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

Asa Jay Laughton asajay at asajay.com
Mon Jun 4 10:02:49 EDT 2007


Been there, done that, and managed to get the trailer back under the 
boat just in time.  :)

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
  



Peter Kovacs wrote:
> Just be sure to "put that plug back in" before you put that boat in 
> the lake!
>
>  
> */Peter Kovacs/*
> */Property Equity & Mortgage Mgmt/*
> */209 345-6708 /*
> */209 523-4919 fx/*
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Mike Thomas <mbefthomas at comcast.net>
> To: Asa Jay Laughton <asajay at asajay.com>; detomaso at realbig.com
> Sent: Sunday, June 3, 2007 9:28:03 PM
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Car related laugh for the day, LPC (Little 
> Pantera Content)
>
> The last time I did that forget-to-put-the-plug-back-in thing was when my
> girlfriend-now-wife was there helping-distracting me.  What was your 
> excuse
> . . . ?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com 
> [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com] On
> Behalf Of Asa Jay Laughton
> Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2007 8:30 PM
> To: detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: [DeTomaso] Car related laugh for the day,LPC (Little Pantera
> Content)
>
> 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.asajay.com/>
> http://www.351c.info <http://www.351c.info/>
>   
>
>
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