HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: cfaks@ux1.cts.eiu.edu (Alice Sanders)
Subject: Re: $400 to fix oil problem in Cutlass?
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 00:29:00 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Eastern Illinois University

In response to Mr. Swonger's article, I got the following information from
my daughter as to what was supposedly done to her car.  I agree that she
probably needed a different fuel/oil mix and probably an oil change and a
minor tune-up.  Here is what she was sold, verbatim:

	Engine analysis labor			 37.95
	Misc. UnderHood Parts			 18.40
	Misc. Underhood Labor			 63.00
	Misc. Underhood Labor			 33
	Misc. Underhood Labor			 33.00
	Misc. Underhood Labor			 42.00
	Bosch plugs				 37.95
	PCV 76					  6.99
	Comp TU Fis Elec 8			 45.28
	Shop Supplies				  3.00
	Battery Guard				  8.99
	CF 19 CC Vent Filter			  5.50
	CF 327 Air Filter			 10.99
						------
						334.50
						 20.49  tax

Oil change
	TF30 Oil Filter				  5.00
	Cleaner Conditioner			  5.00
	Oil					  8.00
	Labor					 13.99
	Shop supplies				  1.00
	Cleaner Conditioner			  5.00
						------
						 37.99!
						  2.33 tax

Total comes to $393+.  

My daughter said she told the mechanic that she just wanted the car to run
good enough to get her back home to Iowa from New Mexico.  She wanted the
minimum necessary to get the car running o.k. again.  She said the guy
first told her, after the $37.99 analysis, that he didn't really know for
sure what was wrong with the car, but he thought she needed a new radiator
because she had a radiator leak (There has never been and is not now any
radiator leak.).  He also thought she needed a carburetor overhaul.  He
asked her to authorize $700 worth of work.  She gasped.  This is when she
said just to do the bare minimum necessary...  Seems interesting that the
car got by without the carburetor overhaul, once she said she wouldn't
authorize it.  She authorized 'the bare minimum necessary'.  Do you think
that is what she got?

She left the car with him.  And she doesn't really know what he did.  She
asked him to save all parts, and he did not save any old parts.  Or that
is what he told her.  

I called the place today and talked with the assistant manager.  I asked
him if he thought $40 was the fair market value of an oil change.  He
said, 'well, no'.  Iasked him what all this misc. stuff was.  He said that
the guy had replaced some valve gaskets.  I asked why that had not been
listed.  (I don't know much about this, but the guy had told my daughter
that her 'seals' were o.k.)  

The manager said that the mechanic had asked her if she had the car gone
over before going on the trip.  Well, actually, she had done that about a
thousand miles earlier, but she said 'no' because it wasn't right before
leaving.  I think the guy used that info to sell her a bunch of stuff.

I'm interested in views on this.  I have an idea that I might have legal
recourse, but any expert info or tips on how to get that info would be
appreciated.  I have already received some very useful information from
two posters. 

Thanks,    

Alice
From: roneill@ac.dal.ca
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: RE: Removal of headrests
Date: 19 Aug 92 12:38:06 -0300
Organization: Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

I have always found that a hacksaw blade is a wonderful
tool for removing headrests.  Just follow the instructions
in your owner's manual as described in a previous post.

Bob O'Neill <RONEILL@AC.DAL.CA> Halifax, N.S., Can.
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
From: brooks@mcnc.org (Ted Brooks)
Subject: Re: '57 TR3 no engine go jap?
Organization: MCNC Center for Microelectronics, RTP, NC
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 12:50:07 GMT

In article <713948443.F00001@blkcat.UUCP> Frank.Mallory@f417.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Mallory) writes:
> CA> Just what don't you guys like about Lucas kit ?  Is there something
> CA> in particular that has offended you, or is it just because they
> CA> aren't made in the US of A ?
>
     
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was a _British_ journalist who
originally dubbed Mr. Lucas "the Prince of Darkness".
>I think much of their bad reputation was earned from the early electric fuel
>pumps, then reinforced by the XK-E starters.

