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View Full Version : Late night thrashing and good people.


Steve1968LS2
03-27-2007, 07:16 PM
It's funny, I tell my wife all the time about how "car people are the best people out there" and times like this prove me right.

We have been thrashing and working on Penny pretty hard for the last two weeks in hopes of having her at the Good Guys Del Mar show. This was especially important for the shop, Best of Show, Coachworks in San Marcos since it's thier home turf.

We had two main issues (besides the crappy electrical guy). The first was low oil pressure. I'm pretty sure it's a bad o-ring on the pickup tube. I dropped in two extra quarts and the oil pressure went from 8psi to 25-30 psi. The car can be driven slowly, at low RPM, so it should be good to go for hitting the show. (I'm inside so I only need to park the car and leave it).

The other problem was an inop clutch. The first issue we found with it was the wrong size clutch, so it wouldn't release. D_ick at Best of Show dropped the trans and replaced the clutch. When back together late yesterday it was still inop. I got the call and got out there last night (and I was sorta sick for too much sun covering the Super Chevy Show).

Anyways, Jeff Mortenson of Classic Chevy 5-speed and his VP of product development, Jim Goodlad (aka GM Jim), came by the shop at 8pm last night to take a look. Jim is a tranny wiz and knew right away that something was wrong. Next thing I know ****, Jeff and Jim say "lets pull it out and fix it". We pulled the trans, found the issue and put the trans back in. Finish time was midnight. All three had tons of work to do the next day yet they stayed to try and make my junk work. Hell, Jim still had jet-lag from coming from the east coast.

I've always said that this hobby isn't about cars, it's about people. Nights like that show me that the statement is as true today as it has ever been.

Thanks to D_ick of "Best of Show Coachworks", GM Jim and Jeff of "Classic Chevy 5-speed" for going the extra mile to help me out.

Here are three very good people helping me out:
Steve1968LS2
03-27-2007, 07:17 PM
p.s. Between my crazy work schedual and these issues I've been swamped. If you've emailed or PMd me lately I appologize for not answering.

I will also be shipping out the stuff I've sold on Friday. None of the checks sent me have been cashed. I will be glad when this week is over.. lol
Bill Howell
03-27-2007, 07:22 PM
...Thanks to **** of "Best of Show Coachworks", GM Jim and Jeff of "Classic Chevy 5-speed" for going the extra mile to help me out.

Here are three very good people helping me out:

Thank goodness you were there to get pictures at least, did you even get your hands dirty????


lol, seriously this is what this hobby is all about. Friends helping friends, the cars are just a bi product.
Steve1968LS2
03-27-2007, 07:45 PM
Thank goodness you were there to get pictures at least, did you even get your hands dirty????


lol, seriously this is what this hobby is all about. Friends helping friends, the cars are just a bi product.

Screw you hillbilly! ;)

If we were all holding the part who would have captured the moment??? lol

I even have bandaids on my fingers :p
Bill Howell
03-27-2007, 07:47 PM
:rotfl::rotfl:I forgot to mention the six stitches in my hand at the moment........no dirt here....
Damn True
03-27-2007, 07:48 PM
I even have bandaids on my fingers :p

You delicate little flower.
Steve1968LS2
03-27-2007, 07:53 PM
You delicate little flower.

It's not like they're Hello Kitty bandaids.. they "tough guy" Spiderman bandaids.. :D

Your light are boxed up and ready to ship.. I will try and return your call tomorrow when I'm going to do an install story on my Fairlane.
4MuscleMachines
03-27-2007, 07:56 PM
So what did you do wrong with your clutch install? :razz:
Steve1968LS2
03-27-2007, 08:08 PM
So what did you do wrong with your clutch install? :razz:

*******!

lol... When installing the McLeod SFI scatershield (which comes with zero instructions) I didn't clearance the backing plate to sit flush with the back of the LSx engine. This caused the backing plate to bow out and make contact with the flywheel. In fact, at idle, it would stall the engine when the clutch was pushed in.

Live and learn.

The other issue wasn't my fault, it was the wrong size clutch.

In a strange twist of irony CHP has an article in the NEW issue that talks about trimming the backing plate.
LowBuckX
03-27-2007, 09:20 PM
The wife insisted one night to come along for a needed thrash to get my buddy going for the season opener at the local track.
10 hours later with a bunch of us greasy men she was not very happy to be there but commented about how cool it was that all of us could come together and help a friend out with no reason other than just to help.
MrQuick
03-27-2007, 09:41 PM
good thing it was a minor fix but they can be the worst to figure out. im glad you got it all worked out. It will all be worth it one day. Hopefully this weekend.
David Sloan
03-28-2007, 03:59 AM
Steve!! hope you make it to the show were rootin for ya!

The people are what got me wanting to open this shop.
I love building cars for people. An when you need a little help, car people are always there to give what they can to help.
ProdigyCustoms
03-28-2007, 04:18 AM
Oh man, the thrash! How well we know it. Friends are great. We have actually had TOO MUCH help from our friends at times. But I could never tell them that.

Now go get the big trophy and it will all seem worth it. It is amazing how quick the pain and sagging eye lids go away when they call your name!
69HuggrrrPT
03-28-2007, 05:15 AM
That's awesome! I've met GMJim at our annual Camaro show up here in Canada, very nice guy!:twothumbs

He is looooong way from home if he's in your neck of the woods.
Nine Ball
03-28-2007, 06:28 AM
Cool story, glad the car is ready.

Car enthusiasts are a great group of people, you really need to come out on Power Tour and hang out. Bet you could hitch a ride for each leg, might be good for coverage.
Steve1968LS2
03-28-2007, 06:35 AM
Oh man, the thrash! How well we know it. Friends are great. We have actually had TOO MUCH help from our friends at times. But I could never tell them that.

Now go get the big trophy and it will all seem worth it. It is amazing how quick the pain and sagging eye lids go away when they call your name!

I doubt I will win anything.. the exhaust hasn't been coated yet and the interior is cobbled together. The hardest part is that the new trans tunnel made fitting the factory carpet back in.. challenging. I just want to make a good showing for BOS.

After the show it back to my shop to fix the oil issue, then to tune, then finish the wiring, then interior.

THEN it will be done and ready to rock and roll. My wife bought Penny a present, it's a ZUNE mp3 player that I'm going to use for my ultra lightweight audio system (no head unit).
Charley Lillard
03-28-2007, 08:36 PM
Sounds like it will be ready for Power Tour.....
Larry Callahan
03-28-2007, 08:39 PM
Cool story, glad the car is ready.

Car enthusiasts are a great group of people, you really need to come out on Power Tour and hang out. Bet you could hitch a ride for each leg, might be good for coverage.

Better make room for two. lol! I may try that some year. Thumb a ride each night. lol
trapin
03-29-2007, 08:00 AM
Cool story. Some great people in this hobby, especially those associated with g-machines.