The 67 Olds project is finally underway

[Guest imported_DaveZZZ]

I've been driving the Olds, enjoying it, and making project lists, deciding what to do first and determining what items I need, with an eye to safety.

Well, I finally had a break in the weather and took the car to get a sticker. They like to say "live free or die" here in NH, but the truth is that when it comes to stickers, they should just say "die." I have had two cars with less than 30K miles on them failed for some of the most bogus reasons. I know a bad tie rod end when I see one.

Anyway, I guess my upcoming project list has been decided for me, and it is as follows. Hopefully I can get this done the first week in July, when I have some time off.

-Front flexible brake lines. I think it is BS, but I wanted to do them anyway.

-Lower passenger ball joint. I knew about this, but I don't think it is at all urgent.

-rear wheel bearing. Yes it needs to be done, but I do not think that it needs to be done to the point of failing the inspection. In fact, I suspect that it is not the bearing itself but just the seal (small amount of grease oozing behind the backing plate, but no noise or vibration)

-Power steering pump. If this leak were any slower, it wouldn't be leaking at all. I topped it off 1000 miles ago, put in 1/10 of a quart, and it is still full. I pointed out that I had driven cars for 25,000 miles with worse leaks than this, and he said "Any time something is leaking it is a safety concern."

Just needed to vent to some folks who would probably understand.

I have ordered all the parts except a rebuild kit for the PS pump. Anybody got any suggestions on that?

The worst part is, I live on the NH/MA border, and I brought the car to a friend of a friend who owns (and works in) a suspension/driveline shop, so that I could get a pro's assesment of what needs to be done for safety, and what could wait until the nice weather is over and be done at my liesure. He suggested a few things, which I let him do (I figured he was helping me out so I would at least let him make some money off the deal), and he said "You're all set, these things are needed, but none of them are urgent. Enjoy the summer and you can do these at your house in the winter."

I really don't think he'd steer me wrong, so I feel like I am at the mercy of this guy who just wants to drum up business.

-Dave

[6219_Rules]

Safety...safety, safety. I am so sick of people wanting to be wrapped and protected from everything. we have given the government cart blanch to tell us when to do this and when to do that. I don't mean to rant but good lord. I think I will pay Ralph Nader a visit and put silly string in his air bags! I believe we must act responsibly and do what is right to keep our cars safe generally. It is only the right thing to do. I do not need Uncle Samual telling me what to do for my own good. Nuts to that! Seat belt laws...fah!

So there you are. It is a pitty they did that to you. In Colorado they recognise that a 'collector' car is not the same as a modern plastic puff on wheels so it can not be evaluated by the same criteria. My '47 Caddy was looked over, literally, and passed for registration. My '69 98 was put on the emission control machine and did better than the 2001 Chevy that proceeded it by about 200 points! Why? Because I take care of it. So the engine runs correctly and does not spew crud into the environment, at least no worse than any other vehicle.

I am sorry you had to go through that. I wish you the best on your restoration project.

<img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[66400]

What about trying a different inspection station that may be in a better mood? Henry.