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Posted by: CrashTestDummy Jun 15 2023, 09:10 PM

:set rant=ON

While chasing a rattle in the back of the B4C, I noticed that the rear bump stops had deteriorated. Much like the spats on our 86 SVO, they just fell to the floor of the shop in crumbly pieces. Looking around, I discovered that the poly replacement pieces require you to cut part of the mounting surface away from the body. Not willing to do that, this IS a mostly-stock B4C 1LE car, I opted to just use factory replacements.

It looks like Dorman is the only co that has anything that's not poly for the 3rd Gen, P/N 31068, so I ordered a pair of these, not cheap, repros. I decided today was the day to do that, and after getting the back end off the ground and the wheels off, went to work. Being a mostly unmolested Texas car, the bolts came off will little effort, albeit more than I wanted to do, given my current state of rehab from shoulder surgery. Anyway, I started to bolt the new ones in place, and the freaking bolt holes don't line up with the body!!!!! I verified the P/N, but sure enough, the bolt holes are about 1/8-3/16" off. After drilling the holes out to 1/2" and slotting them with my die grinder, I got them on the car.

I'm really p1ssed that these things pass off as OEM replacements. It's not like I'm trying to fab a part for some rare, odd car. I can't wait to get my 'we'd love you to review your purchase' email from the reseller!!!

The rattle, BTW, was a mis-assembled rear sway bar end link. I don't remember when, or who did the work, it was certainly me, with, or without help. Who knows. It's all better now. THAT sh1t fit!

:set rant=OFF
<return>

Posted by: trackbird Jun 17 2023, 07:59 PM

That's not fun. I find that as cars get older, parts fit worse. The centerforce dual friction clutch I put in my 2002 camaro (the original 2002) fixed the "too soft" clutch torsion springs that GM used in the LS6 clutch. So I put one in this car. It feels like an LS6 clutch, the springs are too soft. Somewhere, someone looked and saw "the originals called for this spring rate, why are we using "THAT" spring rate? Lets fix it". Or, they ran out of springs and had to go to an OEM supplier. Either way, the parts aren't what they were when these cars were new.

Posted by: CrashTestDummy Jun 17 2023, 08:17 PM

I'm finding a LOT of that, too. I'm in the middle of replacing a failed heater core on our SVO. While it's a Fox-body car, and the made millions of the things, most, it seems, with A/C, there's no longer a heater core that fits properly. The current units are all aluminum, and supposedly subject to early failure. Additionally, you have to wrap them in insulation foam so they don't rattle around in the evaporator box once installed. They're also made in China. The really bad part is that 1: when they fail, they usually pour antifreeze in the passenger floorboard, and 2: it's a HUGE PITA to R&R the things, requiring the dash to almost have to come completely out, usually breaking 30+year-old plastic bits while you're doing the work.

I'm waiting for another unit that supposedly has a Fjiord P/N, and the pictures show a brass/copper construction, although it won't be the first time the seller has just posted some random picture off the interwebs to use on their web stores.

I'm also looking for a decent pepper mill. One that will last longer than a year, and puts out more than a grain of pepper a minute. I seem to have been shown one, but it's $200! I located one that appears to be a Chinese knockoff for $130. I showed my wife the second unit, and she said that looks good. My reply was that it was a Chinese knockoff. Knowing the fun we've had with the SVO heater core and Camaro bump stops, her reply to that was "The $200 is on its way. Happy Father's Day!"

Posted by: zlexiss Jun 17 2023, 09:04 PM

Gene, went through exactly the same thing with the Dorman stop last month working on my wife's 1992 Camaro RS! I ordered mine from RockAuto and had to do the same slotting of the holes.

Same car, 3.1L V6, I'm trying to find a new timing cover for. I've now ordered 4 covers from different manufacturers from different storefronts, and each has the water pump housing (backside) mirrored from my cover so the flow is reverse. All showed the correct part on the part listing photo. I think I'm calling one of the manufacturers next week and asking to lay their hands on the right part for me.

-Jeff

Posted by: zlexiss Jun 17 2023, 09:09 PM

Oh and I love my Perfex pepper mill I have this one and still using it 14 years later - I go through at least a half pound of pepper a year on average:
https://www.amazon.com/Perfex-Adjustable-High-Carbon-Mechanism-4-5-Inches/dp/B002OOVBEO

I like the traditional crank top easy when you want a lot of pepper, and the trap door to refill.

Posted by: CrashTestDummy Jun 17 2023, 10:00 PM

Jeff,

Yeah, we've been enjoying a string of such things recently. Usually, it's ME who's grabbing something and modifying it to fit whatever Frankenstein setup I am working on, but lately, have been limiting things to our 'factory' cars in the collection. It's really annoying the poor fit that's acceptable out there.

Cool pepper mill. IIRC my Mom had one like that. I think it went in the estate sale after my Dad passed. I was looking for one that would last a while, but my primary criteria was the output. I LOVE pepper! That, and we use a lot in cooking. Not so much that a handful of peppercorns in a coffee grinder is the answer, but more than the pittance most mills put out. A mortar and pestle is just a mess. While I was shown several different ones (I asked for options from the folks on the Roadrace Autocross list), the one we have currently on order is a Mannkitchen unit: https://mannkitchen.com/products/the-original-pepper-cannon-pepper-mill. It's stupid money for a mill, but I'm getting tired of mills that don't work, don't last and don't put out any product. We'll see.

Posted by: zlexiss Jun 17 2023, 10:48 PM

That cannon looks nice!

I went with the perfex since the crank on top lets me spin it a lot without wearing out my wrist - a little more ergonomic. Same here for cooking use I'm typically grinding out a teaspoonful or more at a time. And it happens to sit right on top of the indent of my little ramekins so I have a nice container to grind into if I really want to put out a good pile. I usually use the Penzey's Extra Bold peppercorns here.

Posted by: CrashTestDummy Jun 18 2023, 04:40 PM

It's good to know the output is good. Currently, I think I'd be limited in the use of the crank (kind of a pushing and pulling action I'm not good at yet), but am getting better every day. The twisting of the top, or bottom, has just gotten to the point it's not a big deal anymore.

I'll have to check out the extra bold. I use Penzey's spices, but haven't picked that one up yet. Cool!