Hi!

Great Forum! I think I shadowed this one a few years ago to solve the "unsolvable" Series 2 engine serpentine belt replacement puzzle.

I'm retired and my real love is old motorcycles. I have several from various countries, 1947-1975, that I've managed to get running and so far have not killed myself on.

My real name is Chris. Slug was my first nickname as a young kid. I guess it had to do with my lack of animation (ok, laziness!). As I grew older the nicknames became even less complimentary.

I like to fix stuff. My most recent tool lavishings upon myself (who else is going to lavish?) : compressor and airbrush for paint touchups and motorcycle sheet metal, oxyacetylene torch, and 135 piece drill set.

Next project: Take 1998 Bonneville engine intake down to block and install latest, hottest goodies you forum guys have described. Great job you've all done--especially on pics and sources.

Most astounding happening this week: I went to the local GM dealer around here for the latest new aluminum support-type LIM lower gasket. It was in stock and they discounted it to me for $45! I know this one is usually quoted at $60, which I was prepared to pay. I didn't even beg, grovel, or cry, it was just on the invoice showing list and net. I wasn't even wearing my hot Jeff Gordon hat (which must have GM written on it somewhere).

(By the way, I was folowing the thread on Mysterio'* problems putting his intake manifold back together (I can relate). There was some confusion about torque conversion numbers. The correct way to get inch-pounds to foot-pounds is to divide by twelve. That way you're only putting about 7 or 8 ft/lb on the plastic manifold. 20 ft/lb on plastic seems dangerous. OK for aluminum, but not plastic. I don't even trust my torque wrench that low and usually just do it "touchy-feely" on plastic with a 1/4 inch socket set. Let the loctite hold it in. I'm sure there'* better torque-wrenches around than mine for doing it accurately though.)

(I can't even fathom what'* wrong with the NM (Newton-Meter) values. Someone from Lower Pluto must be doing those conversions. They don't make any sense anywhere I look. I ignore them usually, unless it'* the only value I've got.)

Slug

Hi Florida

Thanks! I've seen some of your posts about wrenching in the summer there.

Yeah, Bonnevilles are infectious.

Our 1990 LE was the first car we ever bought that was problem-free. We thought something was wrong with it.

Hah, yeah I found one last time I was at the yard, it was one like mine, almost identical...it had 430k!!!! Amazing cars. I know I love mine for sure...its funny that you say you thought something was wrong with it...I daily find myself LOOKING for problems, just so I can think my car will not last forever!!!!

Sadly, our pretty white 90 LE was stolen and totaled at about 10 years old and about 100K on it. My daughter had it by then out-of-state, so we took the insurance. It was side damaged and probably fixable, but.......

I loved the styling of that series. I still think it'* got a classic unique look that I miss in the subsequent rear cat-eye styling of later Bonnevilles.

About the only thing that was happening to it was coolant leaks (deja vu!). When we bought it originally for my wife, we also tried the Buick equivalent. Such boats (sorry, Buick lovers). The Bonneville was tight and ultra-responsive. I agonized that she would pick the Buick. Naturally, I kept my mouth shut, because she would for sure have not picked the Bonnie.

Well, she made the right decision, and the love-affair began!

Wow!

That'* a beauty, Thanks!

Welcome to the BC.

Lots of MI members on this forum. My family and I vacation in Caseville Beach every summer for at least a week.

One of your old bikes wouldn’t be a Vincent would it?