Technical Test/drive old cars/people problems...?

Build it,they will come.
Then bitch about it

 

Appreciate all the replies, and agree! I'm not complaining really. It's just that driving along I'll hear something odd, so I pull over.
I get ready to get out, and someone blocks the door. So now I have two issues...the noise and them[emoji3].
It's like truck64 said, when you really need help, no one is around...but if I'm trying to focus on a problem I can fix in 5 minutes, that's when everyone shows up.
I realize I live in a great area, I'll just continue to smile, say everything is ok.
Either that or ask them to bring me a big hammer, fire extinguisher and beer.

 

maybe in your eyes - maybe since you look old to them you may need help

maybe this peeks curiosity - maybe since it looks old to them it needs help

 

Sometimes reading you guys' bitch and moan threads makes me feel better about myself.


Thank you for making me feel better about myself today.

 

I'm a hot rodder. If I see someone on the side of the road I'm gonna stop and see if they need assistance.

 

Had a young family have a blow out on a pickup in front of the house and I had them pull down in my driveway to repair the tire. Someone must have called the state patrol when they were stalled up on the side of the road because one came out and was amendment that they let him call a wrecker service for them. I said No that wasn't necessary as they had permission to have the truck in my driveway as long as necessary and I had the tools they needed to change the tire. They finally called a tire truck but I still thing the patrolman was afraid he wasn't going to get his kickback from the towing company.

I've been broke down on the side of the road with my 48 and no cell phone and had someone stop and ask if they could help and ended up having them call my buddy on their cell to come and tow me home.

 

A piss & moan thread about people being courteous, civil, and offering help?
Yagottabeshittin' me...

 

If any of you see my car sitting on the side of the road, please stop! I probably need some kind of help, or someone I'm traveling with needs some help.

If I hear a strange noise, I'm probably not going to stop along the road, its going to be a driveway, or parking lot someplace close. I've done repairs on the side of the road before, its not a safe place to do things these days. Gene

 

I’ve been fortunate to have others go way out of their way to help me when broken down, certainly not going to complain. I have stopped and helped others as well. I have no problem with people stopping even when I don’t need help, easy to say “thanks for stopping, but I’m ok”.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

My wife and 2 teenage girls were broke down on the highway at night in January about 4 years ago. It was -30 degrees Celsius and nobody stopped to see if they needed help or heat. I ask what is wrong with people?

I've stopped and changed tires for people and have pulled them out of snowbanks etc. And sometimes don't get a "thankyou". I think thats rude too.

 

Too many cell phones. Folks will call the authorities for just about anything. If they see someone walking along the road they will call and the dispatch will send someone out. Unless I actually know someone I don't stop. Too many bad folks makes dealing with strangers dangerous, and some I do know I wouldn't stop because I know them. Ive got police scanners and hear the folks sometimes call in when in doing something like dragging something home on my beat up 66 GMC and trailer. They call because I going too slow or a brake light aint working ect. They called when I was moving the bus pictured. We had barley got pulled off the highway when the trooper came driving by about 2 MPH. One thing is a great number of people manage to on purpose break down in front of my place. And they expect and sometimes demand that I take a look at their vehicle. I never open my gate. I simply tell them I don't know anything about new vehicles and wouldn't know what im looking at. Which is the truth most times. Because of high tension lines and in a valley most cell phones will not work right at my corner you gotta get a 1/4 mile away. So I go get my remote for my hard line and tell them to call a rollback or something. You would be suprized how many start up the broke down vehicle and drive away!

 

I have stopped with out tools and helped on quite a few occasions. Changed a tire for an older couple, removed a rusted drop down spare from under a pick up, went and got gas for an old guy who's gauge was broken and helped push a few out of traffic. Cell phones have just about eliminated the need for emotional support but I believe that most times some thing can be done to help.
I should of read all the posts first, I see others have posted similar stories. "DITTO"

 

One day I was going to get a load of firewood in my 66 GMC. and there was this truck that was this COSMOS company that inspects power poles. he had pulled over on a step shoulder and was apparently stuck, one ton truck and I knew My empty 1/2 ton wouldn't pull him out. So I went by thinking some 4 wheel drive would help him. I went and got my wood and when I came back by he was stuck worse. He had got farther down and had the passenger rear corner of the bed against a fence. and damaged the fence. So I stopped in the road and got out. Walked down to look at how deep he was buried. Here I was Driving a beat up truck great big beard. wearing a 44 horse pistol. A rifle & shotgun in the gun rack in the back glass. He musta have seen Deliverance too many times. Acted afraid & Started apoligising about the fence. I didnt say nothing I just went and got a long chain from my truck and hooked it to his truck.He was Yankee from up north & doubtful that I could pull him out. From the chain to my truck I attached a big heavy nylon rope that came from the river barges. And I stayed on the pavement and drove off in low gear. stretched the rope pretty thin and stopped and held my brakes. And sure enough I pulled him out. Boy was he ever thankfull even tried to pay me. A day or two later some guys came by to dig around the power poles at my place. They told me their boss got stuck and was telling the story at the café about the Hillbilly with the raggedy truck who helped him. They said before he finished the story the regular patrons there told him yea we know that guy!

