Who remembers timing lights, points, distributor cap and rotors?
01-04-2009, 07:11 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Who remembers timing lights, points, distributor cap and rotors?
Now that its 2009 and I am sitting here with my car in the body shop, I was trying to remember some of my old cars and motorcycles (I guess thats why I updated my sig with them) and some of the simple pleasures of owning them over the years.
I used to love changing the oil, I've been using Mobil 1 since the 1980's, and I think Fram was the high performance oil filter back then. I loved tuning up the car so it was running perfectly which necessitating owning a timing light and feeler gauge. I have used K&N air filters for as long as I can remember (In my motorcycles too). The performance tires back in the 80's was BF Goodrich Comp T/A's. The clutches were heavy, and the shift throws were long, but it was a fun time driving.
In the 1980's I owned a Cinncinati Microwave Escort radar detector, which was the Valentine 1 of the day (Micheal Valentine worked at Cinncinati Microwave and was one of the engineers of the original Escort).
The Cops were much more lienient and much less sophisticated. I remember getting pulled over many times going over 100mph and the Cops would walk around my car or motorcycle and compliment it and then tell me to slow down. If you got caught driving while intoxicated they would ask if you were okay to drive and then tell you to drive carefully home. Today its Russian roulette either with getting into an accident or getting pulled over, I think the only real solution is to ban alcohol at bars and restuarants. In these restaurants you could smoke cigarettes as well.
Anyway, Happy New year!
Now that its 2009 and I am sitting here with my car in the body shop, I was trying to remember some of my old cars and motorcycles (I guess thats why I updated my sig with them) and some of the simple pleasures of owning them over the years.
I used to love changing the oil, I've been using Mobil 1 since the 1980's, and I think Fram was the high performance oil filter back then. I loved tuning up the car so it was running perfectly which necessitating owning a timing light and feeler gauge. I have used K&N air filters for as long as I can remember (In my motorcycles too). The performance tires back in the 80's was BF Goodrich Comp T/A's. The clutches were heavy, and the shift throws were long, but it was a fun time driving.
In the 1980's I owned a Cinncinati Microwave Escort radar detector, which was the Valentine 1 of the day (Micheal Valentine worked at Cinncinati Microwave and was one of the engineers of the original Escort).
The Cops were much more lienient and much less sophisticated. I remember getting pulled over many times going over 100mph and the Cops would walk around my car or motorcycle and compliment it and then tell me to slow down. If you got caught driving while intoxicated they would ask if you were okay to drive and then tell you to drive carefully home. Today its Russian roulette either with getting into an accident or getting pulled over, I think the only real solution is to ban alcohol at bars and restuarants. In these restaurants you could smoke cigarettes as well.
Anyway, Happy New year!
01-04-2009, 07:19 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
What about adjusting the valve lifters? My cars had single carbs, but I had four carbs on some of my motorcycles and adjusting was a pain. When you changed your exhaust you had to disassemble and rejet the carbs too.
01-04-2009, 07:21 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i: June 6th start build, complete June 17th, at NY Port July 5th, at dealer July 10th, took delivery Friday July 13- Plantimum Bronze/Natural Brown Leather/Light Poplar, Sport Package, Sport Auto, Active Steering, Premium Package, CWP & PDC. Dinan Performance Software 384hp & 421 ft/lbs.
Interesting enough, tuning turbos was almost as easy then than today. Then you just changed the waste gate yourself, now you get the dealer to download software.
01-04-2009, 09:06 AM
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I'm 30, but I can remember how cops were then and now, and how cars were easier to work on then and now. World has changed quite a bit. It almost seems like they make cars today in a way to ensure users can't fiddle with them and instead the dealers MUST work on them and charge you your 1st born for labor and parts.
01-04-2009, 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by pennetta' post='759050' date='Jan 4 2009, 11:11 AM
Who remembers timing lights, points, distributor cap and rotors?
Now that its 2009 and I am sitting here with my car in the body shop, I was trying to remember some of my old cars and motorcycles (I guess thats why I updated my sig with them) and some of the simple pleasures of owning them over the years.
I used to love changing the oil, I've been using Mobil 1 since the 1980's, and I think Fram was the high performance oil filter back then. I loved tuning up the car so it was running perfectly which necessitating owning a timing light and feeler gauge. I have used K&N air filters for as long as I can remember (In my motorcycles too). The performance tires back in the 80's was BF Goodrich Comp T/A's. The clutches were heavy, and the shift throws were long, but it was a fun time driving.
