tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49593061969519664982024-03-05T21:44:17.139-05:00The Crown Vics ETC BlogCompanion to my Crown Vic website. Updates on my 1998 - 2008 Crown Victorias, and other related info.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-42596978851308342432023-09-17T19:02:00.002-04:002023-09-17T19:02:28.228-04:00HOW TO Change a Crown Victoria Grille<p><span style="font-size: medium;">SO after installing nice new headlights in Vic 3.0, I decided to bite the bullet and also install the NOS grille I had been sitting on for MANY years. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a simple install. All you need to do is remove the black plastic filler panel/radiator cover, then use a socket (I forgot to note the size for you, I THINK they are 7/16") and remove the retaining nuts all around the back of the grille. Swap grilles, and put the nuts back... simple! But don't overtighten them... don't want to snap the posts!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhOyPzKihiV2V0CfOXLiM2NsnvPGFmi-CgOvcr6coAGjEWTppNZGNZSZeh7U5NgRxXg8rgZgO6ZAuRpGY81p2kwFf0oVUuAhqmiqAapddc2Wi276-u5EetNdczBTc-rF7MHZpmHbQOWlW_KZXNHr7pejRBXVVr7QniKShsleXovZ193mOVdOTACJEo5IL/s1000/grille9.13.22_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhOyPzKihiV2V0CfOXLiM2NsnvPGFmi-CgOvcr6coAGjEWTppNZGNZSZeh7U5NgRxXg8rgZgO6ZAuRpGY81p2kwFf0oVUuAhqmiqAapddc2Wi276-u5EetNdczBTc-rF7MHZpmHbQOWlW_KZXNHr7pejRBXVVr7QniKShsleXovZ193mOVdOTACJEo5IL/w640-h300/grille9.13.22_7.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now is a good time to touch up the paint around the grille... you KNOW you need to!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtyDxXzPchn7OV3l5hf8k2MWg5BInIRvGQ7mdTtEXyUKkbTV4MNzK36NviCx-PRgAnWGY7RuU_K5KBGhGMpIwNdfbca3eESEXszkCWm9Q4Gm3xDXnW1D0t5Ea15EopSDuB46JXMMv2Y3kK6KPUPbzHa2_xMlnNW4ne8Wsa0qJGu-z0KGmyt3E1FnlBDg0/s1000/grille9.13.22_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1000" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtyDxXzPchn7OV3l5hf8k2MWg5BInIRvGQ7mdTtEXyUKkbTV4MNzK36NviCx-PRgAnWGY7RuU_K5KBGhGMpIwNdfbca3eESEXszkCWm9Q4Gm3xDXnW1D0t5Ea15EopSDuB46JXMMv2Y3kK6KPUPbzHa2_xMlnNW4ne8Wsa0qJGu-z0KGmyt3E1FnlBDg0/w640-h432/grille9.13.22_1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Old on bottom... note the corrosion on the chrome</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74F1HkOYBSQjXER2LCcTs8Ed9Tosq0t0JXKuY1e2Ow-W-Vym_oY1z3oyPr_Lb7pgKrva3xSBIdkRrlbd3NnYsyoOgj8NfKGWnZ6mlZ71cJpdDuLKxWZU1TfSZZrLs8nvC8nHZe3GYpdTmy_vrBT4LEY4e1qxGTWd6jf4Yx91V5klb2d1jI5___eqUZsM-/s1000/grille9.13.22_15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="1000" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74F1HkOYBSQjXER2LCcTs8Ed9Tosq0t0JXKuY1e2Ow-W-Vym_oY1z3oyPr_Lb7pgKrva3xSBIdkRrlbd3NnYsyoOgj8NfKGWnZ6mlZ71cJpdDuLKxWZU1TfSZZrLs8nvC8nHZe3GYpdTmy_vrBT4LEY4e1qxGTWd6jf4Yx91V5klb2d1jI5___eqUZsM-/w640-h368/grille9.13.22_15.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Looks like a new car! Now that license plate holder needs to be changed...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-15682330348863673322023-09-17T18:45:00.005-04:002023-09-17T19:02:43.951-04:00HOW TO Change Crown Victoria Headlights<p><span style="font-size: medium;">I am way behind with updates, so to catch up a bit, here's a quick rundown of how to swap your crummy, cloudy old headlights with nice, clear, shiny new ones. A while back, I had scored a brand new original Ford and one super nice used example, and last year decided to install them and stop worrying that I'd be inviting some sort of smash-up simply by them being there (would be my luck, just like every single time I get brand new tires, I get nails and screws stuck in them!).</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd1sv3QP4o_0PHsTONzHDHO1HJ0QJ5wlyT4tf4qs5CGASDDx5GZ2ahymAPhy_1vPngs1nJ7lsFNoNQFEFoy79KmTVZZfZ4qSSTIUn2sQxyM0_8ssCUMPgmwxj2d6XXDvx4O_jIH0dnyKkTmk4_YG7aqZEUlfzvuiV8b7gtJT6z-Z9k4JFKgTULvDtZmwV/s1000/lights9.12.22_4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="1000" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd1sv3QP4o_0PHsTONzHDHO1HJ0QJ5wlyT4tf4qs5CGASDDx5GZ2ahymAPhy_1vPngs1nJ7lsFNoNQFEFoy79KmTVZZfZ4qSSTIUn2sQxyM0_8ssCUMPgmwxj2d6XXDvx4O_jIH0dnyKkTmk4_YG7aqZEUlfzvuiV8b7gtJT6z-Z9k4JFKgTULvDtZmwV/w640-h336/lights9.12.22_4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">STEP ONE: Open the hood, and remove the black plastic filler panel/radiator cover</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPz5Fb9psAvrSe_RZYm_6aWDy0kXrxo5K9HDQTfczi73Pn4jvCgyqNzENoNdR1O7OLA2cmM-tjhRcijTtydOqpj2crUTT4GeDbOIssCBan-N280wzoCa1SYHymM2Vq9YR32_mVuC6q6b8zX1gSlTCKejR8L4CJAg6i_UNch81n1LeZbQTl9VqC8dYokaz/s1000/lights9.12.22_5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="1000" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPz5Fb9psAvrSe_RZYm_6aWDy0kXrxo5K9HDQTfczi73Pn4jvCgyqNzENoNdR1O7OLA2cmM-tjhRcijTtydOqpj2crUTT4GeDbOIssCBan-N280wzoCa1SYHymM2Vq9YR32_mVuC6q6b8zX1gSlTCKejR8L4CJAg6i_UNch81n1LeZbQTl9VqC8dYokaz/w640-h466/lights9.12.22_5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">STEP TWO: Take a tool that you are comfortable with and slide these two retaining brackets UP to free the headlight</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOfWMrNSbqWBu2hg1UqLCkTkvdMgiigwcGKW-TfeuiCo49o3P2kA1Q-wZIvpuyx12vYRtQ6FjKykytOHia3gmCmVGnCxroA-b5qOXMAz4-FeaBvT8KXLvV9xN42-6yO1xnJ96Tos_I-aUcWria-8NQe_hm3dFe9Rtb3b3gZPMd4pv2Phaz8BMAwILwQxB/s1000/lights9.12.22_7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1000" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOfWMrNSbqWBu2hg1UqLCkTkvdMgiigwcGKW-TfeuiCo49o3P2kA1Q-wZIvpuyx12vYRtQ6FjKykytOHia3gmCmVGnCxroA-b5qOXMAz4-FeaBvT8KXLvV9xN42-6yO1xnJ96Tos_I-aUcWria-8NQe_hm3dFe9Rtb3b3gZPMd4pv2Phaz8BMAwILwQxB/w640-h556/lights9.12.22_7.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">STEP THREE: Unscrew the round plastic retainer around the main headlight bulb. Mine was broken and slid right out. You can now slide the headlight unit out of the car</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQGZhuDXORHrRjDPQqpDcNrlErNqRhHoRt6c8dRynaIzWVCCTEfAsieemTPC3UNo4RRGAQHFHBdpFZp8pBRVRZuZi9aX0HJgJMjD6J_LiD5xwye_aFftNao7_M0iiv4T8UrYbANIcXGuRQnGTVEXqh0k0lJQyQHz9DgUkosAmr3J_M_So-s-l0wG1rBIb/w640-h506/lights9.12.22_22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Headlight removed showing wiring harness</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaWME24-CDOCA21JhfQoOyW99uoNkTB8vRzC6LQLwLiA3WRKx8figWGWf6tNiVIewe6l6lnka8jF6YBNmClU1bN_uIZlgzsjCtI9QKwC2DThTchGVkq3u7Zij7JgM7-tdya9oKcyxJIQSJnoKO64xUeIVKWCzNSxu-ibngFYi_gYA3Tuxm0g8yADe1r9B/s1182/lights9.12.22_20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="982" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaWME24-CDOCA21JhfQoOyW99uoNkTB8vRzC6LQLwLiA3WRKx8figWGWf6tNiVIewe6l6lnka8jF6YBNmClU1bN_uIZlgzsjCtI9QKwC2DThTchGVkq3u7Zij7JgM7-tdya9oKcyxJIQSJnoKO64xUeIVKWCzNSxu-ibngFYi_gYA3Tuxm0g8yADe1r9B/w333-h400/lights9.12.22_20.jpg" width="333" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">STEP FOUR: Replace any bulbs you want to update. As you can see, my "blinkas" were nasty looking, so I swapped in new ones. I also had a spare retaining ring from the used headlight to replace my broken original</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_h7YgYoC1ow4ukwciWwvf2mqIHu6y0KxfbFLDupgvjUx67Lel88-38wah5iRkw3C4lxmy6ZE-7c1D7ikcsfSpBdgHeYbAbSNQHueO0VskoPZvhpDtEgY98127QtHrubhoMlIvKyoOWJkVjBN_ph3Z3Fj16Vae0vxePR1poh5DPlROxAknWIlw7EVIEPo/s1000/lights9.12.22_11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="1000" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_h7YgYoC1ow4ukwciWwvf2mqIHu6y0KxfbFLDupgvjUx67Lel88-38wah5iRkw3C4lxmy6ZE-7c1D7ikcsfSpBdgHeYbAbSNQHueO0VskoPZvhpDtEgY98127QtHrubhoMlIvKyoOWJkVjBN_ph3Z3Fj16Vae0vxePR1poh5DPlROxAknWIlw7EVIEPo/w640-h292/lights9.12.22_11.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Comparison of original, 15 year old headlight with NOS replacement. Notice the positioning pins are also the adjustments to align the headlights once they are on the car<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">NOW just reverse the process! I matched the alignment pins to the old ones, assuming that the lighting would then match. I was wrong... Use either a small socket or plyers, etc to properly align them. Not sure how? Here are some links to help you out:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://youtube/GWvSWBlAwnI?si=C0WH7aVmp_BqXyhq&t=20"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://youtube/GWvSWBlAwnI?si=C0WH7aVmp_BqXyhq&t=20</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://raybuck.com/how-to-adjust-align-headlights/"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://raybuck.com/how-to-adjust-align-headlights/</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-aim-and-adjust-headlights"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/r/car-projects/how-to-aim-and-adjust-headlights</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNUQTJCbMu0gmDyPtsa6LtpO7i4uYGOUTHbcgahMoeV8UvjlywuLyVJoVwg3qGn7u0ZImLE14mwSrmijQE0FiHVKmIU4nQkrtIeLiCHlXjpSxUcKac7eUyaDdirByfRVSoBZCGGwPnEBhnUo7LfBZz6wuU_7mUDV9F_v7n2XtEFS9PyJmLWiL0as2PVdE/s1000/lights9.12.22_13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNUQTJCbMu0gmDyPtsa6LtpO7i4uYGOUTHbcgahMoeV8UvjlywuLyVJoVwg3qGn7u0ZImLE14mwSrmijQE0FiHVKmIU4nQkrtIeLiCHlXjpSxUcKac7eUyaDdirByfRVSoBZCGGwPnEBhnUo7LfBZz6wuU_7mUDV9F_v7n2XtEFS9PyJmLWiL0as2PVdE/w640-h246/lights9.12.22_13.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before... after...<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-28457306530761458132023-09-17T17:33:00.005-04:002023-09-17T17:33:39.751-04:00RETIRED: Dad's 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis<p style="text-align: center;">Dad's 2010 Grand Marquis went to a new home today, with a whopping 70,615 miles on it. It went to a local man, so we may see it out and about! Dad is now driving Mom's 2011 Crown Vic. