SERIOUSLY OT: Calling all chicks! IT'S PART 6!!

Also... I did not know Honda made jets....

If I were going to hack me, it wouldn't be to change password. LoL

That's pretty much what I am these days. Admin here and trying to revive our other half, automotivearticles.com

I have my fingers crossed we get a break in weather. We're driving to denver for holidays.

How the hell are you?
Then, may the Subaru gods smile upon thee!

I'm doing alright. This crazy weather is destroying my allergies though. Plants are starting to re-bud again :disappoin The past 2 days my tear duct has been partly clogged in my right eye. Add in the sinus congestion, the pressure and pain was so bad today I almost blew chunks.

How have you been? Finally get some rest after all the car show madness?

Then, may the Subaru gods smile upon thee!

I'm doing alright. This crazy weather is destroying my allergies though. Plants are starting to re-bud again :disappoin The past 2 days my tear duct has been partly clogged in my right eye. Add in the sinus congestion, the pressure and pain was so bad today I almost blew chunks.

How have you been? Finally get some rest after all the car show madness?

Sorry to hear your feeling shitty, buuuuuudy.

http://images.sodahead.com/polls/000642069/polls_49152c2cf124d_0_2931_308244_poll_xlarge.jpeg

Got one of these (in black) for Christmas from my brother.
http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server4400/c2cad/products/613/images/2044/Kanger_EVOD_Mega2__75678.1423785029.1280.1280.jpg

Down to 5-6 cigarettes a day (from 12-15,) for the past 2 days of using it.

Bought some local brand stuff that's a cherry/raspberry mix and some Five Pawns - Bowden's Mate. The more I puff on it, the more it tastes like a chocolate ricola. Not sure if that's a good thing or not. But I guess anything's better than another 14 years of smoking cigarettes.

I finally sold the CRX. Bought myself an Xbox One and black ops 3 with some of the money.
Baby due any day now.....

Been watching craigslist for a prelude... this popped up today-

http://images.craigslist.org/00606_7TRkw7EaJp0_600x450.jpg


No. Just... stop trying to be a designer, you ruined a great car.

Still don't see a Prelude

Still don't see a Prelude

I can't quite put my finger on what it looks like. Just.. bad in general.

Still don't see a Prelude

Oh and I think he wanted like 16 grand for it or something. And it "needed some work" but didn't specify what kind of work. Just "some".

$16k :lol2:

I want to say it looks like a bug-eyed WRX

$16k :lol2:

I want to say it looks like a bug-eyed WRX

Your kinda right, I can see that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZvPMnE50UM

Get 2 FREE gauges here:
http://www.gates.com/products/automotive/tools-and-sales-aids/belt-wear-diagnosis/belt-wear-gauge/request-form

Please don't mass post this anywhere else for the next couple of weeks. I don't want to not get mine because they are bombarded by requests. Look at you Amy... :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZvPMnE50UM

Get 2 FREE gauges here:
http://www.gates.com/products/automotive/tools-and-sales-aids/belt-wear-diagnosis/belt-wear-gauge/request-form

Please don't mass post this anywhere else for the next couple of weeks. I don't want to not get mine because they are bombarded by requests. Look at you Amy... :D

No worries. This is the most secluded place on the internet, I'm pretty sure you could post nuclear secrets here and no one would find it.

I filled out to get mine, even though I'm not a mechanic. I actually have a belt squeal that I'm at my whits end with, every component that touches the belt besides the crank pulley has been replaced, new tensioner, idler, water pump, power steer, alternator, all pulleys aligned. I think this weekend I'm going to take some scotch bright or sandpaper to the pulleys- maybe they're glazed? Any ideas? If I put a new belt on it goes for about 3 hours quietly, then starts giving its opinion again. :banghead:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZvPMnE50UM

Get 2 FREE gauges here:
http://www.gates.com/products/automotive/tools-and-sales-aids/belt-wear-diagnosis/belt-wear-gauge/request-form

Please don't mass post this anywhere else for the next couple of weeks. I don't want to not get mine because they are bombarded by requests. Look at you Amy... :D

:lol: It's like a tread depth gauge, but for serpentine belts. Looks like a gimmick to sell more belts. Can't see myself using one of those.

