The joys of old car ownership

[chief38]

I have been extremely lucky with cars and motorcycles over the last 30 years. I've owned pretty much every common brand of vehicle including German, Japanese, Swedish and American vehicles over my lifetime. When I owned my business we leased two cars for 3 years each. At the end of the 3 years we would lease new cars so I never had to eat any major repairs - the Dealers did that. Now that I have been retired for 13 years I actually own both our vehicles and they have been really great ones. I do all the detailing, maintenance and minor repair work if needed and "so far - so good" - nothing more expensive than replacing brakes and tires. I do realize that there is sometimes just pure luck when it comes to these things and I am very thankful we have been so lucky! Let's hope it continues!

 

[ACORN]

Just an FYI OBD II diagnostics came ~1996

 

[delcrossv]

The only big job so far was having the heads machined (leaking head gaskets are a common issue with 7.4L engines from the 90's).

I do have an O2 sensor that throws a code and then resets- replaced it once (?).

Also the trans does not like to run 8 hours at 85mph in 95+ degree weather with the AC on. Prolly need an additional trans cooler over the one integral with the radiator.

Still, not too bad for a car with 200k on it.

 

[rubiranch]

My 96 Firebird had an OBD II plug, and that's 26 years ago. Time flies.

First year for OBD II

 

[ron_c]

Just gave my grandson my old hand tools. When cleaning out the box I found my well-used ignition point tool with 8 feeler gauges, a contact brush, and a lead crimper.

It's been a while.

I still have those but have not used them in a few years now. I also still have my Automotive Analyzer I bought in the mid '70's from sears and it still works. Even the batteries for this are old.

 

[snubbyfan]

I really miss my 1975 Toyota Corolla SR5.


Carburetor, dual point distributor, 5 speed manual transmission, no power steering. In fact it had power nothing.
The only electronics were in the 7 band equalizer power booster and the AM/FM cassette stereo.
Just a simple dependable car. Looked good too.

 

[Bald1]

New vehicle diagnostics is crazy. Even the mechanics now days rarely diagnose a problem. They just replace the parts that the computer tells them too. Way to much technology for me. My GMC and my phone have a relationship. My truck asks me where it is when I drive off without it. Which is often. …. I keep my sanity by messing around with old outboards and small engines. Thankfully parts are still available online.

 

[Rodan]

New vehicle diagnostics is crazy. Even the mechanics now days rarely diagnose a problem. They just replace the parts that the computer tells them too. Way to much technology for me.

While I would agree about the relative skill level of most dealership mechanics, the capabilities of technology can be very useful.

I use computers to talk to my 30 year old race car, and can do things with diagnostics, tuning and data acquisition that were unheard of 20 years ago.

There's definitely a learning curve, though... especially for us 'seasoned' folks.

BTW, when I hear "old car", I think 'carburetors' and 'points'...

 

[ACORN]

Ah, the good old days. You could troubleshoot a car with a matchbook and a test light.

 

[JJEH]

Hard to believe that you can now see cars from the 90s with historic plates.

When you say "old car" I think of carburetors and distributors...

 

[venomballistics]

New vehicle diagnostics is crazy. Even the mechanics now days rarely diagnose a problem. They just replace the parts that the computer tells them too. Way to much technology for me. My GMC and my phone have a relationship. My truck asks me where it is when I drive off without it. Which is often. …. I keep my sanity by messing around with old outboards and small engines. Thankfully parts are still available online.

That would not be accurate among the truly skilled mechanics.
The code reader will point to a problem, say, an O2 sensor reading out of spec.
Can it be the sensor? Yeah .... But it can also be the wiring going to said sensor.
A proper tech will take steps to confirm the condition of the wiring and connections before condemning the sensor itself.
However, it is a field cohabitated with slackers perfectly content to go by the code, bilk you for the part, then sheepishly backtrack through procedure running up a bill.
It would almost be worth creating a problem to screen your technicians

 

[FLJoe]

I do think vehicles today are just way too complex. I tend to keep vehicles for a long time. My daily driver is a 96 Chevy 4WD truck with over a half million miles. I like it because it's got just enough technology to be really trouble free, but not so much I can't work on it myself. The basic fuel injection is much better to live with than a carb. On the other hand, it's got a distributor that's pretty normal for a guy that grew up on the old HEI units. I don't have touch screens to go dead, proprietary stereo systems that can't be upgraded, and a computer that runs the whole truck. From underneath it's basically an old school 4X4 that I can repair with my normal hand tools. My wife has a new Subaru that is so computerized I hate to think if it'll even be functional in 20 years.

On the other hand, I also have a 96 boat with the exact same Chevy 350, but it has a carb (the indestructible old 2GC). That is the most rugged, forgiving engine I've ever owned and I feel like it'll still be running fine 25 years from now when I'm in a nursing home!

 

[pmosley]

My 95 F150 - former daily driver, now gentle hauler. I can sit in the engine compartment to repair/replace items.

Sent from my BV4900Pro using Tapatalk

 

[jag312]

When folks say "old car", this is what I think about. That's a '49 Buick.

Or my 1954 Jaguar XK120.

 

[ACORN]

My 95 F150 - former daily driver, now gentle hauler. I can sit in the engine compartment to repair/replace items.

Sent from my BV4900Pro using Tapatalk

Nice truck!

 

[Oldfrt]

Back in 2019 I got a Autel diagnostic tablet for about $500, with 5 cars to maintain from 2000 to 2017 it has paid for itself several times. It does cost a little over $100 for updates every year to stay current.

 

[lihpster]

. I can sit in the engine compartment to repair/replace items.

My father once rode the passenger fender of a '48 Ford truck, dribbling gas into the carb from a Pepsi bottle while the driver stuck his head out the window to see. Broken fuel pump in the middle of the night 10 miles from home. Try doing that with a new F-150.

 

[54ball]

This is also after I have been chasing a not starting while hot problem for the last week or so, ended up replacing the battery, coolant temp sensor, cam shaft sensor and crank shaft sensor.

My Ford would do that after right I got it. It turns out that the primary leads (big cables) needed all the connections cleaned.

My windshield wipers barely work. I guess the leather has dried out in the vacuum motor. I'm going to try and oil it to see if that helps.

Untitled by Travis Brown, on Flickr

No joke, check those cables.

 

[austintexas]

old cars

I own a '98 Jaguar XK8. I have found parts are not too expensive it's the labor on the stuff I can't do myself that kills my budget. Next year it gets antique tags. $65.00 for 5 years and no state inspection or emissions test.
SWCA 892

 

[Racer X]

Just gave my grandson my old hand tools. When cleaning out the box I found my well-used ignition point tool with 8 feeler gauges, a contact brush, and a lead crimper.

It's been a while.

2 days ago for me

'69 GS350
'71 GSX
'72 Skylark droptop

Not much you can't fix with wire, electrical tape, crimpers and basic tools.

I do confess, the '69 now has an HEI, so it DOES have an electronic module.....