when done.
there's been a couple of posts here in the last several months where guys were pulling their hair out as absolutely could not get their eng to prime. Your unthinkable tip would have done it
I heard you can take the cover off and pack the rotors full of vaseline. That will get it to prime right away. I've never tried it, but it's what I've heard.
I've done it with every build I've ever done, use just reg chassis grease. Thought it was a automatic thing to do to a new oil pump? 
Posted By: alpha727
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 02:48 AM
If you break a bolt and there's some stud hanging off hammer a nut that barely fits onto the remaining stud then weld the inside of the nut to the stud then pour cold water on it. The heat followed by the cold water should break the seize and you can remove it with a wrench.
Posted By: cptn60
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 02:44 PM
Before breaking the bolt or stud off, try tightening it just a fraction. Breaks the rust loose and gives you a starting area for loosening. Also during removal turn the opposite direction occasionally. Just like a tap, it breaks the rust in the threads. Heat works wonders, even a small propane torch can keep you out of trouble.
Posted By: ChickMaggot
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 03:26 PM
Quote:
Running eliminations on a 95 degree day and there is 140 cars in your class? I fill up a plastic spray bottle with cold water from my cooler and toss it in the car. While I'm in the staging lanes, I will pop the hood and mist down the radiator. By the time I get ready to make a pass, I be Cool!
I knew a guy who routed lines from the pump for his windshield washer fluid. He filled the resevior with ice cubes and water...presto - ice cold water to the radiator with the touch of a button anytime he needed it.
Posted By: T-Man
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 11:04 PM
Want to find TDC on # 1 real quick. Just pull the plug seal the spark plug hole with your thumb and have some one turn the engine over with the coil wire off.
Want to see if your drum brakes are working use two large screw drivers lock into the lip and firm against the brake shoes. They are across from each other closer to the top. Have someone slowly depress the brake.
Want to get your throw out bushing out? Pack the bushing with grease use a socket that is a very tight fit put extension in socket with the socket backwards. Put the backwards socket into the bushing and use a few quick hits with a hammer. The grease forces the bushing out through hydraulic pressure. The socket goes inside the bushing.
gary
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/22/09 11:11 PM
Quote:
I knew a guy who routed lines from the pump for his windshield washer fluid. He filled the resevior with ice cubes and water...presto - ice cold water to the radiator with the touch of a button anytime he needed it.
Excellent and spraying water (of any temp) on the fins will make coolant temps drop like a rock (dont even need the ice cubes). We do it in the pits w a fire extinquisher filled w water but I never though of rigging this up on a daily driver 
Posted By: Mofopar
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/23/09 02:39 AM
If you don't already have one - get one. You'll wonder how you ever did without it.
Posted By: moparboy66
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/23/09 11:07 PM
When trying to feed wires thru an existing firewall grommet or fitting with a tight bundle of wires already filling it, gently work a thin philips-head screwdriver into the bundle, careful not to nick any wires.
Then, feed a plastic drinking straw (or those plastic coffee stirrer straws) along the screwdriver shaft.
Or, just slip a straw over the screwdriver shaft, shove it in, and pull out the screwdriver.
Presto, you now have a slick wireway to feed your new wire thru the straw. Pull the straw out once you're thru.
This works especially well with really thin gauge wire that is not very rigid to start with, and that tends to fold over and bunch up when pushed from one end.
Posted By: chache876
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/24/09 12:03 AM
If trying to make your own gaskets with a roll of gasket paper you can buy:
Lay it flat over the the part that needs the gasket and use the ball side of a ball peen hammer and tap around the edges lightly. It will form to the part and all you need to do when done is carefully rip off the excess material or use a razor blade.
A good replacement gasket material in a pinch are those manilla folders. Works with the above method as well.
Posted By: TMCCuda
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/24/09 01:10 AM
Tap and die sets are a must have when working on anything. I chase the threads on just about every rusty / and greasy nut and bolt for every project whether it be a water pump or a lawnmower.
They can save your ass and money too. On my dads 96 Cirrus, a ham fisted mechanic had done some work to the motor. He ran several bolts in crooked on the EGR valve piping. The thing wasn't even sealed. I patiently took the EGR off re-tapped the threads and chased the bolts and got the thing back together right.
I hate fixing other mechanics shoddy jobs. When you paid them for the work..
Posted By: T-Man
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/28/09 03:26 PM
If your going to purchase a Posi unit in the housing take along a dial indicator and rig it so you can check the run out. This will tell you a lot.
Place a long mirror under the car so you can see the drive shaft and Rear axle housing. Have a friend nail the throttle while you watch and see if the angles are correct.
If you have a completely stripped philips head screw use a sawsall with a short fine tooth blade to carefully cut a slot in the head for a flat bladed screwdriver.
Don't waste good fluids, use a clean catch pan to corral it. Once done with the repair pour it back in using a painters funnel with strainer.
Posted By: CYACOP
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/28/09 04:15 PM
Have your friend hold the chisel while you
on it.
Posted By: 4boxers4
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/28/09 05:22 PM
Nice thread!
