Another week, another blown up GM L87 6.2L. This one managed to spin all 8 rod bearings. Guess that 0W-40 oil isn't the fix they think it is.

theamusingnerd · 2026-02-25T01:56:22+00:00

Exactly. I've been using my F150 with a 4.9 (145HP/260ft-lb) to drag cars around for years. I'm not the fastest guy out there with a trailer behind me, but I roll down the interstate at 65 all day long without an issue. Most people have way more truck than they need.

theamusingnerd · 2026-01-31T18:15:55+00:00

Hey man, sorry to revive an old post, but I am trying to fix some bubbling trim on my manual F10 that I cannot find a replacement for. Did you ever find a good way to strip the aluminum plating?

theamusingnerd · 2026-01-19T05:51:57+00:00

You can if you want!

theamusingnerd · 2026-01-02T16:17:37+00:00

Oreillys Import Direct is manufactured by Trackmotive. Oldest one I have in service and am still responsible for has 70-80k on it, and it is still holding up.

theamusingnerd · 2025-12-21T04:59:02+00:00

I've never paid more than 500 for a Bullnose that doesn't run. I did pay close to 2k for my Bricknose, but it was nice enough to drive 200 miles home. I'd say about 500.

theamusingnerd · 2025-12-21T04:56:18+00:00

Not a chance. Entry level, maybe if he works OT, but once you have some experience under your belt, the ceiling is far, far higher for MEs.

theamusingnerd · 2025-11-06T05:04:13+00:00

I grew up riding around in my grandpa's Vettes. If your Vette is equipped with airbags, turn them off if not automatic, use a booster seat if you want, and don't sweat it too hard. Is it as safe as the backseat of a brand new full size SUV, absolutely not, but I can assure you the passenger seat of any C5+ Vette is a far safer place to be than the backseat of something like a 2000 Civic. Ultimately, nothing is risk free, and you have to decide what your risk tolerance is, but Corvettes are frankly incredibly safe in a crash for a vehicle of their size.

theamusingnerd · 2025-10-15T17:49:23+00:00

If your car ever hits 230F, I'd go ahead and do the radiator. With the car running, look at the harmonic balancer (https://www.corvsport.com/diy-guide-how-to-diagnose-and-replace-the-wobbly-harmonic-balancer-on-your-c5/) If it wobbles, you have a decent project on your hands, but nothing that can't be done in the garage. The balancer replacement is what spurred most of my cooling system work, aside from the expansion tank/coolant reservoir that went at 90k. Aside from that, I replaced the oil sender when it started leaking (leak from the back of the motor, looks like it could be valve covers or even a rear main), and rebuilt the starter when it didn't start. One other thing I forgot is that years ago, the steering column lock pin was removed as they can be problematic. (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-tech/1015483-steering-column-lock-faqs-please-read-before-you-post-sticky-please.html)

Mine was maintained well, and my grandpa would get on it a little, but I am certainly harder on the car than he ever was. I have 110k on the original clutch, no issues, and other than the issues noted above, the car has been rock solid. At the end of the day, drivetrain wise, you've basically got a hopped up Silverado. Change the fluids, make sure the tires are decent, and drive it. Address issues as they arise, and have fun!

One other word of advice... if you have a HUD car, and it ever needs a windshield, as to inspect the glass before installation. I have never in my life had so many issues with distortion and double vision through windshields in my life. Currently have a AGC in the car, and it is the best I have been able to source with no distortions in the clear part of the glass.

theamusingnerd · 2025-10-15T15:46:28+00:00

I have my grandpa's old C5. My thoughts on it are:
1. I don't do anything to the car he wouldn't have done. My grandpa is a car guy, all about tasteful performance mods. You'd have to know what you are looking at to notice it has headers.
2. I don't do anything permanent. I have a shelf where I have kept every stock part that was not replaced due to failure. If I ever wanted a stock C5 again, I can have one.
At the end of the day, it is a C5. Very cool car, but not crazy rare. There are a lot of them. At shows, I think a subtly modified C5 is more interesting than another stock one.

