Oil Change

[K1JJ]

Slab,

Roger-4 on pulling the plug to avoid a mess. Makes a lot of sense. I even make a mess pulling the oil filter when doing an oil change!

Yeah, one mechanic told me not to bother with the rear end too, though the anal-Chrysler manual says to change it every 30K or so. But then, they have a service organization to $$ pump up and also have nothing to lose with new oil in there...

BTW, I'm slowly working on stuff a little each day to get back on the air. Right now I'm spending most time outside racing with the WX to finish up - after that it will be inside. Really, all I have left inside is to build the FET/cathode audio drivers for the 4X1/833A's and the 813X 813's rigs and I'm black on. All ants are finished for 160-40M.  The 4X1 class C  plate modulated rig is finished, RF-wise.  Under plexiglass, totally exposed in it's glowing glory, caw mawn.  It's name is Fabio cuz it's so pretty.

T

[WA1GFZ]

Tom,
some newer trucks use light and I mean light rear end fluid. I just topped my light fluid off with real 90 weight dino crap smell gear oil.
Posi fluid is a different deal though as Frank said.
If you need to replace oil you need to replace parts. Some rear ends have a magnet to collect metal dust.

I bet a trannis filter that is clogged need clutches and a pump job general rebuild.
The best way to make an auto last is to let up on the gas a bit during upshifts so the clutches grab lower torque. 

[W1RKW]

Frank,
I had a bout with carpenter ants early this summer.  Got rid of them with two substances.  First I studied where they were coming from and found the trails.  Sprayed the area with Ortho ant and termite stuff to really stink it up and poison the critters.  Then spread a baited diatimaceous earth powder at certain boundaries where the ants were crossing. In two days all ant activity around the house stopped and I've been ant free since.  I spray the foundation too for other things as well.  I'm aracniphobic.  Can't stand those wood spiders.  Most important is to not let the scouts go back to their nest.

[WA1GFZ]

I heard that earth powder works well. My cat takes good care of the scouts.
She eats them. There seems to be a lot fewer ants this year compared to when the building first went up. I spread a little calk on the only way in every few months. I have one small spot near the basement door trim. I'll take care of that one when I change from wood to plastic trim.  I put fire seal in all the holes in the wall sills where wiring goes through. This eliminates the path upstairs.  Now that the sheet rock is going up I need to stay on top of the ants because I won't see them any more.
I want to get that bait that they take home to momma.