Stupid things I did today.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Long time ago and a galaxy far away I was trying to impress my new gf by rebuilding the motor in her Chevy van.
Pulled the heads as 2 exh valves were burned. Took them to the shop for rebuild.
Decided to clean up rest of engine while waiting. Lots of crap, old burned oil, etc all over.
Get it all cleaned up. Swabbed the cylinders with some fresh oil. Figure I can turn engine over to get all cleaned out.
Starter is right there and I am working by myself. This was before remote starter switches. A big screwdriver across the solenoid contacts and I should be good to go.
Couple of rotations and I am doing good.
Forgot to put hose on fuel line to carb.
A couple of good squirts and there is gas all over as I hit the starter.
Spark and gas.....yep!
Fireball fills inside of van compartment.
Got it out by smothering it with no real damage to van.
For me....not so lucky.
Eyebrows gone. Eyelashes fused. Front of my hair singed. And a nice sunburned look.
Got the heads back in a couple of days and finished rebuild.
Pulled the heads as 2 exh valves were burned. Took them to the shop for rebuild.
Decided to clean up rest of engine while waiting. Lots of crap, old burned oil, etc all over.
Get it all cleaned up. Swabbed the cylinders with some fresh oil. Figure I can turn engine over to get all cleaned out.
Starter is right there and I am working by myself. This was before remote starter switches. A big screwdriver across the solenoid contacts and I should be good to go.
Couple of rotations and I am doing good.
Forgot to put hose on fuel line to carb.
A couple of good squirts and there is gas all over as I hit the starter.
Spark and gas.....yep!
Fireball fills inside of van compartment.
Got it out by smothering it with no real damage to van.
For me....not so lucky.
Eyebrows gone. Eyelashes fused. Front of my hair singed. And a nice sunburned look.
Got the heads back in a couple of days and finished rebuild.
Last edited by bmans vette; May 23, 2019 at 11:24 AM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 720
Likes: 205
From: Michigan
Long time ago and a galaxy far away I was trying to impress my new gf by rebuilding the motor in her Chevy van.
Pulled the heads as 2 exh valves were burned. Took them to the shop for rebuild.
Decided to clean up rest of engine while waiting. Lots of crap, old burned oil, etc all over.
Get it all cleaned up. Swabbed the cylinders with some fresh oil. Figure I can turn engine over to get all cleaned out.
Starter is right there and I am working by myself. This was before remote starter switches. A big screwdriver across the solenoid contacts and I should be good to go.
Couple of rotations and I am doing good.
Forgot to put hose on fuel line to carb.
A couple of good squirts and there is gas all over as I hit the starter.
Spark and gas.....yep!
Fireball fills inside of van compartment.
Got it out by smothering it with no real damage to van.
For me....not so lucky.
Eyebrows gone. Eyelashes fused. Front of my hair singed. And a nice sunburned look.
Got the heads back in a couple of days and finished rebuild.
Pulled the heads as 2 exh valves were burned. Took them to the shop for rebuild.
Decided to clean up rest of engine while waiting. Lots of crap, old burned oil, etc all over.
Get it all cleaned up. Swabbed the cylinders with some fresh oil. Figure I can turn engine over to get all cleaned out.
Starter is right there and I am working by myself. This was before remote starter switches. A big screwdriver across the solenoid contacts and I should be good to go.
Couple of rotations and I am doing good.
Forgot to put hose on fuel line to carb.
A couple of good squirts and there is gas all over as I hit the starter.
Spark and gas.....yep!
Fireball fills inside of van compartment.
Got it out by smothering it with no real damage to van.
For me....not so lucky.
Eyebrows gone. Eyelashes fused. Front of my hair singed. And a nice sunburned look.
Got the heads back in a couple of days and finished rebuild.
Or did she find a new boyfriend with brows and lashes intact??
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 667
Likes: 3
From: College Station TX
Filling differential on '72 Vette - no room under there for bottle and no lube pump. So - bright idea - use a short length on tubing on lube bottle to allow a little bit of elevation. Tube slips off and into diff - couldn't fish it out. Had to pull everything back apart to split diff cover.
mike
mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 365
From: Tolland CT
Ah, just remembered another one. Living in CT, working in MT. All my bikes were back in CT so since I was spending so much time in MT I bought a brand new GSXR so that I had something to ride out there. Blue/white with white wheels. Second day that I own it there is already brake dust all over the nice, white wheels so I start with wiping them down. Get on the front wheel, clean as much as I can then grab the wheel and roll it backwards....crash. Brand new bike on the floor. It had been years since I owned a bike with a kickstand..all my race bikes are on rolling stands and that is how you move them. I managed to push the new bike right off of the kickstand.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Actually she was a hairdresser at the time so cleaned me up good.
40 yrs later and married now.
As to the if she is impressed...guess you'll have to ask her.
I'm in the doghouse right now.......
Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 720
Likes: 205
From: Michigan
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 779
From: Persona Non Grata
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
At the top of today's stupid things I did or thought I would do to my '70. I innocently thought I could simply screw my new speed-o cable onto the back of the speed-o by lying on the floor, upper body draped over the door sill and reaching up through and around the clutch, brake and steering column to the rear side of the dash.