 
Ted Brooks
 ______________________________________________________________________
| Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are my own, and do not reflect    |
| those of my employer. Advice is free, but you get what you pay for.  |
|                               ________                               |
|                         _____|  1955  |_______                       |
|                        /      Chevrolet      /                       |
|                       /______  BelAir  _____/                        |
|                              |________|                              |
|______________________________________________________________________|

Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
From: esprit@netcom.com (Alan F. Perry)
Subject: Re: '57 TR3 no engine go jap?
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 92 23:46:10 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 

In article <1992Aug13.200647.934@btree.uucp> hale@btree.uucp (Bob Hale) writes:
>In article <1992Aug12.063427.9552@mr.med.ge.com> hinz@bonfire (David Hinz Mfg 4-6987) writes:
>>On a lighter note, there was some guy from South Africa posting here a week or
>>so ago about putting Chevy v-8's in Jaguars....perhaps he can help you out with
>>info...I personally feel that he is trying to 'improve' the Mona Lisa with
>>a crayon, however.
>
>Swapping a small block Chevy into Jauguar XJ's has been popular for
>at least 30 years.  The Chevy engine doesn't have the oil fouling
>or the unreliability of the Jag engine and it runs better, at least
>at typical U.S. speeds.
>

A couple of years ago I was at a British Car Meet in Atlanta and there
was a mid-70s Monte Carlo (or some other GM beast) on the field.  It
didn't look very British to me.  Then I looked under the hood and saw
the Jaguar V12.  It was pretty funny since you usually see it the other
way around.

alan
From: pwu@oreo.ai.mit.edu (Peng Wu)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: 90 Escort GT engine race at idle ?
Date: 20 Aug 92 20:35:24 GMT
Distribution: usa
In-reply-to: romansks@unvax.union.edu's message of 19 Aug 92 12:21:51 GMT

From: romansks@unvax.union.edu (Steve Romanski)
Subject: Re: 90 Escort GT engine race at idle ?

A little additional information. The car has over 60,000 miles hence no 
warrenty. 

I have brought the car to Ford and there is no codes in the computer.

I do tend to believe that the problem probably can't be fixed be
fixed especiall by an "oxy'moron'"  like a 'Ford Mechanic'. :(


----------------------------------------------------------------
From: dionf@ERE.UMontreal.CA (Dion Francois)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Volvo performance parts - Where?
Date: 23 Aug 92 01:05:14 GMT
Organization: Universite de Montreal

Anybody knows where i could buy Volvo performance parts? (shocks, springs,
cams...) Any mail order places? I would prefer eastern States or eastern Canada.

Thanks,
Francois Dion
From: arup+@cs.cmu.edu (Arup Mukherjee)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Gas driers - which ones are bad?
Date: 17 Aug 92 02:13:25 GMT
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon


Hi,
	I remember reading (several months back) in this newsgroup that
certain types of gas line driers could be harmful to the fuel system 
because they contain some chemical that attacks rubber. It was also 
mentioned that other products that use some other chemical are safe. 
I was hoping that someone could remind me what the two chemicals in question
are.

Also, on a separate note - can water in the gas cause pinging? (No, my car
isn't pinging but...) I noticed that one of the brands of "dry gas" I looked
at claimed to stop pinging...

-Arup
From: kiviat@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Brian Kiviat)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Natural Gas Power (the real reason)
Date: 18 Aug 92 18:45:05 GMT
Reply-To: kiviat@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Brian Kiviat)
Organization: Carderock Division, NSWC, Bethesda, MD

In rec.autos.tech, shoppa@erin.caltech.edu (TIM SHOPPA) writes:
>In my hometown, the school buses were converted over to natural gas
>while I was in high school.  As I understand, the conversion was fairly

>own use!  This makes some sense, as most all conversions to natural gas
>are of fleets!

The real reason is federal regulation. The Congress passed a law requiring
fleets to have a set percentage of their vehicle powered by alternative
fuels.  This will guarantee a market for these cars.  Most fleet vehicles
are used on a daily basis and can be re-fueled at a central site. If
this works, it prove the viability of the concept of alternative fueled
vehicle for the masses.(For some cases)
   O
   I\   Brian Kiviat (301)227-1833       Sometimes the truth is hidden,
   I \  kiviat@oasys.dt.navy.mil         Like a shadow in the darkness.
  /     David Taylor Model Basin                  -Master Po
   \___________________________
			     \\
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds) 
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Police Tauri
Date: 13 Aug 92 12:39:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds) 

TC>say there's a fair chance of getting it.  by the way, i think the police
TC>version has gills in the front between the headlights (at least the earlier
TC>taurus did).

There is a "Police Option Grille" that has louvers installed - provides better
engine cooling through ventilation in hotter climates (like Houston in the
summer!).  Available via a Ford dealership, part # FODZ 8200 A - thinking
of getting one when I have my hood repainted (rock dings, oxidation from a
bad paint job after a shopping cart hit it).

TC>and if the police version had the SHO engine with an automatic, don't
TC>you think they'd be selling SHOs with automatics?

