Recent content by zmotorsports

Thank you Dan.

Thanks Keith. Like you, I love having the top flipped back. I flip it back when driving around town even, but the wife doesn't care for it flipped back unless off-road and then it depends on how much traffic and the dust conditions. If heavy traffic, the top stays up as I try to keep the...

Thank you. Different engine manufacturers and even different configurations within those brands have varying steps or processes for the replacement. You are correct in having the engine at top dead center, most use TDC on Cylinder #1 and replace the chain or sometimes two chains, however, this...

Last of the pictures from last night's work. All of the timing components removed and laid out on the workbench. Next the fun part begins and my least favorite, cleaning sealant off the components. This is probably one of the most critical steps however, because a shoddy job here will almost...

Continuing on. Cam locking plate installed on bank 1 during Stage 2 timing. The flats should be parallel with the head surface and the plate should snap right into position. Although these phasers aren't as loose as some I've seen where the internal locking pin is completely destroyed and...

Back to work on the Buick LaCrosse. To remove the front timing cover, there is a threaded hole that goes into a blind pocket in the block. This is located just above and to the right (if facing) of the water pump, about the 10 o'clock position. I just use the bolt I removed from the...

Yeah, there are some sensors, and on some vehicles, I just insist on using OEM sensors as the ECM doesn't like some of the signals they get from aftermarket ones. On this particular car in my head I just kept going back to those odd looking MAF readings when the car was running. When I found...

Amazing workmanship and what a memorable tribute.

That ***** about the Bel-Metric hose. I have not used their hose, but I love their other products, inventory and customer service, although most of what I order is fasteners and hose clamps. I recently also installed a couple of Corro-Protect powered anodes. We've been using them for a while...

Justin, you mentioned not having good luck using rattle cans, they're not my favorite either, but they ARE convenient. Being a "custom" job, have you thought about investing in a spray gun and some good quality products as they really do make a difference. When I saw the raw aluminum...

Agreed. I will say that in being fair to the owner, I don't think he was questioning me per se, I think he was just asking why I didn't replace the phasers when I told him we had to go back in and do almost the same exact thing as several years ago when I did the chains, tensioners and water...

Similar situation Sterling. You may recall the 2005 Volvo I worked on a couple months back. It kept coming back with intermittent stalling and poor running but no codes. It had been worked on multiple times prior to coming to my shop so after reviewing some data and seeing only a slight...

^^Agreed. Pure artwork.

Exactly Scott. I remember telling the client that I saw no camshaft variation codes before tearing into the timing chain/tensioner job and that while I was in there I physically checked the phasers and saw nothing of concern at that time. While he wasn't complaining about the cost of the...

I guess that's a good point. Maybe it just "feels" like it's more recent and I almost feel guilty having to do this job again for the client. I checked the phasers during the chain/tensioner replacement 30k miles ago but maybe I should have "suggested" he replace the phasers at that point. I...