I always thought I was a really good mechanic till I started watching the Wizard. His down to earth approach with the air of total honesty has made me infinitely better overall.
I was in the parts business, until recently and you are absolutely right about the quality of parts. Even purchasing old reliable brands is no longer a guarantee of quality. New old stock is the safest way to go.
They dont want ppl working on their own stuff anymore, what better way to discourage ppl, and make money at the same time! I guarantee you thats whats happening
I have two older Volvos. Recently I had water pump installed. The new Mexican made water pump leaked; it had to be replaced. I am on my 4th water pump. Hopeful the problem is finally solved.
@@thecommodoredecker that is partly true, but the majority of my parts business was sales to dealers and independent garages. There is no guarantee purchasing a GM, Ford, Mopar branded part is superior to a lot of house brands. Unfortunately, you can't always tell of the quality, by the box it comes in.
With swaps, the devil is always in the details. People get the engine and trans set in place and think they are 90% done....but they're really 10% done. Getting decent exhaust routing, keeping the A/C, and making sure the damn thing won't overheat can wind up being huge problems to solve.
Agreed, you'll almost always run into trouble. - If you need just 3 inches for something to fit, you'll have only 2.75 inches. - Or that "guaranteed to fit" swap kit you bought for a lot of money is just an eighth of an inch out of spec so the holes just don't line up. And on top of that your good old friend Murphy just keeps popping up: you should have 12 bolts but somehow you only have 11........
That's why when I do my first swap it's going to be a fox body mustang I will buy the nicest one I can with the worst motor , next I buy suspension and a rear end , next I buy a complete 5.3 wrecked chevy truck then I use the motor trans and computer from the chevy and alot of the wire harness also , then a set of motor mounts and a trans mount and drive shaft and last but not least a shifter , actually fairly simple if you have some common sense ,
Oh you bought the kit for the 79-85. The mid-late 83s had a special mounting boss and need their own kit. We have the kit but it requires modifying the starter and notching the frame
Luckily for me the engine swap I am doing soon is as simple ass possible. Going from a 5.3 to a 6.2 in an '11 silverado. Which was an optional engine. Just need the engine wiring harness that came with the 6.2 and then have a dealer reprogram the computer.
That Hummer brings back nightmares for me...around 2004 the DOD started requiring them to be armored and air-conditioned, but riding in these fabric door Humvees in 120 degree heat wearing full battle rattle with the windows zipped down (felt like a hair dryer blowing all over you) was borderline torture.
As much as I would love to hire the Car Clinic Staff to repair my rides, I can’t because of his extreme overload of clients and that’s a great thing! I’m happy that he’s done so well at his business and UA-cam channel.
I used to work on the Hummers when I was in the military and the three things that would always go out like clockwork were the fuel injector pump, the transfer case and the front seal on the transmission. We were busting a lot of rear end gear set because I'm a firm believer parts were not meant to handle tires that big. We were forever replacing Driveline components on these. And it seemed like they were always the same components
I swapped a 5.7 from a 1988 C 1500 into a 1993 S-10... Started on Friday night, drove it to work Monday morning through heavy Atlanta traffic.....no issues...and have been driving it for years now...downtown 5 days a week..
We need to quit buying chinesium replacement parts and start making our parts here rather than overseas. This is/has been an ongoing problem that is getting worse. Great video, Wizard!
You can’t stay in business long if you are just breaking even on every job but generally customers just don’t have a clue. Wizard you need to throw a party when you get the nova and jeep out of there.
Uncle Tony says the same thing about crap modern parts. Personally, year ago, I went through new wheel bearings to replace four on my 2010 Town and Country. Great vids, Car Wizard!!
Wizard, you have had a tough time, I can tell. Business can be very difficult some times. Good job you have a strong character, and Mrs Wizard as well. I appreciate your films.