As of the 1993 model, they will.  Will be the ultimate police car - a 
roomy 4 door high performance sedan that is reliable!
---
 . KingQWK 2.00 .6 # 145 . "Suicide Hotline.  Please hold."
From: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Mustang SVO (Was Re: 86-88 T'bird: Turbo, V6 or V8?)
Date: 17 Aug 92 15:36:34 GMT
Reply-To: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Organization: Auspex Systems, Inc.  Engineering

In article <1992Aug16.101236.29906@tsoft.sf-bay.org>, meiboy@tsoft.sf-bay.org 
(MeiBoy of UCU) writes:
> Real Mustang enthusiasts would never go for this for turbos tarnish 
> its muscle car image

The original Mustang SVO had a turbo-charged four inline.  why not turbo
the car?  Personally I've driven both the 5.0 and an SVO, and for overall
balance and fun I thought the SVO was a hell of a lot better.  No
question that the V-8 is more likely to stay together, but I like the
four's straining sounds...

My point was however, that putting the SHO V-6 in the Mustang
would be ludicrous.  The mustang weighs too much, and has too old
a chassis, not to mention you Mustang drivers probably wouldn't
appreciate the maintenance bills of the Yamaha engine around 60k
miles (you get to replace all those platinum plugs).

I still think putting something really high performance in a mUstang
with fully independant suspension, rear-wheel drive and with a lighter
chassis, would be neat, and might just keep the firebird and camarro
owners at bay...


Tom Pickett 
tpickett@auspex.com
SHO  GOZE
From: mort@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Jeff Mortensen)
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 01:23:38 GMT
Subject: Re: Jeep , Isuzu Amigo
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Newsgroups: rec.autos

In rec.autos, trip@uts.amdahl.com (Tripatinder Chowdhry) writes:

> There is some discussion on jeep Vs Isuzu.  I feel Isuzu Amigo would
> be the best in the class , in terms of looks, reliability and price
> (under 10,000).

	I hope you are kidding about what you are saying.  If you had done
	any research into these vehicles, both pro and con, the Izuzu is a
	death trap, and couldn't do any true 4-wheeling.  It would tip over
	in any grade above 11 degrees due to its short wheel base.  It is 
	nothing more then a toy, and I have notice that it is women who 
	seem to like this go cart.  (Do not flame me over the women observation
	I am not putting down women 4-wheelers, I am only stating a observation
	that I have seen.  In fact this vehicle is targeted for women in 
	advertising by Isuzu).  Any Jeep with the standard equipment, and the
	4 liter engine could pull this car all over the parking lot in any
	pull contest.  The Isuzu super trooper for 93 is another story.  The
	seem to have gotten a really good truck out for a change, but these do
	cost much more.  Before you buy, check out the magazines which give the
	pro and cons for all vehicles............just my experience talking....
--
                    ___             
                   /|||\               
       ___....-----'---`-----....___ 
 =========================================  Damit Jim! I'm a doctor   
        ___`---..._______...---'___  \\     not your personal rug to    
       (_*_)      _|_|_|_      (_*_)  \\    to wipe your feet on!!!!! 
         \\____.-'_.---._`-.____//     \\  
          `~~~~`.__`---'__.'~~~~`       \\  
                   ------                \\  
                     X                    \\ 
                    X X                    \\  
                      /--------------------/ \------------------------\   
Jeffrey Mortensen     | To seek out new lifeforms and civilizations,   |
Hewlett-Packard Co.   | to boldly go where no Man/Women/Person/you pick| 
Fort Collins, CO      | one has ever gone before...................... |
mort@hpfcso.fc.hp.com \-----------------------------------------------/  
  
                                                                                                                       
Xref: sparky rec.autos:19954 rec.autos.driving:4892 rec.autos.sport:8771 rec.autos.tech:11120
From: damon@tc.fluke.COM (Damon Darley)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving,rec.autos.sport,rec.autos.tech
Subject: WANTED - 50 MM SIDE DRAFT CARBS
Date: 14 Aug 92 18:20:53 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Distribution: na
Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA

I am looking for a set of 50 mm, side draft carbs.  I perfer Mikuni's, but
would concider other brands, if the price is right.

You can use E-mail, or call (206) 356-6049 days or (206) 629-4356 durring
non working hours.  Seattle area.

-- 
Damon Darley	damon@tc.fluke.COM	John Fluke Mfg. Co. Inc.
					PO Box C9090    MS 99
		(206) 356-6049		Everett, WA 98206   USA
From: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: $758 for an oil change?
Date: 20 Aug 92 23:26:12 GMT
Reply-To: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Organization: Auspex Systems, Inc.  Engineering

In article <1992Aug20.200934.20155@pluto.dss.com>, cat@pluto.dss.com (Iain 
Wacey) writes:
> The thought of paying $750 dollars for a 30,000
> mile service on an American car is revolting.  The 60,000 mile serivce
> on my SAAB will only be around 300 dollars and that includes replacing
> the oxygen sensor.
>  Do you really feel that by over paying for labor that you are getting
> a better service than if you took it to someone who only charged for
> what they actually did?  Do you feel you would fare any better if it
> is the dealer that screws up your engine?

