My next project

Hi all. My next project. Fortunately its a rather simple one. I have to replace the Coolant Bottle on a 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity V6. Problem is, I can't get the replacement part. So I need to get a "Universal" bottle. Which will involve me making a bracket to reuse the existing mounting locations. I am Probably going to use a 1/8" thick Aluminum bar. Cut and bend to fit. Drill a couple holes. Should be ok?? Its only a coolant bottle. Or I am going to make it the harder way. Using some flat steel bar. Again Cut and Bent and drilled to reuse the existing mounting locations. And weld a bar running a diagonal across to hang the bottle on. Then I would have to paint it. Got to get the bottle first and see how it will fit. Fortunately Summit Racing has one in stock. Hopefully it will arrive next week.

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/products/.../10170152.html

http://www.gmoutletparts.com/oe-gm/10170152

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=10170152

Thanks Rambozo. Wow the one place wants $12 just to ship. The Universal is going to cost me less than $12. I have some scrap laying around. Maybe it will be enough??

I just checked the other two sites. WOW is the Shipping HIGH. The one place total is over $43. They're all over $34

True, it can get expensive with shipping for small items like that, but the time and effort spent in fabricating a bracket can exceed the value of the ones online.

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Originally Posted by performance

True, it can get expensive with shipping for small items like that, but the time and effort spent in fabricating a bracket can exceed the value of the ones online.

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For something like an 88 Celebrity it wouldn't take much to exceed the value of the vehicle, either. ;)

You can make an offer...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331348107193

Any dismantling yards aka junkyards nearby, that might have a used part? Or is the deal already done.

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Originally Posted by DaveO

Any dismantling yards aka junkyards nearby, that might have a used part? Or is the deal already done.

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That was my thought, junkyard. Ram was funny, might exceed the value of the car..

But anyway, he can make a bracket, more fun that way.

The owner of the car looked around. How long do you think that a new part from the 80s would last?

Attachment 12482The Owner of the car is spending roughly $1600 to fix Oil, Coolant leaks. I am trying to do her a favor. My plan is to use a 1 or 3/4" 16 gauge bar. Cut and Bend. Drill a couple of holes. Basically the new bottle will hang on a "Suspension bridge". Should cost roughly $20. And give me something to do. I like doing things like this. Makes my life interesting.

Next Spring, I am going to build another Cart. For storing my Clamps, Welding Blanket, Etc. Can't do it now. Financial reasons. Trane is having Another "Plant Shutdown" this week. Its becoming a monthly occurrence. Back on NJ Unemployment again.

I have an Idea. There is a Support Bar that runs from the Upper Radiator. Over to the Fender. I could just remove the Bar. Weld a couple of hangers. And attach the bottle to it. Or I could put it as close to the factory location as I could.

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Originally Posted by Elantramax1

I have an Idea. There is a Support Bar that runs from the Upper Radiator. Over to the Fender. I could just remove the Bar. Weld a couple of hangers. And attach the bottle to it. Or I could put it as close to the factory location as I could.

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Or just drill a couple of holes in that bar to hang the bottle with nuts and bolts, or just weld on a couple of bolts to act as mounting studs, the options are endless. For the quick and dirty version just zip tie the bottle to that bar. Once you have the new bottle you can figure out how it will best fit. Maybe you can screw it to the front of the strut tower, or make some bracket to mount it in the original location. If possible try to have the bottom or side rest on something so all the weight isn't free swinging from the two tabs. But again, with a car like that, how long does it need to last anyway? In CA they are pretty rough, I can only imagine what an east coast car looks like after over a quarter century of east coast winters.

The Bottle is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Problem is, Its going to be Cold and Wet this weekend. I may not be able to work on it.

The Support Bar is removable. I already have a 3' piece of 1/8" aluminum bar. Then I wouldn't have to worry about painting it.

As it turns out, The car is still in the shop. Waiting on another part. Maybe Monday afternoon for it to be done. I need the car and bottle so I can make the bracket. And paint it.

Got the bottle today. I have a piece of 16 gauge sheet metal that I am going to use as the "Backer". Already cut it. Need the car so I can make the bracket.

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Originally Posted by Elantramax1

Got the bottle today. I have a piece of 16 gauge sheet metal that I am going to use as the "Backer". Already cut it. Need the car so I can make the bracket.

