"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst)
06/16/2014 at 11:35 • Filed to: HEMIWAGON
1
3|
"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst)
06/16/2014 at 11:35 • Filed to: HEMIWAGON | 1
| 3 |
With the help of both my wallet and a couple friends, the wagon is getting some serious front end treatment.
I'm taking care of a lot of consumables, as well as doing some major cleaning under the engine. That dead mouse? Gone. The grime? 90% gone.
My wallet is hurting, but I figure, since the car is not driving right now, it's time to do the front end.
I ordered new sway bar links, lower control arms, and tension arms. The lower control arms still need ball joints which I'll try to purchase locally because I want to get this all done. To say I'm tired and sore from the amount of work is a stupid understatement. What I'll likely do is the sway bar links and tension arms, and have a friend of mine with a lift and a press do the lower control arms.
New tires arrive today, but those goddamn wheels are impossible to find. As soon as I finish up the other work, I'll get the tires put on the existing wheels, much to my protest. Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval AS 226/60R18. Came highly recommended by several other Magnum and Charger owners.
I really need to find a way to wash the valve covers off without tearing too much apart, the salt is pissing me off. Hey Larry from AMMO NYC? Want to do a video about salt removal from an engine? You can borrow the wagon for it if I can get a good discount!
Trans fluid was bad. BAD. Rear end fluid is up next. I bought it yesterday, and was too damn tired to get under the car again.
Belly pans are partially mounted. Somewhere along the way, one of the clips got lost or it's in the frame and I can't get see it. Need to order a bunch anyway. I'm also putting a new bumper on. Sounds silly, but I don't think I mentioned that when I pulled out the HID kit, there was a seriously ugly patch done to the back of the bumper. There's also grime from the bumper to the windshield that I simply can't get off. Bumper was cheap and can be painted. While it's at a shop for paint, I'm going to see if they can strip the clear coat on the hood and re-finish it, as well as if they have suggestions for the windshield. There's a windshield repair place by where my girlfriend lives, so I'll stop there if no one has ideas.
Fresh coolant is in, car runs like a champ. Bonus points, it didn't blow up! I was quite nervous having never done some of this major work before.
I sourced clips for the side skirts, so Aaron Brown wont take points off at the next concourse we go to. I'll order those last, unless a body shop can get some while the other work is being done, and they don't charge me an arm and a leg for it. I also ordered a 100 pack of new clips for the inner fender wells and bumpers. Should have plenty for the whole damn car.
AC needs a recharge, and considering how completely wiped out I am, I'm just going to have a parts store do it for me.
I ordered a True SRT8 grill for the RT bumper as well, so I can finally get the look I want from the car. I figured I might as well.
I also exercised true professionalism in zip tie craftsmanship. I fixed a couple things (So I don't have to spend too much more money), but I also made a trans dip stick. It's a thing of beauty. I just need a tool kit to stick all my new tools in. Probably 1/3 of the money I've spend so far is just tools. I took care of why the hood release was so hard to pull by making a new retainer for the cable, because it was half broken. First attempt didn't work, but I learn quick, so the second try worked like a charm. Pictures later, because I forgot to take one. It was also getting dark.
Should be plenty ready for lehigh valley. So I hope. If parts keep coming on schedule, I'll take thursday off to do installations and stop at a couple shops. Luckily work isn't too busy, so I can take a day off here and there to get cracking on this.
Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> JGrabowMSt
06/16/2014 at 11:46 |
|
AC needs a recharge, and considering how completely wiped out I am, I'm just going to have a parts store do it for me.
Just get that AC pro thing from walmart you just hook it up and pull the trigger. A+ for using zip ties.
oldestyoungn
> JGrabowMSt
06/16/2014 at 11:47 |
|
Can't wait to see it when it's finished.
|
JGrabowMSt
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
06/16/2014 at 11:56 |
|
System is basically dry. It calls for some oil and then refridgerant. I may see if my friends shop can do this while it's in for control arms.