Went to a local major automotive chain store this morning to price an inductive advance timing light. Looked on the shelves but couldn't see timing lights/guns. So I asked the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young fellow at the parts counter where they might be found. He had no idea what I was talking about. He had never seen one much less timed a car. I tried to explain the process to him but gave up. It was an exercise in futility. I felt weak....Still do. And still do not have a new timing light. The ability to install points and condensor and time a Chevrolet V8 used to be a right of passage into manhood. No more.

 

That is a sad story. Every time I need my dwell meter I have to blow the dust off of it. You can buy them cheap on Ebay-even Snap-On ones. I think Sears still stocks lights most times I have been in a bigger one, you might try there.

 

Well I am Old! and I have two young boys (5 & 7 years old) that I hope to teach tunning an EFI with a laptop! Just getting into the aftermarket EFI stuff now, so my learning curve is just beginnig!

I hope never to see another set of points again!

Eric.

 

A lot of stuff we discuss on this forum is quickly becoming a lost art.

Frankly, if it goes beyond zip tying a coffee can in place of an exhaust pipe, placing stickers, or drilling holes for six foot high wings, many today are lost... :nonod:

 

You make a good point.
http://www.angelfire.com/nc2/mycoffeecan/page1.html

 

It does go in two directions, Eric. I admit that. I could not handle a C4 or C5 quite frankly. Would not know where to start. Thanks for putting matters into perspective.

 

Sounds like you went to Canadian Tire. Most people who work there couldnt find their azz with both hands and a flashlight.
I'd bet he knew where the neon lights and windo tint were though.

 

I know whatcha mean. I cut my teeth on 69 Camaro with 327 (210hp) and a powerglide. When I sold it 17 yrs, 2 trannies and 3 motors later, it had a strong 400 & th350. I learned how to tune the 327 (points, condensor, dwell, gap, the works) and boy was it fun.

I've got a 29yo friend that has a 67 rustang. I'm trying to get him to fix it up with a 351, tremec, etc, etc, but he's waiting to buy a late model cobra with FI. It's not a fad. It's here to stay so we better get used to it. It's one of those change or die kinda things. Matter of fact, I'll be goin to FI at some point in the future.

Side note: At the Hot Rod Power Tour Jackson, MS stop this year, I watched a MonteCarlo dyno at like 750 rwhp. Amazed, I peeked at the engine after he got off the dyno, and yep, FI. With a blower too, but dayum, 750 rwhp with FI.

Brett :thumbs:

 

Yes I did! You are very perceptive. I passed on the blue neon rear license plate mount that a lady beside me bought when I was waiting for those fellows to figure out what I was looking for. They have one (in the back, covered in dust) for $159.95. That's a bit much for Made in China. I went to Sears to get a #21023 as recommended by Lars and others. Not sold in Canada. I gave up for the day.

 

That's not uncommon, I think. Just yesterday I was waiting in line to check-out at the Auto-Zone and a customer asked where the feeler gauges were to set valve lash. The guy behind the counter was clueless. :D

 

I do enjoy the new with the old. I have a Tuned-Port and 700R4 in my 69. I like the looks of the old cars with the power/economy of the old. I don't really want to go super fast, so mine is stock. I have a 3 and a 5 year old that I hope I will train to fix cars too. Don't give up, there is a timing light somewhere out there for you.

 

Try going into Auto Zone to get parts for a 454 (the core came from a junk yard and was probably out of a truck of some kind). It now sets in a custom 34 roadster (I wish it was mine and not my neighbor's).

First question they ask: What year and model car is it for?

Try and explain that it's for a Chevy 454, you're not sure of the exact year but it is early '70s. They just stare at you! Without that computer to find stuff by year and model they are lost! They CANNOT search by year and engine.

I went to a Murray's (kind of like Autozone, but grubbier) looking for a thermostat housing gasket for my '75 350. None were hanging on hooks anywhere so I asked. The guy trys looking it up in the computer by make and model first. Could not find any gasket. Tried to look under gaskets - nothing for the thermostat. Now this gasket has been used on countless Chevy's for many-many years - so it's not one-of-a-kind. After about 5 minutes of computer crap I asked him to take a look in the back. He said they are not allowed to "just go searching thru the shelves as it takes too much time". I left - 20 minutes wasted. The only thing I'll be buying there anymore is oil as they always have it cheaper than anyone else.

I know I'm dating myself, but I remember the days when you could walk into a hardware store and show the guy a bolt, whatever, and he'd go get one exactly like it AND you only had to buy as many as you needed. NOW you have to buy them in a package of umpteen, and you have to pay for the priviledge of storing those extra ones for your children to throw away! And G.. help you if you have an unusal thread/size - good luck in finding it!




[Modified by KenSny, 4:38 PM 11/17/2003]

 

Murrays is NOT grubby!!! It has "atmosphere" :lolg: :lolg:
Paul...I had to buy all that tuneup stuff too. Got it all at Sears. I was a bit worried because the timing lights were thrown in a big pile on the shelf. I tried to get one that didn't look like it was used by a placekicker to practice on. Got the dwell meter there too. Geez...DIGITAL! I remember when I used to watch a needle bounce all over the place!!!
:rolleyes:

Dep


[Modified by Dep, 4:24 PM 11/17/2003]

 

I'm skipping the fuel injection and going straight to the hydrogen engine.

I'm throwing all of my machine shop equipment in the trash.... except for my big sponge.
I'll need that to soak up the water when I do a tune-up.

:jester

 

Tgat's friggin hysterical!!!! :lolg: :lolg: :lolg:

 

Face it...we're all getting old.

You know we're getting old when cars we considered "used" are considered to be "classic" by your neighbor's kids.

When you remember people driving C3s (and C2s) as daily drivers all over the place, but most of the people at the mall were lucky to remember ever seeing a C4 on a new car lot.

 

My buddy got his doors blown-off by a ricer the other day; he was the proud owner of a 340-4-speed Dodge Dart. I would never run a ricer with the 79 Why bother chances are I will loose or break some thing. That is why I will be hot-rodding the 79 over the winter and I will strip anything that is not need on that vette.

 

You should see the natural gas fuel cell I am cooking up in the basement this winter. It will put Ballard's to shame. But GM will not talk to me yet....

 

Dep,
I really should clean out my basement!

 

Guys, I just wanna let you all know there's some hope. I'm 18 years old, and learning everything about my '80 from my dad. Hope to learn how to time it soon too. There'll always be us young guys with the old school corvettes, and all those other guys may not know how to tune a Chevy smallblock, but they sure as hell will turn their heads when any one of us drives by!