From a professional standpoint, as long as your tensioner is in good condition, the only thing you really need to worry about is fraying at the edges or cracking at the ribs..... older belts also have a tendency to turn brownish, at which point, they'll probably start cracking soon.

I filled out to get mine, even though I'm not a mechanic. I actually have a belt squeal that I'm at my whits end with, every component that touches the belt besides the crank pulley has been replaced, new tensioner, idler, water pump, power steer, alternator, all pulleys aligned. I think this weekend I'm going to take some scotch bright or sandpaper to the pulleys- maybe they're glazed? Any ideas? If I put a new belt on it goes for about 3 hours quietly, then starts giving its opinion again. :banghead:

Depends on what the squeak sounds like. Constant squeal or chirping? Chirping I find more often is a pulley problem (either bearing, or 1way clutch, or crooked). Constant high pitch squeal is slippage.

Also for some cars, the crank pulley outer layer is mounted to the inner part of the pulley on a layer of rubber for a 'harmonic balancer' effect... when the rubber layer goes bad and gives way, it can present as really bad belt squeak type sound... so take it off and check it too if you've replaced everything else.

Depends on what the squeak sounds like. Constant squeal or chirping? Chirping is a pulley problems. Constant high pitch squeal is slippage.

Also for some cars, the crank pulley outer layer is mounted to the inner part of the pulley on a layer of rubber for a 'harmonic balancer' effect... when the rubber layer goes bad and gives way, it can present as really bad belt squeak type sound... so take it off and check it too if you've replaced everything else.

kinda a combo of both lol. Idle after warm up is nice and quiet usually, then during driving its a chirp, but under higher rpm its a squeak, but it could just be rapid chirping. It its a Chrysler v8 so it definitely has a harmonic balancer lol, I remember grabbing it and jerking it around to see if was loose when I replaced the water pump and didn't notice any play in it, but that may not be an adequate test. My power steering has a plastic pulley, as well as the tensioner and I noticed when I replaced the tensioner recently that both had a build of of rubber in the grooves (7 rib serpentine belt) so I took a little screwdriver and cleaned out all the grooves. The bearings in my compressor are bad and I think that was causing quiet a lot of slipping before I bypassed it with a shorter belt.


btw, I didn't replace the alt/ps pump/waterpump just trying to locate the squeak, they've just all happened to go out in the last 10k miles. Part of the 200k club on this one :grinyes:

I'd definitely be checking that crank pulley... see them fail all the time on older SC300/400's and GS300/400's... and those are quality Toyota parts :P

I'd definitely be checking that crank pulley... see them fail all the time on older SC300/400's and GS300/400's... and those are quality Toyota parts :P

Thanks, I'll give it a look. I need to put my front skid plate back on anyway so while I'm down there I'll look at it closer. Damn skid plate I swear weighs no less than 150 pounds. Had to take it off when I changed my radiator and water pump and was like "eh... fuck this, I'm tired... I'll just... not hit anything till I get a chance to put it back on" #thatjeeplife

So this was my weekend....
First, this happened...
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/jason1181/DSC03126_zpsgfcooqpo.jpg
Wife went into labor early Saturday... after 12 hours, nothing was really progressing, so they started trying all sorts of stuff to hurry things along... see she's in good spirits, and texting her mother at this point.

After 30 hours of labor, this happened late Sunday night.
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/jason1181/DSC03141_zpshc1f7pai.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/jason1181/DSC03165_zpspqnwfmj4.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/jason1181/DSC03223_zpshxfahm5q.jpg

http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/jason1181/DSC03230_zpskpeefmx6.jpg

My wife deserves all the credit in the world, for not having to have another C-section and pushing out my huge son! 8lbs, 8.2oz and 20.5" long... he's in the 78th percentile for weight and 79th percentile for length, at birth. my daughter was 6lbs 9oz, and we were not expecting my son to be this much bigger.

Oh shit. Congratulations to you and your family!

