Laws of Car restoration

[pdplot]

My brother sent me the 25 Laws of Car Restoration. Too long for here, but I added a few more (from bitter experience):
1. The Manual you finally found will always leave out one important step - or tell you what to do - but not how to do it.
2. When you break off a bolt (usually the last one left), you will find every size and thread except the one you need in your collection of 347 bolts.
3. Nine out of ten times, it's the electrical system. The 10th time - it's probably the electrical system.
4. The more you adjust an SU carburetor, the worse the car will run.
5. 99 out of 100 times, it's a stupid, simple problem why your car won't run. The tenth time - oh, oh. $$$$.
6. The further from home, the more likely the car will break down.
7. The one tool you need will never be there when you look for it.
8. When you get caught in the rain, you will not be able to get the top up until the rain stops.

 

[Boink]

9. The total value of your restoration will be considerably less than what you spent on it.

 

[DrEntropy]

9. The total value of your restoration will be considerably less than what you spent on it

...or what you told your wife you spent on it.

 

[JPSmit]

I count 6 in the the last 30 days.

 

[glemon]

The distance a part or fastener will travel horizontally after falling vertically will be the square of the vertical drop.

The NLS part you saw used on ebay half a dozen times for a reasonable price will no longer listed on eBay when you actually need it, or will be listed, but priced about 3x market value.

Factory or better fit and finish you worked so hard to achieve when doing bodywork will totally fail when you fit new rubber seals

DOT 3 brake fluid eats paint

Corrolary

Silicone anything leaves residue and causes fisheye

 

[Madflyer]

Value is based on need, cheep is no value so time is the value added number. On any project the cost will be greater than the value so balance the cost, time and reward on a good day you may come out even. MF

 

[NutmegCT]

The classic car you've wanted for years hasn't shown up for sale online for years. At last it's there, you're the only bidder, and finally its yours.

But when you sell the car, there are dozens of them now for sale - and the prices keep dropping every day.

oy

 

[JPSmit]

The classic car you've wanted for years hasn't shown up for sale online for years. At last it's there, you're the only bidder, and finally its yours.

But when you sell the car, there are dozens of them now for sale - and the prices keep dropping every day.

oy

My experience is the opposite - you're the bidder that gets out bid by one bid and then when you do have a bot more money everything is twice the price

still oy

 

[John Turney]

The distance a part or fastener will travel horizontally after falling vertically will be the square of the vertical drop.

Unless the part is really heavy and your toes are in the way.

 

[Bayless]

There's never enough time to do it right but always enough time to do it over.

 

[swampyankee]

Concerning prices -

The market value of your car will double 6 months after you've sold it.

 

[mikephillips]

And of course the rule that after advertising a part for free for 6 months someone will want it the day after it was thrown away...

 

[pdplot]

Very true. Friend had a canoe for sale for over a year. No bites. Two months ago, on local BB, woman is looking for a canoe. I replied that my friend had one that he was trying to sell. She was ready to buy. I called him and guess what? One day ago, he gave the canoe away.

 

[AngliaGT]

If I buy a car,the price/demand will soon go down,
& if I sell one,the value will soon go up.
I had a Mazda R100 that I went through & got $1000 for.
Now I see the price of these.....

 

[sparkydave]

That part you kept seeing in the parts catalog will be discontinued when you actually need a replacement.

 

[NutmegCT]

That part you kept seeing in the parts catalog will be discontinued when you actually need a replacement.

Ain't that the truth!

And the "outstanding item!" reviews of [insert something you need] will lead to "model discontinued" when you try to find it.

 

[gonzo]

It's always too good to be true...sometimes...maybe

 

[Basil]

The distance a part or fastener will travel horizontally after falling vertically will be the square of the vertical drop.

Corollary: Whichever side of the car you lay down on first to look - the part will be closer to the other side.

 

[anarchy99]

If you are 100% positive the fastener will be SAE.... it will be metric, after you crawl under the car. The reverse is opposite. Worst case, even if it's a huge fastener, bring a 10mm... just in case

 

[YakkoWarner]

If you are 100% positive the fastener will be SAE.... it will be metric, after you crawl under the car. The reverse is opposite. Worst case, even if it's a huge fastener, bring a 10mm... just in case

And if you hedge your bets and bring both SAE and metric tools underneath with you, the faster you need to turn will be one of the few Whitworth holdouts left on the whole vehicle...