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http://www.1-877-spirits.com/store/i...ngraved-lg.jpg

I NEED that. Now the Chevrolet Dealer claims the engine Needs an Oil Filter Adapter. Which wont arrive until Friday. This started with her wanting the Oil Pan Gasket replaced. Last Mon, Oct 27.

I bought an Intermediate Box from Sears. On Sale for $40. Regular price $100. Went to place it on my tool box. Lock cylinder fell out. The factory forgot to install the retainer. Which was probably a Shim. Not inside the unit. Half hour with Sears, I am getting a Refund of 10%. For the "Hassle". I was able to make one out of some scrap 16 Gauge sheet metal (1" Square piece in the garbage metal bucket). Rolled the one end over so it made it easier for me to push it on. And later to punch it out if needed.

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

http://www.1-877-spirits.com/store/i...ngraved-lg.jpg

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Very good taste. See the price.

Hope he gets his car back. We had a Jeep like that. First and last one.

Hope he gets his car back. We had a Jeep like that. First and last one.[/QUOTE]

Its my Sisters car. Started with going to a Chevy dealer to replace the Oil Pan gasket. Then somehow morphed into needing Head Gaskets. I can understand the plastic Vacuum lines. They break after a while. Its a 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity 2.8 V6. Somehow it now needs an Oil Filter Adapter. Which is supposed to arrive later this week. After that?? Who knows. And the Oil Pan Gasket was not done with all this work.

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Originally Posted by Elantramax1

Hope he gets his car back. We had a Jeep like that. First and last one.

Its my Sisters car. Started with going to a Chevy dealer to replace the Oil Pan gasket. Then somehow morphed into needing Head Gaskets. I can understand the plastic Vacuum lines. They break after a while. Its a 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity 2.8 V6. Somehow it now needs an Oil Filter Adapter. Which is supposed to arrive later this week. After that?? Who knows. And the Oil Pan Gasket was not done with all this work.

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Time to get that car home while you still have some cash. They tend to do that, some places down here anyway.

Doesn't seem like a car you would even want to fix. At that age everything is going to start failing. For the price of all these repairs, you could probably buy a better car.

That thought's been running through my mind too, but I figured it was a labor of love. Elantramax is helping the person out by fabbing up the bracket to defray costs a bit.

I know. The car is only worth Scrap value. Its a Long, Complicated story why she doesn't get a newer car. She cant afford one.

Still waiting on the car to be done. And Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Cold and wet the next couple of days.

It may end up costing about $20 in parts (Bottle, Bar) I have some scrap sheet metal, Paint laying around.

They're "Test" driving it now. She may get it back tonight. I can work on the Bracket on the next "Plant Shutdown". Which will probably be Thanksgiving week.

One of those cars where you can double the resale value by filling the gas tank.

Rambozo, I did something between what you suggested and what I wanted to do. What I did was, Cut the 1/8" bar to fit underneath the Support Bar. Welded a short piece underneath at a slight angle. Drilled holes. The picture is the underside of the unit. Haven't test fitted it yet. I drilled slots in the ends just in case. And where the Bottle is mounted, I gave myself an extra inch. If I need to slide the bottle forward more to fit over the wheel well hump.

Well. Not good. She got the car back Friday night. Saturday night it starts Stalling and Not Starting. Thinking Maybe an Ignition Module. She's going to call the dealer this morning to see what they will do??

On a Hind thought, I Probably should have welded the plate to the rail. Left it loose to paint.

It just keeps getting Better. The Dealer has the car. The Problem is not their work. But work that was done about 1 1/2 years ago. She had the Gas Tank replaced. The "Mechanic" used Rubber Hose instead of the Steel Lines that come out of the tank to the Filter, Return lines. They need to pull the Tank down and see how much damage. I May be able to get a replacement assembly. And try to Avoid their price.

Here comes the BAD news. She just informed me that, The Bank is Foreclosing on her house. And that it's being put up for sale on Dec 4 2014.

Sounds like that car needs a can of gas and a match. Or like they used to say at my old shop, jack up the radiator cap and install a new car under it.

Went there today after work. The problem is the "Mechanic" cut the steel fuel lines. And used rubber hose and clamps.

