Art & Inspiration Speaking Up or Minding own Business ?

When I was 13, I really thought I knew everything there was to know about everything!
" I am sure that rings a bell with a lot of us here"

There were a lot of times when I heard something as a statement, that was wrong or not correct, or I saw what I knew to be crooked or installed improperly, that I just had to open my mouth, and go out of my way to try to inform the person of the error and try to tell them the correct answer or way it should be!

It was totally frustrating for me at that young age, to even consider the fact, nobody wanted my opinion or could give a **** less about what I thought!

Then the wisdom of my father found its way into my young brain!

He said look, as you can see, nobody cares about what you think.
He said, it's going to take you a while to grasp this, but when it does, the world will be a lot more fun for you!

He said, first of all, just keep your mouth shut and look and listen.

When you see that what ever was crooked or clearly was about to break from improper installation, just stand back and let it fail or break, or say nothing when you hear an obvious wrong statement, even when you know the right answer!

The fun part is, silently to yourself, you then get to observe the part break, or get to watch an argument break out between the know it all and the person that doesn't care about what the know it all, said or did!

It did take a while for my fathers wisdom to sink in, but fortunately it did!
He was correct, the world did get to be a lot more fun for me from then on!

​

 

I’ve seen several “sketchy” things at cruise nights/car shows. Never say a word. If I see something nice, might comment on it. As a relative newb to hot rods, I typically will spend lots of time searching/researching before asking any questions, but even then will get the odd comment to search. Bought several books but found most useless for my purpose, so really rely on what I can find on here and the Barn and YT. Learned so much in such a short time and it’s really due to folks who are willing to share their knowledge, so in turn I try to do the same for others.
In my career, offered advice, and in a few cases where it was ignored, it cost the companies millions of dollars, so you can’t always win.

 

Used to do NSRA inspections. (Mad) friends and enemies ! Trans repairman got on to me about my rubber trans line splices. Since their about 30 years old I better change them.

 

Back when I had my Roadster I got to know a new guy in our area with a beautiful 32 roadster, BB Chevy and he always grumbled about it running hot, dam BB they run hot was his opinion, so I observed him trying several fixes, never found a solution and I never got involved as he knew it all. At a show we all cruised to it was sitting percolating and as I walked by I felt the hot air coming out grill shell to the front, puller fan running backwards, someone or him had wired the fan with a manual switch, I used thermostat type switch on my cars with electric fans. So.......... I casually mention to him I'm thinking the fan is wired backward, switch the 2 wires and see if this helps the problem. I was not prepared for his response, instantly pissed he told me, BS this car has been around forever, "Pro Built" I walked away thinking Wow ! that's a lesson learned in "minding my own business". At a late season show he did come up and thanked me that was the problem.

 

I have found that usually no one wants to hear what I have to say... And that's all right... A couple times I have went thru exactly what a OP is in search of a solution for- here or on other car sites. I think "Oh I can really help this guy out" - so hunt and peck for 30 minutes... Next day, on site and no one even acknowledges my entry- no "Oh Thanks" , or "That is wrong" , "Kiss my ***" ... nuthin... so I usually just shut up and read-or listen.

 

It's been decades since I've said anything to anyone about their cars or processes. I'd arranged to meet someone at a CCCA Grand Cl***ic to consult with them, authentic details in a 34 Packard as we had just finished the same model he was doing. In less than 5 min this chode begins pointing out what was wrong with MY car. At 1st I blew it off as excessive enthusiasm but then the real came out. He was going to show me what I DIDN'T know and put me in my place. "Stan, as a favor I agreed to discuss the ins and outs of restoring an 11th series Packard. This one being my 6th endeavor I'm pretty confident it's 100pts, as is my friend who owns it." He amped up, "If I had anything to do with it would never be 100pts!" His biggest hemorrhoid was the seat upholstery pattern. "Tell ya what Stan, ill bet this car against your $1000 that you're as wrong as can be, and further I find that extending a professional courtesy was something you're not qualified to receive and certainly don't deserve." "Well that's easy for you to say, it's not your car." What I didn't know was that Vince had come back and was standing nearby, I didn't see him. "Are you in? Your grand against the car." "IT'S NOT YOUR CAR!" seasoned with anger now. Vince chimes in, "No, it's my car and I'll back him 100%. What now?" he said. The mope walked away with the drama story he wanted. Of course the car judged 100pts as I expected. I remember it, but to me that encounter meant nothing. **** that guy. Never offered advice or direction since. That was in 91. Sometimes even the Hoi Poloi act like children.

