08 February, 2017

Basic Tune Up Skills part 1. Gapping and prepping spark plugs.

Our 2006 Chevy Malibu earned its way into a misfire on the #1 cylinder after 130K miles. Looking at the records it would appear I didn't tune it up when we got it at 110K miles, and I bet the original owner didn't either.... So it is time for a tune up...

I realized when talking to the younger guys at work about doing this, that they were lacking in the skills and knowledge to do their own tune ups. This video series is intended to help fix that.

Like always, Amazon links below to help you with your shopping should you be doing the same project on a similar car. Again, a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu LT 3.5L V6.


We son't be linking the Spark Plugs. Simply put, I couldn't find a good price on them on Amazon. Check www.rockauto.com for best prices on plugs. The price on wires that will be needed in part 2 however is at or lower than the house branded ones from local vendors.

P0012 Post Christmas miracle?

2004 Ford F-150 has been parked 2015. We have had the p0012 code that would have to be swapped out VCT solenoid. We did find far too much sludge under the valve cover when we did the solenoid swap. After that since we weren't using the truck we gave it some Marvel Mystery Oil and ran it periodically just to keep the fluids moving.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago when went out and ran the truck while we were replacing the flooded out headlight assemblies and upgrading to LED turn signals and stop brake tail lights. The engine got up to  operating temperature can he persistently annoying tick that is the signature of the 5.4 liter 3 valve Ford V8 smoothed right out two the low almost sewing machine tick that it's had since we purchased the truck in 2006.

The code has gone away and has yet to return for the last 2 weeks. We will be changing the oil again and following up with some other maintenance issues such as a cooling system flush and fill before we get it inspected and get the new registration tags for it. At this point it honestly looks like vct system is working as it is supposed to.

I am not saying but it is fixed for sure however it does look that way for the time being I need to have some time I'm with it before I can be sure and before I can do that I need to stop the exhaust leak from where the new MagnaFlow cats Are Leaking.

We also upgrade the exhaust most likely with the Summit Racing Cat-Back system hand two and a half by two and a half 3 inch Y pipe dumping the exhaust in the stop location. We may or may not opt to swap in a MagnaFlow single in single out Muffler at that time as well. The stock exhaust is 13 years old now and could really use to be replaced.

We will keep you updated but it looks like the Lumber wagon will be hitting the road again.

05 February, 2017

Preparing a popcorn textured wall for vinyl wall graphics.

My wife and I wanted a faith based graphic at the entry wall to our home. Unfortunately the popcorn texture on our walls didn't want to cooperate with the vinyl graphics install. In this video I show you how we prepped the wall to accept the vinyl graphics.

Sorry about the wavy start to the video files. Every so often my camera / phone does that when I start a new recording. I forgot about that and didn't pause. Going clip to clip seems a bit choppy for the same reason. This was however a one take shoot so it is what it is...


04 February, 2017

Prepping and installing aftermarket headlights on a 2004 - 2008 Ford F150

So the Wildersport Wagon, A.K.A.. the lumberwagon, A.K.A. our 2004 F150 4x4 has been sick, and our budget has been lacking. We are handling the issues and preparing to re-register it and get it back on the road, hauling our DIY supplies and camping / hunting gear depending on the occasion...

One of the issues what would have kept us off the road is the headlihgts, due to a faulty seal in the composite headlamps, the passenger side headlight filled with water, and the silver reflective finish was flaking off more than a teenager.

I have wanted to minimize the chrome look on this truck for years, and found an affordable attractive way to do it.

My video walks you through sealing up the headlight assemblies so that we know we have no leaks, and how to locate the OEM flasher assembly for replacement to fix the hyperflashing that is caused by LED bulbs.

This modification will allow you to have more relaible lighting, with improved output / visibility compared to the OEM incandescent bulbs.

I ordered up the following items for my truck. Some obtained locally, some online. I will link the online stuff for you here to make it easy for you. All items have free shipping, but not all are Prime eligible. (sorry). Remember, I do my best to find and link you to the best deals I can find... Sometimes its with Prime, sometimes it's not.

This procedure should apply to Ford F150 trucks form 2004 to 2008.
  1. Spec-D Black Euro headlights.
  2. Sylvania Silverstar halogen headlight bulbs.
  3. Pilot LED 3157 turn signal bulbs in amber
  4. Sylvania 194A LED side marker light bulbs
  5. Pilot LED 3157 stop / tail / turn signal bulbs in white
  6. EP27L LED compatible Ford Truck turn signal relay.