44…In answer to Mark and Gordon’s information on my Cougar problems.

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Hi Gordon and Mark.

Thanks for the information.

My Cougar only has the fuel problem every so often but it is due to go in for a service so I will look at changing the correct Ford Recalled Pump. I have been buying my bits from Rock Auto Parts in the USA.

The Air Con compressor was a bit of a pain. A bit after I bought the car the Air Con started blowing warm air. On the last Titan Ford service list prior to me buying the car it said that it was leaking.

I took it up the road to Centre Ford Claremont who actually couldn’t service the car because they didn’t have a jack that would go under it. They did however service the Air Con replacing a leaking G Shreder valve and filling it up with gas $236 plus GST. That didn’t solve the problem so I had them take another look and they said that they could see a leak (from the dye that they put in) but because they could lift the car couldn’t reach anything. I took it to Titan Ford to have another look at it when I got them to give the car a minor service. They said that I would need a new compressor if I could get one. Cost around $2,200.

They also said that both my front lower control arms were stuffed and that I should replace them before driving the car again. Quote $800 each side ($1600) plus labor. I decided to get a second opinion and took the car to Pedders who said that there was nothing wrong with my suspension. The car had done around 115,000ks.

I then took my ex’s car in to Pedders to have the suspension on her Cougar checked and she did need both front lower control arms replaced. I got them from Rock Auto Parts in the US for $48.79 each (all up delivered in 7 days $247) and she had them fitted in Mandurah for $400 along with some other work that needed doing.

Back to the Air Con Compressor. I finished up buying a s/h one from over east for $400 and booked the car in to Centre Ford Claremont to have it fitted. I then rang them to find out how much it might cost and they didn’t have a clue saying that the motor had to be lifted up and the exhaust pipes moved back to fit it. I then got in touch with the car wreckers that i bought the compressor from and they confirmed that it was a mongrel of a job. I then told Centre Ford to give it a miss and took the car over to John Shugg.

John owed me a favor so he had a look at it and worked out that he could just drop the compressor out the bottom. Took all of 20 minutes give or take to get it out and he had to make a special spanner in that time as well. He had the s/h one back in, in about 15 minutes.

Bugger me dead it still had a leak which he then said was in the hose.
I ordered a hose from Rock Auto’s but it turned out to be the wrong one so I asked John if we could replace the bit of the old hose (thinking it was the rubber bit) but he said ‘No the actual metal hose part had a hole in it..’ I suggested that we have it soldered but he said that it was a specialized job. Something about sweat soldering! I eventually convinced him to take it over to a person we both knew who could do the job and since then I haven’t had a problem with it.

That possibly means that my original Air Con Compressor is also okay.

There is also another place over East that carries a few bits and pieces like Spark Plugs etc called USA Ford Service Parts.

I have had so much trouble finding someone who actually knows what a Cougar is however on ringing around in frustration one last time I eventually got onto McInerney Ford and they said that they knew all about the Cougars because Mrs McInerney used to have one. I told them about my fuel problem and they were aware of that but wanted to put my car on the computer when it was ‘surging’ for want of a better word so I said that I would take it over.

I figured that by the time I got there it would be well and truly showing signs of fuel starvation but you guessed it, nothing! I said that I would come back as soon as it did it again and 1km up the road it started kicking and bucking. I took the car straight back and a mechanic and I went for a drive for 30mins and again nothing. Drove like a dream. Since then I haven’t had a problem but as I say I am going to take the car in for a major service and tune up so we shall see what happens then.

I need to update the Cougar information on my website but the above pretty much covers it but I will get onto that as soon as I can.

In the meantime stay in touch.

Cheers
John Dwyer
08 9382 2433
0479 003 466
A Bloody Paraplegic

43…Thoroughly pissed off at the moment…

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I have some money in my pocket and want to have my car detailed inside and out but do you think that I can find anyone who looks as if they have half a clue what they are doing.

Also my car is surging every so often and I am having trouble finding someone who knows what a Ford Cougar Eibach is!

Bummer
John

41…I am trying to contact Bryan King.

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Bryan King is a t3 Bloody Paraplegic as I am and he had a Trike built (Vertebrae Trike) on American Chopper by Orange County Choppers in 2006. I am trying to contact him and also get the DVD of the show in which they built the Trike.

If anyone can help please email me on jjpdwyer1@yahoo.com.au

Not a lot of news to add at the moment apart from the fact that I am stressed to the max because I have too much stuff going on in my head. I need to do this that and the other thing but I can’t make up my mind in which order. I think I will just take a valium and have a snooze.

Cheers
A Bloody Paraplegic

40…Old songs depress me!

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What’s happened since my last blog?

My Mum recently passed away peacefully aged 90 after a short illness and I am currently coming to grips with that. Her funeral is tomorrow.

I am listening to old songs while I wait to speak to Telstra which means that I will probably be listening to a lot of them. Old songs depress me because they bring back memories that I would sooner forget. (Actually the wait wasn’t too long)…I want to get a new iPhone or similar but trying to work out the different packages is driving me nuts.

I sold my Red 1978 XC Ford Coupe The link takes you to the beginning of my Red Coupe story but I have photos of the almost completed car towards the end. I am still not sure how I feel about selling the car. Now I now need another project!

I am back at Sunset Coast Archers and am enjoying that.

Cheers
John
A Bloody Paraplegic

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38…Computer down..that’s a good thing!

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My computer was down on Monday and Tuesday but once I got over the shakes and withdrawal symptoms which took a good couple of hours I had to accept it and did other things like fixing three of my helicopters…that proved very relaxing.

Now that it is back up and going my stress levels have gone up a notch as well :-)

Had a good cry while watching the first of three of Oprah’s last TV Specials. Tonight I will make sure that I have some tissues.

I am also looking for someone to drive my XC Coupe from Pebco Automotives to West Oz Rod and Custom in the next few days. Everyone I know (and that’s not many) are on holidays or have to work. Bummer!!

Cheers
John