Home of the 5-Hour Oil Change

From: Travis Bailey (dusterrt@msn.com)
Date: Sat Dec 20 2003 - 12:57:42 EST


All I have to say is...man, what a b*$%&! Started what I figured would be a
30-minute leisurely oil change at 6:00 and wasn't done until after 11 (kinda
killed my night lol). I suspect that oil filter has been on there for some
time! And I also must note that if it were any harder to get to I would
probably still be working on it right now. Tried a strap type wrench from
above, that just crushed the can. Bought the "socket" style wrench but the
can was distorted enough from the strap attempt it just slipped off when
pressure was applied. More head scratching...well time to try the
screwdriver method. Drive that in, pull and it just tears the metal of the
can. And it's stuck, lol. Wrestle with it a while to get it out, and try
another screwdriver from the top. Tears again. Now I am starting to freak
out thinking I'm stranded! I call a buddy for some assistance. We try
driving a screwdriver in from the bottom and top and both pulling at the
same time. Finally it budges, and very slowly but surely it comes off. The
thing looks like it was hit with a grenade or something. And who the heck
thought it would be a good idea to design it so you have to move the filter
along the side of the block?? That's the only route I could find to get the
old one out. I just kept thinking of all the crap that must be getting in
the new filter. I'm thinking Speedy Lube might get this job next time, but
on the other hand if it was this hard for me I'm scared to think about them
doing it. I *HOPE* it's just the thing was stuck on there and from here on
things should be OK.

Other things: while wrestling with the filter I found what was left of my
axle disconnect hoses...a section ran near the h-pipe and melted. Guess
that potentially solves that problem.

Alarm: I hate it and will be removing it ASA(conveniently)P. Or I'll try
the disarm method someone mentioned first.

As far as economy increasing modifications, what would those be? Intake?
Headers? I was looking at the throttle body; will a normal 4bbl open air
filter fit? Sure looks like it will but I haven't measured the neck.
FIPK's are expensive and, well, those aren't, lol. Also, as luck would have
it, I have a set of headers and copper gaskets for it already (I was going
to try and make them work in my '71 Duster project...RIP). Pacesetter brand
(sold as house brand from Summit), worth the time and trouble? I've always
heard the magnum manifolds flow really well as-is. Cams are cool but a pain
and waaay too pricey right now. Oversize tires might help with the 3.90
gears, but I know they would help with appearance and performance, lol.
Can't think of anything else simple n easy off the top of my head but you
guys know these better than I...well I think that is more than enough for
now!

Travis

Oh yeah, the Lucifer Bigglesworth thing...long story, lol.

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