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m1nzTTYLfxhWsPv9fcNFsrq3pyEJZLkVSVHjH6aQ1wRQTMjP1KntL3Yzo7lT5RDsTLGYtXDv4xhxgWqkOZJFb50ei8d2DVVHnMbpk8PGApEdW8fn3AZK-Sv1qWRAihc4ADFcNdxdrg0uoCiejs2xxErypigSWvYm3xzy8YeB3bka_kQ_DJfptnHcmqVj/s750/6.4.22%20(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="750" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m1nzTTYLfxhWsPv9fcNFsrq3pyEJZLkVSVHjH6aQ1wRQTMjP1KntL3Yzo7lT5RDsTLGYtXDv4xhxgWqkOZJFb50ei8d2DVVHnMbpk8PGApEdW8fn3AZK-Sv1qWRAihc4ADFcNdxdrg0uoCiejs2xxErypigSWvYm3xzy8YeB3bka_kQ_DJfptnHcmqVj/w400-h175/6.4.22%20(9).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">12/21/11-7/14/22</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-12907445144946564662022-06-23T18:43:00.002-04:002022-06-23T18:43:16.947-04:00PINK Massachusetts State Police Cruiser Spotted in Concord MA<div>LOOK! There's Barbie's Malibu Dream Car!</div><div><br /></div>Nope. <div><br /></div><div>I finally spotted the Massachusetts State Police pink breast cancer cruiser! It was parked at the Concord barracks, so I had to pull in to take a photo! I didn't want to look too conspicuous (in an old police car??) so I only took a couple out the window. Of course, it was cloudy so the colors didn't "pop" but you get the picture.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKoDRi61Xpe1rIiRBgvcm956kClDMsqDZF3VH7z64U95G4gE7ejiwO16euwa3tKcL_-sYyHpjJS4K7YDiXTNPKZqhhDqrRrfzrJQzJ0ghn13jO5T01lF1xOLJPvZmHoK7uAWPJvLejGFnLBHSGdc8rghFbzVWZpUXF4xYYBEoTi71SOPT3ZU5lAw0_g/s1080/PinkMSP6.19.22_01.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKoDRi61Xpe1rIiRBgvcm956kClDMsqDZF3VH7z64U95G4gE7ejiwO16euwa3tKcL_-sYyHpjJS4K7YDiXTNPKZqhhDqrRrfzrJQzJ0ghn13jO5T01lF1xOLJPvZmHoK7uAWPJvLejGFnLBHSGdc8rghFbzVWZpUXF4xYYBEoTi71SOPT3ZU5lAw0_g/w640-h370/PinkMSP6.19.22_01.jpg" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1PC0iPaDC26ABJYkIpaTHxwdwNYLn3MQacMlzO-3kd8zqt12ZbHN-ChvTvZYENZWHp5jHx3WlSeoalBfQ7rMxkQ0NZsbxzY-cCJiP-ioavh1x6JiL7xs8NzuDR-0_vW9ueHTb-lMKm0Q-Di_W2RzPnmxEfhLFtP6P8Xmi3BX2_lkESm_0nY2xFNdBw/s209/Opera%20Snapshot_2022-06-23_184047_www.mspnews.org.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="204" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD1PC0iPaDC26ABJYkIpaTHxwdwNYLn3MQacMlzO-3kd8zqt12ZbHN-ChvTvZYENZWHp5jHx3WlSeoalBfQ7rMxkQ0NZsbxzY-cCJiP-ioavh1x6JiL7xs8NzuDR-0_vW9ueHTb-lMKm0Q-Di_W2RzPnmxEfhLFtP6P8Xmi3BX2_lkESm_0nY2xFNdBw/w72-h74/Opera%20Snapshot_2022-06-23_184047_www.mspnews.org.png" width="72" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>This cruiser was created as part of the<a href="https://www.mspnews.org/pinkpatch/" target="_blank"> Pink Patch Project</a>, and to "raise awareness and show support for all who have battled and continue to battle breast cancer or any other type of cancer."<br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-44138290929257021872022-06-21T18:29:00.000-04:002022-06-21T18:29:37.104-04:00150,461 MILE UPDATE: Oily, Tired, and Tense... <p>Vic 3.0 has been getting some attention lately. First new shocks/struts, then a new fan belt, then a new fan belt tensioner, and then today a nice (overdue) Mobil 1 oil change and a set of brand spankin' new Goodyear RS-A tires. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ospkGxjlsYnKS8Uu4uNgfJNkC7ZnTyE_baAYDza6fz3DeRWemZGrCz_2e7Xj_BU1fVYE0G48fScDFXdh2pPqJjW35lgd9Otg4wkXBss27Iykv705Lmfa8noi9uARDmAySTMXySm0L1B1i7l437fgNWnvqUAN9MvuPdc80UJivH6atrCF1lD7_ELj9w/s720/NewBelt6.5.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="720" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ospkGxjlsYnKS8Uu4uNgfJNkC7ZnTyE_baAYDza6fz3DeRWemZGrCz_2e7Xj_BU1fVYE0G48fScDFXdh2pPqJjW35lgd9Otg4wkXBss27Iykv705Lmfa8noi9uARDmAySTMXySm0L1B1i7l437fgNWnvqUAN9MvuPdc80UJivH6atrCF1lD7_ELj9w/w200-h112/NewBelt6.5.22.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gGmQZof6P_k983wxMatf0hifE8MJKTGJ_HmJsMbsl2wDjxrKTnvXEUn9k8u1CeY2XTo5CF9n0aeUdUhkdLc22ERNbuAOz6l1h1-9jijFaUEOwUSAH6xJ2v9aO-O1UzItqiVF4gutzW81CTNCpbsLtXMWChdJmM3liNqBlCgmD4NXfxrE2ykq4eJDZg/s1440/OldBelt6.5.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="1440" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gGmQZof6P_k983wxMatf0hifE8MJKTGJ_HmJsMbsl2wDjxrKTnvXEUn9k8u1CeY2XTo5CF9n0aeUdUhkdLc22ERNbuAOz6l1h1-9jijFaUEOwUSAH6xJ2v9aO-O1UzItqiVF4gutzW81CTNCpbsLtXMWChdJmM3liNqBlCgmD4NXfxrE2ykq4eJDZg/w200-h39/OldBelt6.5.22.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sgBqp62z83Yw9vi8IGJ_2-BZgQ_DrxeeNSt3IP3w1K_U0YL_miGYdn1Jer1DV0xm-pm3UEh29b33rO4PGMcHDZqARah1SBo-BEdcnpzwImj74RLvo7bdWZkfL6J8epuHk6WdegbHWP5k8txk4kkFxpqqsDTiDR4TVxb_Cd05eWjulMPknbD7rllUEQ/s720/belt6.5.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="720" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sgBqp62z83Yw9vi8IGJ_2-BZgQ_DrxeeNSt3IP3w1K_U0YL_miGYdn1Jer1DV0xm-pm3UEh29b33rO4PGMcHDZqARah1SBo-BEdcnpzwImj74RLvo7bdWZkfL6J8epuHk6WdegbHWP5k8txk4kkFxpqqsDTiDR4TVxb_Cd05eWjulMPknbD7rllUEQ/w200-h135/belt6.5.22.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p>The belt tensioner wasn't planned. When we installed the new belt, we noticed that it took more effort than usual to move the tensioner to get the belt on/off. On the belt went, and out into the ether emanated a horrible screech when I started the car. I assumed the belt just needed to seat itself into position.</p><p>Wellp, the next day the sound was SO bad, not just when the car started, but every time I had to use the throttle from a stop. I dropped by Upholstery Guy's shop and he suggested I get a can of belt dressing. I took his advice, and it seemed to help. By the end of the day, the sound was gone. BUT every time the car started up cold, that screech was there, scaring birds and neighbors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfBdI1S0Uhz8uOn7x6tbfjVYdVzEqu4lQQiGtargsjDhHJgHmjcHKJ2lB7-57vQBypaVlBj19JYqj3hTcQEYucapJr0odl4SpqMwJdqS2_OOk6Kd46OK6W3AazNIU_he2BcaUSAW2RP6L4QxE50Uv7UkC6QuG0nvSTANPtyGofL-lrAImuF_Rp_Rx-w/s1127/6.5.22%20(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="720" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfBdI1S0Uhz8uOn7x6tbfjVYdVzEqu4lQQiGtargsjDhHJgHmjcHKJ2lB7-57vQBypaVlBj19JYqj3hTcQEYucapJr0odl4SpqMwJdqS2_OOk6Kd46OK6W3AazNIU_he2BcaUSAW2RP6L4QxE50Uv7UkC6QuG0nvSTANPtyGofL-lrAImuF_Rp_Rx-w/w85-h134/6.5.22%20(18).jpg" width="85" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQSDu1XdO669EsSNFbRnEdtezI5BxDjuDvvu3g3Ovk63hp946q0z6pIocPwnd8VQk7PifDAAKwW5RBmSb9HxVufNG3nTInXlQouOI8B5edRp4XiOGEGAoNLOl75ntp6x8PYJY3tH2pTSISmRlSEQU6knwNj8GXLjfSNklVAek4XrK6RBm7RF7f9JjqA/s1240/Tensioner6.17.22_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="720" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQSDu1XdO669EsSNFbRnEdtezI5BxDjuDvvu3g3Ovk63hp946q0z6pIocPwnd8VQk7PifDAAKwW5RBmSb9HxVufNG3nTInXlQouOI8B5edRp4XiOGEGAoNLOl75ntp6x8PYJY3tH2pTSISmRlSEQU6knwNj8GXLjfSNklVAek4XrK6RBm7RF7f9JjqA/w78-h134/Tensioner6.17.22_22.jpg" width="78" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindLR00k-pXwoVpMF62IbNgJCn9kl0WE_0J4WDyCBmLC9iAq9ZFWO42W9yFtF1nULG1-8DhrK2akidQ8GzICnJ1PIFbrrcjD2mOdlH8KRCKFITPVXsxhdtEzfKWgxuaPS6j58ZreVETEfjflNM9pMe3lETtHUWAlPIctG_UbHzrtCc-KtLOFMq9jHcGA/s720/Tensioner6.17.22_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="720" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindLR00k-pXwoVpMF62IbNgJCn9kl0WE_0J4WDyCBmLC9iAq9ZFWO42W9yFtF1nULG1-8DhrK2akidQ8GzICnJ1PIFbrrcjD2mOdlH8KRCKFITPVXsxhdtEzfKWgxuaPS6j58ZreVETEfjflNM9pMe3lETtHUWAlPIctG_UbHzrtCc-KtLOFMq9jHcGA/w184-h103/Tensioner6.17.22_09.jpg" width="184" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwORRTNOubYA3YDgkxdOuIGvc-7YEMX-3FeVl3pQBPoIAH4f6OnbVpxCNJ8GCe4s0H3-7eD346Y44GrLXt-V63cPy_7rbMj3kLrF5iNU9vB_8rt6YOmYCjEucaAP2JW1YxPgTffByTf7dq6V91uKItCavfaMzid9e9wKRNuOAlqfNS90m8vwypK0BdjQ/s720/Tensioner6.17.22_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="720" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwORRTNOubYA3YDgkxdOuIGvc-7YEMX-3FeVl3pQBPoIAH4f6OnbVpxCNJ8GCe4s0H3-7eD346Y44GrLXt-V63cPy_7rbMj3kLrF5iNU9vB_8rt6YOmYCjEucaAP2JW1YxPgTffByTf7dq6V91uKItCavfaMzid9e9wKRNuOAlqfNS90m8vwypK0BdjQ/w168-h104/Tensioner6.17.22_07.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><p>On to Rock Auto I went, and ordered a Motorcraft belt tensioner. I planned on installing it myself as all I needed to do was remove one bolt, but Taxi Guy did it for me before I knew what had happened! (150,327 miles) Now, everything is nice and quiet. I almost think I can hear a difference as well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErB7-1E74M-imam92neQvgJP3YHCD6bb-ShTHPitqOapQYQGLT2A00Xx6741QpK2H2_FaDD9moABHnTqR62Lg9qsp6WVrAXK3OeSea-OEe8Jvvuc4Mr6Vl0FfXeKRdYrMGr33UlMvDimgH4bLVN1IuxhkOs5PBgkQYb_R1ouRBzgyu6fW3mWgIf7IBg/s430/Tires6.4.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="360" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErB7-1E74M-imam92neQvgJP3YHCD6bb-ShTHPitqOapQYQGLT2A00Xx6741QpK2H2_FaDD9moABHnTqR62Lg9qsp6WVrAXK3OeSea-OEe8Jvvuc4Mr6Vl0FfXeKRdYrMGr33UlMvDimgH4bLVN1IuxhkOs5PBgkQYb_R1ouRBzgyu6fW3mWgIf7IBg/w108-h130/Tires6.4.22.jpg" width="108" /></a></div><p></p><p>As for the tires, I waited and searched and scored a set for a decent price. RS-A's don't have a high treadwear rating (it's about performance, not longevity) but even so, they made me realize the old set NEEDED to be replaced. They were all over 10 years old so had some age-cracking, and had worn enough to be good for dry weather speed, but NOT safe for rain.</p><p>Now, the last time I put this much money into a car, it ended up being totaled by my mother. I sure hope nothing happens to this one, too!! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-55594833456247238202022-06-19T17:29:00.007-04:002022-06-21T18:34:35.747-04:00Vic 3.0's Twin Back In Town<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXNK07AQ5u8rP9Eg2TZ8gAQGRuUTuj5v9BNIbFY6JVQvcfZx6hgUWZUo9PeM-IOY7dHbiB7NvjUlg8dYWjUKM8gFKRsqNgc_3KRnPDOEucsvGXkQvqrTmOGTo7c-l66UussW6p4VYOqA3t92fsDrmV4m8S_OyCLYk3Gn6qLR-xB2adWLmD2SoiQvMZQ/s360/Vic6.18.22.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="360" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXNK07AQ5u8rP9Eg2TZ8gAQGRuUTuj5v9BNIbFY6JVQvcfZx6hgUWZUo9PeM-IOY7dHbiB7NvjUlg8dYWjUKM8gFKRsqNgc_3KRnPDOEucsvGXkQvqrTmOGTo7c-l66UussW6p4VYOqA3t92fsDrmV4m8S_OyCLYk3Gn6qLR-xB2adWLmD2SoiQvMZQ/w200-h168/Vic6.18.22.