PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

Well, I finally got the intake gaskets done on the '03 this past weekend. Everything went smooth. I pulled off more stuff then necessary, but I wanted to do so just to make everything very nice and clean I actually think I might tear some more stuff it later on this year or next year and do some painting.

All in all, it was not a bad job at all, and I flushed all the Dex out also. Harbor Freight rules!!! I picked up a 3/8" click style torque wrench for only $15 The next cheapest price I found was at Sears for $70!!

We also got the A/C all fixed up for FREE!! I went to the shop that Jason ( The Dude, he is busy with work and the GF, hasn't made it here yet. ) works at and he hooked us up big time. All is lookin good with the '03 now

Great to know! A couple questions:
What are you thinking of painting? Engine parts? The block ?
What was wrong with your AC?

Harbor Freight does indeed rule. One time, I got my finger stuck in some very fast moving gears and jammed up a possibly 60ft-lb torque system. It hurt terribly, but I still love going there. My finger is just fine now.

Probably going to paint up some brackets and valve covers etc.. Not sure what color yet though. The A/C needed recharging. Colder then ever now, but I am thinking there was / is a leak somewhere.

I think I have the same wrench. No problems so far. I picked up a kit or recharging A/C there to for pretty cheap.

I now know where I am going to get my torque wrench. I saw the ones at Sears for 70 and was like well F that...

Thanks. my gaskets are planned for this weekend

Got mine at runnings for $29.99

I think lowes has a nice one for around $40 IIRC.

got mine form my dad for free he was an old old school mechanic in the 60's and 70's muscle cars

You have to watch what you buy at HF. There quality is increasing but there is still a lot of junk there. That being said, I have a 1/2" Pittsburgh torque wrench and it got me by for a few months before I could afford a Cman. Now I'm looking for a Snap-On... I've got tool problems.

Yeah, if I was using my tools every day I would go with something a little better, but heck, that torque wrench will be only used a few times a year, if that. I just won't spend $80 + for a tool that will only get used once in a while.

crash93ssei wrote:Yeah, if I was using my tools every day I would go with something a little better, but heck, that torque wrench will be only used a few times a year, if that. I just won't spend $80 + for a tool that will only get used once in a while.

Agree, you only need quality when it is expected to be used everyday, or close to.

Glad to hear you got it together Ryan..

ha just ordered up the torque wrench's

Jr's3800 wrote:Glad to hear you got it together Ryan..

Yeah, thanks a million for the help and good chat

Anytime Buddy

crash93ssei wrote:Yeah, if I was using my tools every day I would go with something a little better, but heck, that torque wrench will be only used a few times a year, if that. I just won't spend $80 + for a tool that will only get used once in a while.

Sears torque wrenches are junk too. We had to replace the one in the shop twice in the last five years, and they aren't guaranteed for life either. Harbor freight actually sells halfway decent stuff when you compare it to big box stores.