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The "What Did You Work On Today" thread

3M views 36K replies 388 participants last post by  cerial 
#1 ·
4 hour work day for me at the shop. Used the time to do a valve body swap on a '01 Jetta 1.8t auto .... I successfully installed a transbrake on the car .... that however wasn't my intention.

Its in 2 gears at once in park, all other gears (R/N/D/2/1) are forward gears.... they all seam to be first gear.

I have it torn back down most of the way. Tuesday I'll actually get the VB back out and see whats up.... but part of me wants to take it out for a test drive the way it is just for the fun of it.
 
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#12,121 ·
Today I started putting the front end on the 38 back together.
Right side is done, just need to put some weight on it so I can tighten the bolts.


While I was under there I snapped a couple of pics of my misaligned water pump/crank pulleys.
Any ideas as to why these are off?

I can't tell you why, but my experience with aftermarket pulleys has been the same. I just about went nuts trying to get pulley systems that lined up on a couple cars I've had. I was able to finally get a pulley for the water pump that sat close enough to the water pump that I put fan spacer shims under it, and got it to line up that way.
I don't know where they get the dimensions for these pulleys, but seems they're wrong more than right.
 
#12,122 ·
I can't tell you why, but my experience with aftermarket pulleys has been the same. I just about went nuts trying to get pulley systems that lined up on a couple cars I've had. I was able to finally get a pulley for the water pump that sat close enough to the water pump that I put fan spacer shims under it, and got it to line up that way.
I don't know where they get the dimensions for these pulleys, but seems they're wrong more than right.
In this instance, I'd think the easiest fix would be a fabricated spacer for the crank pulley.
 
#12,123 ·
Today I started putting the front end on the 38 back together.
Right side is done, just need to put some weight on it so I can tighten the bolts.


While I was under there I snapped a couple of pics of my misaligned water pump/crank pulleys.
Any ideas as to why these are off?
Looks like an aluminum, aftermarket water pump. It may have the hub too far forward.

I agree with Adan, use washers as spacers to move the crank pulley out to match. You may want to shim the brackets for the PS pump too, as it appears to be angled in the pic. I had to do that with the Allen Grove brackets I used on my '38.
 
#12,124 ·
Looks like an aluminum, aftermarket water pump. It may have the hub too far forward.

I agree with Adan, use washers as spacers to move the crank pulley out to match. You may want to shim the brackets for the PS pump too, as it appears to be angled in the pic. I had to do that with the Allen Grove brackets I used on my '38.

Just a FWI. my name is Allan J. Dantes Sr. AKA: adantessr
 
#12,126 ·
Looks like an aluminum, aftermarket water pump. It may have the hub too far forward.

I agree with Adan, use washers as spacers to move the crank pulley out to match. You may want to shim the brackets for the PS pump too, as it appears to be angled in the pic. I had to do that with the Allen Grove brackets I used on my '38.
nice catch on the p/s pumps pulley
i am going to yank it off next to see what is going on with the bracket causing it to sit at an angle.

it mostly looks like the w/p pulley sticks out too far, and the other pulleys kinda line up.
 
#12,127 ·
I had a little fun today, actually did bodywork. We have this '97 Honda Accord V6 that needed a fender a little tiny bit.



We have had this car at the shop for a few months now, it's a long story. But one of the hangups is that fender, it's not available, anywhere. Not new, not aftermarket, not used, nowhere. It's because it's a V6, the darn fender is longer than a four banger. Anyway, we have the rest of the car done and we are waiting for a fender that was purchased on Amazon, that doesn't exist. I have learned this is one of Amazons little games, they sell you things then they find it. Well if they can't find it......it's been I believe four weeks and it still hasn't shipped......that's because it doesn't exist people!

Anyway, I heard of a Honda specialist wrecking yard that may have one and I called them today. When the guy heard what I want he said "Buy another car" LOLOL, they are that hard to find.

I walked out and grabbed the one we took off the car and set off fixing it.



It was buckled everywhere throughout the structure and all.



I brought my shrinking disc in today and after about an hour of work to even get the fender onto the car (this thing was MASHED into the hinge pillar and rad support.) I went to work and in no time it was looking pretty good.





And with just one skim coat of filler I got 99% of it, WHOO HOOOOO! If I had gotten it spread out a little faster I wouldn't have even needed that but right as I finished around the wheel well it started hardening.





But I had a blast doing it being I don't do this anymore and haven't done anything this big in a few years now.

And yes Henry, I get mouthy crap too at work, there are always guys with little pee pees who have to do that. So a few of them had never even worked with me in the shop and always look at me like an estimator who doesn't know anything. One of them was saying crap about the grinder and shrinking disc obviously not knowing what it was. But just saying stupid crap like I don't know what I am doing. When he came up and looked at the fender and felt it the color drained from his face and his chin dropped. It was like I had done it from home with my mind. It was hilarious! I would have loved to keep going and metal finish it, it really was coming right along, I was hoping to do that just to really blow him away but all the millions of tiny stuff that would need to be done was taking too long. But I had a blast none the less.

Brian
 
#12,128 ·
nice catch on the p/s pumps pulley
i am going to yank it off next to see what is going on with the bracket causing it to sit at an angle.

it mostly looks like the w/p pulley sticks out too far, and the other pulleys kinda line up.
I too believe the water pump is the problem. I've seen the aftermarket pumps like that before. If you have an used GM pump laying around and want to mess with it, change the pump,out and see if they all line up.
 
