I really should NOT read the instructions. Typically, this will stop us dead in our tracks. Yes, we’ll be going along quite nicely on a project–all the materials at hand and work getting done. Then, as I open a new container of some sort of “goo” I’ll read the instructions and learn that we’re missing a part, a chemical, we’re doing the task in weather that is too hot, too cold, we haven’t properly prep-ed the surfaces…something! And, then the brakes go on the project while I frantically try to figure out the “work around” or if we’re really OK with whatever it is we’re doing.

This happened as we were about to align the car’s rebuilt transmission with the bottom of the engine. Ah, I made the mistake of reading the directions on the Locktite 518 anaerobic gasket maker (used as a dressing to the actual gasket) which stated I needed the same brand “anaerobic gasket maker activator”…umm…huh? Call a couple auto parts stores that carry the gasket maker. Nope, they’ve never heard of the activator product. So, I pull out the notebook computer, google.. only thing I find is that many other people have the same issue I have–what is this “activator” that nobody carries locally? Oh, yes, I can buy a can of it online for 3x the price of the anaerobic gasket maker. Also, the advert states that it makes the 518 and other anaerobic gasket makers go-off faster. Oh, yes, and if I use 518 on an intert metal (um, what is an “inert” metal??? oh, it is stainless steel, galvanized steel, pure aluminum…things that aren’t going to readily oxidize) then I MUST use this stuff. So…go look up the MSDS to figure out what’s in this stuff. Now we’re getting somewhere. It’s got a copper oxide and seems to act like a rust converter. Hummm…

I now give up and tell David “we’re OK, we’re not using it on an inert metal and we don’t care how long it takes to cure.” Oh, but an hour has gone by while I’m frantically reading up on this and now we don’t have time to put it all together before the hobby shop closes. Tomorrow is another day…

All that angst just because I went and read the instructions on the 518. I need to make a New Year’s Resolution that I will NOT read instructions.

David and I have been neglecting our two cars for the last several years. Well, truth be known…umm…since about 2004. Good thing they’re sturdy and reliable vehicles since we’ve driven the across the country and all around since then. However, things can only go on for so long without maintenance and we’re at the point where we really need to “maintain” or we’ll have problems.

Our blog includes a story about Buttercup’s transmission input shaft failing while we were on the road from Las Vegas to San Francisco. All’s well that ends well but we realized that maybe we’d better assess the condition of the cars and do a few “upgrades” while in So. Cal. as we have access to a very nice auto hobby shop here and a guy with a bunch of classic/vintage SAAB parts. After assessing things on Buttercup (1976 model 99) and Wesley (1987 model 900turbo), we figured that the few things we really needed to take care of were as follows:

Wesley’s transmission (we can hear some pinion noise and that will only get worse);
Outfit Buttercup with a later model transmission (less prone to input shaft problems);
Wesley needs a new vent system selector (right now we’re on permanent “defrost” air flow setting);
Buttercup’s brakes need to be bled (dirty fluid) and potentially she needs a new booster and/or master cylinder rebuild;
Wesley’s front tires are at the “really should replace” point;
Buttercup needs some serious scraping of initially tiny rust spots that are getting to be big ones along edges of things and then use of rust converter/touch up paint;
Speaking of looks, neither car has been waxed since umm….well…probably….2005;

What an awful list of things. We used to take such good care of our cars but must admit that since starting our business 9 years ago and then when we sold the house and got into the “boat project” a couple years ago…well…things have just been on “indefinite hold” with the cars.

At first, I had excuses all associated with the business “this proposal is due, that trip is coming up” and then it was “well, we’re living on the boat and we hardly drive, really.” Then, of late, it’s been “OMG, I’m just overwhelmed with all the little things that need to be fixed.”
Until about 2008, Buttercup was still a car that we’d have strangers coming up to us and asking us if we’d like to sell her to them. Poor dear, they probably wouldn’t want her right now.

While we were still in San Francisco, I got in touch with Paul, a So Cal vintage SAAB fellow and asked if he could rebuild a 5 speed for Wesley. Yep. So, we arranged a price and tomorrow David and I are taking Buttercup (with a u-haul trailer on the back) up to Paul’s place near Ramona to pick up the rebuilt tranny. We’ll drop of Wesley’s transmission to Paul as a “core” after we do the swap. I had planned on having Paul do a trade with us with a late model rebuilt tranny for Buttercup sometime later in the winter, but I happened across another SAAB owner who’s been keeping a late model engine/tranny as well as other parts as a “spare” for his 1976 SAAB for many years who, having gotten rid of the car, no longer needs the spares. So, after picking up Wesley’s newly rebuilt tranny, we’ll be swinging by the other fellow’s place out in Lakeside and picking up the engine/tranny pair as well as numerous other spare parts for Buttercup from the kind fellow who just wants to see them go to a good home.

All armed with numerous new/used parts, the next few weeks of projects will be “car” rather than “boat” for us. In the end, I’ll hope that both Wesley and Buttercup are looking spiffy, comfy to drive, and safe on the road for the next few years.

More on the SAAB repair stories to come, for sure 🙂