Just wondering if any of you guys go through these same woes as myself. I finish the rear end and spring a leak in the original rad. So I decide to redo the entire cooling system and trans cooling lines. I fill up the trans with fresh fluid and the tail shaft housing on my aod starts ******* fluid after a fresh rebuild. While I pull the housing I decide a nice set of lake pipes are needed. Etc. etc. etc. While its incredibly disheartening its rewarding at the same time. As I ****on up one system on the car I'm plagued with another set of issues. In all honesty, I come here for motivation. I find build threads with 20+ pages, go to the last page, and go backwards reading the progress. It helps me envision the end product I'm striving towards. This is my first custom rod, with no older wisdom to bounce questions off of, and no mechanically inclined friends to lend a hand. I come here and rely on you gentleman to keep my trucking. Watch for pictures of my 55 Plymouth sporting a 302/ c4 combo hopefully soon! I've got alot of projects begging for attention Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
"I've got alot of projects begging for attention." That may be your problem. Also, what got you into hot rods?
Naw not a problem. My problem is that I'm new to customs and shoehorning everything in a car 60 years old. I've always always wanted one from my first hot wheels rod. My grandfather p***ed away years ago and left me a 71 road runner that was restored before he died. It's in the garage and only sees the road when the conditions are ideal. I've always admired his work on her and aspired to someday have a cl***ic of my own. Something about the smell of rich exhaust, rust on the garage floor, grease under my nails, American made parts (60 years old and still working), a cute girl on the bench seat with me, and having a car young and old respect. That's how I got into this project. When I stumbled on a clean starting point I ******ed it up.
To quote a really good friend and fellow Hot-rodder "If Hot rodding was easy everyone would have one" just keep thinking of the pride you will feel when you are driving something you built.
That's what I was getting at. A lot of people see the guys at shows having fun and talking about cars, going to the drive-in and hanging out, but that's all they see. They don't see the endless journey to figure out the solution to a steering or timing problem. They don't see the nights spent sleeping on the garage floor because you were too tired to crawl to bed. Or the endless list of stuff that needs to get done because the list is always growing. Not saying this is what's got the OP asking his question, but I know of a couple cars that got started and abandoned because the guy just wanted to be part of the fun and didn't know the work involved. That's why I asked, "Why?" This hobby, sport, ****, whatever you want to call it, requires p***ion. True, heart felt p***ion that's damn near an addiction. A major part of the p***ion is seeing past all the ********. Cut knuckles, lost sleep, miles driven to get a part and upon arrival, it doesn't ****ing fit, etc. Being able to see past all THAT and seeing a mental image of the job completed. The guys with p***ion can see the end. The light at the end of the tunnel is bright and never dims. If it does, they just crank up the voltage and press forward. So, yea, if this was easy, you would have seen 50 hot rods and 50 customs on your way home from work. But you didn't, so get back at it and ask some questions, when you get in a jam. There are guys on here that could finish your car in one post. IMO
To answer your question simply: yes this has happened to every single one of us. Fix your brakes and the voltage regulator takes a ****. Replace the regulator and it starts overheating. Replace the thermostat and now you have a noisy wheel bearing. It may seem like it is all happening at once, and be glad for that. Its happening in your garage, not 25 miles from home out in the boondocks with no cell service to call for a wrecker to come pick you up. Keep at it, tackle the items that come up one at a time and keep your eye on the prize. Trust me, its worth the giant smile on your face the first time you get that old girl out on the road and back home again with no issues! Keep the faith brother! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
tfeverfred, I just cracked open a beer, and I'm raising it to you right now. Sláinte! It's so easy to lose that vision- that mental image of the job completed, when you're constantly fighting the little things. I'll be coming back to this post when I'm feeling down again.
Ha, coincidentally tomorrow is my big day. Gonna get out there at 6am, fill the trans and radiator, drop it on the ground and fire it up, can't wait. It would have been today except it was my wife's birthday and I had to spend all day at the shopping mall instead. Grueling, but a man's got to do... Anyway, new trans, new rear, new suspension and brakes front and rear, new steering... My expectations are low, if I make one trip around the block without hitting anything I'll be satisfied. I filled the rear end yesterday and there's already a puddle on the ground.
tfeverfred, Light at the end of the tunnel? I hear a rumbling sound, ****! it's a freight train! blowby, I think you get it, we've all been there and we keep banging our heads against the wall. If it isn't p***ion, it's insanity. (I prefer to use the word p***ion)
I have 5 or 6 tunnels with lights at the end of each one.......some going on 15 years. I guess I'm afraid of the dark..... Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
My first project car was an unfinished '32 Ford 3 window. I just plugged along for 3 years until it was done. My maiden voyage was a cruise-in in another city. I figured the best way to test it was a moderate drive in traffic. I ended up getting a "Best in Show" trophy. After that car was done, there was no rush to finish another because I always had something to drive after that.
It would be to easy if they ran right. Mine has been towed home twice so far. My friends and family ask why I put up with it. It is all part of the fun. The greatest thing is my daughter has been with me both times and she still thinks it is a blast. Just keep at it. Like it has been said when you are out and driving around you get a feeling of wow I built this. Keep at it.
The Jalopy Journal
