I could use some cheering up

[oceangal]

This is my first real car restoration and I have to tell you I am drained. The last few pieces of the puzzle are not quite fitting which means more time having to tweak things. Something about a connection to the tranny and the new tranny and there is a new part hitting the oil pan.

The tranny is in though so that encouraging.

Still can't get the stupid shifter knob off. I am about ready to hit the thing with a hammer!

I did clean and sand the whole exhaust so thats ready for painting.

My poor husband sure is working hard. I feel guilty since his job is such a physical one so its not like me who sits at a desk and can recoup.

I know the end is in sight I am just growing impatient waiting.

 

[warren s]

Sometimes it’s the journey not the destination that makes the trip; you both are a rare breed to take it on in this day of limited attention spans.

Good luck with the project, your husband is a very lucky man to have a wife who is into the Corvette craze with him

 

[Yoda]

Lori,

Projects are fun, exciting, frustrating, expensive, frustrating, expensive, and very REWARDING when complete. Getting to the end of a project is getting over the little road blocks, then remember the first 2 things, it is FUN & EXCITING and sense of accomplishement and PRIDE!

If it was easy their wouldn't be shops that will take your $$$$$$$$ and restore it for you

As for the shifter knob.... if you have one of them thar strap wrench's, very popular a few years ago, Harbor frieght sells them for under $5.00 ... give that a try ... I've used a rag wrapped around the shifter and a pipe wrench in the past, left marks on the shifter knob :crazy :W desperate people do desperate things :bash (which usually makes things worse)

Sit down and look back at ALL the things you guys have done to oceangal I bet you did just a bit more than you planned

Many folks wish they had your experience, some talk a good project but never really get their hands dirty.... YOU GIRL ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR YOUR WORK AND EFFORTS, you're rounding the final corner and that light in the tunnel is a new Sun Rise waiting for you and Oceangal to share it together... It ain't no train

Now sit down open your favorate beverage and reflect a bit at ALL YOU'VE accomplished and celebrate being near the finish line :dance

Bud

 

[TMPJoe]

yeah you should be proud of what you have done

that shift knob can bite... the strap wrench would help... probably rusted on or could be stripped too.... two strap wrenchs work good too... one on the ball and one on the shaft

 

[LT4man]

Just remember this:

Takes 10% of your time to do the first 90% of the job.

Takes 90% of your time to do the last 10% of the job.

Works every time! Welcome to the club!!!

I am sure you will make it happen!

SAVE THE

 

[hotshotzny]

this should make ya laugh


so im in napa the other day, oredering some parts, picking up some others.... talkin with the guy behind the counter..... i had been at the end of my rope with my car at that point.... tried almost everything and the damn thing just wasnt running right.... my 5 yr old is with me.... the corvette nut.... always tells everyone he has a vette... so the counter man asks him how he likes it.... he makes a face...... puts his hands on his hips says....ITS COOL LOOKING..... BUT IT RUNS LIKE SHIT STILL!

its funny your shift knob wont come off, mine keeps spinning loose, i bet whoever had it glued the sucker in place!

im trying to add a gauge between the 2 throttle bodies right now to measure my fuel pressure and for all my effort i CAN NOT get the fuel line loose.............. i really dont want to break anything in there!!hnoes

 

[XLR8]

Lori, you're very fortunate that you have the tools, time, talent, ability and help to restore Oceangal. I envy you that (in a good way). If I had those things I would be driving a Midyear by now!

Like they say, if it was easy everbody would do it.

I hope you and your husband can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors soon! Hang in there. Just a little farther, grasshopper.

Jane Ann

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Someone once told me a saying that I have since repeated to many others along the way. And so I will tell it to you.

Some people see the big picture, and fail to appreciate the many minute parts that make it so.
Some people see a small part and fail to realize its signifigance in the big picture.
It is the true craftsman who percieves the parts and their relationship, in all their infinite variation, to complete the true vision of the final product of a fine automobile, as its designers did, and then outdo them.

So when you get frustrated, remember...
Inch by inch, it's a cinch.
Mile by mile, it's a smile.

 

[mkapp7879]

Try a piece of old leather belt and a pipe wrench to get the knob off without marring it.

 

[82ColEd]

Lori,
been following all the stuff you guys have done. My Respect !

I just try to keep it on the road, replacing little things here and there (and brake stuff while i am at it). So, my hat is off to you for going there..


Just think: No turning around right now. Gotta keep the head down and in the thing until the finish line. But then you can sit back and smile at the people looking at it and commenting on what a good job the owner(s) did.

-Stefan

 

[oceangal]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement, stories and overall inspiration. I think when you are tired everything is just so much worse. Hubby worked on the car til midnight and boy did I feel guilty.

Thanks for the strap and wrench idea and I think your right that someone probably glued that thing in place. I think the tranny is all set now its the oil pan that has to come off.

My husband is not a vette fan but he does love me

 

[Vette79]

Damn, I wish my Wife was as involved as you are. Anywho, just finished my top-end rebuild and I can't even begin to explain to you how many different things I had to modify. There were some trials and tribulations which we expected with some aftermarket parts. I am now done with the build and all that's left is tuning so the so called "light at the end of the tunnel" does exist and eventually will be reached. Patience is something that took a long time to get used to with this Vette.

 

[muddywaters]

Oceangal, How about this, When you get older and the Alzhiemers kicks in, you'll forget all about it and you'll meet new friends every day..................

 

[NOLIMTS]

What's really cool, is you will actually be 'intimate' with every nut, bolt, screw, part, etc.
It becomes part of you.

 

[GerryLP]

Projects are notoriously known for inflicting a bad case of "while-I-am-at-it-I-might-as-well-do-this-next-thing"!!!!!!

I learned long time ago to pace myself on these projects. On week ends I start after my coffee (around 9:30 if Saturday OR 7:30 if Sunday), and I make it a point to not work longer than regular working hours from my real job....otherwise, it becomes UN-FUN really quick!

Hang in there Ma'am. And don't worry! You'll still have a good portion of the Summer in which to enjoy the fruits of your labor.