my EJ Build: Take 2

[92stoccord]

Werd. They look pretty newish, but those bushings are damn gnarly.

 

[fionntan]

They are about 4 years old. However they only have about 3 years worth of light driving. My car was down for a lot of time in those few years and I don't really drive that much. Skunk2 admittedly used crappy bushings until recently.

 

[GlassHeadlights]

Thats retarded, they have one of the most expensive LCAs on the market and you get that. Oh well, are they poly at least?

 

[fionntan]

As far as I can tell they are exactly the same. The old ones had 8 grooves for grease and the new ones have 5. We will see how they hold up. I would have just bought new LCA's, but $30 > $150+. Some people got free replacements, but I missed that boat.

 

[Dual-500]

What did you use to lube components during the motor assembly? Marvel Mystery oil?

What about the ring compressor? Looks like a decent one. What brand and where to get one?

 

[fionntan]

I don't remember exactlly what the lube was called. I got both at autozone. The ring compressor was a rental.

 

[fionntan]

I have to replace the inner tie rods now. Yesterday I took my car in to get the alignment finished up after replacing the bushings, and between the last time I was in and yesterday my pass. side inner tie rod has gone bad. I picked two up today and I will install them tomorrow. I think I am going to get some SS brake lines this week as well.

I also am trying to polish my windshield. Anyone know of a good way to do this? I bought a kit yesterday and tried it out today. Lets just say it did not work. I think it actually added a few scratches. I have been reading a little online about it, and some people say it can be done fairly easily, while others say it is next to impossible. I would really like to polish it rather than replace it if I can.


Oh and Mod-Man2

 

[Dual-500]

Thank you sir.

 

[fionntan]

Time for a little update. I have been having idle issues for a long time now and I have finally fixed the problem. I do not know exactly what the cause was, but I don't care because it is gone now. I had been tossing around the idea of switching intake manifolds. The one I was using was an obd2 mani that I had to modify to use the TA sensor. I had to block off two vacuum bungs with hose and screws. Also I had to modify the coolant hose so that I could get coolant to the iacv. I was looking around on a local forum and found a guy that wanted to trade an obd1 mani for my old d series shift linkage, so I made the trade. I cleaned up and painted the mani and replaced all the gaskets, and now no more surging. I was never able to find any vacuum leaks before, but that must have been the problem. Here are a few pics of the IM before and after and some of the engine bay as it stands right now.

Old mani as I am taking it out.

Some before with air craft stripper on it.

After. I polished all the mating surfaces (finished with 1000 grit).

A few of the engine bay.

 

[Dual-500]

The black paint job on the intake manifold looks great - I'm going to paint mine now before assembly. Will sandblast it along with the valve cover and paint both.

 

[fionntan]

Thanks. I think it adds good contrast to all the white and silver in the bay.

 

[GlassHeadlights]

Yeah that's sexy as hell. Sick deal, that worked out great.

 

[Matts96HB]

wheres your timing cover?

other than that, the bay looks awesome.

 

[eg6sir]

funny how the Skunk2 strut bar is the same exact design as the Spoon version

 

[fionntan]

wheres your timing cover?

other than that, the bay looks awesome.

I am missing the middle part so I took it off...is it that big of a deal?

I am sure the strut bar is probably cheaper than the spoon.

 

[Dual-500]

I am missing the middle part so I took it off...is it that big of a deal?.

Yes it is. It's a HUGE DEAL! In fact, it shits up the whole engine bay. So, please get the phuking thing fixed!!!

 

[fionntan]

Is it dangerous? I know something could get caught between the belt and pulley, but I have seen other cars without it. I wonder if I could make one out of sheet metal. The plastic one rattled so bad that it drove me crazy. It might have been because the center piece was missing.

 

[Dual-500]

Is it dangerous? I know something could get caught between the belt and pulley, but I have seen other cars without it. I wonder if I could make one out of sheet metal. The plastic one rattled so bad that it drove me crazy. It might have been because the center piece was missing.

I was just messing with ya bro.

Just get one from the junk yard and if it rattles get a large tube of RTV and go to work on it. That'll do the trick and you will still be able to remove it without much of a problem. I see a lot of them off in pictures. Probably best to keep the belt and stuff covered for longevity.

I always run the covers on mine.

Still like that black intake manifold - Mine will be painted tomorrow - may do the valve cover to match - not sure - after the stuff is sandblasted I need to paint the intake, valve cover and oil pan.

 

[fionntan]

I think I will make one. I really don't like how cheap the oem ones look. Plus a one piece cover would have less room to rattle. I have a serious problem when it comes to rattles. They drive me crazy.

 

[Dual-500]

Thinking it over a bit - the "Why". Why do they put covers on the timing belt in the first place? I can't think of a reason why one is necessary. Other belts run out in the open. Serpentine, alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, etc.

Wait a minute, here's probably why they cover it - the timing belt performs a critical function so if something from the road bounced up or deflected into it the results could be catastrophic - which is not the case with other system belts. It's an unlikely scenario, but a possibility and the results are such that it's not worth the risk.

Sure glad I figured that out!!!