Went to change a pickup in a guitar last night. My eyesight is getting too bad to solder small stuff anymore and it took me so long to get it soldered, that I fried the pot. The mirror pickguard was already pretty haggard and I also broke it. So now I have to try to find that pickguard again, which I got on eBay years ago. Found the seller and am waiting to see if he can cut me another one. I have another new push/pull pot, but that guitar sits in pieces now until I get the new pickguard.

I’ve found that most vehicles I work on are over engineered, as I often have a left over nut or bolt.

Ever have a project? Lately every project i have :rolleyes:

Pretty much everything on my current project. A mix of old, other newer parts, some new but re-purposed stuff and most often nothing works out.........ever the 1st go 'round.

Latest is working on making the front end steering geometry correct as it was way off before. Also I found out that the chassis (1976 Surburban) was originally equipped with heavy duty front brakes. I did not know this before working on the front-end. Very rare option. The spindles are 2" lowered aftermarket attached to original lower control arms that have been moved inward @6" coupled to tubular upper control arms with spherical pivot bushings. Steering is now power Thunderbird rack.

So I go to rebuild the calipers and find the O-ring and boot are too small. After ordering another same kit, same result. I can only deduce that it has HD brakes although I've never run into this on a 1/2 ton chassis in my entire life. Research proves this correct but I can't find any listing in online parts sources. I do cross-reference OE part numbers to then find the correct rebuild kit, finally.

I had already ordered drilled / slotted aftermarket rotors, had them re-drilled to fit my wheels. I go to put them on and find the inner bearing is .125" larger inner bore which obviously does not fit my spindles which are not heavy duty.....great. I look online and find steel tubing with the correct ID / OD so to make up the difference on the inner bearing surface. I get the pipe, cut and sledge it on, then hand fit until the inner bearing just fits. I go to install the rotor assy and now find the hub bore for the inner bearing needs recessed by @.200 deeper. Apparently the HD spindles are not only larger they are also longer with the inner bearing located @.200 inward. F****.

Back to the machine shop, he sinks the inner hub bore as requested and with some fiddling it all comes together.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1641761000.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1641761000.jpg

Looks like the front end might have been from a 1-ton? ^

No, it's definitely 1/2 ton, but with bbc 454 with towing package from '76 Surburban

Seems almost every project I get into requires every tool I own. I must make 10 trips back to the garage to get another tool.

I have to think long and hard to remember one where anything went right:)

I recently had a simple project that everything went like it should, and I almost felt cheated.

Recently after 373,000 miles on the El Camino the turn signal stalk broke off. It is not just a turn signal stalk, it also controls the windshield wipers, and the high beams and the cruise control. Fack!

So to replace it, off comes the steering wheel using the special puller. Then the lock plate than locks the steering wheel in place when the key is not inserted. And then......

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1641834844.jpg

A few more parts.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1641834914.jpg

To get the switch wires out, and the new one back in, the steering wheel itself has to be dropped and a plate that holds it in place removed. I did fortunately, have a new GM switch on hand that I bought long ago. The quality GM or Delco parts are hard to find, all the parts now are the Dorman garbage, or Chinese made garbage.

Anyway reassembly is just the reverse of disassembly. It took me a couple of days, and it sure is nice to have a comfortable garage and a second car to get around with.

Exactly right. If all goes well, I also feel cheated- out of cursing, *****ing and whining.

Also, I never leave a hammer within reach😁😁