As today is Holy Saturday and a time for introspection and confession, I feel it is fitting to offer the following as my oil change confession.
Bless me Bitogers, for I have sinned. It's been three years since my last oil change.
Way back in November of 2009, I spun two rod bearings on the ever popular, soon to be famous "Luv Machine." I dropped the oil pan, removed all rod bearings and replaced them with new standard size bearings. The two that spun, however, still had play when bolted in place. So I mixed up a batch of "JB Weld," allowed it to set for about an hour till it reached the consistency of "play dough." I then rolled these out between the palms of my hands, (vast experience gained in playing with "play dough" as a child) and placed these rolled out pieces between the rod bearing and the rod cap. Bolted cap in place and torqued both caps to specs. I allowed motor to sit for one full week to allow "JB Weld" to fully cure. I then reinstalled oil pan, filled the engine with used motor oil, reconnected the battery, took my position in the drivers seat, turned the ignition key and fired it up. Motor started, made two or three "knocks" and has purred like a kitten (with a slight head cold) ever since.
I drove the van for a couple of weeks, drained the used motor oil and replaced it with more used motor oil, (that and a brand new filter). That was in December of 2009 and to date, I have not change either oil or filter on my beloved piston poppin' buddy. When it does need a top off, I simply fill up with used oil that I have drained from another vehicle or farm machine, (my last quart was a quart of used Mobil 1 that came out of my sisters truck with 6,800 miles on it).
Adding oil is a rather hit and miss situation as shortly after the "Luv Machine" came my way, the dipstick broke, (thankfully, it did not break inside the motor). What I have done since then is measure oil level with a long wire that I have scored with a file showing a 4 quart mark and a 5 quart mark, (I did this by draining the oil, then adding 4 quarts, inserting the wire, marking it with a file, then adding another quart and making another mark).
Lately however, I've been thinking that perhaps an oil change might be in order. Of course I will continue to use used motor oil, but maybe dear old "machine de luv" would appreciate something a little less chunky. During filter research, I discovered that the filter on my Oldsmobile 3.1 will fit on the Chevy 4.3. What I plan on doing is taking the filter off the Olds at next change and then transfering it to "Luv Machine."
Yes, my ways have been wayward, but being here on Bitog has helped me see the light in a dim yet revealing way.
Bless me Bitogers, for I have sinned. It's been three years since my last oil change.
Way back in November of 2009, I spun two rod bearings on the ever popular, soon to be famous "Luv Machine." I dropped the oil pan, removed all rod bearings and replaced them with new standard size bearings. The two that spun, however, still had play when bolted in place. So I mixed up a batch of "JB Weld," allowed it to set for about an hour till it reached the consistency of "play dough." I then rolled these out between the palms of my hands, (vast experience gained in playing with "play dough" as a child) and placed these rolled out pieces between the rod bearing and the rod cap. Bolted cap in place and torqued both caps to specs. I allowed motor to sit for one full week to allow "JB Weld" to fully cure. I then reinstalled oil pan, filled the engine with used motor oil, reconnected the battery, took my position in the drivers seat, turned the ignition key and fired it up. Motor started, made two or three "knocks" and has purred like a kitten (with a slight head cold) ever since.
I drove the van for a couple of weeks, drained the used motor oil and replaced it with more used motor oil, (that and a brand new filter). That was in December of 2009 and to date, I have not change either oil or filter on my beloved piston poppin' buddy. When it does need a top off, I simply fill up with used oil that I have drained from another vehicle or farm machine, (my last quart was a quart of used Mobil 1 that came out of my sisters truck with 6,800 miles on it).
Adding oil is a rather hit and miss situation as shortly after the "Luv Machine" came my way, the dipstick broke, (thankfully, it did not break inside the motor). What I have done since then is measure oil level with a long wire that I have scored with a file showing a 4 quart mark and a 5 quart mark, (I did this by draining the oil, then adding 4 quarts, inserting the wire, marking it with a file, then adding another quart and making another mark).
Lately however, I've been thinking that perhaps an oil change might be in order. Of course I will continue to use used motor oil, but maybe dear old "machine de luv" would appreciate something a little less chunky. During filter research, I discovered that the filter on my Oldsmobile 3.1 will fit on the Chevy 4.3. What I plan on doing is taking the filter off the Olds at next change and then transfering it to "Luv Machine."
Yes, my ways have been wayward, but being here on Bitog has helped me see the light in a dim yet revealing way.