Is there some reason that the thought of paying $750 for an american
car service any worse than paying $750 for a foreign car?

For some of us, it is not easy to find an independant mechanic who can
work on our cars.  In the case of an SHO this is especially true.  As
a result if the owner is someone like me, who can do the work, but does
not have the luxury of the time to do the work (we work long hours in
the Silicon valley), there is little choice but to use the dealer.


Tom Pickett 
tpickett@auspex.com
SHO  GOZE
Xref: sparky rec.autos:19776 rec.autos.tech:10992
From: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Mustang SVO (Was Re: 86-88 T'bird: Turbo, V6 or V8?)
Date: 12 Aug 92 15:37:48 GMT
Reply-To: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Followup-To: rec.autos
Organization: Auspex Systems, Inc.  Engineering

In article <1TwcPB4w165w@fringe.rain.com>, dean@fringe.rain.com (Dean 
Woodward) writes:
> tedebear@leland.Stanford.EDU (Theodore Chen) writes:
> 
> [long technical description of SHO and SVO deleted for brevity]
> > 
> > p.s. for the last time, it is taurus SHO, mustang SVO.  there was
> > never a mustang SHO.                                    ^^^^^^^^^
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> 
> I know.  *sigh*.  Except maybe in the dreams of millions.... 8-)
> --

A Mustang SHO?  I don't think that this would have been (or is) a good idea.
In the first place why would you want to substitute a V-6 with less
horsepower and torque for the existing V-8?  I don't imagine the SHO
V-6 is any lighter than the V-8.

What I would like to see is an updated and more powerful Mustang SVO,
maybe with a turbocharged V-6.  That would be worth it I think.


Tom Pickett 
tpickett@auspex.com
SHO  GOZE
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: gregj@kong.eng.hou.compaq.com (Greg Judkins)
Subject: Re: Old topic:  Saturns
Organization: Compaq Computer Corp.
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 18:14:51 GMT


Oops.  I forgot the number.

1-800-553-6000

Sorry,
Greg
From: billf@hpcvra.cv.hp.com (Bill Faus)
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 21:11:06 GMT
Subject: Re: ANYBODY INTO 64-73 MUSCLECARS??
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, OR, USA
Newsgroups: rec.autos

Chevies still Rule
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yeah.  But Mopars are cheap.  For a low-bucks 11 sec ride
try a 440 in a Duster, or a 340 in an early model Valiant.
You won't need a turbo or a supercharger.  

But...never mind...don't listen to me....go blow your
wad on some teen fantasy about Chevies.....

-bf
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: mvelasco@fraser.sfu.ca (Matthew Velasco)
Subject: Re: Does anyone like the new Prelude?
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 02:00:23 GMT

root@acpy01.att.com (System Administrator(CXNIXCN1)) writes:
>I also think that current generation Celica is even worse and also 
>underpowered (except turbo, but that is over $20.000).

Celica is losing ground to the more long and sleek models of Mazda, Honda.
The era of short and stout sport coupes is ending.  Most people?? are
shifting towards the "coupey" (sorry for the English) similar to the 
Acura Legend coupe, Honda Preludes, MX-6, etc...  The real battle is within
the Supra range.
 
>I think in '90s MAZDA and MITSUBISHI will gain bigger share of sports
>coupe market if TOYOTA and HONDA will not clean up their act.
>HONDA in general will be in trouble in this decade.

Mitsubishi will have to come out with more distinctive designs.  Mazda is
gaining ground especially with the coming Amati line-up.  Nissan will have
to change its designs as well, not the Infiniti. 

>And by the way J.D.Powers scores prove that Acura name is just a gimmick
>for U.S. customers (in Europe it's Honda Legend and Honda NSX),
>where Lexus is for real. Just look into difference in score between the 
>Lexus and Toyota.