 

............Sounds like he was a bit of an ungrateful and condescending twit. You could still send him a tow bill or ask for a $200 break on your next electric bill!

 

Once a older couple drove up running on a flat. and where messing about changing the tire. I just ignored them. Finally the woman asked for help. It was a 90,s truck and they couldn't get the spare down. It was one of those cable lift rigs that you crank up or down with the screw jack handles. I know how they work and this one was stripped out wouldn't budge. I was a bit irritated that they drove on a flat to stop at my place. They knew before hand that the spare wouldn't come down. So I just took my torches and cut the cable. down came the spare. and the guy got angry because I ruined his cable. He stated you where supposed to fix it. So I went back inside. Turned out the spare wasn't any good had a big hole in it. they had ruined the other tire driving on it. So the woman has to come and knock on the door. And Tells Debbie about their plight. So I go get a used tire and mount it on their rim. Roll it out there and state that will be twenty dollars. They state they don't have any money do I take credit cards? I say hell no & start rolling the tire back towards the shop. Intending to remove it from the rim. Suddenly they find a $20 bill. And not a thank you or nuthin. The very next day I built a fence around the front and locked the gate. Did not even put a gate at the driveway over at the shop.

 

He wasn't any part of our local power coop. They are all good folks. He was working for a contractor who inspects the power poles.

 

Look 95% of people that drive by you when you are broke down can't help you, that's what cell phones and AAA are for, they bring gas, change tires, tow you home if you can't fix it on the side of the road ect. and I hope your wife and family have roadside assistance of some kind, if not get it for them for Christmas.
don't know if anybody else has noticed this that when you break down in the middle of the road and car needs to be pushed over to the side of the road that the guys driving pickup trucks are the ones willing to help you push it to the side of the road.

 

Yeah??? Wait till it happens to you!!!!!.

 

After sixteen years of living amongst "those rude Californians," I bought an '86 F350 dually crew cab, rented a U-Haul car trailer for my O.T. Barracuda and hit the road for new pastures.

The 2,200 mile trip along I-10 to south Louisiana was uneventful except for every gas stop. (Apparently ladies on solo cross country trips pulling an old hot rod were rare occurrences or something.) I'd fill the two tanks and do a walk-around inspection of the rig and trailer just to be sure all was well.

Crossing into Louisiana, the roads went from Texas' smooth pavement to shit ... it was so bumpy I thought I'd given myself a black eye.

When I pulled over at a big station in Baton Rouge to refuel, I was alarmed to see the passenger front tire on my Cuda was sideways! A quick inspection revealed the issue so I grabbed my yet-unused tool box, stretched out under the trailer, straightened the wheel and started putting it back together. All the hardware was right there in the trailer's tire well so I was lucky. Just as I tightened up the castle nut ...

"Miss, do you need some help?"

I looked up in the direction of the voice and saw I had a crowd! Seven gentlemen had walked over from the gas pumps (one with his own tool box in hand!) and all were eager to help me. It was a wonderful introduction to the friendliness of the south and a huge change from the westerners I'd come to know who'd rather ignore than assist someone.

Or maybe they just wanted to look up my shorts?

 

Please don't misunderstand my original post. Like a few others here (knock on wood) I've always made it home...a few times actually drifting up to the end of my driveway.
It's ironic how I test drive on back roads, places with hardly any traffic, if I sense something odd I pull over in a safe area. If you've had a car 40+ years you've turned every bolt on it at least once[emoji3]. So you know what's going on before opening the hood. I go to get out and people pull up, I can't get out and I'm trying to focus on troubleshooting whatever it is.
I'm very appreciative and grateful...but distracted.
Murphy's law and my luck if I really needed help no one would stop (or if they did it wouldn't be who I'd want it to be[emoji3]).
So that was my point, there's no better troubleshooting a car than a test run on a back road.

 

I always stop to help if I can. Some years ago I went to the grocery store and it was dark and cold and coming up on Christmas. There was a younger man there with an older pickup with the hood up looking forlorn. He was a house painter and was on his way home from a job when his top rad hose split. I went and looked and told him I would be right back. Came home and found a flex type, hoseclamps and water and got him going on his way-no big deal. He could not believe that someone would help him like this--wanted to pay me etc, Told him thx but no thx-he was very grateful, I just told him to do the same if he had the opportunity.

 

Most of the neighbors, shall we say, “dislike” me. Until bad weather comes. Then they can “forgive” the “old eyesore” trucks, especially the 4wd purpose built to move downed trees. Or go through flooded low spots. They sure seem to appreciate that I can drive on snowy, ice coated roads... and pull them out.

But if I need a hand with ANYTHING, they are nowhere to be found. Or out back somewhere poaching. And get madder than a baptised cat when I catch them at it.