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Now that "The Taurus" has left Mystery Mechanic's fleet, having moved on to a new life with a new owner, Vic 3.0's twin is back in town. <p></p><p>We went out to where it has been stored, uncovered it, hooked up the battery and after two years it fired up first try! (It is an Interstate Power Fast Series, for those who are curious) All the tires had 25psi in them so my job was to pump them back up while MM worked on swapping a new wheel/tire onto his Little Red Trailer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH1jyHlo4nXMF2wzFsmVoooXJ7JWO6cVXzNgrOArZzV4Pl6AwHnfvY0po9riCXoh7RJ035h21D-kpVN_TWXgqnXU1RDdZwgZiBdzDW-tP2Y0Ld9J8vtGjBstVIwpN6iwd3hp8IdimlepmldY-hPC_Kg-Zm1Ro80mnrVSrYFgaUfpL0tkeL65OJpQqCw/s362/Vic10.3.21b.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="360" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNH1jyHlo4nXMF2wzFsmVoooXJ7JWO6cVXzNgrOArZzV4Pl6AwHnfvY0po9riCXoh7RJ035h21D-kpVN_TWXgqnXU1RDdZwgZiBdzDW-tP2Y0Ld9J8vtGjBstVIwpN6iwd3hp8IdimlepmldY-hPC_Kg-Zm1Ro80mnrVSrYFgaUfpL0tkeL65OJpQqCw/w199-h200/Vic10.3.21b.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><p></p><p>Vic 3.0b has 139,294 miles and 278 idle hours. Unfortunately, it also has a little transmission issue that we have to troubleshoot. A good transmission was swapped into it already, but it still has issues. Personally, I think we need to look into the torque converter but it could be some other things as well. It is a good solid car so MM wants to get it all happy again.</p><p>OF NOTE, I found a gas receipt inside dated 11/3/19, just before we put it into storage. The price of regular was $2.28/gallon............................ today, I paid $4.89 at a CHEAP station... average in Massachusetts is about $5.05.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOqZYSGL4PhDqaoVH1BcFnifxeIP6j-cDzQlv4B7kpP-7hJGcMR1RYzbVCiHaW3WKSrE8W_Qv9mA_EtZzMnAXz1l9fJDSuJ_hoEOsD18UKEe-ed38EYUL1fH5th5146LTfXJIe9ofgLMcv_ZHQbxpdOTZNXO-k0iVPAhWP2UZBNFWkwmV8IKaThsIdQ/s720/Vics6.21.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="720" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOqZYSGL4PhDqaoVH1BcFnifxeIP6j-cDzQlv4B7kpP-7hJGcMR1RYzbVCiHaW3WKSrE8W_Qv9mA_EtZzMnAXz1l9fJDSuJ_hoEOsD18UKEe-ed38EYUL1fH5th5146LTfXJIe9ofgLMcv_ZHQbxpdOTZNXO-k0iVPAhWP2UZBNFWkwmV8IKaThsIdQ/w400-h306/Vics6.21.22.jpg" title="The Twins Are Back in Town!" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The twins are together again!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-5358656858818382972022-06-05T12:50:00.000-04:002022-06-05T12:50:01.570-04:00149,619 Mile Update: SHOCKING! ... again... really...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7Eiq3i4ZYE6UhozszDIFbOR_ReKQx_n1uvB_-yPokxGk6DnjotJh7UkeeF0md-Ca3tdXRMsWhNrC7Dweppb5BKpBdD4rRrVnirtiAcKWWKWPgFu4yL8cm821AIogWdDgcqesiJDkAxxf4tnZ__t8T7oUqS1-goUwNgCwXsyYZHRXphw_FHW9Jb0ZOw/s216/5.27.22shocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="216" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7Eiq3i4ZYE6UhozszDIFbOR_ReKQx_n1uvB_-yPokxGk6DnjotJh7UkeeF0md-Ca3tdXRMsWhNrC7Dweppb5BKpBdD4rRrVnirtiAcKWWKWPgFu4yL8cm821AIogWdDgcqesiJDkAxxf4tnZ__t8T7oUqS1-goUwNgCwXsyYZHRXphw_FHW9Jb0ZOw/w192-h145/5.27.22shocks.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>Vic 3.0 had new OEM shocks/struts installed by Taxi Guy... without a lift, thanks to two of his being down and a third having a car already on it. BUT it was done and I no longer need to think about a front coil spring taking out a fender! Amazingly, there isn't a "night & day" difference, but things like bridge expansion joints are way nicer to drive over. I'll have a better idea of the difference once the less-than-perfectly-balanced snow tires are off, which should be done today, and new tires are installed (hopefully later this week if Taxi Guy's lifts are repaired). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYgE_v8V7luV-JTpVSrcNMf6i958PcU3mjoUTZfhyvrc3WouPN_0N2JGUsx3O1GR_mMAF3LxvlYvbYlM4Pi5c9fjqG0S0tsirMrHt4r7K3539SGpKfPFXo54M5cK-TLEgE05CxlB_DO99Pz7BH7GaH6QB5dDiI7LK-T6Y7tKeRxgGgv-U3he8SJRb6Q/s360/5.6.22%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="360" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYgE_v8V7luV-JTpVSrcNMf6i958PcU3mjoUTZfhyvrc3WouPN_0N2JGUsx3O1GR_mMAF3LxvlYvbYlM4Pi5c9fjqG0S0tsirMrHt4r7K3539SGpKfPFXo54M5cK-TLEgE05CxlB_DO99Pz7BH7GaH6QB5dDiI7LK-T6Y7tKeRxgGgv-U3he8SJRb6Q/w193-h128/5.6.22%20(3).jpg" width="193" /></a></div><div>So assuming the shocks that got replaced were original, they lasted 149,619 miles and about 14 years. The ones on 2.0 leaked but these never did. Then again, 3.0's and Mom's '11 had a front coil spring break, but 2.0 never had than happen despite being driven aggressively for years. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-30831290675978257462022-04-25T20:48:00.004-04:002023-09-17T18:46:52.282-04:00HOW TO... Replacing a Police Dome Light After 14 Years<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A familiar accessory to anyone who has been around a police car is the snazzy dome light used in place of the vehicle's stock light. It is known by many names... sun, ticket light, cop dome light, work light, etc. The latest ones are LED and have both red and white lights. But Vic 3.0 has the old clear-bulb version. Wellp, somehow a crack had developed in the light's white plastic cover. Earlier this month, I tried to push the crack in a bit, to make it look better, and instead I ended up with an actual hole.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5gWkT0NKmGDOeQ2QssgzzehXYi07bnCqhCRLPLzZbMer5kCluHRNu3ER_PJZCQsqXquLL9mx1iJrd18uWYlZj9CaKQ7e6ufkTUkydmrQS3oTVXa3Ul6CxyXoYpJlg_TNfx8xPzs9yCC1_yxBzEj_vb1MkH72zC4hGtH1QrKyZGShN3QCZWYZXUYmrA/s539/DomeBroken.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="504" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5gWkT0NKmGDOeQ2QssgzzehXYi07bnCqhCRLPLzZbMer5kCluHRNu3ER_PJZCQsqXquLL9mx1iJrd18uWYlZj9CaKQ7e6ufkTUkydmrQS3oTVXa3Ul6CxyXoYpJlg_TNfx8xPzs9yCC1_yxBzEj_vb1MkH72zC4hGtH1QrKyZGShN3QCZWYZXUYmrA/w141-h151/DomeBroken.jpg" width="141" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Such a flaw is not tolerable.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So online I went, expecting to find tons of those plastic covers on Ebay. I was surprised NOT to find many at all! A few listings were what looked like cheap bulk lots. I did manage to find a seller with NOS GM-bagged ones. So they got my money, and I got the part.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While trying to pry the old cover off, it basically disintegrated in my hand. On went the new one, and now things look a bit nicer. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If YOU need to replace your dome cover, do a search for either "Signal Stat 77-570" or GM part number 10160922. More digging will probably turn up a Ford part number as well. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FYrxMHg121Jb9_wKkg2LK3kflpSa21cNIpLGh5GmfKb8-kAC2d_A33V029AdKCdxP9hfMWfbMuppoGoeTUGf3EO0hGstnfVZQzBazeJF7N4jtoznRR1ZvwndgV2go9QySSHqhrwo96QVls4wJILGrhx0wrv_bY8_nLPRbklbOt36Fj1UEhOeC4YFRA/s504/DomeBroken2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="504" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FYrxMHg121Jb9_wKkg2LK3kflpSa21cNIpLGh5GmfKb8-kAC2d_A33V029AdKCdxP9hfMWfbMuppoGoeTUGf3EO0hGstnfVZQzBazeJF7N4jtoznRR1ZvwndgV2go9QySSHqhrwo96QVls4wJILGrhx0wrv_bY8_nLPRbklbOt36Fj1UEhOeC4YFRA/s320/DomeBroken2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ZmKRzwBFrSe7t03orHJvnj7miFktmreVcdKVCSQ6OkMUy9QYaOhS2OMNfZqJKgvE-3UqHENTGjW_ufHrXvBJqEnP350x_MxaOpud8Rbh4KMEOitsSy7RRFb0VIfyxPYVqwP1QJl5uQc9Ptu1IPAVAFWi_L-9gUXHRzktWTlYcpH0slj8Hzaeaj_6w/s1132/DomeBroken3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70ZmKRzwBFrSe7t03orHJvnj7miFktmreVcdKVCSQ6OkMUy9QYaOhS2OMNfZqJKgvE-3UqHENTGjW_ufHrXvBJqEnP350x_MxaOpud8Rbh4KMEOitsSy7RRFb0VIfyxPYVqwP1QJl5uQc9Ptu1IPAVAFWi_L-9gUXHRzktWTlYcpH0slj8Hzaeaj_6w/s320/DomeBroken3.jpg" width="305" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxaJ4TGZcKnc4k_xrjblqTFsC_cpjDHVzOb9vhe6Dec-b3w0c5NGNgvoYsp7-Tof-XX-AW6VkM-FN6XdMrc1znYN0JTUUrgRzNJX5hRkhANrFk-hcvpvFj6uWjikuABidV447FaBgP0Wf8NrtPmk_4nLQef65lD8q-HOf8TZfLN0vKvltZ2P9A5hZBA/s529/DomeBroken5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxaJ4TGZcKnc4k_xrjblqTFsC_cpjDHVzOb9vhe6Dec-b3w0c5NGNgvoYsp7-Tof-XX-AW6VkM-FN6XdMrc1znYN0JTUUrgRzNJX5hRkhANrFk-hcvpvFj6uWjikuABidV447FaBgP0Wf8NrtPmk_4nLQef65lD8q-HOf8TZfLN0vKvltZ2P9A5hZBA/s320/DomeBroken5.jpg" width="305" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji5Y6x6BtCbOBVnJLbwPcRZWafy_iKEBJw9JaigHItuGPU4Y9TZRM_mrz_QmdsegiqBcOD3DZIjzK-FvhsvWro02YJA40-W__VMFjwcKVe7AOW2shvMtI4LXklCDOsAhukhbAEdRwan65ziua2z4zdn5_oRmJ7I3UfFKnoF0ppxuXjw0Ng_NZbBghhw/s1080/DomeBroken4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1080" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji5Y6x6BtCbOBVnJLbwPcRZWafy_iKEBJw9JaigHItuGPU4Y9TZRM_mrz_QmdsegiqBcOD3DZIjzK-FvhsvWro02YJA40-W__VMFjwcKVe7AOW2shvMtI4LXklCDOsAhukhbAEdRwan65ziua2z4zdn5_oRmJ7I3UfFKnoF0ppxuXjw0Ng_NZbBghhw/s320/DomeBroken4.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uq769cqf_aN_TD1fqtT_rWI8fgg3SDqoFmSAYqnxf3FM9pwtlSYhgRR3dTHRtiaIDMj--o2Bb8-J5zZDuyKrxkhYkveku_4QKNMkZ_4IM0qG0XS8EUm1Mte0o2UZ14tek056oIprVyUUw3xDT-1uNdn6COHNbh3153kaLg1okG2n_gwLMHDzIPa-1g/s763/DomeCOverPart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="504" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uq769cqf_aN_TD1fqtT_rWI8fgg3SDqoFmSAYqnxf3FM9pwtlSYhgRR3dTHRtiaIDMj--o2Bb8-J5zZDuyKrxkhYkveku_4QKNMkZ_4IM0qG0XS8EUm1Mte0o2UZ14tek056oIprVyUUw3xDT-1uNdn6COHNbh3153kaLg1okG2n_gwLMHDzIPa-1g/w263-h399/DomeCOverPart.jpg" width="263" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA3D3oyKmsIOijDUWNKISvOV8QqhIGFi8ei9w2qhjOniOQJFVf9QTBEYfZxvO5C2o-Ep_wTkSGvxnzzX-hLTpyTlFL5GQW_VCtv5rL4hFI1d5WCMw_GZ7SZPZ3ETTjtydOHSMITZH717b5MyGpJFFAgCdiG1j5ywHeDcFYhXEqf6j4z7ddslBIVi4oQ/s607/DomeBroken7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmA3D3oyKmsIOijDUWNKISvOV8QqhIGFi8ei9w2qhjOniOQJFVf9QTBEYfZxvO5C2o-Ep_wTkSGvxnzzX-hLTpyTlFL5GQW_VCtv5rL4hFI1d5WCMw_GZ7SZPZ3ETTjtydOHSMITZH717b5MyGpJFFAgCdiG1j5ywHeDcFYhXEqf6j4z7ddslBIVi4oQ/s320/DomeBroken7.