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Tank Slapper

Tank Slapper

Auto Off Topic Apr 17, 2026 55 min
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About this episode

A wide-ranging Auto Off Topic chat starts with movie talk (the new Mario film in IMAX) and Hot Wheels/model-kit tangents, then dives deep into project-car chaos and wins. The hosts celebrate major progress on an ’84 Starion: after fuel-line/filter fitment issues, injector-seal blowouts, and a tank leak that turned into a full-on garage spill, the car finally fires and drives under its own power. The other host updates Volvo wiring/brake-light troubleshooting and upcoming rally plans, plus a quick NASCAR and Copper State 1000 event recap.

Cars: Ford Bronco
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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Ford Bronco

"...ut stay on the bar don't go off the bar with your Bronco 1980 Volvo horns what's right man's coolant he's..."

The Ford Bronco is a type of SUV made to handle dirt roads and rough terrain. People bring it up because it’s known for being tough and capable when you’re not just driving on regular streets. The podcast also mentions an older Bronco generation.

Term

coolant

"[38.5s] 1980 Volvo horns what's right man's coolant he's like oh I thought I'd be small it's for a [45.2s] small car..."

Coolant is the liquid that keeps the engine from getting too hot. If it’s low or the wrong type, the car can overheat.

Term

automatic transmission

"...it's for a [45.2s] small car and oh yeah but it's still an automatic transmission they're never gonna be light it's definitely gonna have to crash..."

An automatic transmission is the gearbox that changes gears by itself. You don’t have to shift manually, but it still affects how the car drives.

Brand

iMax

"...and the i max theater is a really good place to watch it anyway so"

IMAX is a special kind of movie theater with a bigger, clearer screen. People often pick it when they want the movie to feel more “bigger” and immersive.

Brand

Peacock

"...it’s on peacock streaming if you’ve got that okay I do yeah it’s definitely"

Peacock is a streaming app you can use to watch movies at home. They’re saying the Mario movie is available there.

Brand

Hot Wheels

"...all the car like uh there is like a hot wheels of the plumber van..."

Hot Wheels makes small toy cars. In this conversation, they’re talking about Hot Wheels releasing a toy version of a vehicle from the movie.

Company

Revell

"the pizza delivery Volkswagen are all available from Revell in kit form so that's the same company that owns auto world"

Revell makes model car kits. They’re talking about which kits you can buy.

Term

moves under its own power

"what we're talking of course about the 84 starion it moves under its own power for the first time in who knows how long"

“Moves under its own power” means the car can propel itself using its engine and drivetrain, not being pushed or towed. In a project-car context, it’s a major step because it confirms the powertrain is functioning well enough to roll.

Term

brakes work

"the car drove last night I didn't drive far ... but what that did prove was that the brakes work the clutch works"

Confirming “the brakes work” is a basic but critical safety check during a revival. Even if the car starts, brake function must be verified before any real driving.

Term

clutch works

"but what that did prove was that the brakes work the clutch works and then transmission works"

They’re checking that the clutch is doing its job. If it doesn’t, the car can’t shift or drive properly.

Term

transmission works

"the brakes work the clutch works and then transmission works at least first and reverse"

Saying “the transmission works” means the gearbox engages gears and transfers power to the wheels. In this context, the speaker later specifies first and reverse, which are key for confirming basic drivetrain operation.

Term

brake lights

"also proved that all of the reverse lights and the brake lights work"

“Brake lights” are the rear lamps that illuminate when you press the brake pedal. Confirming they work ensures other drivers can see when you’re slowing down.

Term

reverse lights

"also proved that all of the reverse lights and the brake lights work"

They checked the lights that come on when you put the car in reverse. It’s a safety thing and also confirms the reverse gear is working.

Term

pinhole

"...missed a pinhole because it was like the smallest amount of fuel dripping out it wasn't even dripping it was just cooling on the bottom in one spot..."

A pinhole is a tiny hole. It can still leak fuel even if it looks like “nothing,” and that can be risky.

Company

Harbor Freight

"we had five brand new harbor freight buckets that we had bought to get to transport rocks home like this weekend"

Harbor Freight sells cheap tools and shop items. Here, the point is that the “right” new buckets would likely have handled the fuel better than an old one.

Term

absorbent socks

"...then I remember we have these do you remember the big absorbent socks that we had at our high school if when it rained out because our ceiling leaked everywhere..."

Absorbent socks are like long tubes you place around a leak. They soak up the liquid so it doesn’t spread and cause more mess or danger.

Term

fuel spill

"...Naomi had come home from work in the meantime and I had called her and told her what happened but because she's the best she went out there and she actually cleaned up all of the fuel spill so I appreciate that tremendously..."

A fuel spill means some gas leaked out and got on the ground. Gas is dangerous because it can catch fire, so it needs to be handled quickly and carefully.

Term

injector sealed kit

"I don't have my injector sealed kit in yet ... so I say you know what I'm gonna pull the injectors ... figure out what needs to be done because I remember with the other starion I had to clean the injectors and I had to build this little kit"

A seal kit is the set of rubber parts that help keep the injector tight and leak-free. If those seals are worn, you usually replace them.

