The Old Fart Won............

[dlotraf33]

Well I guess the old fart in me won. 2 weeks ago I pulled the lump Crane cam out of the hot rod and installed a milder, more power brake friendly, Howards Cam. Along with that I installed a couple of Jones glass packs, with motor cycle baffles in the end of pipes. It's still not quiet, but if I am feeling 20 I can always pull the header caps. And I got my ass warmers this week. So I need to try to get them installed soon. If you had asked me about installing seat heaters a couple of years ago I'd probably say "We don't need no stinking seat heaters".......... Although earlier today on the way back from the local Wally World I did leave a little of the cheater slicks behind, and pitched it sideways once. Then I remembered it wasn't my 21st birthday............

[Stu Cool]

I understand from where you come. I have thought of trying to duplicate a couple of cars from my youth, but then thought again about manual steering and brakes, solid lifters, no A/C and the old comfort guy in me won out. I still have a car that hauls ass, it just does it more comfortably! Plus my wife is more inclined to come along with me.

Pat

[Itoldyouso]

Yep, as we age we get a little softer and the old bones don't bend as well as they once did. We also get a little more cautious. I get out of the shower like a 90 year old now so I don't slip and fall, and yesterday I got on my 27 a little in traffic in 2nd gear, and I kept looking in the mirror for flashing lights. In the old days I wouldn't have given that a second thought.

Don

[Whiplash23T]

Damn isn't getting older a worry. But then if we all could be young again but with the knowledge we have learnt over all those years,everybody look out!!! And talking about our cars, who would of thought of putting opening doors on a T Bucket as the old legs just don't bend like they did 20 years ago. I don't know about the mild cam tho.

[lamin8r]

That makes me feel better....Redneck did some little mods and installed a power steer box in the F100 a couple of weeks back,and now its SO much more user friendly,especially when backing up with a trailer,and the road over Mt Messenger is a bit tight,so it helps there too...

[dlotraf33]

Damn isn't getting older a worry. But then if we all could be young again but with the knowledge we have learnt over all those years,everybody look out!!! And talking about our cars, who would of thought of putting opening doors on a T Bucket as the old legs just don't bend like they did 20 years ago. I don't know about the mild cam tho.

I do miss the lumpy idle. Although this cam isn't exactly smooth. A little rump rump. But part of the reason for the change is power. It's actually alot faster off the line. I didn't have enough stall for the crane cam. And the power band started at 2500. The Howards cam comes in at 1000 and pulls to 4500, so since I'm not racing it, and the motor is mild anyway, this probably is a better choice. Hmmmmmm............... This kinda sounds like I'm trying to justify the change so I don't sound like an old fart... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........

[Mike P]

I knew I was in trouble as couple of years ago when I had to have a cup holder in my Tri Power, 4 Speed, Hemi Plymouth.

I think I've come across the answer for the added weight of the comfort items though........BIGGER ENGINE.

[Matt167]

Cup holder is 1 reason I don't drive my Beetle much anymore.. then again, I work the closing shift at BK and always get a soda for the ride home.. but it's also COLD

The Ratrod will have a heater, and heated seats.. I'v got 2 12v massage/ heat pads I got for $10 each at walmart. I'm going to cut them apart carefully and see if I can get the heat elements out. they actually get quite warm

[Rrumbler]

Har!! Was a time when, if the tires didn't howl and smoke at every possible opportunity, I felt I was wussin' out. Now, unless I'm tryin', if they chirp, I tend to get out of it. My choice in cams is a lot milder, too.

But I still like loud, RRUMBLY pipes.

[Geezer2]

Welcome to "old fartism", come on in the waters fine!

Now you know why my hot rod is a Caddy with cruise, A/C, P/s, P/B, and power everything else!!

[Itoldyouso]

Welcome to "old fartism", come on in the waters fine!

Now you know why my hot rod is a Caddy with cruise, A/C, P/s, P/B, and power everything else!!

I understand only too well. But the Northstar does let me play around a little in traffic every so often.

Don

[sfort]

I know what you mean when you talk about working on the daily driver. I remember many weekends (seemed to always be winter) replacing water pumps, radiators, and doing complete brake jobs. The kids were little and money always short.

[Itoldyouso]

Yep, I remember many days working late at night to get my daily running so I could go to work the next day........usually on my back in the snow. Back then it was just what you had to do because you had a wife and a couple of kids expecting dinner that night.

To change the plugs in the Northstar, the front 4 aren't bad, they are up front. But the back ones sit under coil packs that are under a crossbar that runs from shock tower to shock tower. That did it for me......I don't bend that way these days.

Don

[Jack F]

Don,

I see now why you bit the bullet. In fact, just paid $2600 TO AMMCO to rebuild the tranny in the intrepid. Thought about doing it myself, I rebuilt the 727 in my I H Scout, but decided not this time, I've got too many other irons in the fire. I guess I am getting old.

Jack.

[Itoldyouso]

[QUOTE=Jack F;405088]Don,

I guess I am getting old.

Or smarter.......

Don