blurple124 wrote:If you do happen to drop a nut, wrench, or socket, put a strong magnet on the end of a thin steel rod. I can't tell you how many times I've used that contraption to get into hard-to-reach places. Helps to have a small, strong magnet, though.

A telescoping rod with the magnet at the end is a $3 tool that is essential.

i use ele tape to hold that magnet on a long screwdriver

I have the telescoping design and it works very well, but can't remember where I got it from. It's been in my tool box for years.

while changing suspension components it's a good idea to replace nuts and bolts with galvanized or stainless steel ones.
why? you'll know next time when you need to replace something

Stuff a rag into the openings near the front or rear shock absorber before beginning any work in those areas. Hardware and even tools can be forever lost in those cavities, and you'll be forever reminded of your error every time you hit a bump!

Make your own gaskets for boot hook, badges, etc. from plastic motor oil containers.

Routinely squirt lubricant around wiper arm shafts. Lift the arms away from the windshield, and run them for a few strokes.

Make sure the gasket from the old oil filter did not stick to the engine by examining the filter immediately upon removal and before discarding. Two or more gaskets will leak.

Rain-X is your friend.

Never, ever assume that the parts on your car are the ones originally fitted to that model year.

baltobernie wrote:Make sure the gasket from the old oil filter did not stick to the engine by examining the filter immediately upon removal and before discarding. Two or more gaskets will leak

Good one Bernie. I did / didn't do that last year and it did more than leak The oil pressure blew the seals apart and I had oil at 55 + psi all over the engine bay
Chris

Make sure that the very first thing you do when removing the intake manifold plenum on an FI is to plug the now exposed intake holes with rags to keep anything from falling in there.

BEFORE removing the front cowl, tape heavy towels or drop clothes at either side on the fenders to keep the cowl ends from causing deep scratches.

Soapy water is your friend for installing anything rubber in a tight space

for your stuck brake lines what i do is
use a line wrench it looks like a closed end"box wrench"but open a bit in the middle

they go on the hard line,the flat spots that hold the bolt are a bit tapered.so to hold the nut when pushed down on it

after its on i use small vice grips from the oppisit direction
as for the rubber side of it
i pull the clip cut the rubber and vice grip or wrench"i perfer a box whench"
then spin the old rubber off

i hope this helps all
joe

Clean the spark plug wells with compressed air before removing spark plugs. Prevents crap from falling into the cylinder and/or threads.

Use talk power when looking for a hard to find coolant or oil leak. it helps isolate the start of the leak.

know what torque specs the bolts you are wrenching need to be set at... Car will run better, last longer and leak less. these older bolts like to snap creating a lot more work for the enthusiastic over tightners. Ask how i know

Proper tension on V-belt saves water pumps and alternators.

There are times when the best thing to do is walk away to re-collect your thoughts, plans and ambitions before turning the wrench again. The car will be there tomorrow. not

1. Everytime you take something off of the car, put it in a plastic bag or cardboard box and label it.

2. If it is metal and rusted, hit it with a wire wheel and, if it is appropriate to, paint it to protect it from rust.

3. Before putting any bolt back on the car, clean it well with the wire wheel and liberally apply anti-sieze. You will be glad you did when it comes time to change that part out again.

Note: Good anti-sieze is rated to 2000+ degrees F. Put it on brake, exhaust, or engine parts that stand a risk of fusing together with rust. One spot I found was between the brake disk and wheel hub.

Before you drain your transmission oil, be very sure you can remove the fill plug.

Its hard to reach and easy to round off.

if you used POR15 and you have some left over
use butane to fill the cans air space
so it wont cure in the can

also use wax paper to keep the can and lid from sealing together

124JOE wrote:if you used POR15 and you have some left over
use butane to fill the cans air space
so it wont cure in the can

also use wax paper to keep the can and lid from sealing together

what is POR15?