Monday, July 30, 2007

What we drove in the 50's and 60's

Ok I didn't drive then but I was born in the 60's . Close enough right? Anyway this is a nicely done musical and photo montage put together by the people from Oldfortyfives.com.

Movie Cars - Herbie


I've loved the "Herbie" movies since I was a kid. Since then I've always wanted one over the years. It mainly be on a back burner until Herbie : Fully Loaded came out a couple of years back and my 5 year old son fell in love with him also. Since then we've got most of the movies on DVD and numerous die cast cars and other collectibles. So it's renewed my goal to acquire one of these cars in the near future. I'd prefer a 60's vintage but I'm not too picky as long it's a vintage beetle. I remember these being everywhere when I was a kid and was perhaps my first dream car.
Herbie was originally a 1963 Volkswagen Model 117 Type1 with Deluxe Sunroof option. Always sporting a California license plate OFP 857. His color is L87 Pearl White sporting red, white and blue stripes with the number 53 on all four sides.

I found this fine example at a local cruise night.

Rear view this beautiful VW Beetle

Some interesting Herbie Websites:

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Checking your Oil

If you own or drive a vehicle this is probably one of the single most important things you can do. To be honest I slack in this department a lot, but I'm working on it. It's a fairly simple but often overlooked task. Here's simple guide how-to:
1. I think the best time to check it is first thing before you use the vehicle for the day. Your oil has had a chance to settle and I think you'll get a better reading too.
2. Park on level ground.
3. Open hood.
4. Pick a well lit spot or use a drop light (or some type of light).
5. Locate your dipstick(no don't go bother your spouse or significant other).It's usually located on the front or side of engine. Most are colored as to make locating easier, in my case it's colored yellow in my Impala.
6. Pull the stick out and wipe clean(old rag or paper towel will do) and reinsert it until it's fully seated.

7. Pull it back out and check it. Your oil level should be between the two marks on the dipstick. If it's below the mark add 1 quart of oil. Even if it appears that your 1 or more low only add one at a time. Give oil a few minutes to settle in the engine before checking again. It may even be a good idea to take a spin for few minutes and then checking the oil again after it settles.
8. This is also a good time to to check your oil filler cap if the gasket is worn or brittle it may allow oil fumes and oil to escape. If so replace as soon as possible.
9. If you need to add oil it's a good idea to use a funnel as to avoid spills onto your engine or exhaust.
10. Replace your filler cap, dipstick and clean up any excess oil.

That's it and your ready to roll. You can't check your oil enough. If your vehicle is fairly new and running well once a month should be fine. If not check it weekly or as much as you feel you need to. Some oil use is to be expected even in the best running engines. If you feel your adding too much oil between changes have your trusty auto mechanic check it out as it may be a sign of a more serious problem. Thank you and happy motoring!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Oil Change Interval

I see a lot of questions on Yahoo Answers! about oil change interval. Some people are giving out poor advice about intervals, what kind of oil to use(synthetic vs. mineral). Here's a nice article from Yahoo Auto's that's good read. Personally I shoot for the 3000 mile change between oil and filter change. I used to be lazy about in my younger years but now since vehicles aren't cheap and and I need our family cars to last longer with fewer repairs(hopefully). I've become more religious about it and encourage other's to do the same. I've got my sister on the ball with hers along with my wife's car. I could almost open a business with it. Anyway here's the article. It's a good read.

Bob


How to live past 150,000 (miles, that is)

If your like me you'd like your vehicle(or vehicles) to last as long as possible. With these handy tips you can help your baby last well beyond the 150k mark. My 2000 Impala recently hit the 100k mark and the next goal is 150k. Here's an article from the folks at About.com:How to live past 150,000 (miles, that is)

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

K&N Air Filter

In the previous post it mentions installing a K&N Air filter. I do have one of these in my 2000 Chevrolet Impala LS. Actually this is the fourth car I've had it installed with. I do like them and at the very least they do save you money changing out air filters all the time. Which saves on the environment( a big catch phrase these days). All you have to do is clean them periodically (recharging as K&N puts it). The recharging kit is only about $12 or so (usually) available at your local auto parts store or online. The OEM type fits into normal filter so there is no special installation required . Also before tthere are many misconceptions about this though K&N does say it boosts your horsepower keep in mind that your probably not going to notice much performance gain. I believe they do help and are better than traditional air filters and will save you on gas too. To find out more you can visit the K&N website. Also you can check out this article from About.com . I'll be doing a future article on cleaning them in the near future so stay tuned.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Top 10 Fuel Saving Tips




Monday, July 16, 2007

2004 Chevrolet Impala Oil Change

Well I did my sister's oil change yesterday on her 2004 Chevy Impala with a 3.4 liter V6. I bought the parts at AutoZone . Oil filter ACDelco PF47 and 5 quarts of 10W-30(Coastal). Steps in the process:

1.Getting access to oil pan and filter - I generally use a set of steel ramps for this. After guiding the car up onto the ramps I set the emergency brake and placed wheel chock in back of the rear tires to prevent movement.

