So today, I did my first ever part replacement - Go me! I just bought a 1973 Mercury Comet. Two things that needed to be replaced were the battery cables and the radiator overflow hose. Went to the auto parts store and purchased the necessary hosing and itty bitty zip ties. That was pretty easy. So I finished the rest of my errands and went home. I drug my husband out of the house to make sure I didn't do anything *too* dangerous. Hood came up, visual inspection began and I pulled out my newly purchased SAE wrench set and my screw driver set. Corrosion! I was going to need more than just a cheering section/safety co-ordinator - his hands are quite a bit stronger than mine. It took both of us trying and a copious amount of WD-40 to loosen those things. We finally got the terminals off and the posts freed of their confines. I'm sure they appreciated the wire scrubbing they got! That ground cable though - it's other end is in a most inconvenient place. I got up to my elbows in the car (while my daughters cat looked on) and finally got the bolt in place and threaded in properly. 2 items down - 14,279 to go! Note to self - pick up up hand cleaner
Yup they were needing attention. Sometimes it's easier and cleaner to just replace them or the ends.. Did you check the fluid level in the battery while you were there? Can top it off with distilled water if low.
It looks like the car originally came with A/C. Are you planning on putting the A/C back in-service? Good job on the wires!!
Yes it originally had an AC unit. Where I live now (Mountains of Virginia), I don't need it too much. I will probably have to go back to my home office though for a couple of years, and that's in Texas - so the short answer is YES - I will be putting it back in. I feel weird posting the little things on this forum - all you experienced mechanics out there must be thinking "how cute - she changed battery cables" but it's a big step for me and I am really looking forward to all the help you guys can offer.
Were here to help however we can.. And, there are allot of us in Texas. I am located on the border of Oklahoma and TX on 35..
Cool.. I am in Marietta OK.. I travel to Dallas at least once a week to do service calls on gates. There are several in the area and sometimes we get together for dinner, well.. we have in the past. There are a couple of meets also. This one is in the area. Already past but should be one next year, if your still in the "family" lol http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/2014-texas-state-mini-meet-in-carrollton-texas.98563/
I'm sure I will be. And there is a mini-meetup about 2 hours away in October too! I will not be working on the car too much in the really cold months (welcome to life with osteoarthritis - knees *and* hips) so maybe a drive would be nice!
Everybody started somewhere including the most gifted craftsmen on this board. . If it becomes a passion you will progress rapidly. Great job!!!
You'll begin to think that the manufacturer designed some parts, that go in places, never be able to be accessed by human hands
Oh yeah - I think I already believe that. And to top it all off, I'm only 5'4" and a plus sized woman. Gonna have to get those car lifts after all I think
