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Message started by Kirill Timofeev on 02/28/14 at 22:43:48

Title: repairable cars
Post by Kirill Timofeev on 02/28/14 at 22:43:48

Most people on this forum like to repair things they use so I wonder what cars do you folks own? Modern cars can't be easily repaired with screwdriver and hammer so should be something 20 or 30 years old?

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by pgambr on 03/01/14 at 00:14:47

I agree. I had a saturn for 10 years and it was a great car. When it started having problems I couldn't fix it, a mechanic couldn't fix it, then saturn as a whole went away. I now have an f150, So far so good.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Yoshi on 03/01/14 at 02:41:23

On all my cars I do all the work myself, I either do it in the driveway on my back or on a lift in the man cave :-)
The only thing I couldn't do myself was retune the GTI's computer...

I own a 2012 jeep patriot,I'm use to these newer computer cars. I haven't fixed anything on it yet but I have upgraded a bunch of stuff like, lift kit, skid plates..

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/VduBpl/Jeep/20131004_075039_zps50209f24.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/VduBpl/media/Jeep/20131004_075039_zps50209f24.jpg.html)

Before the jeep I had a 2005 Vw GTI 1.8T, now to that I upgraded turbo, lowered it, too much too list :-D

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/VduBpl/FunnY/IMAG0050_zpsbd4ad419.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/VduBpl/media/FunnY/IMAG0050_zpsbd4ad419.jpg.html)

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Yonuh Adisi FSO on 03/01/14 at 06:17:55

1985 Purpose built Chevy C30 Dually with 10 1/2 ft bed, 454 4bbl, 3speed with granny gear out of an old dump truck.

This thing in practically bulletproof, but if if it does brake, I can fix it.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/01/14 at 07:24:53

No one actually Taught me hoot about cars, but, I was determined,, & about the time I started understanding them, daggum if they didnt just Up & change how they worked! I was just starting to understand the points & carbs & such, when, POOF! Understanding points became pointless.. then, here comes fuel injection,, & computers & readers & codes & OHH MY Gawd, NEW shaped screw heads, ever few weeks it seemed I needed another set of tools! ( I figured that scheme OUT, boy! The tool makers came up with the new screw head designs & paid for the tooling to make them for the screw makers,,JUST so they could make a fortune selling tools)
Anyway,, a power steering pump on an 03 Taurus? Wanna change one? REally? YOU think YOU can wheel it in the garage & do that? OHH NO you cant,, YOuve got to get the pulley off of it, so it will go thru the cast bracket.. & THAT tool runs about 50 bucks,, & when youre pulling connections, youll see a skinny, white, plastic washer,, & YES it has to be there & NO it doesnt come with the kit,, & if you go together w/o it its GONNA leak,,

Ive never actually been happy to see a car break down in that "Its now worth fixing" category, but it did, I have an 03 Taurus lawn ornament,,transmission is dead, it needs a steering rack, & the windshield is cracked, about $2,000.00 to fix a Maybe $2,500.00 car,,

OHH, I COULD get a used transmission & rack, problee have both for $350.00,, BUT, ya gotta drop the entire sub frame & get the engine & tranny out,, kinda need a lift & a special dolly
Cars just arent user friendly any more,,
So, I have an 87 F150 300 CID 6 banger w/ a 4 speed..
fuel injected,, computerized,, phhhht!

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by WD on 03/01/14 at 09:01:58

Can't wait for my fuel injected, electronic ignition, hydraulic throw out bearing equipped 1994 Ranger to give up the ghost for good.

As infrequently as I need to use it as a truck, I'd rather use the 85 C10 short wide. 4bbl carburetor, 262 V6, TH400 slushomatic.

Or my 1969 Dodge D100-128 with 318/727 that is going to be swapped out for a 390/C6, yep Ford engine, because reaching a rear mount distributor in a full sized truck sucks when your back is fragged.

Or my 1949 Dodge B1B-108 Express with a flathead inline 6 and a 3 speed. Rear axle is getting swapped out for the one from my 1992 Ranger parts roach.

I'd even drag the 1972 Super Beetle out of the barn and drive it, but my father in law got conned out of the 2332cc street/strip engine that it had when we acquired it. I don't like the 1600cc 1968 engine it has in it now.

