As some of you know, I'm older, been doing this for some time, but have to ask. Do you still get the same high as always when you accomplish a major goal? I do and it's why I keep doing the car thing, pleasure. For me, it's wiring, I've wired many cars, and just finished wiring a 29 dodge fordor, 360-727, with the Chrysler 5 pin ecu setup used in the late seventies. For me, they aren't cars till the key turns and the engine flashes, after a little horsing around and a little problem solving the engine did indeed make the appropriate noises, ******s ensued, all the lights work, neutral safety switch works, handshakes and big YES'es all around. Happy, happy. Still happen like that to you?
I too am older, and the projects these days are smaller but still rewarding. Two years ago had to change the oil pump on my O/T Corvette and replaced the motor mounts, front springs, and installed lowering blocks in my '51. By the time November came around that year, I was ready for 6 months in Florida and forgetting about it for awhile. After 6 months with no projects, I was surprised at how enthusiastic I was. I have a bunch of smaller jobs to do lately (replacing the light switch on the Corvette; removing and cleaning the trim on the '51, that sort of thing), and finish them in a day or two and and feel a great sense of accomplishment. I understand where you're coming from. I really don't know that at almost 73, I have another major project in me. I have an 8BA and all the parts to build a nice street motor for the '51, but unless something terrible happens to the good runner that's already in there, I don't think it'll get done. I am gonna start it, though.
I'm not one for setting goals, what happens, happens. I'm totally amazed that people understand how to wire a car, it is a God given gift than can't be learned. I'm happy with my projects, lots of progress with the '29 Steelback, and I think about the '30 Roadster every time I walk past it. Guess I need to get the T out on the road this year so my Grandson can have his first ride in an old car. Bob
I am as enthusiastic as ever on my old car projects, I'm currently working on a 1964 Dodge station wagon to pull the front engine dragster in my avatar, and every little or big step I'm thrilled . Last weekend I got the power rear window working, the weekend before my wife and I made door panels.I'm a professional mechanic also and that is no fun.
No wiring is very learnable ! It's not very difficult to outsmart an electron. Now, this perfect metal finishing business, well Im debating if that skill is either God given or involves the selling of souls. That last 10% is out of reach at this moment and why they made lead then plastic fillers.
Like das858 I worked as a mechanic for 45+ yrs. Near the end I couldn't stand to work on a car. The only "fun" I had was working/riding my Harley. One day we were riding past a car show & decided to stop. I got the bug all over again. Retired now I have 3 cars (38 Ford, 57 Ford & 79 Ranchero) that keeps me busy when the money is there.
As long as I get to take a break from it for a while, then I can get enthused about the next one. But it is fun to drive them when they're done, too.
I still enjoy building hot rods as much today as any time in the past. I don't work in the garage until the wee hours of the morning and get up bright eyed and bushy tailed like I did 40 years ago but the p***ion is still there. As for wiring,I fought with it at first but over the years I have gotten better at it,specially with the quality wiring kits on the market. HRP
When I put something together from pieces and then it comes to life and runs and drives, it's like witnessing a miracle. Honestly, I never get over that feeling no matter how many times I have done it. Of course, I'm still impressed by the miracle of flight, so maybe it's just me.
Like HRP said I don't put the same early morning & late nights in but I do still feel good when I complete a project. As for wiring I find it easier to do the entire job myself, first on paper that way I understand it. Rather than try and figure out what someone else's kit had in mind. It's just the way I do it.
Much depends on what needs doing. When my heap was close to drivable last year you couldn't stop me. I'd wake up at 3am thinking about, toss and turn, and be in the shop by 3:30. Now that I've driven it for a year and just doing odd stuff the sun has to be shining, birds chirping...
It's sorta like Air, here's what i mean. Air is every where, right and just like projects that are everywhere. Air is no big deal- until you're not getting any! Projects are no big deal until you're not getting Btw ***** is just like air, no big deal until you aren't getting any!