My wife deserves all the credit in the world, for not having to have another C-section and pushing out my huge son! 8lbs, 8.2oz and 20.5" long... he's in the 78th percentile for weight and 79th percentile for length, at birth. my daughter was 6lbs 9oz, and we were not expecting my son to be this much bigger.

I had no idea I was such a big baby lol. I was 8lbs 13oz 21" long. I ended up being a smaller kid though. In 7th grade I was 4'8" 75lbs. I am of average size now at 5'9" 170lbs. Meanwhile my brother was smaller at birth at 8lbs 5oz 21" long, but is now 6'3" about 400lbs.

Congrats on the kiddo.

I'd definitely be checking that crank pulley... see them fail all the time on older SC300/400's and GS300/400's... and those are quality Toyota parts :P

After taking a look at it while running, crank pulley is bouncing around a little.... some.... maybe a lot. :uhoh:

Thanks for the suggestion. Appears to be a Mopar only part, autozone/o'rileys/ABC don't list it. I'm sure they won't rape me too hard... right? :licka:

After taking a look at it while running, crank pulley is bouncing around a little.... some.... maybe a lot. :uhoh:

Thanks for the suggestion. Appears to be a Mopar only part, autozone/o'rileys/ABC don't list it. I'm sure they won't rape me too hard... right? :licka:

:cheers: You're welcome!

And unless you can find the part listed online, I'd fully expect your local Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler dealership to go in dry.
Dealership parts typically carry a 300-400% mark up from list price. I know ours do. :icon16:

:cheers: You're welcome!

And unless you can find the part listed online, I'd fully expect your local Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler dealership to go in dry.
Dealership parts typically carry a 300-400% mark up from list price. I know ours do. :icon16:

Yup, local dealership wanted $160, online I found one Chrysler place listing it for $65 +S/H.

blah blah blah I'm fucking awesome.

So guys, looks like I'm moving to Montana sometime this year.

So guys, looks like I'm moving to Montana sometime this year.

I've thought about moving to Montana before, but their homeschooling laws are not ideal.


I picked up a new project
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/jason1181/Starlet1_zpsbtd5zbp2.jpg
1981 Toyota Starlet.

I've thought about moving to Montana before, but their homeschooling laws are not ideal.


I picked up a new project
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo205/jason1181/Starlet1_zpsbtd5zbp2.jpg
1981 Toyota Starlet.

So many jealous....


And that's honestly one thing I did not look up. I don't have kids, and seeing the current state of my love life, I don't think it will be an issue any time soon or at all lol. Looking at Missoula. I like the geography, many of the laws- and lack of obsessive amount of stupid laws. Land and housing isn't too bad. Trying hard to purchase a house and some land in the next 5 years, in a semi rural area. I'll always have Texas pride, but man this place gets on my nerves... people here are so fucking ignorant and backwoods. Not saying its not like that everywhere, but you know... gotta go explore.

So many jealous....


And that's honestly one thing I did not look up. I don't have kids, and seeing the current state of my love life, I don't think it will be an issue any time soon or at all lol. Looking at Missoula. I like the geography, many of the laws- and lack of obsessive amount of stupid laws. Land and housing isn't too bad. Trying hard to purchase a house and some land in the next 5 years, in a semi rural area. I'll always have Texas pride, but man this place gets on my nerves... people here are so fucking ignorant and backwoods. Not saying its not like that everywhere, but you know... gotta go explore.


Heh, turns out maybe I'm moving to Dallas.

Yeah my whole life is a rapid fire "WTF is going on right now". Things can change at the drop of a hat when you're a freelance designer.

You wouldnt happen to be looking at a place called Hydrotex in Dallas would you?

Heh, turns out maybe I'm moving to Dallas.

Yeah my whole life is a rapid fire "WTF is going on right now". Things can change at the drop of a hat when you're a freelance designer.

Ha! We'd neighbors.

What do you design?

You wouldnt happen to be looking at a place called Hydrotex in Dallas would you?

Never heard of her.

Ha! We'd neighbors.