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpiwkXB9FBG9FR26mf0J-XTpyHGO4wKdx_757wIQjZ0el5eybtPMESS6KxANviIb_Bio4IVEWKLIdvgcY7k-vl0-_fFHtAUIE1EHwyAiZhDuvaNKI95Aqo3H_AcymY8ozvrfZqwV8y4KGFUrqYQdqB56K_aw90orspPQSNtkP1AZJ-Y0PvEzvmrjy1Q/s432/DomeBroken6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="432" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpiwkXB9FBG9FR26mf0J-XTpyHGO4wKdx_757wIQjZ0el5eybtPMESS6KxANviIb_Bio4IVEWKLIdvgcY7k-vl0-_fFHtAUIE1EHwyAiZhDuvaNKI95Aqo3H_AcymY8ozvrfZqwV8y4KGFUrqYQdqB56K_aw90orspPQSNtkP1AZJ-Y0PvEzvmrjy1Q/s320/DomeBroken6.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-17274086462628457002022-03-12T15:12:00.002-05:002022-03-12T15:19:49.661-05:00147,900 Mile Update: SHOCKING! ... again... <p><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wellp, I FINALLY ordered front shocks/struts (they'll always be "shocks" to me...) for Vic 3.0. Taxi Guy informed me quite a while ago that one of the front springs is broken. But the break is in a spot that has allowed me to drive without noticing a lot (no noise, etc). I just decided enough is enough and ordered OEM replacements from Rock Auto. I already bought rears a while ago (because they are a lot cheaper!). Last time I replaced all the shocks on a car, Vic 2.0 got driven into a wall and totaled... I hope that doesn't happen THIS time, too!!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK6utoUEJ73lDEbty-UGafVMji6D8adwgW7DaxTIu1GXlXSu7NqUoaqiuIjrrnHu8TDsP1P0BJXp1oF8-2CEZU3HcwOPVsnBnq1lVB51v20c1LJBsat8OKSRwmwpeYL5m10Y3KnXXkxYc4_yynmgk6Jy23demTqDNDiJY1Pmoq0sKBHJGLxTcMcIlOkA=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="900" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK6utoUEJ73lDEbty-UGafVMji6D8adwgW7DaxTIu1GXlXSu7NqUoaqiuIjrrnHu8TDsP1P0BJXp1oF8-2CEZU3HcwOPVsnBnq1lVB51v20c1LJBsat8OKSRwmwpeYL5m10Y3KnXXkxYc4_yynmgk6Jy23demTqDNDiJY1Pmoq0sKBHJGLxTcMcIlOkA=w640-h342" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-3778702295086102132022-01-22T20:33:00.000-05:002022-01-22T20:33:04.144-05:00My Original Key Chain Finally Falls Apart... <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOOX2WJcl7oX1-Ehx61QO5qKHEEC6Qu27cosMA5waT61ImVBMZfoate44Ci0oZZ_XZxEOHJJtfV0heJXZaSa1LBNEgERDRRQZj6pwnw8ionH4o8qasoEhwPszFh_4TNuAZJliKxtdWUyosd5IrW430ZpLvViGgFM4TRp_XMc5r78NqWCvAMZmA9R5spg=s486" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="400" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOOX2WJcl7oX1-Ehx61QO5qKHEEC6Qu27cosMA5waT61ImVBMZfoate44Ci0oZZ_XZxEOHJJtfV0heJXZaSa1LBNEgERDRRQZj6pwnw8ionH4o8qasoEhwPszFh_4TNuAZJliKxtdWUyosd5IrW430ZpLvViGgFM4TRp_XMc5r78NqWCvAMZmA9R5spg=w108-h132" width="108" /></a></div>On April 6, 2000, I purchased Vic 1.0 from Bonnell Ford. My salesman was one Mark Donovaro. <p></p><p>On November 27, 2021, I drove Vic 3.0 to Bonnell because I needed to replace my original key chain, which had finally fallen apart. Who did I ask for a new one?</p><p>Mark Donovaro, now a sales manager. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0353 US-3, Winchester, MA 01890, USA42.4581527 -71.160887414.147918863821154 -106.3171374 70.768386536178838 -36.004637399999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-57308878306443756802022-01-22T20:15:00.003-05:002024-01-29T13:22:37.243-05:00HOW TO Program Tire Pressure Sensors on a Crown Victoria<div><b>NOTE</b>: I just realized I had one big error in these instructions. If you tried them before with no luck, try it again!</div><div><br /></div>Vic 3.0 is the first car I've owned with TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system). But I've watched Mystery Mechanic deal with them on his cars for years. To be honest, I think it is a pain in the backside. They don't go off until the tire is so low I can tell it is just by the way the car drives. Newer cars can actually tell you the current PSI per tire, which is nice, but just like some people who use their own blood pressure cuffs, they can make you paranoid and a slave to the PSI display!<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2uDsOA9oNSIf6jkax9Ke0IClZCahaN463j-aTNQu-noX3HSLEmRowVs5MCM8CyQyXWajIzFQqFVlLKLYBucdEllLlgxXfsQRhODEi7twsnwCPZsB5X0Gy7OPNriCTuCjaD67VC3F4Ae2hMR-hmtuCq2oHVav3K64EpO_SfN73JqONe7GdzX2ZhPJsSA=s1170" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1007" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2uDsOA9oNSIf6jkax9Ke0IClZCahaN463j-aTNQu-noX3HSLEmRowVs5MCM8CyQyXWajIzFQqFVlLKLYBucdEllLlgxXfsQRhODEi7twsnwCPZsB5X0Gy7OPNriCTuCjaD67VC3F4Ae2hMR-hmtuCq2oHVav3K64EpO_SfN73JqONe7GdzX2ZhPJsSA=w76-h88" width="76" /></a></div>Anyhoo, things were a mess at the Homestead this past month, resulting in my scrambling to get snow tires onto Vic before the first snow storm in Massachusetts. MM has one Ford tire programmer that works on all our Fords (so far) and I finally borrowed it yesterday. He told me the proper procedure for programming my snow tire rims to the car. I will now attempt to remember the steps:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1) </b>Put key in ignition</div><div><b>2) </b>Push down/tap brake pedal <b>ONCE</b></div><div><b>3)</b> Turn key to the <b>ON</b> position (so that dash lights go on but the car doesn't start) 3 times fast, return to <b>ON</b> position when done</div><div><b>4)</b> Push down/tap brake pedal <b>ONCE </b></div><div><b>5) </b>Turn key to the <b>ON </b>position (so that dash lights go on but the car doesn't start) 3 times fast, <b>KEEP KEY TURNED</b> so that dash lights stay on but car doesn't start. Horn should beep once. That means the car is ready to read the programmer.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb3ww5uRquKLh1WXwp3xTsHtdgg3Xk4oTRD7BusxKxpsJfz4RlweDqsql9gcs24QHtnnMPe53J9mssLuwmtKG0vIui10AlwgF_dZGti0s43RftDpJfNI7n0dssZmsu44NK4hyf9FlwA0K-WlQKRPyXC4ZH2xl1hWUK6NkonnIyug5Nk4A9-NKbtGmEAw=s600" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="600" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgb3ww5uRquKLh1WXwp3xTsHtdgg3Xk4oTRD7BusxKxpsJfz4RlweDqsql9gcs24QHtnnMPe53J9mssLuwmtKG0vIui10AlwgF_dZGti0s43RftDpJfNI7n0dssZmsu44NK4hyf9FlwA0K-WlQKRPyXC4ZH2xl1hWUK6NkonnIyug5Nk4A9-NKbtGmEAw=w169-h114" width="169" /></a></div><b>6)</b> Go to the <b>FRONT LEFT </b>(driver side) <b>WHEEL</b></div><div><b>7) </b>Hold down the button on the sensor programmer and hold it 180º from the valve stems (aka: directly opposite). The horn will beep when that sensor has been programmed. Then go <b>CLOCKWISE</b> around the car, doing the same to each wheel. </div><div><b>8) </b>When you are done, turn the ignition off and remove the key.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQDyd_zEHU96Gpn4qDTpegLMGDdL7wiYwRh1iEneVm4puE8ZJqcwGy7x_tE2SkmfvEkd62XHJinrCxNhxiNrjFSjQx9nUISS00-w1ZO23qOzBo9G62qmfwqzRM7Hbv4m5ARqfkPARQlFsc_iN7wKxcu2oSG2H86CzEGcOZWo45_TY-xY6_RX1-3WY6cQ=s606" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="606" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQDyd_zEHU96Gpn4qDTpegLMGDdL7wiYwRh1iEneVm4puE8ZJqcwGy7x_tE2SkmfvEkd62XHJinrCxNhxiNrjFSjQx9nUISS00-w1ZO23qOzBo9G62qmfwqzRM7Hbv4m5ARqfkPARQlFsc_iN7wKxcu2oSG2H86CzEGcOZWo45_TY-xY6_RX1-3WY6cQ=w126-h113" width="126" /></a></div></div><div>The TPMS sensors on Crown Vic rims are strapped on opposite of the valve stem, NOT like newer cars that have them integrated into the valve stems themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>ALSO, at least on a 2008, it takes a while for the TPMS to let you know if your wheels are not programmed. MM has a newer vehicle with a set of snow tires on rims with faulty sensors, and it takes exactly the same distance for him to get a TPMS light on the dash as it did on Vic. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-15999156995178852682022-01-18T19:39:00.003-05:002023-09-17T18:47:19.058-04:00HOW TO Replace Crown Victoria Hood Struts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxPOnCLzvas_0nRtHL78wtW98k2uNe2jpanlsU8n9DclZrqgLTIs582z_QULE3PeWpf6YmDO61EIJPWOhkC2WAx96B9pzj_0xdAH4RwdNSVYIbXHYlTC6MId0U1XUzpDeAGNS2t-rvZK8ncfh-uEvFl_WDnBuQjaN9G4KK85Tp2KQpZ-mMK9yBl3zf_w=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1500" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxPOnCLzvas_0nRtHL78wtW98k2uNe2jpanlsU8n9DclZrqgLTIs582z_QULE3PeWpf6YmDO61EIJPWOhkC2WAx96B9pzj_0xdAH4RwdNSVYIbXHYlTC6MId0U1XUzpDeAGNS2t-rvZK8ncfh-uEvFl_WDnBuQjaN9G4KK85Tp2KQpZ-mMK9yBl3zf_w=w185-h122" width="185" /></a></div>Last winter, I made a mental note that Vic 3.0 needed its hood struts replaced, as the hood wouldn't stay open, especially on really cold days. Well, that mental note was forgotten until a year later when temps again started to go down. I finally ordered new struts from Rock Auto and installed them in December, just before my entire family got COVID... (not a fun experience...)<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisfXBdJgsBLw_zmiEB3qDmqkefieAdUucH43YaeQHQch21PsbDQ_RvaSRSmyDaiWxH_L6OAXpkTvJqskKdkiFDuxlQ9c_yM-bHwo3MjzhPmFx111MuOuBZZ5NAGMyncXCjz77js90qEIQiOVfxliTdSS90qZ5V8FbIixTD0nG-FCaNNAwO7iJqtjYE_w=s2895" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="2895" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisfXBdJgsBLw_zmiEB3qDmqkefieAdUucH43YaeQHQch21PsbDQ_RvaSRSmyDaiWxH_L6OAXpkTvJqskKdkiFDuxlQ9c_yM-bHwo3MjzhPmFx111MuOuBZZ5NAGMyncXCjz77js90qEIQiOVfxliTdSS90qZ5V8FbIixTD0nG-FCaNNAwO7iJqtjYE_w=w185-h167" width="185" /></a></div>If you have never replaced these struts on a Crown Vic, it is really pretty simple. You will need something like a thin flat screwdriver (some sort of hook tool would be even better) and maybe a hammer. <div><br /></div><div>The struts attach to posts on the car via a type of spring-clip. To remove the old struts, put the screwdriver (or hook tool) under the metal clip. Pop it off the top and bottom posts. To be safe, you may want to place something like a wood board against the hood to prop it open. Do NOT use your head... <p></p>You can now pry the old strut off the mounting posts. Take the new strut and LOOSEN the spring clips. DO NOT REMOVE THEM! I accidentally popped one off and it took extra tools and anger to get the thing back on. All you should do is LOOSEN them so that you can push the strut onto the proper post.