"They" say you can't do that.

I have to disagree, but only a little. I think Discernment comes from Wisdom and Knowledge. Wisdom comes from experience. Knowledge comes from Learning.

These are the things that should allow you to rise above noncompoopery. Anything you were "told" should be vetted by these three things. Anything else is just someones opinion and may or may not have any basis in fact. Of course, that is all just my opinion and subject to change based on attainment of further Discernment, Knowledge and Wisdom.

 

In the age of prefabricated, bolt on Hot Rod Parts, You can't do that has become the Mantra. In many cases, maybe you shouldn't do it,and for myself, I have learned that lesson many times, but I have never had a "can't" do it slow me down.
Maybe I shoulda run a choke, with the heat riser passage open, on my 3 deuces when I lived in the snow, but she ran, although gettin her outa the driveway took some effort. My tunnel rammed and solid cammed 327 had amazing low end, there is a Mopar 413 in my Henry J, and it has a steering box. A 66 Chevelle with a 350, and spool can outrun a 2000 ss Camaro with a 6 speed, although skinny tires aren't so good for the corners. Lotta shouldn't do's, but no Can'ts for me yet, except the money part.

 

check outpost #23 in this thread...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=768830&page=2

 

It occurs to me there are two basic reasons to defy "conventional wisdom" ("CV") in these matters.

The First Reason is that "CV" may well be wrong and you want to find out for yourself......in my opinion that is a very good reason to proceed.

The Second Reason that occurs to me is that the individual involved has a defiant attitude in general and willingly suffers, in various ways, something that really doesn't work all that well or is not in their best interests, just to poke the peceived authority ("they") in the eye. In the latter case, it has less to do with proving or disproving a theory than with some personality issue that is served through attention, or self satisfaction, gained by their defiance.

Maybe there is a "third rail" that is some combination of the previous two....I don't know...but surely there has to be something going on when a person chooses a path or method with obvious drawbacks over a more beneficial option.

By the way, I was not without some of the second category tendencies myself, but fortunately they diminished somewhat with age.....and experience......I still subscribe to the 'First Reason' approach.

Ray

 

When a cop tells you "You can't run a 4" high windsheild on the street" He really means it! and I would dare anyone to tell him to his face that he was full of S**t because the proof is right there.

 

Man that don't count !
A few pages after that law there is another one that says getting a blow job will land you in jail too. Depends on what state your BJ happened though. Lol

 

classic case of why NOT to run a spool on the street. nothing to break? ha! no moving parts does not equal "nothing to break". you are now stressing your axles as much as a hard launch does, every time you make a turn. you are running a spool because it is cheap. have you upgraded axles to deal with the stress? i don't know many guys who will "cheap out" and buy a spool AND axles over a LS or locker. when that axle lets go, hang on. the driveline "fuse" is now guaranteed to be an item that fails spectacularly. makes for a great show at the drags, makes one look like a dumbass on the street.

i've been there and done that, a limited slip or a detroit locker isn't that expensive if hooking up is important. consider it a necessary safety item.

 

Or as H. Ford said...
Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.

 

If you "can't" do and you do at least you'll find out if you shoulda or shouldn'ta.

 

Yes! That's called experience and it leads to wisdom!

 

As far as the law, they can pick any stupid reason to mess with you. I haven't been bothered in years for anything (beside the neighbrs). Blue dots? Years ago I had a State trooper tell me that it illegal to have my car Tubbed... Mat was with me that day

If you get a prick cop you get a prick cop. I have found most of them to be very understanding of our hobby and even dig it.

 

I had a cop give me a ticket for my exhaust tips being too low

The problem here is the word "CAN'T"
Anything can be done if one spends enough time and money to do it, The question is "Should I, and what will happen if I do" and then sort out others opinions.

 

I have noticed in certain circles that "you can't do that" does not mean it physically cannot be done, but that in their mind, it is unacceptable. Like radial tires, for instance.

 

If you can do all of these impossible things on the same vehicle, you're really good.

 

I think bolt-ons is a big part of you can't do that crowd. I really think that limits a lot of people's imagination and ingenuity. That's one reason I like Hot Rods so much.

Wow, This is getting way deep now!

True, but I don't think cops dick with Hot Rods like they used too. I know my Old Man is freaked out by my truck and told me there's now way he would drive it on the street. Knock on wood I haven't been messed with.

Is it ok to get BJ's in Ohio? I don't want to break any laws!

