My father-in-law needed some help with his 85 GMC stepside pickup. The truck had been sitting for a while, and no longer started. He just replaced the battery, so that was a known good item. The pickup cranks over, but doesn’t make any attempts to run. There’s three things an engine needs to run; air, […]
Author Archives: DanBook
What is Book Autowerks?
I’ve been a car enthusiast since I could grasp a hotwheels, and have worked on cars since I was 8. As an exuberant DIYer and autodidact, I’ve developed a unique perspective on automotive maintenance. I hope to pass that passion, knowledge, and experience onto you. Cars are more than just personal transportation; they’re a confluence […]
Covering a Broken Dash
90s car problems require 90s solutions! Covering a busted dash with a dashmat is cheap and easy. Just like your mom. DanBookfounder Dan is a DIY zealot and autodidact. Real science, pseudoprofessional.
The Rad Ram
Some things are just nostalgic. I remember when Dodge came out with their 2nd gen body style in 94 it was quite polarizing. I didn’t like it at all at the time. It just didn’t “look like a truck” to immature me. Now when I see one, I can’t help but fondly remember the 90s. […]
Sellers, clean your car!
It’s superficial, but the first thing I wanted to address on the Bertone was cosmetic. I don’t want to deride the previous owner too badly, but the car was filthy. A quick tip to anyone selling a car… Give it a good cleaning! Clean cars sell better. Not only was the car dirty, but it […]
Dirty Knobs
One of the most high-touch parts of a car is the shift knob, and this one was grody! It was such a travesty that I had to do something about it in the middle of the night. I tried degreasing it, but the nastiness wasn’t coming off. I broke out the sanding discs and went […]
Blue Baby Exotic
I was casually browsing Craigslist for 80s cars with a manual transmission and RWD as I often do, but wasn’t looking to actually purchase anything. As I mindlessly scrolled through the pictures, a familiar shape in a brilliant color caught my eye. An X1/9! A Bertone even! …And it looks to be in good shape! […]
Jagoff Tank Clips
Several months passed without me having time to work on the Big Kitty. It took a failure of the Manic Milano to spur me into doing it. Turns out the fuel supply hose had come unplugged from the tank. You’d think that would be a simple fix, and in a way it was but… watch […]
A Big Cat Followed Me Home
Normally I buy sports cars from mostly Italian or German makers, with a couple Japanese exceptions, but now I have something completely different. A 1993 XJ40! This is my first ever Jag, and only the second British vehicle. A friend of mine posted it for sale on FB with an attractive price, and the pictures […]
FIAT Community Resources
Here’s a collection of links to useful information and community sites for all things FIAT. I’ll occasionally update this page, so check back as needed. If there is a resource you would like for me to include, please comment it at the bottom of the page. https://fiatclubamerica.com/ The largest and most active FIAT club […]