labor of love

[ck80]

wow ....well I guest I'll stop my complaining and feeling bad about how long its taking and just keep turning the wrench on my project.

There's always something more to do, and, the longer you have it new stuff wears out, better stuff comes along to swap in, so on so on.

Then there's project creep, where a tire rotation leads to pads/shoes leads to disc conversion leads to bigger rims leads to new bushings and control arms leads to new springs leads to let's pull the frame, rebushing, and powdercoat everthing....

 

[SS_Malibu]

the goal was to have it driveable as much as possible.

Agreed!
Unless you're doing a frame off, complete rebuild like some of our members have done, then keeping it drivable as much as possible is the goal for me. I typically try to get as much as I can together for the next project so I can have as little down time as possible. I save the money and buy the stuff. While my car is currently down, it shouldn't be for much longer. Transmissions are expensive with everything involved to switch it over from one type to another. I've had my current car for about 3 years or so (not my first Gbody) and have done a lot to it and have enjoyed driving it most of that time.

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

At one point I had a $400 5.3l long block as a backup engine to slap in my SS to drive it as I was putting together something on the side. Swapping Engines is fast in these cars when you set the car up for it. I like my current setup why I enjoy taking it out as much as I do. 🙂

 

[SS_Malibu]

Mine will be on the road soon and then start saving for the next big project (QP rear end) while doing smaller ones in the mean time.

 

[83MonteCarloSS]

I’ve had mine for 29 years. It is my first car. The main bulk of work began in 96 when I had the engine rebuilt. The computer management was removed along with the smog stuff and some upgrades. In 97 the TH350 was replaced with a non lockup rebuilt unit with a shift kit installed. In 99 I replaced the open 3.42 rear end with a posi 3.73. Year 2000 I replaced all the suspension bushings with poly and replaced the steering components besides the gearbox. Not much was done after that until the last 5 years when I replaced the transmission with a 200-4r that I went through and replaced what needed attention and installed a shift kit, new poly body mounts, reinstalled the air conditioning, and am currently working on rust repair to get the car ready for body work and paint.

What is most frustrating is when the car is tore apart to the point where it cannot be driven. I try to avoid that now and take it for a drive as often as possible.

Another frustration is when you are working on an upgrade and something like the steering gearbox develops a major leak you can’t avoid anymore and have to shift gears to fix an issue before completing the upgrade. Or another vehicle pipes up and needs attention.

It is a never ending labor of love.