ChuckD
Jan 20th, 05, 06:08 PM
Well, as you know, one thing leads to another...I have a small shift shaft seal leak, so I figured, what the heck, just drop the trans and fix it, and get a good look inside. This job can be done on the car....but...I pulled it anyway. Then, since I had the trans out, I got the tools out and cleaned up the x-member. Ok, now what, jeez, the U-joints are a bit loose, I'll just replace them, but wait...the driveshaft is rusty, OK, I'll clean and paint that too. Alright, now what...ya' know, that clutch seemed a bit slippery, so lets pull off the "403" and give that disc a look. Oh man, it needs to be replaced. Ok... now what? The flywheel is a bit marked up, but easily fixed. OK, take it off and re-surface, and don't forget to use new bolts. Wow, that's enough....hey wait, that original shifter looks like it fell out of a tree....better clean this up and make it look like new. By the way, all the shift rods and linkages look dirty also....better clean them up and respray. Ok now what, holy cow, I'm only one hour from pulling the engine....I scored some GM Recon paint, so....lets jerk that motor, paint it, paint the subframe, replace the engine and trans mounts, get new exhaust hardware, new hoses, re-do/re-finish the smog stuff, and wait....that new potential Gardner Exhaust is looking good....so if I take off this old one...ick... I can respray the bottom all the way back....and don't forget to have the radiator flushed and repainted. I might as well re-finish all the other accesories under the hood....and since the pan/rear main leaks, lets fix that too..... And OH, next winter I plan on redoing the entire front and rear suspension....new parts, powder coat, etc.....thank God I bought a finished car or I'd really have work to do!! Has this happened to you? I must know. And it all started with a drip (not me!)