[DeTomaso] Car related laugh for the day, LPC (Little Pantera Content)

[Christopher Kimball]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who experiences strangeness when it comes to 
cars!

Chris

>From: Asa Jay Laughton <asajay at asajay.com>
>To: detomaso at realbig.com
>Subject: [DeTomaso] Car related laugh for the day,LPC (Little Pantera 
>Content)
>Date: Sun, 03 Jun 2007 20:29:48 -0700
>
>So I go to change oil in my daily driver, a Ford ZX2.  Hmm, I seem to be
>out of synthetic, no bother, I'll just use this Napa brand 10-40 I've
>had sitting on the shelf for several years, it should do until I pick up
>a new case of synthetic.  Besides, I need to change the oil again soon
>anyway, as a "clean-out."
>
>So I get the filter changed, and decide to plunk that first quart of oil
>in.  While I'm at it, I'll start taking out the bolts that hold the
>spark plug cover on.  What's this?  An oil pan plug.  !?!?!  Oops.
>Looking under the car, sure enough, brand new oil draining into the oil
>pan.  Pretty too the sun is so bright I can see right this stuff, not
>like the stuff that came out earlier.  Put the plug in stupid.
>
>Onto quart number two (it's a good thing I got five quarts out of the shed)
>
>Off with the spark plug cover, off with the plug wires/boots, and out
>come the plugs.
>
>Holy CRAP!
>
>Now, at this point, let me go back and tell you the reason I wanted to
>pull the plugs.  In my humble opinion, the engine has been running kind
>of puny lately.  Seems like it's missing on a cylinder every now and
>again, but it still runs decent and drive fine on my commute everyday.
>I figured I'd pull them to check them out, then if I need some, pick
>some up.
>
>It's after 1900 (7 pm RPT), all auto stores are closed.  I hadn't really
>thought I'd need to get them THIS bad.
>
>The gaps on the plugs range from .075 to somewhere over .100 and there
>are only four of them.  The center electrode is worn down to a razor
>thin wire.  The ground electrodes are tapered, one has a spike of
>something on it pointing to the center electrode and others have little
>divits you could hold a small golf ball in.  Wait. . . WTF. . .These are
>Motorcraft PLATINUMS!  Who the hell put THESE in???
>
>It certainly wasn't me.  I've not changed plugs on this car since I've
>owned it.
>
>The memories go back to 1987 when I tried a set of Bosch Platinums in
>the Mach I, only to pitch them after about three weeks.  Seems I know
>remember this kind of bad running scenario from way back.
>
>Did I mention the part stores were closed?  So I stare at the Pantera
>and think, hmmm, maybe I should just drive it the next few days.  YES!
>you all say.  YES, I say, but darned if I can't get it out unless I move
>the stinkin' ZX2 now.  I'm pinned.
>
>So, I get out my trusty points file (you know, from waaaaaay back in the
>capacitive discharge days of motoring) and file both the ground
>electrode and the center electrode.  Then I have to gap the things.  The
>one with the most worn center electrode ends up having the ground
>electrode bent over like a hook in order to get it close enough to gap
>at .065.  Now mind you, I'm guessing here at .065, but I figure it's
>gotta be close.
>
>Put them all back in, cross my fingers and it fires right up.  Seems to
>be running a lot better too.  So now,  . . .
>Do I swap the cars and drive the Pantera?  Oh noooo, not me, I'm going
>to temp FATE, and drive the ZX2 to work tomorrow, pick up parts on the
>way home (plugs and oil) and see just how well backyard shadetree
>mechanicin' really works.  :)
>
>I'll be getting the Pantera out Wednesday to stretch it's legs.  Wish me
>luck.
>
>Asa Jay
>
>
>Asa Jay Laughton, MSgt, USAFR, Retired
>
>& Shelley Marie
>Spokane, WA
>
>1973 Pantera L 5533
>[ASASCAT]
>
>******************************
>http://www.asajay.com
>http://www.351c.info
>
>
>
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