Recent content by CCDave

After doing a bit of reading I learned that these ignition coils have oil inside them to help keep them cool.

I'm cleaning up the coil/igniter assembly from my 87 22RET and noticed 2 things. 1) After cleaning the coil, it sounds like some fluid (water?) is on the inside when I shake it. Did I screw it up by getting water on the inside? 2) There is a bare wire crimped to the small bracket attached...

Thanks! I don't know if I have to, but I avoid dipping non-metal parts just to be safe. I carefully disassemble parts to separate the metal from non-metal, but if that's not possible I keep the non-metal out of the chemical clean and acid baths. If you're considering plating your own parts...

Exhaust Manifold Gasket With the timing chain guide needing replaced I decided to pull the head and get it inspected. I pulled the exhaust manifold yesterday (yes, I'm working slow on this project) and I found the front forward-most bolt was not tight and would not tighten. Here's a photo of...

For troubleshooting a cold start issue, start by checking the ohms on the cold start time switch (brown one under the water neck in your last photo). Also check the ohms on the Cold Start Injector. More info on both of these tests are here: LC ENGINEERING Tech Notes

Timing Chain Guide Finally Gave Out Started hearing an unusual knock and an idling problem about a week ago so I pulled the valve cover to inspect the valve clearances and timing chain. The valves are good, but the plastic timing chain guide finally gave out. Short video: Broken Timing Chain...

Do you have a manual? I would first look to see if it just needed a minor adjustment in the linkage that runs from the shifter to the trans.

Thanks! I read that the original factory finish on parts in the engine bay will last 3 to 5 years, after which the finish (not the metal) will begin to oxidize or wear down. I'm not sure how accurate this is, so curious if anyone has any experience with this. The before and after of the...

Another round of plating and detailing Another round of electroplating old parts. Finished the Cruise Control Actuator parts, EFI Resistor bracket, Charcoal Cannister bracket, and various bolts, screws, and clamps. Some Before and After shots. The one clamp had such a buildup of grime that I...

Thanks. I was surprised how accessible the back section of the frame, etc. became after removing the brackets and bumper. It made it much easier to check everything out and do the work.

The frame is in good shape, but could use a clean up and fresh paint. I dropped the spare and removed the spare brackets, bumper and it's brackets, tailpipe hanger, hitch, and mud flaps. Brushed and sanded the parts and the frame from the diff back, then applied POR-15 treatment to everything...

That's interesting. 20 lbs is not much, but if you had to zero out the net increase of 20 pounds, you could put 3 fewer gallons of gas in your tank; carry one less case of beer, water, soda; swap in a fiberglass hood or fender; ... ;):

Thanks. I have to give credit to Caswell Plating for their efforts in developing the kits/products and writing a detail manual to help newbies like myself start tinkering with electroplating.

Thanks. Yeah. There's more (darker) yellow the longer the part is submerged in the yellow cadmium. I'm still learning what the variables are, for example 5 seconds was good for one part, but a second or two too long for another part. Possible variables that I'll play around with might be the...

Thanks. “OCD”ave. I love it!