[gibbons]

In the last year, I have battled an auto-to-TKO conversion, lower control arm bracket fitment issues, drive shaft angles, cooling system changes including pumps/radiators, engine accessories mounting, motor out of car, wheel/tire optimization, exhaust system re-vamping, carburetor change, fuel pumps, plumbing, rewiring, blah blah blah.

There's always stuff hanging over my head... sacked valve springs to replace, fat midrange/lean WOT to dial in, new AM radio to install, potential hydroboost brake project, gear ratio change, new dash pad, clay-bar off sap, cut front springs, solve run-on, new tank pick up and more plumbing. The list goes on and on!

I am getting burned out on working on this car. We love the car, but I don't do this stuff for fun. I would rather be riding my bicycle than working on the car. Riding my bike or actually driving the car, that's a toss up. I guess I am looking forward to winter for a break. (note to self: yeah right, I will be out working on the car in a 20 degree garage just like last year...) :clonk:

 

[ChrisL]

It gets overwhelming when you always think of the big picture and how much you need to do. Break your list down into individual tasks and concentrate on ONE task per week/weekend. You will have a better sense of accomplishment when you finish that task and it will help motivate you to take on the next task.

 

[the heckler]

if its a mountain bike on some killer trails....I'm with you brother.....if you have a heated garage, thats the time to work on your p & j...from the photos it "needs" nothing...very nice !!!! cheers and ride on....

 

[barryt]

well keep on pluging at it -- you have to make it enjoyable again -- then again you must enjoy it if your working out in the garage with it 20 degrees.

when my hands get cold I quit and go inside. I do not like the cold.

I have a 68 SS396 and I pick my projects to do and plan around driving the Chevelle to cruiseins etc.
This summer I installed a 1" sway bar on the rear and added air bags to the coil springs on the rear to correct the cars loose/woobly feel.
over the winter I am planning to restore a replacement dash and upgrade it with a tach in place of the clock and have it ready for the first events in April. We'll see if it happens.
if it get done fine if not then that is fine too. I'll get to it one of theses days.
until then I am having a blast driving my SS396 and humming that beach boys tune.

 

[gibbons]

if its a mountain bike on some killer trails....I'm with you brother.....

The mountain bike only gets ridden a few times a year lately, always at Moab. It gets no more killer than that! Closer to home, my family mostly road rides now. There is just something heartwarming (pun) about riding a full carbon bike that weights 14.5 lbs. The Schwinn Varsity 10-speeds of yester year weighed about 40.

I have literally ridden my current road bike more miles in the last 3 years than I have driven the Chevelle in 10 years.

 

[MidLife72]

It gets overwhelming when you always think of the big picture and how much you need to do. Break your list down into individual tasks and concentrate on ONE task per week/weekend. You will have a better sense of accomplishment when you finish that task and it will help motivate you to take on the next task.

I do the same, keep a list, fix the safety items first and work the others in as I have money.

 

[68chevelle533]

Live and learn. I had a solid roller cam big block in my car for a while and the upkeep stopped me from driving it much. Too much like work and not fun. I pulled that motor out and put together a very low maintence motor and drove it for years with little work involved. It sounds to me that you are almost there.

 

[novaderrik]

if you don't actually like working on the car, then either get rid of it or pay someone to do the work. old cars are not something for non-tinkerers to own.

that being said, stop looking at the big picture, and just think about a few basic simple things. that's all cars are- just a big pile of smaller simple parts bolted together.
take a break from it, and after a while, just go out to the garage without actually planning on doing anything. just stare at the car- pop the hood and just look at the engine. pretty soon, you will have a wrench in your hand and something will be getting done.
this is how i wound up stripping my Nova down to a bare shell- i was bored and walked out to the shop to look at my solid California Nova with 4 wheel power drum brakes. 6 hours later, the engine, trans, rear end, subframe, gas tank, and all the brake and fuel lines were scattered all over the shop.
a month and a half later, it was back in one piece with a completely detailed underbody, rebuilt subframe with all new Moog components, stiffer springs, and 12" C4 manual front brakes. all this was done in an unheated shop in MN from February to April of '03.
and all i did was go out to the shop to maybe check the oil...

