Backyard Mechanics....

Xenophon

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Sep 14, 2005
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Hey all,

I need some help. My dad used to work on my car, but he had a stroke a while ago and now he can't seem to get his mind to work. We think he might be in the early stages of Alzeimers as at this stage he can't even change a lightbulb without it taking the whole day.

So I want to ask anybody who is in the Jhb area if they can assist me. I need to put another engine in my car. I will do all the work, I just need supervision. I will pay what is necessary (I think I am getting some incentives in the future).

I've got a couple of things I want to do on my car. I need a faster motor (don't know what will fit into my car at this stage). Let's put it this way. My car does not go over 4RPM (marked off till 8). I changed the speedometer to a calender (that says it all). For a flat four it should not be this slow.

I need to upgrade the front brakes. The electrical system needs work on and the wheel bearings are shot.

I am not asking for free fare here. I will work on the car and am willing to pay anybody who will help me. This is a project in progress and I will let you know when I have the funds.

Ooh, I see we have a new smiley :erm:
 

Paul_S

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Jun 4, 2006
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Is this post meant to be a joke?
Dad with Alzeimers, engine that won't rev past 4 RPM, etc.

Flat four engine: Are you talking about a VW Beetle (the old one) or a very old Alpha? (I doubt you'd be asking advise if you were driving a Subaru.)
 

Drake2007

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Oct 23, 2008
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sorry to hear about your Dad.

get a Workshop Manual. All the info you need is in there.
 

Xenophon

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Is this post meant to be a joke?
Dad with Alzeimers, engine that won't rev past 4 RPM, etc.

Flat four engine: Are you talking about a VW Beetle (the old one) or a very old Alpha? (I doubt you'd be asking advise if you were driving a Subaru.)

You are such a po3s. My dad is in the early ages of alzeimerz and your fscking disrespecting that. I always thought mybb is the best place to ask advise. Obviously that is not the case.

Thanks drake ;) At least you have some feelings for a person in distress.

My engine will not rev past 4. what the **** is your problem ?:mad:
 
Last edited:

Paul_S

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You are such a ****. My dad is in the early ages of alzeimerz.
Thanks drake ;) At least you have some feelings for a person in distress.

I thought you were maybe playing a prank. My apologies.

My engine will not rev past 4. what the **** is your problem ?:mad:

You mean 4000 RPM? Most car engines won't idle below 500 RPM. 4 RPM is ship engine domain. You still haven't let us know what car you have and there have been a few manufacturers who have used flat four engines.
 

Xenophon

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I thought you were maybe playing a prank. My apologies.



You mean 4000 RPM? Most car engines won't idle below 500 RPM. 4 RPM is ship engine domain. You still haven't let us know what car you have and there have been a few manufacturers who have used flat four engines.


Apology accepted ;)

I'm used to an Alfa GTV6, therefore I might be used to a higher level of idling.

My float levels are shot... If you brake too hard, the thing stalls :p VERY embarresing when you trying to impress someone with your braking (brakes faster than it accelarates :D )

The car is a 1976 Colt Chrysler.
 

Xenophon

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Ah, that explains a lot!
You seem to like the classics. :D

Are you going to keep it original or modify (enhance) it a bit?


I need a bit more *cough* speed *cough*.

I love my speed and at this rate I'm getting nowhere fast :(
 

SilverNodashi

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Oct 12, 2007
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A colt? Which color, blue or white? Those wore nice cars, back in the day :)

I would love to help you on this one, but my own skills are a bit short. My dad is also a mechanic, for something like 30+ years now, I guess, but he's in Botswana, so it's gonna be trickey.

What engine do you want to put in? And what kind of cash do you have? i.e. do you want to put a nice fast racing engine in, or just another replacement engine?
 

Kokop

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Apr 7, 2008
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550
sorry to hear about your Dad.

get a Workshop Manual. All the info you need is in there.

Sorry about your Dad, just make sure you look after him the same as he did you.

Get a workshop manual. Dig around on the internet, I am 100% sure can find one in pdf format, either for a small fee or on one of those sites where the Swede guys got locked up the other day for playing pirates of the Caribbean/Bay

Good luck
 

Freshy-ZN

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Aug 17, 2005
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Sorry about your Dad. WRT to the car I think you are gonna battle to find someone with the free time to do something like that. It sounds like at least a semi-restoration project and the hours needed will be many many many so to pay someone even a cheap rate is maybe going to be excessive.

Like others have said you should be able to find just about everything you will need as far as technical info goes on the net as well as parts both original and compatible.

Im sure there is probably a site dedicated to that car or at least a section in a forum somewhere.

Good luck!
 

Fazda

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Apr 24, 2009
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I'm afraid you don't just shoehorn a bigger engine in to a car and hope that it will fit. You are looking at a massive job here, certainly NOT worth doing on an old Colt! :(
 

Drake2007

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I'm asuming it's a straight 4 cylinder, that engine bay would take a V6 I would think. My concern would be the general handling with old suspension and braking on that.
 

Fazda

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Apr 24, 2009
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I'm asuming it's a straight 4 cylinder, that engine bay would take a V6 I would think. My concern would be the general handling with old suspension and braking on that.

Well that's the point. Bigger engines need the car to be differently engineered for starters. You cannot just drop a V6 in to a space that can take it and hope that everything is just going to be fine.

In fact you are GUARANTEED that everything will NOT be fine!
 
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