My look on cars has become a very complex and deep. To me, a car is not just a machine. It is a living thing. It has parts just like us. Think about it. The engine has the same qualities as a heart. Air is the blood. Air gets sucked in and pumped back out. Okay, so it doesn't go through the whole car like the blood does our body, but it is close enough. The ECU would be the brain and the wires would be nerves. Everything else is obvious.
As I work on O-Ren, I feel like a little bit of my spirit is going into her. Cooky? Yeah, but it is hard to compare her before and after and not think that. She tries to start on her own for God's sakes! Tell me that isn't just a little bit weird.
What else are cars to me? Art. A stock car is a blank canvas waiting for you to paint a portrait of who you are. Everyone is different. Which is why I get pissy when people insult other people's cars. It is like insulting a painting. Don't do it. It is a form of expression. Don't be a jackass.
The next time you look at you car, try and see what I mean. Or be a douche and just go eat Wendy's. Whatever.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
O-Ren is now a grocery getter!
Yes! Finally the time has come for O-Ren to be driven around town! We fixed the CV Axle on Saturday. It took a whopping 3 hours. It was easy peasy. I still have grease on my arms. For the life of me I can't get it off. I have tried Gojo, dishwashing liquid, and manly body wash.
Back to the point, O-Ren is functioning and I am a proud mamma!
Back to the point, O-Ren is functioning and I am a proud mamma!
Monday, October 29, 2012
What it is like to be a grease monkey bride
My sweet wonderful Ethan proposed on the 20th of October. I cried and said yes of course. I have been wanting to marry him since our first date. Our wedding is going to be September the 14th of next year and I am already planning everything.
I also have to squeeze Oren into the picture as well. I still have to replace her cv axle,and her tires,as well as her shifter bushings. I was so close to being able to afford her tires, but then I found my dress. Oh,it is so beautiful. I had to snag it because it was an as is, first come,first serve. I had to think fast while I still had it on. "O-Ren will understand", I thought to myself as I gave the lady a $70 deposit. She will have to deal. I needed that dress,dammit! There are only two bridal shops in Meridian and one of them was closed. I had no choice!
I find myself pushing O-Ren on the sidelines right now. Instead of putting the normal 50 bucks in the piggy bank, I am putting in 20. She is going to have to be patient. It is just for a little while.
Do I feel bad? Hell no. This wedding is damn important and I have been wanting it for a while now. I love O-Ren, but I love Ethan waaay more. He is the peanut butter to my jelly. We are two geeks in an escape pod. This wedding has to be perfect.
I can find a way to balance the wedding and fixing O-Ren. It is going to work out. I am up for the challenge and when I do it successfully, I am going to write a book.
I also have to squeeze Oren into the picture as well. I still have to replace her cv axle,and her tires,as well as her shifter bushings. I was so close to being able to afford her tires, but then I found my dress. Oh,it is so beautiful. I had to snag it because it was an as is, first come,first serve. I had to think fast while I still had it on. "O-Ren will understand", I thought to myself as I gave the lady a $70 deposit. She will have to deal. I needed that dress,dammit! There are only two bridal shops in Meridian and one of them was closed. I had no choice!
I find myself pushing O-Ren on the sidelines right now. Instead of putting the normal 50 bucks in the piggy bank, I am putting in 20. She is going to have to be patient. It is just for a little while.
Do I feel bad? Hell no. This wedding is damn important and I have been wanting it for a while now. I love O-Ren, but I love Ethan waaay more. He is the peanut butter to my jelly. We are two geeks in an escape pod. This wedding has to be perfect.
I can find a way to balance the wedding and fixing O-Ren. It is going to work out. I am up for the challenge and when I do it successfully, I am going to write a book.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
New Engine Project
I have decided to get a used, and hopefully blown engine to fix while I am at my Nan's house. I want it to be small so it won't be in the way,and I need it to be easy to get cheap parts for.
I have been looking online and it seems the best way to go about it is to go back to the U-Pull It in Mobile. My choices are either the 1.8 L BP engine for the Mazda Miata, or something smaller. I really wouldn't mind having an engine for a Miata. Later on I could buy a shell and put the BP in it. There are too many 4 cylinders to choose from. So many possibilities. I wouldn't mind working on a rotary engine and see how it works.
