http://www.johnfatica.com YA RLY! Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:17:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en My experience drilling out broken studs and bolts has been absolutely horrific. I was dreading this task because the last time I failed, I had to replace the cylinder head. I had an exhaust leak at the passenger side manifold that was causing the car to sound like a go-kart when ... http://www.johnfatica.com/2010/07/06/success/ While I was waiting for some parts to come in, I pulled the turbo off for a rebuild and cleaned everything up.  I reinstalled the turbo, the rest of the intake, timing belt, and distributor.  Cranked the car a few times to get the oil circulated and then fired it ... http://www.johnfatica.com/2010/05/03/its-alive/ I purchased a re-manufactured cylinder head for $180 plus core.  I bought a new head gasket, new intake manifold gaskets, and new valve cover gasket from the dealer. I couldn't get the intake studs out of the old head, so I bought some new studs too. Then I mangled the ... http://www.johnfatica.com/2010/04/12/new-cylinder-head-in-place/ I broke an exhaust stud when I was removing the exhaust manifold.  I read up on how to extract the stud and decided I would try it.  I spent a couple days reading about it and talking to people to get myself all psyched up. . . and I failed. ... http://www.johnfatica.com/2010/04/03/tried-and-failed/ Got the engine out toady.  I'm still in disbelief that we were able to do it, but I will be even more amazed when we get it back into the car. http://www.johnfatica.com/2010/03/21/just-a-little-bit-more/ I picked up all the turbo parts needed for my car from a guy in Dayton this morning.  I'm going to spend the next couple weeks cleaning everything up and doing my research for this engine pull.  Aside from pulling the engine (which I've never done), its a pretty straight ... http://www.johnfatica.com/2010/03/08/finally-got-the-parts-i-needed-for-the-na2t/ Yeah I know, I haven't updated this site in a while.  I had a lot of things come up in the past couple months and I just kept pushing this to the back burner.  I'll try to get some more regular posts up now that things have cooled off. Here's the ... http://www.johnfatica.com/2010/02/24/i-mustve-misplaced-this-blog/ Yes, I removed an in-ground pool.  Yes, I'm crazy. This page details the demolition and removal of a vinyl in-ground pool. http://www.johnfatica.com/2009/10/27/pool-demolition/ I have now become an expert at building mediocre bookshelves. Cost of materials: $63 Store bought bookshelf: $84.99 This is the 4th shelving unit I have built, and each time I learn something new.  Each one has evolved slightly from the previous. [gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2" orderby="post_name"] http://www.johnfatica.com/2009/09/02/perfection/ I was so happy when I first started seeing self-checkout lanes show up at grocery stores.  Finally, it was now possible to run in to a big grocery store, grab an item, and be out in just a few minutes.  Now you can find them just about anywhere.  Unfortunately, the ... http://www.johnfatica.com/2009/07/18/self-checkout/