"waiter, another serving of humble pie, please"
'shell shocked in Texas'
"waiter, another serving of humble pie, please"
'shell shocked in Texas'
"LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!"
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
okay...I'll play....no Corvette Content here.
I've been a mechanic for 53 years...just loved it since I was a kid. I'm very careful and smart about what I do....er ah, NOT THIS TIME!
VW Scirocco....Timing hole is in the transmission, so you unplug a 'cap-plug' and THEN you unscrew the 2" diameter timing plug to shine the light on the flywheel for timing.
It's a little 'dim' in the garage (and my head apparently)....I reach down to remove the plug...ENGINE RUNNING....Hmm... plug won't come out....reach down FIRMLY with my right index finger into the timing hole....DOH! the PLUG WAS NOT THERE.....ZZZZT! like a Salad-shooter the timing boss on the flywheel machined my index finger down 3/8ths"...at 1000 RPM in 1/2 second.
It grew back....but lots of blood and it was touch and go for a while.
So if you have one of my old Sciroccos...there's a finger down there somewhere! (the Scirocco will give you the finger!)
Unkahal
I've been a mechanic for 53 years...just loved it since I was a kid. I'm very careful and smart about what I do....er ah, NOT THIS TIME!
VW Scirocco....Timing hole is in the transmission, so you unplug a 'cap-plug' and THEN you unscrew the 2" diameter timing plug to shine the light on the flywheel for timing.
It's a little 'dim' in the garage (and my head apparently)....I reach down to remove the plug...ENGINE RUNNING....Hmm... plug won't come out....reach down FIRMLY with my right index finger into the timing hole....DOH! the PLUG WAS NOT THERE.....ZZZZT! like a Salad-shooter the timing boss on the flywheel machined my index finger down 3/8ths"...at 1000 RPM in 1/2 second.
It grew back....but lots of blood and it was touch and go for a while.
So if you have one of my old Sciroccos...there's a finger down there somewhere! (the Scirocco will give you the finger!)
Unkahal
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
About two months ago, I disconnected my C-Tek battery charger without opening my driver door. I have a battery disconnect switch and I turn the **** and get no interior lights. I freak out and get my
heavy duty battery charger/starter. I go to hook it up and open the door for better access....and the interior lights come on. Duh!!! Yes I am getting old!. Lou.
heavy duty battery charger/starter. I go to hook it up and open the door for better access....and the interior lights come on. Duh!!! Yes I am getting old!. Lou.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,231
Likes: 9,371
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
When I was 18 , in the Navy with a new Honda interceptor. I was rebuilding the 455 In my 69 GTO at the Air Force motorpool rental area and had some time to clean up and Armorall the bike. ArmorAll the seats, the cables and the tires. Well you know if you spray the tires and let it soak in, it lasts longer and looks real good. Its just that the over spray that soaks into the treads gets a little slick. Well when you fall over at slow speed cause the front tire suddenly has a lot of understeer, the handle bars make a nice size dent in the tank ......
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
okay...I'll play....no Corvette Content here.
I've been a mechanic for 53 years...just loved it since I was a kid. I'm very careful and smart about what I do....er ah, NOT THIS TIME!
VW Scirocco....Timing hole is in the transmission, so you unplug a 'cap-plug' and THEN you unscrew the 2" diameter timing plug to shine the light on the flywheel for timing.
It's a little 'dim' in the garage (and my head apparently)....I reach down to remove the plug...ENGINE RUNNING....Hmm... plug won't come out....reach down FIRMLY with my right index finger into the timing hole....DOH! the PLUG WAS NOT THERE.....ZZZZT! like a Salad-shooter the timing boss on the flywheel machined my index finger down 3/8ths"...at 1000 RPM in 1/2 second.
It grew back....but lots of blood and it was touch and go for a while.
So if you have one of my old Sciroccos...there's a finger down there somewhere! (the Scirocco will give you the finger!)
Unkahal
I've been a mechanic for 53 years...just loved it since I was a kid. I'm very careful and smart about what I do....er ah, NOT THIS TIME!
VW Scirocco....Timing hole is in the transmission, so you unplug a 'cap-plug' and THEN you unscrew the 2" diameter timing plug to shine the light on the flywheel for timing.
It's a little 'dim' in the garage (and my head apparently)....I reach down to remove the plug...ENGINE RUNNING....Hmm... plug won't come out....reach down FIRMLY with my right index finger into the timing hole....DOH! the PLUG WAS NOT THERE.....ZZZZT! like a Salad-shooter the timing boss on the flywheel machined my index finger down 3/8ths"...at 1000 RPM in 1/2 second.
It grew back....but lots of blood and it was touch and go for a while.
So if you have one of my old Sciroccos...there's a finger down there somewhere! (the Scirocco will give you the finger!)
Unkahal
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
When I was 18 , in the Navy with a new Honda interceptor. I was rebuilding the 455 In my 69 GTO at the Air Force motorpool rental area and had some time to clean up and Armorall the bike. ArmorAll the seats, the cables and the tires. Well you know if you spray the tires and let it soak in, it lasts longer and looks real good. Its just that the over spray that soaks into the treads gets a little slick. Well when you fall over at slow speed cause the front tire suddenly has a lot of understeer, the handle bars make a nice size dent in the tank ......
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,391
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21