Cont'd from blower motor replacement in 92-99 forum....

One of the most unbelievable access situations I have encountered was the replacement of a heater core on a 1968 Ford Galaxie or LTD or something like that, full-size anyway. A lot of heater cores are incredibly difficult but in this car the heater hoses ran from the engine and disappeared under the passenger fender. You think the hose clamps on the core are tough on our Bonnevilles? You couldn't even find these! To get to them, I removed the fender, but could not remove the fender 'til I removed the bumper! Absolutely unbelievable. There was probably a "cut a hole in the inner fender method" but if so, I didn't know about it. What a tough fix!

I was in the engine room af an older sportfishing boat about a month ago. The exhaust tubing had come off the manifold, I had to slide in on my back, get on top of the motor and had to install two hose clamps. Well I was in there for about 15 minutes, and it was probably 95+ degrees in there, I couldn't get back out. I ended up wearing myself out in like three minutes, layed there for about ten minutes and cooled off, then I just maneuvered the right way and got out.


It sure sucked, and to think I did it as a favor

The Aurora is quite possibly the hardest car to access while making repairs. For simple things, like changing a headlight, you have to remove the air intake system. To remove and replace the headlamp assembly, remove the front fender :?

Never worked on anything (minor that is) that involves so much cursing.

Dropped the cradle on a '91 Sable to change out the trans, but those cars had a corrosion issue with the big rear bolts that hold up the cradle. The spot welds holding the nuts inside the box frame that the cradle attached to typically would break, making it impossible to remove or re-install the bolts. The "factory" fix was to remove the carpet under the brake pedal and accelerator and cut a hole in the floor to get a deep socket on the nut. What a piece of garbage that was!

That is really good to know. I always thought I might want to own an Aurora, but if they are mean to work on, it'* just not worth it. Difficult service is why I won't buy a Honda.

I used to have a Ford Focus Hatchback showcar. It was lowered with coilovers 5". It had suspension rougher than a 3500HD. I drove it for about a year and a half like that, one day I was going 90+ on the freeway, bottomed out when I came over an overpass, and the engine hit the ground. The motor was mounted with a torque strut type mount, but it was threaded into the block, and I sheared the bolts off at the block. Tried to get them out with an easy out. Long story short, ever seen a fully assembled motor on a drill press? I have.

Bill, it is hard to work on. You have a pretty big V8 crammed into a tight space. Its not really the right car for a Shadetree mechanic.

The Bonneville, compartively speaking is far easier to work on.

The only other car I have experience with is the VW 2.8L VR6. Looked to be a bear as well.

Depends on what Honda you're talking about. Inline-four, etc models are relative cake.



The starter on the Cressida was a bitch and a half: it takes several combinations of long and short extensions to get to the bolts: accompanied by lots of cursing and fidgeting.

I helped a neighbor with a '90 prelude that needed a valve replaced, and I was impressed with how little space was allowed for accessing the fasteners. Took lots of tools and patience. Not impossible, but tedious. My son'* '89 acura 2 liter required removing the half-shaft to change out the alternator. I'm just trying to avoid really cramped engine compartments. My '91 Corolla is a lot more forgiving.

1993 SE heater hoses.....wow