Whatever...

 

We were on our way home from a shop in the middle of the state and the alternator stopped charging and the car rolled to a stop on the side of the road, as far as I could see nothing but trees and the route I took was off the beaten path.

I had about another 40 miles to go before I was home, Know I needed to remove the battery I crawled under the car and tried to drop the battery but the car needed to be raised about 8" to get the tray out.

I didn't have any tools with me nor did I have a jack but after about 20 minutes a beat up mid 70's rust bucket chevy truck pulled in behind us, he was covered with grease and oil from head to toe and ask did I need any help?

I said, "If you have a jack and a jack stand it would be nice" he replied, "I just finished changing a engine in my dad's car and I have everything you need in the truck."

I told him my problem and he said I'll get the tools and with the floor jack and the tools I had the battery out in a hurry, he offered to take me to the nearest town to get another battery and bring be back, it was about this time another hot rod went by and stopped and backed up, it was my pal Will who was at the show but didn't leave when we did.

I explained what had happened and he said he would take me to the next town and bring me back, the good young guy in the truck said he was going to go on and reached in the back of his truck and gave me some boards to put under the front wheel to give me enough room to get the battery box back in place and a old 1/2 inch wrench.

I offered to repay him and he didn't want anything, I made him take 20 dollars for his help.

Long story short I bought a new battery and drove the last 6 miles in the dark because I turned of the light trying to save the battery, I made it to the street I live on and coasted to my front yard.

I have been fortunate to have help when I need it, and I always pay it forward. HRP

 

It depends on about three things if I stop with anybody, how pretty is she, how old is the vehicle, or do I know them? Have helped some elderly folks that I didn't know change tires or offered to call somebody for them, but most folks I don't fool with, too dangerous anymore. Buddy stopped to help a middle aged woman who had her hood up, while he had his head under the hood, her man knocked him in the head and took his wallet, leaving him laying on the side of the road. He won't stop for anybody now.

Beside my house is a circle driveway in front of an old store building owned by my pa in law. I usually park my semi truck and trailer there, but that driveway I swear is a magnet for every vehicle that is fixing to quit. I've had all kinds stop in it, some I've helped, some I've called the law to come get.

On the road, it's always been hit or miss when I'm broke down. Most whizz on by, some stop and offer to help. Seldom have any of them been any help, but I was glad they stopped anyway.

 

Don't mine if they ask or stop to help. If I see a motorcycle or old car on the side of the road I am going to try and help. It really gets me going when they blow the horn and try to hit me or give me the one finger wave,

 

Sounds like this must be a regular occurrence to reach this level of annoyance. So, maybe you need to make a sign that says "NO HELP NEEDED. THANKS" and keep it with you to put out when you stop. Just saying.

 

Thinking about it more, I'm sure it has to do with personally types. My wife and I are similar in that neither of us want to be bothered when focused in troubleshooting something. We both completed automotive at a local college years ago. She's built a few motors, loves to build and modify carburetors.
When you get a block, crank, rods, etc. back from a machine shop and you're in the middle of assembly, the last thing you need is "help"...some people are great to work with, others are screw ups.
Checking a car on the road, especially after years you intuitively know what's going on, how to fix it, etc., I think most people don't understand what I'm doing and don't understand when I refuse help.
I've helped lots of people over the years, and I always refused money.

 

We think alike![emoji3] So funny you say that...I was just thinking the same thing. "Everything is fine, thank you. I don't need help unless you see lots of blood or smoke"

 

A friend of mine has a 50 chevy car hauler, he uses it for his Studebaker race car . He stopped one night after the races and when he went to start it the Hei module quit . No problem he took my pickup home, back in the morning with a new distributor and we proceeded to install it. Luckily I live across the street from the park because all the old coffee drinkers in town started showing up blocking the street like we needed help . It was a pain because they all ask the same questions, made the same suggestions and seemed rather upset because we fixed it so fast. Life is strange when I am the most interesting guy in town.

 

Here's a funny.
Many years ago I used to repair televisions. The best service calls were the ones who said "I know you know what you're doing...the TV is in the living room...just let me know if you need anything, I'll be upstairs".
Some people were well meaning but a nuisance. One guy was very nice but obnoxious. I politely told him I had everything I needed. The whole time I was trying to work, he was breathing down my neck, yaking non stop, getting in the way, etc. Finally out of exasperation I said "Sir...I could really use some help".
He was so excited "What can I do? What do you need!!!!!".
I said "see that recliner across the room"?
He said "yea...I see it! ...I see it!!!!!".
I said "ok...walk over to it".
He said "ok,ok...now what!!!!!?????
I said "now turn around...have a seat".
He flops down..."now what? now what!"
I said "see that lever on the left side? Flip it"!
He did...it stretched out straight. "Now what?"
I said "now wait about 15 minutes and I'll be through, then I'll hand you a bill".

He paid, although he was pouting.