I just wanted to put my 2002 Civic together until I found out which parts I need to order. It took 30 minutes to install 3 studs. A mechanic told me that, instead of jamming 2 nuts together, which never sounds right, I can just use one nut, and then hold the middle of the stud with pliers and loosen the nut.
Considering the difficulty I had keeping the wrench on the nut (I didn't dig up a 13mm socket, just installing the stud with pliers seems like a better option, although it would have been easier if I had one of those nuts with a built-in washer.
I realized that Eric had reinstalled the studs before he reinstalled the head and I wouldn't have been fighting the intake manifold if I did it in that order.
It refused to move out of the way.
The next step was reinstalling the head bolts, which felt like progress!
Everyone says to keep track of your bolts, but I didn't poke holes in a box like I have before, I just lined them up on the bottom of my upside-down magnetic wrench holder, which worked until my brother moved everything.
I just felt happy to find all of my bolts!
I had my grad school interview and wanted to grab a breakfast burrito, but my brother was still trying to sleep, and Mom had a dental appointment, but as soon as I started cooking he got up.
We ran errands, I cut up some big boxes, and I took a long nap.
I was only able to sleep four hours before my interview!
I woke up at six and Mom was asleep, so I asked my brother what he wanted for dinner.
There isn't anything worse than making dinner and having a kid refuse to eat it!
He said spaghetti, but I learned that one.
One time he asked for spaghetti, but threw a tantrum.
The next night he asked for spaghetti again and we figured out that he wanted linguini with shrimp, so I had him get the noodles, he chose linguini, and I said "If you want shrimp, get it," so I made linguini with shrimp for dinner.
Mom complained that I didn't peel the shrimp, but it already took an hour, and I had already taken care of his breakfast and lunch, as well as several other things today!
I went to work on my car finally, but I couldn't find a bolt for the next step, so I asked my brother to help me.
He tends to come out and supervise.
All that I found were more oil spills. I keep leaving things to drain into my oil catch pan, but they fall over, and make more messes.
I cleaned up the messes I found, but it never seems to do much good.
Apparently my brother found the bolt, but I need to buy shop towels before I can continue, so I will do that the first thing in the morning.