Am I A Bad Nova Owner?

Am I a bad Nova owner if I pay someone to work on my car?

:(

Depends on what theyre doing for you and how much you respect the Nova. I would rather do the work myself but I wouldn't turn down Chip Foose if he wanted to give me a Nova he built.:)

nope I paid someone to do my rearend.. build my engine.. thier are just something some guy dont know how to do. i can build a engine but not as good as a good engine shop. But rear end i have not yet learned how to do it so i let someone with the knowlege to do it so i know its done right.

Depends on what theyre doing for you and how much you respect the Nova. I would rather do the work myself but I wouldn't turn down Chip Foose if he wanted to give me a Nova he built.:)

I havent found anyone to do anything yet....I really want to do the work myself but I try to do some things but I seem to go backwards.

I am good at step by step instructions but most books dont do it that way. I understand that its not like baking a cake. Sorry if I sound like I am whining its just frustrating.

I havent found anyone to do anything yet....I really want to do the work myself but I try to do some things but I seem to go backwards.

I know where you're coming from. I've had my car a year and I'm just now getting the electrical side of things in order. It all depends on how much time and effort you're willing to put in to it and if you feel the sense of acomplishment will be worth it. I'm not saying to do it all your self but It makes me feel pretty good when I get something done and know it works. I think about 75% of the time I worked on my car I was going backwards but it also helped me learn alot. At least I know what to do the right way on my next car.

[QUOTE=Ian;1155003]I havent found anyone to do anything yet....I really want to do the work myself but I try to do some things but I seem to go backwards.[QUOTE]

I know where you're coming from. I've had my car a year and I'm just now getting the electrical side of things in order. It all depends on how much time and effort you're willing to put in to it and if you feel the sense of acomplishment will be worth it. I'm not saying to do it all your self but It makes me feel pretty good when I get something done and know it works. I think about 75% of the time I worked on my car I was going backwards but it also helped me learn alot. At least I know what to do the right way on my next car.

I agree...I did the headers, starter, tranny lines and plugs and wires. it all turned out great and I was syked.

But the car isnt running right and I really want to enjoy it before the summer is over.

Of course money is an issue too. Its cheaper to do it myself.

The other thing is being on my back under the car sweating my *** off aint like it used to be.....

To me it's easy. There are thing's I know how to do and there are thing's I don't. The thing's I don't I either pay some to do it or find "FRIEND"(hint hint.......TOM)to help me do it. So don't feel ashamed to ask for help when you need the help. We all do once in a while.

To me it's easy. There are thing's I know how to do and there are thing's I don't. The thing's I don't I either pay some to do it or find "FRIEND"(hint hint.......TOM)to help me do it. So don't feel ashamed to ask for help when you need the help. We all do once in a while.

I have asked....Ive bribed I even went so far as to tell someone I would pay them feed them and give them beer if they would just come and watch me do it so I was doing it right. They didnt have to touch a tool! I guess I seemed too needy :)

I really dont have gearhead friends...Or the ones I do have are just too busy on there own rides or life in general....

I have asked....Ive bribed I even went so far as to tell someone I would pay them feed them and give them beer if they would just come and watch me do it so I was doing it right. They didnt have to touch a tool! I guess I seemed too needy :)

I really dont have gearhead friends...Or the ones I do have are just too busy on there own rides or life in general....

Trust me brother I know exactly what you are taking about. And my buddies that tell me "Sorry man I already have plan's all the time". Are the one's I don't talk to all that much any more. Now I am the type of person if you need help with your car I am there. And I don't expect them to drop what they are doing every time I ask. BUTTTTTTT...........once in a while would be nice. JMO

YES YOU ARE! penalty,,,, give me your car!!:devil:


nope, dont worry about it, do what you can or want to learn to do and farm the rest out...very few people can do everything on a resto and have it turn out looking good...

Are you anywhere near North Brookfield?

Iv'e done everything but shocks, wheel alienment, engine machinest work...But.. I still want to have someone else install my power steering control valve, rear end work..Maybe headliner..after that...Nothing else comes to mind..........

We all need help from time to time. If there is somthing you feel your not able to do, then by all means have it done. There are very few car guys who can do everything it takes to build a car. So I wouldn't feel bad about it.

Are you anywhere near North Brookfield?

Not even close.....And I dont know if the car would make it ....i cant even take it around the block with out bogging and surging like crazy....

Do what you can - farm out the rest - don't question your decision.

I have adequate knowledge but no physical ability due to arthritis.

Without my son's help, my love of old cars would come to a halt.

Do what you can - farm out the rest - don't question your decision.

I have adequate knowledge but no physical ability due to arthritis.

Without my son's help, my love of old cars would come to a halt.

Dad bring the 49 Chevy over Monday and I will put that headlight bucket in and fix your seat.

Sorry Ian I am not trying to hi-jack your thread. I always try to do as much as I can myself but I often have to enlist the help of others. Sometimes I am smart enough to know from the start I need help and other times I get half way through a project before I figure out that I am stumped and need help.

If it is bogging and surging, check timing, then start looking for vacum leaks around the carb or a line off or something or maybe a plugged fuel filter or a wire off or it is choking or something. There are some tune up books with decision trees in them. That may help. Or you can start a post in the driveline section.

I try to do it myself first, takes three times as long, but I learn a lot. I made a deal with my wife that I would do as much as I can myself. Since it is a fun car, if it sits for a week or so, then that is okay. Don't be impatient. Try to find a shop that will let you watch them as they sort out the problem. You may decide that you never want to do that again, or that wasn't so bad I can figure it out.

Do as much as you can, try to get good value for what you have someone else do and above all, enjoy the car. You will sort it out.


Ray

I'm kinda in your shoes. I know quite a bit about working on cars - in fact 25 years ago I went to college for it ( and got burned out ) . I have all kinds of trouble working on my Nova. Its like Murphys Law follows me around when I work on it.:(:( The only problem I have with paying someone else to do what I need - is the $ it takes to do it. I have an axle seal leaking now - and that's DEFINITELY gonna be a "pay somebody" deal. If I had the money - heck I'd pay somebody to redo the whole friggin car. I'm not that proud. I'd rather have a nice car that runs well - that I can drive wherever whenever - then to struggle with trying to do it all myself....:yes::yes:

I wish some of you guys where closer to me then there wouldn't be much of a problem, we could work together (2 halves of a brain equals a whole). But doesn't seem to be too many in my area that want to get together and wrench.

But I also understand others have lives....

I wish some of you guys where closer to me then there wouldn't be much of a problem, we could work together (2 halves of a brain equals a whole). But doesn't seem to be too many in my area that want to get together and wrench.

But I also understand others have lives....

You are absolutely right. My Dad and I have worked on cars together for years. It is always easier if you have someone to work through the problems with. We don't always agree on how to get there but we always get there. I am not a good mechanic I am a persistent one. I don't always get there the first try but I keep trying until I do. If you can't figure out your bog problem I would not hesitate to take it to a good mechanic and let them take a look at it. They have a lot more testing tools than you do I am sure. Once you get through this problem you will have built up some steam to tackle the next one yourself.