zrbrat

I think they are adjustable. It should release just before the clutch starts to engage.

It's too bad it's rusted out, I would love to have one of those little cars. Right now I'm driving my F-250 diesel, and the cost of fuel for it is killing me....$3.80 per gallon....ouch!!! I guess I'll just have to keep looking.

This looks like the same car, and for only $2500... http://nh.craigslist.org/car/565225113.html

You should look into using metal adheasive and simply glue the pathes/panels into place. Fusor and Durimix are two brands that come to mind. Then use a metal conditioner to treat any bare metal, DX520 is made by PPG and works well, then use an epoxy primer, PPG's DPLF epoxy works good and it can set for up to 7 days before painting or top-coating. After that you will need to scuff it for top-coat adheasion. Also you should wear gloves when handleing bare metal so the oils and sweat on your skin don't start to rust the metal. Any bare metal should be treated and primed as soon as possible so it doesn't start to rust from the moisture in that's in the air. You also need to sandblast any rust on panels or parts, just grinding it off doesn't get the rust out of the pits.

It seems to me that criminals are often too protected. I've heard that if you leave your keys in your vehicle and it gets stolen, your insurance company won't cover any damages and you are responseable for whatever damages are caused by the thief. I'm not sure if that applies to just the state I live in or all of them. I hope they catch whoever is messing with your car.

There's a wire that plugs into the back of the alternator. I would check that first.

I've been through the whole rust repair hassle and welded a boat-load of patches in. For anyone doing this I recommend buying metal adhesive and glueing most body panels in....I wish I had done this.

Oh-boy... I don't think I could handle that job...I'd go nuts. On a more serious note, you mentioned an irrigation pump. Do you have a farm or large garden, or just a big @#* water leak in your basement? And as for the generator, how many watts do you need it to produce? My dad owns a small dairy farm and has a 15000 watt...I think... generator for backup. It runs off his tractors pto which puts out about 40hp.

This is too much fun! BTW your a pretty-good-sport about this:)

Yeah!!! Just make sure your guests are wearing safety glasses... it's all fun and games until someone gets their eye poked out:dead: Aaaaaahaaha....aaaaaahaahaaaa I'de like to see that on TV...it might pry me away from this board for awhile:lol:

Hhhmmmm..... depends on how big the party:lol: Small party... small blender... big party... big soobie powered blender:lol: Aaaaahaaahahaa

A blender is stationary:drunk: Aaaaahaaahaaa........... I've been laughing so hard from everyones suggestions I've got tears rolling down my face.....I can barely type:lol:

Nice!!! I'd love to have one of those little cars....they're pretty scarce around here. And one in that good of shape...I'd have better luck finding Bigfoot:(

Aaaahhhh Aaaahhhh........this is just one of MANY reasons why I love this board........peoples sense of humor.....still laughing my @#% off!!!

Holey Moley! Pretty cool sneakers on that...I want some!

Maybe the tire pressure is lower because of the colder temps? Might be a combination of different things also.

Sounds awsome! How about getting some pics for us? I'd like to see that.

I had that problem some years back...I'm trying to think...alternator, voltage regulator maybe? Also my volt meter would spike for awhile. Might also want to check the main power wire to the fusible link box under the hood, I assume your vehicle has one but I'm not 100% sure on that. BTW my vehicle was a 1985 BRAT. Or maybe it was my '86 BRAT, sorry I can't remember.

I say go with a BRAT. But my opinion is biased. No matter what you choose I hope it treats you well and you have fun with it.

I think people got off on the wrong foot here. This is just my opinion: if everyone on this board was a knowledgeable, experienced mechanic they probably wouldn't be asking for help in the first place. ok4450, welcome to the board. Please understand that getting heated and arguing with people about who's right or wrong may discourage others from asking for help and trying to help. With that aside I hope you will stick around and offer your knowledge to others, after all, it's a team effort and there's strength in numbers. dhewitt, welcome to the board. Your recruiting tactics are brilliant! I'm also glad to hear your that vehicle is fixed, I hope it treats you well. I hope we can all get along and enjoy this board. This is just my 2 cents worth.

Just to throw you another idea. Mass air flow sensor dirty? This was the problem on my Ranger and it took me quite a bit of troubleshooting to figure it out. It ran about the same as you described, loss of power when floored, and it spark-knocked.

I'm not experienced with those engines so this might be a stupid question. Is it possible to accidentally put the thermostat in backwards? It sounds like a thermostat problem to me, but I'm no mechanic. Just trying to help.

My Ford F-250 diesel has an engine block heater and so does my Ford Ranger. They are the freeze plug/ heats the engine coolant type. It works great during the winters here in Maine and is a must on any diesel. There is another type I've heard about that replaces your oil dipstick and heats the engine oil, but I haven't used that type. Both are 110v and you can buy a cheap timer to plug them into so you don't have to wake up 2 hours early to plug them in or have plugged in all night. BTW I have never had one on my Subarus but its a very good idea in these cold states.

Well, have you seen those weed-wacker engine powered blenders for mixing drinks? Just build a supersize one and subie power it for those really big parties Be a pretty cool conversation piece too.