The Webmaster Zone

Being coastal, Vancouver doesn't have as much of a winter (although you can see it on the mountains) as a "monsoon season"; its been raining non stop for a couple of weeks and it will probably continue for a few more, which gives me lots of incentive to make the car as waterproof as possible. Had another go at getting the wipers off today, they are the early clip-on type wipers and try as I might I couldn't pry them off, so I let them soak in Liquid Wrench for a few days. Got the driver's side wiper arm off without too much problems after the treatment, but here is a handy hint: first screw the 3/4" chrome nut just below the wiper arm up to be flush with the top of the threads on the wheelbox that it screws onto, because the metal is very soft and if you try and lever the wiper arm off with a screwdriver it will make a mess of the threads at the top. I learned that the hard way, but when I went to do the passenger side I knew better and it went very smoothly. Removed the 30 year old disintegrating grommets and replaced with new ones, then put the chrome bit on top back on and screwed the nut back down snugly. I discovered that the passenger's side wiper arm was actually being held on by a screw that had been drilled through the side into the splined shaft, because the splines are all but gone. Its always an adventure working on the car. I also broke the spring in the passenger side arm, it was old and rusty, and it snapped when I tried to remove it. Since I was on a roll I decided to attack the headlamps next. Removed the chrome rings (a paint can opening tool is very handy for that; I picked one up recently for 30 cents) and removed the headlight assembly so I could get a good look at the bowls. One is quite rusty, the other not bad, but I couldn't get the mounting screws to budge so they are soaking in penetrant and I'll attack them tomorrow with the impact wrench (I'm learning to work smarter, not harder). Progress is slow, but each system I go over is another item I can check off the list. I'm giving attention to parts that haven't been touched in 32 years when they were assembled in Abingdon so its a good feeling when I can save a part from rusting into oblivion. All it takes is some effort, and a whole lot of patience, and a bit of money (although I've found the more effort and patience you put in, the less money you need). I got paid yesterday, so its off to OMG next week to buy springs, bushings, and a few other things for the front suspension rebuild. I won't be able to get everything, but if I get a few parts at a time I will get it done eventually. Some of the paint was chipping off around the wipers, so I had a close look, it looks like the original BRG was painted over with blue at some point, then green again, and then red.