Just me whining

-
Not sure if anyone has suggested this, too lazy to go look...

Make a top level list of things that need doing. Then drill down on each topic. Find little things that don't take much time, that you can do out of sequence and won't cause more work later. Do those things once in a while. That helps keep my going on projects.
 
coloradohill said:
Your doing it right, your family should always be top priority. You will never regret sacrificing for your kids. Your car will get there, don't lose interest. When frustration starts to creep in, spend some time with your kids and wife and it will be clear what is most important. Hang in there. Remember its just a car, steel and glass. You will never be able to replace the time you have now with your family. They are only kids for a short time. Enjoy every day.
Click to expand...


I knew that if I read far enough, my post would already be written for me.

What he said. :)
 
340doc said:
Hang in there man. Guarantee just about all of us have been exactly where you are a few times over the course of our builds. When I was doing our Duster, there was times it sat for a year with no progress. Just me putting air in the dry rotted tires to keep it up. Like others I went out of my comfort zone and did things I couldn't afford to pay for. I got help on things I wasn't sure of, and bugged a few people with phone calls for advice. Keep the faith brother!
Click to expand...
Thank you. I appreciate it
 
I'm kind of in the same boat, I retired almost 3 years ago & decided it was time to air out the Demon. I went to a couple of T & T's & then went to a couple of bracket races. At the last race, I over revved it, floated the valves & dropped the intake valve on # 3 cylinder. Thankfully it didn't damage the block, but it did a number on the piston & head. Fast forward about a year, I stumbled upon the rotating assembly for a 416 stroker with the center main web cracked. This combination was running a solid roller cam & the oil galley is tubed. I acquired a block from one of our fine members & am in the process of trying to find a way to NOT tube the block & not spend a kings ransom on lifters. So far, I'm at a stand still because of life, the corona crap, & finances. I'm going to keep plugging along & I may just resurrect the 408 that dropped a valve because I getting tired of seeing the car sit there & I'm not able to drive it.
 
That’s what I do.
I list a major category, suspension, engine, body, interior....etc... I’ll get what I can on sale or an excellent used part. Store it or install it.

On my E body Cuda, the suspension is all done.
Some body panels have been purchased on sale.
Most of the interior is in boxes.
The drivetrain is 99% complete. Though not in the car. The engine needs pushrods and a distributor. Otherwise ready to fire it up on the test stand and break it in, check for leaks, basic tune up.
Next time I work on it the dash comes out for the main wiring harness to be replaced and entire dash to be refurbished. (That’ll take some time and coin!)
This car will take lots of time. In the mean time....

I’m chipping away at my Duster. I’m just waiting on a converter so I can swing in the engine and trans to measure for a driveshaft. Then it’s some floor latch panels to keep the face dry when I go over puddles.

My Magnum was running and driving. Had an issue that sidelined it. It’ll have to wait a bit. Need to rebuild the transmission and fix the rear end. It was my everyday car for a looooong time. Once I was able to replace it with my truck, it took on a weekend car toy status which I enjoyed. All my old stuff is rusty junk and it’s all good.
This car has fell into some neglect and needs some good hard love to be rubbed on it.

I stay focused on one car mostly. Cheap expenditures for the Magnum occur. Pocket change amounts. The Duster is the focus.

These cars, as I said are cheap rusty buckets.
I’ve had the Cuda now 35 years, paid $600 back in the day, haven’t driven it in 18 years.
Wrecked an engine racing... (DOH!)

The Magnum purchased from the original owner @ $500.
Duster purchased as a rolling shell, $700.
Use of parts collected over the years, swapping and trading parts, priceless!!!
 
gdrill said:
I knew that if I read far enough, my post would already be written for me.

What he said. :)
Click to expand...

And that’s also 100% correct!

I played Mr. Mom with my daughter while I was working nights. Oh yea! She would put make up on me, have tea parties, everyday at the park for hours, and in between, McDonalds for lunch while I fixed the neighborhood cars. She knew 3 different carbs by the time she was 4, could fetch and know the difference between a 1/2 combo wrench and a 9/16 - 3/8 drive socket.

Now at 26, she owns her own home.

