Ever have to modify one small part to make it work then have to modify numerous other parts to counteract your original one small mod? That's the Rubiks effect. Case in point: Put some lovely Fenton headers on my 235 in my 47 Chevy a while back. That meant the shift arm on my three-on-the-tree had to be cut back to clear the headers. That meant the original shift linkage wouldn't work, so I had to fabricate a new one. Got the shifting working then realized the brake pedal arm was aligned with the now shorter shift arm and was knocking it out of gear when depressed. Now I have to cut approx 3/4" off the top of the brake pedal arm to clear the shifting mechanism. Once I get that done, it'll probably knock the moon out of orbit and change the entire gravitational effects on the earth. I hate the Rubiks effect.
There's an old hot rod saying: "When you make one change, you must then change four other things to make it work." Never heard it called the Rubiks effect tho...I just thot it was normal hot rod building... R-
My wife has noticed this anomaly. The first indication is when she hears all the bad launguage coming from the shop. I didn't know it had a name.
Rog, You are so correct as usual. Now post something completely off base so I can poke at you with my stick. I have experienced it many times to one extent or another.
What size stick...??? And then people wonder why manufacturers employ engineers in the designing and building of vehicles... That work P n' B...??? R- PS, Irishman...you want to see a ton of changes because of one, go here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329070&highlight=the+best+55+caddy+build
I use the analogy that building a hot rod is like playing chess. You have to think 3 or 4 steps ahead or redo it when you get there.
yea what do the designers know ever try to change the starter on a late model jelly bean car? thanks Rog you are a good friend.
Fenton headers on my 265 meant new exhaust, new longer starter leads, new longer plug wires, modified generator mount etc.
I try to run the possible scenarios and see which one is less work in the long run. Unfortunately I've also been at the point-of-no-return and its too late to take another route without a ton of added expense. Bob
Rubik invented a cube ! Unintended consequences is sociology concept. This is a mechanical phenomenon that has plagued mankind since the invention of the wheel. Take anything mechanical, stagnant or dynamic , and change ONE tiny thing with something slightly different. Go ahead and try it, only one thing. Can not be done. Swap like parts, no problems
Hell, everything I do is like that! I didn't know Rubik got credit for something that is SOP for messing with old cars.
Yes back 30 years ago building my first rod I modified a brake pedel then ran my car in to the neighbors house . he didnt laugh but I did when I hit the house I fell right out of my roadster . Needless to say I modified the whole car afterwards . Still pretty funny today
I have the same set up, just put a jog in the bracket that holds the shift rod to move toward the firewall and grind a tiny bit off the end of the bracket outside the hole that holds the rod, the move the entire bracket that hold the two rods up the shift rod, again toward the firewall, by grinding another detent (that holds the through bolt) in the shift saft that is above the column.......problem solved now here is that darn cube and the stickers I pulled off
I was just going to change the gas cap. It's 2 and half years later and I should have the body back on the frame in the next few months.
yep it started with a new pair of drapes my wife got cheap for the sun room... year and a half later; redo sun room[to match drapes] redo dining room [old color clashed and needed chair rail and lighting] kitchen wall was opened up [ so chair rail would flow] kitchen redone but first more power into the house [do to kitchen electrical needs] both bathrooms above kitchen had to be replumbed [couldn't have any leaks over new kitchen] all new drains and vents from roof to outside the basement [ went behind cabinets and too old to adapt new stuff to. 50k later those cheap drapes were some deal.
Hmmm ? Something's not right here. I got Fenton headers on my 261 in my 48 chevy and there is more than enough room with the original shifter arms and linkage. I didn't experience the Rubiks effect and never heard from any 42-48 chevy owner with original shifter having problems with Fenton headers before your post. I wonder why you had to do all that cutting.
went to fix my wipers, shorted out a wire, burnt the harness. took the dash apart to do some wire repairs. hmm, while i'm here, nos harness, firewall grommets, firewall insulation, just cut all the wires and redo all the accessories, make the radio work, new speakers, and finish installing the heater. Wait 3 weeks for all the parts to arrive, get the flue. Thats been my Rubiks expierience so far this year. Still can't drive it.
After replacing radiator on my 37Ford, which includes removing grille from under the car, later discovered punched hole in line of condenser and had to do the work all over again. Of coarse this was during major heat wave last summer and I wanted the A/C for our trip to Columbus. I made it but it damn near killed me.
90% of my customers don't understand this at all......They think all "bolt-on" parts are made of legos.....They just snap right on. Don't they?
In my line of work it's called Designing in Circles. The third time you think past "Well, perhaps x should be that side of the grid line after all?" knowing full well it didn't work the past two times, it's time to go for a walk outside.
Ahh - doing the exact same thing while expecting a different result. Walking usually doesn't help that problem.
Oh, it does. That's when you come back with the realization that you've got hold of the wrong grid line.
Now that *is* weird. My shifter arm would in no way clear the header. Trust me, I spent alot of time trying various positioning options trying to avoid having to cut anything. The only nonstandard variable I had to contend with was the linkage rod. At some point the vacuum assist was removed by a PO and a new shift rod was installed. It was easier for me to fabricate one than somehow stretching the aftermarket one. I also piggybacked my original brake pedal to a dual master, so I'm not ruling out that threw out my pedal clearance a little. But still, your shifter arm has way more clearance than mine did in stock position. Now I'm curious as to why that is???
Ahhhh....I did a quick Googling and it turns out I'm not the only one with the clearance issues. Found a few posts on other forums relating to the same problem. That's good...I'm not totally ineptly bonkers!!
The Jalopy Journal