Perhaps blasphemous but I never did like to work on a car. It just had to be done to achieve the end result. I like it less today than in years past but again.......it has to be done. I still enjoy the end result.
I still enjoy building a car. Not near as fast as I once was but still plug along and help others as well with wiring,etc. Keeps me occupied and busy in retirement.
The biggest thing is finding the free time to tackle the big tasks, there's this thing called work that takes up alot of it. I find that I am not so enthused to work on daily drivers as I used to. As for wiring, I've always had a knack for that, even wired my 31 PU from scratch back in the 80's and have never had an electrical issue.
I still enjoy it but not as enthusiastically as when I was younger. I spend less time on them now than I used to. Sometimes I really get involved in a project and get a lot done but then something inevitably comes up that I have to stop and it takes a while for me to get back in the mood. Everything seems so much harder (and heavier) when you are older and slower and less coordinated.
At almost 67, I still enjoy working on my project cars. I've found the trick is to get the car at the top of your "list". This way, my enthusiasm stays constant. I always wanted a 33-34 ford coupe and I love spending time making it exactly what I want it to be.
Yes I do enjoy it just as much. Problem is money. Or should I say too much stuff. Just takes every penny to keep my home, family and lifestyle as I see fit. I wouldn't think of selling any of my vehicles. The only way I could afford another project would be to sell. Oh yea, I could buy a project and do alittle at a time. But I wouldn't be happy having an uncompleted project in the garage waiting for the next buck to begin again. Hate bodywork. Still do it. Love everything else. But at this point, I am satisfied I can still enjoy keeping the existing cars on the road and driving em.
_____________________________________ So I want to ask about the keeping up the motivation while completing a wiring job: I am building a wiring harness for a late model 'Vette tuned port fuel injection for my '48 Chevy Panel Truck. I have the wiring built, now its time to try it out and put it on the car. I don't want to tape it up yet (to weatherproof everything in the engine compartment and under the vehicle), but I have to hook it all up and try it out one circuit at a time, to try and get the thing to start after years of fabricating and diagramming and putting on plugs and getting it ready. How do you hold out until the thing finally starts and you wring every thing out? do you connect the fuses one at a time and see what smokes when you put the power to it? Do you tape the wire bundles and them put them in flex or wrap them with non-electrical tape first? Is this a two step process where you test the whole thing then take it all off then tape it up? Need a kick in the pants...Please Where's the Mo come from? Thanks!
I test each circuit individually after everything is installed. Rarely have I had to dis***emble to repair something. But that is expected on plenty of things during a build. If it works on the first try. It time to have a beer.
I still like diving into a big project. Since there are soooo many things to do, if one thing stumps you, move onto another and come back to it later. I'm having trouble dealing with the bitter cold days even though I have heaters for the garage.
When wiring, I do the engine compartment first, hook power to a 2 amp charger and test, next gauges, next the key and ignition, time to test the start circuit, if alls good, time to flash her up and see if the alternator works properly. Then on to lights, usually the light switch and related circuits, then the column, ie turn signals, brake circuit, etc. It takes time and you get better as you go, I use a 2 amp charger for test power, you'll get better and smarter each time you do it. But for me, hearing the engine run is the big push to the finish, at the beginning its exciting to start a new project, then as it starts to drag, hearing the motor run gets the blood flowing again, and the first drive is ******ic.
I am only 33 but I love working on my car, or working on a project no matter how small. I am the only real car guy in a shop of 35 guys, they're are guys with cars in the shop. They are just as happy to talk football, baseball, or about some movie that just came out. When I say "I'm going to change some thing on my car". The others don't understand that I enjoy working on my car. When the part I changed, or built is installed I feel the same way I did as a little boy on Christmas morning!
ya I still get enthused when I'm working out a problem or fabbing something. repairs and whatnot on the DD aren't much fun now, just something that's got to be done. sometimes when I'm working out a fabrication problem and find an elegant solution I feel that there's nothing I can't build!!! my job as a carpenter supplies this on occasion too, and then there are the days and problems that just kick your ****.
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