Thank you. I consider myself a great mechanic. I have had and built a sub-10 second mustang, but still learning this TR thing. It is a different animal. This truly goes to show....pay attention to what the hell you are doing AND slow the hell down, especially on routine tasks that we get so complacent with.
Still a cooling issue
- Thread starter Dhos1
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2010
Don't think that way, there is no embarrassment to be had here.
No problem is easy. The nice part is, sometimes the solutions turn out to be ....
ScottHeidinger
Active Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2015
At least you showed the courage to admit it, sometimes the OP just goes MIA...
Most of us have done way worse than this at some point.
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Most of us have done way worse than this at some point.
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- Joined
- Sep 24, 2010
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The best part of working on my own stuff is the money savings and the exercise it offers me.
The worst part of working on my own stuff is assuming things.
I'll assume that the problem I am trying to solve couldn't possibly be this or that because I had done those things in the recent past. With that mindset I'll put off investigating this or that even though it might be the most logical approach. If someone else worked on my stuff,he might look at the symptoms and let logic dictate his next move without bias which would bring about a solution in a more timely manner with less expense. I,of course,would never let anyone else work on my stuff.
I make a mistake and learn from it and move on to the next stupid mistake which sometimes is the same one.
The worst part of working on my own stuff is assuming things.
I'll assume that the problem I am trying to solve couldn't possibly be this or that because I had done those things in the recent past. With that mindset I'll put off investigating this or that even though it might be the most logical approach. If someone else worked on my stuff,he might look at the symptoms and let logic dictate his next move without bias which would bring about a solution in a more timely manner with less expense. I,of course,would never let anyone else work on my stuff.
I make a mistake and learn from it and move on to the next stupid mistake which sometimes is the same one.
ScottHeidinger
Active Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2015
I paid a Turbo Buick specialist a lot of money back in the 90's to build a engine and install it for me. With the transmission rebuilt, fuel pumps, cooling system, exhaust, turbo, injectors, aluminum heads, roller rockers, cam, JE Pistons, BMS rods, down pipe and several other things I don't remember I had spent $15 k . I told the shop owner I wanted to keep my stock engine since there was nothing wrong with it and was charged for a "core" for the block but when I went to pick my car up they had disassembled the engine and I was told he had sent my old block to the machine shop and it had already been bored for another customers build. Instead they had cut a couple of my rods and they were in a box with the pistons. This had me pissed to begin with but the damage was done. I was told to take it easy on it for the first thousand miles to let everything break in. Within 300 miles driving Ms Daisy style the transmission stator broke leaving me on the side of the road. That was replaced for free but I was accused of not breaking it in properly. By 1k miles I had taken it back to the shop that installed the engine because I was hearing what sounded like light rod knock. I was told that the roller rockers were just louder than stock rockers and everything was fine. By 3K miles I had obvious rod knock and the shop owner informed me on the phone that there was no warranty since it was considered a "race build" so I tore it down myself. Turns out I had the "best your money can buy" aluminum heads that cracked. The manufacturer blamed the builder and said the heads were over torqued. The shop owner said he had followed the torque specs and I was left with a very expensive lesson. Since that experience I haven't let anyone touch any car I own. I will buy a manual or search the internet. I've made plenty of mistakes but I've learned from each of them. It's unfortunate but you can't take these cars to just any mechanic.
I also let someone work on my car in the 90s. When I got the car back it was worse than it was before I let them have it and the header panel had a chunk missing and the air dams below the front bumper were beat up and gouged and the front passenger side rug had very obvious grease marks from someones boots and the trans had no second gear. It felt like someone had violated my girlfriend. Never again!
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2010
Lou Czarnota and Nick Micale work on my car for me. Honestly, my car could never be in better hands when it is with either of them. It's not all horror stories out there, folks. I'm Jus' sayin.
There are reputable, honest and extremely capable TR mechanics out there, if you take the time to find and build a relationship with them.
There are reputable, honest and extremely capable TR mechanics out there, if you take the time to find and build a relationship with them.
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2010
And I'm merely saying that not all TR mechanics are inept, as you two, in my opinion, implied that somehow, many are. That might be so, but I, personally, have had incredible results.
I congratulate you on taking over and doing it yourself. It's very admirable, to say the least. But yes, you both told what I would call horror stories, and they both seem to be from long ago.
Conversely, not all of us have the time, shop, energy or inclination to do it all on our own. Your comments seem to want to make some of us feel "wrong" about that. That's my rub with what you say.
I, on the other hand, have had excellent results handing my car off to either of these gentlemen. I do not regret one single decision, and will tirelessly advocate for these two guys, as they are some of the best in the business.
I drive it to work twice a week and 10.5's all day long ain't bad for a li'l street car on street tires.
No worries though, to each his own.
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Linewalker
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2007
As long as we are passing along accolades. Jack Laswell is THE man in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. He has been working on my car for the last fifteen years (wish I had found him sooner). He is very meticulous and top notch! The man is a surgeon on these cars. I have never been disappointed in his work. Only impressed.