By Christmas. LOL When I was a kid we used to do engine swaps outside. Studebakers, Falcons, Dodge pick ups were favorites. A shop like Wizard's would have been heaven. I had a master mechanic who worked out of an old wooden garage handed down to him by his father. He did amazing work, engine/transmission rebuilds and engine replacements along with regular repairs. Wizard needs to put out a "help wanted; experienced mechanic" sign. lol
Thank you Wizard and Mrs. Worst is when someone drops a car off mid-way through a swap - a rat's nest - putting together a jigsaw puzzle. New engine - but how far down the chain do you want to go, wiring, gas lines, brake lines, radiator
Friendly tip for anybody working on the AMC V8 engines be sure do use high-quality oil pump housing and gears and that everything is aligned and shimmed correctly assembly lube and pre-priming the oil system is extremely important on these engines hopefully the Oil tube modification was done when this engine was rebuilt as well. Cheers
Hey Wizard & Mrs Wizard, it sucks that the world we live in now that we can't get quality parts, be it for cars or appliances or whatever!!! I'm glad that there are still respectable people like you around!!! 👍👍🙂
I have seen easy engine swaps and nightmare swaps. Of course most of them were in the sixties and seventies. Easiest swaps were different displacement engines of the same era. Example small block Chevy V8 to another chevy small block V8. Most difficult were swaps of engines from one make into a car by another make. Sometimes there would be kits to “simplify” common swaps. But there were always difficult modifications needed. Example: replacing the crappy 4.2 liter sixes in Toyota land cruisers with a GM V8 . This last also required a transmission and transfer case swap because the original units could not take the additional torque. Along with that there was the reshaping of the body snd welding additional frame supports. And one often forgotten or ignored job was installing better brakes to stop the heavier and faster vehicle. Similar problems were involved with the rarer, but still performed GM or Ford V8 into a Jeep CJ.
Yeah solid statement again from wizard 🤟💪🔥❤️ I'm truly happy for you not overcharging customer cos it shows that love you have for people 👍 and also i understand you and Mrs wizard have have Bread and butter so nothing is free with repairs. And yes it's sad .. really sad we are in a point where these iconic old cars will soon be out of reach for normal working man and street will be filled with electricity only. That is why I drive my 89year Chevy with love and not a daily driver so my kids will have seen and felt this time in life. Thank mr and Mrs wizard
It takes what it takes. Colleges have been known to have classes on GM's TBI. If you understand it , it can work great. I've seen it on 345 V8s in older International Scouts. Worked great on mountain trails where carburetors were starved for fuel.
Replaced my ‘08 F150 4.6L with a LKQ remanufactured engine. Better than an overhaul. Good warranty. LKQ does the engine upgrades. Total cost $6500 P&L best decision. I had P Boys do the exchange. Took 2 weeks start to finish. They did a great job. Currently 35K miles and no issues. Runs great.
I've done like 10 Swaps and I have learned you need a whole Donor Car to pull parts from . If I had a bad motor I would go find the exact same model of a POS that had the same motor and trans combo But was good . Even if your intention is to Rebuild your motor or Trans You can drive the POS till you resolve your Car OR you can do the swap and send your motor out to be rebuilt .With a whole Donor Car you have that part the parts store doesn't carry .
When does an EFI system use a charcoal canister for fumes? Even a non return unit need a charcoal canister cause no fuel is stored in the throttle body or fuel rails.
I've daily driven a Ford 5.0 swapped Volvo wagon for past four years without any issue. I'm very grateful someone took the time to do it right and make it run reliably.
4:55 filling the house with fumes sounds interesting, got a match where is the pilot light for the heating? Never been a fan of garages under or being a part of the house.
i must of got really lucky when i ls swapped my 89 chevy c2500.. i bought a 03 suburban a tree fell on the roof, ordered a wiring harness, engine mounts and headers and dident have any issues aside from installing the new engine mounts having to take the lower control arms off to do it.. but i came in 800 under budget doing everything myself, including making my own exhaust from the 03 suburban exhaust, only took me 3 months, the suburban had 212 k miles on it and dident leak a drop.. sure enough after putting 50 miles on it the rear main seal went.. so the engine came out again.. took me 3 days to do that.. that 800 is going into all new a.c components tho
Taking advantage of access to an Air Force base auto shop in '77 I swapped a 250CID straight six from a 74 Maverick into my '62 Falcon 2 door that originally had a 170. There was no internet back in those days, so you just muddled forward until everything worked. The swap was a success after some harmonic balancer issues and the little Falcon ripped with that 250. Swapped the 170 into the Maverick and sold it, running. Sadly I sold the little Falcon to a Captain who had been bugging me relentlessly to sell it to him when I exited the military. That's one car I really wish I had back.
Once the OEM spare part inventory is used up you get replicas and if quality part makers are not interested in some low price, low volume used parts that will be the only choice. Higher end cars with very expensive parts get the interest of the quality part makers. As far as the pre-90s cars go for the most part, you have to be willing to do it all yourself unless you are Jay Leno and have shovels of money, you probably start easy and newer though the electronics, sensors, and plumbing beyond obd2 cars is harder.
