All posts by Doug

S10 Broke Down!

My S10 pickup has been having an issue where the brake light and ABS light would come on.  Also the engine light would sometimes come on.  Had it checked out at Midas.  Midas couldn’t get a reading and told me to stop by the next time it came on.  Well… yesterday I ran out for lunch and the lights came on.  I took it to Midas and they got a reading, but couldn’t figure out the problem and recommended a place to take it to.  Driving back home, it quit on me several times until I was close enough to walk home.  I called my mechanic and they came and towed it to their shop.  They determined the computer needed to be replaced and quoted me around $400 for a used computer, having Chevy re-program it and for towing.  I asked them how much a new computer would be and they said it was only $100 more, so I said to go with a new computer.  So the truck should be ready sometime next week!  Will have to take the bus to work as there is rain in the forecast for Mon and Tue!

Sub Frame Removal March 4, 2012

Determined that I have to grind the nuts off of the bolts.  Ordered new firewall brackets from Classic Industries which should arrive tomorrow.

Driver’s Side with cage removed ready for grinding:

Passenger’s Side after two hours of grinding:

Brackets which I will be replacing.  New ones should arrive tomorrow:

Sub Frame Removal Jan 26, 2012

I have tried spraying with WD-40 Rust Version for a week, then switched to PB Blaster for a week.  Now am trying AeroKroil for a week.  Also tried heating them with a Propane torch, but it won’t get them hot enough.  Found this post to be helpful: http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=160328

Discovered that Classic Industries carries Firewall Brackets: http://www.classicindustries.com/camaro/parts/14945.html

I have e-mailed them to ask if these contain the cage nut and if so, I won’t have to be so careful removing the firewall nuts as I will be able to replace them!

Rotisserie – Feb 17, 2012

Received my new Rotisserie from Northern Tool.  Saved $250 by having it delivered to the store and going to pick it up (at 600 pounds it was about all my truck wanted to handle!):

This is what it looks like once put together:

Next, I will need to get a body jig to keep the body straight while I re-do the sheet metal.  The one I am looking at can be mounted on the rotisserie:

Sub Frame Removal Jan 22, 2012

Got my front wheels back on and adjusted my jacks and tire skates to prepare for the front sub frame removal.  Will treat the bolts with WD40 this week to try to loosen them up…  Also used the plasma cutter to cut a piece of pipe off to use as a breaker bar when loosening the bolts:

Next weekend will be spend tackling the sub frame bolts to get them loosened \ removed.