How much do you do??

[Tripleblack51]

I enjoy reading all the posts here about you guys working on your vettes.
As I read them though, I realize that there are different levels of expertise and knowledge.

I am not a mechanic, but can and have done some of the "easier" things on my '67.

I have removed the carb, and taken it to be overhauled.
I have, with the help of a couple of buddies, replaced the water pump.
I have done a complete tune-up (and in the process learned how to use a timing light)
I have done my own oil and filter changes.
I have removed my seats and replaced the plastic backs.
I have replaced my thermostat,sending unit, and radiator hoses.
I have replaced all the clamps on all hoses.
I have replaced two window cranks, bulbs, air filter and tended to various small details.

I rely on a good mechanic to do the more "serious" work though.

I've enjoyed my "wrenching 101" and the satisfaction of fixing something, but I'm impressed by guys like you, 67Heaven, that can dismantle a car and put it back together...even better than it was!!

So...I ask you, how much can/do you do?

How did you learn?

I look forward to your responses.

Pedro

 

[Sams '66]

I am just about at you level........I did WAY more when I was a kid....I do enjoy doing some things......other tougher things I am just not equiped to do correctly, i.e. tools, lift, etc...

 

[warren s]

It would be easier to list what I never did!

Transmissionm, body and rear end work. All else is fair game for me.

 

[ctjackster]

possibly because I don't have a "trusted" mechanic I have never sent my car anywhere for anything, during my year of ownership That goes for anything, even if it suddenly is not running, I would like to think that I, armed with all of your advice here and on two other forums, easily can command more correct info about my car than just about any mechanic these days - but, to be honest, I have not had to take a head off or do any such serious engine rebuilding, only stuff from the intake manifold on up, engine-wise. perhaps my aversion is also due to the stuff I have found on my car from "well-meaning" mechanics from the past - some of it really f-ed up.

I do take my tires (loose, in the back of my truck) to my local guy for mounting rubber and balancing, but that's it. no tire machines in my garage.

 

[sherry_ridgeway]

Hi,
It's been years since Iv'e "wrenched" but I used to when i was younger
I would guess and say the most "major" job i did was when i owned the proper tools and rebuilt a 400 motor "67 gto" I changed the cam to a full roller and installed headers and sidepipes and a holley 7.80 dual line high rise, and put in
an acell ignition and traction "wheele bars" they used to call them ladders, I owned that car for 4 years and did a lot of body work and had it painted compitation orange with yellow flames, micky thompson's all the way around
and eventuly an electronic fuel pump and a train battery in the trunk to run it all
It was a fun car to mess with but my vette is a lot more fun and maintence free
"so far" "fingers crossed" I wish i had bought a vette a lot sooner ..back in the 70's the 68-73 were a lot cheaper than they are now, Oh well Im happy with my 77 It's just a stock L-48, and runs fine...I saw in a few other threads that i paid too much 13.500 but its in very good condition 68.000 miles from the original owner and 6.000 from me , after a year of ownership the only thing ive had to change was a fuel pump, "no biggie" , ..all in all Im very happy with my first corvette and when finances permit i may go for an older 69-71 427/4 speed, WHO KNOWS? LOLOL!!!!,
Keep the wave I do
Sherry

 

[tigernut]

Over the years I've done everything myself (paint, bodywork,drivetrain, etc).

Sure I've made a few mistakes, but that's how you learn.

The reason I got into the hobby was to have the satisfaction and fun of doing it myself. Owning and driving the car is secondary to me. Usually when I finish a project I get the urge to move on to the next one.

When I don't know how to do something I always try and find a book, read it cover to cover, then go for it.

Doug

 

[wallyknoch]

What ever it takes. No job to big or no job too small. There is just one problem, i`m just plain lazy and would rather ride my Harleys, smoke a Cohiba and have a Corona. What you can do today, you can probably do it tomorrow, if tomorrow ever comes.:L

 

[IH2LOSE]

Been working on cars since I was a child.I am now going on 41.I have always had collector cars/muscle cars.I do almost every thing myself on my collector cars except for what I feel is best done by a proffesional eather because of them doing it better then me or doing a higher quaility job then my self.


Some of the thing I will always farm out

upoulstry work as in putting on a seat cover or a convertable top.I will remove the interiour and have it re-done and then re install it.

Rebuilding a rear end or transmition,again I would remove them and have them rebuilt and I would re-install

Same would go for an entire engine rebuild.When ever I get an engine rebuilt I have it balanced and blue printed and dyno tuned by the rebuilder and I feel a quailified shop will do a better job then I could ever do
Carberators I also send out to a quaility rebuilder,they are simple to do but I insist that a car should run perfectly.And although I have done them in the past I really want the cars to run perfect and it seems a HIGH quaility rebuilder has to tool and knowledge to check all of the surfaces for proper clearences.

As for body and paint work.I always leave the paint and plastic finish work to a body shop again they are better equipt and skilled to do a perfect job.


I guess the best way to describe what I do is anything that can be unbolted and bolted back on I would do.Anthing needing machine work I would send to some one with better knowledge or skill then me.

 

[Ken]

How much do you do?

:L I can't help myself... :L It sounds like a drug question, as in "How much of this stuff do you have to do to get off?"