What do you design?

jewwwwww-lry.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/thesilentchamber/classyasfuck_zps62jwftgm.jpg

Also other stuff occasionally, currently working on a line of knives, and last year I had a gig designing toothbrushes. Main source of income is jewelry design though

jewwwwww-lry.



Also other stuff occasionally, currently working on a line of knives, and last year I had a gig designing toothbrushes. Main source of income is jewelry design though

Well I wouldn't have expected that.

Well I wouldn't have expected that.

Lol. You'd be amazed how often I get that. Big bearded tattooed guy, shaved head, driving a ragged out Jeep.. "no really, I design bridal jewelry..." :lol2:

Lol. You'd be amazed how often I get that. Big bearded tattooed guy, shaved head, driving a ragged out Jeep.. "no really, I design bridal jewelry..." :lol2:

well, I replaced the harmonic balancer today, along with the front crank seal. everything went fine. Put it all back together, fired it up... quiet. belt no longer jumping around. Before I got 3 miles down the road to the parts store to return the puller... squealing just as bad as before. went ahead and replaced the belt just for good measure... took a 10 minute loop around town... now its squealing too. Not quiet as bad as before... yet.

I have absolutely no idea where to go from here. :banghead: Maybe I need a better quality belt? Maybe I need to put sprockets on everything and run a bicycle chain instead of a belt? Maybe sell the vehicle with a sign that says "bitch wont shut the fuck up"...

well, I replaced the harmonic balancer today, along with the front crank seal. everything went fine. Put it all back together, fired it up... quiet. belt no longer jumping around. Before I got 3 miles down the road to the parts store to return the puller... squealing just as bad as before. went ahead and replaced the belt just for good measure... took a 10 minute loop around town... now its squealing too. Not quiet as bad as before... yet.

I have absolutely no idea where to go from here. :banghead: Maybe I need a better quality belt? Maybe I need to put sprockets on everything and run a bicycle chain instead of a belt? Maybe sell the vehicle with a sign that says "bitch wont shut the fuck up"...

So today I pulled the belt back off, scraped all the little chunks of rubber off the pulleys, cleaned them with a wire brush then went over them with a scotch bright pad. Couple little chunks of rubber in the grooves of the belt also, cleaned that out (brand new belt, less than 10 miles on it). Started it up, perfectly quiet again... went for a drive, within 5 minutes it was squealing again. First above 1500rpm, then 1200... now anything above 1000. So at this point I'm thinking 1) there's not enough tension on it, even with a new tensioner, or 2) Duralast belts are shit beyond shit, stitched together with shit.

I think it may have to do with the fact that I have the AC compressor bypassed with a shorter belt. The internet agrees it should be 82.5", and that fits... however I've noticed that when looking at belts there's like a 4+ inch gap between this size and bigger or smaller, so I'm thinking that its the agreed upon "right" size because its the only one that fits. These never came without AC so it was really never designed with this size belt. I was planning on replacing the compressor before summer, may end up happening sooner than later. Although its supposed to be like 80 this weekend so maybe I already missed "before summer" lol. So maybe a new compressor and an OEM belt might be the answer. *sigh* I could be making a car payment for what I'm spending every month on this pile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZvPMnE50UM

Get 2 FREE gauges here:
http://www.gates.com/products/automotive/tools-and-sales-aids/belt-wear-diagnosis/belt-wear-gauge/request-form

Please don't mass post this anywhere else for the next couple of weeks. I don't want to not get mine because they are bombarded by requests. Look at you Amy... :D

So... almost 2 months later, and I never got the damn things.

So... almost 2 months later, and I never got the damn things.

shipping from China takes a while :grinyes:

Heh, turns out maybe I'm moving to Dallas.

Yeah my whole life is a rapid fire "WTF is going on right now". Things can change at the drop of a hat when you're a freelance designer.

Got offered a position as lead designer at a high end manufacturer in Dallas. Once our lawyers agree on contract terms I'll be moving out that way... to the concrete jungle hell of endless overpasses and interchanges. :licka::shakehead

I was planning on replacing the compressor before summer, may end up happening sooner than later. Although its supposed to be like 80 this weekend so maybe I already missed "before summer" lol. So maybe a new compressor and an OEM belt might be the answer. *sigh* I could be making a car payment for what I'm spending every month on this pile.