I didn't say there's nothing to break, I just said there's less parts to break. Nah, I figured the stock 28 spline Ford axles would be fine. Seriously everything is pretty top notch. Everything in the rear end is Strange including the 35 spline axles.

I see your point but at the same time this all goes back to we're really not supposed to be beating on them on the street anyways. Those always a chance of something going wrong mechanical failures or not. So, my question is, if I'm running a Locker and it breaks and locks the rear wheels at 80 MPH am I any safer and more importantly does that make me less of a dumb ass?

My point is there is always some element of danger in driving a Hot Rod. If we were that worried about the hobby wouldn't exist.

That's a great quote.

IMO the best way to learn anything is to just do it.

Word!

John your last sentence is very true. I can't speak for all cops but I gave 3 local cops very spirited rides in my truck and they loved it.

What impossible things are you talking about? If you're talking about my list here it is.

 

Clinton didn't go to jail for that blow job blue dress fandango.


Besides you can't run straight linkage on dual carbs, which are to big anyhow, with breathers bolted to the outsides of your valve covers.

 

There are a lot of things "They" say you can't do, that you can do....on a car that light.
Mega cam, spool,slicks etc. may not work out too well for someone building a Station Wagon or COE truck!!!
Not baggin' on your truck by any means....I think it's one sweet ride!!!!

 

I think you can ask any of the Ohio guys who've seen Matts truck, or the Texas guys who saw it at the Revolution....its badass.

 

I've lots of experience. When does the wisdom part start??

 

All I can say is ; I'm 65 ,college educated , well read And had never heard the term "nincompoopery" before LOL..

dave

 

If a lot of the greats of hot rodding would have listened to the nay sayers then were would all the great stuff come from. Get out of the box and make it work. Give me five mintues I will do it or totaly destory it.

 

at first I thought Dr phil but the mabe Dr ruth ( solid mounts?) any way, step up, do your thing. awsome ride! THEY cantake a ride.

 

I heard it fromy old psychology professor,(PhD) & his favorite when explaining absurdity.
Concepts, excuses, schedules, his wife you name it.
He's written a few books and I'd bet its in one of them.
Something - ofski

 

Agreed on all counts, although I dont personally like spools on the street, but yes, you sure can run one, been there, done that, especially Cutaway Als favorite, "you cant run solid motor mounts the block will crack"(been there, done that, doing it again). I could add a few, like "you cant run a dominator on the street" (been there, done that, will be doing it again too. Actually had a guy come up and SAY this to me while I was working on a friends car in the pits, it had been DRIVEN TO THE TRACK 20 miles that morning, drove home again at the end of the day) You cant run "that converter" on the street (BTDTDIA), you cant run "that valve body"(BTDTDIA) "You cant run a cam that big, bla bla, bla"(Man, if I had a nickle for every time I've heard this from some dipshit that has just lost to something I own/have built by a f*cking train length) Or the ever popular HAMB favorite "dont run a gear steeper than 3.08, you'll frighten dogs, old women, and small children" ect, ect, ad naseaum...

 

More like usually the guys spouting "conventional wisdom" tried it, didnt have the knowledge/ability to get it to run right, and since "they" know that they "know" what they are doing, it doesnt work. Never occurs to them that they just simply dont have the mechanical/tuning chops to pull it off. Obviously, if "they" couldn't do it, it "cant" be done.
But these guys are so "smart" that it really doesnt matter if they STAND THERE and WATCH you do it, it still "cant" be done. Like the idiot at the track with the dominator example. And the HAMB is WAY overpopulated with these guys, which is why there are a LOT of guys on here that wont even bother posting on most "tech" threads...

PS: I'm 52, and have doing the "impossible" on a regular basis for 45 some odd years now.

 

WHO DAT ? sayin WHO DAT ?

 

Telling me I cant do it is like saying sic-um to a bulldog.

 

From the movie "The Wild Bunch". "They, who the hell is they".

 

"And the HAMB is WAY overpopulated with these guys, which is why there are a LOT of guys on here that wont even bother posting on most "tech" threads..."

There is some truth to that, and it works both ways. I actually posted "it cant be done" on another thread involving an early hemi. I explained the reason behind my statement. I truely believe that the OP simply had his facts backwards. BUT... At least 6 people commented "if anyone can do it, this guy can". It is physically impossible, and I will keep my mouth shut.

 

^^I remember that thread.