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Yesterday, I replaced the catalytic converter as the 2 hole flange at the resonator end had rusted away, I had trouble with getting the rear O2 sensor removed to put into the new converter, I was disappointed with my HF sensor socket, it just spread open and rounded off the sensor , I ended up using my die grinder and a cut off wheel to cut away the threaded bung enough to be able to unscrew the sensor You can see the cut marks here in the old pipe bung Here is tge O2 sensor with a light coat of copper never seize ready to go into the new converter pipe.
I bought a new set of Goodyear Assurance Comfort Drive's 225x50x17 for the Panel with 54000 miles on it. Size recomended by SLEEPER many years ago when I bought the Goodyear Assurance Tripletreads. They wore like iron, Stuck to the road like suction cups. They road like solid rubber. Noisey as a Head banging rock concert, and lost 2-3 mpg. I'm hoping the Comfort Drives do better. Going to S.Carolina real soon, so that will be the test.
Today, I changed both O2 sensors, the old ones didn’t work properly after removing them from old catalytic converter pipe. They sold my old converter for scrap, got $95.00 for it. Just about paid for the O2 sensors.
Yesterday, I replaced the catalytic converter as the 2 hole flange at the resonator end had rusted away, I had trouble with getting the rear O2 sensor removed to put into the new converter, I was disappointed with my HF sensor socket, it just spread open and rounded off the sensor , I ended up using my die grinder and a cut off wheel to cut away the threaded bung enough to be able to unscrew the sensor You can see the cut marks here in the old pipe bung Here is tge O2 sensor with a light coat of copper never seize ready to go into the new converter pipe.
Very common. I heard ALOT of these have this problem. Thanks for posting and keeping the HHR on the streets.
Ok, here we go:
Sitting at 160k miles, it was time!
New timing chain kit (Cloyes # 94201SAWP) - only came with one tensioner even though 2 is required.
New water pump (came with the kit - included a front gasket but NOT the back-end gasket)
New FELPRO timing cover gasket
New head gasket (hopefully this will end the small oil leak)
New ACDelco OEM Steering rack & pinion
Brake fluid flush
Coolant flush
Oil Change
4-Wheel alignment
Also, put 2 self-tapping screws in the new intermediate steering shaft boot. This will keep it from popping out again.
Another note: anyone replace new timing chain and experience an unusual 'machine-like' smell occasionally coming through the air vents? Maybe it's the break-in smell of the new timing chain. Definitely does not smell like any oil or fluid burning.
After all this suspension work over the last couple of months, this did not correct the annoying rattle on the front-end...
did a heavy duty car wash by hand the other day, found 5 or 6 healthy hail dents on the hood and a few more on the roof. hopefully they will pop out over the winter months. I have had them pop out in the winter on past cars and the hood is pretty thin metal so.... otherwise it is what it is.
AAlso ground down the rear wheel well edges (both sides) to get rid of the rust bubbles. went down to bare metal and used some rust converterand good primer to slow the rust down. Paint doesn't match exactly but once the sun bakes it, you won't notice it as much. To the casual observer, it isn't too noticable. Sunburst Orange is a tough color to match.
Went out for fuel and my friend Jim was at the pumps with this beauty, it’s original and he’s owned it since 1972 He invited my to his shop for more photos and details, some time in November.
