I don’t usually do resolutions around new year’s day because it’s so cliché. Though with a break from school for awhile, the holidays are wrapping up and I’m on vacation this week it’s a good time to do some reflection and planning for the coming year. In the past year or two I’ve gotten off track not only posting hear regularly but also in maintaining our family vehicles along with our project 71 Super Beetle.
In the past I was quite punctual with my oil changes and other maintenance items on both my own car and my wife’s car. Even just keeping them clean has been neglected. Now I can sit around and cite family, work, school and time issues but I’ve got no one to blame but myself. Even my state car inspection is late(Appointment on Thursday for that one).My goal is to get back on a regular schedule on maintenance for both my wife’s car and mine.Here’s a short list for my Impala:
- Oil and Filter change
- Antifreeze flush and refill
- Change spark plugs and wires
- Transmission service including fluid & filter change
- Clean & re-oil K&N air filter
- Wash & wax, vacuum interior
For my wife’s Windstar:
- Oil & filter change
- Fix passenger side door
- Wash & wax and vacuum
- Check air filter
Now onto the Super Beetle which has been neglected for months. I had started doing the brakes but soon realized I needed a plan to go forth and get this road worthy. The heater channels are but a joke and need replacement on both sides of the car. The engine is tired and I believe could use a rebuild. I have begun gutting out the interior at least. That’s as far as I’ve gotten so far. Plan of attack of the VW:
- Remove engine
- Rebuild engine
- Replace heater channels( which will probably require separating the chassis & body)
- And much, much more…..
This is going to be both fun and a challenge. Much of the work I’ll be doing will be new to me and will also mean an influx of cash and tools. My goal is to have the engine out and start rebuilding in the next month. When the warm weather appears in the spring I’ll start on the heater channels which will require extensive body work and some welding(one of those new things I was talking about). By summer time I’d like to have the heater channels in and at least have the body back together. Of course I’m being optimistic and things may come up that slow things down (of course) but that is my plan at the moment. At some point I’d like to at least register and insure it.
Well that’s the plan at the moment. I wish you a Happy New Year and good luck on your winter projects!
