My Nightmare.... Does it ever end?

[ARCHINSTL]

I gotta add to this thread - later tonite.
In the meantime - Typrus - (and do not take this the wrong way) - you have matured so much in the last two years; what a trip, watching you change and grow. I feel like a distant surrogate g-parent sometimes.

And keith has some pretty sage advice on more than wrenching points.

Another thing to consider with our mature little guys - with the increasing parts' costs - keep track of every penny, because it would take nothing more than a minor fender-bender for the "opposing" insurance company to declare them "totalled," and then the fight for repair/equal replacement value $ would really begin - let alone the bills for a true "totalled" wreck.
Tom M.

[Typrus]

I appreciate that. I'm much different than evn a year ago, or 6 months, let along 2 or 3.


Well, I got the radiator. Its a dual-core high-efficiency type. God willing it won't go leaking on me, even though its a lifetime warrented product.
Only thing I had to do was install the temp switch. I used a copper washer in between it and the tank, smeared healthily with RTV Silicone on either side of the washer, then on top for good measure. It's curing overnight before I install it. It should prove MUCH better than my old soldered-up, flattened-out, standard-style dual-core. It even has the oil cooler built in. Have yet to decide whether that will receive P/S fluid or engine oil. The fttings for the ATF seem too small to run engine lube to, but the cooler itself might be bigger once the elbow-fittings are removed. I'll wait until I can afford parts to look at that.

Boots for the rack are on their way. I just need to arrange with my instructors a time I can come in and change out the tie-rod's and do a quick Toe adjustment on the alignment rack. Can't pay anyone to do it, they all measure ride height around here. Part of why I need springs.

Well, baby-steps forward....


That Volvo seems quite appealing to be honest. I went and spoke with the local dealership's manager. He went to Detroit to see the release and as a dealer got to drive it. He said it was awesome. We can expect to see it June-August in terms of release. I'm on his priority list now. Lol. I told him I'm still deciding, and he said t just let him know what I decide.
I know you shouldn't typically buy the first year of anything, but its been out in Europe for a year being debugged, so it might not be so bad.

I am helping a buddy get an 82 Century Limited 4.3L diesel on the road. Clunky, noisy, N/A so slow, and uber-comfortable inside. We're going to pull the engine and rebuild it, might even turbo it for kicks. It should see low-mid 30's when its all said and done.

If money were not an object, I'd go buy a Mercedes Benz Blu-Tec diesel... GOBS of torque and awesome cleanliness and efficiency. But $$ is the object right now.

[Typrus]

Rad is in and the car is running. BTW, the rad is much better than my old one. Did I mention that? Heh... Kept temp just sitting there quite happy. Tonight I'll drive it more and we'll see what happens.

Bit by bit, right? And if I help fix up that Terc (which is still a might) I could be getting into some money to help fix up mine.