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Grrrrrrr

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L

Legal Bill

Jedi Knight
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Rant warning!


It is so frustrating to have to fix all of the things you hired others to do. Recently, I hired someone to install my top, the windlacing, interior panels, adjust the carbs and a few other items. I have had to go back and work on every single item. Some things are just broken or installed wrong. Some things were not ever tightened. Some items are stripped.

If you don't do it yourself on these cars, you may as well not have it done at all.



Rant over
 
Yours is not the first time I've heard this rant. In fact, I heard it just yesterday by a Healey owner who was not happy with how his car ran or with his seats.
 
John Turney said:
<span style="font-weight: bold">Grrrrrrr </span>
Click to expand...

The title of this thread made me chuckle. THIS car is in our North Texas A H Club.

John, you are obviously not alone.

Lindsey6.jpg


Tim
 
:lol: I actually thought it was for Tony the Tiger - Grrrreat but that he/she ran out space.

I empathize with the rant but I am lucky to have a really great mechanic who doesn't treat me like I'm bouncing off my shoulder pads. I have to say who he is... Dave Porter out of Albuquerque NM.
 
If you do it yourself, you will learn how to keep things going when things fall apart and break down. NO ONE will do it like you do 'cause they just don't care. Customer service these days just sucks.
I bought my Healey (9 years ago) from a "master mechanic" who apparently did not have the memory to replace things he took off or the strength to tighten things he put on. First trip off the delivery transport the generator moved and the belt came off. While tightening it I found the fan loose. Started checking things and found some of the piston rods loose. I decided I needed to go through everything and boy what I found! Don't trust anyone.
This is why this forum is so great. Lots of help here as you have discovered.
 
Thanks guys for the support and chuckles. It really is disappointing to pay good money and then find so many things either incomplete, incorrect or broken. Such a huge percentage of the buying public run to the sellers who have cars with a documented service history from a repair or restoration shop while steering clear of the car that was maintained by the owner. But I think the owner maintained cars are probably superior in most cases.
 
Bill, I've found (the hard way) that a good, experienced LBC mechanic is worth his weight in gold. I can fix most things on my LBCs, but I don't have the skill to rebuild the major parts like engines, gearboxes, rear ends, etc.

That's where the specialist mechanic comes in. I use Gassman Automotive in Waynesboro, VA. Mike really knows how to repair LBCs, all of them. He's not cheap, but he's honest and reliable. And, he stands behind his work: if it's not fixed correctly the first time, he'll do it free of charge, no problem.

Most population centers still have specialist LBC mechanics or garages. Sometimes it takes a bit of digging to find one. Often, it can be simply a one-man operation working out of a cinder block garage in his backyard. If you look, you'll find one nearby, usually.

A good mechanic who KNOWS his LBCs is a real asset when driving these cars. Find one, it's worth the effort. :yesnod:
 
The people I have used are just what you described, Mark. Good reputations and known to the local Healey community. I have come up on the short end in just about every case. I'll bet most of the customers are not even aware of the shortcomings, or believe statements like "they all do that" or "it was already like that."

A good case in point was the windlacing on my door frames. The driver side door would not close unless it was slammed shut. I had to remove the windlacing, detach the rear interior panel and then carefully deflect the flange along the door latch portion of the frame until it got to the point that the door would close properly. It still takes a bit more force than I would like, but I can't really bend the flange back any further without needing to reposition the rear panel. That would mean removing the rear seat back. I told the mechanic that the doors needed a final adjustment and that should have been done first and correctly before the interior panels and aluminum trim were attached to the frame work.....

Enough said. This is frustrating and not worth writing about.
 
I'm sure you agree that such work is unacceptable, and possibly unprofessional (you be the judge).

Sad, really, when folks don't stand behind their work. Anyway, good luck and I hope you can find a better mechanic.
 
I am beginning to feel not so bad knowing others have had similar experiences with people whose skills are only exceeded by their egos. You are right though, Putting it back together myself has given me an intimate knowledge of all the pieces and parts. Putting them together and taking them apart and putting them back together again till they fit right is a bit time consuming, but ultimately very rewarding. The more it comes together the more excited I get that soon I might be able to drive it,,,
 
I can finally lower my top to the point that the boot cover fits. And I think all the little rubber finishers on the ends of the window seals are now properly attached.
 
I am always less aggrevated if I am kicking myself instead of wanting to kick someone else. I remain true to my signature. Anyone ever replastered their own pool?
 
Silly question but I see lots of references on this forum to LBCs. I assume BC stands for British Car but what's the L for? Lovely, Little, Lucas perhaps?


Ian
 
Legal Bill said:
Such a huge percentage of the buying public run to the sellers who have cars with a documented service history from a repair or restoration shop while steering clear of the car that was maintained by the owner. But I think the owner maintained cars are probably superior in most cases.
Click to expand...

Amen to that, there are plenty of good British car mechanics out there, but many that are not so good as well. And there are many knowledgable, competent enthusiasts working on their cars, as well as some clueless fellows and everything in between.
 
I feel I have to add to this topic as well...

First, there is nothing like having the satifaction of doing repairs yourself, if at all possible, of course. You develop a working knowledge with experience of doing it right (or learning from YOUR mistakes) and a sense of accomplishment when you know you did it right.

One of my biggest achievements in life was learning about bodywork and painting (when I had a TR6). The nice compliments I used to get at shows. And then the day came when some SOB purposely carved his initials into my paint job. I would just redo the panel over. Knowledge is power and the power of feeling free, independent and the ability of saving money, if money is a concern, which it is for me. When doing everything else, whether it be one of mechanics or aesthetics, you become part of that machine, or an extention of it.

Right now, among other issues, I discover I have floor board rust issues with my BJ8, but I will research all that is needed to weld, etc., and fix it myself. I want it done right and I will take my time if I have to (well, rust keeps rusting so I better not take too long!).

Another reason to try to do things yourself? I do remember this one mechanic who people trusted in him servicing their Bentleys and Rolls only to find he would allow others to join with him in joy rides without the owners ever learning about it. That was back in the 1990's. Still, I never forgot that and when it comes to trusting your car to someone else, that is a lesson I will never forget!

If you can't do it yourself, then you better hope your mechanic is trustworthy and competent. I will do as much as I can before having to take risks leaving my car with anyone, knowing what I know.

Paul
 
Ha ha, that joy riding story reminds me of " Ferris Beullers day off". Remember when they left that sweet ride with the parking lot attendant. Ferris Bueller....he's a rightious DUDE !!! :laugh:
 
I just thought that some things, like the installation of a convertible top, was best left to those who have done many of them before. I was surprised at how many things were not right.
 
Oh yes, I do remember that movie! The feeling watching what they did to that Ferrari. I can't believe that was the real thing. Got to be one of those Hollywood illusions.
 
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