Body and interior controls are the only major failing points. Short of something exotic, engine parts can almost always be found (heck, I've got an acquaintance with a Ferrari who had custom engine parts made - valves and rockers iirc). You can make the rest work with some creativity. Admittedly it won't be original/stock anymore, but it'll let you enjoy the vehicle. My old Dodge truck has Ford and Chevy parts mixed in with a few uniquely made ones. The truck works great and plows my local road a mile in each direction for all my neighbors.
Yep.. pretty much summed up AMC V8 issues in the modern world... crap parts. I own a Grand Wagoneer with a tired AMC V8, and I'm prepping for an LS swap jus because of the aftermarket support and knowledge. And yes, it's taking 3 times longer and costing 5X's as much. Old timers know their stuff.
We're approaching an era where mechanics shops are going to have 3D scanners, 3D metal printers sheet metal formers, and CNC machines to make their own parts. Yes it will drive restoration prices through the roof, but the replacement part manufacturers have zero interest in fixing their quality issues.
Part of the problem with parts manufacturers is they put profits ahead of quality. Here's an example, we have a local foundry that produces camshafts for a variety of auto companies, I have some friends that work at that foundry. They make camshafts for the big three, as well as some foreign companies, but not for Honda or Toyota, the reason is that Honda and Toyota's tolerance specs are much closer than many other auto manufacturers, which adds to the cost of production, so they don't produce camshafts for those two companies. The fact of the matter is that parts manufacturers would rather put out a lower quality product to increase their profits instead of producing high quality parts. So you can understand why Hondas and Toyotas practically run forever. They use higher quality parts to produce a better vehicle.
Engine swapping is one of those things that people think to do haphazardly but actually takes an incredible amount of planning. The better and longer you plan, the easier and faster the swap. And unless you've done that specific swap (motor to body/electrical) you will never be able to plan for everything.
exactly ! twas I was going to say ! prior planning prevents ... But even then there is always something I always double what I originally think ( even after planning ) and as for charging for time ... yes well !
Junior Mint helped make the Car Wizard show. I believe he was there from the start. I hope he took a mechanics job repairing only Tyler Hoovie's vehicles and is in Hoovie's videos.
I'd like to know how old those tires are on the Humvee. I was thinking they haven't made those old-style Goodyear MT's for around 20 years, later version was the MT/R. By the way, one or more of those tires is mounted backwards, they are directionals and I can see that the passenger-rear tire is not mounted in the right direction. I bet the missing passenger-front is backwards too.
When i ran a salvage and fixed cars to sell i would go for an original factory part. That shiny rebuilt transmission in the wreck would be sold easily but not for me. That rebuilt starter, alternator or what ever was never the one i'd choose . We called Autozone alternators the "Prince of Darkness".
Sorry to hear that the magician left. That's going to put a lot of work on your shoulders Wizard. Hopefully you can find someone soon. I would have loved to work there, but I'm from Cape Town. ☺👍
As a mechanic I have see faulty parts on a dailyout of the box it's broken, it's to the point where I'm nervous to put some of these part brands on cars because they might break right away
I'm on the west coast and on my way home from fishing i pass a restoration shop so I always stop for a few and admire the cars. Theres been a 1920s era Bugatti that's been there ten plus years. I would love to see the bill for that one.
Wizard - have you seen any quality control problems with aftermarket performance parts, ie, cams, lifters, etc from companies like Edelbrock, Comp Cams, Holly…. like you brought to our attention with the Jeep and Nova?
All those cars are to a shop is filler. Something to keep the techs busy between other jobs. So you offer a reduced rate to help the shop and the customer. And yes an alignment rack is not worth it if you don’t do ALOT of alignments!
Hello ,I think it be cool it u make a video on get cars Winter ready,like we can all share ideas,I'm in Ohio flash heAter core,makes heat feel like it's on high being on low less work for blower motor
I don't know if it Mr. Wizard's intention but his site is the best advertisement for electric vehicles imaginable. Watching this very expert mechanic describe his experiences has persuaded me to never buy another ICE auto again.
We had an '80 Jeep that had problems starting after being stopped even a short time. We found whoever replaced the gas filter before we bought it put it in wrong. The bleeder to the tank was feeding the carb and the mainline was feed the bulk of the gas back to the tank. 🤬🤣
Brother, I've always found engine swaps to be problematic. Even common swaps. Even stock to stock. I've had to take apart a new engine to change the crank reluctor wheel because the ECM wouldn't read the one that came with the engine. I think you've covered that kind of thing before. Point is it's never plug and play.
Hi Wizard. Can you tell me what kind of flashlight you use? Do you always use the same kind of flashlight? I checked your Amazon Affiliates page, but I didn’t see it.