<div><br />Make sure the strut is firmly pushed onto the posts, then push those clips down against the strut. In other words, re-seat the clips. The strut should now be firmly attached to the car, and your hood will no longer slam down onto your noggen.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPw8pUg0gRPMp6rmw772vnmyL5JNkSDPJ4p6J5eqS4JEtCUOWB6fyjuU688Jd7l2MiWFy37r1E_lMzIV8ccmRO580XoenH2t5bGKcDVASgEko2hw13f_eUdhTGkrz54CHHYONhHg9oenKI2Qpvq_REC94h1NQ6ah44nXJ_a66yM7SAYFTV1phYP-u55Q=s3744" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1935" data-original-width="3744" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPw8pUg0gRPMp6rmw772vnmyL5JNkSDPJ4p6J5eqS4JEtCUOWB6fyjuU688Jd7l2MiWFy37r1E_lMzIV8ccmRO580XoenH2t5bGKcDVASgEko2hw13f_eUdhTGkrz54CHHYONhHg9oenKI2Qpvq_REC94h1NQ6ah44nXJ_a66yM7SAYFTV1phYP-u55Q=w183-h94" width="183" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>I noticed that the original struts were made by the same people who made the replacements, Stabilus. I like to use OEM parts when I can afford them, so I was happy about it.<p></p><p>The correct Stabilus part number is (T)SG404024.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxrIQNjmAN7E43-vwdGcEsmigElVKlog9XBUaKc93rvup7X7hevkoD49QfFXLLhJFwaNrIMZ_aHmGwsbg-xG4b_rgeRzWYdlqID6snTU0S3KNAdMmpA2N8OtU-HLCON7-aEXXQzBrbyGc3otzIF5VCuBRmvjnA4l4sF01E4dawrtSWBIXbIL39N4JhZg=s2698" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="2698" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxrIQNjmAN7E43-vwdGcEsmigElVKlog9XBUaKc93rvup7X7hevkoD49QfFXLLhJFwaNrIMZ_aHmGwsbg-xG4b_rgeRzWYdlqID6snTU0S3KNAdMmpA2N8OtU-HLCON7-aEXXQzBrbyGc3otzIF5VCuBRmvjnA4l4sF01E4dawrtSWBIXbIL39N4JhZg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitbLQ7DFcjGLJPb6raZTwpp_j2nFqnl4e1CWYBL0zqn3zj3fBWj2g1jwN8iu6LMF6W2HA6cjq21bLDbFHRhaVGCi9fXgZuTj0niCrRZit9kdZ_lQZsAyfJRjXCKlKpeMnKTbGid1itqlOq59D0nqQ3BCijv7AyyQ3KayDtPZIUe3LPmJdKMOxCUH9yjA=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1500" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitbLQ7DFcjGLJPb6raZTwpp_j2nFqnl4e1CWYBL0zqn3zj3fBWj2g1jwN8iu6LMF6W2HA6cjq21bLDbFHRhaVGCi9fXgZuTj0niCrRZit9kdZ_lQZsAyfJRjXCKlKpeMnKTbGid1itqlOq59D0nqQ3BCijv7AyyQ3KayDtPZIUe3LPmJdKMOxCUH9yjA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF5VpZ0OhvCruHOu87fzbzxGrhG0AIEtIlYnwq0M03NW1GElcWXbwq7GbTPLuv0l4M-KJVRY2dy88ssQEfOeDOfR6rnrftblU0VtbKf1X-iEPUeVtmBapHYHQ14SM-vmagJOZC7Hl_MXyy-PTwpev5Is60a2_-bPJsgiE3dX21bnGRwFrHJ7_OPHNzGw=s1500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1500" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhF5VpZ0OhvCruHOu87fzbzxGrhG0AIEtIlYnwq0M03NW1GElcWXbwq7GbTPLuv0l4M-KJVRY2dy88ssQEfOeDOfR6rnrftblU0VtbKf1X-iEPUeVtmBapHYHQ14SM-vmagJOZC7Hl_MXyy-PTwpev5Is60a2_-bPJsgiE3dX21bnGRwFrHJ7_OPHNzGw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-88979096113027413602021-10-08T17:53:00.001-04:002021-10-08T17:53:14.737-04:00Vic 3.0... odd one out... <p style="text-align: center;"> "... one of these things does not belong here... one of these things just isn't the same..."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QkN22mnr8NM/YWC9jwZhp0I/AAAAAAAAE0Q/5xqdMKrfIA88BB3nRWjFkHp1Lt4steXaACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/Vic10.3.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="1200" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QkN22mnr8NM/YWC9jwZhp0I/AAAAAAAAE0Q/5xqdMKrfIA88BB3nRWjFkHp1Lt4steXaACLcBGAsYHQ/w646-h250/Vic10.3.21.jpg" width="646" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-41050012177912342072021-07-27T17:25:00.001-04:002021-08-08T17:20:39.479-04:00Reattaching a Power Door Lock Actuator in Mom's 2011 Ford Crown Victoria<p>A while ago, my mother asked me what a certain noise was in her 2011 Crown Vic. She also said the passenger door lock wasn't working. It didn't take long for me to figure out the big rivet that holds the power door lock actuator to the door itself had broken off. When that rivet breaks, the power lock won't function correctly as it needs to be firmly attached to the door to work. This happened years ago to Vic 1.0, and my old mechanic used a nut & bolt to fix it. </p><p>I decided I wanted to do the job right, so I sourced the correct rivets, and FINALLY forced myself to do the job recently on a hot summer day, borrowing a capable riveter and a few tools from Bob at <a href="http://www.belmontseatcover.com" target="_blank">Belmont Seat Cover</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKYWPy2QP3k/YQB0e8AvCuI/AAAAAAAAEvg/0tXC3Y3lPhE2YOO4-hLJRWDNr575JnPXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1885/RIVETS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="1885" height="125" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bKYWPy2QP3k/YQB0e8AvCuI/AAAAAAAAEvg/0tXC3Y3lPhE2YOO4-hLJRWDNr575JnPXgCLcBGAsYHQ/w555-h125/RIVETS.jpg" width="555" /></a></div><p>If you need to do this repair, some of the tools you'll need are a T25 torx, a 7mm socket, panel remover tool, patience. The rivets I went with are Auto Body Master part number PM49930, purchased at <a href="http://www.checkeredflagautosupply.com/" target="_blank">Checkered Flag </a>in Ayer MA. There are others out there that will work, but I didn't need 100 of them! Make sure they have a dome-like appearance like the originals. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwdWEuV28eU/YQB04QA7jSI/AAAAAAAAEv4/XMQLyRPFNjgpi1j9VkBM7FVYHx9NlXK2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/doorpaneljob5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1526" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HwdWEuV28eU/YQB04QA7jSI/AAAAAAAAEv4/XMQLyRPFNjgpi1j9VkBM7FVYHx9NlXK2ACLcBGAsYHQ/w146-h196/doorpaneljob5.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><p>I didn't take photos when I started the project as I was just plain too distracted. But taking the door panel off is a bit easier with this panel than the 1998 style ones, other than needing something other than a Phillips screw driver. The most important thing to remember is, if someone hasn't already, DO NOT break the plastic tab off the switch panel! This is very easy to do if you don't know about the problem. Once you break it, the panel will never sit snug again without "persuasion". And unless you have a black interior, finding a replacement will no longer be a simple task. </p><p>Below are some "maps" to help you with this job. Again, I didn't think to take pics until it was too late, but something's better than nothing!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpWxPj6l9ME/YQB1Zh18BgI/AAAAAAAAEwA/yxMUVdCV54I-ysOQZ86a0-ZjeN2f_vnvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/doorpaneljob6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="1800" height="403" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpWxPj6l9ME/YQB1Zh18BgI/AAAAAAAAEwA/yxMUVdCV54I-ysOQZ86a0-ZjeN2f_vnvQCLcBGAsYHQ/w508-h403/doorpaneljob6.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NCr0WPBYgs/YQB1iS4ZkwI/AAAAAAAAEwE/HOjSmyCP-BIXChH7DaIVLVEDrX2lIcoTACLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/doorpaneljob7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1080" height="421" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3NCr0WPBYgs/YQB1iS4ZkwI/AAAAAAAAEwE/HOjSmyCP-BIXChH7DaIVLVEDrX2lIcoTACLcBGAsYHQ/w508-h421/doorpaneljob7.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_PYcthBgFA/YQB1zlKm7TI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/92yKOcD2YtUTf7-l-Mocoawo9QnmzwNXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1861/doorpaneljob4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1861" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_PYcthBgFA/YQB1zlKm7TI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/92yKOcD2YtUTf7-l-Mocoawo9QnmzwNXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w508-h302/doorpaneljob4.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFYZ4U7mYK8/YQB4sQY3TRI/AAAAAAAAEwY/ciNBwetPALwTVF5EZbpcWOrcXwysGbhQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1923/doorpaneljob1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1923" data-original-width="1911" height="407" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XFYZ4U7mYK8/YQB4sQY3TRI/AAAAAAAAEwY/ciNBwetPALwTVF5EZbpcWOrcXwysGbhQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w405-h407/doorpaneljob1.jpg" width="405" /></a></div>Once you remove all hardware, simply lift the door panel up and off the door itself. Feel around and you will find the lock actuator is just sort of hanging, thus banging around in the door, driving you nuts, and also making it so your power lock won't function correctly. You will see the cad-plated bracket with a hole in it, perhaps even the remnant of broken rivet like in Mom's door. You can clearly see the hole in the bracket, and how it should line up with the hole in the door. I used some sticky black goo to help hold the two together while we prepped the riveter. Then, POP went the rivet and the repair was all done!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sr9trbNqAQk/YQB48cDcZoI/AAAAAAAAEwg/p9UKiXKt_4AgyOcRAMW1XRK6dqD7ICpCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2507/doorpaneljob2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="2507" height="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sr9trbNqAQk/YQB48cDcZoI/AAAAAAAAEwg/p9UKiXKt_4AgyOcRAMW1XRK6dqD7ICpCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w405-h144/doorpaneljob2.jpg" width="405" /></a></div>Next, I taped up the black shield thingy and slipped the door panel back on... forgetting to line the lock knob up properly with the hole in the panel like I do every single time!! Plug the switch panel back in, carefully pop it back on, and you're good to go. <br /><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-42328903152790719402021-02-26T17:14:00.004-05:002021-02-26T17:14:57.379-05:002008 Ford Crown Victoria Window SwitchesCrown Victorias are usually pretty beefy cars. Part of the reason is that they are simple. What cars tend to be maintenance nightmares? Cars that are "complicated".