I'm sorry, I'll get out of here now. :L

 

[John Mcgraw]

I do everything but chrome plating. For me, there is as much fun and sense of acomplishment in doing the work as driving the car! I do body off restorations on a regular basis, and my chrome work is about the only thing that I send out. Over the years I have learned body and paint work, upholstery, mechanical work of all kinds, and gauge and instrument repair and restoration. There is almost nothing I won't try. You learn by llistening to others and by making many mistakes. The key to this is to never make the same mistake twice! LOL

Regards, John McGraw

 

[invinceablevett]

I've done nothing yet but I'm planning to do the engine coolant bypass....or maybe I won't....... .....I'll just buy a faster and more recent corvette....lol

 

[TLeBlanc]

WOW, Great Question !!

My problem is I don't trust anyone to do work on my vette. I just completed a project on my 64. I rebuilt the transmission after purchasing a video from 5speeds.com on how to rebuild a Muncie using everyday do-it-yourself tools. I sent the Trailing Arms out, but installed them myself. Did the alignment myself too.

Today, I brought my company vehicle in to have the headlight bulb replaced. The mechanic actually used a pair of visegrips on a bolt to remove it. When I asked if he had a 12point socket that fit it, he just smiled... finally went to his toolbox and found the right tool..... this is why I refuse to bring my pride and joy to a shop.

I don't know what I like best, driving the car, or working on it.

I guess it helps that I had 2 years of mechanic training, but I don't do it for a living now... its more of a stress relief now

 

[paul67]

In the absence of a lift and in the presence of a bad back my playing is restricted to light mechanical, tune-up and cosmetic work.

 

[Dave65]

I have done everything on my 65 restoration except the radio, the carb, spraying the color (acrylic urethane), the rebuild of the frame (bent front section was replaced) headlight/wiper motor and the engine machine work. I did the paint stripping, primer & sanding, buffing, transmission, rear end, engine disassemly and assembly (in process), suspension and all the other parts.

I bought the car because I wanted to take one apart and put it back together (it is my first Corvette - I bought it January, 2002). I have spent a great deal of money for the tools required to do it right. It should be on the road by July.

While it has taken about as long I thought it would it has cost about twice as much. I have had the project creep I was warned about where I am doing/replacing more than I originally planned. The only thing I would change is I should have painted it myself with lacquer (long painful story).

I am sitting here trying to figure out if I would do it again. I do not have an answer, but I will be glad when it is finished.

Dave

 

[BLACK MOON]

If you own enough of these cars and olher 'older' classics you end up learning just about everything. I've tackled everything except transmission and rearend rebuilds. Some successfully and some unsuccessfully!!

I'm currently changing driveshaft u-joints in my 69 Jag. Little did I know that the entire rear cage (differential, axles, suspension, etc.) had to be removed to slide the driveshaft out of the tunnel. 2 days work for a $8 u-joint.

My philosophy is 'try it', you usually can figure it out as you go!

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

I like fixing´em more than driving´em. We spent 5 years restoring the ´63 and there are some other projects hanging around that will take even longer. (See the S10 in other cars)

I do not like rear ends and transmissions because they are too thought/labor intensive.

I love doing valve trains and balancing for the same reason.

The thing I do best is polishing ports: there is nothing like a port so shiny that you could shave in its reflection.

Sorting out the electrics brings a smile to my face when the lights go on without a puff of smoke.

I like to mount and balance my tires because I want to keep the balance weight down to the minimum. I often remount a tire several times to get it in tune with the wheel. The Firestone SZ50´s that just went on Thunder only needed .5 grams.

Paint is beyond my comprehension, reminds me of the Porch out back.

Carburetors are fun to sort-out; the more the better!

NEVER attempt a job without the proper tools. If you do not have the tool to do the job; rent it, borrow it, steal it, but do not go after that part with a broken screwdriver and hammer!

Just more ramblings from a ¨over the hill Vetter¨ pay no attention to me if you will.

 

[bossvette]

I do most everything myself most times. There are times and things I have someone else do but that is mainly tire mounting or when I have the lift tied up and one of the drivers needs something right now.

My wife always asks "why do you always take a perfectly good car apart and modify it?"

I rebuilt my first motor at the age of 14 it was a british 4 cylinder from an Austin A-40 and have done many more since.

On the newer cars I send to the dealer until the warrenty runs out and then I start on them, just purchased the service manual for my 96 Impala SS in case it breaks it has over 100,000 miles and will be needing work eventually.
I am not very good at paint and body work, but do it anyway. I build my cars to be drivers first and formost so if the bodywork is a little off it doesn't matter they will probably get road chips anyway
If I need a tool I will usually buy it and have sprares of the most frequently used ones and I do have a well equiped shop, although not well organized:L

 

[Ken]

I just bought a new toy... er, I mean TOOL, today - an infrared temperature gun, with laser pointer.

 

[Tripleblack51]

Great reading.

I'm enjoying this guys.

Thanks for posting...


Pedro

 

[67HEAVEN]

Great reading.

I'm enjoying this guys. Thanks for posting...
Pedro

Pedro,

You've got a habit of posting interesting threads.