In the 1980's I owned a Cinncinati Microwave Escort radar detector, which was the Valentine 1 of the day (Micheal Valentine worked at Cinncinati Microwave and was one of the engineers of the original Escort).
The Cops were much more lienient and much less sophisticated. I remember getting pulled over many times going over 100mph and the Cops would walk around my car or motorcycle and compliment it and then tell me to slow down. If you got caught driving while intoxicated they would ask if you were okay to drive and then tell you to drive carefully home. Today its Russian roulette either with getting into an accident or getting pulled over, I think the only real solution is to ban alcohol at bars and restuarants. In these restaurants you could smoke cigarettes as well.
Anyway, Happy New year!
Now that its 2009 and I am sitting here with my car in the body shop, I was trying to remember some of my old cars and motorcycles (I guess thats why I updated my sig with them) and some of the simple pleasures of owning them over the years.
I used to love changing the oil, I've been using Mobil 1 since the 1980's, and I think Fram was the high performance oil filter back then. I loved tuning up the car so it was running perfectly which necessitating owning a timing light and feeler gauge. I have used K&N air filters for as long as I can remember (In my motorcycles too). The performance tires back in the 80's was BF Goodrich Comp T/A's. The clutches were heavy, and the shift throws were long, but it was a fun time driving.
In the 1980's I owned a Cinncinati Microwave Escort radar detector, which was the Valentine 1 of the day (Micheal Valentine worked at Cinncinati Microwave and was one of the engineers of the original Escort).
The Cops were much more lienient and much less sophisticated. I remember getting pulled over many times going over 100mph and the Cops would walk around my car or motorcycle and compliment it and then tell me to slow down. If you got caught driving while intoxicated they would ask if you were okay to drive and then tell you to drive carefully home. Today its Russian roulette either with getting into an accident or getting pulled over, I think the only real solution is to ban alcohol at bars and restuarants. In these restaurants you could smoke cigarettes as well.
Anyway, Happy New year!
Something good must have rubbed off, my son and his friend just spent a day in my garage installing a Corsa dual exhaust in his 99 Cadillac SLS. His first car, a hand me down.
I am in the middle of changing the plugs in my 545i. I just don't think 100k mikes on set of plugs is going to give optimum performance and mileage. Its a PITA by the way.... been working on them for hours and still have one back one left
01-04-2009, 10:11 AM
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My Ride: 2006 550i SMG
My car in high school 68 ss396 camaro (still have) had 14" rims and was the fastest in school...yes even in 1983! In 1987 I thought 16" rims looked like riding on rubberbands and as silly as they look now, Centerline wheels were the best you could buy at the time! Happy new year! 
01-04-2009, 11:45 AM
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My Ride: 530I Silver gray with gray leather with Premium Package, Logic 7 Premium sound system with Ipod interface, xenon adaptive headlights, Active steering, Power retractable rear sunshade, Comfort seats, Cold weather package and M5 OEM 166 wheels, Sprintbooster. Ceramic Tint all around, Bilstein Sports shocks with Eibach springs, Brake performance Rotors and Axxis ceramic pads.
Ahh, that brings back memories. Those are the good old days when you know what is wrong with your car using our hearing, smell, feel and vision. Where everything about a car is mechanical.
01-04-2009, 12:35 PM
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My Ride: My ex-ride: EU '08 LCI 520dA. Space Grey, Sport Seats in Black Leather/Fabric Anthracite, Sport Steering Wheel, A/C with Extended Features, Hi-Fi Speakers, Cup Holders, Cruise with Braking function, Folding Rear Seats, Xenons, Park Distance Control.
Originally Posted by pennetta' post='759050' date='Jan 4 2009, 06:11 PM
Who remembers timing lights, points, distributor cap and rotors?
When the engines where big and the drivers young
the chicks was nice and all around
music was loud
so the feeling was found.
Copyright.
01-04-2009, 01:10 PM
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My Ride: F11 535i M-Sport,, Silver, Black Leather, LED Adaptive headlights
Model Year: 2015
Engine: N55
I was a police officer in the late 70's and used to take my dwell meter and timing light to work in order to tune the cars a bit better, they were always too slow when they came back from the workshops.
Amazing how much extra power you could get by advancing the timing a little....................OK, so the odd hole got burned into the piston, but hey, it wasn't my car
Amazing how much extra power you could get by advancing the timing a little....................OK, so the odd hole got burned into the piston, but hey, it wasn't my car