2 years and I just found out now!
 

So I've been driving my car for about 2 years and doing minor modifications to it. Well yesterday it surprized me again. For some reason my temp gauge never worked and now I know why - I don't have an emissions control unit!! 2 years and I finally stuck my head under my stearing wheel to find the harness connector just dangling there. :wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash:

How has your car surprized you?

:eek:

I've had my car nearly 20 years... and only yesterday did I find someone who could explain the existance, purpose, and proper installation of a part that doesn't even appear on the parts fiche.

Oh, and I probably had that part installed backwards for at least a couple years.

What part is that?

Windshild wipers.

muffler bearings?

The primary exhaust insert on the rear of the 79/80 thermal reactor. Having it in wrong (backwards, which fits just fine) means your exhaust headpipe is doomed to eventual meltdown.

Aren't they supposed to vent at each other?

Yes, but they are coaxial; the main exhaust pipe goes down the center, and it's surrounded by an additional air jacket that carries air at a lower temp, thru a ring of holes around the main channel. The cast-iron ring-shaped insert makes sure superhot exhaust from the thermal reactor (hotter than the normal exhaust, so it burns up hydrocarbons) doesn't leak into the cooling air jacket.

If it's in backwards, it lets leaking take place that eventually burns up the pipe, because things don't get properly cooled down, if I understand correctly. Apparently, that's what happened to mine.

Since the insert is normally press-fit into the thermal rector, they are seldom separated, and so there's no separate part number or instructions as to how they go in.

Oh, and on the surprise side; I used to love watching valets try to figure out the headlights.

When I was first looking at my SA, I mistakingly turned on the wipers trying to flip the headlights on! LOL I was used to the FB's switch.

One time i was rebuilding a 12a. As i was taking it apart i wondered why are these pistons all triangular like. And where the hell are the valves and timing chain. i was really confused...what a surprise, nah im just kidding. not many surprises yet and hopefully not to many to come, unless they are good like finding out i had a turbo all these years!!

When I first got mine, the oil pressure gauge wasn't working. I spent the next few days shopping online for a sender, only to find out it was just disconnected.

haha i have owned my car 2, i think almost 3 years now, and oh man, i've always wondered why the rear windshield wiper cleaner nozzle didn't work... hahaha, i thought it was hooked up into the front reservoir also, didn't realize you had to fill up the bag in the rear too :P