Motormouth Radio

The big news this week is that Ray's GTO is home after the paint job and trim installation and the thumbs started popping up already. This led to a discussion about the complexities of building an older car vs the robotic process first used on the Ford Taurus. California's 2035 ban on gas engines, diagnosing an Infinity motor mount & the restoration of a Honda 750 motorcycle also get talked about.

The boys try to diagnose a non-working vacuum advance mechanism in Chris's car, then quickly shift to talk with guest Carl Anthony from Automoblog.net. Ray ruminates about swapping his Mazda 3 for a Toyota FJ, which leads a caller to ask on which axle to mount his new truck tires. We wrap by talking about the article on Automoblog that covers winter car prep.

Ray & Chris talk about a listener's '59 Olds Super 88 project, and define the difference between a show car and a driver. Another listener, Colin, rides with the Prince of Darkness in his MG and is restoring a Fiat Spider, which got Ray's full attention. On the technical side, headlight relay theory & saggy sun visor repair round out the hour this week.

The boys reminisce about the return of Cousin Bruce Morrow to NY AM radio, then dive right into the topic of how to best sell off the old car junk in their respective collections. With the help of a caller that topic morphs into talk of buying old audio gear, and what it was like driving 60's Ford Hi Performance cars many years ago.

The boys interview the noted graphic portrait artist Keith Sturgeon who works in the very unique media using only pinstripe lines. We talk about his portraiture, as well as his work in the custom car and motorcycle scene. Along the way we still get to cover a few repair topics and dance around Ray's flaky Internet connection once again.

Among a mass of cobbled up wires and cables Ray is able to connect via the Internet this week. Chris talks about "repair problem stack-up" while working on his car, and the boys kick around ways to fix his dented oil pan. Chassis John calls in and talks about the Vintage Air A/C system he's installing for a customer, Billy G. swaps a big floor jack for a smaller one, and the boys discuss the problem solving relay test kit that Ray shows off.

Internet issues aside, the boys soldiered on once again & pulled off a show where Ray talked about eating White Castle "road food" in his car while driving, & caller Christian talks about driving to a local racetrack for a "daddy-daughter" day. Ray complains about installing trim parts on a car with a fresh paint job, then mentions a useful pressurized cleaning gun sold by Matco Tools.

Storm damage in our area brings up the question of how to maintain our small engines. Joe helps diagnose a blower module on a 2007 Trailblazer with YouTube backup, which also covers the brake job Chris recently performed on his Le Baron. We round out our repair segments with a discussion about how to best polish cloudy headlight lenses.

Not even a failed Internet connection can stop our boys from bringing you topics like: how to endure working in extreme heat, removing bumper covers to access headlights & some specialty tools you won't find on a tool truck. Ray's A/C clutch failure, diagnosis & stretch belt installation prompts Chris to talk about rounded timing belt cover bolts & how to deal with them.

The boys spend some time with their friend Artie Schilling, who's very well known for his charitable work hosting the "Artie's Party" pin-striping event at the Syracuse National's car show. Besides talking just about painting, Artie shares his thoughts about East vs West Coast car culture & the differences he's found between living in the South and the North East where he came from.

Chris relays his "danger drive" experience after rebuilding brake components, then suffers an electronic failure. Ray counters with a curbside car speaker fire, then the talk turns to Ford's axing of the Lincoln car brand. Guest Billy Velvet tells us about a tri-carb 65 Mercury that needs some attention, and the boys discuss some of the odder multi-carb linkages they're come across in their time.

Ray & Chris talk amongst themselves about rebuilding old wheel cylinders, the myths associated with freeing up seized parts & tools with old motor oil, and some of the red flags observed when watching YouTube videos. Oil level vs H.P. and the pains felt when schematic diagram colors aren't what's found when working on a car round out the hour.

Ray & Chris have the pleasure of talking with Marc Mathot, President of the revived classic car magazine "CarToons." The boys also talk about other car magazines they're associated with, how they cope with back pain while working on cars, and a pesky brake repair. Be sure to listen to the end to catch Marc's terrific Steve McQueen story as related to him by Gene Winfield.

Ray & Chris talk about best practices for adjusting wheel bearings, bleeding brakes & making jack stand and floor jack purchases. The bottom line so eloquently summed up by Chris is, "If you're going to work on a car, bring your brain." Now those are MotorMouth endorsed words to live by!

Ray & Chris discuss the finer points of adjusting mechanical parking brakes, and how to deal with finicky carburetor's on older cars. Carl Anthony from Automoblog joins the boys to talk about the venerable "Instant Heat" option that Ford employed in the Midwest, and the nagging but pertinent question of how long a car should be warmed up in the cold weather. An interesting carburetor conversion story was also relayed on this show.

The boys talk about the recent paint job on Ray's GTO and how hair raising it will be to re-assemble the car, how parts seem to fall off the walls in his garage, and the value of garbage men who'll take an engine block. Auto appraiser Steve Linden joins Ray & Chris to talk about trends in the hobby and some of the intricacies of having a car restored.

Ray talks about putting his trusty Fiat Spider back in service while Chris brings up the Wayne's World Pacer and the resurgence of these quirky cars. Good friend Clay Koon from Koon Trucking tells us about the new Matco ratchet that comes in a new color for them... Blue, and it's a beauty, which is backed up from Matcoman Brian via text message.

The boys visit the slippery discussion over which product is best to use on a dashboard with the top runners being Armor All and Baby Oil! A Maryland Olds with a Diesel engine in it, pumpkin racing and Hertz rental Corvette's are also discussed. Ray & Chris agree that radio may not be a visual medium, but that's not going to stop them from trying to make it one.

This week is a free-for-all with the boys talking about the complexities of working on their wife's cars, & the problems associated with rebuilt parts for older cars. We find out why Chris hates Audi's so much, and Ray explains why taking your car to a body shop for detailing is a good choice while you're home and not working.

With the aid of Chassis John, Ray & Chris delve deep into the world of shop light tech. From the old fashioned incandescent type that Chris uses to the modern LED versions, the guys have a field day with the subject.Chris' Chrysler 300 gas gauge diagnostics & a father/son Camaro rebuild are also talked about at length.