Nightmare projects
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 163
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From: Madison al
St. Jude Contributor
Nightmare projects
Have you ever started out on a simple quickie project and it turn into a total nightmare? Mine was this simple little turnsignal switch change.
Anybody care to storys about their nightmare projects?? :grouphug:
Anybody care to storys about their nightmare projects?? :grouphug:
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Nightmare projects (RLaFarge)
I started on a simple IRS swap into my mustang, then got the need for 430 gears (which were my nightmare) Took the IRS apart, installed the gears, put back together and had a whine upon deceleration. I knew it was shimmed right and had fluid. Took it back apart a month later only to find metal shavings in the housing and the ring gears had pulled away from the carrier housing by 1 thread on 6 bolts. So I had to rebuild it again and put it back with the 355's it came with. Cobra IRS is a PITA! I hope the vette wont be too bad when I get it.
JB
JB
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: Nightmare projects (RLaFarge)
Yup....initial project was to replace the rear crossover brake line due to severe rust and scaling...ended up doing a frame off resto... :rolleyes:
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 654
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From: Now Frozen in Michigan
Re: Nightmare projects (RLaFarge)
Alot of us are in this boat!
I started out to do rear bearings, check the trailing arms and brakes. Ended up doing a complete rear susp/drivetrain rebuild. :smash:
Didn't turn into a total nitemare as much as it turned into a time & $$ sucker!
I started out to do rear bearings, check the trailing arms and brakes. Ended up doing a complete rear susp/drivetrain rebuild. :smash:
Didn't turn into a total nitemare as much as it turned into a time & $$ sucker!
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Nightmare projects (75Rag)
I started out to fix my tach, ended up gutting the interior, nothing left attached except the steering wheel.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Paducah KY
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St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Nightmare projects (RLaFarge)
Hey, you wanna take peek into my garage? :smash: Started out to replace the passenger side power window switch. :crazy: You can bet I'll hire someone to fix my window next time! :lolg:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Re: Nightmare projects (BSeery)
I started out to fix my tach, ended up gutting the interior, nothing left attached except the steering wheel. :withstupid:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
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From: Lake Villa IL
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St. Jude Contributor
Re: Nightmare projects (RLaFarge)
A lot of mine are like that. But the most preposterous was when I went to polish the alternator before a meet. The wire popped off the alternator, grounded itself out, and took both fusible links with it. I wasn't too familiar with the car, not like now. So it took me two days to diagnose and another week to fix. Sad.
Then there was the fuel filter change that resulted in a seven month, multi thousand dollar engine and front end rebuild. That was a hoot.
:hurray:
Then there was the fuel filter change that resulted in a seven month, multi thousand dollar engine and front end rebuild. That was a hoot.
:hurray:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: Nightmare projects (RLaFarge)
:nopity Seems like every part I remove/repair/replace I have three more to fix. But then again I try to make the fix with the best parts I can find and mods that I’ve always wanted to make.
What kills me is doing the repair loop. :rant:
1)shark repair needs a bolt, adhesive, part or tool.
2)drive to Home Depot, True Value, Checker, Pep Boys, Harbor Freight or Chevrolet.
3) browse the catalogs and order from Zip, Ecklers, Mid America, Craftsman, Summit, Jegs or GM parts direct.
4)drive to UPS, Home Depot, True Value, Checker, Pep Boys, Harbor Freight or Chevrolet to return parts/tools for whatever.
Guess I should celebrate when something goes right the first try.
:jester
What kills me is doing the repair loop. :rant:
1)shark repair needs a bolt, adhesive, part or tool.
2)drive to Home Depot, True Value, Checker, Pep Boys, Harbor Freight or Chevrolet.
3) browse the catalogs and order from Zip, Ecklers, Mid America, Craftsman, Summit, Jegs or GM parts direct.
4)drive to UPS, Home Depot, True Value, Checker, Pep Boys, Harbor Freight or Chevrolet to return parts/tools for whatever.
Guess I should celebrate when something goes right the first try.
:jester
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
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From: St Louis MO
Re: Nightmare projects (RLaFarge)
I ordered a front p-brake cable shortly after I bought mine. The PO said it would need it for the p-brake to operate properly. Well, that turned into a replacement of the entire p-brake system and 2 new rear calipers. Car was down for like 2 months.
Brett :thumbs:
Brett :thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 291
From: dayton oh
Re: Nightmare projects (RLaFarge)
The first was buying and towing my 81 out of the guys backyard. :eek:
The second was taking it in cuz the TH350 was slipping in 2nd. That led to a TCI 700R4, new driveshaft/half shafts, and a 3.54 rearend with total poly-bushing replacement. :D
The second was taking it in cuz the TH350 was slipping in 2nd. That led to a TCI 700R4, new driveshaft/half shafts, and a 3.54 rearend with total poly-bushing replacement. :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: Nightmare projects (RLaFarge)
Mine started out as one broken rear spring mounting pad bolt. Turned into an entire rear end re-build. As I took one thing apart to get to something else, I'd discover a whole NEW problem. :rolleyes:
Of couse, some of it went like this..."AW SHUCKS AND JIMMINY CRICKETS HONEY! LOOK WHAT I HAVE TO REPLACE NOW!!!!!!!" :D
The good news is...I have a completely re-built rear end now!! :D :cheers:
Of couse, some of it went like this..."AW SHUCKS AND JIMMINY CRICKETS HONEY! LOOK WHAT I HAVE TO REPLACE NOW!!!!!!!" :D
The good news is...I have a completely re-built rear end now!! :D :cheers:
