Classic Car Repairs
I know how much your classic cars means to you, whether it is a family heirloom, something you've sought after your entire life, or something you've worked your entire life for.. I get it. Nonetheless, we must examine the realities affiliated with these machines that are of age.
Generally speaking, classic cars are beautiful ticking time bombs and break all the time. This isn't just because they're old, although that plays a significant role. Let us examine a little further, some of the less conventional and peculiar reasons for this:
- Classic car replacement parts are subpar. The low production volume of these parts elicits a manufacturing process that is optimized for manufacturers, not for consumers or for reliability. Moreover, the tolerance specifications for classic car components are inordinately ludicrous. Pair these two factors together and you have a prescription for eventual, dare I even say imminent, failure.
- Classic cars have had decades of shade-tree mechanics fabricating micky mouse repairs and maiming everything under the hood and along the chassis.
- Classic cars rarely have factory components. When a non-factory component fails, locating a suitable replacement is an arduous process at best.
Be that as it may, I do work with classic cars on a case-by-case basis. Bear in mind, the invoicing protocol will likely differ. Depending on the work required, an up front deposit is probable.
Carbureted Engines
The foremost complaint of any carbureted engine is poor drivability. This can manifest itself in hard starting, misfires, backfiring, sputtering, stalls, dead spots in the pedal, low idle, high idle, fouled spark plugs, etc. Regardless of the specifics on the performance-based complaint, there are a few minimum requirements which must first be addressed before diagnosis will continue. We will:
- Perform a compression check & evaluate plug conditions.
- Evaluate ignition timing.
- Replace all ignition components .
- Replace all intake gaskets
- Install a replacement, or professionally rebuilt, carburetor (mechanical or EFI) that has a mathematically appropriate CFM rating for your specific long block.
The reason for these steps is that there are no data recordings or oscilloscope traces that can be taken on these mechanically fuel injected systems, aside from a basic spark trace. There are a myriad of other shops that will work with you to attain a more stepped, or incremental, solution to your drivability issues. All the same, these five steps are an obligatory prerequisite for all carbureted drivability diagnosis at this business.
Rebuilds
It is a natural and common occurrence for customer aspirations to ramp rapidly once truly diligent and meticulous service has been experienced. It can also be easy to disremember the necessity of engineering intricacy, accuracy, and pertinent machining apparatus associated with reconditioning precision assemblies.
As even the slightest deviation from exact specifications can result in compromised performance or failure, it is imperative that skilled, experienced, and equipped artisans are entrusted with the task.
When it comes to rebuilds, I will gladly:
- Consult along the way
- Extract/install vehicle components
- Carter to/from the aforementioned artisans
However, the actual reconditioning work will not be completed here. This strategic approach enables the rebuilding process to be executed with high confidence, surpassing the capabilities of in-house resources and ultimately delivering superior results.
Other Services
The Impending Experience
Vehicles are one of the single largest investments most individuals will ever make in their lifetime. Typically, they are second in magnitude, only to the purchase of a home. When something goes awry with your second largest investment, a litany of emotions and eleventh-hour schedule alterations are inevitable. The only thing that could possibly make the entire ordeal worse, is subsequently realizing that the auto mechanic shop you've chosen to restore your vehicle to its previous, operational state, is one that lacks all ability to communicate clearly, provide accurate timelines, and fix it appropriately the first time around. The disdain I have for this type of environment is unparalleled and I will always point it out in derision. While my operation is small-scale, the processes I have in place are designed to directly address the aforementioned deficiencies we've all experienced in these shops.
Not unrelated to these deficiencies, the service and repair industry is hamstrung by the "Unattainable Triangle". When a shop fails the customer expectation, it is virtually always a result of delivering one of the fast sides of the triangle. I relay this information to shed light on the detriments of expeditious repairs. Here, in this business, speed is inconsequential. Automotive repairs made in haste are invariably inferior, whether you know it or not.