Author Topic: The Hall Auto Repair Shop and Mopar Hall of Fame (Read 122588 times)

Doug Glendower · « **Reply #90 on:** 24 February 2011, 13:27:32 »

I love Cavalier wagons for simple reasons:

A) I want a small car that's still useful.
B) I want a reliable car, and I think (with past experience) that the 2.8/3.1 V6 is as sound as a pound.
C) Believe it or not, I've had one of these up to 140. :D
D) It's almost a running joke with me, but for some reason the Cavalier's (or god forbid I ever find one) and the Firenza just did it for me.

That said, I like the old Vista Crusiers, the Geo Storm Wagon, the Passat, and that weird Nissan Pulsar NX w/ the wagon back. I also like some sports cars, but their a bit on the odd side too, the Subaru XT and SVX, the Dodge Daytona (oh, god, the IROC), and the last of the Cougars and T-birds.

Wolf Reaper · « **Reply #91 on:** 24 February 2011, 14:49:35 »

For me, the best engine was always GM's 3.8L v-6s. Damn things are bullet-proof. My ex had a cavalier, so can understand the attraction, just was always to small for me. :)

Doug Glendower · « **Reply #92 on:** 24 February 2011, 15:42:17 »

I never could afford to get a Buick 3.8. I liked the Olds 3.4 DOHC, but they made that into a dog when they put it into Camaros and Firebirds.

Mattlov · « **Reply #93 on:** 24 February 2011, 16:48:37 »

Quote from: Wolf Reaper on 24 February 2011, 14:49:35

For me, the best engine was always GM's 3.8L v-6s. Damn things are bullet-proof. My ex had a cavalier, so can understand the attraction, just was always to small for me. :)

That is because the 3.8 WAS bulletproof. When I worked for a Buick/Pontiac dealership we had a magazine that had the best 100 engines of all time. The 3.8 liter Series II V-6 was number EIGHT.

Doesn't sound so impressive if it is number 8? None of the other top 10 were even CAR engines. They were plane and train engines. The next car engine was 14th, IIRC. And it was up high as one of the first "efficient" car engines.

The GM 3.8 is a great engine. It will run forever if you treat it OK, you don't even have to baby it.

Doug Glendower · « **Reply #94 on:** 24 February 2011, 17:01:50 »

I almost had a Pontiac Transport with the 3.8. Damnit, the guy sold it about three hours ago. Wanted 2200 for it, I think I coulda had dad help me swing that. (I got about 1300...)

Wolf Reaper · « **Reply #95 on:** 24 February 2011, 17:20:13 »

I have been driving for about 10-11 years. I have owned 8 cars in that time. 4 of them have had the 3.8L, including my current firebird, and only one of them was lost due to engine problems. And that one I can chaulk up to a cop owning it before me. They will outlast anything if treated with even casual dis-like. I will love this motor till the day I die. Now the Olds 307 V-8......um, no. :)

MoparMessiah · « **Reply #96 on:** 24 February 2011, 21:24:42 »

Quote from: Doug Glendower on 24 February 2011, 02:23:34

According you you cats, mine would apparently be "Dogs Playing Poker".

I don't know why I like Station Wagons...

...but I like Station Wagons. :D

That picture rocks!

And remember I drove a 1968 Dodge Coronet 8 passenger wagon for two months while I waited for my truck to come

MoparMessiah · « **Reply #97 on:** 24 February 2011, 21:37:57 »

Quote from: Wolf Reaper on 24 February 2011, 17:20:13

I have been driving for about 10-11 years. I have owned 8 cars in that time. 4 of them have had the 3.8L, including my current firebird, and only one of them was lost due to engine problems. And that one I can chaulk up to a cop owning it before me. They will outlast anything if treated with even casual dis-like. I will love this motor till the day I die. Now the Olds 307 V-8......um, no. :)

Over the past 30 years I've had 94 cars with engines of 1.3L, 2.2L, 3.0L, 5.0L, 225, 318, 340, 360, 383, 426, and 440CI

Wolf Reaper · « **Reply #98 on:** 24 February 2011, 21:47:46 »

Quote from: MoparMessiah on 24 February 2011, 21:37:57

Over the past 30 years I've had 94 cars with engines of 1.3L, 2.2L, 3.0L, 5.0L, 225, 318, 340, 360, 383, 426, and 440CI

Well your an over-achiever. ;D

Damage Inc. · « **Reply #99 on:** 24 February 2011, 22:21:08 »

I've driven a bunch of cars ranging from 997cc to 440cid. And all from england, too!! ;D ;D ;D

Mattlov · « **Reply #100 on:** 24 February 2011, 22:38:27 »

Smallest engine I have driven was a '92 (I think) Pontiac LeMans with a 1.8 liter. Largest is my current ride, a 6.0 LS2 V-8.

Couple mid-80's 5.0 and 5.7 liter V-8's as well in those wonderful Caprice chassis.

Had a couple V-6's in my day, a 3.1 in my '94 Sunbird, and than another in a Mercury Marquis, but I don't remember the size. I despised that car. What is worse is I had two of them at differing points in my driving career.

Engine I used the longest was the 2.4 liter in my Sunfire GT. I still have a hard time believing I drove that thing for 7 years.

MoparMessiah · « **Reply #101 on:** 24 February 2011, 22:47:44 »

Quote from: Wolf Reaper on 24 February 2011, 21:47:46

Well your an over-achiever. ;D

I was very lucky to have some very understanding parents. :)

greatsarcasmo · « **Reply #102 on:** 24 February 2011, 23:20:47 »

Mopar: I am very envious of your friend. Though if I were allowed my druthers, mine would be Rally Red. I would also settle for a T/A in Plum Crazy--if I had too.