Now that the Cassiopeia has left the dock, can you update the intro and bring back the Wizard driving the steering wheel in fast forward/double time? That is my favorite. Cheers!
I'd saybtye only engine swap you could do that is easy and relatively cheap is a LS in a 3rd gen camaro. All the infrastructure is there, good quality parts available, because it's so common
All I got to say is I am so glad to be retired and out of the auto repair business after over 50 years.Same problem with parts on the late models new parts are faulty or just not available and on top of it these new cars are so complicated and much harder to work on.Even on my own cars,I put a NEW starter on my wifes Jeep and the first 4 yes 4 failed in a very short time.
@@jkeelsnc I worked in dealers and some of the problem is the companies suppling the manufactures would just all of a sudden go out of business.So then they would have to try and find another source.
I just got my Honda Pilot back after $4,300 valve & head rebuild because the timing belt snapped. It is still ticking very bad and leaking oil all over my driveway. Is this normal after a job like this?
Also can attest to the poor quality of parts available right now. I ordered a new headlight switch for my old Pontiac and the plastic housing on it cracked while installing it. These are expensive parts too, even though they're made so cheaply.
Only engine swap I have seen go well was swapping in a V8 for a six cylinder of same make. Still needed new engine mounts, radiator, front springs, throttle, hoses and transmission adjustment.
Yeah, I have plans to swap an old carburated ford 460 big block into my 2002 Ford F-150 when the 4.6 Triton throws a spark plug. It needs piston rings eventually anyway, so why not swap instead of a rebuild on an weak, ticking time bomb of an engine. What do you think Wizard?¿
I was so happy that my wife heard you say that swaps take 5 times as long and cost 3 times as much as anticipated. I have a garage queen that has been "in progress" for over a decade!
I always thought I was a really good mechanic till I started watching the Wizard. His down to earth approach with the air of total honesty has made me infinitely better overall.
This is what I consider the internet / UA-cam is best used for. I'm an electrician, I've learned tons about my trade by watching videos !
I also recommend RRC restoration if you like total professionalism and skill
I was in the parts business, until recently and you are absolutely right about the quality of parts. Even purchasing old reliable brands is no longer a guarantee of quality. New old stock is the safest way to go.
They dont want ppl working on their own stuff anymore, what better way to discourage ppl, and make money at the same time! I guarantee you thats whats happening
Chinese, Pakistani, Indian, etc. parts are the issue
I have two older Volvos. Recently I had water pump installed. The new Mexican made water pump leaked; it had to be replaced. I am on my 4th water pump. Hopeful the problem is finally solved.
@@thecommodoredecker that is partly true, but the majority of my parts business was sales to dealers and independent garages. There is no guarantee purchasing a GM, Ford, Mopar branded part is superior to a lot of house brands. Unfortunately, you can't always tell of the quality, by the box it comes in.
Good luck! 😂
With swaps, the devil is always in the details. People get the engine and trans set in place and think they are 90% done....but they're really 10% done. Getting decent exhaust routing, keeping the A/C, and making sure the damn thing won't overheat can wind up being huge problems to solve.
Agreed, you'll almost always run into trouble.
- If you need just 3 inches for something to fit, you'll have only 2.75 inches.
- Or that "guaranteed to fit" swap kit you bought for a lot of money is just an eighth of an inch out of spec so the holes just don't line up.
And on top of that your good old friend Murphy just keeps popping up: you should have 12 bolts but somehow you only have 11........
That's why when I do my first swap it's going to be a fox body mustang I will buy the nicest one I can with the worst motor , next I buy suspension and a rear end , next I buy a complete 5.3 wrecked chevy truck then I use the motor trans and computer from the chevy and alot of the wire harness also , then a set of motor mounts and a trans mount and drive shaft and last but not least a shifter , actually fairly simple if you have some common sense ,
Oh you bought the kit for the 79-85. The mid-late 83s had a special mounting boss and need their own kit. We have the kit but it requires modifying the starter and notching the frame
Too damn true.
Luckily for me the engine swap I am doing soon is as simple ass possible. Going from a 5.3 to a 6.2 in an '11 silverado. Which was an optional engine. Just need the engine wiring harness that came with the 6.2 and then have a dealer reprogram the computer.
Legend has it: The Car Wizard beat the sun in a staring contest.
I believe it
Haha
He's now practicing to see if he can beat Chuck Norris in a staring comp
That's a good one. I'll make sure not to steal it.
Car Jizzard
That Hummer brings back nightmares for me...around 2004 the DOD started requiring them to be armored and air-conditioned, but riding in these fabric door Humvees in 120 degree heat wearing full battle rattle with the windows zipped down (felt like a hair dryer blowing all over you) was borderline torture.
