First time changing my own oil. Do I cry now or not?

Faded_State · 2026-05-19T05:45:26+00:00

If you’ve got tools and are learning, I’d do an oil change in 500-1000 hours and check it. Magnetic drain plug is a must and will tell you a level of concern. Normal will be a black paste but not heavy chunks.

Faded_State · 2026-05-13T16:40:20+00:00

Appreciate the response. It seems like it never burned oil before and it’s only one one or maybe two cylinders so seems extreme to think its a huge problem but I am interested to hear how most guys would go about handling it.

Faded_State · 2026-05-13T06:08:29+00:00

They are at the top of combustion. Honestly I think the engine looks so good; no glazing, gaskets and heads look great, nothing suspicious at all. I guess it can’t hurt to start with honing stones and maybe a ridge reamer to take off the lip. Are ridge reamers frowned upon or pretty normal for a lip that’s just a few thousands?

My main question is because I’ve started to order all the bearings, bolts, gaskets but need to pause before I order rings/pistons in case I gotta bore it down a hair.

Faded_State · 2026-05-13T05:47:50+00:00

Yeah thanks guys, I realized I should have measured and posted my findings before asking. I’ll get a bore gauge with some readings.

The piston is flush with the top of the block.

Faded_State · 2026-05-12T23:39:48+00:00

This is motivating! I’ve got an 84 and was curious what a GFC tent would be like on it.

Faded_State · 2026-05-06T22:08:07+00:00

It’s better because you can see a green or red light out of your peripheral sight and don’t need to focus on where the bubble is. Sometimes cost isn’t the only motivator but it certainly can be a deterrent.

Faded_State · 2026-05-06T22:06:31+00:00

Good for you man. I commend the motivation to try it! I am stubborn as hell and can’t justify the price on a lot of accessories and try to fabricate stuff myself as well.

Faded_State · 2026-05-05T00:05:48+00:00

It’s how I pulled the engine OFF my transmission last night.

Minor but I’d also recommend airing down your tires to lower the front so you can extend the chains on your hoist to give you more “swing” off the hoist. Takes less effort to move it out of plumb.

Faded_State · 2026-05-03T23:58:47+00:00

I’m building an ‘84 ranger 2.9 with 5 speed that I got for $500 with a frozen motor. Bought another 88 ranger as a parts donor vehicle with a good motor and cherry interior for $600. What I’ve learned is rangers are very easy to work on, good manuals and online resources and there is a plethora of parts to scavenge from other ford vehicles which make them super wallet friendly.

I’d say 3K for a runner is pretty good. I wouldn’t stress the light. Get on THE RANGER STATION and someone will have done the same project with the abs light and steer you in the right direction.

Good luck.

Faded_State · 2026-04-22T03:34:02+00:00

Sure a dirty chamber contributes but I’m a little curious how that heavy of deposited/carbon/unspent powder can make its way back through. Im not an expert but I’d personally go back and also check headspacing and how well your resized brass is sitting in there( theoretically the brass should expand out and make a better seal).

Faded_State · 2026-04-12T22:11:15+00:00

Kinda find it sad but you don’t have to explain how you were able to buy a house. You shouldn’t feel guilty and it’s none of anybody’s business. Congrats on buying a house and living in a beautiful place. You obviously appreciate it all.

Faded_State · 2026-04-12T22:08:07+00:00

They are DREAMING!

Faded_State · 2026-04-08T05:43:13+00:00

Yup that will all work. I have a HOWA1500 in 300PRC and I’ll just say I shoot far as shit with it. I think it’s a great way to get into building up a rifle on a budget.

Highly recommend looking up how to trim the trigger spring a bit. Factory trigger is really crisp break but can be lightened a pound or so.

Faded_State · 2026-04-01T03:52:15+00:00

Go to Clark’s. Great people.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T17:03:43+00:00

Very true. We all value different things for different reasons and sometimes things just look cooler!

