I loosened my headers to replace a blown gasket,decided to blast and paint the headers while down. Yesterday the rest of the exhaust came off for paint......... Not done yet,thinking of putting the on the shelf for another project Sanderson HTC coated headers on instead,but noticed the collectors are at a different angle and height than the others ,so that means a whole new system. I finally decided to just paint the current set-up!!!
You know how many mechanics it takes to change a lightbulb? Only one. But while the bulb is out that socket looks a little corroded, and the switch has been sticking. This wiring is getting mighty old. I never really liked thus color paint, and whoever patched this plaster did a really ****py job. Why'd we move into a ranch style in the first place? I've always liked split levels. Call that guy you know with the backhoe, lets put in a pool.
I just finished (on Sunday) installing new door gl***...both doors. Used repro window channel, one new repro gl*** channel and one original gl*** channel. The door with the original gl*** channel almost fell together. The door with the repro gl*** channel...well, let's just say I am once again reminded why I really like to use original (in this case Ford) parts if possible.
In 1981 I bought a 65 Corvette convertible. It had a fresh paint job in the factory light yellow that was an okay job but not great. It had overspray on the frame and engine compartment, so, after driving it a while I thought that I'd just yank the engine and ****** one Friday evening, detail the engine and compartment, drop the running gear back in Sunday evening and have it driving again Monday morning. Uh uh, didn't happen that way. One thing lead to another and before I knew it the engine and ****** were in one corner, body on one side of the garage and the rolling ch***is was on the other. It had sagging body bushings, bad suspension bushings etc., and I had plenty of over anxious buddies to help tear it apart. Sandblasted the frame, stripped the paint on the body and decided my aluminum headed BBC and Doug Nash 5 speed would look great where the non matching number SBC and Muncie had previously resided. If you can't tell by now, the snowball effect was definitely kicking in. New aftermarket high performance suspension package was ordered and installed, new aftermarket brakes were ordered and on and on and on. Then when I discovered I would have to mortgage the house to get a nice paint job done as I figured my meager painting abilities and facility would not hack it, the car got covered up while life went on with three kids to raise and I found out you had to feed 'em too. Well the Vette has taken up residence in my enclosed race car trailer while other projects got my attention and finished. I promised my wife I would finish it right after the 39 g***er wannabe and my 31 A coupe are done now that the kids are all married and out of the house. At least that's the plan until one of those projects start to snowball.
Just reading this thread is giving me a stomach ache. I know this "effect" all too well. You would think it would be the exception but it is "the rule."
I bought my '65 Biscayne back in '01. It had always been a California car and the second owner had repainted the car. The car had a 283 and 3 speed. At some point, the interior had been replaced with a tu-tone from a '66. I bought the car with the intentions of having just a driver. First thing I noticed, the stop lights had been hooked up wrong. Instead of stop lights, the back-up lights came on. Picked up a new wiring harness for the back half of the car. Since the car had idiots lights, I choose to add gauges, but I hate under dash gauges. I decided to place the gauges where the stock radio had been. Since I was working on the dash, I decided to pull the windshield and repaint the dash since it had chips in the paint. One day I drove the car to work and was showing the 283 to some friends and it occurred to me, a BBC would fit nice, but the 3 speed would have to go too. Enter a 500 hp 454 with dual quads (I like multi carbs) and a 4 speed. With that done, I noticed how hard it was to leave a traffic signal with 3:08 gears. Next was a 3:42 gear set and a swap to a 6 speed. With the big motor, I decided I needed better brakes and there was a sale on a disc brake conversion. The stainless trim under the doors was missing plus one of the stainless spears on top of the quarter panels was broken. I decided to remove the trim, weld the holes and repaint those areas. Once done, color sanded the old paint to blend the new paint in and buffed the whole car. Now the car was looking good, but those bumpers.....Removed the bumpers and had them rechromed. Bought new rims and tires to get the biggest tires I could under the rear end. Now the car looked restored on the outside but the interior needed help. The former owner had kids. So I installed a new interior since it to, was on sale. I finally said, enough, but,,,,,,,,I installed a new hidden stereo before I sold the car.
The Jalopy Journal