As much as I would love to hire the Car Clinic Staff to repair my rides, I can’t because of his extreme overload of clients and that’s a great thing! I’m happy that he’s done so well at his business and UA-cam channel.
I used to work on the Hummers when I was in the military and the three things that would always go out like clockwork were the fuel injector pump, the transfer case and the front seal on the transmission. We were busting a lot of rear end gear set because I'm a firm believer parts were not meant to handle tires that big. We were forever replacing Driveline components on these. And it seemed like they were always the same components
I swapped a 5.7 from a 1988 C 1500 into a 1993 S-10... Started on Friday night, drove it to work Monday morning through heavy Atlanta traffic.....no issues...and have been driving it for years now...downtown 5 days a week..
I'm about a year into an L33 swap on an 04 Discovery. Getting close to done. I completely agree that it's not for the faint of heart.
We need to quit buying chinesium replacement parts and start making our parts here rather than overseas. This is/has been an ongoing problem that is getting worse.
Great video, Wizard!
You can’t stay in business long if you are just breaking even on every job but generally customers just don’t have a clue. Wizard you need to throw a party when you get the nova and jeep out of there.
Hardest part about fixing something, is not breaking something else
I own an e60 bmw and can confirm this 😂
@@reginaldbowls7180 as a bmw and an audi owner too I can also confirm this
As an audi and bmw owner I can 100% conform this
That applies so strongly for interior parts. It's so annoying to learn in hindsight how an interior piece had to be disassembled.
Owned a 2004 a4 here. Replacing something as simple as that thermostat came with every hose connected to the damn thing.
Having swapped a few myself, I would have to agree with your numbers, especially on the budget!
"stack tolerances", I'm adding that to my vocabulary. Thanks!
That aftermarket keyed ignition is the problem with the smart box causing the glow plug issue. Very common problem
Uncle Tony says the same thing about crap modern parts. Personally, year ago, I went through new wheel bearings to replace four on my 2010 Town and Country. Great vids, Car Wizard!!
Wizard, you have had a tough time, I can tell. Business can be very difficult some times. Good job you have a strong character, and Mrs Wizard as well. I appreciate your films.
By Christmas. LOL When I was a kid we used to do engine swaps outside. Studebakers, Falcons, Dodge pick ups were favorites. A shop like Wizard's would have been heaven. I had a master mechanic who worked out of an old wooden garage handed down to him by his father. He did amazing work, engine/transmission rebuilds and engine replacements along with regular repairs. Wizard needs to put out a "help wanted; experienced mechanic" sign. lol
Thank you Wizard and Mrs. Worst is when someone drops a car off mid-way through a swap - a rat's nest - putting together a jigsaw puzzle. New engine - but how far down the chain do you want to go, wiring, gas lines, brake lines, radiator
Can you do a “buy this not that” Lexus video 🙏🏽 one love from Houston Texas
Still loving that Nova. I had 3 Novas in high school. Good to see some of the long-term visitors going home soon.
Friendly tip for anybody working on the AMC V8 engines be sure do use high-quality oil pump housing and gears and that everything is aligned and shimmed correctly assembly lube and pre-priming the oil system is extremely important on these engines hopefully the Oil tube modification was done when this engine was rebuilt as well. Cheers
I've replaced a lot of this stuff many times due to jumping time. Those things are a PITA due to the design of that cover.
@@tornadotj2059 You are 100% right on that!
Hey Wizard & Mrs Wizard, it sucks that the world we live in now that we can't get quality parts, be it for cars or appliances or whatever!!! I'm glad that there are still respectable people like you around!!! 👍👍🙂
I have seen easy engine swaps and nightmare swaps. Of course most of them were in the sixties and seventies. Easiest swaps were different displacement engines of the same era. Example small block Chevy V8 to another chevy small block V8. Most difficult were swaps of engines from one make into a car by another make. Sometimes there would be kits to “simplify” common swaps. But there were always difficult modifications needed. Example: replacing the crappy 4.2 liter sixes in Toyota land cruisers with a GM V8 . This last also required a transmission and transfer case swap because the original units could not take the additional torque. Along with that there was the reshaping of the body snd welding additional frame supports. And one often forgotten or ignored job was installing better brakes to stop the heavier and faster vehicle. Similar problems were involved with the rarer, but still performed GM or Ford V8 into a Jeep CJ.
Did I miss a video somewhere? Why did Junior Mint leave and when? Was it amicable?
