I had an acquaintance tell me these old trucks are not embraced by all repair shops. This came as a bit of a shock to me because most repairs are pretty straight forward. He asserted they just want to run computer diagnostics and fix per computer codes. Any of you run into this? I’m expecting to pass my truck on to my kids who are not gearheads like me...

Same subject different topic if you are not there to guide and assist. What happens to our upgraded restoMods if a shop pulls it apart only to find unknown parts with no identification which need replaced? I made a cheatsheet for the kids to take to the shop with the truck stating whats what for the application based parts search.

I figure at some point I will be unable to make the repairs personally. Do you guys see this as an issue? What mitigation strategy are you using?

 

That is really forward thinking there! I guess I have never even thought about it. However, all the little shops that I have been to in the last couple whiles are filled with guys that always just love old trucks. So, I guess some how they would do what they had to!

 

Most garages, especially larger ones now just have parts changers. They don't have real mechanics. I believe there will always be some mechanics around you will just have to find them. And hopefully they will pass on their knowledge to future generations.

 

A cheat sheet will be helpful. Finding people to work on them is getting more difficult from what friends have told me. I've never been to a shop except for wheel alignment and now I'm finding some of these TECHs don't have a clue. I'm lucky that both of my sons are gear heads but I started a small cheat sheet a few years ago for them. My problem is there are things I did years ago that I don't remember what or why I did them LOL

 

Memory is another valid reason for that cheat sheet! I will be upgrading mine with part # on top of the application specific information!

 

Repair shops do what makes the money and the reality is that it is new vehicles, mostly 10 years or newer, that bring in the dough. Therefore, the techs that are in demand and get hired tend to be the ones who know modern stuff. That's it. A tech is not incompetent if he cannot adjust points or is not familiar with older tech in general - those aren't keeping the doors open and lights on. Times have changed. Working on something you don't know causes one of two things, the shop to lose money or the customer to pay a lot more for the time involved. Further, parts for older vehicles can be harder to find and more expensive or low quality and unreliable, whereas a newer vehicle will probably have parts availability from the manufacturer, which will be reliable and fit without issue. Comebacks due to failed parts is not cheap for them to handle and where you may be able to wait weeks or months to get that part you need, you're vehicle takes up a lift at the shop and they can't be waiting for just the right item to show up at just the right price and have it shipped on the slow boat. Lots of reasons that it just would not work well at the average modern shop

I think finding a good shop, in general, is hard. The reason is flat rate. Most techs cannot meet or beat flat rate so they have to cut corners and race to complete the job in order to make money. This results in poor quality of work done. In a more specialized shop, if you can find one, that focuses on one brand maybe even one or only a few models, or only one aspect of maintenance or repair, for instance, those guys may be able to do it but for the most part they can't and the end result is poor quality of work. A shop that does all makes and models, unless they have someone who really knows what you happen to own, the work generally will not be so great.

As far as a restomod, I keep a folder with all receipts and in that folder, I keep another with the instructions for any non stock items that have been installed. I also have a log book and 10 to 15 years ago, I started including brand and part number for any item (stock replacement or custom items, everything) I used in that log book. That makes it a lot easier to look back and see what I need, if one of those items need to be replaced.

 

I rebuilt my truck, cab off rebuild with some custom touches added in.
It just dawned on me if you cant fix it and cant find a shop what do you do?
This last year I have hit a few car shows and Cars & Coffee and a lot of the older people that have the older cars & trucks did not build them and I am guessing work on them other than wash & wax, detail before a show.
If I was looking for a shop I would talk to them to see who they use. Most also have the dollars so be ready to pay out.
The other thing is to seek out local car clubs and see if they can point you to a shop.

BTW the garage I take my other cars to for the yearly inspection dose work on older stuff.
The owner has a really nice 57 Chevy and belongs to one of the largest car clubs in the area (not the one I belong to).
Dave ----

 

Face it we are dinosaurs. The availability of finding parts is getting harder. I remember the days of spending a bunch of time in a junkyard and enjoying the whole day. For me that was a rush. Finding a good parts person is another one. Even getting a paint job, most shops do insurance jobs because it is better money. For those of us that know how to do it educate train and show the way. If a good shop is found, consider yourself lucky.