Car Talk!

SoloCamo · June 16th, 2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whir

At least it's not one of those Olds or Buicks where they had to actually tilt the motor out to get to the rear plugs.

Tell me about it....my mom's '96 Chevy Lumina w/ the 3.1 V6 is like that

. Seriously, who designed that?

RamonGTP · June 16th, 2009, 04:02 PM

I had to do that with my old '98 Pontiac Grand Prix (supercharged 3.8) Eventually I got good enough at it that I didn't need to tilt the motor forward, at the cost of a little skin off my knuckles.

**RobRich** · June 16th, 2009, 04:25 PM

I have changed spark plugs on a Sebring convertible with the 2.7L engine without removing the variable length intake system. Some dealers supposedly charge $300+ for the job due to the complexity and time involved in dealing with the intake. I somehow managed to do it with extensions and an universal or two, along with expected cuts and scrapes.

nemowolf · June 16th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Okay guys, i need some help. I need to learn about "classic" domestic muscle cars. Trans Ams, Mustangs, Chevelles, Novas, etc.

Any sites that i can go beyond wikipedia to start learning?

**RobRich** · June 16th, 2009, 10:21 PM

Such as the Mustang and the Firebird being pony cars instead of muscle cars?

Their muscle car counterparts were the Torino and the GTO.

Likewise, the Camaro was Chevy's pony car, while the Chevelle was Chevy's muscle car.

The Nova was essentially neither. Later option codes did include some muscle car carryover, but in its base implementation, the Nova was a passenger car and oftentimes even classed as a compact. Similar situation for the Ford Maverick.

Anyway, if you are mostly looking for general info and history, check out forums and registry groups for the models you have interest. Lots of them have newsletters, old articles, FAQs, and similar resources available.

RedFury · June 16th, 2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemowolf

Okay guys, i need some help. I need to learn about "classic" domestic muscle cars. Trans Ams, Mustangs, Chevelles, Novas, etc.

Any sites that i can go beyond wikipedia to start learning?

What do you want to know? Rob's a reliable source of information, I know quite a bit about them also.

Speaking of sparkplugs, the 5.0 in the explorer are probably the easiest I've seen...all can be removed from the wheel wells. Oh, and I should probably look into replacing the plugs on my truck some day...I don't know how old they were when I bought the truck, and I've had it for almost 3 years now...

With the new Y pipe back exhaust on the Dakota, I can now really hear the right front wheel bearing...I think I'm going to have to put out the 120 bucks for a new hub since they don't sell just the bearings for these trucks

The noise is starting to bother me.

pickel · June 16th, 2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRich

Such as the Mustang and the Firebird being pony cars instead of muscle cars?

Their muscle car counterparts were the Torino and the GTO.

Likewise, the Camaro was Chevy's pony car, while the Chevelle was Chevy's muscle car.

The Nova was essentially neither. .

A STOCK 1968 Nova , due to the weight difference, equipped with the 396/375 HP package, would blow the doors off a STOCK Chevelle or Camaro with same motor. I've seen that happen on and off the track.

Actually , that engine produced 425 HP , but was underrated by Chevrolet Tonawanda.

**RobRich** · June 16th, 2009, 10:45 PM

I change plugs in my Talon way too often, but they are pretty easy to change, plus I use cheap NGK coppers in it. IIRC, I have been averaging something like 2,000 miles between changes. Though if measured in time, that is probably more like every 1.5 years or so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFury

I think I'm going to have to put out the 120 bucks for a new hub since they don't sell just the bearings for these trucks

Somehow stuff like that does not surprise me much anymore.

pickel · June 16th, 2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFury

With the new Y pipe back exhaust on the Dakota, I can now really hear the right front wheel bearing...I think I'm going to have to put out the 120 bucks for a new hub since they don't sell just the bearings for these trucks

The noise is starting to bother me.

pickel · June 16th, 2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFury

With the new Y pipe back exhaust on the Dakota, I can now really hear the right front wheel bearing...I think I'm going to have to put out the 120 bucks for a new hub since they don't sell just the bearings for these trucks

The noise is starting to bother me.

If you can get the bearing out, there's a supplier in Jackson that could probably match it. I got one for my Stealth A/C clutch that Mitsubishi said was not able to be repaired.