Starter broken?

Well, About two months ago we had a problem with a starter and problem was that when I started her up, starter wouldn't stop, even if I turn ignition off and took keys off. Starter still turned the engine. Only thing that I could do was to disconnect battery + terminal. Then I did try it again and she would start up nice and easy. But then we went to a mall and when we get back from the shops, she wouldn't start up at all. So I had to call a towing service. And I have to say that service was excellent and even the cheapest one, from half a dozen that I called through. So, What have I done to her, to make her roar the streets again? Sadly, nothing. I guess little troubles affect me such that I get depressed about it. Last year when she broke her water pump, it took me whole two weeks to change it, after I had the replacement part. Now it has been almost two months... and it's almost time to put her on her winter hibernation too...

Facebook

So, I have made a Facebook page for Kelly, my El Camino. And after yesterday we had over 25 people that likes it and that let's me have a username for it. Sadly all the obvious were taken, but I managed to get this: Camino70, which is easy to remember and to write. I think with the ease of use it will be main source to updating what's going on and so on. Although I prefer use and layout of this blogging.

Currently El Camino is sitting on the garage and waiting for a new starter motor, since I had a problem with it a week ago and yesterday it broke down finally.

Spark plugs?

So I bought a set of spark plugs for my 1970 350ci engine, but when I was middle of changing oil, I've found out that those didn't fit in to my heads. Then I remembered that back in 2009 autumn I had a problem with the heads. There was a tiny crack between cylinders 1 and 3. And the fix was back then just to buy used heads and install them on. So, now I have to find out what heads those are and buy new set of spark plugs to it.

43700 mile maintenance.

43700 miles on odometer. Last oil change was 7900 miles ago or two winters ago. It was about time either way. Jacking up front end. Growl underneath. Position oil gather little bit off set from oil pan plug. Use the force to open oil pan plug. Stand up. Wait. Jack up other side little bit more. Wait. Pick a hammer and screwdriver. Growl underneath again. Strike screwdriver throught the oil filter. Wait. Rotate CCW. Stand up again. Fill the new oil filter. Growl underneath again. Screw that CW to hand tight. Stand up again. Open hood. Open valve cover. Pour 4 liters fresh oil. Close valve cover. Close hood. Easily done.

Little upgrades goes...

...long way. So, I had a spare time today and in our hall has been sitting a "new" steering wheel. Finally I took out the old one, which was quite horrible one. After few minutes of remembering how this once again went, I had a old steering wheel out of the column. Then I thought that I could repair turn signal spring from left hand turn, so I had to dig deeper in the column. There was little fight when I was taking out steering wheel lock plate, since there is a tiny lock pin and it was tight. After that it was just taking all the items out and changing springs. Then putting all the things back in a backwards order. Then when I had to put back that steering wheel lock plate, I run in trouble. Since steering column is built so that it can flex a bit, as I was pinning that plate and pin back, whole column moved inwards, rendering my efforts useless. Well, I have a helper living near by and I gave him a call and as soon he cruised down the street with his scooter. Little push and I was able to put that pin and plate in place. Then I just put everything back and had few test runs to see if steering wheel was zero'd in. "New" steering wheel feels like the right one, even thought it is from same era Nova, where I have replaced Nova-sign from the middle section with a Chevrolet-sign that was from my very first El Camino. It took only two hours and I did it all on the street, since I don't have that garage yet. So here it is.

Waiting for the summer.

Well, two months has past now, that I put her on the garage. I have started the engine once a month, just to check that it will start and charge the battery a bit. Usually I let it idle for 15 minutes. Last time I checked air pressure from the tires and I found that on the driver's side front tire has deflated to half(1.03 bar/15 psi), all the rest are okay. Considering atmosphere temperature difference from time when I put her on the garage(10 °C/50 °F) and now(-10 °C/14 °F) is about 20/36 degrees.

It's just little over month away when I take her back on the road, if the weather is warmer and there aren't much snow on the ground anymore. First things that needed to be done is oil, oil filter and spark plug change. Maybe a wash too?