The Rum Runner

[thesam1984]

She is throwning a code for the torque converter.. the car shudders since I bought her around 50mph usually.... Code P1860. The light came on afterwards and I suppose because of this code which is P0171. O2 sensor, there are three on the car !!! Wasnt expecting that.

If you think the wheels are wild now wait until you see "phase 3"

[thesam1984]

Phase 2

[xxdabroxx]

Now you need some tint to help with the FBI look. Looking mean though.

[thesam1984]

I was surprised how much I liked the FBI look too... I think if I ever get tired of the "vintage look " I'll probably put the car back to the way it is right now...

Anyways I took the first plunge into "phase 3" and painted on the white walls on one side... They are bigger than i originally imagined they would be "around 2 inches" and i pushed the line back to the next closest one to thin them out a bit. 16" rims with a slightly thinner white wall would look even better but I'll keep these until its time for new tires. I had the unfortunate luck to lose the center cap that I misplaced a few days ago, this time out on the road. I'll have to source out another.

The paint on the rear wheel peeled off a bit, there must have been some contamination on the tire that I missed when applying the paint. Its not that noticeable and Ill most likely leave it until I get another cap and paint the passenger side wheel. I know just changing wheels doesn't make COTM, but this has made quite a differece it the look. I think all I'd want now are some stand up vintage yellow foglights to sit in front of the grill on the massive bumper.

[thesam1984]

Yeah she's dirty, but rum runners travel the back gravel



Liked this shot from a distance more



This one is my favorite pic...



I know not everyone is gonna like this but tell me what you think, I feel that tye wide whites can only go on a few modern cars, they have to have flowing lines and a classic look to them. I know its much different than most cars that zoom through this site

[tytotheler92]

Actually looks kinda neat.

And yeah, thats the same code my olds got.

[thesam1984]

today my car passed its exact twin on the highway. exact color and everything except of course for the wheels... I honked, they waved... good times

[WhiteArrow3800]

Haha, reminds me back in high school when I was driving our '93 there was another white '92-'95 SSEi running around town and we passed each other nearly every day in opposing lanes. I waved the first few times then we progressed to flashing our fog lights at each other. Never met up with him though.

[thesam1984]

When ever I see a car like mine I have begun saying "Oh look, spare parts" as if I were to later go back and get what I need, lol.

I took the plunge and bought the headers for the Buick and the Jeep.. Got them in today and are they pretty. Unfortunately for thr Jeep they sent me the wrong one... I got stainless V8 headers for a LS1 instead. Oddly enough I could probably buy my jeep ones again, sell these and make a profit, but that would be unethical so I set an email to have them send me the correct parts.

I painted the passenger side whitewalls (finally) and cleaned the ones I did already which Bleche Rite.. much better job I did this time. Now she doesnt look like two-face anymore

[98SSE]

Looks pretty good, the white walls grow on me the more I look at it.

[thesam1984]

Freshly done wide whites.

I notice that my car picks up dirt much quicker than before since I begun using turtle wax spray and wash on the car. Perhaps im not buffing it out enough

[thesam1984]

Well my "wide whites" im haveing the most trouble ive ever had on these tires than the dozen others ive done over the years... im thinking I need to change the paint im using. These are also performance tires not everday wheels like I used on the others.

Got some parts from a parts car I posted a thread about. The nicest find was the factory CD/cassette that I replaced my standard tape deck with... so taillights/CD player/lock actuator and some hubcaps i dont need lol. $20

He even swapped the CD player in to mine for me for an extra $5. I was happy to give him $10

Ill definately be back for the suspension which struts and shocks are all new... might grab the wheels too if they are a good enough deal

[1oldman]

The wide white walls make it look like a "gangsta ka" from the 30's. Very unique and easy for law enforcement to nail if you run a stop sign, red light or speed - lol! - BC

[thesam1984]

Thats true but most of the time I actually get left alone by police. I noticed driving a normal stock car was getting more police attention than any of my rat rods did... I think its considered an "old man" hot rod style... cops see it and dont think of me as any threat, cause im not a young "hooligan". I actually get left alone and can get away with more having the wide whites... I dont really drive reckless or speed often. Sort of a nice unexpected "icing on the cake" if you will

Thats where the name Rum Runner comes from... 20s/30s/40s prohibition cars. Im hopping to get special vanity plates RUM RNNR...although im pretty sure that would get unwanted attention lol

[thesam1984]

Haven't been posting much because I have only been driving the Buick on the weekends. My wifes car went to a VW specialist to have some kinks worked out.. two hours away but hes quite inexpensive. My wife was going to be driving the jeep and I pulled tye radio and found a mess of melted wires! Needless to say she drove my car as I was worried about a fire in the Jeep... ive fixed the issues tonight and got to work on my car too.

I put a piece of trim over the windows back on (it was freezing that night) Today it was comfortably warm and so I changed out the thermostat With a 180º SuperStant... everything went very smoothly except when I turned the car on and put the heat to high, my temp gauge doesn't appear to be moving at all... I'll drive the car tomorrow and know for sure...

[thesam1984]

Sort of a pictorial "How I did It". Which they would stay looking this good.... took the photos a week or so ago
A couple guys wandered over to see what I was doing... one asked how much I would charge to make them... I was a bit taken aback and told him as I couldn't guarantee that they would stick that I wouldn't do such a thing

[thesam1984]

For all of you who care, here's a money shot!


"Cover your shame"


Also I finally got the right mix of paint to stick for whitewalls.... Kilz 2 Latex primer topped with satin white rustoleum paint + primer. I used a brush for the primer (which is available anywhere) and the top coat is to smooth it out... also prevents bleed through... finished the edges w/ a "Sir-Marks-alot" black marker

[xxdabroxx]

Have you seen these guys? I saw a video of their stuff on youtube. Looks pretty cool, I kinda want yellow "Goodyear" stickers for mine.

http://www.tredwearletters.com/factory- ... ires-kits/

[thesam1984]

Those are cool!!! If they sold white wall stickers I would try it in a minute. My tires have the raised white letter tires on the other side, but the beetle doesnt! Maybe ill try a pair when I get her car back next week ....

[thesam1984]

So i just started a new job at my work, and have been busy with the jeep and my wifes beetle lately. Forgot havent done much on my car, but she hasnt needed anything... Well the brakes felt a bit soft last week so i ordered new brakes all around with some new drilled and slotted rotors for the front. I have some nearly new ceramic pads from the tan parts buick so ill use those and i also got a rebuild kit for the rear drums. Just w aiting on the drum kit for right now