Automotive & Mechanical

I knew this was going to happen sooner than later. I just knew it. If you remember back when I purchased this latest vehicle, I told you that I had a nice, heavy duty trailer hitch installed. I even took a picture of it for display on this blog. Well, that trailer hitch has been […]

This was an unexpected little scene that occurred on our way back from Costco this afternoon. While driving down 91 south, towards Hartford (in the HOV lane – luckily) today, we saw some signs lit up warning us of an accident further south, near Interstate 84. I didn’t really think anything of it, because the […]

Yesterday, I was out cruising around when a funny thing happened. The gas warning light came on. I knew I was running low and that I needed to fill up. It’s not so strange that the gas light went on…that’s happened a million times to me. I really hate to stop for gas. The strange […]

Yesterday, I had to run out to Home Depot to get some stuff for a little project I was working on (I’ll tell you about it in the next post). While making my list, I remembered that I needed some saw blades for my reciprocating saw. Remember me telling you about that in the “Replacing […]

Did I ever get to wash the car yesterday? No, I didn’t. We had to drive to Foxwoods in a dirty car. Oh well. I did, however, get to use my new water spicket setup this morning. After I finished up some work and since the sun was shining, I thought it would be a […]

Oh, this is a good one. So I was sitting here yesterday, nice and peacefully, working away when I received a phone call from my better half. She told me that the exhaust on her 1999 Honda Civic had fallen down and was dragging on the road. I asked if the open side was facing […]

I recently made a little vow to myself that I would try to learn more about this BMW iDrive that I encounter every time I drive around. It is quite the computer system and it has a lot to offer. The only problem is that it has a lot to offer. I know, I just […]

After I returned the humidifier yesterday, I had planned on picking up a little shop vac. I clean the pellet stove pretty regularly and am currently using the regular house vacuum cleaner to suck up all the stray ashes. I don’t think that’s a great idea, since ash is probably the world’s dirtiest thing. Well, […]

Rarely, have I seen such a dirty car. I mean, I have seen those trucks where someone drew “WASH ME” on the back lift gate, but still, my car was pretty dirty. Today, we had to run out to get a few items at the store. I have been meaning to wash the car for […]

When I got in the car this afternoon after playing tennis, I was surprised to read this coming from the car computer: “Low tire pressure. Stop carefully. For Run Flat tires with “RSC” symbol, you can continue driving with max. 50mph (80km/h).” Also, there were a few warnings near the gauges… This caught me a […]

When I went and bought this car, I knew I wanted the “xDrive, intelligent all-wheel-drive,” but never really thought I would use it. At this point in the season, I am beginning to see how it can be handy to have around. I got a great idea around 7PM this evening. I was getting hungry […]

I really didn’t want to make the call this morning, but the predicted snow for tomorrow is steadily creeping up on me. If you remember back a few months, I told you that I had only one more thing to buy…a snowblower. I planned for it and expected to get it in October. Then, I […]

Now, I know this isn’t nearly as exciting as politics, but it’s important nonetheless. I got a trailer hitch. I went over to Home Depot the other day with another $100 gift card that I earned from my debit/credit card points. I wanted to pick up some stakes for the new baby pine trees that […]

As you may have noticed, the last post I wrote about the 2008 BMW X5 was kind of vague. Also, I included photos of a car that was in the showroom. What I would like to introduce tonight is the car I actually bought. It took a few days for the dealer to get their […]

Hey, remember that time I told you about how I got frustrated because I couldn’t fit anything (like furniture) into my car? Well, if you don’t, you can read about it right here. It was just a few days ago. Well, after that night, I started thinking. Then, I started driving. After that, I started […]

I must say, this John Deere ride-on mower has been a real treat to work with. What once took half a day to do, now takes a mere 45 minutes. I cut at 3.5 inches and everything is working out smoothly. Also, I now longer sweat like a pig while mowing the lawn. Well, the […]

I have been wanting a vise for a long time now. Picture me trying to sharpen a lawnmower blade while stepping on it on top of a cardboard box. Yeah, I have been wanting a vise. Every time I have checked for the vise I wanted at Home Depot, they were out. This has been […]

Today was another day of running around. I had to head up to Tile America in West Hartford to meet the tile installer. After that, I had to go over to Pat’s Power Equipment in Tolland for a new backpack blower. I am sure I will write all about the tile in another post. Now, […]

Up to yesterday, I have had this gift card that Laura gave me for Christmas burning a hole in my pocket. She told me it was for a tool, not for some basic supplies like molding or something like that. By the way, how the heck do you spell molding? I have found it “Molding” […]

Due to popular demand (actually, Paul was the only one who said there were no pictures), I am writing a post with some photos of the new car. Last night was just too dark when I got home to grab anything. I called the neighbor, Tim, to come out and look at the beast. The […]

