DIY maintenance

[Jkalplus1]

I have a reasonably well equipped garage and a small bit of knowledge. I have very little spare time and not a lot of money.  I need to find economies in order to spend money on gasoline instead of mechanics.  I also insist on keeping the car (freshly frame-off restored) in pristine condition with no corners cut.

Based on your experience, If you were to list the best savings "dollars saved vs amount of time invested" and "easiest, most fun to do" five maintenance "activities" to do on your own to save on mechanics fees, what would they be?

Thanks,

Jerome

[Bonnyboy]

Get yourself a mid rise hoist   -  works like a big scissor.  It will save you so much time getting under the car you won't know how you lived before.  Items that were previously left for the shop because its so hard to get to are now so routine. 

Mine folds up and I can lean it against a wall if I wanted to.   You can see it in the picture below my car - new ones are cheap - used ones are even cheaper - I paid $510 for mine used.

Ian

[66andBlue]

Excellent idea!
Who is the manufacturer? Model number?
Thanks!

[J. Huber]

Hey Jerome. My experience has been that by learning to do DYI maintenance (from this site and using a good workshop manuall) will make owning the Pagoda even more rewarding. These days, a simple visit to a mechanic will cost around 70-90 an hour I think. Rarely will you get out under 150 or 200 for basic stuff... Obviously, it depends on what is needed.

My 5 things I do -- that surely save me on labor are:

1. Oil and filter (you can do this for under 30 bucks) -- 6 qts @ 3.00 and Filter @  8
2. Points, Condenser & plugs with setting of timing (for under 40 bucks) -- 6 plugs @ 3 and Points & Condenser @ 20
3. Fuel Filter change (under 10 bucks)
4. Coolant Change every couple years (under 50 bucks)
5. Rotate tires! Free and gives you a chance to inspect brakes...

Now, I would like to add the following to my own knowledge base:

1. Adjust valves
2. Change brake fluid (and) redo brake pads etc.

I don't know how to do these but they would be huge money savers.... Good luck.

[Jkalplus1]

This is very useful, thanks.  I am all setup for changing the motor oil, no drama.  The points etc I have a garage do for me today.  I have a pertronix unit in the box, but everything works so beautifully well right now I am reluctant to change anything.  I am even a little wary of asking the mechanics (who were recommended to me by a Pagoda owner) to check timing and dwell because of that, but it does hot-idle a little fast by tach, but by sound it is perfect...I think what I'll do is ask them to install the Pertronix unit for me next time I go for adjustment.  This timing business, i have to sit down, read, go under the hood and really spend some time trying to understand how to do it.  Brake pads no problem, but I had them changing the standard gearbox oil because of undercarpet access...I am still growing into my pagoda, still discovering everything is new to me, the Wiki and you guys are fantastic...I hope one day I am in a position to help as much as I have been helped!
3 bucks for plugs?  You have to tell me who your supplier is...Are we talking NGK BP6ES here?

[J. Huber]

Hey. Well, yes I am talking NGK BP5ES (my car likes the 5s) -- about 3 bucks each... I think? Memory not all that great but I think I am close. Mine came from local NAPA store...

Sounds like you are well equipped and have a good knowledge base already -- have fun!

[Benz Dr.]

Yeah, BP5ES.  BP6ES is a bit too cold for most cars.   I would add greasing the suspension and checking gear oil in the diff.

 You could always draw off as much fluid in the power steering container and add some fresh stuff every year.
 Auto trans fluid change is a bit more involved but should be easy enough with a hoist.

 You should know how to check the oil in the IP for those that have a dip stick. Setting up the throttle linkage should be something that most could do using the instructions provided by Joe and others.

There's a lot of things you can do yourself. If you aren't sure about what you're doing, I would pass on those jobs until you feel confident that you can do them. As in most cases, it's not so hard as long as everything goes OK. It's when you run into a problem where expirience can be the difference between sorting it out or really messing something up. I had to learn all of this stuff with no help at all, so if I could figure it out, anyone can.

[glenn]

A few. ..    Make sure the cylindrical washer is on the oil filter stub.....  Grease all 12 million fittings.......   lubricate the wiper shafts......adjust valves....  synchronize the cam and crank shafts....seal the windscreen gasket.....seal all the potentially rust sources......

Happy Pa GO de-ry