<div><br /></div><div>One part that seems to have issues on the later cars are the window switches.</div><div><br /></div><div>Vic 3.0's driver's window switch started to act strange not long after I took the car over. I'd have to "finesse" the switch to get the window to go up, but not all the time. It got worse and worse, and I started thinking I better start looking for a used set of switches. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, what happened? It stopped working... with the window OPEN.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I had it in back of my head Mystery Mechanic had a set of switches in his basement. I looked around and found them. BUT, I quickly discovered they worked, but had the same problem! We then remembered that his '08 ALSO had the issue, and the part was the bad one.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was at least able to put the window back up.</div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to take apart my totally-toasted one to see if it could be fixed. I thought perhaps some contacts would be cleaned. In the end, I couldn't fix them and just gave up.</div><div><br /></div><div>A trip to our favorite junk yard later, and I had a new (used) part in-hand. This was in September 2020 and so far, they still work fine. </div><div><br /></div><div>There may be folks out there who know how to fix the switches, or may want to try it. Below are some photos to help those people out. </div><div><br /></div><div>NOTE: The switch style changed one last time, I think in 2009 or 2010.</div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBPJ6wYgTWU/YDlveQz8WnI/AAAAAAAAEkE/hzfZlqpGSuovsNZFGe-cfUeS0v5XjNZgwCPcBGAYYCw/s1308/switches9.22.20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1308" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBPJ6wYgTWU/YDlveQz8WnI/AAAAAAAAEkE/hzfZlqpGSuovsNZFGe-cfUeS0v5XjNZgwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h356/switches9.22.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ford part number: 5L1T-14540-AWB</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF3tDqAvTfI/YDlvhqGQpFI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/ghpMhqf453w5Sr-nq5LBv2C7iqzRa9-1gCPcBGAYYCw/s1841/switches9.22.20b.jpg"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jF3tDqAvTfI/YDlvhqGQpFI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/ghpMhqf453w5Sr-nq5LBv2C7iqzRa9-1gCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h228/switches9.22.20b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Exploded view of parts</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFZslJJ6RtQ/YDlvhSATAHI/AAAAAAAAEkc/UyWsn3hz0vQANPP8GN2iQfPqGctV7I0GwCPcBGAYYCw/s847/switches9.22.20c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="847" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFZslJJ6RtQ/YDlvhSATAHI/AAAAAAAAEkc/UyWsn3hz0vQANPP8GN2iQfPqGctV7I0GwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h320/switches9.22.20c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little dust/water guards slip right off... notice the copper connectors</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yX-f2iyLDqs/YDlvhbmjhsI/AAAAAAAAEkY/uMJilyU0r38eE1RjnfCGf5P1U__DlMckgCPcBGAYYCw/s847/switches9.22.20d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="847" height="308" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yX-f2iyLDqs/YDlvhbmjhsI/AAAAAAAAEkY/uMJilyU0r38eE1RjnfCGf5P1U__DlMckgCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h308/switches9.22.20d.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of bottom with connectors</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-54433904490552535352021-02-26T16:40:00.003-05:002021-02-26T16:49:21.726-05:00Winter Embarrassment... <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqIFvbM_NnI/YDlp2MJ-t2I/AAAAAAAAEjs/omNVrvSkxPoOyMkMfY9P5XR8FjCftTQhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/snow2.23.21b.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="847" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqIFvbM_NnI/YDlp2MJ-t2I/AAAAAAAAEjs/omNVrvSkxPoOyMkMfY9P5XR8FjCftTQhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w188-h200/snow2.23.21b.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>In the almost 3 decades I have been driving, I have been driving full size rear wheel drive V8 sedans. I know how to drive them in winter. I have been stuck in snow less than a handful of times.<p></p><p>AND SO it is with some embarrassment that I type up this post!</p><p>The other day, it was in the upper 40s and sunny here in Massachusetts. That meant snow was melting BUT still hiding ICE underneath. I pulled into a dirt lot to take a photo of an unusual locomotive. It never came (assumed it stopped down the tracks to work) and what ended up happening? I decided to leave... </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rx3B023Ezlg/YDlqAN8VrzI/AAAAAAAAEjw/963o_B4ukE4Xarp0LwdOK97Zpf39KeUPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/snow2.23.21.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1800" height="142" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rx3B023Ezlg/YDlqAN8VrzI/AAAAAAAAEjw/963o_B4ukE4Xarp0LwdOK97Zpf39KeUPwCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h142/snow2.23.21.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Now, even though Vic 1.0 has been gone for a while, I STILL can't get used to the larger turning radius of Vic 3.0 (due to the wider track). I misjudged a 3-point turn and the front wheels pushed into a berm of snow just before the side of the road. I had to stop to make sure no cars were coming. And that was what did me in. Normally it would be no big deal, BUT Vic had enough time to sink through the watery snow and onto the ice hiding under it!<p></p><p>It took:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>about a half hour of time</li><li>a bunch of sand</li><li>a cheap emergency shovel</li><li>an old pair of plastic get-me-unstuck mats (one of which disintegrated)</li><li>much embarrassment </li></ul><p></p><p>... to get the car free. I couldn't even rock the thing, as the snow tires simply had nothing to rock against! Sand did NOTHING. A slight push would have helped but I was alone and few cars drove by. </p><p>OH, and while I was stuck there... the locomotive stopped RIGHT next to me. I took a break and nonchalantly took my photos. </p><p>In the end, basically, once I saw that the rear tires were burning through the ice, I knew EVENTUALLY I'd hit dirt and that would help. FINALLY I was able to get free in reverse (unusual, especially with directional snow tires). I stood there, looking at the aftermath, thankful the road in front of me is lightly traveled, and hoping the train crew didn't notice I was stuck.</p><p>Chalk it up to "experience". Also chalk it up to "ice is NOT snow"!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eBJ_UuBDPA/YDlqLQI70eI/AAAAAAAAEj4/ugqaev-_q5oGkOh0ANMrB5GfTSo0-EmmACLcBGAsYHQ/s847/snow2.23.21c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="847" height="438" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2eBJ_UuBDPA/YDlqLQI70eI/AAAAAAAAEj4/ugqaev-_q5oGkOh0ANMrB5GfTSo0-EmmACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h438/snow2.23.21c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least I got a photo... not the best BUT I got it...</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-33695881313802050832021-02-07T17:25:00.001-05:002021-02-07T17:25:07.393-05:00138,999 Mile Update: Get Your Snow Blowers Runnin'...<p style="text-align: center;">Long time, no update! Some quick little things to share... </p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7DD-97wXoI/YCBhcF7hs8I/AAAAAAAAEhc/uBF-pb-2a-wI8jmBg12hoExVLt859da1QCPcBGAYYCw/s432/138999_2.3.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="432" height="165" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7DD-97wXoI/YCBhcF7hs8I/AAAAAAAAEhc/uBF-pb-2a-wI8jmBg12hoExVLt859da1QCPcBGAYYCw/w200-h165/138999_2.3.21.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">138,999 - 2/3/21</td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9XFmCHFFUKI/X5i2p6cNOaI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/y86X5QKf-40i84MZ8yxfgV-eVP7y-AxuACPcBGAYYCw/s600/VicWelches10.17.20_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="600" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9XFmCHFFUKI/X5i2p6cNOaI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/y86X5QKf-40i84MZ8yxfgV-eVP7y-AxuACPcBGAYYCw/w640-h384/VicWelches10.17.20_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10/17/20 - Vic visits the Welch's corporate office in Concord MA... those are indeed Concord Grape vines!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0opQt2cwIY/YCBhYBIGWSI/AAAAAAAAEhU/q4xL9EWAmRg6qlhSU1mbTK3G1MbXW022gCPcBGAYYCw/s600/11.23.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0opQt2cwIY/YCBhYBIGWSI/AAAAAAAAEhU/q4xL9EWAmRg6qlhSU1mbTK3G1MbXW022gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/11.23.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11/23/20 - Changed license plate bulbs<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eI0OnnfA3XQ/YCBhYdJuIBI/AAAAAAAAEhU/RSbgOLS3Org5KJijmHRygU0SmKWjGuuOACPcBGAYYCw/s900/Vic1.6.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="900" height="405" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eI0OnnfA3XQ/YCBhYdJuIBI/AAAAAAAAEhU/RSbgOLS3Org5KJijmHRygU0SmKWjGuuOACPcBGAYYCw/w640-h405/Vic1.6.21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/6/21 - Just what to do after getting the car washed... park in a muddy parking lot... snows are on...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLmViOYnlik/YCBhYQEYwaI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/obd0v8yd2r4LnEfVi32T2-tD_hXocuhoQCPcBGAYYCw/s900/2.3.