 

A quick one, I was telling someone what I was doing on my 39std. Within 2min unsolicited he popped with,"Oh no, you need to do blahblah blah and yadda yadda or else you'll..." I cut him off. "Hey mother****er, I wasn't asking permission. You asked what I was doing." "Yeah but you have to..." "Yo!, shut the **** up. I'm on my second time around the block so **** off. Are we clear? Call me when you're in a better mood." and I hung up.

I have perhaps a dozen things in my project where outside influence was welcomed and it was helpful. Like writer's block, sometimes you end up in a fog where you can't "see" what you're seeing. A little humanity goes a long way.

See, I'm not always just a ****, unless it's time

 

As far as sketchy work goes, I built wooden stands to support my car and posted pictures of them on the Hamb. Got lots of comments on how dangerous they were. Never had a problem with them but figured that if there are that many guys think they are bad, maybe I should take another look at them and reinforced them with steel strapping and still got bad reviews. Still using them but if I remember I'll ask my carpenter and engineer friends about them if they visit me in the garage - if I live that long.

 

I was at the drag races years ago and noticed a fellow racer was welding on his rear end housing with the ground hooked to the axle. Well, i suggested he hook the ground to the housing. His reply was " oh thats fine where its at". I replied "ok, its your wheel bearings" and walked away.

 

People who want to learn will listen. People who are convinced they are right will not. Lot of that going around these days.

Seems like accepting advice from knowledgeable peers isn't period correct anymore.

 

Years ago, built a motor for a friend, he weekend street raced it. Car become decently known. One night a guy shows up with a car almost identical setup, we race, buddy beats him badly. A couple runs later and still beating him we leave and go up to local parking spot. The guy follows us strikes up a conversation telling us what he did motor wise, asks my buddy what he thought he should change, I pipe up and start explaining what he needed to do, about 2 minutes into it he says "ain't talking to you buddy" I shut up and walk off, my buddy goes "should have listened to him, he built my motor" and smiled. Dude tries to be my best friend then. I just walk away.

Did the same thing with a friend on a ch***is he was putting together for his buddy. Friend asks me some questions, as I start answering them his buddy walks in, couple minutes later his buddy cuts me off and asks "what makes you an expert?" At which point my friend asks him if he knows the name of the shop where I work, his buddy goes "of course, they work on a lot of race cars" my friend goes well he's worked there for 20 years. His buddy just gave me a strange look and shut up, I finished answering the questions, my friend took my advice.

Point is a lot of people judge by looks, I don't, learned a lot from people that looked liked they wouldn't know how to change a spark plug. I listen as well as I offer advice. Difference is some don't ask my experience or weigh my advice, they just ***ume. Fine with me either way...


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Even the best advice seems to have very little value. A lot of the time you can't even give it away for free.

 

Say what ??

 

I rarely go to car shows only, I don't talk much unless I really know someone and I keep my thoughts to myself unless asked (I wait for someone else to post first on here, most of the time).

 

30+ years ago, I had one of these crack down the entire length. Fortunately, I smelled the gas. My teenage daughter was delighted to "rescue Dad".

 

There’s a big difference between offering your opinion on subjective things such as style and taste. I often see things that I don’t like in other folks build but it’s not my place to weigh in on how someone spends their money on what makes them happy. After all, we are all seeking fun and satisfaction in this hobby and we all
Have a different avenue to achieve this.

on the other hand, it is our responsibility to speak up whenever it becomes an issue of safety or preventing mechanical failure etc.
I work in an industry that require direct, honest feedback in real time over the years I have learned to deliver this information in a tactful manner and often achieve better results.
I also have the humility to realize that there are folks with far more knowledge, experience and skill than my own. As long as this can be validated, I am all
Ears when someone gives advice. The HAMB is a goldmine of info and
I frequently ask for advice that some would
Find rudimentary and always receive solid information and support.

