I'm still working on it

"My bird IS the word" (mybirdistheword) 08/30/2017 at 12:07 • Filed to: Wrenching, Trans am

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14

I promise.

I did some work the other day, removed my water pump, flex plate, and prepared some new parts for when I reinstall them. Got a new thermal clutch for my fan, and the pully attached to the new water pump.

A little wear on my flex plate’s teeth. I am not sure if this is enough to concern me, I have no frame of reference. Instinct says no. Let me know!

The reason not much work has been done is because the thermostat housing on my mini burst, and I nearly cooked the engine. Why might you ask?

BECAUSE ITS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC! AHHHGHGJFKJDJSFKJERK

I didn’t go to school for materials engineering. Neither did anyone at BMW (Renault?) either because this mofo gets hot and cold every time I turn it on. there is a big ass seam and I don’t know if that’s what failed (still waiting on another plastic part that I am replacing while I am in there) but plastic, seriously? Do you not understand fatigue and chemical leaching? Sonofabitch!

Here’s another good question: should I sell the mini? Its only worth ~8-10k. What should I get instead? It’s only got to last 1 year until I get a job, and a 4runner. Does my flex plate and starter motor look ok? Or should I just replace em now?

Thinking of getting one of these:

I don’t think the fam will approve though.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > My bird IS the word 08/30/2017 at 12:38

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N14 engine strikes again! What an abysmal shitheap of an engine.

TheRealBicycleBuck > My bird IS the word 08/30/2017 at 12:39

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The radiator in my truck had plastic top and bottom caps. It lasted over 200,000 miles. I replaced it because it was clogged with years of goo, not because it was leaking or cracked.

My bird IS the word > My bird IS the word 08/30/2017 at 12:43

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Well then, maybe they should have used that type of plastic then.

My bird IS the word > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/30/2017 at 12:44

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I saved forever so I could buy a low mileage car that wouldn’t suffer these kinds of problems. NOPE!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > My bird IS the word 08/30/2017 at 12:48

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I recommend changing the flex plate anyway. Odds are it’ll probably work fine, but the chipped teeth are an invitation for the starter to knock off a few more if it happens to engage at the right (wrong) spot.

It’s a lot better to do it now while you’ve got the engine out. You need at least 2 people and a couple jacks to replace it with the engine and transmission still in the car, and you have to undo all the bellhousing bolts anyway. Also you need mostly intact teeth because you have to turn the engine over one tooth at a time to get at the bolts. If you’ve chewed a bit enough section out you’re fucked—the engine has to come out again.

Oh, and make triple sure you get the right size plate—that’s why we had to do this in the first place. Fought it for a couple hours for something that would have taken a couple minutes.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > My bird IS the word 08/30/2017 at 12:52

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Shoulda gone for a later car with an N18 or maybe an R53.

My bird IS the word > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 08/30/2017 at 12:53

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ATP makes one for 34$, so I might just have to. 100$+ is a bit too steep right now.

My bird IS the word > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/30/2017 at 12:54

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They were too expensive at the time. I should have waited a year and bought a fiesta ST when the used prices dropped.

Party-vi > My bird IS the word 08/30/2017 at 12:56

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Hey now, plastic water pump parts are an excellent idea, right up until they explode and clog your engine.

~Bitter E46 owner

My bird IS the word > Party-vi 08/30/2017 at 12:58

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Weight reduction! Or something.

Hey, you know what has it’s original water pump AND thermostat! my garbage rusted 1979 trans am! Both were working when I took them out too!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > My bird IS the word 08/30/2017 at 13:00

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Highly recommend it. Changing that thing was a MASSIVE pain in the ass.

diplodicus > My bird IS the word 08/30/2017 at 13:53

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Production costs really.

crowmolly > My bird IS the word 08/30/2017 at 14:01

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Replacing a Mini with a wonky thermostat housing with....

a stepchild f-body that is known for all kinds of questionable decisions, such as reverse flow cooling (complete with two bleeder screws!) an optispark, a water pump that’s designed in a way that it drips on said opti, 7.5" rear, unique T56 and clutch design... etc... let’s just say corners were cut. Plus the parts is supply getting dried up and many tuners are no longer touching LT1s.
 

Keep in mind I very much like this gen and have owned one.

The adult in me laughs and says hell no. The OPPO says go for it immediately.

My bird IS the word > crowmolly 08/30/2017 at 15:07

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Lol I’m being a bit trite, I just don’t want a 2013 ford fiesta which is about the only decent car I could trade this for. I worry that this is going to cost big money if I keep it.