bryankazmer

Hopefully this is not viewed as highjacking, but I'm noticing another area of "could have ordered" but was very uncommon - premium level full size cars of the sixties-early seventies in bright red with aftermarket wheels. Cadillacs, Electras, big Chryslers and Mercs. These cars were not typically decked out like fire engines but I am seeing it commonly now. And they had resonators, not Flowmasters. Sounding like a cranky old fart, perhaps

This is not voodoo science. Methylene chloride is a carcinogen. I remember using it as a polymerization solvent 40 years ago with people well trained in chemistry and not afraid of handling chemicals and we were darned careful about avoiding exposure by using proper equipment. Would I use it as a stripper? Yes, but only with the right equipment - good ventilation and a chemical vapor mask (NOT a dust mask) with cartridges appropriate to a polar solvent.

Carbon black is still the pigment used in black paint. There are , as stated earlier, versions with brown, red, or blue casts. These are not necessarily created by adding an additional pigment.

sludge is more likely from reactions like oxidation. Breaking of molecules in shear results in lowering the viscosity ( the viscosity modifiers are big molecules).

I agree about the CVT maintaining efficient operation, and this is a good discussion on the technology. But the OP is asking about application in a transportation appliance type vehicle - check the vehicles being compared. ( Crosstrek is too sporty - not a word I would ever use to describe a Crosstrek). I don't think the transmission selection is critical here. Consider what else about the candidate vehicles you like/dislike .

the RPM is supposed to just gradually change, that's how it works. The concept is like a Reeves drive, reducing engine rpm variation. Some versions (Nissan?) have fake shift point feel programmed in, which I found really odd. CVT makes some sense with a naturally aspirated engine where the rpm can be kept nearer tom high efficiency, but I don't think they make sense with a turbo where you basically want two operating regions. I think DSG is better technology, and much as it pains me to say it perhaps better than conventional manual, but it is offered on only a few cars.

I worked down the street from Northwest Auto - they are a small, old time parts store and can certainly touch the stock before their coffee stops steaming. Had good luck with them.

Why would power assist change the braking capability? It requires less pedal pressure but does not increase the braking area, tendency to fade, etc.

There is a big difference between repairing a thermoformed vinyl skin used over foam, a TPO skin over foam, an sewn panel armrest and a hard PP panel (leather is very rarely used on a dash). What's in the Highlander? Is it soft or hard?

The short answer is not really, without causing a different type of defect, like a shiny spot. Whether it is technically a scratch or a mar (has to do with the shape of the damage) you've displaced some of the polypropylene in the plastic matrix. It's like the scuff you get on a lower door panel. There are some industrial products sold for hiding flow lines in molded plastic parts that might mask this. Do a search for injection molding supplies, I think a company called Stoner is one supplier.

Packard used this system for a while (48 -50). On those you latch the side you want to be the hinge by pulling the lever up, and unlatch the side you want to open by pushing the lever down. Is the Buick system the opposite as you describe? Packard also used the starter under the accelerator like Buick

there is a beautiful Chevy Styline for sale by a dealer in Wisconsin. Under 30k miles, claims original paint, interior - a never restored car. Asking $19,500. I'd view that as a market cap.

I'll put this bluntly good luck getting $10k for a perfect 49 Chevy sedan. where is the 30-50 k idea coming from? Your restoration approach sounds OK, but your financial figures are way off as has been pointed out

by that logic the 48-50 Senior Packards (same engines, envelope bodies) should also be in. Should the 41 Caddy Series 61 be out as a lesser version replacing LaSalle? I think it's difficult to find a hard line, but it makes for a fun debate

Holden? (RHD)

You don't necessarily need to talk to the owner, but contacting Haartz in Acton, Massachusetts and asking for tech support is a good idea. The company is still very active in supplying the automotive industry. If you know it, have ready which specific Haartz product was used.

and perhaps lose the Packard hood ornament