Yes. It is.  For me, Vigor is a dressed up Accord, though I found the
ride satifying for an Acura badge. 
-- 
   ______        Matthew Velasco ............................. mvelasco@sfu.ca  
  /______\___            ..... Simon Fraser University BC Canada ..... 
 |__O_____O__\  "I'm so hungry - I could eat a Honda Civic" - "Adam" comic strip                                                              
Lines: 48
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 92 07:12:28 MDT
From: earlyd@ee.byu.edu (David Early)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Distribution: world
Organization: Brigham Young University, Provo UT USA
Subject: Re: 240Z restoral (was: Datsun 240Z/260Z)


In article <0a!nt#q@dixie.com>, jgd@dixie.com (John De Armond) writes:
> earlyd@ee.byu.edu (David Early) writes:
> 
> >I am taller than your average human being, but not NBA material. 
> >At 6'5", am I going to be too big for this car??  Also, I may have to
> >settle for a later model year and may have to go up to a 
> >76,77,78 280Z (The models made before the major body style
> >changes).  I think we'll skip the 260 era (I'v heard they were
> >not so good).  This car will be used mostly for around town driving.
> 
> I'm 6'7", 300 lbs, once an all-star basketball player and football
> contender.  I can sit bolt upright in the seat of my 75 280 and
> stretch my legs out fully.  'Nuff said :-)
> 

Hallalujah!!


> IMHO, the 75 was the all round best Z-car.  ...
> Beyond 75 or 76, the move was harshly toward boulevard cruiser
> and away from sports car.  
>

What do you mean? What did they do to it?  I ask mostly
because I just found a '78 280Z that is in desperate need of
body work (according to the owner.  I havn't seen the car)
but is drivable and 'runs good' (whatever that means:)  If
this question is answered in the literature you said I'd get from the
mailing list, I'll wait till I get it, but I'll need the question below ansered!

> I noticed you're not on the Z-car mailing list.  You should be.
> I run it so I know :-)  Subscribe to z-car-request@dixie.com
>


Exactly how do I 'subscribe' to the adress given?? 
Same for the club below...what do I do??

>  to join, send your
> name, address and phone number to z-club@dixie.com.  Indicate in
> the message whether you'd like your phone number given to
> vendors  I negotiate discounts and free catalogs with. 
> 
> John
> 
> -- 
> John De Armond
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: schludermann@sscvx1.ssc.gov
Subject: book for toyota fi modifications
Organization: Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 16:56:46 GMT

    There is a book out there on how to modify toyota fuel injection systems
for performance.  Can any one tell me the name?
Xref: sparky rec.autos:20085 rec.autos.tech:11240
From: ananth@atto.cs.umn.edu (Ananth)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
Subject: Problem with 87 Mitsu Precis ..
Keywords: Electrical, fuse, Mitsubishi, Precis
Date: 18 Aug 92 00:08:41 GMT
Organization: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, CSci dept.


Hi !

Was hoping some enlightened soul would care to share his
wisdom with a lesser privileged ..

The car : 87 Mitsu Precis, 5 sp, 46 K miles..

The problem : Was driving when suddenly the car stalled.
The car wouldnt even crank when I turned the key (no clicking
either).. The parking lights and the emergency lights work but
the stereo doesnt work. Neither does the rear defogger..
Since the it stalled while running, I doubt if it is the starting
motor. Also the battery is new, and the parking lights work, so
that's out too.. Have absolutely no idea where to start.. any and
all help would be deeply appreciated..

Thanks to all who respond (in anticipation) ..

Cheerios..

Ananth.
Univ. Minnesota.
Minneapolis.
.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Red vs. amber turn signals
From: tfarmer@datamark.co.nz (Thomas Farmer)
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 22:34:39 GMT
Organization: Datamark International Ltd.

In article <1992Aug12.013354.22700@cabot.balltown.cma.COM> welty@cabot.balltown.cma.COM (richard welty) writes:
>In article <1992Aug11.111641.4424@linus.mitre.org> rll@frieda.mitre.org (Roberto L. Landrau) writes:
>>Here we go again... I thought we squared this one out last year.
>
>is any silly discussion on rec.autos ever really dead?  i think not.

Nah, it just comes back as a US sports car vs Japanese sports car
argument. :-)

Well, the question is, why do cars use red rear flashers?

If a car has red rear flashers, what does it use at the front? I guess
it has to use amber because otherwise it could be even more confusing.

It must be confusing - what happens if a car has it's headlights on at
night (so the rears are lit up) and then they indicate to turn a
corner and start braking at the same time? Can you tell what it's
doing?

I have only ever seen two cars that used them, and they were both
American imports. (We normally don't get American cars here.)
-- 
    Thomas Farmer | tfarmer@datamark.co.nz    or | Amiga 2.04, AIX 3.1
Datamark Intl Ltd | tfarmer@cavebbs.welly.gen.nz | Win 3.1, OS/2 2.0
 Technical Writer | 			Vote MMP!
    & PC Wrangler | If I had something witty to say I'd put it here.
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving