What did you do to or with your CJ today?
Spent an 'entertaining' 6+ hours watching a mechanic change the manifold gasket on the CJ7 . I say entertaining, because the shop boss gave me a firm price for parts and labor, and the mechanic says "Yeah, just back out about nine bolts, slide her back, pop out the old gasket and slip in the new one, and bolt her back up." Well, it started out OK cause some of the bolts were loose (part of the original problem), and none of the rest were super tight. Sure enough, after getting the PS pump out of the way, he slid back the manifold and pulled out the old gasket. It was sure enough bad, with about a 3" section about the center blown away. Then the ?fun? began. Now, the guy obviously knew what he was doing, but some days nothing goes right. New gasket in place, one bolt in front, one in back to hold it in place - and the rest of the bolts won't line up. Lift with a pry bar - it slips - and first blood is drawn. Undaunted, he presses on. Another bolt in place, then another, until he's down to the last two. A bigger bar - more finger dings - and they still won't line up. Try from underneath - nope. Aha - a cracked motor mount - put a jack stand under the engine. Nope. More pry bar. Nope. Drops the pry bar on top of the radiator, and the lift lever on the radiator cap breaks off. Damn! Pull some of the bolts already installed, and the manifold will move enough to get those two lined up, but now two more are off. Boss comes by, says we're losing money on this job. Mechanic is a little pissed at that - he hasn't taken a break of any kind, his fingers are bleeding from numerous dings, and he is determined not to let this thing beat him. Well, it took over 6 hours, but he finally got all the bolts in, tightened, and the engine sounds sweet. (I walked down a couple of blocks to the parts store and got a new radiator cap while he was struggling -shxx happens - and I didn't think he needed to be docked for the cost of a new cap after what he'd been through). Bottom line, no exhaust leak, I still have to replace that motor mount, and the boss stood by the original estimate.
just check all I have to check ...
Jeep is ready for the trip in de moutains of France next week
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