 

Very well stated!
Dan

 

I always had my cars safety checked and weighed 1X @ NSRA, shows, knowledgeable men and my 3 HAMB cars, 29 Highboy roadster, 32 3 window would not p*** the scrub line rule, never got a safety sticker, I thanked them and did not take it personal, 3 cars, 20 + years 50000 + miles, 3rd car, My mild kustom 51 Merc was on the ground, I saw it would not p*** a scrub line, no problems but I did keep an eye my front tires and suspension, the stance was a big deal for me. My Lucky Star and Gaurdian Angel watched over me.

 

The one set of comments or suggestions that irritates me is when someone asks for opinions/suggestions on improving a 265,283, 307 etc and people tell the poster “That engine is junk - not enough torque, hp etc, junk it and get a 350 or better yet a 383.” Same with colors “suggestions on yellows”. “That color is ugly etc etc”
WOW not very helpful.
Dan

 

Somebody way smarter than me said this.......
"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak."

.......I believe I've seen a version of this quote also mention using "two eyes".

 

Mr. Sharpone, They are making the old style Hemi crate 426 CI engines again @ 25K per, I've read, It would look good in that Dart. Just pulling your chain, Buddy. All the other sizes you mention are GM SBC. I've owned just about all of them, 265, 283 bored ,125 = 301, 327's, 350's bored .030 =355, 350 bored +030 w/3 3/4 stroke=383, 400 bored ,030 = 406, bored .040=408 I had 2 sets of pistons to reuse the iron blocks in my sprint cars, BBC 427 , bored ,125= 440, 454, and 348's back as a kid, they were cheap and I had fun with them in my 57 I installed the 348 w/ tricarbs and yes it was a junkyard engine. (avatar) I won many street races $10-$20 from guys telling me that 348's were junk. I'm a GM SBC diehard guy, all 3 of my HAMB cars, 29 roadster, built 355, 32 3 window, speed shop crate 355 and my 51 Merc,Jegs GM 350 long block. If you ever have any questions on your Mopar engines, a life long friend, now 60 + Years is a Mopar Guy, he can answer any questions you have and if not he knows who can, he just built a 440 for a 70 challenger he's restored, beautiful car, Have a Great Day !

 

You’ve had some cool stuff, I’ll keep you and your friend in mind.
Would love to have a Hemi any. Hemi!
I love Chevies also, actually I like them all. Had everything but a 301/302 and 327. I agree with the Hot Rod axiom when in doubt bore it out, and there is no subs***ute for Cubic inches. Just irks me when someone says an engine is no good because of size. If horse power was the ultimate goal we’d all be running blown nitro HEMIs lol
Thanks
Dan

 

I received a lot of unsolicited advice from my dad when I was younger., and from others. I eventually learned to listen and keep my mouth shut when I "knew" they were wrong, as it was less painful.
The older I get, the smarter my dad was. Since he's been gone for almost thirty years, I gotta rely on you guys for sage advice

 

There's a few small car shows in the small towns around here( in Joe Dirt Town Idaho) that Ive checked out

I used to go check out car shows in Temecula, Murrieta, Elsinore ca.etc. Seemed most people didnt even know 'sheet' about their car. If you asked them a question about their car, "they dont know" cause they wrote a check and "bought it", and didnt "Built it".

.

 

Fun thread as I was just talking to a buddy about this very thing not too long ago.
Easiest thing is to say/do nothing and avoid all chances of ******* someone off or hurting their feelings. However, that’s never been a particularily big worry for me, cause I’m an ***hole and no matter how hard you try to hurt my feelings back, you’re going to be barking up the wrong tree.

End of the day, I have two basic rule of thumbs on this topic:

a) if I see something really risky or dangerous, I’ll feel obligated to ask you about it or try to softly ‘advise’ an alternative way to do it. I’m not trying to score points or impress anyone. And I sure don’t give a rats *** if you hurt yourself. You built it and you can do whatever you want. But maybe someone else built it and you didn’t notice or know it was sketch. Bigger driver for me (pun intended) would be that if it could potentially hurt someone, like an innocent p***enger/bystander, I would feel like **** if someone got hurt when a word or two from me might have made a difference or prevented harm.

b) if you ask for my help/opinion…hang on…cause you’re going to get it. I try to be nice about it most of the time, especially if I don’t know you well. But it’s much easier to call a buddy dumb***, right? I jest…kinda.

Kinda like this thread…. You asked.
.

 

So, what is the success rate? How many take the info on board compared to how many just roll their eyes?