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Originally Posted by Elantramax1

Went there today after work. The problem is the "Mechanic" cut the steel fuel lines. And used rubber hose and clamps.

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While not OEM, that will not cause any problems and is used on millions of cars. If the dealer is telling you that the hose is the only problem, unless it's not proper fuel hose, or is kinked, they are feeding you a line. Now it may be that hose was used to adapt the wrong fuel pump, and that conceivably can cause issues, but swapping steel line for rubber hose in and of itself is not a problem.

For a car like that, I don't think going to a dealer is a good plan anyway. It's not like you are doing a restoration, you just need it to run semi reliably. I'm sure a service writer would have no problem finding at least $5,000 - $10,000 or more, worth of work an old car like that could use to be brought up to scratch. What you need is an independent shop that understands that you just need to keep it going without spending more than the car is worth.

I know the Manufacturer uses Fuel Injection Hose near the engine.

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

For a car like that, I don't think going to a dealer is a good plan anyway. It's not like you are doing a restoration, you just need it to run semi reliably. I'm sure a service writer would have no problem finding at least $5,000 - $10,000 or more, worth of work an old car like that could use to be brought up to scratch. What you need is an independent shop that understands that you just need to keep it going without spending more than the car is worth.

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Agreed, 100%. How could the dealer justify the expense for a car of that value- it's just morally *wrong*. But the deal is done, now, so I wonder how can the sister cut her losses, in the face of other pressing financial concerns.

He tells me today the car Needs :

Sending Unit
Ignition Coil
Ignition Module

Some Fuel Lines

They recommend a Fuel Pump while they're in there. At Least $500 here

I can order the Sending unit from Advance Auto. $95 + Tax, Ship?

Ignition Module $100, Coil $40 Advance Auto.

I was able to locate a Sending Unit on Amazon for $72. free Shipping. No Tax. Coil and Module will wait awhile. Amazon Sellers (2 different ones) $93. Ac Delco Coil and Standard Module

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Originally Posted by Elantramax1

I was able to locate a Sending Unit on Amazon for $72. free Shipping. No Tax. Coil and Module will wait awhile. Amazon Sellers (2 different ones) $93. Ac Delco Coil and Standard Module

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Look at it this way...

$500 is a very high but one month car payment on something new (3+ year contract and tax and interest no less; dealer prep, tax tag title). She drive it a year, way ahead of a new car and no contract and $400 scrap value.

I found this on Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/161291144203...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The Bracket is different. The mounting location is in the old spot. In front of the engine. I would just reuse her existing bracket. The Module is the same Standard brand part number on the interchange.

What do you think? I may just buy this for her. As an early Christmas present.

Thanks

Bought in Ebay. Just arrived today. looks new. But has some marks on the plastic housings. Maybe I can get it tested at a parts store?? Car is still in the shop. Waiting on the Fuel Sending unit. Thanks to the Storm in western PA, Hasn't arrived yet. Maybe tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

Look at it this way...

$500 is a very high but one month car payment on something new (3+ year contract and tax and interest no less; dealer prep, tax tag title). She drive it a year, way ahead of a new car and no contract and $400 scrap value.

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It all depends on the specific car and what condition it is in. As old as it is, it could conceivably have a few hundred a month in repair bills just to keep it going. Sometimes you just need to draw a line in the sand and think about cutting your losses. Doesn't mean you need to buy new, but get something that still has life in it, rather than completely worn out. It all comes down to numbers. It's a little different if you do your own repairs, as you might not put as much value in your time. However, if you have to pay shop rates, it adds up fast.

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

It all depends on the specific car and what condition it is in. As old as it is, it could conceivably have a few hundred a month in repair bills just to keep it going. Sometimes you just need to draw a line in the sand and think about cutting your losses. Doesn't mean you need to buy new, but get something that still has life in it, rather than completely worn out. It all comes down to numbers. It's a little different if you do your own repairs, as you might not put as much value in your time. However, if you have to pay shop rates, it adds up fast.

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Even at $1500, to not have car payments for years is not a bad thing. We do our own work so that saves a lot and I get to work with my son, major plus to me. But I agree, maybe another car unless this one has some special attachment to it.

She Finally got the car back tonight. Tomorrow I am going to run over there and put the bottle in. I may have to wait to replace the Module and Coils.