There is an engine superior to the 3.8 in durability, however due to it's size it never saw a lot of love in cars. the 4.9/300 cu.in Ford straight six. MY old roommate ran his POS 80 F150 on a quart of oil for 9 months before it finally died. His parents told him they would give him a newer truck when/if that failed, which was the impetus for such a bone headed move. I have heard from others, similar stories of reliability in the engine. I know for a fact that a 3.8 that has about 2 quarts in it will not make it past the Taco Bell just past the High School. Good thing I had four other people in the car to help me push it back...

Oh and I miss my 1971 New Yorker. 22 feet of Detroit iron and 440 beautiful cubic inches under the hood.

Doug Glendower · « **Reply #103 on:** 25 February 2011, 00:54:14 »

The toughest engine I've ever had was a Dodge 318. I drove half a mile... when it was on fire. (The power steering pump blew out, and covered the block with PS fluid which ignited. :D

We cleaned it off, changed the gaskets just in case, and off that stupid Aspen rolled.)

MoparMessiah · « **Reply #104 on:** 25 February 2011, 10:43:23 »

I've never been able to blow up a Mopar small block - and trust me I've tried

Damage Inc. · « **Reply #105 on:** 25 February 2011, 13:39:42 »

Yeah, no kidding. I was very bad to the 318 in my cuda.

MoparMessiah · « **Reply #106 on:** 25 February 2011, 21:27:31 »

318, 340 and 360s - I've pounded all of them - never a failure

Mattlov · « **Reply #107 on:** 01 March 2011, 16:34:19 »

Sucks having a car built in Australia that isn't produced anymore.

30,000 mile fuel system cleaning, engine tune up, oil change, and new front brakes: $650.

AFTER the $50 in rebates...

I could have doubled that putting the new tires on it...

Damage Inc. · « **Reply #108 on:** 01 March 2011, 20:48:29 »

I don't think that has much to do with the fact that its an out of production car from Oz. My girl has a Malibu, and the service you just did would probably run about the same on it.

MoparMessiah · « **Reply #109 on:** 01 March 2011, 21:28:31 »

No that's crazy high. Why does it need a tune up at 30k?

If it's anything like our Z/28 it required a steady diet of fuel injection cleaner.

I don't understand how that could have added up to $700 [tickedoff]

ShadowRaven · « **Reply #110 on:** 01 March 2011, 21:39:57 »

tune ups? what are those?

MoparMessiah · « **Reply #111 on:** 01 March 2011, 21:53:09 »

Quote from: ShadowRaven on 01 March 2011, 21:39:57

tune ups? what are those?

Today it's mostly replacing the spark plugs

ShadowRaven · « **Reply #112 on:** 01 March 2011, 23:09:06 »

Oh, that thing that requires pulling the motor? We've heared of that.

greatsarcasmo · « **Reply #113 on:** 01 March 2011, 23:22:17 »

I hope to God never to have a car that the engine needs to be pulled in order to do plugs.

I'm curious about the fuel system needing cleaned? If your running good fuel that shouldn't be a problem? Does it sit a lot or anything? I'm trying to come up with reasons as to why you would get build-up of stuff in the FI system.

ShadowRaven · « **Reply #114 on:** 01 March 2011, 23:52:42 »

we once looked at a PT cruiser, had a chance to get a used one. From what we could see under the hood there is no way to change plugs with the engine still in place.

Wolf Reaper · « **Reply #115 on:** 02 March 2011, 07:23:47 »

Same problem I am having trying to put a O2 sensor in my firebird. I need a lift.

Mattlov · « **Reply #116 on:** 02 March 2011, 15:46:51 »

Quote from: MoparMessiah on 01 March 2011, 21:28:31

No that's crazy high. Why does it need a tune up at 30k?

If it's anything like our Z/28 it required a steady diet of fuel injection cleaner.

I don't understand how that could have added up to $700 [tickedoff]

I try get a tune up every 18 months or so. I can't let slow performance degradation get me below 400 HP!

Here's the breakdown:

New Front pads and rotor resurfacing: $225 (After $50 Rebate "savings")
Standard Tire rotation: $22
4 Wheel alignment: $100
Fuel System Service: $150
Full Synthetic Oil Change: $57
Replace Serpentine Belt: $85 (Belt cost more than labor)

Add in tax and you get right about $650.

They didn't feel the plugs needed replacement when they did the Fuel System check and cleaning, probably saved me an ass-load considering the rest of their parts costs.

MoparMessiah · « **Reply #117 on:** 02 March 2011, 22:47:14 »

Quote from: Mattlov on 02 March 2011, 15:46:51

I try get a tune up every 18 months or so. I can't let slow performance degradation get me below 400 HP!

Here's the breakdown:

New Front pads and rotor resurfacing: $225 (After $50 Rebate "savings")
Standard Tire rotation: $22
4 Wheel alignment: $100
Fuel System Service: $150
Full Synthetic Oil Change: $57
Replace Serpentine Belt: $85 (Belt cost more than labor)

Add in tax and you get right about $650.

They didn't feel the plugs needed replacement when they did the Fuel System check and cleaning, probably saved me an ass-load considering the rest of their parts costs.

We used to call that "Highway Robbery" - but then again I have my own lift so I do all this stuff myself :-\

I wish you lived out here then i'd just help you with this kind of stuff

Damage Inc. · « **Reply #118 on:** 03 March 2011, 13:55:36 »

To me, the price on the brakes seems high, more in line with all four wheels. Also, the tire rotation should have been tossed in for price of the alignment. Just my two (hundred) cents.

Wolf Reaper · « **Reply #119 on:** 03 March 2011, 14:05:20 »

My rear brakes were about $245 for new high perfomance rotors and and pads installed.

What kind of car is this?