Hey, remember that time I wrote a post about Jeff’s 1970 351 Cleveland engine rebuild in his Ford Mustang Mach 1? Yeah, those were the good old days, weren’t they? Man oh man… Oh well. Anyway, he got the engine block back from the machine shop with a pretty little bow on it. I just […]

My brother has gotten to the point of rebuilding the engine of his 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1. The engine is a 1970 351 Cleveland that was built on Aug 10, 1969. That’s a pretty long time ago. I gave Jeff a call yesterday and he told me about what he was doing. I got […]

I am all about getting the good stuff these days. I don’t know anyone who can dispute the fact that working with quality tools is better than working with cheap ones. Tool manufacturers do a very good job of making “good” tools feel really nice in your hands. There is a big difference. Yesterday, I […]

After I changed the oil in my car this afternoon, I had a nagging little chore to get finished up. It’s like one of those things you keep saying to yourself, “Oh man, I forgot to do that again.” I had to pull out the motorcycle, add fuel stabilizer to the gas and take it […]

Oh, what a day. Have I ever told you that I hate wind? I never used to until we bought a house. I am sure you can guess why. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, I was going to go out and do some routine maintenance on my 1998 Honda Accord, which I did. I changed […]

I went to the auto parts store yesterday to get some oil, an oil filter, some windshield washer fluid and an air tank. I have wanted an air tank for some time because I am getting a little sick of filling things up with a bicycle tire pump. I went to AutoZone in Beacon, NY […]

This is pretty cool. Last night, I picked up a new Dremel 400 Series XPR Rotary Tool from Lowes. I needed this because I bought new switches, GFCI and covers for the bathroom project. The plates are a little too wide for some of the tile, so I need to grind the tile down. The […]

Earlier this week, I bought two new car stereos…one for Laura and one for me. The Sirius satellite receiver I got for her a few years ago is pooping out, so I decided to upgrade her with a satellite ready deck and a new satellite tuner. I still need to order the tuner, so she […]

Jeff sent me a few photos of the most recent transition of his 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1. I have been a very bad brother and haven’t posted them. I blame my selfish greed for this. I will try to do better in the future. Ok, so here they are… July 21-22 Here are photos […]

If I had to guess, which I do, which replacement part of a car is most overlooked, I would say the rear brakes. I say this because I always overlook them. I do this probably because the front brakes do something like 70% of the braking action. I have changed the front brakes on almost […]

Jeff sent me a few updated photos of the restoration of his 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Ok, here goes… …attached are the pix of the front end. It’s lined up (well the best its gonna get for this). The inner structure is all welded in. Now, it ready for a complete clean up and […]

Rob gave me a call yesterday to let me know that he was heading over to Craig’s yard to install some electrical stuff. He said that he would be there, along with Craig and another dude, Greg. Craig and Greg were going to be pulling a Cummins engine out of a Mack truck to put […]

I received an email yesterday from Jeff the man. He had a very important update on the 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 for me to place on the blog. Here goes… The rear photos were taken on June 2, 2007. Now, the entire rear is welded together. The roof is also stripped to bare metal […]

Remember when I told you about how I was having a problem with my lawnmower? If I remember correctly, I told you that I would let you know how it goes when I received the replacement lawn mower parts. So, here I am. I received all the parts last week and put the lawnmower back […]

It’s that time of year again for my lawn mower tune up…wait, what am I talking about? I have never tuned up my lawn mower, or any lawn mower for that matter. Gee, I wonder why they all seem to run like crap after a few years. My current lawn mower has a Briggs & […]

So this is a pretty exciting time during any automobile restoration. Basically, your car is stripped down and looking very uninspiring…then comes the quarter panels. It can make a real difference in the way the car looks. Here are some photos of the left quarter panel getting glued and welded on the 1970 Ford Mustang […]

Well someone was pretty busy yesterday. I think Jeff is a very happy man, now that he has somewhere to post all his Ford Mustang photos and brag about all his hard work. Anyway, here are a few more photos of yesterday’s work: – The driver’s side door was temporarily hung on vehicle to check […]

More work completed on Jeff G’s 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1. The photos of the rust hole on the lower lock pillar was cut out and a patch panel welded in on May 3rd. I will post a “completed” photo in the next post. The photos of the door skin replacement was done on May […]

Jeff has done some handywork on the 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Here is the list of updates: The rear sheetmetal was temporarily hung for alignments of both proper gaps and proper fit. Lots of vise-grips! – New quarter panels were hung – Rear window filler was installed – Outer wheelhouses were hung – Trunk […]

Who da man? I’ll tell you…Jeff’s the man. I am trying to diversify these blog posts with something more than my own exciting life. I think you are in for a treat with this. My brother, Jeff, recently purchased a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 in somewhat of a compromised condition. Obviously, this car is […]

What a nice day for a ride. Pulling my bike out from the basement and giving it a good wash was on my agenda for the weekend. I would say it hit about 80 degrees today. Not bad for the 22nd of April. Well, that’s what my thermometer said in the shade. I got my […]