SureTrack Users General Discussion

[Witsend]

Contrary to what we have been told about working on aluminum motors . Is it truth or fiction, that with those 5.4 Ford 3 valve motors, they seem to be the only engines that you ever would want to loosen up the spark plugs while the engine is still hot and to hit with an impact gun to do so ????? Had more than one tech seem to believe so. I bet some one gave that plug a few raps with an impact gun and it didn't want to budge, so they said take it to Bob.

[DoctorD907]

Question

Without hurting anyone's feelings (is that even possible nowadays?) , what is your general opinion of late model Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep engineering when it comes to longevity of service, serviceability and ease of diagnosis? I am just a one man shop with a very narrow client list so my personal opinion might not be the norm but I think they are built cheaply, hard to work on and diagnosis and repair of computer electronics is next to impossible without specific equipment and resources. Far beyond what I encounter with late model Ford and GM vehicles. Why is it so hard to remove Chrysler wiring connectors? Why does the book give .6 to replace a combination switch on a ram when it really takes two hours and youll probably break the tilt lever doing it. Why do jeep steering and suspension components fall apart after just 60K miles? Not seeing this on other domestic brands but again im just a one man show in Alaska so I might just be out of touch. By the way, my wife says I am out of touch...with reality.

[Greg O]

Well, let me see.... Chrysler had been taken over by Daimler, now its run by Fiat.... The Crossfire was built with rejected parts by Mercedes....(so they say)...you need European software to read the codes.....

My personal opinion....is that WW II is still being fought, but now at corporate levels, in the world market.... LOL.... I know, I know.... Greg's paranoia is coming out.... with out me going deeper into this....just think what is happening, and has happened.... Lee Iacocca had made Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth, profitable again, on a shitty little FWD car.... Bought Lamborghini, brought out the Prowler, and the Viper.....

When Chrysler was sold to Daimler.... I felt that they just tore up the company....took all the profits, basically left a shell company, and sold to Fiat... Germany and Italy were allies in WW II ... hmmm

3.7 Liter engine and 4.7 Liter engine poor PCV system...get carboned up / sludged up rockers falling out, valve seats falling out.... yea

have you worked an the Daimler Ram vans???....great paint jobs on them (sarcasm) ...rust out quickly, and a Chrysler / Dodge dealership....usually suggest you take it to a Mercedes dealership..... to repair anything on it....

Fiat / Dodge full size RAM vans are not much better... FWD ... WHAT????

So when somebody suggests that they are thinking about a Chrysler product, I usually look at them, and raise my eyebrows and shake my head...and I just think calming thoughts....just so I don't start a rant. LOL..Don't take me too seriously..but I'm just pointing out what I notice, and see.... make your own decisions....

Greg O

[greasybob]

Cheaply made cars and trucks that are hard to diagnose then hard to fix, no way.... Hey, wait, that's how I make a living.

[cruisinmiles]

Nice to see you here Greg O, still see your old posts on the tip system that Prodemand has. And yes Chrysler has too much German engineering today, they were leaders in the 80's with ATM tests before Ford even had live data! Even repair info for late model Chrysler is like Mercedes, lacking complete procedures and hard to find repair info. Give me a GM to work on!

[Crossland Auto]

Been gone for a while.

Hi again you all. I've been gone for a while. I finally loaded this page a couple days ago. Had to read a bunch to catch up. Just thought I would post a picture of my new adventure. A borrowed Kart chassis that is 200 lbs. over weight, and a Harbor Freight 13H.P. box stock Predator 420. Raced my 1st weekend for the last date for the season. Now have a few months to learn small engine modification for next season on a flat dirt 1/6th mile oval.

X

[Witsend]

Wow, Good to see you are out there having some fun , even if you are wearing a Maatco winter jacket.

[greasybob]

Hey X, what do you burn in that thing ? What's the engine size ? Can you modify the head ?

[dodge90]

looks like someone will be having fun. My buddy used race unlimited dirt car but since a bad crash and just the cost if it, now he races these.

[Crossland Auto]

Hey X, what do you burn in that thing ? What's the engine size ? Can you modify the head ?

I'm just learning these things. My Engine is a Predator 420 c.c. 4 stroke. Chineese clone sold by Harbor Freight. I ran this first race weekend box stock with governor limiting me to 3600 r.p.m.. Mid grade pump gas, since I am in CA. this thing even has an EVAP system.

My chassis is originally made for indoor Karting. Built as solid as a rock. (WAY too heavy.) The Kart itself weighs 320 lbs. dry. With me in it, weighs 500 lbs. The kids I raced with on Saturday were running 100 c.c 2 strokes spinning 13,000 r.p.m.'s and weighed about 180 lbs. with driver. If they would have not spun out so much, they would have smoked my a$$. I won the heat race, and got second in the main by a couple inches. Received a 1st. because I was the only 4 stroke. Only one in my class.

The Sunday race was a bit more interesting. Classes changed due to more Karts showing up. I was grouped with a 125 modified 2 stroke, a wedge bodied Kart with a 50 H.P. Suzuki 450 c.c., and a couple of other modified 4 strokes. The 125 modified was in its own class. The 125 and the wedge decided to play tag. 450 spun and stalled. I passed him with 2 laps to go, so I received the win for the 4 strokes.

As far as rules, seems to be run what you brung since this is a new track on private property.

Here are 3 pictures from Saturdays race, the photographer has not released any pictures of Sundays race yet.

Photo Credits to Judd Neves.

X

[greasybob]

Cool, looks like a blast !!

[Crossland Auto]

Has been so far, can only get better when I can pull some r.p.m.'s. Just found a picture of the red 125 c.c and the black 50 hp. wedge in "ego" action on Sunday. I am at least a half of a lap back.

The 125 is like a modern car. Has 3 modules, a key switch, and a battery. Turn the key 2 clicks, (does not spring back) It engages the starter and cuts it off on its own. I am sure the timing is laptop programmable. It flat out screams at 18,000 rpm's. The 50 h.p. wedge normally runs 1/2 mile and larger tracks. He had the straights covered in speed, could not handle the small corners of the 1/6th. If the wedge brings his friends next year, I can only rely on lifting early, rolling controlled through the corner, and getting an early jump on the drive off.

Oh, by the way... Did I mention that the weekend was so damned fun. Murphey's law had to kick in. I lost 3rd and 4th gear in my '90 4l60 on the way home. Now just driving around town at max speed of 40.

X

[Gordon2Miles]

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I don't think I have posted here, but it looks like all of the top Tech''s are here. Yes I've been lurking from time to time. And just want to Wish Everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Gordon

[Crossland Auto]

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!!!

X

[greasybob]

Tip Of The Day

Had a 2014 ford Transit Connect that required a rear axle replacement. Pretty easy until I got the spring installation part. The rear springs are quite long and need to be compressed to about half their length for installation. I lacked the Ford prescribed spring compressor and my old threaded strut compressors are long gone. So I compressed the springs in my strut compressor and bent some threaded rod to act as cages until I got the springs installed. Then once installed I let the weight of the vehicle back down on the suspension and removed the cages. Easy Peasy.

no fingers were lost in the making of this TIP