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="900" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLmViOYnlik/YCBhYQEYwaI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/obd0v8yd2r4LnEfVi32T2-tD_hXocuhoQCPcBGAYYCw/w640-h366/2.3.21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RWD + Snow Tires = gets to park closer to the store entrance</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-82589824094932990452020-10-27T20:12:00.001-04:002020-10-27T20:12:06.387-04:00136,735 Mile Update: Start Me Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QyNDvB2dmGo/X5i2c1v1I5I/AAAAAAAAEYI/i_6RGhG7Ba0lXSCTl15XwG4sx-6LpGhxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/9.27.20%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="600" height="184" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QyNDvB2dmGo/X5i2c1v1I5I/AAAAAAAAEYI/i_6RGhG7Ba0lXSCTl15XwG4sx-6LpGhxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h184/9.27.20%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Long time, no update! Vic has been putting along just fine... until yesterday.<br /><br />I had noticed it sounded a little funny the last time I had started it up. The "funny" seemed familiar. I filed it away in my brain for future reference, and it came in handy not long after... like yesterday morning when I was about to go out and run some errands. Not to mention my mother wanting to also get out of the driveway.<br /><br />I turned the key, and CLICK. Wouldn't start. Wouldn't crank.<br /><br />Tried it a second time, DITTO.<br /><br />All the dash lights went on like normal, and I could hear the fuel pump go on, so when it did start on the third try, I knew it was most likely the starter going bad. <br /><br />A phone call later, I was on the way to Taxi Guy for repairs. I lucked out and got the job done along with an overdue oil change before the evening rush hour!<br /><br />Thing is, I swore I had already had the starter done in 3.0. But Taxi Guy said it looked original, so it must have been 2.0. I believe that makes one for each Vic. And given the wide variety of miles on each car, they must wear out with age.<p></p><div><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9XFmCHFFUKI/X5i2p6cNOaI/AAAAAAAAEYM/LXaNKXUB-j0xYu9RD9JdgWe4GTJxZVBVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/VicWelches10.17.20_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="600" height="386" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9XFmCHFFUKI/X5i2p6cNOaI/AAAAAAAAEYM/LXaNKXUB-j0xYu9RD9JdgWe4GTJxZVBVwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h386/VicWelches10.17.20_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Why share a photo of Vic 3.0 next to some boring office building? Well, that building is the headquarters of Welch's, as in Concord Grape jam and juice, and those green things behind Vic are actual grape vines growing from cuttings of the original vine! I knew I was probably on camera so I didn't pick any of the grapes, but I did pick one up off the ground and it smelled just like their juice.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-51004228224841759112020-10-27T19:23:00.005-04:002020-10-27T19:23:46.845-04:00Vic 3.0 Gets Social!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmRE9CdjRe4/X5iq1xZSS-I/AAAAAAAAEXU/0pNJKrWgsloHCIIth4sfpqL3Vz6tm-tKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/6.15.20VicBronco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="900" height="366" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmRE9CdjRe4/X5iq1xZSS-I/AAAAAAAAEXU/0pNJKrWgsloHCIIth4sfpqL3Vz6tm-tKwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h366/6.15.20VicBronco.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6/15/20: Vic meets O.J. ... I mean Vic meets a Ford Bronco...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9dz6FDl448/X5iq185YBwI/AAAAAAAAEXc/PQMJaSC75l8ZlOpmg4stGFW4c53O39O8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/7.30.20%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="750" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9dz6FDl448/X5iq185YBwI/AAAAAAAAEXc/PQMJaSC75l8ZlOpmg4stGFW4c53O39O8gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h316/7.30.20%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7/30/20: Vic meets some white and green speck of something that thinks it's smart...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4m2FS_QTRdE/X5iq159uAiI/AAAAAAAAEXY/Y1dZeYKdHbwj3-O3MNhB3KQl8VMp_hiFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s750/8.10.20%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="750" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4m2FS_QTRdE/X5iq159uAiI/AAAAAAAAEXY/Y1dZeYKdHbwj3-O3MNhB3KQl8VMp_hiFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h296/8.10.20%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8/10/20: Vic parks next to a Fiat...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-14750181131259400812020-04-11T17:03:00.002-04:002020-04-17T22:07:48.435-04:00ADDITION TO THE FLEET: 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility... aka: Explorer<div style="text-align: center;">
In March 2020 Mystery Mechanic added the first Ford Police Interceptor Utility (aka: Explorer) to his fleet. It is a 2016 with about 95,000 miles on it. He's not sure if he's going to replace the Taurus with it or not. For now, we are working on making it neater and seeing if it needs any mechanical work. Weather has prohibited any real down-and-dirty-dirt-removal.</div>
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As you can see in this (crummy) cell phone pic, it was originally black and white. The good thing is the white was a WRAP, so no painting was needed to make it all black!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwJzveeYdl4/XpIvpRBq6_I/AAAAAAAAD2k/L4Pt4L-jY4URoVjr8SIISwC4dqzzWLxXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200321_160936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="600" height="279" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AwJzveeYdl4/XpIvpRBq6_I/AAAAAAAAD2k/L4Pt4L-jY4URoVjr8SIISwC4dqzzWLxXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/20200321_160936.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Still dirty, but doors unwrapped, roof still white...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9P8sI0plPs/XppgriG3hZI/AAAAAAAAD6w/3YYe8_2KWFcSDi7wZfR77NfDcawM7Oz2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Exp4.13.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="720" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9P8sI0plPs/XppgriG3hZI/AAAAAAAAD6w/3YYe8_2KWFcSDi7wZfR77NfDcawM7Oz2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Exp4.13.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
A bit cleaner... until the rains came...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-65563578275664882292020-04-11T16:47:00.001-04:002023-09-17T18:47:32.343-04:00HOW TO Change a Cabin Filter in a 2016 Ford Explorer / Police Interceptor Utility<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The following is a pictorial guide to changing the cabin filter in a 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility, aka Explorer. From what I have seen, this procedure SHOULD be the same for police and civilian models up to the 2019 model year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>(NOTE: things didn't go quite as planned, so I don't have as many photos to share as I should)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GhTVgO1VOM/XpIgjqLzvOI/AAAAAAAAD1M/jnl32_9Vg_ksRC-vMCbQoHfVvFhsSpBQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_12.jpg"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GhTVgO1VOM/XpIgjqLzvOI/AAAAAAAAD1M/jnl32_9Vg_ksRC-vMCbQoHfVvFhsSpBQACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_12.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the filter I picked up at the dealer, Motorcraft FP-68. It wasn't cheap... Not sure why it cost more this time than the one I installed into the Sedan!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You will need to semi-remove the glove box door for easier access to the old filter. Remove everything from the glove box FIRST! That's right, all the sugar packets and napkins from Dunkin Donuts, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is an <b>ELASTIC TETHER</b> that slides into a hole on the right side of the glove box door. It helps the door from opening too far. Slide that off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the top of the glove box opening, there are <b>TWO PLASTIC TABS THAT POINT DOWNWARD</b>. They also help to retain the door when it is open. I pushed them backward instead of forward so as not to break them off, but basically you need to get them out of the way of the glove box door so it will open all the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Now, I did NOT take the glove box door off to install the filter. You MIGHT want to, though, as just as I thought I was done and happy, the door somehow got bumped and part of the hinge popped off. I'll get into that debacle later...</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOrCgyCsbB4/XpImAnnzUeI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/J9DzqBzDR-siJTPgIVJVohNc9vvQgbMtACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="1000" height="201" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOrCgyCsbB4/XpImAnnzUeI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/J9DzqBzDR-siJTPgIVJVohNc9vvQgbMtACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is what you see when you look into the glove box opening. It is just like in the Taurus. Basically there is a little cover, or "trap door", if you will, that has two latches and two tabs. Undo the latches, and slide the cover down. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzVhAMQu-Ww/XpImbKtbhyI/AAAAAAAAD1g/tdI8d9WxNnIQymwgzlfVe5NnJNBYD9dxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1000" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzVhAMQu-Ww/XpImbKtbhyI/AAAAAAAAD1g/tdI8d9WxNnIQymwgzlfVe5NnJNBYD9dxwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_6.