Thread: One of those days

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What a day!!!

I went through surgery last week and was suppose to take it easy but the 50 Ford Crestliner has been waiting for me to take her into town for a police inspection since I bought the car out of State. My wife had to go to work so she asks how long is it going to take for you to get ready? I said not long, I went to the garage the old ford fired right up backed it out of the garage. There were a few things I wanted to check first and I wanted a spare battery so we wouldn’t get stranded if she would fail to start. The fuel said full but it’s been saying that for almost two years now. I did the old shake the car then listen to see if I could gauge how much gas was in the tank. It didn’t seem like enough and obviously the gauge was not working. So I put about 5 gallons in the tank. Since I shut the car off to get in the trunk to put another battery, jumper cables, starting fluid and gloves.

I was ready to go and my faithful wife was ready to follow me. I turn the switch hit the button and the so and so won’t start. I get the battery out of the trunk try to jump it and it still won’t start. I’m a pretty easygoing guy even though my wife would highly disagree. I start with I hate these old 6 Volt so and so cars. My wife being one to always try to help says why didn’t you keep it running? A few more words of a mad man by this time and looking for the next move, I’m not about to give up. I said I’d push the car back to the incline in the driveway and try to start it in reverse. That plan didn’t work now the car is down the drive away from the garage. I said get your car and push me back up the rise, my wife is normally the BOSS but in cases like this she knows I’m on a track that can not be controlled. She gets the car behind the so and so old car. I don’t try to start it while she is pushing it up hill I just walk beside the car steering it to flat ground I motion for her to stop she backs off, the car starts rolling back down the hill. I have to stop the car by my own strength. I let out a few more choice words and tell her to get behind the car. Man does she have patience she did what I said and gives me no choice words. I tell her to get me going so I can start the car rolling forward, it starts and now I have to back up to get the battery and jumper cables just in case it won’t start at the police station. The car has not been outside of the garage in almost two years but it really runs quite so when I come up to a stop sign I have to pull the choke a little to make sure it doesn’t die. I’m on a major highway going through the gears and the pipes sound good but I’m still pis--- but I make it to the police station about 13 to 14 miles from home. My wife said I would let it run so I did. I go inside push the button to let them know I’m here because I called first to ask if I could get an inspection for an out of State car. The person said it would be a minute so I wait 30 minutes all the time the old so and so is running in front of the station. I look out and my wife gives me a wave, I try to see if there is any fluid coming from the car. Now I can’t take it any longer so I push the button again. The person say’s can I help you? I said I’m the guy that came for an inspection for an out of State car could you have the officer come out side because I have to check the car it’s been running all this time an it’s an old car. I didn’t notice the Police Officer standing behind me but the lady said this officer could help me. I brought a magnified glass with me since the numbers are on the firewall. It takes about 5 minutes and we are set to go. I just want to get back home and put the so and so away in the garage. This is the last straw with 6-volt systems for me. I will be changing it over even though it’s pretty much original.


Richard

Sometimes I think we rodders like pain, otherwise why would we play with cars that give us so much trouble? You are right about those old 6 volt systems, had quite a few that cranked like molasses was in the pan. Glad to see you finally made it there and back without "too" many problems.

Don

Thanks for the story Richard and sorry I had to Laugh out loud as I have been in that same situation tooo many times myself.
Just an idea, how about surprising your good wife with some flowers to say "hey Thanks".....

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Thanks for the story Richard and sorry I had to Laugh out loud as I have been in that same situation tooo many times myself.
Just an idea, how about surprising your good wife with some flowers to say "hey Thanks".....

Thanks whiplash23T,

It’s usually amusing when it’s over and everything is all right. At the time I was not so amused.

Yes I called my wife at work a few times to say I’m sorry. My wife asked me if I were her would I put up with me? I said absolutely not. She has gone through this kind of stuff with me for over 40 years.

My wife is a real JEWEL and when I’m not being a pain in her behind I treat her nice, it’s just these so and so cars that get me screwed up. I have a love hate with cars. When they are nice and clean running good, people ask about them it’s love, when they won’t start, break down, it’s hate.

I did tell the Officer the colors matches theirs, tan and brown and a lady that works with the Court went on and on about how nice it was.

Tomorrow we go to look at another car, this one is not a hot rod or custom. It’s a 2000 Neon that one of the Sister’s had a head on collision with $1,970 in damages plus maybe a few things the garage couldn’t see. I’m thinking about $400 or $500 since I have 2000 Neon with 185,000 miles on it. If I can take the front end and put it on the other car I think my wife would ease up on me a bit.

PS I see you couldn’t sleep either or there is a big time difference.

Richard

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Sometimes I think we rodders like pain, otherwise why would we play with cars that give us so much trouble? You are right about those old 6 volt systems, had quite a few that cranked like molasses was in the pan. Glad to see you finally made it there and back without "too" many problems.

Don

It happens all the time; if they don't fire right away it seems to drag the battery right down.

If the car wasn't so nice and I hadn't paid full price, that drive train would come out in a heartbeat and a small block Chevy would go in.

Funny part is I have a 39 Ford Coupe with a 283 bored out to 301 4speed 57 Chevy rear end that I've had since 1968 and it's just sitting in the garage. I have drug that car for two home moves and it still is waiting its turn to run again.

If there were a twelve-step program for car-oholics I would be a chartered member.

Richard

Hey Richard great story. I know what you mean about love/hate with cars and motorcycles! Hope your feeling better. Steve

Yeah those time zones can make it complicated and also I'm not working at the moment due to health issues and I am forever getting told that I 'm on this computer from the moment I'm out of bed to the moment of going to bed but my mum exaggerates alot I think. I have taken on the responsibility of looking after my mum in her later years instead of placing her in an old folks home,and she tells me that she always goes to sleep through the day due to the fact that my nose is buried in this computer...

Originally Posted by stovens

Hey Richard great story. I know what you mean about love/hate with cars and motorcycles! Hope your feeling better. Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks, I'm going back to the DR. Friday. I had sinus surgery the nose was full of polyps and had a cyst on the sinus also. I'm doing a lot better now, it was just a pain not to be able to blow the nose or take Excedrin or anything else with aspirin. Then it's off to the Heart Dr. to see what the EKG found.

Richard

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Yeah those time zones can make it complicated and also I'm not working at the moment due to health issues and I am forever getting told that I 'm on this computer from the moment I'm out of bed to the moment of going to bed but my mum exaggerates alot I think. I have taken on the responsibility of looking after my mum in her later years instead of placing her in an old folks home,and she tells me that she always goes to sleep through the day due to the fact that my nose is buried in this computer...

She is probably right,you computer addict,you...

Whiplash,

You’re a good man. I have seen a lot of the old folks Homes where the kids drop off their parents.

There is no sense in tossing and turning in bed when I can get an early start on Club Hot Rod!!