Found out last night that any tax return is going to have to go into my Savage. Can't afford to keep my job if I can't commute most days on 2 wheels. The company lied about pay structure (among other things), I'm still on trainee rate.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/01/14 at 09:07:44

Can't afford to keep my job

Ive had jobs like that,, heck, even roughnecking can be prohibitively expensive early on. Ya dont want to start out in the winter, because the cost of clothes will destroy a check,
When you make it past this level & youre a real, no kiddin employee,, you gonna make enough to stay on? I forgot what youre doing,, if you ever said.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by arteacher on 03/01/14 at 10:55:41

I had a '67 GMC van that never saw a mechanic because I couldn't afford to take it to one, then I had a '74 Volvo that I did everything on- replaced the head, adjusted the carbs, converted from auto to standard, complete body job, brakes etc etc. NEVER saw a mechanic in the 10 years I owned it. Then I had an '89 Four-runner that never went off warranty, then an '88 Land cruiser that never saw a mechanic except when the front axle had to be rebuilt because Crappy Tire put odd sized tires on it so the diff was constantly turning. Now I have an '08 Scion xb that I can't do anything to, because it has 5 computers that run everything from the throttle to the brakes. ( suppose I could change the oil, but it only costs $25 to have someone else do it so why bother).

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by old_rider on 03/01/14 at 11:34:37

I have a 2000 ford f150 4x4 that runs fairly good on warm days, on cold days it bucks like a bronco till it warms up. I know its the coil over plugs and have 2 to replace, but my reader says coils b & e need replaced and the manual reads in 1,2,3 ect.... and i'm not really sure which coils to replace, guess i'll have to get another reader.

I've already replaced the seal in the back window because it leaked when raining, replaced the water pump and radiator and hoses.

I also need to replace a abs switch or sensor cause the light always stays on (was on when I bought it but the brakes work so what does it matter) and will do that once my back gets fixed.

It just went over 200,000 miles this past month an still runs good and gets fair gas mileage for a pickup with a 5.4 L v8.

Here it is with my new truck tent installed

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/Orphistle/IMAG0702.jpg

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by gizzo on 03/01/14 at 16:23:12

I'm driving a 1992 Holden VP Commodore wagon (just google it if you wanna see what they look like), Had it for 13 years now. Had 150,000km when I bought it, has 420,000 now. Never left me stranded and is still on the original unrebuilt engine. I tested the compressions a couple years ago and they were still within factory specs. I've replaced one transmission (had to drive about 400km in second after 3rd and 4th stopped working, towing a ski boat) one PS rack, shocks once and the rest the usual wear and tear consumables. I take it on interstate trips regularly. It still drives almost like a new one, no vibes, rattles, leaks, the air con and heater are perfect. It just looks like hell, is all. Most of the paint has fallen off. I chopped a matching wagon in half and built it into an enclosed trailer to go with it.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Kirill Timofeev on 03/01/14 at 22:43:11

Thanks for sharing experience folks. So what would you recommend to buy if I would like to have car, that I'll be able to service by myself? Preferrably not truck :).

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by WD on 03/02/14 at 00:35:13

Anything emissions exempt. You are in "Thing County WA", right? So no newer than 1989. Preferably even older, some things you just can't wear out irreparably. Early Toyotas with a 20R or 22R engine, older Honda Accord or Civic, air-cooled VW, any Chrysler product with a 318 or 360 V8, etc. If you do decide to get a truck, Fords through 1986 are good but need the TFI distributor replaced with a points version, Chevy/GMC through 1987 and Dodge through 1971 (1972-93 4x4 axles and bench seats are a direct bolt in upgrade by the way).

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Kirill Timofeev on 03/02/14 at 20:26:25

Yes, I'm in "thing county wa" :). Thanks for the hint, looks very reasonable. If you would try to find some optimum between fun to drive, reliability, access to spare parts and self-servicability what it would be from the list above?

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Pine on 03/03/14 at 07:02:43

Just bouncing off of what WD suggested:

76 - 86 Mustang/Capri - electronics and suspension are crap.
Early jap cars.. sheetmetal is not corrosion resistant like american cars of the era. It just means you need to keep mud and salt off of them

Sexy older cars to have:
mid 70s Toyota celica supra
mid 80s Toyota MR 2
early 70s USA truck
late 70's Toyota Hilux

Funny how keeping a keen eye on CraigsList and keeping enough cash on hand to pounce and you can find some neat stuff. I saw an 89 Celica for $1500 with only 30k miles!!!

