Distributor Cap

[Tutosnake]

CSX4017: what product did you use?

Patrick: how did you get the Coremat? Sounds expensive. Is that something DYI, or some specialized store/shop?

Nice doggie, BTW.

[csx4017]

Back to the distributor cap. My engine came from Roush with a MSD-83541 distributor that incorporated a small dia. black cap. When I went to replace the cap ( after cleaning up the old one for a spare ) I found that the red cap was readily available, but not the black. I finally found one at an Offroad 4x4 supply house. Do not know if this still holds true today.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Tutosnake

Patrick: how did you get the Coremat? Sounds expensive. Is that something DYI, or some specialized store/shop?

Nice doggie, BTW.

Coremat, along with the goo to put it on, is expensive and it is a messy job. And you only get one chance to do it right. But here's an idea: I know that Kirkham sells a kit to do exactly what you want for your wheel wells and, for all I know, it might be Coremat as well. Why don't you give them a call and tell them you have a CSX car and ask them if their kit will be a "plug and play" for you. They will know the answer off the top of their head and, if they send you something, it will work. If that fails, I might opt for having a fiberglass shop apply it to your wheel wells -- the fumes alone are pretty nasty.

[csx4017]

Tutosnake...I used a Dupli-Color Truck Bed Coating spray can product. I believe, with some research, you could find a better product. I believe it to be an easy, inexpensive method of protecting the Aluminum. From an aesthetic point, I never liked the aluminum highlighting the wheel well opening. Prefer the black background. To each his own......My bottom line was to prevent further degradation of the AL......

[kevins2]

Hi Patrick,

From what I've read, a number of ERA owners have used undercoating to protect the aluminum panels in the wheel wells with good success.

ERA uses Coremat embedded in the fiberglass fenders to prevent rock damage to the body.

So, from your experience, what's wrong with undercoating the car?

Regards,

Kevin

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by kevins2

So, from your experience, what's wrong with undercoating the car?

Absolutely nothing. BUT, there have been a couple of threads over the years by guys that have done it, successfully, and it's a messy job that requires getting it absolutely right the first time. I just didn't want Hector walking in to something thinking it was easier than it was. It's not like changing the color of your distributor cap. Now, on the other hand, I don't know a lick about the Kirkham kit, or if it will fit a CSX car nicely or not. But, if I owned a CSX car and one of the Kirkham bros. told me their kit would protect my wheel wells, and was easy to install, I'd both believe them and get my wallet out.

[csx4017]

The hardest thing about spraying the wheel wells is removing the wheels, if thats what we are talking about. As for any Kirkham product, they are all first rate. ( as are the Kirkhams' )

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by csx4017

The hardest thing about spraying the wheel wells is removing the wheels, if thats what we are talking about.

No. Coremat is a completely different product. It is like a sheet of fiberglass that you resin on to the inside of the wheel well. It is not the same as just spraying a can of stuff on there.

The manufacturer says: "Coremat is a random laid, shredded polyester material, which is soft in nature and conforms well."

[kevins2]

Maybe this is what Patrick's referring to, from Kirkham's website?:

Options and Accessories Info

Not necessary on an ERA (as I said earlier, coremat is embedded in the fender wells). Still, I plan to spray undercoating in my wheel wells - to deaden the sound of rocks pinging around a bit but also because I like the look of black wheel wells as opposed to aluminum. Yet another "to each his own" thing, I suppose.

Regards,

Kevin

[csx4017]

I was referring to the BED LINER SPRAY not Coremat process.

[Tutosnake]

I'm liking the kirkham's offering... I will call tomorrow.

kevin, I also like the blackened wheel wells theme as well. That is mostly why I am trying to figure this out.

Patrick, if you only knew... I am SOOOOO new at this, it would be sad for any of y'all to watch me around this car. I do not even have my own garage!! (house being remodeled/built). Anyways, I appreciate your concern for my rookie status. It is not easy being a rookie, and I appreciate y'all's time and input.

Which brings me to yet another issue. It is XMAS time and I have decided let my (small) family contribute to my hobby in the form of tools. I am putting together a list of must have tools/artifacts for my future garage. Not the fancy, super expensive stuff (like a hydraulic lift), but the more affordable things.

Assume I do not own a simple screwdriver (which I do, but you get the point).
What are your ten musts?

And Patrick, since you are all knowing, I expect your answer to be the most revealing/enlightening

Hector

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by Tutosnake

I am SOOOOO new at this, it would be sad for any of y'all to watch me around this car.

Hector,

I can top that...I don't even have my car yet Should be ready for me to pick up in kit form in a few more weeks.

As for tools, try this thread - lots of good suggestions in there -
Tool Advice

I particularly agree with the 3rd post - rachet wrenches are a must.

Regards,

Kevin

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Tutosnake

Assume I do not own a simple screwdriver (which I do, but you get the point).
What are your ten musts?

And Patrick, since you are all knowing, I expect your answer to be the most revealing/enlightening

I wouldn't let anybody buy tools for me -- that's too much fun to do yourself. OK, I might let ERA Chas buy something for me. Actually, I'm a poor example for you on this one, because I still have the same quality tools that I was using on my sports car almost forty years ago and now I don't miss a chance to buy obscure, you-hardly-ever-use-them tools, like this: New Cool Tool - DeWalt DC410 Inspection Camera - Quick Review with Pics and Video and this: Valve cover gasket alternatives to cork But, at a minimum, go for a good screwdriver set, socket set, hex drives, torque wrench, adjustable wrenches, quality pliers/vise grips, a VOM, timing light (if you have a MSD it needs to be compatible), inductive tach, feeler gauge, vacuum gauge, wire stripper/cutter, and box wrenches. That will get you by on a whole lot of repairs, and then you start adding to your tool collection depending on what you actually need.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

OK, I might let ERA Chas buy something for me.

Please begin holding your breath....

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Please begin holding your breath....

OK, if you're looking for something to tuck under my tree this year, this would be nice: Spectrum® 125C - Plasma - Miller