Where's the old AC compressor?

Got offered a position as lead designer at a high end manufacturer in Dallas. Once our lawyers agree on contract terms I'll be moving out that way... to the concrete jungle hell of endless overpasses and interchanges. :licka::shakehead

Great, just what we need here... more hillbillies :icon16: Good luck finding affordable housing :iceslolani:

Just so you know what you're getting yourself into... I'm 12 miles from work, and in the morning my drive is 35 minutes. Going home time my drive is 1-2 hours. But it all depends on where you're working and what highways you can and can't avoid.
I'm actually thinking about moving down to Ennis, because my drive would be a consistent 35 minutes both ways, even if it is farther away.... that and the houses are half the price of the mine. :P

Where's the old AC compressor?



Great, just what we need here... more hillbillies :icon16: Good luck finding affordable housing :iceslolani:

Just so you know what you're getting yourself into... I'm 12 miles from work, and in the morning my drive is 35 minutes. Going home time my drive is 1-2 hours. But it all depends on where you're working and what highways you can and can't avoid.
I'm actually thinking about moving down to Ennis, because my drive would be a consistent 35 minutes both ways, even if it is farther away.... that and the houses are half the price of the mine. :P

Old compressor is still on it, there's a way to route the belt so that you don't actually have to remove it. I'm replacing that and getting it recharged in the next week or two.

In Portland I lived 3.5 miles away and it was a 40 minute commute (no joke).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/thesilentchamber/map_zpsdtchuaix.jpg

I'm working at a location that's in the center of this map (didn't want to give the address since we're in an unmarked location). And the place I'm looking at living at is in richardson/addison area I think. I'm not that great with areas of Dallas yet. I'm mostly looking at that area because my good friend is trying to get me to move into the same apartment complex shes living in. :licka: I went through there at around 5 today and it took 20-30 minutes ish. Luckily I don't have set hours so I can figure out how to somewhat work around traffic.


You sure you don't want to move to Ennis just for the drag strip? :grinno:

I'm working at a location that's in the center of this map (didn't want to give the address since we're in an unmarked location). And the place I'm looking at living at is in richardson/addison area I think. I'm not that great with areas of Dallas yet. I'm mostly looking at that area because my good friend is trying to get me to move into the same apartment complex shes living in. :licka: I went through there at around 5 today and it took 20-30 minutes ish. Luckily I don't have set hours so I can figure out how to somewhat work around traffic.


You sure you don't want to move to Ennis just for the drag strip? :grinno:


Just checked, its 12.5 miles away if I take the North Dallas Tollway, or 13.5 if I take 75.

But yeah, I'm sure it will be pretty hectic when there is traffic, so it might be similar to your scenario lol.

Just checked, its 12.5 miles away if I take the North Dallas Tollway, or 13.5 if I take 75.

But yeah, I'm sure it will be pretty hectic when there is traffic, so it might be similar to your scenario lol.

Well, I'm in Richardson, and 75 is my only real route in the mornings. It's compete and total shit from 6:30am-10:30am and then 2pm-8pm In the evenings my commute home is a crap shoot.
I'm right off 75, so the toll way is out of my way.
I used to live in Addison at Trinity Mills and the Tollway, and that was great. Toll way is great before 8am in the mornings, but I used to take Midway all the way down, because it moves good almost all the time and is free.

Well, I'm in Richardson, and 75 is my only real route in the mornings. It's compete and total shit from 6:30am-10:30am and then 2pm-8pm In the evenings my commute home is a crap shoot.
I'm right off 75, so the toll way is out of my way.
I used to live in Addison at Trinity Mills and the Tollway, and that was great. Toll way is great before 8am in the mornings, but I used to take Midway all the way down, because it moves good almost all the time and is free.


One aspect I'm not looking forward to. I'll manage though. Definitely gotta get a more fuel efficient car... single digit city mileage will get old quick.

One aspect I'm not looking forward to. I'll manage though. Definitely gotta get a more fuel efficient car... single digit city mileage will get old quick.

