She is called The Bright Blue Beast because when I first got her 2 years ago, she had a terrible exhaust system and blew two head gaskets causing a beast-like smell and film. The head gaskets were not my fault, I swear. My son put in a thermostat wrong on the first. The auto parts store gave me a head gasket for some other model the second time. Anyway, my students laugh when I tell them about my car, so I decided to give her a name.

She'd been abused and neglected before meeting me. I have been slowly restoring various things on her. Currently, I am rebuilding parts of the engine. I have cleaned, honed, and lubed as much as has been possible. I replaced the piston rings, oil pump, water pump, belts, various gaskets, and am currently attempting to replace the rod bearings. I have not had much luck with the bearings fit correctly (with the correct oil clearances). I've never done the lower part of an engine, so this is new.

Because I am not a mechanic by trade and am relying on what I've done in the past, my previously learned knowledge from my step-dad, what I read in the manual, and my friend who has a shop and lets me use what I don't have, I sometimes have questions about things I've not encountered in the past.

Sometimes, I mess up on stupid things, because I am not thinking right, but will listen to what is told to make it right. I am the first to admit when I make a mistake. I make them daily.

I ask that anyone who replies to me, please know that I am trying to learn and may misunderstand things. I do have vast knowledge about how vehicles work, but don't spend everyday at the garage, so sometimes the information is pushed into another part of my brain.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Thank you.