My father’s 1995 Toyota 4Runner powered by a 3vz-e engine (like this fine example).
What was the first car you worked on regularly?
- Thread starter vavavroom
- Start date
1965 Mercury half ton. I rebuilt the engine in 1997, as a project to learn how to do it. To show where I started, I actually drained the transmission oil instead of motor and didn’t realize it until I had it out and spilled it everywhere after turning it over on the engine stand.
Kept working on it once it was back on the road. It sits on a farm in Saskatchewan to this day and I’d like to bring it out here sometime.
Kept working on it once it was back on the road. It sits on a farm in Saskatchewan to this day and I’d like to bring it out here sometime.
I consider the 88 GMC S15 was the first vehicle I actually worked on, pile of junk. I had other cars prior.. Festiva, Cavaliers.. but didn't have to do much to them besides oil changes.
1991 Mercury Tracer, automatic seatbelts and a Mazda engine.
Looked like this, but mine was red.
Looked like this, but mine was red.
The deuce and a quarters were nice cars.
! Peeve Alert !
Nothing personal but, DONT CALL THEM THAT! It's an Electra 225 - as in "two-hundred and twenty-five inches long"
No "quarter" anywhere. Who stated this drivel, Dice throwing greasers in the Bowery? Run DMC?
The '65 and '66 were nice then they got to be generic gm C body barge.
I had a 65 and a 70. Wouldn't take a '70 again if someone gave it to me.
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The 1932 Packard in my signature.
I would hand Dad the wrenches.
We pulled the engine when I was 13 years old.
I would hand Dad the wrenches.
We pulled the engine when I was 13 years old.
A brand new mother and her first born son (a poster here) came home from the hospital in one very much like that.
Red 1994 Toyota Camry Coupe.
Less than $5 for a DIY oil change back in the mid-to-late 1990s.
Oil every 3k.
Tire rotations every 6k.
Air filter every 15k
Fuel filter (easy to do) and transmission drain and fill (ditto) every 30k
Timing belt every 60k
Water pump every other timing belt change.
I used to also air up the tires properly every time I stopped for gas and checked the levels on the 'Big 3' fluids (motor oil, trans fluid, coolant)
By the late 1990s I was working as an auto auctioneer and driving a bit over 30,000 miles a year. Auctions are short, rarely more than four hours, and driving distances are long with plenty of hours of in-between time.
I would go to libraries and play on the internet, wander aimlessly around the local parks, and OCD my daily driver.
I don't remember servicing the power steering or brake fluid though. I may have done it with a turkey baster but then again, maybe not.
That car is still on the road today with over 400,000 miles and 30 years of road use. Anyone who wants to convince me that leasing is a great idea has one hell of a mountain to climb.
Less than $5 for a DIY oil change back in the mid-to-late 1990s.
Oil every 3k.
Tire rotations every 6k.
Air filter every 15k
Fuel filter (easy to do) and transmission drain and fill (ditto) every 30k
Timing belt every 60k
Water pump every other timing belt change.
I used to also air up the tires properly every time I stopped for gas and checked the levels on the 'Big 3' fluids (motor oil, trans fluid, coolant)
By the late 1990s I was working as an auto auctioneer and driving a bit over 30,000 miles a year. Auctions are short, rarely more than four hours, and driving distances are long with plenty of hours of in-between time.
I would go to libraries and play on the internet, wander aimlessly around the local parks, and OCD my daily driver.
I don't remember servicing the power steering or brake fluid though. I may have done it with a turkey baster but then again, maybe not.
That car is still on the road today with over 400,000 miles and 30 years of road use. Anyone who wants to convince me that leasing is a great idea has one hell of a mountain to climb.
Scrapped the 225 after pulling the 455/TH400, My LeSabre was an A-Body & pretty light compared to a C-Body.
1975 Dodge Dart Sport with the Slant 6
1982 Mercury Cougar, learned a lot on that thing with my dad and I working on it. Bought it mostly because it was in my high school price range, lower mileage, and actually had intact rockers and fenders that weren't rusted away. Definitely not a girl attractant as these were a gussied up LTD.
$850 85 rotten Subaru XT in early 90s in college. It got me thru college and left at long term parking Logan airport(no start).
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My 72 Ford LTD that was my first car in 1985.