*If you have a locking lug nut with no key, mask the wheel and weld an "inexpensive" socket extension on it usining your mig. Just a few spot welds so that after you remove it with your ratchet, you can cut them off with you cutoff wheel and go to the next wheel.
*If your headers are dragging in and out of your driveway entrance, throw a 6' piece of 2x10 at the low point to help you get in and out.
*If you are having cooling problems, switch to synthetic oil until you get them figured out. I have overheated regular oil and the bearings looked like flaky pastry crusts! Conversely, I locked my 225/6(with Mobil 1) up a couple of times so it shut off. Let it cool down and no disaster.
*Always carry a spare ballast resistor!
*If your car is running hot, turn on the heater full blast. It helps the cooling system just a little more to help you get it off the road.
Posted By: Scottmon
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/28/09 07:58 PM
Brake and trans lines tighten up a hair with a line wrench before removing.
If trying to remove wheel cylinders and the line fitting is frozen to the line tighten it a hair then loosen a hair. Remove cylinder to backer plate bolts and then spin the cylinder off while holding the line still with the line wrench.
Posted By: Reggie
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/28/09 10:50 PM
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
If you have to work on the floor under the car and don't like creepers (like I don't) you probably already lie on a piece of old carpet. In the winter for addes insolation I like on a couple pieces of the pink house wrap insolation, it makes a huge difference.
Or go buy a rubber work out/gym mat.
Or use a piece of cardboard, when it gets dirty throw it out.
That's what I always do. Easy to slide across and gives you more room too.
Posted By: Reggie
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/28/09 10:51 PM
Quote:
Have your friend hold the chisel while you on it.
Lol 
- or just use a pair of channel locks to hold it.
Posted By: FurryStump
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 12/29/09 01:35 AM
flare nuts like to be shocked not a steady pull.
You can get a pilot bushing out by packing the cavity full of grease and sliding a drift about the same size of the imput saft smack hydralic pressure forces the bushing back at you.
Take a carb off tape over the intake no exceptions. Steering parts turn castle nut over and thread down so it is almost flush with stud smack.
Posted By: T-Man
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 01/05/10 06:32 PM
You can get the WW motor off if you stop the wipers at mid window sweep. Then remove motor and use a thin 1/2-9/16 open end wrench to remove the drive arm off the wiper motor.
Posted By: GTXKen
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 01/05/10 07:35 PM
Tight fitting poly bushings go on much easier if you place them in boiling water for a minute or two before installation
Posted By: Lifsgrt
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 01/24/10 03:04 AM
If you're still using an old school trouble light with the metal around the bulb (and are tired of getting burned while working under the dash), wrap the metal part with aluminum foil...no more burns.
Better yet, remove the front seats prior to working under the dash!
Posted By: Noblewk
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 01/24/10 04:40 AM
Quote:
Always wear thin vinyl or latex gloves - makes clean up SOOO much easier
RTFM - Read The Frickin Manual!!!!!
When you get frustrated, WALK AWAY! Took me YEARS to learn that one LOL
"When you get frustrated, WALK AWAY!"
AMEN on that one Brother........
Posted By: Noblewk
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 01/24/10 04:53 AM
Working in the "Dirt" or "Grass" and drop that "Jesus Clip", Nut or Bolt. Use an old Speaker Magnet and a string to pull it around. I have 1 attached to my Tool Box, works great at the track.....
Posted By: 493_DART
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 01/24/10 08:18 AM
lots of good ones !
after busting knuckles open for years.......I PLAN AHEAD and put on mechanic type gloves when you KNOW you have stubborn bolts etc.....
Plan ahead and when that thing cracks loose....its a soft blow to your old hands as they are "semi"- crushed into a steel engine part........
Posted By: buckeye
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 01/24/10 10:14 AM
have a stripped bolt hole?? stand bolt up on floor or something hard and flat, head up,, smack head with good hammer wil make bottom of bolt oversize had old mech, so me that on an alum,,block
Posted By: RodStRace
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 01/24/10 03:41 PM
When one bolt or lugnut is tight/siezed, tighten the other bolts around it to relieve some of the pressure. Works well when removing that stupid lug lock mentioned before.
get all the tools and stuff out before lowering the car!
Check on the cardboard creeper, Especially with long hair! If you expect dirt, grease globs and junk to fall off the latest project, throw some under too. Keeps the stuff from getting ground into the floor. Makes getting that tool that fell easier to get too.
Chassis and suspension work requires a BFH.
If springs or suspension parts won't align easily, don't try to force them laying on the ground. Get a come-along or tie down strap. Tighten all the bolts with the suspension loaded (car on the ground)!
On a /6, just pull the dist. to change points and condenser. You need to inspect that plastic gear anyway...
Posted By: T-Man
Re: Tips and tricks or How I learned not to do something. - 01/31/10 06:25 PM
If you have a stripped lugnut "head stripped" get the next size socket down. Tap it onto lug nut then beat it onto the lugnut until it is set well enough to remove without stripping again.
Don't ask how I know this works.