The problem with some older vechs now is that oil.. just as in our bikes. The old cars needed the zinc, now its not there! My poor old Ford 390 was a real worry for me.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Kirill Timofeev on 03/03/14 at 20:41:29

I thought that Mustangs were decent cars, what specifically is wrong with electronics and suspension? From original "gone in 60 seconds" I've got impression that mustang suspension is pretty strong :).

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by ToesNose on 03/04/14 at 04:35:46

I've had a lot of classic muscle cars over the years, mostly Mustangs 65' to 68" but my favorite 4 wheel vehicle was my 69' Bronco so much fun! Since my son came along I went current and got a new 2009 Jeep Patriot, I got the full lifetime bumper to bumper warranty so no more wrenching for me except for the LS650 ;)

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Pine on 03/04/14 at 07:09:03

203F727C7D7C724B0 wrote:

I am not googling this so I may be off. late 70's saw the intro of the new Ford "Fox body" as a much needed replacement of the Mustang II. With the new body came a lot of kinks to be worked out.

My own mother bought a 1980 2.8 RS Capri. The engine was that great german little 2.8L v6. But the car over all was very unreliable due to bad brain boxes, faulty wiring and those "new fangled struts" that would not hold their position.

The 2.8 v6 still lives ( or did) in the Ford Ranger as the 3.0 v6, which I had in my 1986 Ranger. My 1996 Ranger had the 4.0 V6, another stuff engine that I would put up against any little truck motor of its day.

Other fun info that NOBODY cares about:
My 1976 Pinto had the 2.3 I4 and a C4 auto tranny. I raced the car, and could not blow it up or trash the tranny... the motor.. ehhh.

The 2.3 I4 was used in the Turbo Tbird and the 1979 Indy pace Mustang. That same lower end was then used in the Rangers but with a dual overhead cam. Ford got a lot of milage out of that little engine.

To me... I would love to find a well preserved Gen II Pinto. Fun to drive, easy to work on ( carbs were crap).. justa fun little jalopy of a car; Fords version of a VW beetle.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Dave on 03/04/14 at 11:01:26

While it is nice to remember the cool old cars we had, and how they could be repaired at home - times have changed.

I have owned a 1964 and 1966 VW bus, a 1964 and 1966 VW Beetle, a 1970 Karman Ghia, a 1959 MGA, a 1950 Plymouth, a 1957 Pontiac Cheiftain, 1970 Dodge Dart.........and they were all my daily drivers at the time. There is little chance that anything but the Dodge Dart could be driven safely on the road in the Cincinnati area. Traffic on the 4 lanes is 65-75 mph.......and when I had my bus it would crawl up the "Cut in the Hill" on I-75 from Cincinnati at about 35 mph and I would just tuck in behind a slow semi and make the climb.

A lot of the old cars don't have great brakes, don't handle all that well, run out of gearing at 60 mph, and don't have crumple zones, air bags ir even shoulder belts. If you stay off the highways and only need to travel on local roads and city streets you might be OK.....but I really don't want to be doing my interstate travel in a 40 HP car again!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/lgwF8mdQwlw

Dave

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by ToesNose on 03/04/14 at 18:12:21

Great link Dave, was that the the Russian military? If so I guess they don't have a whole lot going on these days huh LOL

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Kirill Timofeev on 03/04/14 at 22:28:04

Hi Dave, you points are valid, but I think those cars

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4351368515.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/4342829986.html

are highway capable and don't have issues with brakes. Or I'm missing something?

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/05/14 at 10:07:06

I think the big handling issue w/ Mustangs is one that only rarely surfaces for most drivers,, Their CG is right behind the front seat & if ya get all 4 tires broke loose in a spin it'll rotate on that axis, making it very hard to effectively turn into the direction of the spin & get the front end to "catch". The "Bear TRap" built in for the shadetree mechanic is the front fender. Get leaned over under the hood & start to lift something out & plant the elbows & Whammo,, you just dented the fender,, & then theres the need for the cross member supporting the shock towers, Tho, I actually kinda like that look..

