Blue90

Where did you get the bulbs (auto store, hardware store)?🤔

Thanks Howard. Nice to see your smiling face again. And I'd like to repeat your words; Happy motoring and a safe Thanksgiving to all my Reatta friends.🦃 Gobble gobble.

😢

It does. We all miss the "good old days". But they're gone, just like my hairline! Gotta make the best of what we have now. Hey, could we use a digital printer to clone Reattas?😊

This is a photo Marck took at Steptoe Butte during the Reatta Rendezvous in Spokane. Notice all reds and blues! A driftwood joined us for lunch.

Maui Blue '90 convertible by Paul & Lori Gomberg of Montgomery, Texas

One of the discussions at the Reatta get-together in Spokane was about shock absorbers. The debacle between Marck and Monroe made us realize; the fronts are next. Before I left for the meet I ordered a pair of rear struts from Mark (ECRP) and two strut mounts from Rock Auto (when they were on sale). When I got home I ordered a pair of front Monroe shocks and mounts from Carports.com (only $15 for shipping). Since I'm doing all this it seems reasonable to assume I should also replace the front shock/strut bearings and strut rod bushings as well as the rear shock mount insulators. I replaced the shocks/struts 75 K miles and 20 years ago. Any thoughts? S.🤔

I just returned from Spokane and the 50th Annual National BCA Meet. I must say a good time was had by all. There was a great turnout; eight Reattas for the Reatta Rendevous; four reds, three blues and one driftwood; two '88's, an '89, two '91's and '90's. Temps in the high 90's F. Here's a red/grey driven by Larry May from Tacoma.

With all the turmoil re rear struts (I did order a pair from Marck) I thought I'd look into getting front ones also. I didn't want to buy Monroe 'cause I'm pissed at the way they treated Marck, so I checked out AC Delco/GM. First I checked my FLAPS: O'Reilly's only carried Monroe at $136.99 apiece; NAPA sells Monroe but not in stock ($150. apiece plus freight); Auto Zone doesn't even bother. So then I checked the internet: Most sites carried Monroe from $160-$250 a pair and from free shipping to over $100. The AC Delco/GM front shocks were priced about $65-$70, however shipping charges ranged from $60, to no shipping available due to hazardous materials, to (and Padgett (God rest his soul) would've loved this) GM Parts Direct wanted $127 for a pair plus $140 shipping! After making some phone calls I ordered a pair of AC Delco front shocks from GMPartsOutlet for $128 plus $108 shipping. Today I get an email telling me GM has discontinued this product and they're deducting my credit card charges. Any thoughts? I know there are cheap brands out there (FCS, BAP) but I don't want to buy a $5 part for a $10 car (MB).

That's great news Marck. As Daniel said, someone must know a manufacturer to do these struts. I hope these will be affordable.

The number of available Reattas in junk yards is also diminishing. I keep track of half a dozen yards in my area, and I haven't seen a Reatta for more than 2 years. There is a site cars.trovit.com that lists over a hundred Reattas for sale. What's a guy to do if he can't go junking?😒

Had it towed to another shop who did a splice repair on the fuel line. The culprit? Apparently mice! The mechanic showed me where they were living under the car and in the engine compartment. I vacuumed out all the leaves, grass, seeds and mouse feces. I was told to use something aromatic to keep them away. Branches from the rosemary bush and bags of cat poo; can't miss combo.

Thanks Jim, I got your emails. I think I'll try to replace the plastic hose with a high pressure fuel line. I'll let you know how it goes. S.

Thanks, I have not looked under the car to see how it was knicked. I'm pretty sure it is the fuel pressure line. I agree, unusual. I thought replacing or upgrading with new would be better than used, but I'll give Jim a buzz.

A couple of weeks ago I developed a fuel leak between the gas tank and the fuel filter. Too cold to do the work myself I took Blue to my mechanic. He said he found a "knick" in the line and patched it. A few days later another "knick" in the fuel line, also patched, no charge. What are the odds, huh, for a third fuel leak? Mechanic suggests I replace the whole fuel line. I'm all with that, except the office person tells me their distributor doesn't carry the part. Not the first time I've heard that.😒 So I go online to check out parts companies; Rock Auto, Gates, Mr Gasket, JEGS (who sent me the wrong part which I had to return), Summit Racing, Amazon, and more. Not one had an exact replacement fuel line for the Reatta.🤨 I know the fuel line is nylon, 5/16" inside diameter, 3/8" outside diameter. I do not know the length or if it's molded. I've had two thoughts: 1) Get some nylon fuel line in bulk, along with two quick connectors. 2) Replace front and rear fuel lines with braided stainless steel. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I have changed my Forum name from Retired w/Reatta to Blue90. I've been retired for almost twenty years now so "retired" doesn't shape my life, but I still have the Blue90, recently turned 238,000 miles. Runs and drives wonderfully, except of course for the fuel leaks!🙁