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  1. Elkins45

    Metal valve stem caps-throw them all away

    Just in case you haven't experienced the joy of removing a metal valve stem cap that has fused itself to the stem through galvanic corrosion, here's your reminder that you need to replace them with plastic ones. The RAV4 I bought last fall had them on three wheels and all three needed vice grips...
  2. Elkins45

    Makita X-LOCK Angle Grinder Tool Only $47.25 YMMV at Home Depot

    I found one store with that price. All the others within driving distance are $157.
  3. Elkins45

    Best trailer tires for the long term?

    I went to a good bit of trouble to raise the fenders and put 14” wheels on my boat trailer so I could run Goodyears. All the 13” tires I could source were Chinese garbage.
  4. Elkins45

    The dirty side of Goodwill

    Special Olympics is the reason we disconnected our landline phone. I donated to them a couple of times and soon after our phone was ringing off the hook with charity solicitations. They apparently sold our contact info. After both our parents died the solicitors were the only people calling.
  5. Elkins45

    M-14's going to be available through CMP

    I paid $630 for my CMP Springfield M1 Garand in really fantastic condition back in 2016. That's the metric I’m measuring the M14 deals against LOL.
  6. Elkins45

    M-14's going to be available through CMP

    I started in 1900 and the Krag was the last one I bought. It’s also the only rifle I own I’ve never fired. I’m expecting the CMP M14’s to be >$3k, but I’m willing to be pleasantly surprised.
  7. Elkins45

    Toyota Denso cut from my new 26 Tacoma

    Is it just me or does that seem like a lot of glitter for 500 miles, even for a new engine?
  8. Elkins45

    2016 Mazda 6; maintenance suggestions?

    My belt snapped at 75k on a hot summer day 15 miles from home. Fortunately the water pump has its own belt and I had a new battery so I was able to drive it home. I don’t know if the tensioner caused the failure but I went ahead and replaced it anyway. For coolant I used the Peak Asian Green...
  9. Elkins45

    What are you working on today?

    I replaced the rears today. They weren't damaged but I went ahead and did them since I already bought the replacements and had pulled the door panel. The factory speakers are riveted in place so you have to drill them out and bolt plastic adapter rings to the doors. I was surprised that the...
  10. Elkins45

    What are you working on today?

    I replaced the factory front speakers in my Scion xB this afternoon. As you can see, they have seen better days. I’m planning on doing the rears tomorrow.
  11. Elkins45

    FTC releases list of 97 new vehicle dealers warned of potential deceptive business practices

    I see Jeff Wyler and Cincy Automall on the list. I can tell you from personal experience both belong there. The letter is meaningless without enforcement. Wake me up when someone goes to jail.
  12. Elkins45

    Talk to Me about Watches!

    I can’t see ever spending the $$ a Rolex commands, especially post-Covid. The fanciest watches I own are a Longines and a Ball. I love the tritium illumination on the Ball.
  13. Elkins45

    Toro straight shaft trimmer head at Lowe’s

    I realized I hadn't ever followed up on this. It definitely fits my Husqvarna Trimmer+ gas powerhead and works great.
  14. Elkins45

    Ok to mix Toyota WS ATF with Idemitsu WS ATF?

    I don’t think my xB had ever been changed when I bought it with 80k miles. I did 2X drain and refills with the Idemitsu fluid and 13k miles later it still works perfectly.
  15. Elkins45

    2014 Mazda 3, 2 Liter Engine Look See

    Yes. It was my first ever frivolous vehicle purchase. I was daily driving a 2007 Corolla at the time and also owned a 2004 Chevy Colorado 4x4 for outdoors and farm stuff. When my dad passed away I inherited his 1998 Chevy K1500 so I found myself with two 4x4 trucks, one a deluxe extended cab...
  16. Elkins45

    2014 Mazda 3, 2 Liter Engine Look See

    I like seeing that oil sprayer line directly over the cam lobes. I had a 2012 Mazda3 with that engine and a 6MT. It was probably the most fun car I’ve ever owned.
  17. Elkins45

    Tractor Supply Traveller 15w-40 oil 5 gallon on sale

    I ordered a couple of boxes online and my local store wouldn’t sell it to me at that price. The counter guy said their manager wouldn’t allow it.
  18. Elkins45

    Piston soak method details - real or confirmation bias?

    On an inline four you get a benefit from having the pistons at least somewhat centered if you want to soak all of them at once. There’s no sense in pouring solvent into a cylinder where the piston has stopped at TDC and you lose half the solvent down the manifold thru open valves. I never did...
  19. Elkins45

    So what actually is the best small engine oil?

    I used to buy HD30 up until I bought a tractor and started buying 15w-40. Now I just use it in my mowers too.
  20. Elkins45

    Aluminum Jon Boat Repairs

    My grandad sealed the leaking rivets on his 1967 Sears jon boat with a product called Epoxy Steel sometime in the mid-1970’s and it’s still holding today. I would guess the modern equivalent is JB Weld.
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