gravytrain

I put a reman starter on my step-daugher's 1982 300D this afternoon. I've replaced starters on the 300D, 240D, and 300SD in the past, so it's not the first time I've done this. After I got it switched out, got everything back together, and hooked the battery back up, I had no power anywhere. No interior lights, no starter. Just dead silence. I initially hooked the wires backwards on the solenoid, but switched them back like they were supposed to be, and now there's nothing.

Any ideas??? Thanks in advance,

My mother just sold her 2008 4Runner, and is considering using some of the money to fix up her beloved 1989 Mercury Cougar, which she bought new. She has a sentimental attachment to it, as it was her first new car.

The car has the notorious 3.8L V6, famous for head gasket problems. After about 195K miles, the head gasket went out, so it has sat for the past 2 1/2 years. I've had a couple of Continentals with the same engine, but never had a problem with either of them.

Question is: is it worth it to replace the engine, and if so, would some of the later 3.8's be more reliable, or were the head gasket problems common throughout the entire production run of that engine? Or are there any reasons you couldn't use a later 3.8? She's considering buying a rebuilt engine at the moment.

Just curious as to whether anyone had any ideas. Don't know if it's a waste of money to even do this, or what. She got 20 years out of the first one, so I think it would be worth it, especially as she adores the old car (and cosmetically it still looks near new). I have a few shop friends I'm asking as well. Thanks in advance.

My wife is learning to can vegetables, as we started a garden this year.

Here's a question: After picked, how long can we keep green beans (in the fridge) before canning? I have a TON of green beans, and want to pick them, but don't want them to go bad before she has a chance to get them canned.

Any other general tips on canning would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

I saw the music video on GAC for Alabama's great song, High Cotton. Is that a 1949 Coupe deVille? That's what it looks like to me. Anyone seen the video, and know what year model the Caddy is??

OK, I've become a HUGE fan of King of the Hill. I love this show. I know this is weird, but any fans of the show ever wish they could have Hank's life? I'm so jealous of him! Nice suburban life, good job, ya know. Crazy friends, etc. I guess to some extent maybe we all really have these things, I dunno. Hell, easy points for answers, I guess. I'll be interested to see what kind of answers come thru!

OK, So I'm watching this documentary on Air Force One on the History Channel. I get to thinking, 'wonder how much those pilots pull in every year?' Airline pilots bring in some killer money every year; the President's pilots have to make a ton! Anyone have a clue as to how much pilots of Air Force One make per year?

I'm specifically looking for a used mower deck, in decent condition. I have an odd-ball mower. It has a 38" deck, but I want a larger one. Most 38" decks were on the F510, not the F525. My JD dealer said I have a snowball's chance in Purgatory of finding a used mower deck that's still in good condition. Already checked the usual places (ebay, Craig's List, local classifieds, etc.). I'm in central NC. Anyone know of anywhere else I could check?

Second, and more importantly, I have a two-bag leaf bagger on the same F525. I need new bags for it, as they've worn out, have holes, etc. The dealer wants $73.80 for them (EACH!), and I simply refuse to spend that much for two burlap sacks. That's just the bag itself, not including the frames. Nearly $150 for two freakin' burlap sacks! Does anyone know of an aftermarket manufacturer of the bags for the bagger? I'm lining them with trash bags for now, just to get by. Thanks in advance

Our little 240D diesel car is having trouble starting. The starter has a new drive, motor brushes, and solenoid. Still, sometimes the starter will just spin over and never engage the bendix into the engine. Also, twice I have tried to start it, and it won't do anything at all. Maybe a short somewhere? Any ideas?

What is up with people saying "we're" pregnant? He isn't pregnant, she is. I understand the importance of having a child, and that it's a two-person ordeal, but isn't that taking it a bit far? What's wrong with "We're having a baby"? Or "I'm pregant" or "she's pregnant"? Just hearing "We're pregnant" sound so stupid. I feel a firestorm coming, but I'm asking anyway. Just a pet peeve. I know it's trivial, but it irks me every time I hear that.....What are your thoughts?????

I've been watching the Ice Road Truckers series on the History Channel, and I'm really interested in trying it. I've been driving several years, and I think I could handle it. The thing is, I have a U.S. driver's license. I checked out the website for the Tli Cho LandTran company, and I see that I have to get a Canadian driver's license in order to run the ice roads in Canada. Does anyone know what I would have to go through in order to get a Canadian driver's license, being a U.S. driver? Any thoughts and information will be most appreciated. Also, any input from ice road truckers would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I have a friend who drives for ABF, and he loves his job. He pulls doubles, and runs linehaul. He says he has the option of being home every other night unless he chooses to "keep on truckin". My question is, (and this is only for Union drivers), do you like your job, and are you satisfied with how the Union treats you? I've almost quit trucking, only drive one overnight trip a week, but have a great driving and employment record. I'm not sure I want to get back into trucking full-time or not, maybe you can persuade me one way or the other. Thanks in advance.

Need some help with Mom's car. I'm a diesel driver, so gas engines and ignition systems are just above my head. I'm totally uneducated on gas-burners.

My mother bought a 1989 Mercury Cougar brand-new. She has about 190K miles on it now. It has started running rough (skipping, sputtering, etc., mainly under acceleration). Also, the temp gauge (digital instrument panel) is spontaneously going up and down. The car isn't overheating. The rough running thing has been going on for the last couple years. She has had a "tune-up", with new plugs & wires, distributor cap, rotor button, etc. The last mechanic charged her $400 for the "tune-up" and everything was fine for a couple weeks, but now it's just like it was.

For the temp gauge issue, the thermostat was changed as well. Anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this? Any serious, helpful input will be appreciated. (meanwhile I'll try to talk her into buying a good German diesel!, Ha!)

I have a 1984 Mercedes 300SD with 648,800 miles on the original engine with no overhaul or other major engine work done (verified by previous two owners). I'm curious if anyone who sees this has a diesel Mercedes with more miles than mine!