Winter projects

[Atlas]

What are your winter projects? Post up. Cars, travel, shops/garages, reading, home improvement, nothing is too big or small~

[CamGTP]

I'm "rebuilding" a 6.0 for my Foxbody LS swap project. No idea on the miles or anything, just that it was a sludge monster lol. Lots of skipped oil changes from the looks of it but the bottom end seems solid and the camshaft/lifters had no defects/bad lobes. Hot tanked the oil pan and cylinder heads to clean them up and waiting on a full gasket kit to put it back together for the most part.

 

 

[KARNUT]

It gets so hot from June through September everything is a winter project. Changing oil in my generator, detailing my vehicles. Exchanging transmission fluid in my Hondas. Burning limbs and branches. Any major yard work I do. If my wife ever sells her Acura. I may have one more hot rod built in me. 

[customboss]

Dash rebuilt and wrapped. 

Add 2” high density foam to seat for new foam and reupholster stock bench seat. 
 

New old stock IH speaker installed to AM radio. New knobs. 
 

Edited November 7, 2025 by customboss

[KARNUT]

It’s been awhile since I’ve used the Odyssey for a trip. I’ve forgotten how loud it can get on wore out roads. So I’ve ordered the mats and spray to silence the POS. I really like it otherwise for trips. Starts next week. The only problem I wouldn’t know how good it works until my next trip. So I’m getting noise cancelling earbuds just in case. 

[Atlas]

Good projects

 

I don't have a fun project yet. There's plenty I could do, but what I want to do is find a car that needs some tinkering, have my fun with it, and then send it down the road when it feels right.

[KARNUT]

On 11/9/2025 at 4:37 PM, KARNUT said:

It’s been awhile since I’ve used the Odyssey for a trip. I’ve forgotten how loud it can get on wore out roads. So I’ve ordered the mats and spray to silence the POS. I really like it otherwise for trips. Starts next week. The only problem I wouldn’t know how good it works until my next trip. So I’m getting noise cancelling earbuds just in case. 

Ok don’t laugh I’m old and try to take the easy route. I’ve been wanting to do some sound deadening. I didn’t want to pull the carpet. Then I had a brain storm. It has full length carpeted mats. I pulled them flipping them over sticking the sound deadening mats to them. I was able to slide them under the seats. In the cargo area I brought a dog mat. Same thing I flipped it over and will stick the sound deadening mats to them. Next I will use sound deadening spray in the fender wells. I’ll probably do the whole underside. It has to help.

[Atlas]

This followed me home yesterday, aka "winter project". It smells musty, the carpet in the rear is soaked, and it barely runs, just enough to drag itself up onto a trailer. The electronics are finicky, and the oil filter is dated 2014 (!).

 

 

 

It just rolled over to 27k miles...7 years ago. Purchased it from the original owner who looked after it a long time before he wasn't able to anymore. It's been parked ever since.

 

It's got a long ways to go, but I got it running last night. Found two arcing plug wires, and once those were isolated, it idled perfectly smooth and revved nicely. It wants to get back on the road... the next order of business will be addressing the brakes and tires. And so begins many nights of tinkering.

Edited January 23 by Atlas

[RyanbabZ71]

Thought it may be a winter project but I think I got it resolved, replaced the ignition coil on my Echo weed wacker.  I really dont want to buy a new one.  Still need to test it out but the snow put a damper on this Sun/Mon.  

 

Car-wise plan to put it on the lift and flush the brake fluid to get it track ready for 2026.  

[Atlas]

So far, on the nine-four 3-point-4 I've knocked out:

 

Plug wires

Fuel filter

Oil/filter change

Differential service and new gasket

Power steering flush

Brake master and ABS module flush

Replaced coolant temp sending unit

Reprogrammed keyless module and new fob batteries

Cleaned throttle body

 

I did a bunch of other little maintenance items; disassembled the t-top latches, cleaned and lubed them so they operate easily smoothly, lubed all the hinges and lock cylinders, vacuumed all the crud and pine needles out of the usual collection spots in the cowl and fenders.

 

I took the car on a 50 mile drive on Saturday, first time it's seen that much driving at once in probably 20 years. The tires are old (2012) but are not visibly cracked. They WILL be replaced, but, let's get this thing back on the road first. It has 245/50/16's, same as Z28. It should have a 235/55 on it, and I've noticed the speedometer reads about 4-5mph fast. Problem is, I can find only one name brand (Hankook) who still makes that size. I don't like Hankook tries,'ve had a set from them. There are plenty of 245/50 options from various brands, which is probably why the car has that size. Do I ignore the speedometer or put the correct tire size on it? Hmm. I think correcting the speedometer is probably more involved.

 

The little V6 runs fantastic. Starts right up, no smoke. Valve seals are good, rings are good, valves are nice and quiet, no oil leaks--yet. Idles smooth, pulls nicely, and the 4L60e performs and shifts like a low mile unit should. I'm tickled. After our victory lap, it got a basic service wash to knock the dirt and algae off.

 

I have a few majors to address still, but am waiting on parts to arrive tomorrow and Wednesday. Upper/lower rad hoses and thermostat which will be accompanied by a nice big frothy cooling system flush. I drained some of the old juice out and put good coolant in so it had some good coolant in it, and hoped to knock anything loose with a little driving before I clean it out. The serpentine belt is original, but is still in decent shape (!). It's getting replaced as a matter of caution.

 

Transmission filter, pan gasket and fluid are arriving too. Trans looks to be in really good shape, fluid nice and bright red, but who knows how old it might be. No leaks.