Yeah solid statement again from wizard 🤟💪🔥❤️ I'm truly happy for you not overcharging customer cos it shows that love you have for people 👍 and also i understand you and Mrs wizard have have Bread and butter so nothing is free with repairs. And yes it's sad .. really sad we are in a point where these iconic old cars will soon be out of reach for normal working man and street will be filled with electricity only.
That is why I drive my 89year Chevy with love and not a daily driver so my kids will have seen and felt this time in life. Thank mr and Mrs wizard
It takes what it takes. Colleges have been known to have classes on GM's TBI. If you understand it , it can work great. I've seen it on 345 V8s in older International Scouts. Worked great on mountain trails where carburetors were starved for fuel.
I actually have a 80’s GM TBI injection set. TBI and harness with PCI
Replaced my ‘08 F150 4.6L with a LKQ remanufactured engine. Better than an overhaul. Good warranty. LKQ does the engine upgrades. Total cost $6500 P&L best decision. I had P Boys do the exchange. Took 2 weeks start to finish. They did a great job. Currently 35K miles and no issues. Runs great.
I do like that you take to update various cars you and your team are working on
Not just engine swaps took longer here in the EU I have the same problem with renovating old houses.
I used to call some of those jobs “So nice you do them twice” when I was on the line. Keep up the good attitude Wizard!!!
0:52 Old Timers generally are right on the money. I think you're part of that club too! Cheers.
I've done like 10 Swaps and I have learned you need a whole Donor Car to pull parts from .
If I had a bad motor I would go find the exact same model of a POS that had the same motor and trans combo But was good . Even if your intention is to Rebuild your motor or Trans You can drive the POS till you resolve your Car OR you can do the swap and send your motor out to be rebuilt .With a whole Donor Car you have that part the parts store doesn't carry .
When does an EFI system use a charcoal canister for fumes? Even a non return unit need a charcoal canister cause no fuel is stored in the throttle body or fuel rails.
I've daily driven a Ford 5.0 swapped Volvo wagon for past four years without any issue. I'm very grateful someone took the time to do it right and make it run reliably.
@@jkeelsnc Bought it already done. Was told its was Converse kit. Not sure if Jim Converse actually did it but it's pretty well sorted.
4:55 filling the house with fumes sounds interesting, got a match where is the pilot light for the heating? Never been a fan of garages under or being a part of the house.
i must of got really lucky when i ls swapped my 89 chevy c2500.. i bought a 03 suburban a tree fell on the roof, ordered a wiring harness, engine mounts and headers and dident have any issues aside from installing the new engine mounts having to take the lower control arms off to do it.. but i came in 800 under budget doing everything myself, including making my own exhaust from the 03 suburban exhaust, only took me 3 months, the suburban had 212 k miles on it and dident leak a drop.. sure enough after putting 50 miles on it the rear main seal went.. so the engine came out again.. took me 3 days to do that.. that 800 is going into all new a.c components tho
We do things twice the first time! My workplace motto.
Taking advantage of access to an Air Force base auto shop in '77 I swapped a 250CID straight six from a 74 Maverick into my '62 Falcon 2 door that originally had a 170. There was no internet back in those days, so you just muddled forward until everything worked. The swap was a success after some harmonic balancer issues and the little Falcon ripped with that 250. Swapped the 170 into the Maverick and sold it, running. Sadly I sold the little Falcon to a Captain who had been bugging me relentlessly to sell it to him when I exited the military.
That's one car I really wish I had back.
I love seeing the 66 Chevelle in the background of your videos.
Once the OEM spare part inventory is used up you get replicas and if quality part makers are not interested in some low price, low volume used parts that will be the only choice. Higher end cars with very expensive parts get the interest of the quality part makers. As far as the pre-90s cars go for the most part, you have to be willing to do it all yourself unless you are Jay Leno and have shovels of money, you probably start easy and newer though the electronics, sensors, and plumbing beyond obd2 cars is harder.
Body and interior controls are the only major failing points. Short of something exotic, engine parts can almost always be found (heck, I've got an acquaintance with a Ferrari who had custom engine parts made - valves and rockers iirc). You can make the rest work with some creativity. Admittedly it won't be original/stock anymore, but it'll let you enjoy the vehicle. My old Dodge truck has Ford and Chevy parts mixed in with a few uniquely made ones. The truck works great and plows my local road a mile in each direction for all my neighbors.
I’ve done hundreds or engine swaps one all kinds of rigs and every single one was a pain in the ass.