I am having issues trying to find what I really want. Even if we do go down to Mobile, it is going to be a challenge to bring it back to Meridian. Perhaps I need something smaller and easier to get. I need suggestions....anyone?
I have been looking online and it seems the best way to go about it is to go back to the U-Pull It in Mobile. My choices are either the 1.8 L BP engine for the Mazda Miata, or something smaller. I really wouldn't mind having an engine for a Miata. Later on I could buy a shell and put the BP in it. There are too many 4 cylinders to choose from. So many possibilities. I wouldn't mind working on a rotary engine and see how it works.
I am having issues trying to find what I really want. Even if we do go down to Mobile, it is going to be a challenge to bring it back to Meridian. Perhaps I need something smaller and easier to get. I need suggestions....anyone?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Why the future scares me
I just read an article talking about new advances toward better fuel efficiency. One of these was electronic valve timing. Basically the intake valve is digitally controlled to open and close. I have this bad habit of cringing whenever I see the word electronic in anything that is related to engines and car components. Why? Because they can mess up. When they mess up they cost a tit and an arm to replace.
Now they are talking about having cars that drive themselves. Who thought this was a good idea?? What the hell is the point of that?? Why not just hire a driver? Or ride the bus? Who doesn't think of Terminator when they see that? Or that story of Stephen King's where the cars take over the world! That shit is happening now! It scares me.
I know my imagination is that of a 7 year old boys, but I mean it really isn't that far fetched. To me at least. I have also noticed how expensive the electrical crap is. It is redonk. I have been told you can bypass these sensors, but what is the point? Why not just get an older car? They are way cooler. Who wants a car that makes fake engine noises? Yeah there is such thing.
Maybe I am just a cranky old lady.
Now they are talking about having cars that drive themselves. Who thought this was a good idea?? What the hell is the point of that?? Why not just hire a driver? Or ride the bus? Who doesn't think of Terminator when they see that? Or that story of Stephen King's where the cars take over the world! That shit is happening now! It scares me.
I know my imagination is that of a 7 year old boys, but I mean it really isn't that far fetched. To me at least. I have also noticed how expensive the electrical crap is. It is redonk. I have been told you can bypass these sensors, but what is the point? Why not just get an older car? They are way cooler. Who wants a car that makes fake engine noises? Yeah there is such thing.
Maybe I am just a cranky old lady.
Monday, October 1, 2012
The Suzuki Sidekick- My childhood
When I was in elementary school I remember the day when my mom went to go get the Suzuki Sidekick. It was love at first sight and I remember I liked the way it smelled. It is the only car I remember riding in other than my dad's Suzuki that he had. So many memories.
We lived on a mountain near Estes Park, Colorado. Every winter was an adventure getting down the hill. The Suzuki or Bessie, as my mom called her, was a trooper. She would get stuck, but not once did she ever give up. She also had a very good heater.
We would jam out to Duran Duran and Sheryl Crow. Even some Def Leopard. Totally kick ass cassette tape collection. As years went by Bessie got older and we started to refer to her as the booty wagon.
My uncle now owns her and she is used for mud riding. How I weep for that car. It is the time capsule to my many childhood thoughts on the way to and from school. Memories on wheels. I will always have a soft spot for Suzukis. I love you Bessie!
We lived on a mountain near Estes Park, Colorado. Every winter was an adventure getting down the hill. The Suzuki or Bessie, as my mom called her, was a trooper. She would get stuck, but not once did she ever give up. She also had a very good heater.
We would jam out to Duran Duran and Sheryl Crow. Even some Def Leopard. Totally kick ass cassette tape collection. As years went by Bessie got older and we started to refer to her as the booty wagon.
My uncle now owns her and she is used for mud riding. How I weep for that car. It is the time capsule to my many childhood thoughts on the way to and from school. Memories on wheels. I will always have a soft spot for Suzukis. I love you Bessie!
The heart of O-Ren beats again!
I have had my Mazda MX-3 for over a year now and it has been a long journey for the both of us. We have fixed her before, but somehow the timing ended up being off by two degrees. This wasn't found out until this past weekend.
Friday night Ethan and I installed the new distributor and cold air intake that I got. We had to use my iphone as a light which was fun. I was so sure that was going to fix the problem and she would start, but it didn't. She was trying so hard too. It broke my heart and I felt defeated. That was the last part I could think of to replace. Ethan said the only thing it could be was the timing, but it was so unlikely that it got messed up. After that I was determined to get her running. I knew right then and there that the next day I was going to be turning wrenches.