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Pine on 03/05/14 at 10:26:11

425D101E1F1E10290 wrote:

I read or saw on the net somewhere that the Mustang II ( what you listed) was one of the most sold versions of the Mustang. Though I feel like many old Ford guys, that the Mustang II, was anything but worthy of the name. The 302 car would be a kick to drive, but fully expect it to be passed by most V6's on the road today, as US car makers were being forced to deal with ever increased EPA regs. I don't recall any brake issues, and sure they will do fine on the highway.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Dave on 03/06/14 at 09:18:05

This might be fun!

http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/4327622755.html

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by old_rider on 03/06/14 at 21:08:00

I happen to have a 302 V8 on a stand in the garage from a 74' mustang. I was going to rebuild it and put it in my 89' bronco before I sold it and bought my 2000 F150.
Now I am thinking of perhaps rebuilding it anyway over the next year and do me some searching for a 2 door 69' falcon and drop that baby in it. Reason? my brother wants an old falcon like he had in high school, would be cool to get one for him.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Art Webb on 03/06/14 at 23:03:26

I have a 2001 Chevy Lumina, and once you get the problem diagnosed, it's not that bad to work on
unless you have to work around the darned air pump system california made Chevy put on it
unfortunately you have to do that for a lot of basic maintenance work
Hell for reliable though
over 300k on original powertrain so far

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Kris01 on 03/08/14 at 21:28:23

The Mustang's rear suspension is total crap. Ford bean counters made them engineer the control arms to move in two directions at once. Works ok for most people who don't know any better but it's a very bad design.

I'm not a huge fan of the front strut suspension either. I much prefer the old school upper/lower control arms.

2001 Mustang w/~130k miles

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Rix on 03/11/14 at 08:52:28

85 corolla
89 cressida
88 toyota truck
01 lexus rx300 (wife's car)
69 corona
68 corona
72 javelin
75 corolla wagon

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Serowbot on 03/11/14 at 09:18:04

My 95' Metro is as old school as a 60's car... other than a throttle body...
Manual tranny, cable operated clutch, manual steering, brakes, door locks, roll up windows, and a key without a chip in it...
No 20ft serpentine belt, no plastic engine covers,...
...and 52 screamin' Hp... ;D...
Honestly,... 52hp is way more fun than you would think... because you get to use all of them, quite a lot...
Rides like a go-cart with a lid on it... ;D...

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/11/14 at 11:13:34

Ive GOTTA get a test drive in one of those,, I like low ponies,, youve GOT to drive it right to carry any speed thru a corner..

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by Yonuh Adisi FSO on 03/11/14 at 11:14:10

I think my favorite vehicles would have to be:

74 Super Beetle that I affectionately called Bug Attack. (Fastest 4 banger in three cities after I had got done with it.) 1600cc dual port with .041 racing heads, 2000lb drag clutch, biggest cam I could find without having to line bore.

82 Camaro Berlinetta aka Confederacy (due to rebel flag license plate on front). Stock 2.8L V6. (Stayed door to door with an Iroc)

72 Dodge Ram pick-up aka Big Red. 318ci with a 2bbl carb pretty much stock but she was practically bullet proof, 3 speed manual tranny.

and my current vehicle 85 Chevy Dually aka Clara Belle. 454ci with 4bbl, 3 speed manual with extra low granny gear tranny that came out of an old dump truck. Frame from an old moving van so she now has a 10 1/2 ft bed. There ain't nothing I can't hook to and pull.

Every one of these vehicles I can work on myself with the standard mechanics tools without having to have a degree in computer engineering like todays vehicles.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by arteacher on 03/11/14 at 17:38:06

I bought a '69 Pontiac Strato Chief sight unseen for $50 because it had a small block 350 in it that I wanted to put in the van I had at the time. The PO was a friend of my dad who had bought it new. He had given it to his son, who had put 300 horse heads and a dual 4bbl in it. Cost me a tail pipe to certify. When he found out his dad sold it he put a single 4bbl on it, but it was too much trouble to put the original heads back on. It was a very fast car for it's size.

Title: Re: repairable cars
Post by S-P on 03/11/14 at 22:02:22

69763B3534353B020 wrote:

Anything past about 1980 has too much electronic crap on it for my taste. I owned several VW's (pre-80's, no A/C) and got "The Volkswagen Manual for the Compleat Idiot" and did all my own work. I've had Fords, Chevys, Toyotas, Datsun, Nissans, '60 Mercedes, Plymouths, all pre-80's and they're all easy to work on. I'd jump on a Datsun, VW or early Ford or Chevy.