Term

nine volt battery

"build this little kit with using a valve stem ... some carb clean and aerosol can and a nine volt battery to shoot the carb clean through the fuel injector as you cycle it with the nine volt battery"

They’re using a small battery to help cycle the injector while spraying cleaner through it. It’s a DIY cleaning/testing trick some people do at home.

Concept

inline fuse holder

"Luckily it was a very short wire right up in so I got an inline fuse holder and took a little bit of extension wire and made a new one..."

An inline fuse holder puts a fuse in the wire so the car can safely shut things down if there’s a short. It helps prevent wiring from overheating and catching fire.

Term

reproduction replacement washer bottle

"[2374.7s] does have a like a reproduction replacement washer bottle with because the motor the pump is in [2383.1s] like the cap it's kind of weird but like their version of it it looks like a nice part but it's [2389.8s] like 200 bucks"

That’s a replacement tank for windshield washer fluid made to look like the original. Sometimes the pump setup is built differently, so it may not match the original parts or wiring.

Term

grommets

"a lot of them seem like they're factory holes which is missing grommets and plugs"

Grommets are rubber seals that protect wires where they go through metal. They help stop the wire from rubbing through and keep water out.

Term

plug kit

"you also go to Harbor Freight and get a plug kit there's all little rubber plugs okay yeah I've used some pushpin body clips in a couple of them"

A plug kit is a set of rubber/plastic grommets or hole plugs in different sizes used to seal openings in the body or firewall. Using the right size helps prevent wire chafing and keeps the cabin sealed from water and fumes.

Term

temperature sensor

"I gotta figure out the temperature sensor I think it might be well I know it and the engine one is new"

A temperature sensor measures how hot something is (usually coolant/engine). The gauge uses that signal to show the temperature.

Term

voltage stabilizer

"there's some sort of voltage stabilizer in the gauge cluster that's a or what I call it forgetting what it's called but it's it heats up and then closes"

A voltage stabilizer helps keep the car’s electrical voltage steady. That way the gauges don’t act weird when the battery/charging voltage changes.

Term

thermo switch

"sort of like a thermo switch thermostatic maybe is the word okay where it catches the right amount of voltage it sort of like opens and closes it somehow stabilizes the voltage going to the fuel"

A “thermo switch” is a temperature-activated switch that changes state when heated. In gauge clusters, similar thermal switching can be used to control how voltage is delivered to instruments, helping stabilize readings.

Term

cowl panel

"... squirt through the vents in the cowl panel right ..."

The cowl panel is the part at the bottom of the windshield area. It’s where wipers and sometimes washer plumbing are routed.

Concept

NASCAR

"[2942.4s] yep all right anything else uh real quick nascar update there was a race it wasn't it was a race ended it ended with a winner um first time you remember who won"

NASCAR is a type of racing in the U.S. where teams race stock-car-style cars on oval tracks. The rules control what the cars can be like so competition stays close.

Concept

die cast

"[2973.4s] ...they'll never be his first win die cast this won't exist because he had a monster energy sponsorship and they won't authorize die casts of those"

A die-cast is a small, detailed model car made from metal, often produced with official branding and sponsorships. The discussion highlights how sponsorship deals (like Monster Energy vs. Red Bull) can affect whether certain branded die-cast models get authorized for sale.

Brand

Monster Energy

"[2980.0s] ...because he had a monster energy sponsorship and they won't authorize die casts of those"

Monster Energy is a major NASCAR sponsor, and the conversation is about how its branding rights can limit the production of certain die-cast collectibles. The host contrasts Monster’s approach with Red Bull’s, implying sponsorship authorization differences rather than a universal “law.”

Brand

Red Bull

"[2991.5s] like because you have a yeah a red bull car they do it if I was a professional driver like that"

Red Bull is another major motorsports sponsor, and the hosts compare its licensing behavior to Monster Energy. The point is that some brands allow die-cast collectibles with their branding while others don’t, based on their own agreements.

Term

tires

"[3147.6s] there again almost ready to win another race I think if he had slightly newer tires he may have [3154.8s] done it I think he just ran out of tire by the end there"

Tires are what actually grip the road, and they wear out during a race. If the tires get too worn, the car can’t turn or accelerate as well.

Concept

Copper State 1000

"[3178.5s] copper state 1000 like high-end rally door they do a big send-off for it with a not so fancy car [3187.2s] show attached to it"

The Copper State 1000 is a rally event that brings together interesting cars and drivers. The speaker is talking about the kickoff event that gets people excited before the rally.

Concept

quarter panels

"now the handy plate on the Turbo 2 is hips because of the quarter panels so you got the matching vanity plate for the Clio v6"

Quarter panels are the body panels around the rear wheel area. When they’re flared or wider, the car can look more muscular and can fit bigger tires.

Brand

Renault Sport

"with like a gray and blue two-tone kind of interior with the Renault Sport embossed into the seats just super rad car"

Renault Sport is Renault’s performance brand. When you see it embossed on the seats, it’s basically a badge saying this car is part of the sportier, enthusiast side of Renault.

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