The next day was a busy one. We took off the serpentine belts and the crankshaft pulley. Then we lined the timing up and proceeded to put her back together.We had to compress the tensioner with a scissor jack and the porch.Can I just say that whoever thought of putting the hole for the pin on my belt tensioner in the way of the bolt needs to be punched in the face. We ended up going to Advanced Auto Parts three times to find the right pin and in the end it got stuck. Yet again we were defeated. The sun was going down and it started to rain. On the way to the house we found the original pin laying on the ground. It is like someone was screwing with us. "Oh, hell! Here you go! Here is the pin. Just take it!"
I woke up sore as hell the next day, but still as determined as I was before. I knew it was supposed to rain all day, so the window that we had where it was clear that morning needed to be used to finish up.
We had 20 minutes before it started pouring on us. I still was going strong. I wanted O-Ren fixed that day before I had to leave. It got to where I couldn't see anything I was doing. All I needed to do was tighten the last belt and put the tire back on, but the rain was so bad we had to stop. We were both completely soaked when we went inside. The three hours we had to wait were by far the longest hours I have ever experienced in my whole life. I couldn't think about anything else. Finally when the rain stopped we went back out.
As soon as we stepped outside and proceeded to fix the belt back it started to rain again. We kept on, cursing the rain the whole time. The tire was so much fun to put back on. The soil was muddy and the jack stands had sunk, so we had to work with that for a while. Finally she was ready. Ethan and I were on pins and needles when he turned the key and when she started I jumped for joy. I was so happy. She was fixed again.
My little Mazda has been through so much shit and I have spent so much time on her because she deserves it. I am proud that she soldiers on. All we have to fix now is the idle problem, her tires, the shifter bushings and the cv axle. Ethan says the axle is going to be a bitch, but we can do it. I am so glad just to see her out of that rut in the backyard. The journey is far from over, but this one victory is very, very sweet.
Friday night Ethan and I installed the new distributor and cold air intake that I got. We had to use my iphone as a light which was fun. I was so sure that was going to fix the problem and she would start, but it didn't. She was trying so hard too. It broke my heart and I felt defeated. That was the last part I could think of to replace. Ethan said the only thing it could be was the timing, but it was so unlikely that it got messed up. After that I was determined to get her running. I knew right then and there that the next day I was going to be turning wrenches.
The next day was a busy one. We took off the serpentine belts and the crankshaft pulley. Then we lined the timing up and proceeded to put her back together.We had to compress the tensioner with a scissor jack and the porch.Can I just say that whoever thought of putting the hole for the pin on my belt tensioner in the way of the bolt needs to be punched in the face. We ended up going to Advanced Auto Parts three times to find the right pin and in the end it got stuck. Yet again we were defeated. The sun was going down and it started to rain. On the way to the house we found the original pin laying on the ground. It is like someone was screwing with us. "Oh, hell! Here you go! Here is the pin. Just take it!"
I woke up sore as hell the next day, but still as determined as I was before. I knew it was supposed to rain all day, so the window that we had where it was clear that morning needed to be used to finish up.
We had 20 minutes before it started pouring on us. I still was going strong. I wanted O-Ren fixed that day before I had to leave. It got to where I couldn't see anything I was doing. All I needed to do was tighten the last belt and put the tire back on, but the rain was so bad we had to stop. We were both completely soaked when we went inside. The three hours we had to wait were by far the longest hours I have ever experienced in my whole life. I couldn't think about anything else. Finally when the rain stopped we went back out.
As soon as we stepped outside and proceeded to fix the belt back it started to rain again. We kept on, cursing the rain the whole time. The tire was so much fun to put back on. The soil was muddy and the jack stands had sunk, so we had to work with that for a while. Finally she was ready. Ethan and I were on pins and needles when he turned the key and when she started I jumped for joy. I was so happy. She was fixed again.
My little Mazda has been through so much shit and I have spent so much time on her because she deserves it. I am proud that she soldiers on. All we have to fix now is the idle problem, her tires, the shifter bushings and the cv axle. Ethan says the axle is going to be a bitch, but we can do it. I am so glad just to see her out of that rut in the backyard. The journey is far from over, but this one victory is very, very sweet.
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