My Daddy had a Ford tractor he'd do that to every winter but he would do it when it stored it up for the winter and always added MMO to the gas. I remember riding beside him on the fender when I was small on that old tractor...felt like a King beside him. He still had and used the tractor at least once a week up until he pasted away 7 years ago. He wouldn't part with it so my 2 brothers and I decided we'd paint it to make it look a little better and it turned out looking brand new. We tuned it up, rebuilt the carb and that thing purred lik a kitten. Mother finally sold it to a cousin about a year ago and it still runs like a top, never has used any oil and never has failed to start. I've heard Daddy say several times that it was the MMO that made it last so long and I'm inclined to believe what he said.

 

thats funny i had that on my 88 s10. it was just a 2.8l but a great free mod. i still have a pic too.
enginemine.jpg

and im now 22 and out of college. only trick i can think of is wd40 on the snow shovel stops it from sticking and really helps your back. i've been shoveling alot lately.

 

I am 46. No real tricks up my sleeve. I enjoy working on my Dakota and taking care of it. I use this board and a few other sites to learn as much as I can about my truck and how it works and what to look for when it has a problem or doesn't run right. I like to pitch in where I can when I read about someone here with a problem I have fixed or seen in the past. I spent over 15 years installing car audio, alarms and other electronics and accessories so I will usually try to answer in those kind of posts.

My favorite Dakota trick so far has to be running a 180 degree thermostat and Autolite 3923 plugs to help boost power and eliminate ping. My truck pinged for a long time before I finally tried those two things and it worked. It hasn't pinged at all since then. On my next tune-up I won't be using 3923's though. They are made in Mexico now. Autolites are now made in either Mexico or China depending on what plug you need and I would rather buy American. I will probably use NGK next time, but still go one heat range colder on the plugs. NGK plugs are made in West Virginia and I have used them before in my truck back when I was trying to get rid of the pinging. They worked fine.

I also use MMO, I add it at every fuel fill, 4 ounces to each 10 gallons of gas I buy when I fill up. I always fill up at 1/4 tank, and that always takes about 15 gallons, so I add in my 6 ounces and fill 'er up. I carry MMO with me in my truck all the time, I measured 6 ounces into an empty Gumout Regane bottle and it is easy to add that way. It improves the piston ring seal so I get better compression, better power and a smoother idle with MMO, plus a very good side effect is I get about 1 to 1.5 more MPG with MMO in my fuel. I have used it in my oil a few times mostly as a cleaning agent. I don't see a need for that now though.

I love my truck and I like being part of the forum here. It is good that we all help each other out and another good thing is there is not near so much bashing and flaming here as there is on other sites. Anyone who has been on www.dodgedakotas.com will probably understand what I mean by that. This is a good group here though.

Jimmy

 

im 35 and i dont have any new tricks either, but have used alot of the foremetioned tricks and "free" upgrades back in my HS days. i remember my grandpa using mmo. good ole days. and thanks for all the advice given on the site, good bunch of folks on here.

 

BWD, I think the first time I was introduced to MMO I was about 16 (1966) My grandfather showed me same trick you described. I've been doing it every since. another tread was discussing the use of Trans fluid in the gas. I mentioned doing the same thing with trans fluid because MMO is not as easy to find as it used to be. I was very surprised to see it in Wal Mart the other day.

 

When I started this Old School Thread I never dreamed it would get so much responce. Thanks guys, ya'll have really stirred up some fond memories. Charlie

 

Sometimes the best way is the 'old school' way. Technology is ruining this country!!

 

Great thread. I'm 38 and been holding a wrench since I was 15. My grandfather taught me allot and I went to college to learn the mechanics trade. I had to get out of the trade for health reasons. My first car was a 79 T-Bird. I jacked up the base timing to get a better low end and it helped with the fuel mileage too. I too dumped a liter of tranny fluid in the oil every few oil changes to keep the motor clean. I loved the sound my T-Bird made with the breather on upside down when the secondaries opened up. I would keep my foot in it just to hear that sound.

 

LOL Chit Charlie we may be old but we aint dead!!

 

I'm 26.5 LOL, Rebuilt an 84 5.0HO when I was 16 to put in my truck, dad helped me stab the motor then once it was in he said 'here ya go' I put everything back together.

I grew up with him always doing his own repairs, so I guess holding that light really did teach me something :P I do remember how to fix alot from just that little Father-"WTF you doing can I have the light were I'm working!!!!" LOL!!

Good times.