Hillbilly Headquarters: A Fenwick's Adventures in the Automotive World + BS Thread

Hillbilly Headquarters: A Fenwick's Adventures in the Automotive World + BS Thread​

Automotive mechanics, whether I'm fixing a beater or building a mud truck, is one of my favorite activities. Often, people ask me "What did you do today," and I find myself posting a ton of pictures of whatever vehicle I happened to work on that day. And whereas I have build threads for my three Toyotas, (96 5-lug Tacoma and two 2nd gen 4runners) I do not yet have a thread for all of the other vehicles I work on, and the posts tend to get lost in countless threads all over TacomaWorld. So I decided to create a thread just to post my stories and pictures from all of the other vehicles I work on on a regular basis. Figured it would be good entertainment and maybe I'll be able to impart some knowledge.
Hillbilly Headquarters, as we call it, is my best friend's garage. We often undertake automotive projects together. I will go ahead and say it here now, that not all of the ideas and crazy methods we use are mine- my best friend is quite often the mastermind behind our activities. I just feel that I should give him proper credit, since he so very well deserves it. I am by no means a genius.
I welcome anyone to post here. Share your related stories, and don't be afraid to shoot me questions- oh, and BS is welcome! Especially from Cave Dwellers!

 

One of my current projects is my best friend's 97 4runner. To make a long story short, He bought this truck five years ago from a guy that neglected it. It is likely that the previous owner never changed the oil, so by the time Robert bought it, the damage had been done. We did the passenger side valve cover on it a few weeks back, because it was leaking badly onto the manifold, so the truck always smelled like burning oil. We figured that in removing the valve cover, we were likely to dislodge some trash. So when we finished the truck up, we kept an eye on the oil pressure light. Sure enough, it came on, meaning that some trash had clogged a port or the oil pickup. So since we planned on pulling and rebuilding it this summer anyways, we decided just to yank it now.

It was absolutely stunning to see the buildup inside this engine from all the abuse it took. I really gotta give it to Toyota, because this thing was still running like a champ!




Sure enough, the pickup was partially clogged.


That deposit in the pan is rock solid. I punched through it with a pick, and it was nearly an inch thick. (there is a small dip in the pan where it sits.)

Removing that head was the last thing we did last night. From what we can see, there is no egging or any major gouges.

 

FIRST...never mind - Scott beat me

 

I better see some banjos too.

 

You're damn right!

 

Second post edited to include the beginning of the current main adventure. I just knew some peoples *cough cough, fellow cave dwellers* would be quickly jumping on to vie for the first post!

Oh, and as I go through pictures on my phone and computer, I'll be posting some things I've worked on in the past. Throwbacks, if you will.

 

Oh, and how TF do you post videos to TW?

 

Figured it out. Here is a short vid from last night. The oil buildup is crazy! It's like dirt!
https://youtu.be/y6hNLTF_TbI

 

And since I rediscovered my YouTube account, here's a video from a couple months ago of Robert doing some cleanup on a Subaru head.
https://youtu.be/c6Pcvv5NhU8

 

In for head.
























Cleaning.

 

From Robert??? I think you'd rather not!

 

OW! Those pictures make my eyes hurt!

Those who neglect their vehicles then pawn their problems off on unsuspecting buyers should be dragged behind said vehicle.

 

Apparently he bites. I mean, that's what I've heard anyway.

 

Well, he is known for jamming his fingers up people's noses, namely mine.

 

Agreed! I'm just amazed that 4runner held on as long as it did! What a trooper!

 

Huh. I've always heard you can pick your friends but you can't pick your friend's nose. Now I know better.

 

In.

 

Yes, apparently that statement does not hold true for Robert.