mdrburchette wrote:
I've also had good luck using the big C clamps to squeeze the swaybar toward the mounting bracket when I've had to remove the swaybar....that is unless Alvon and his tired hands are under the car with you.
I think I've been squeezed . . . thanks!
It's been mentioned many times on other threads, but worth mentioning again here. To rotate the engine by hand, you can put a wrench or ratchet on the alternator pulley nut. If the belt slips, push the belt inwards halfway between the pulleys. Be sure to remove the ratchet when you are finished. That loud clunk or ratchet whirring sound when you crank the engine is a reminder that you forgot to remove the tool. BTDT.
There are 4 bottomless pits in the engine bay: those 2 exposed big holes in the crossmember and the front shock access holes. Cover these pits with shop rags when working in the engine bay, since that's where everything ends up if you drop something. Mike B., that's prolly where all your missing 10mm sockets are! Remove the shop rags when finished, especially the one touching the exhaust manifold. The smoke and flames coming out of the hood during a test drive is your reminder that you left the shop rag against the exhaust manifold. Been there, too.
I've marked my crankshaft pulley with little tic marks every 2°, and larger marks at 10° intervals, up to about 40° BTDC so I can read the spark advance at higher RPM. A more expensive timing light will tell you the advance, but I've got a cheaper one.
I have a little adapter from 6-pt tool bit holder to 3/8" socket drive that I use in my battery powered screwdriver or drill for quick removal and reinstalling bolts. It's a real time saver, and saves the wear and tear on these old wrists, too.
I've accumulated several different versions of workshop manuals for the spider, and usually have them all in front of me when starting a job. This is because some manuals are more complete in describing certain tasks than others. Also, there are , believe it or not, several mistakes in the different workshop manuals, so having 2 or 3 to refer to gives a better chance of getting the correct info.
The footwell map pockets are ideal for holding a bottle of water that you can easily reach while driving, until you are fortunate enought to acquire a Luxmore cup holder.
