rossta

While my knowledge is limited, i do have some to share. I've worked in a very reputable independent shop for going on 4 years now (summers and holidays for the last 2, college). Payed $20 an hour flat rate as an 18 year old kid is very nice, even if i was only turning 30 some hours a week. THe money is not with the dealerships, it is with a good trustworthy well known independent shop. As for tools, i do own some matco and snap on, but i also own craftsman and i have found them to be just fine for what i need. Any tool the takes a beating day in and day out buy the snap on, but if you use is once a month don't spend the money on snap on or one of the other big 3. THat all said, i enjoyed cars much more as a hobby than a job, its hard to work a 10 hour day on other peoples cars then go home and want to work on your own project, it just doesn't happen. So i've decided to do something better, Im 20 now and im a junior at wvu studying Mechanical engineering. I would really listen to some of the older fellows adive on here, If your dead set on a being a field technician, RVS and Diesels seem to the be the way to go.......

I have had this happen to me quite a few times most recently on a j pipe for a sr20det. Key is to take your time. Start with a small drill bit and try to drill right into the center, then step up to bigger sizes. Get to the biggest size that you can with out going past the threads of the bolt. At that point you need to get a broken bolt extractor repsective to the size of the hole you drilled. They maybe called something else but essentially it is a left hand thread drill bit. I have a set of matco that i really like. Get some good penetrating oil and give it a shot, remeber to take your time though that is the key. All this is of course with the engine out of the car. If your uncomfortable with that most machine shops will do it, some charge more though if you tried it yourself first.

I think its funny they put a picture up of the Tacoma pulling a boat. Correct me if i m wrong but when you go to launch it wouldn't that put that filter under water. if the lift keeps it out of the water what happens when a wave comes by and the truck is running?

Ivan280zt: I believe his name is Mike Moran. That wagon you are talkin about was a 79 pinto station wagon. Supposedly his turbo 540ci Monte Carlo is the worlds fastest door slammer. Now he is aiming to get it in to the 5's!! Just thought i'd add that..........