Year: 2013

And we’re up and running…

domoxazCars, News, Volvo,

So now I’ve got the car on the road. The combination of the catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor did the trick, along with some updating tuning. It passed the idle emissions test with flying colors. My only downside was that the registration on the car had lapsed and the state charges you $8 for the first month and $4 for each additional month, so my charges came go $48 plus the original $19.95. It was either register it now and go through again or wait and hope the van didn’t crap out by then. We bit the bullet and registered.

I still have to replace the radiator and power steering rack but I’ve got those two handled. Performance Radiator on Ft. Lowell took care of it for me for only $40.91 – much cheaper than a new 3-core radiator! This is the better of the two radiators that I have for the car, they’re both 3-core, but the repaired one is a Nissens and the quality of the radiator is much higher. The power steering is another matter – it’s leaking like a sieve and the left inner ball joint is loose, causing the front end to shimmy at speed. Fortunately, my friend Alex had one in great shape for $60. Again, can’t beat that.

I got the tag today (06-MAR-2013) so it’s officially street-legal. 🙂

My plans for the weekend are to replace both the radiator and power steering rack. It’ll be messy, but hopefully, fruitful.

It begins anew…

domoxazCars, News, Volvo,

So, I’ve started getting my Bertone road-worthy again. I started by ordering a replacement catalytic converter and getting a wide-band oxygen sensor from Oreilly’s (old Checker Auto). This past weekend I cleaned off the hood and the trunk (still can’t find my damn cordless screw driver). After I cleaned it off I popped the hood and pulled the battery out to charge it. A few hours on the charger and the battery was up to 12.42 volts and as of today (28-JAN) it’s holding at 12V. Good news. Now the bad news. Looks like the radiator is hosed, the thermostatic switch that screws in to the radiator is corroded and the retainer that screws in just came off in my hand. I’ll need to replace the camshaft, layshaft, and crank seals in front and the rear main seal. They won’t cost much, but will take a lot of time to fix. It’s worth it because the car is still pretty solid. What makes it worth it? When my kids get excited that ‘Daddy’s working on the car!’

The man who wants to be king…

domoxazPolitics, ,

Another week, another assault on the Constitution. Just another week in the life of a supposed Constitutional scholar. (We wouldn’t know since we’ve never seen his papers, due to them being locked up.)

As Rahm-bo “dead-fish” Emmanuel has said in the past – never let a tragedy go to waste. What’s happening now is a typical left-wing swing in to action and misdirected sentiment. Rather than focus on bringing the country back the administration put on a dog and pony show and throwing out some more executive orders while at the same time trying to encourage the Congress to once again attack 2nd Amendment.

We’ve gone over four years and still no budget. Record unemployment. Stagnant economy. No one respects the United States because of our feckless president. What drives this administration is ideology – a far left socialist ideology that is akin to the European socialist system. This administration wants to break down the citizenry, to make the people lose their belief in American exceptionalism. The further the American people move away from independence and self-reliance the closer they move to dependance on the government – which is exactly what this administration wants.