Drew Dowdell

It's my site and I'll post where I want to. No, you're right. Moving it.

Project: 1981 Oldsmobile Toronado This is my project thread for restoring my 1981 Oldsmobile Toronado as close to factory as possible. Immediate term: Replace trunk struts - Don't always hold the trunk open. Replace the hood ornament - this wasn't high priority, but current one is cracked and I found one in great condition on ebay for $15 Replace the rear air shocks and springs Diagnose and repair the automatic leveling system (ELC), the compressor doesn't even kick on Fixed, was the ELC relay under the dash. NOS part found on E-bay for $20 Replace the front shocks. Replace the catalytic converter and rebuild the smog equipment Replace the tires. Replace front floor mats. Again, not a high priority but found a proper color NOS set on ebay for $19.99 Replace various burnt out interior bulbs. Replace leaking washer fluid lines. Medium term: P-N-R safety switch... it works, but is flakey, the reverse lights don't always come on. According to my service manual, this could be related to the ELC not working. Remove subwoofer and associated wiring from trunk. The wiring is poorly done. Replace air feeder tube to air filter Replace valve cover gaskets Remove "Thug Bug" aftermarket security system. Return to stock sounding exhaust. I'd like to keep the current configuration with dual pipes, but I prefer my cars quiet. (Exhaust sound as purchased) Replace every vacuum tube EVAR! Replace missing hood insulation pad. Long term: Replace headlight switch. it's operation isn't very smooth. it feels loose in the dash. Diagnose and repair power driver's seat/switches. Only operates in certain directions. Replace power window motors, both sides. Bearing in the driver side motor is squealing. Adjust/Repair/Replace remote mirrors. Mirrors are very loose and require constant adjusting. Make a click free wire wheel. Replace aftermarket stereo/CD player with OE unit. Replace front and rear bumper filler panels. Recover sun visors.

Yeah, I should probably start a Project Toronado thread.....

That noise at the end was me lowering the power window. The exhaust isn't going to stay.

Now that I have the Toronado, I can be a lot less fussy about the truck and the condition it's in.

November timeframe, back in the market for an S-10/Sonoma

Next time I drive through philly, I'm stopping and fixing that for you. REMIND ME.

She's a bit loud

Well, apparently the bailout saved Ford also... but it looks like GM is going to get most, if not all, of the money back to the taxpayers.

Welcome back. Ocnblu is still hanging around. We have a new feature called "Member Garage" where you can upload your ride. We also are getting cars from the Ford and GM press fleets to do our own reviews..... which reminds me, I have to finish that Malibu review tonight.

Get sealed burners though.

Unreliable junk, sexy lawn ornaments?

How many of that 1.4 million are Sprinter Vans or A-classes or Benz work trucks or cabs? You'd lose your $h! if Cadillac started marketing a Sprinter Van competitor. And actually Mercedes is 7th in customer loyalty... behind Hyundai, Toyota, Subaru, Ford, Saab, and BMW.

What year did the X-type go out of production again? Oh right.. about 12 months ago.

Oil is frequently more efficient than gas. What sucks is having a big, all at once bill for delivery of oil.

I've certainly considered it, but it's cost prohibitive.

And Benz fields 3 taxi cabs, a mini-van, a military issue truck, 2 mommy mobile crossovers, and a smattering of slow selling convertibles......oh yeah, and a super car that they'll sell 10 of.

I've looked into a tankless system for the house in the event our water heater goes suddenly and you're right that for the money, they aren't a great deal. Part of it is that the new tank water heaters are so much more efficient these days and hold their heat better than ever. That I wish I could do is solar water heat. Our friends in Cologne have that. It even heats their house through radiant floor heating. The only energy they use is for a circulator pump to move the water around. They do have a small tank water heater that can "top up" the water heat if needed on extremely cold days. 66Stang, you can hook me up? We need to do it soon I think. Every fall I do a re-enactment of the Dad from Christmas Story where I go to the basement and beat the thing with a hammer while cursing profusely. After I get it running at the beginning of fall, it's reliable... it's just those first few times it fires up that it needs help.

Well, you can't say that all greening is a bad idea and not cost effective. I spent $1700 (I think, it was 6 year ago) to have blow in insulation put into my house. It made a tremendous difference in both comfort level and gas usage. Once I replace my furnace that was installed in April 1950, I'll probably see another bump down in gas usage and an increase in comfort again.

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Quit fiddling around with the lighting!