How to Replace Front Brake Pads

Start by raising and supporting the vehicle with jack stands and remove the two front wheels. Then remove the two bolts out of the brake caliber.  Pull the caliber away from the rotor, use a metal hanger or bungee to hold the caliber up without stressing the brake hose.  Remove the two brake pads by pulling them out.  Some vehicles may have a metal bracket that holds pads which is also held on by two bolts, these usually are larger than the caliber bolts.  Remove the two bolts and pull the bracket away from the rotor, slide the rotor off of the hub.  Slide the new rotor onto the hub, but be careful not to get dirt and grease on the new brake rotor or brake pads.  Clean the metal bracket that holds the brake pads with a wire brush if necessary and lubricate with a silicone based grease.  Set the new pads in the metal bracket, and slide the metal bracket back into place.  Put the two bolts back in and tighten them, and take the brake caliber off of the hanger or bungee.  Get a large C clamp or large pliers and push the piston back into the caliber.  Slide the caliber back into place over the brake pads.  Insert two caliber bolts and tighten the two bolts.  Make sure that there is no grease or dirt on the brake rotor, if there is spray with brake cleaner.  Put wheel and tire back on making sure to torque the lug nuts to specification.  Do the same procedure for the other side of the vehicle.  Make sure to pump brake pedal until it feels firm before trying to drive.

How to Change Engine Oil

 

You are first going to need to purchase the correct oil and filter for your vehicle.  Not all small block Chevy's take the same amount of oil, some even take different filters.  Once you get the correct supplies for your vehicle you may now begin the oil changing process.  Begin by engaging the parking brake, then properly jacking the vehicle using jack stands.  Then crawl underneath the vehicle and loosen the drain plug on the oil pan with a drain bucket underneath.  On a small block Chevy the drain plug is usually a 15mm bolt.  Pull the drain plug out and let the oil drain into the bucket below.  When oil is completely drained, thread the drain plug back into the oil pan and tighten.  Next, take off oil filter letting excess oil drain out of engine.  Be sure that the rubber gasket comes off of the engine with the oil filter.  Then get the new oil filter and lubricate the rubber gasket by rubbing oil on it.  Then thread the oil filter on the engine to a quarter turn past tight.  Clean off any excess oil under the vehicle.  Next, take the vehicle off of the jack stands and set it back on the ground.  Lift the hood of the vehicle and remove the engine oil cap from the valve cover.  Fill the engine with the correct amount of oil.  Then start the vehicle and allow it to idle for about 15 seconds and then shut it off.  Check the oil by pulling the engine oil dipstick out and check to make sure the oil level is correct.  Top off the oil if necessary.

How to Change Spark Plugs

First thing you need to do if you plan on changing the spark plugs in your small block Chevy is to open the hood of the vehicle.  Most vehicles have a hood release inside the vehicle, under the dash board, on the drivers side.  Then open the hood and get a 3/8 drive, 5/8 inch size socket, a 3/8 inch ratchet and an assortment of extensions.  For example 1 inch, 3 inch, and 6 inch extension would be a good choice for the job. (you can always put the 3 and 6 inch together if you need a 9 inch) Next you will have to pull the wire off the spark plug, start by twisting the boot of the wire to break free any corrosion, apply steady pressure and pull the boot off of the plug.  Then take your 5/8 inch socket and put it on the spark plug, it should fit snug around the hex of the plug, then put the ratchet on the socket (use extensions if necessary).  Twist counter clock wise to loosen the spark plug, and unthread spark plug all the way out of the head.  Once the old spark plug is completely out, get a new spark plug, check the new spark plugs gap to make sure it is correct.  This specification may be found underneath the hood, for a small block Chevy it is usually about .044 inch.  Thread in the new spark plug clockwise until the spark plug is tight.  It is the same procedure for all 8 plugs.