How To Install New HID Bulbs

Many times theheadlights of a car seem to be dull or dirty which is “yellowing” that occursfor a number of reasons. Like the sound from your car radio or in–dash navigationscreen the headlights can degrade over time too. Chemicals used for cleaningthe car can sometimes cause this effect on a headlamp and other times it is theweather. Acidic rain or just unrelenting sun can cause yellowing along with the“salt” used to deice roads is also huge reason for yellowing headlights. Just like the Giants beating the Packers...the cold can always be a factor. Many times the effect isso bad on a headlight that the unit must be replaced. 

When replacing a headlight it is not always necessary toreplace all the bulbs at the same time. HID bulbs are pretty expensive and mostof the time will still work perfectly fine in a new assembly. Unlikeconventional bulbs they do not dull over time since they are gas powered not filamentilluminated. The part of changing these bulbs is to purchase the correctheadlight housing for your application. While the same year, make and modelheadlights may “fit” in your car it is not always the same part if those lightsdid not have HID. 

The first step to taking apart the old headlight unit thatwas in the vehicle, which requires removal of the old unit. With the unit removedfrom the car remove the clips or screws holding on the dust cover and pull thebulb out of the assembly. Be sure not to touch the bulb at all on the glass, theoil from your finger will cause the bulb to shatter once it heats up. Next removethe ballast for the HID unit and inspect both the bulb and ballast for damage.

For the install part of this process, place the bulb in thenew assembly and secure with clips or screws depending on the application. Now attachthe ballast to the headlamp and reassemble all the other parts of the light.Attach the power source to the headlight to check that all bulbs and signalsare working. Once the proper operation is certain, install the unit and checkfor proper “Gaping” around the unit. Gaping is the space around the unit tothe body panels which should all be even. With the headlight in place test theunit once more. If everything checks out the install process is complete.

How to Drive a Manual Transmission Vehicles

When it comes to being a car enthusiast there is not much important than the car you drive but no matter how who you are the manual transmission is a staple. A stick shift in a car is more important to a real driving experience then a great power steering rack or power steering gearbox. A manual transmission allow a car to be driven in a different way then a car that came equipped with an automatic. Manual cars can be driven with heal toe which means that the driver can hit the clutch, brakes and gas all at the same time to enable the car to be driven in a more efficient manner. Before any fancy stuff basic handling of the clutch must be known.

To drive a manual the clutch pedal is a very important part of controlling the car, the first step is to understand how to set a car moving. First the shifter has to be placed into the 1st gear position and slowly sliding the clutch pedal out to allow the cogs inside the tranny to allow the clutch to put the power of the engine to the wheels. Once the car begins to move the clutch can be released and the RPMs (rotations per min) can raise to the desired amount. Once the car is to the desired shift point the clutch can be disengaged and the shifter can now be moved to the next gear.

When driving slows the shifter can be placed in a lower gear to slow the vehicle. This can be a tricky to motor brake the car with the motor since the exact RPMs that the car needs for the lower gear must be matched. If the shift RPMs are not matched correctly the engine will jerk and cause an uncomfortable ride for the passengers. The great part about the use of engine braking is if it is done right the engine will completely cut the fuel flow and use no gas at all. In times of $4 a gallon gas this is a great way to save a few drops.

How to Wire a New Fuel Pump

Installing any auto part can seem like a simple job until you have your whole car torn apart and realize everything is not right. Many a shad-tree-mechanic get the shock of their week when they pull out a fuel pump only to find the wiring to the fuel pump assembly is different than theirs. The first reaction is of course …rage, those sons of $^&*#^’s but this may not be needed. Most modern cars use similar set ups for fuel pumps or updated wiring harnesses that are a simple 5 min wiring job.

Now before you start any job it is essential for you to know that the job is not out of your knowledge range. Just keep in mind this is a machine that will be hurling you down the road at enormous speed. It is not a great idea to be guessing at how it works. So it must be said, if you don’t know how…let someone who does. Oh and don’t ever smoke while installing a fuel pump. When starting the wiring job, determine what colors your factory wires are from the factory harness.  Once you have them you can find a wiring diagram usually supplied by the fuel pump supplier or on their webpage under the help section.

Most new aftermarket and even OEM fuel pumps use a GT280 style electrical piggy back. This unit is a more efficient connection than the older units and has less heat that it creates. The connector was redesigned to reduce the risk of fire and will be easily wired in. Once the wire colors are matched up, attach the wires and use screw on covers to be sure there are no exposed wires. Exposed wires means the chance of spark, spark can mean fire and in the eternal words of Phil Hartman “Fire BAD”.

With the whole new pigtail wired in the installation process is as simple as clicking the new clip into place and lowering the assembly into the tank. Now turn the retaining ring on the pump to secure it and you are good to go. 

How to Adjust Your Carburetor The Right Way

Carburetor Adjusting

In the Winter time you should try and adjust your carbs for the cold Winter weather. In this article I will explain how to adjust your carburetor right the first time for the cold winter ahead. Most carburetors are basically the same when it comes to setting or adjusting your fuel mixtures to the outside climate where ever you live at. The main thing to remember about adjusting a carburetor for the colder weather is that it takes a richer mixture for the car to start and stay running. Carburetor adjusting for the cold Winter Weather should be done in the Fall. Whether it is a Rochester dual or quadro jet type of carburetor or Ford's Motor craft type of carb. setting the choke and the air fuel mixtures should be set a little rich.

HOW TO ADJUST YOUR CARBURETOR RIGHT:

When you first start your carbureted vehicle in the cold Winter weather you need to set the automatic carburetor choke by tapping on the gas pedal a few times. If you are watching the choke linkage on your carburetor you will see the choke plate snap all the way closed. Another thing that happens while you are tapping your throttle pedal is your carburetors accelerator pump should be squirting a steady stream of gas downward inside of the intake manifold. If you don't see the steady stream of fuel shooting out from the accelerator pump in your carburetor then carburetor adjusting for the cold Winter weather will not work. You will need to replace the carburetors accelerator pump.

HOW TO ADJUST YOUR CARBURETOR:

Okay once your carburetor has closed the choke plate and your accelerator pump has pumped a few strong streams of fuel the car should start with the linkage set on the fast idle cam. You can now adjust your fast idle speed on your carburetor by a screw that is located on the lower left side of your carburetor under the choke. At this point you can check the operation of your primary and secondary choke pull offs on your carburetor which is vacuum controlled. If the choke pull offs on your carburetor is not retracting then you need to replace your carburetors choke pull offs. If they are working properly then you can rich-en up these pull off settings either by bending the carburetors choke linkage or by the adjusting screw on the choke pull off itself. By adjusting your choke pull offs your carburetor adjusting for the cold Winter weather will improve how your vehicle runs cold.

ADJUSTING YOUR CARBURETOR:

After a few minutes you can hit the throttle pedal to kick down the choke linkage to the basic idle position. By now your electric carburetor choke should be wide open and your basic idle speed on your carburetor should be around 750 to 800 RPMs. I hope this carburetor adjustments for the cold winter weather article will help you better understand of how your carburetor works with a cold engine.

For more carburetor repair tips please visit my blog at, "Auto Repair Savings And my Special Links".

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