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is what the cover looks like (front & back), with the tabs and latches where you can see them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1SFkkTYhfI/XpImwPCvNlI/AAAAAAAAD1o/CgVj0FvVC287o4__5s45fCRp_pmBKeoyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1000" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1SFkkTYhfI/XpImwPCvNlI/AAAAAAAAD1o/CgVj0FvVC287o4__5s45fCRp_pmBKeoyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's the old filter still in place. You may need a small screwdriver to help nudge it out a bit so you can get a better grip, then just slide it out.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2XL-s_LgX8/XpInXyYZa3I/AAAAAAAAD10/JaDvcdoGj0Y5ZWtQpT0oMUDTv1Iz0AHSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h2XL-s_LgX8/XpInXyYZa3I/AAAAAAAAD10/JaDvcdoGj0Y5ZWtQpT0oMUDTv1Iz0AHSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_4.jpg" width="411" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We don't know if the filter had ever been changed, but it sure needed to be!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewXb1detQU8/XpIn1Nh1yBI/AAAAAAAAD18/W4z4EU9LmB0o393urKdVG9sYnpuvutMlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="941" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewXb1detQU8/XpIn1Nh1yBI/AAAAAAAAD18/W4z4EU9LmB0o393urKdVG9sYnpuvutMlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_5.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The new filter in place. I added the date and mileage for future reference.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All you need to do now is reinstall the little filter cover, reattach the elastic tether to the side of the glove box door, and close it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>NOW, if you find yourself needing to remove OR reinstall the door,</b> you need to know that there are two white plastic pins which actually come out. We didn't know that, so when one side of the door popped off the pin, we didn't know how to reattach it. A peek at the 'net resulted in the realization that one of the two plastic pins was not installed properly. It was basically jammed into the wrong position.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After much car-repair-Yoga, temper flaring and use of large tools, I got both pins out. We then put the cover in place, latched it, and slid the pins into place the way they are supposed to be installed... minus the fact we still need to lock them in. In the photo below, you can see one and how it is slightly off-kilter. But you get the idea.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-1m8xiLKtA/XpIqd229asI/AAAAAAAAD2I/XzZv2RmEiQsX7Gg-i0piL6gitqyElMhHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="898" height="203" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-1m8xiLKtA/XpIqd229asI/AAAAAAAAD2I/XzZv2RmEiQsX7Gg-i0piL6gitqyElMhHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/ExplorerFilter4.11.20_11.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcgu2eQmGu0/XpIq48VuauI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/ZhNY-NuGz9MVlCWDaFWaT2DVAxyhbOmzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/4.6.20_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="774" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcgu2eQmGu0/XpIq48VuauI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/ZhNY-NuGz9MVlCWDaFWaT2DVAxyhbOmzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/4.6.20_2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is a shot of an Explorer in a junk yard. Someone had broken off the glove box door. You can see the two white plastic pins which act as pivots. The door is<b> NOT SUPPOSED TO PRESS ONTO THOSE PINS!</b> Remember that if you find your door has popped off BUT the corresponding attachment hasn't broken off and flown off into oblivion...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And there you have it... your Interceptor will now smell like a daisy!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(... well... a little better than before, anyhow...)</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-31621494449906829712020-04-08T18:37:00.003-04:002020-10-27T19:25:32.693-04:00Vic 3.0 Practicing Social Distancing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbhVjW5Wjjg/Xo5Q6RlXWiI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/iVEDeKVqJUMm0AJOJBEu6s3jopPNfHkbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/92561269_4279545265404711_8080168836352966656_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="900" height="352" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TbhVjW5Wjjg/Xo5Q6RlXWiI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/iVEDeKVqJUMm0AJOJBEu6s3jopPNfHkbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/92561269_4279545265404711_8080168836352966656_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Vic practicing "social distancing" at the Littleton/RT495 MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) parking lot, which is usually filled to capacity. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Littleton/Rte 495, Littleton, MA 01460, USA42.520717365130992 -71.50301750151368242.514866365130992 -71.513102501513686 42.526568365130991 -71.492932501513678tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-16207983508675874352020-03-12T17:22:00.002-04:002020-03-12T17:22:10.490-04:00132,509 Mile Update: It Will Now Snow...<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5Fuw8Ame-Y/XmqmyJLh24I/AAAAAAAADjk/X6DHIFdEf3oI9HvRzUodHzOKtF9HBuaWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/3.12.20_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="720" height="161" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5Fuw8Ame-Y/XmqmyJLh24I/AAAAAAAADjk/X6DHIFdEf3oI9HvRzUodHzOKtF9HBuaWACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/3.12.20_5.jpg" width="200" /></a>Yesterday, Mystery Mechanic and I noticed Vic 3.0 was riding pretty badly on the highways and byways of Massachusetts. We've been keeping an eye on one snow tire that he picked up at a junk yard (not something I myself trust). The tire must have sat for a long time in one position, possibly low on air, because one patch of tread has a roundy-softy-wornish-rotted look. It made it feel like an out of balance tire, probably bouncing off the pavement ever so slightly over and over. After yesterday's trip, we said "BAH! Might as well put the RS-A's back on". It's March and we have had pretty much NO snow in the Boston area all season.<br />
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Which means we will get whacked with a major Nor-easta' next week.<br />
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Once all the snows were off, we also noticed another one for the junk-pile... that one has cracks on the rear sidewall that look scary. So next season I will have to do some shopping!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afKOh5BbSQ0/Xmqm2H28kWI/AAAAAAAADjo/b39ZYOKKKRQ2Der6ArDof1LNupV3flXawCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/3.12.20_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="720" height="155" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afKOh5BbSQ0/Xmqm2H28kWI/AAAAAAAADjo/b39ZYOKKKRQ2Der6ArDof1LNupV3flXawCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/3.12.20_4.jpg" width="200" /></a>On the 9th, Vic finally got it's oil change, after 9 months and about 3,500 miles. The mechanic pointed out that there were traces of "animal activity" under the hood. Sure enough, while we had the air compressor going today, I took a peek myself and there were piles of nuts and birdseed on the intake manifold. It took a while to blow it all out. <br />
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The exhaust leak is still there but hasn't changed much. Still need to source that issue out.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb2xoaqCOeQ/XmqnxXa2isI/AAAAAAAADj8/moaUFjTvJ106LGHz3XXGXpTMwuXnEkZoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/3.12.20_21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1197" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb2xoaqCOeQ/XmqnxXa2isI/AAAAAAAADj8/moaUFjTvJ106LGHz3XXGXpTMwuXnEkZoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/3.12.20_21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Doesn't look like much, but this patch was enough to make the car ride badly.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-82538910021878681412020-01-24T15:26:00.000-05:002020-01-30T15:39:35.206-05:00131,131 Mile Update<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Not much to report, but snapped a pic of cool looking odometer...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjPUtRQp2MY/XjM7uvx90DI/AAAAAAAADL8/hz8lhEyhF000Ix_OCmdz8G8XG8_pStEzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/131313_1.24.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="750" height="287" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjPUtRQp2MY/XjM7uvx90DI/AAAAAAAADL8/hz8lhEyhF000Ix_OCmdz8G8XG8_pStEzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/131313_1.24.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4959306196951966498.post-88391578956179617322020-01-20T15:38:00.000-05:002020-01-30T15:39:15.471-05:00Vic 3.0 Chats With a Relative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nY5XeCVIDGk/XjM-PUeybBI/AAAAAAAADMI/rmZiaxt2ackd3q6pvJRmm5REQ2K2KD7lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1.20.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="900" height="310" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nY5XeCVIDGk/XjM-PUeybBI/AAAAAAAADMI/rmZiaxt2ackd3q6pvJRmm5REQ2K2KD7lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/1.20.20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was walking back to Vic 3.0 from a Dunkin' Donuts and what did I see parked rather obviously next to me? Oh, notice who had the snow tires on and who didn't!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0