I posted a thread yesterday about overlooking the plug gap after switching from points to HEI and finding my lost power after regapping the plugs with a larger gap and alot of folks chimed in with their experiences and with their satisfaction of learning about the subject. I see we have a post today discussing the value of a properly functioning PCV system, a really good thread there with a lot of great info and tech. Its suprising how many people neglect the PCV system. So I beg to ask, what other simple things have you often overlooked while working on your cars that would have made your life a lot easier? and any tips to give others who might be having the same problem?
thats a good one, or you'll be chasing an overheating problem! Been through that plenty of times, the fill funnels that have the radiator cap attatchment are great for this.
Use Blue Painters Tape over your ignition switch if you need to put oil in the engine or something else critical. I once drove a car that I forgot to put oil in the rear-end. Didn't remember until I heard a weird grinding sound coming from the back end. No long term damage (got lucky), but now I put tape over the ingition with a note so I don't screw up.
Don't know about overlooked but I routinely cross the 5&7 wire on the SBC. I'm OK if I run thr wires over the top but under the headers is an entirely different subject. One thing that I have noticed that gets overlooked. There is a pole on most 12V starter solenoids that runs to the hot side of the coil on a points car. Its is 12v for start only. If it doesn't get run in most cases the car either won't start or is real hard starting.
Bench bleading brakes works!! The push pedal method never worked as well for me. Also label everything when it comes off the car so you can put it back in the same place. I remeber my first 67 c10 had some left over parts(nuts,bolts) when I was done. Still runs great and never had any issues, hope they weren't important. porknbeaner I seen this last night on a freinds car...funny you brought it up.
I've done the same on the Chevy's Beaner. When I swapped dizzy's is my Fairlane, it was my first go-round with a Ford and I pulled all the wires off and starting hooking them back up like Chevy number's their cylinders, I'm thankful for that second look back to realize that Ford numbers their cylinders completely different.
Where was this PCV thread, I searched and am not sure which. I have to figure out this crazy howling situation.
When doing a clutch job on a flathead V-8 Ford put a big sign on the dash saying: DON'T FORGET THE THROWOUT BEARING.
It started out as a thread about non-baffled valve covers, go figure. Here ya go: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=525612
When I built my T in the early 70's it was the first Chevy V8 after driving an Olds 350 for several years and Yep, I wired it for an Olds and it took a couple of days of frustration and a middle of the night revelation before I went out at 02:30 in the am and put the wires where they belonged and fired it up. Not sure the neighbors appreciated the open headers though.
at the dealership i used to work at guys with even 20+ years of experience would almost weekly either a.) forget to put the drain plug back in or b.) forget to put the filter back on after an oil change and end up performing what we called a "5 quart engine flush" right onto the floor.
MSD makes little wire tags that clip on the wires. I use them on both ends whenever the wires are going to be run into hidden spaces. They are dirt cheap and fit just about any wire exept those big cheesy dayglow type wires.
I did an SBF back in the '80s and not only did I put the wires on in the wrong place but I ran them backwards besides. I can laugh about it now but at the time I was feeling pretty damned dumb.
Oh, and make sure all the brake lines are actually attached before bleeding or all your good brake fluid will end up on the floor and become bad brake fluid.
During my first engine swap, forgot to put the fork on the throwout bearing.... Only to find out when we tried to drive the car out of the garage and it wasn't moving! It was an idiot moment, but fun to look back on.
Don't put the oil fill cap on top of the air filter housing when adding oil. If you forget to put it back on and close the hood, it'll pop a nice dent in the middle of your hood.............
If doing brake work do not put the tire on,lower the vehicle off the jackstands and walk away before installing 2 if not all the lug nuts.It doesnt matter if it's just for dinner or a buddy called.Install the lug nuts.
Not only will it become bad brake fluid, brake fluid on the garage floor is one of the slickest substances known to man. Ask me how I know this.
Roll down the window when the car is in the shop. This especially applies to later model caddys with auto locks! Always do a preimeter check before closing the hood. You loose the tool (best case) or have to fix the dent. Pump the brakes before putting car in gear! A bad and/or battery will cause all sorts of strange electrical issues. Always start with a good, fully charged battery. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
How about when installing mechanical oil pressure gauge while doing several other upgrades firing up the car with the oil line unconnected to the gauge under the dash...carpet doesn't need THAT much lubrication.
When reinstalling the distributor cap, make sure that it's properly seated and both clips are secure. The rotor does really bad things to the cap if it's loose when the engine cranks over. I learned this the hard way.....
Simply put, always look anything over one more time even when you think you are done. My brother dropped a tight fitting rebuilt engine in his car. Job was totally finished and was filling the cooling system for a test drive when he heard gushing and a big puddle was forming under the car. Forgot to install 2 freeze plugs and couldn't get to them without pulling the engine again.............
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