 

Then, it's on to cosmetic, little bits, and fun stuff. Will need to do some junkyard diving. I've got a growing list of things that should be low-dollar parts and touches with high value results. The most expensive is the headliner at around $250 plus shipping. THe car had moisture inside of it at one point so I want to be doubly sure I've located and corrected any water leak before putting new upholstery up.

Edited November 17, 2025 by Atlas

[Atlas]

This last weekend I tackled the rest of the cooling system, flush and new hoses, thermostat, serpentine.

Also replaced the spark plugs since I was waiting for those to arrive. My hands/arms are bruised, it's real tight getting to those. Nothing like a little automotive masochism. Hurts so good?

 

Performed a trans drain/refill with new filter and pan gasket. Fluid was already pretty clean but I'm pretty sure it was original. I was reminded the 4L60e's have that nasty metal filter bushing, not like the 700r4's with just the hard plastic bushing that you can easily pull out with pliers.

 

I serviced the battery tray and area. Clearly a battery had let loose in there at one point, maybe froze after it went dead and then cracked. Wheeled the rust and corrosion good with the cheek-poker, sanded the rest of it down, primered and "service-painted" it. Found the correct factory paint code in a Duplicolor can and since it's in the engine bay, the pocket and area I painted visually matches just fine. Replaced the hardware with new, and found the correct hold-down. Now the battery area looks good, battery is secure, connections are clean and tight.

 

Tires are on order still; hopefully I'll get those changed out this week.

 

Used OE sail panel speakers are arrived yesterday, so I replaced the non-working speaker. INow it has a fully functional factory Delco radio/tape deck that plays through 4 speakers. I'm happy. The only tape I have has Christmas songs. 5 minutes of listening to that and had to eject it. It's not even Thanksgiving yet. But the tape deck works. Maybe I'll find a used bookstore with a tapes section so I can pick up a few classics to keep in there.

 

Future projects... needs that headliner and sun visors. But first, I need to diagnose an electrical issue with the instrument cluster. Speedometer reads fast and something is goofy with the backlighting and warning lights. PCM vehicle speed and phone GPS are basically even when driving, so the fast read is 99% a cluster issue. That requires removal of the upper dash to access, and 99% chance the upper pad will shatter when removed; they almost all do. So I'll need to source a good one for when I do that.

 

 

 

 

[customboss]

18 minutes ago, Atlas said:

This last weekend I tackled the rest of the cooling system, flush and new hoses, thermostat, serpentine.

Also replaced the spark plugs since I was waiting for those to arrive. My hands/arms are bruised, it's real tight getting to those. Nothing like a little automotive masochism. Hurts so good?

 

Performed a trans drain/refill with new filter and pan gasket. Fluid was already pretty clean but I'm pretty sure it was original. I was reminded the 4L60e's have that nasty metal filter bushing, not like the 700r4's with just the hard plastic bushing that you can easily pull out with pliers.

 

I serviced the battery tray and area. Clearly a battery had let loose in there at one point, maybe froze after it went dead and then cracked. Wheeled the rust and corrosion good with the cheek-poker, sanded the rest of it down, primered and "service-painted" it. Found the correct factory paint code in a Duplicolor can and since it's in the engine bay, the pocket and area I painted visually matches just fine. Replaced the hardware with new, and found the correct hold-down. Now the battery area looks good, battery is secure, connections are clean and tight.

 

Tires are on order still; hopefully I'll get those changed out this week.

 

Used OE sail panel speakers are arrived yesterday, so I replaced the non-working speaker. INow it has a fully functional factory Delco radio/tape deck that plays through 4 speakers. I'm happy. The only tape I have has Christmas songs. 5 minutes of listening to that and had to eject it. It's not even Thanksgiving yet. But the tape deck works. Maybe I'll find a used bookstore with a tapes section so I can pick up a few classics to keep in there.

 

Future projects... needs that headliner and sun visors. But first, I need to diagnose an electrical issue with the instrument cluster. Speedometer reads fast and something is goofy with the backlighting and warning lights. PCM vehicle speed and phone GPS are basically even when driving, so the fast read is 99% a cluster issue. That requires removal of the upper dash to access, and 99% chance the upper pad will shatter when removed; they almost all do. So I'll need to source a good one for when I do that.

 

 

 

 

You interested in a quick fun vacation in Colorado mountains doing all that to a 74’ IH D200 4x4. I’m slow as a turtle compared to you! 

[Atlas]

2 minutes ago, customboss said:

You interested in a quick fun vacation in Colorado mountains doing all that to a 74’ IH D200 4x4. I’m slow as a turtle compared to you! 

 

Ha! If I was closer I'd offer to help. I love those old trucks.

 

Lots of progress being made right now, but things will slow down. Mid-december is when we'll head South to find some sun and I don't plan on coming back home for a little while.

[customboss]

1 minute ago, Atlas said:

 

Ha! If I was closer I'd offer to help. I love those old trucks.

 

Lots of progress being made right now, but things will slow down. Mid-december is when we'll head South to find some sun and I don't plan on coming back home for a little while.

You are always welcome. 

[KARNUT]

On 11/10/2025 at 5:08 PM, KARNUT said:

Ok don’t laugh I’m old and try to take the easy route. I’ve been wanting to do some sound deadening. I didn’t want to pull the carpet. Then I had a brain storm. It has full length carpeted mats. I pulled them flipping them over sticking the sound deadening mats to them. I was able to slide them under the seats. In the cargo area I brought a dog mat. Same thing I flipped it over and will stick the sound deadening mats to them. Next I will use sound deadening spray in the fender wells. I’ll probably do the whole underside. It has to help.

Sound deadening has helped. Coat number two for fender wells today.