#12,129 ·
I too believe the water pump is the problem. I've seen the aftermarket pumps like that before. If you have an used GM pump laying around and want to mess with it, change the pump,out and see if they all line up.
i think the water pump needs changed any way, but i am going to find another on and measure the difference.



nice work on the fender brian, kinda fun to show the other guys that you might actually know whats up:thumbup:
 
#12,130 ·
i think the water pump needs changed any way, but i am going to find another on and measure the difference.



nice work on the fender brian, kinda fun to show the other guys that you might actually know whats up:thumbup:
I always joke how when you walk from the shop to the office your brains drain out of your ears. :D

Brian
 
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#12,131 · (Edited)
I had a little fun today, actually did bodywork. We have this '97 Honda Accord V6 that needed a fender a little tiny bit.



We have had this car at the shop for a few months now, it's a long story. But one of the hangups is that fender, it's not available, anywhere. Not new, not aftermarket, not used, nowhere. It's because it's a V6, the darn fender is longer than a four banger. Anyway, we have the rest of the car done and we are waiting for a fender that was purchased on Amazon, that doesn't exist. I have learned this is one of Amazons little games, they sell you things then they find it. Well if they can't find it......it's been I believe four weeks and it still hasn't shipped......that's because it doesn't exist people!

Anyway, I heard of a Honda specialist wrecking yard that may have one and I called them today. When the guy heard what I want he said "Buy another car" LOLOL, they are that hard to find.

I walked out and grabbed the one we took off the car and set off fixing it.



It was buckled everywhere throughout the structure and all.



I brought my shrinking disc in today and after about an hour of work to even get the fender onto the car (this thing was MASHED into the hinge pillar and rad support.) I went to work and in no time it was looking pretty good.





And with just one skim coat of filler I got 99% of it, WHOO HOOOOO! If I had gotten it spread out a little faster I wouldn't have even needed that but right as I finished around the wheel well it started hardening.





But I had a blast doing it being I don't do this anymore and haven't done anything this big in a few years now.

And yes Henry, I get mouthy crap too at work, there are always guys with little pee pees who have to do that. So a few of them had never even worked with me in the shop and always look at me like an estimator who doesn't know anything. One of them was saying crap about the grinder and shrinking disc obviously not knowing what it was. But just saying stupid crap like I don't know what I am doing. When he came up and looked at the fender and felt it the color drained from his face and his chin dropped. It was like I had done it from home with my mind. It was hilarious! I would have loved to keep going and metal finish it, it really was coming right along, I was hoping to do that just to really blow him away but all the millions of tiny stuff that would need to be done was taking too long. But I had a blast none the less.

Brian
don't flatter yourself, Martin. They haven't seen your mig welding yet. :D

I guarantee you they have that fender in Rancho Cordova. It's not called recycle road for nothing.
 
#12,133 ·
nothing but bad news and some good news this week. The bad news is one of my buddy's who did so much for me at one point in my life got assaulted by some idiot from behind and was in the hospital for days in and out of consciousness. he's now released out of the hospital with a $70K bill and is on a 24 hour watch. It was a brother of somebody we know. My buddy isn't really talking to anybody but texting so I have gathered information from friends on what's going on(don't want to ask him) and nobody told me anything about somebody paying a visit to the guy who did this to my friend so I've been lifting weights all week getting ready to go to SF and play with the kids at the beach in the morning, visit my friend, and then wait outside the guy's house to sucker punch like he did my friend. Today it was a relief to find out that he indeed got caught, is in jail, and will face a judge and a civil suit. So I can put my puny weights down and just focus on beach time with the kids and putting together a little gift basket. I know, it's girly but it's the thought that counts. I'm going back and forth with a mutual buddy to find out what he likes. It's been so long and things change so I want to make sure it's something he likes. Can't wait to be in SF this weekend!
 
#12,134 ·
don't flatter yourself, Martin. They haven't seen your mig welding yet. :D

I guarantee you they have that fender in Rancho Cordova. It's not called recycle road for nothing.
LKQ now owns about everything in Rancho and yes I use them regularly, they had nothing.

Brian
 
#12,136 ·
i can see that. come to think, i actually did a support job on one of those and the fender DID hold the repair up. I can't recall the reason but the stretched fender sounds familiar. we got a beat one in the mail...we got the last one!:D
I'm thinking you're right. I was blown away at this I'll tell you that. They are even discontinued from Honda but were $400 when available.

Brian
 
#12,137 ·
finally some good news. I just got offered a metal fabrication position at a shop that got best truck at good guys last year. They do things right. I can't believe this. I have been held back by washed up old men who put poison into the heads of bosses who didn't know better to keep me stuck on first base and to keep themselves in high graces and to do their dirty work but I knew there was choices... a) accept it b) prove myself . People can kick me while I'm down but all it does is make me get up with more determination. Tonight I'm gonna practice my roll of dimes. I've been lagging on it.
 
#12,139 ·
finally some good news. I just got offered a metal fabrication position at a shop that got best truck at good guys last year. They do things right. I can't believe this. I have been held back by washed up old men who put poison into the heads of bosses who didn't know better to keep me stuck on first base and to keep themselves in high graces and to do their dirty work but I knew there was choices... a) accept it b) prove myself . People can kick me while I'm down but all it does is make me get up with more determination. Tonight I'm gonna practice my roll of dimes. I've been lagging on it.
Congratulations!!

BB :thumbup::thumbup:
 
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