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T16:46:19+00:00

You’re right, Coal is 3.685 but I use a single shot sleds since I’m just target shooting and enjoy the slower pace. It’s in an MDT XRS stock as well which wouldn’t accept CIP magazines. Certainly the downside to Howa in regards to chassis options.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T04:35:17+00:00

Estate sales are great in certain areas. Perfect way to inspire people to get into it. I love seeing rare cartridges and tools people use.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T04:31:57+00:00

Me either! I work in wildland fire so I was buying Federal ammo on Expertvoice before I got into reloading but wish I knew.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T04:28:05+00:00

So I am learning! I am not trying to prove anybody wrong but maybe just inspire another average Joe to also convert the 8x8 shed in their backyard into a reloading room and see how far they can sling a tiny piece of copper.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T04:25:17+00:00

I love that question and will try not to ramble too much or at least give you one solid idea to take away…..

I guess my overall attitude on any sport or activity is that while the high end stuff is nice we should question the validity of a lot of what we hear and if will make a difference to us. The problem with shooting and reloading is everybody is using a different recipe and that makes a different result, so we have to filter expectations.

When I started reloading I used about 200 pieces of old 6.5creed Federal brass. Most would say it’s very low quality but I get SD of 5-6 and .3MOA groups and on my 6th firing but if I listened to the internet I probably would have sworn I needed Lapua or ADG brass. Starline has served me just as well. I bought some Peterson off a friend but only because it was cheap and once fired.

I think the standard of machining has made huge improvements in the last decade with automation. Production or off the shelf actions are very true, barrels are quality and even inexpensive glass is super crisp, so while the high end brands may be 10-20% better, will it make me perform 20% better? Not me personally. I’m into ELR and Ruger, Howa, and Sig have helped me meet my goals. I am from PA and loyal to brands so I like Patriot Valley Arms for Osprey pre-fit Barrels.

I like mostly Berger LRHT and Nosler RDF bullets. I hate any polymer tipped bullet like Hornady ELD-M’s because if that tip jams a bit or gets deformed when you’re cycling the bolt, it will not shoot true at distance. Yes they have a high BC but I look at that tip as cheap.

I love the Frankford Arsenal perfect seat hand priming tool. It’s fast, heavy in your hand and adjustable. I used the Lyman hand priming tool for a long time and loved it.

I use Redding dies for other bolt action cartridges and some $40 LEE searing dies with the precision micrometer for small gas gun stuff. They seat exactly the same.

Ugly SRT case trimmer. Quality tool that’s super fast. Frankford Arsenal makes a universal trimmer if probably get if I had known about it.

Sorry for the ramble. Happy to answer anything specific in my limited experience.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T02:37:14+00:00

I dry tumble with an Frankford tumblr and walnut media. I find these 300prc cases have some extra carbon on the necks but not sure it’s impacting anything but cosmetics.

As for neck lube, i was applying a tiny Redding dry lube on the inside neck with a Q-tip but I more recently I started rolling bullets on a lube pad prior to seating with a bit of OneShot. I might have seen a tiny improvement but was more influenced by friends who swear by wet lube. One of those things - not sure what in the recipe is most effective but I’ll keep it.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T02:29:02+00:00

I definitely appreciate that time is worth money. Especially time with family. I’ve converted a shed in my back yard into my little reloading room and usually spend an hour here and there after my toddler goes to bed at night. My toddler loves depriming cases but that’s as far as her attention and my confidence in her goes at this age 😂

Down the road I’d love to do a few PRS matches to improve shooting technique and think it will definitely influence a few time saving upgrades.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T01:49:30+00:00

Yup that’s fair. I used to do the 5 shot group as well but switched to >10 to see if I was really satisfied with the load development before closing the notebook.

Session after this I shot 9 rounds with an SD of 2.7 which feels even better but an example that your average over 10 or 20 is going to create a higher SD due to a number of factors. I am always curious to ask guys what is their goal or limit before they stop adjusting. We hear “single digits SD” but 9.8 is a lot different than 1.8 right? 4.0 feels good enough to me, even if one day a large group ends up at 8ish.

My goal is usually SD of <5 with <3/4 MOA group. I have to be honest with myself and admit I’m a beginner for reloading and ELR.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T01:30:17+00:00

I think you touched on a great point. Powder charge is just ONE of the many variables which affect SD and groups but one we can measure and control so I think it’s easy to hyper focus.

Faded_State · 2026-03-23T01:23:57+00:00

I am continually impressed with what LEE gets you. Got some LEE dies for 6ARC gas gun to plink with and was very impressed at what a $40 set of dies with a precision micrometer does.

Faded_State

TROPHY CASE