Yep.. pretty much summed up AMC V8 issues in the modern world... crap parts. I own a Grand Wagoneer with a tired AMC V8, and I'm prepping for an LS swap jus because of the aftermarket support and knowledge. And yes, it's taking 3 times longer and costing 5X's as much. Old timers know their stuff.
with it being in the shop for two years... I am surprised it not paying rent
We're approaching an era where mechanics shops are going to have 3D scanners, 3D metal printers sheet metal formers, and CNC machines to make their own parts. Yes it will drive restoration prices through the roof, but the replacement part manufacturers have zero interest in fixing their quality issues.
Waiting for parts is a daily nightmare for shops and the bottom line because customers dont understand the current situation with parts supplies...
@@jkeelsnc The car manufactures dont want thier older vehicles on the road... they want you to buy the new crap every 6 years... what a joke.
Part of the problem with parts manufacturers is they put profits ahead of quality.
Here's an example, we have a local foundry that produces camshafts for a variety of auto companies, I have some friends that work at that foundry. They make camshafts for the big three, as well as some foreign companies, but not for Honda or Toyota, the reason is that Honda and Toyota's tolerance specs are much closer than many other auto manufacturers, which adds to the cost of production, so they don't produce camshafts for those two companies. The fact of the matter is that parts manufacturers would rather put out a lower quality product to increase their profits instead of producing high quality parts.
So you can understand why Hondas and Toyotas practically run forever. They use higher quality parts to produce a better vehicle.
@@jkeelsnc the government doesn't want you/me/us to have and restore older vehicles, nor modify them from stock. go figure.
@@oldskool1979 there is also a big population of car buyers that want a new car every 2 years... otherwise leasing would not be such a popular option.
Engine swapping is one of those things that people think to do haphazardly but actually takes an incredible amount of planning. The better and longer you plan, the easier and faster the swap. And unless you've done that specific swap (motor to body/electrical) you will never be able to plan for everything.
exactly ! twas I was going to say ! prior planning prevents ... But even then there is always something I always double what I originally think ( even after planning ) and as for charging for time ... yes well !
Junior Mint helped make the Car Wizard show. I believe he was there from the start. I hope he took a mechanics job repairing only Tyler Hoovie's vehicles and is in Hoovie's videos.
I hope jnr Mint left on good terms.
@@gavinplunkett977 I suspect he wouldn't be mentioned at all if he left on bad terms.
The only shop that is worth taking your vehicle to get an Alignment is 3 weeks out here in Illinois also.
I'd like to know how old those tires are on the Humvee. I was thinking they haven't made those old-style Goodyear MT's for around 20 years, later version was the MT/R. By the way, one or more of those tires is mounted backwards, they are directionals and I can see that the passenger-rear tire is not mounted in the right direction. I bet the missing passenger-front is backwards too.
When i ran a salvage and fixed cars to sell i would go for an original factory part. That shiny rebuilt transmission in the wreck would be sold easily but not for me. That rebuilt starter, alternator or what ever was never the one i'd choose . We called Autozone alternators the "Prince of Darkness".
Sorry to hear that the magician left. That's going to put a lot of work on your shoulders Wizard. Hopefully you can find someone soon. I would have loved to work there, but I'm from Cape Town. ☺👍
I had not heard that Jr Mint had left. Is he opening his own shop?
What is the daily cost of a spot in your shop.
As a mechanic I have see faulty parts on a dailyout of the box it's broken, it's to the point where I'm nervous to put some of these part brands on cars because they might break right away
I'm on the west coast and on my way home from fishing i pass a restoration shop so I always stop for a few and admire the cars. Theres been a 1920s era Bugatti that's been there ten plus years. I would love to see the bill for that one.
That light at the end of the tunnel will dim before that 61 Lincoln leaves your shop! Just a prediction
Wizard - have you seen any quality control problems with aftermarket performance parts, ie, cams, lifters, etc from companies like Edelbrock, Comp Cams, Holly…. like you brought to our attention with the Jeep and Nova?
One of the nicest, intelligent mechanical engineers in the business. No doubt a great father too.
I just finished a resto on an 80's Jeep. I was only 10k overbudget. So I did pretty good.
All those cars are to a shop is filler. Something to keep the techs busy between other jobs. So you offer a reduced rate to help the shop and the customer.
And yes an alignment rack is not worth it if you don’t do ALOT of alignments!
Have you worked on a 54 Ford y block before?
Car Wizard, is that a cart spring I see on the front axle of that Jeep?
