I encourage students to discuss with me about their experience in Tech. I will try to tailor the practical shop time more to their individual interest, if possible. But, I cannot force any student to participate or make every minute fun and/or exciting. Students need to want to learn and try new tasks and continue to repeat new skills.
In the shop:
- A group of senior students continue to repair the brakes on a black 5.0L Ford Mustang; including new front drilled rotors and pads; cleaned, greased and properly adjusted front wheel bearings; bleed front brake calipers which required heating up (gas/oxygen torch) of the calipers to remove the seized bleeder screws; remove rear wheels, rear brake drums, wash out brake dust with water, and inspect components ... vehicle is safely lifted on the "Bear" scissor lift
- Several student groups are in the process of replacing the automatic trans-axle of our donated Ford Windstar. So far they have safely raised the vehicle on our two post above ground "Hydra Lift", removed front wheels, disconnected battery, supported engine with Ultra Pro engine support, disconnected the exhaust at front of the catalytic converter, remove front brake components, including calipers, pads, and rotors; removed front left/right steering knuckles including disconnecting of the outer tie rod ends and lower ball joints; removed front sway bar; removed power rack and pinion steering including disconnecting of steering shaft and pressure and return lines/hoses; disconnect all necessary electrical wires and shifter cable; remove left and right front wheel drive shafts; remove lower engine/trans-axle frame cradle (install a modified cradle from another Windstar that allows removal of trans-axle and support of engine); remove engine starter; remove flywheel inspection cover; remove torque converter/flywheel mounting nuts ...
- Several student groups are completely disassembling our donated Ford Aerostar; including removal of the engine hood and front doors, and windows from doors; removal of the battery, radiator, A/C components (system was already empty); removal of the rear axle (students cut through shocks, and 3 link trailing arms with gas/oxygen torch due to excessive rust, seized fasteners, and the vehicle is not on a vehicle lift); vehicle is safely supported on four 6 ton safety/jack stands; removal of rear shock absorbers, coil springs, trailing arms from rear axle assembly
- Three student groups are disassembling their engine projects; engines are safely supported on engine stands (one small engine); students remove individual components, wash with varsol if necessary, rinse with hot water, blow dry with compressed air, sand/glass bead blast, and spray paint, reinstall, and discuss theory ...
- The McIntyre drag Chevrolet P/U truck project is currently on hold
- The John Deere 45 combine project is currently on hold
- Students have begun the disassembly of the recently donated 1981 Ski-Doo Citation snowmobile (by a friend of our own Mr. Shoup, THANK YOU!); so far students have removed the fuel tank, drained the old fuel, flushed tank with hot water ...
- Students continue with John Deere Liquifire snowmobile project (student owned); including the removal, drain, and flush of fuel tank; removal of carburetors; compression test (approx. 60 psi, not enough); removal of cylinder heads and one cylinder (scored); components are individually cleaned with varsol, hot water, and sandblasted when appropriate; we are currently unable to remove the drive clutch so the engine cannot be removed from the tunnel; discuss theory ... (sled had a live snake under the hood!)
- Outside, students continue to complete individual projects on our donated 1988 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Brougham (from the father of our own Mr. McCormack); including R&R (remove & replace) wiper blades, wiper motor, battery, wheels, air pump belt, alternator belt, alternator, horn, charcoal canister, headlight bulbs (high/low), marker/park light bulbs, rear tail light lens and individual bulbs (park/marker, brake, reverse, signal); students will clean individual components with varsol, rinse with hot water, blow dry with compressed air when necessary; students will test electrical components both on the bench and on the vehicle ...
- Outside, on our donated 1999 Pontiac Transport (from the brother of myself); students have R&R rear tailgate and taillights ...
- Outside, on our donated Chevrolet Lumina (from the family of a current D.S.S. student); students are completely disassembling this vehicle; so far, removal of hood, grill, front bumper, front fenders, radiator, A/C components (system was empty), engine electrical, wiper blades, wiper arms, wiper transmission, wiper motor, front struts (in process), front doors (in process), seats, ...
- Students are also repairing and maintaining customer vehicles; including install of a new left front rear view door mirror (Ford Focus); Oil & Filter change (Pontiac Sunfire, Pontiac Vibe GT, ...); front brake pads and rotors including removal of rust and lubricate all necessary parts and bleed hydraulic system, rotate tires (Saturn Ion 2); ...
- students continue to practice/repeat under hood fluid checks (engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant, battery); tire pressures; jacking with hydraulic floor jack, car jack, hydraulic bottle jack; use of safety/jack stands; use of gas/oxygen torches; use of electric/pneumatic tire machine; ...