 

[1966_L78]

I agree, take a break... And just be glad that many of the things on your list aren't requirements to be driveable or safe, but just "upgrades"... Focus on the driveability issues first...

I know many will disagree, but sometimes you have to think if this hobby is still for you? If you are not getting the enjoyment, then I'd consider selling... I agree too, that tinkering goes along with the hobby... Unless you want to pay someone else, you are going to need to tinker with the car...

I'd also wait a few months (maybe next Spring or Summer), and then lookat it again, and see if this is something you no longer enjoy? Is it still a burden, or is the spark back?...

Or maybe consider selling, and buying some other car that's done (maybe not a Chevelle though)... I was actually considering this for a while (but I still have another Chevelle project waiting in the wings...


I know I LOVE old cars (Chevelles are my favorite) and could not see myself without one, but I too get burned out... I'd love to do some work, and have been collecting parts. But lately, I have been so busy with the kids and house and work. Thankfully, I bought a car that was driveable (but needs some cosmetics)... I love to tinker, but when time is short, I'd rather be able to just drive...

I used to wonder what kind of guy would just "buy" a completed car. Where's the fun in that? Where's the satisfaction of doing the job, of creating something... My buddy just swapped a crate Hemi into his '69 Charger R/T, and PAID A SHOP TO DO THE WORK!... Its a "bolt-in swap...
Of course, as I get older with less free time, I often think maybe these people were smart afterall, maybe my buddy has the right idea... of course, he has to pay the bill too...

 

[Bow_Tied]

gib,
Hang the keys up and have beer and leave it sit for a week or whatever. It'll be there later. It may not sound like much consolation right now, but know there are TONS of guys here that wish they had your car - issues or not! Sweet ride, and I am jealous of your TKO!

 

[70SS540]

It gets overwhelming when you always think of the big picture and how much you need to do. Break your list down into individual tasks and concentrate on ONE task per week/weekend. You will have a better sense of accomplishment when you finish that task and it will help motivate you to take on the next task.

I have to agree. One task at a time. If you try and do to much in too little time, you can get overwhelmed and it then becomes "a job". I always seem to do that. I was definitely burned out this past spring after working on the Chevelle all winter. During the summer, I didnt work on it at all. So I'm kinda refreshed now and I'm just now starting to think about a "winter project"

 

[forcd ind]

man, you have no idea what burnout is-for about the last ten years, i have built a diff car every year-i mean pull the body off, sandblast the frame, paint it, weld all new sheetmetal on the car, paint it, build the engine, sometimes the trans if theirs time, redo the rear, rebuild the front end, paint every little piece, install all the windows, trim, etc, wire it, fuel lines, subercharger, intercooler, tubing, get it running, tune it, etc etc etc-and do all this yourself-yes, someone else does the interior
now, do you still feel burned out, lol
and no, no project this winter-cold beer and tv

 

[gibbons]

now, do you still feel burned out, lol

Yeah, I still do! :yes: Maybe its the dumb factor, and I am extra slow at this stuff. Every new project starts with 20 dumb questions to the forum, I am hashing out they hydroboost over in brakes/suspension right now.

 

[70SS540]

man, you have no idea what burnout is-for about the last ten years, i have built a diff car every year-i mean pull the body off, sandblast the frame, paint it, weld all new sheetmetal on the car, paint it, build the engine, sometimes the trans if theirs time, redo the rear, rebuild the front end, paint every little piece, install all the windows, trim, etc, wire it, fuel lines, subercharger, intercooler, tubing, get it running, tune it, etc etc etc-and do all this yourself-yes, someone else does the interior
now, do you still feel burned out, lol
and no, no project this winter-cold beer and tv

Wow You must be doing all that for income for sure! Like I said, it then becomes a job. Although I do know a retired Ford guy who works on cars all the time for a hobby. He completely restored 3 cars for himself and complete painted my Chevelle and a couple other cars in the last 9 years. He body worked & painted my car for free. I just had to pay for the supplies and help out. The guy is in his little 2 car garage more than in his house. That keeps his wife happy.