Oil filter accessible between front engine mounts

2.Locating drain plug and oil filter - I have a 2000 Impala but it has a 3.8liter V6 so the set up is a little different. The drain plug was in it's normal area but the filter was in a different spot. In this case it was located on the front of the engine. Though it was accessible from underneath I decided it was easier (and less messy ) to be able to reach from the top. It is reachable between the top front engine mounts. GM engineers decided to place some wires just underneath the oil filter with no slack. I covered them with a rag as to not coat the wires in oil.3. Draining the oil - I placed a drain pan underneath the oil pan.Using the ratchet and 13mm socket. I loosened the drain plug and and took off the drain plug and let the oil drain out.
4. Oil Filter removal - After the oil was drained I moved pan underneath where the filter is located.Using a medium size wrap around oil filter wrench I proceeded to remove oil filter. Trying to take care enough to minimize oil spillage. Being accessible from the top was definitely a plus.


Old(right) filter and new(left).

5. Oil filter and drain plug installation - Now I took the new filter(ACDelco PF47) and primed it. Meaning I filled it about halfway and applied some new oil to the ring. Priming it gives the oil a head start to the bearings when the engine is first started. An engine is most vulnerable when first starting and this will help.I screw on the filter until it makes full contact then snug it up with the wrench (usually about 3/4 turn is recommended). Installed the drain plug and tightened up firmly but, not too much as not to ruin the threads or damage the gasket.

6. Add oil - I then filled up with 10W-30 oil which is recommended for this engine. Taking care enough to avoid spillage. Then after replacing the oil cap when done I started engine up and checked for leaks. Also rechecked the oil level and then everything was done(aside from cleanup).

That's it. I'll probably see this again in about 3000 miles and do it over again.

Note , 7/11/09: I've updated the socket size (13mm) and I used a Purolator One Oil Filter PL10111 on latest oil change today.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Oil Change Shopping list

What I'll be shopping for at the local AutoZone :
  • Oil Filter AC-Delco PF47S - $3.99
  • Oil Drain Plug - MotorMite - 365454- $1.99
  • Oil drain plug gasket - Motormite - 366451- $0.69
  • 10W-30 (5 quarts)

Oil Change prep

One might say reading up for an oil change. Well not all the time but after reading "Lube,Oil & Chassis Service" by By Michael Bishop and Dennis Holmes . I was able to pick up some good tips pointers. I recommend it.Also one should check your owners manual for oil recommendation and also a repair manual can come in handy too. I'll have more details and some photo's afterward.

Friday, July 13, 2007

More photo's on Flickr

More of my photo's can be found on Flickr.

Oil Change tomorrow


My sister has asked me to change her oil in her 2004 Chevrolet Impala this weekend. I'm going to try and take some pictures and go over it step by step. It's equipped with a 3.4 liter V6. It actually takes the same filter(AC/Delco PF47) as my 2000 Impala LS(pictured above) with a 3.8 liter V6.I usually change mine as the recommended 3000 mile interval.Here's an interesting article I found on recommended oil change intervals.

How often should I change my oil? (from Yahoo Auto's)

Technorati Profile

Technorati Profile

Thursday, July 12, 2007

2007 Chevrolet Silverado Promo


The 2007 Silverado has a Transformers touch at the beginning. Click on picture to see.

"Bumblebee" Camaro from the Transformers Movie on Ebay


I noticed this on Ebay(kind of hard to miss on the home page, lol). I love this car already. Haven't seen the movie yet. I'm in love with this 1977 Chevrolet Camaro. I have a a feeling Camaro's are going to be cool again.To see the Ebay listing click here.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

1971 Plymouth Fury III

I saw this on Craigslist. I remember My grandfather having one of these. His was what I would describe as a forest green. If only I wasn't so broke I'd make an offer.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

1993 Lincoln Mark VIII Prototype

This is an interesting concept. A disappearing door on 93 Lincoln. Has to be seen to believe.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Fred Thompson Fact

Kids, don't be scared of the monster in your closet; it's only trying to hide from Fred Thompson.

Movie Review #1 - American Graffiti

American Graffiti

"I just love the feel of tuck and roll upholstery."
- Debbie to Terry

Where were you in '62? Quite frankly I wasn't even born yet. One cannot start off automobile related movies without perhaps the one the rest are compared to. This was George Lucas's masterpiece prior to Star Wars. I've never quite get too tired of watching this one. Between the cars, music, story and humor of a group of teenagers together one last time on late summer evening back in 1962. If your a car buff and love 50's nostalgia this is a must see movie. Did I mention I love this movie? If you don't have it go rent it or buy it you won't be disappointed.

Official Website
Unofficial Website