Hello ,I think it be cool it u make a video on get cars Winter ready,like we can all share ideas,I'm in Ohio flash heAter core,makes heat feel like it's on high being on low less work for blower motor
I don't know if it Mr. Wizard's intention but his site is the best advertisement for electric vehicles imaginable. Watching this very expert mechanic describe his experiences has persuaded me to never buy another ICE auto again.
I wouldn’t even try to break that engine in with a conversion EFI system in that Jeep.
I had to giggle at your alignment comment regarding sales volume. I am REQUIRED to book 5 a day at the shop I manage. LOL
We had an '80 Jeep that had problems starting after being stopped even a short time. We found whoever replaced the gas filter before we bought it put it in wrong. The bleeder to the tank was feeding the carb and the mainline was feed the bulk of the gas back to the tank. 🤬🤣
Love the new direction this show is taking!
Of course, it's all about the money
Good luck getting those cars finished, I can't imagine the headaches with those projects that seem to take forever. Be safe
Brother, I've always found engine swaps to be problematic. Even common swaps. Even stock to stock. I've had to take apart a new engine to change the crank reluctor wheel because the ECM wouldn't read the one that came with the engine. I think you've covered that kind of thing before. Point is it's never plug and play.
why did junior mint leave?
Jr. Mint good luck. Always a fan of all of your staff.
Old Buick and AMC v8 timing cover oil pump covers can have their issues. Oil pump gear length is critical
Love the XJR Richard Hammond just bought one that he owned years ago.
Hi Wizard. Can you tell me what kind of flashlight you use? Do you always use the same kind of flashlight? I checked your Amazon Affiliates page, but I didn’t see it.
What kind of wheels are on the '61 Lincoln? They look like steel wheels but in 18" or bigger.
Speaking of engine swaps taking longer than expected, how’s the V12 ChevroJag coming along?
Now that the Cassiopeia has left the dock, can you update the intro and bring back the Wizard driving the steering wheel in fast forward/double time? That is my favorite. Cheers!
I'd saybtye only engine swap you could do that is easy and relatively cheap is a LS in a 3rd gen camaro. All the infrastructure is there, good quality parts available, because it's so common
What about the c3 Corvette?????
Car restoration is a labour of love. It has to be; you will never get your money back unless it's a super rare car that collectors want.
Buying new or used cars are ripoffs too, might as well maintain a vehicle
Having those geared hubs break on you in the box is just a great time.
Good to see you saving the four door Malibu. Back in my younger days people would junk out nice four door cars.
All I got to say is I am so glad to be retired and out of the auto repair business after over 50 years.Same problem with parts on the late models new parts are faulty or just not available and on top of it these new cars are so complicated and much harder to work on.Even on my own cars,I put a NEW starter on my wifes Jeep and the first 4 yes 4 failed in a very short time.
@@jkeelsnc I worked in dealers and some of the problem is the companies suppling the manufactures would just all of a sudden go out of business.So then they would have to try and find another source.
When it comes to parts am not afraid to pay extra from quality made in ammmerica, not assembled. Because of this reason.
I love that 4-door hardtop Malibu
😎👍
Lucky you have a big shop to keep those project
what 2 years!!!!!! Time flies
I just got my Honda Pilot back after $4,300 valve & head rebuild because the timing belt snapped. It is still ticking very bad and leaking oil all over my driveway. Is this normal after a job like this?
Hey what fuel system cleaner chemical do you like to use with the hood hang tool attached to fuel rail and air compressor ?
Also can attest to the poor quality of parts available right now. I ordered a new headlight switch for my old Pontiac and the plastic housing on it cracked while installing it. These are expensive parts too, even though they're made so cheaply.
Don't forget zinc additive for future oil changes
3d printing shops might be able to help out with things like timing chain covers
Only engine swap I have seen go well was swapping in a V8 for a six cylinder of same make. Still needed new engine mounts, radiator, front springs, throttle, hoses and transmission adjustment.
No job on an SJ is particularly fun or easy. Try a front brake job (with rotors).
Yeah, I have plans to swap an old carburated ford 460 big block into my 2002 Ford F-150 when the 4.6 Triton throws a spark plug. It needs piston rings eventually anyway, so why not swap instead of a rebuild on an weak, ticking time bomb of an engine.
What do you think Wizard?¿
Good luck with that…….
Back to the future
Is this a Mandala-effect or is it just me?
I used to think that Humvees had hydrostatic drive for some reason.
How are lifters shipping without being hardened? Absolute failure waiting to happen.
The GOOD alignment shops here in Albany NY are 2 months behind. Not Mavis…
I was so happy that my wife heard you say that swaps take 5 times as long and cost 3 times as much as anticipated. I have a garage queen that has been "in progress" for over a decade!