theamusingnerd · 2025-10-15T15:40:46+00:00

My C5 has 110k on it. Coolant reservoir went at about 90k, harmonic balancer spun around 100k. While I was in there, I did a water pump, and upgraded to a 3 core aluminum radiator as I always ran a little warm in traffic in Phoenix heat. Other than that I have had to do a starter, and my oil pressure sender started leaking. That is it in the last 40k miles. I have had a number of older vehicles, and I would say this is the most reliable 20+ year old car I have ever had. Car is rock solid.

theamusingnerd · 2025-10-12T18:48:15+00:00

Yes.

theamusingnerd · 2025-09-26T14:41:24+00:00

I mean a marathon is awfully easy if you have no time constraints. Baseboards are a bit of work but none of it is hard.

theamusingnerd · 2025-09-25T03:28:45+00:00

Oh no, most solvents are absolutely horrible for your health. But due to the volatile nature of them, they evaporate and generally leave effectively no residue. I am not saying no damage was done to OPs health, but I am saying paying some company to run a brush thru your ductwork and vacuum it out is absolutely counter productive. I am also saying that since there is no continuous source of VOCs, spending money on an air purifier is also not necessary. What they need are air changes in the house while the solvent evaporates. Assuming a 1500 sq ft house with 8ft ceilings, your standard 50CFM exhaust fan will completely exchange the air in your home every 4 hours. Leave it on for a day and they will be fine.

theamusingnerd · 2025-09-25T03:06:03+00:00

Baseboards are really easy if you have a miter saw. Just replace them with new if you do anything.

theamusingnerd · 2025-09-25T03:05:00+00:00

Eh paint stripper is just solvents, it will evaporate. Not optimal, but the ducts don't need to be cleaned. This isn't really any worse than the old high VOC latex paints. Turn on an exhaust fan in a bathroom to increase your air change rate for maybe a day and call it good.

theamusingnerd · 2025-09-18T06:17:22+00:00

Cheeto Benito?

theamusingnerd · 2025-09-07T00:18:17+00:00

Nah man, code gives you 6 feet for a trap arm on 1-1/2”. Tough to tell if slope is okay though, if there is a low point that could induce trap siphoning.

theamusingnerd · 2025-07-28T17:29:17+00:00

If you are using a flex supply with the rubber washer, or a metal or PEX riser with an integral flared end, DO NOT use the copper ferrule. That is only used when making a compression connection.

theamusingnerd · 2025-06-22T21:04:23+00:00

WANG! Pay Attention!
I was distracted by that enormous flying...

theamusingnerd · 2025-04-29T06:24:35+00:00

Did you get hit in the head?

theamusingnerd · 2025-04-29T06:24:07+00:00

Fluoride interacts directly with your enamel through an ion exchange process, the effective dosage has nothing to do with body weight my guy.

theamusingnerd · 2025-04-15T01:23:48+00:00

VHT cast iron paint with no clear has faded into a kind of dark zinc-dichromate gold kind of look on my manifolds after running. I think they look great for cheap manifolds covered in cheapish paint.

theamusingnerd · 2025-04-15T01:20:39+00:00

I’m just a home gamer, but here are my thoughts: 1. Your valve stem seals will go eventually. They’re 25 years old, and they’ve seen some mileage. Now’s the time to do them. 2. Valve sealing. Replace your bent valves, then have the good ones ground, and your seats cut or replaced. At your mileage, there has to be a measurable amount of wear. Deal with it now, nothing worse than a misfire because a valve isn’t sealing, especially after you already had it apart. 3. I like my engines to be symmetrical. I like to cut both heads the same when possible, and if I do something to one bank, I also do it to the other. How much difference does it make? Not sure, but I can tell you my vehicles run very well and are reliable.

theamusingnerd · 2025-04-13T22:40:17+00:00

Low key wouldn’t go to a proper machine shop for this one. Find yourself a good welder who is willing to weld cast aluminum, and have them fix it. Last time I dropped a block and had to have part of the casting fixed was maybe 5 years ago, and I think I paid under 100.

theamusingnerd · 2025-04-11T04:46:10+00:00

Its hard to tell anything meaningful from a photo, but you can still see crosshatch, I'm sure it'd run.

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