The stop and go traffic, is kind of why I've been dragging my feet converting my Civic from auto to manual. :runaround:
It's easier to let the car do the work during the daily grind.

The stop and go traffic, is kind of why I've been dragging my feet converting my Civic from auto to manual. :runaround:
It's easier to let the car do the work during the daily grind.

Totally understandable. I personally... have not driven a manual in years :disappoin . I am however, looking at purchasing a motorcycle soon. Wise investment for city living? Probably not...

Totally understandable. I personally... have not driven a manual in years :disappoin . I am however, looking at purchasing a motorcycle soon. Wise investment for city living? Probably not...

Everyone I know that rides in the Dallas area has been hit. Several hit and runs. One walks with a limp now and one is dead. My wife won't let me get another bike until the kids are grown, or until we live in the middle of nowhere.

It's very risky here.

Everyone I know that rides in the Dallas area has been hit. Several hit and runs. One walks with a limp now and one is dead. My wife won't let me get another bike until the kids are grown, or until we live in the middle of nowhere.

It's very risky here.

Yeah, I'd be horrified to ride in the city. I get cut off and almost hit enough enough in a lifted SUV that you can't possibly miss. Would be nice to ride out of the city on the weekends or go on a road trip or something though. Have been looking at the Victory Gunner's for a few months now- just a cheap entry level cruiser, nothing fancy.

However... the place I was supposed to start working called and retracted their offer this morning... guess they were planning on paying me with winnings of a lawsuit, and that person is basically refusing to pay. So... now to find another new job...

Booo!

Booo!

I've got some more leads, I'll find something soon enough. :icon16:

I've got some more leads, I'll find something soon enough. :icon16:

Three more interviews Furrrriday. At least one of them should lead to employments.

In other news, this is for sale, appraises for 9k... first one with $8,992.95 takes it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/thesilentchamber/3057%20Blue%20Oh_zpsetbbu8q1.jpg

Three more interviews Furrrriday. At least one of them should lead to employments.

In other news, this is for sale, appraises for 9k... first one with $8,992.95 takes it!


Mine and my wife's ring probably costed $150 for the pair.

Matching faceted silicon carbide rings (neither one of us likes gold). One 4mm wide, one 8mm wide. And she doesn't wear any other jewelry I've ever bought her... Not even her engagement ring.

Mine and my wife's ring probably costed $150 for the pair.

Matching faceted silicon carbide rings (neither one of us likes gold). One 4mm wide, one 8mm wide. And she doesn't wear any other jewelry I've ever bought her... Not even her engagement ring.

lol I feel ya, I don't wear any jewelry myself. Just a watch on occasion when I'm going out and and dressing above average.

Went to the Perot Science Museum in Dallas over the weekend. Fantastic place to get in touch with your inner child.

lol I feel ya, I don't wear any jewelry myself. Just a watch on occasion when I'm going out and and dressing above average.

Went to the Perot Science Museum in Dallas over the weekend. Fantastic place to get in touch with your inner child.

So, got a job again. Woo.... also got my first speeding ticket (yup... 30 years old, never had gotten a ticket for speeding till now) in Rockwall yesterday. :nono:

So, got a job again. Woo.... also got my first speeding ticket (yup... 30 years old, never had gotten a ticket for speeding till now) in Rockwall yesterday. :nono:

Gotta watch out pretty much everywhere except within Dallas city limits. DPD doesn't really care how fast you're driving, as long as you don't interrupt their cell phone conversations.

Gotta watch out pretty much everywhere except within Dallas city limits. DPD doesn't really care how fast you're driving, as long as you don't interrupt their cell phone conversations.

Lol, luckily I'll be in Dallas most of the time. I'm like 100 feet from Richardson though. Moving Friday... fucking moving. I also get to tow a trailer with the Jeep... its been 10+ years since I've pulled a trailer, and never in a city. Combined with the bouncy soft suspension and short narrow wheel base it should be a fucking riot.

I know I'm a little late, but congrats on your son!

I know I'm a little late, but congrats on your son!

I know I'm a little late, but congrats on your son!