Project creep

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Mar 25, 2015 | 07:35 AM

#16

topmoo

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 3,222

Likes: 6

From: Houston

I started out with my '52 F1 over three years ago, and I was just going to get it running and drive it as it was. The PO already had a 350/TH350 in it, original suspension all around, and the body wasn't bad. That idea lasted about 2 hours after I got it home and looked at it., and project creep took over. The work that had been done was lousy and within a few weeks I had the truck down to the bare frame and found problem after problem. Nothing on the truck that hasn't been redone or will be. At some point, soon I hope, I will finally begin driving it. I am not so worried about perfect paint, but I do concentrate on all electrical and mechanical being perfect (or at least close) and having it be a comfortable driver.

Mar 25, 2015 | 02:02 PM

#17

underthebridgejim

FTE fan

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 3,674

Likes: 11

From: paradise, northern calif.

Creep, I thought it was just my OCD. I replaced a perfectly good c4 tranny with one I needed to completely rebuild. It was kinda funny actually. I think it was 7 times that I had to drop that thing by the time I fixed all the things I found along the way. Im doing it again rite now with my perfectly good rear end. there is nothing wrong with what I have(except that it's a Dana 53) and it cruises at 70 mph just fine, but having a 9" sounds better to me. Oh well Im learning a lot and having fun so Im cool with it.

Mar 25, 2015 | 02:10 PM

#18

Rimrock F1

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Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 1,170

Likes: 2

From: Rimrock AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluey Zedoff

This project of mine has easily absorbed around ten grand of hard earnt dollars and it's the thought that it will end in misery as an unfinished project on eBay which keeps me going. I reckon it owes me mid twenties and it is far from being on the road. Plus, I sacrificed a beautiful rx7 sport's car to buy my pickup, and that thing cost me 30 grand, so, I have to keep going, or I have lost it all; the truck and the beautiful sport's car.
One thing that has motivated me recently was involving my brother in the project who is encouraging me to follow the dream. He has even offered to help with stuff and I have to say, I really needed the morale support, because there are many many times I just think; why bother? Just buy another sport's car and be damned.
It is the passion and enthusiasm of guys like yourselves that keep me motivated, and when I look at finished projects on here, I really get pepped up.

The creep began after I took it to a panel shop to have a bit of rust cut out. Panel shop took 3 months to start it. In that time I got to thinking about what I really wanted to do with it. I guess it was in that 12 weeks of waiting that my simple plans went out the window.

Bottom line is, I might be sinking in quicksand, but I AM having fun

My friend Rick that helps me with machine and welding work built a 32 at one time. The project was stalling and his wife told him to finish it or sell it. That was the motivation he needed, the 32 got done. When I started on Belle his advice was do something every day I could. Even it was 15 minutes after work it adds up. I have followed that advice fairly well and as a result Belle is coming along well. Keep plugging away and if it's been a tough day do something fun on the truck, there's plenty of time for the tough stuff. Before you know it the project is finishing up.

Mar 25, 2015 | 09:30 PM

#19

c91x

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 387

Likes: 1

From: Arizona

I know this too well.. Everyone of my builds have been "finished" more than once.. What I've learned is build it exactly the way you want and don't take any budget short cuts because later you're gonna end up getting what you really wanted and probably waisted money on the budget item

Mar 25, 2015 | 09:43 PM

#20

topmoo

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 3,222

Likes: 6

From: Houston

Quote:

Originally Posted by c91x

Good advise! It is a very hard lesson to learn, I have tried to learn it many times.

Mar 26, 2015 | 05:41 AM

#21

bigwin56f100

Lead Driver

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 9,354

Likes: 1,721

From: AKRON ohio

not that this has anything to do with your creep issue, but everytime I see the thread title it makes me think of this song, and would be a good name for your truck "Creepin"

Mar 26, 2015 | 09:15 AM

#22

pweng1

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 1,350

Likes: 24

From: Maryland

I have decided to just use up what I have. Keep the projects simple but functional. If I started to open my mind to do all the things I wanted that's a horse that cant be put back in the barn

Mar 26, 2015 | 12:41 PM

#23

c91x

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2015

Posts: 387

Likes: 1

From: Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by topmoo

Good advise! It is a very hard lesson to learn, I have tried to learn it many times.

I've learned the lesson but can't say i follow it all the time. I wanted a 03/04 cobra 4.6 DOHC and bought a Mark VIII 4.6 DOHC because how cheap i got the whole mark viii for. Now I'm seriously considering building a turbo setup for it. The end price difference will be close to what i would have paid for a terminator setup but i'll have to deal with the things that come with fabbing it up and making sure I can get a good tune on it.