137,080: Oil & Front Brakes

 Vic got a much needed oil change at 137,070 with Mobil 1 synthetic oil and filter, and yesterday we put on front brake pads.  I say "we", but Todd always ends up doing the work!  My job seems to be calming him down and fetching tools.

I will have to pay attention to things as I drive the car, though, as one of the two pistons in the driver side caliper seemed to be almost seized.  The two on the passenger side were both a little hard to compress.  Not surprising, given the age of the car and the salt it has seen.

This time, I decided to go with a heavy duty pad by Wagner.  I learned something, too.  I was wondering what the groove in the new pads were for.  Apparently, they are like the wear bars on tires.  When the groove is gone, you need pads.  Supposedly it also helps dissipate water.

137,000 Miles

UPDATE: Snow Tires Off

May 10th saw Vic's snow tires come off, and alloys with Goodyear RS-A's go on.  The spring ritual resulted in the revelation that I now need front brake pads.  Those got ordered today.  The day also included starting up Todd's '04 Mustang after it's winter slumber, getting an inspection sticker for it, and the mass murder of a huge flock of what looked like winged ants that had infested his garage.  As of this second, Vic is outside with a car-cover on, due to trees dumping "propellers" and general shmoo all over the place.   

HO Scale Auto Transport Truck With Crown Vics!

The Nashua Valley Railroad Association's club layout hosted its annual open house on April 7th, and I spotted this HO scale auto transporter full of Crown Victorias (and one Mustang)!  No doubt the club included this truck because of the "full scale" Ford unloading facility nearby. 

136,000 Miles

HAPPY SPRING!

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING! (?)



UPDATE: 135,387

Vic is home and feeling a little better.  Taxi Guy replaced the rear brake pads and fuel filter, but didn't repair the emergency brake, as it would be a $400 job (rear axles have to come out to do the shoes).  So he didn't do the e-brakes, but did fix the exhaust leak. 

Thing is, it wasn't the gasket.  The flanges on the pipes were rotted away!

So he did a little welding so that there was something to put bolts through.  Otherwise, we'd be looking at actual pipes, or at least replaced flange parts.  So what he did was weld on some thick washers, and... well, just take a look at the photo. 

Now that Vic is 15 years old, I wonder if soon I should replace it.  The fenders are rotting, rear wheelwells are rotting... but it runs great.  Interior is almost mint.  A hard decision to make, but once things start rotting away, well... that isn't a good sign...