Finally!

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Well my nephew bought his first car! A 91 Supra. 114k, non turbo 3.0 straight six 5 speed, unbelievably clean rust wise. Mech checked it out A-OK but for a rattle in the rear - strut. Good kid

My dad and I chipped in and parts on the way. These hate overheating even worse than most so new belts hoses idler tstat etc, but a 60k mile timing belt change interval so new timing belt kit gaskets seals etc, water pump's right there so new water pump, new rear struts and new hood and hatch shocks. Coupla other things were dirt cheap so dist cap and rotor (wires are obviously new) oil sender, fuel filter.

Hard to believe you can buy all that for less than $275 del'd. Rock rules.

These have a known head gasket issue so we'll have the pleasure of re-torqueing the head bolts, fun and free. Prolly change the valve cover gaskets while we're at it

If it would've been turbo I would've advised 'mom' against it. Even still it's pretty quick!

Pete

Good on you. Funny I found my torque wrench just last week, not that I will ever use it again.

[piece-itpete]

For all the times I should have, I've never used a torque wrench.

Pete

[piece-itpete]

I've been attempting to install a new interior on the 03 Grand Marquis.

I picked it up a couple years ago, some upholstery shop was going out of business, so I got a complete interior for $190 del'd. I suspect the previous owner of the car had a dog, the interior is a little beat up overall. Finally decided to go for it.

It's, um, interesting. A lot cleaner than mech work but I haven't the slightest idea what I'm doing

The back seats were pretty easy though you do need a hog ringer. Front seat back, armrest, and headrest were OK to attach though difficult to remove/install into place. I still haven't got the seat bottom together! It's either hard, or there's a trick to it, or both.

While the interior is out I'm going to pull the carpet, clean it, and put wiring in for a stereo - the factory unit's on the fritz.

I'm pretty happy about it. With the paint recently touched up the new interior should make it really nice, and with the major mech work done too I should have a good looking SO approved paid for car for hopefully another 5 years.

Pete

[donquixote99]

But this is America! If it's not new, what's wrong with you?



JK. Sounds awesome, and my hat is off to you!

[piece-itpete]

Thanks, I wish it was awesome! I'd rather be wrenching grease and all.

Pete

[piece-itpete]

See the date I started on the interior? I'm almost done

It was really the learning curve. But, the wiring is done, the carpet and drivers' seat is in, the other seats are recovered and waiting install (easy), and I broke almost nothing.

Should be finished tomorrow. The new interior and cleaned carpet really does look better, and I'm looking forward to the better SQ I've learned comes from a better amp. I've already upgraded the speakers, my experience every car benefits from that and it's usually pretty easy.

While I was running wires I did add a couple for a back up camera. It appears most new double din units come with that and GPS. If it comes with Bluetooth I can run the mic during install.

Now I just need to add a few thousand watts and 11 subwoofers and I'll be ready to go

Strangest thing. I've been working on this car for a while now and all that NEEDS done after this is u-joints, a short afternoons' work. Then I'll be finished, with this car anyway, till something breaks. Weird - finished.

But then there's the S-10 which needs a thorough going over for its' 5 year plan. And my nephews' car.

Pete

[piece-itpete]

I did it! New interior. I'll post a pic or two in the next coupla days.

It looks great. And it smells like new leather

Pete

[donquixote99]

Pics! Pics!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

I did it! New interior. I'll post a pic or two in the next coupla days.

It looks great. And it smells like new leather

Pete

How about the perfect finishing touch.

http://uncrate.com/stuff/panasonic-c...be-car-stereo/

Chas

[piece-itpete]

I want it! But if I spent that kind of green my SO might be a touch hot under the collar

Pete