Similar deal with my son. Now collage bound, he wants to be a physical therapist. And that means eight years of college at a minimum. After that time frame and expense, I expect nothing to be done quick! LMAO, But will be worth it 100%! We are best buds. Although, he is not a car guy by any means. My daughter on the other hand, now that’s a girl that can turn wrenches.
 
coloradohill said:
Your doing it right, your family should always be top priority. You will never regret sacrificing for your kids. Your car will get there, don't lose interest. When frustration starts to creep in, spend some time with your kids and wife and it will be clear what is most important. Hang in there. Remember its just a car, steel and glass. You will never be able to replace the time you have now with your family. They are only kids for a short time. Enjoy every day.
Click to expand...

In addition to my last post above...

Oh hell yea! That’s the way brother, that’s the way!
Never worry about the car. It’ll come. The family, especially the kids, play with them all the time when there small, be there as they grow, remind them YOUR there best friend and can always take time to listen and help.

Too many guys at work chase the dollar with OT. When there career ends, there kids don’t respect them, look at them like, who the F are you? And the wife hands them walking papers. Your true wealth is at home.
 
RandyB said:
Just a suggestion mopar lover.
I ‘donate’ my plasma to pay for my car parts. I go to BioLife two times a week. I average around $100.00 a week. You get ‘paid’ for your time and not only does it help others, but puts some spending money into your project! It’s made life at home less stressful because it’s MY BLOOD MONEY!!

View attachment 1715583528

View attachment 1715583531

View attachment 1715583532
Click to expand...
I know another guy that does that too. It's a great idea!
 
Never , never , never give up . took me 20 years . Had stupid jobs almost all my life . Even worse on SSA . Many have told me to slap it together and drive it . NEVER !
 
I started my project saying it gets done when it gets done.
I got my 68 Barracuda in 1978 . It was a six auto, and I used the engine for something else. Then I used the trans for a still different project. And the roller moved from place to place with me until finally in ~1996, I untarped it.
That was a sad sad day. In the intervening years, the quarters had rotted and the fenders were none too good either. I sent it to a local bodyshop, and he worked on it every winter, in his spare time, and as I had money. The idea was to roll it out in 98 as a 30th year anniversary. 98 came and went. During those years that the car was in the shop,I worked on the powertrain and such, and then in fall of 99, the body came home. Then I worked feverishly that winter to put it all back together. I was 46 in summer of 99. I had been 25 when I acquired it.
Finally in spring of 2000, it rolled down the hiway for the first time since 1978. My babies started coming in 80, and the last one graduated in 2002. College? UN-un. Even if I hadn't spent the money on the DD/Cuda, I could never have afforded to send even one kid to College, never mind all three. Besides, I had the Cuda first,lol, it was my turn. A man has to have something to call his own. The kids made out just fine. The youngest,my only son took the car to Grad. That day/night will be forever remembered by both of us.
 
AJ/FormS said:
I started my project saying it gets done when it gets done.
I got my 68 Barracuda in 1978 . It was a six auto, and I used the engine for something else. Then I used the trans for a still different project. And the roller moved from place to place with me until finally in ~1996, I untarped it.
That was a sad sad day. In the intervening years, the quarters had rotted and the fenders were none too good either. I sent it to a local bodyshop, and he worked on it every winter, in his spare time, and as I had money. The idea was to roll it out in 98 as a 30th year anniversary. 98 came and went. During those years that the car was in the shop,I worked on the powertrain and such, and then in fall of 99, the body came home. Then I worked feverishly that winter to put it all back together. I was 46 in summer of 99. I had been 25 when I acquired it.
Finally in spring of 2000, it rolled down the hiway for the first time since 1978. My babies started coming in 80, and the last one graduated in 2002. College? UN-un. Even if I hadn't spent the money on the DD/Cuda, I could never have afforded to send even one kid to College, never mind all three. Besides, I had the Cuda first,lol, it was my turn. A man has to have something to call his own. The kids made out just fine. The youngest,my only son took the car to Grad. That day/night will be forever remembered by both of us.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your time. That is an amazing story of patience! Glad you were able to get it done in the end !
 
74 DART' said:
Anyone get frustrated with there project ? Mainly lack of time and money. Still a single income family so there is a thousand other things that come before my Dart. Nobody’s fault but my own but sometimes it would be nice just to go down to the garage and go for a cruise!
Click to expand...
I know what you mean my car sat in shed for believe it or not 39 years in which time I was talking care of the thousands things that came before the dart have on road now enjoying it A LOT. Have question you ever have problems with your retractable seat belts. Sometimes it takes 10 min to get this thing on. Had them apart lubed them cleaned them work a little better BUT seriously thinking about after market or different brand replacement
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top