Yep! Guess I asked for it didn't I.


In truth though -- that's an old racing trick... it's actually for weight balance.:unibrow:

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/DSC00760.jpg



http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/DSC00762.jpg[/QUOTE]


Man, I can't believe you had the heads painted:faint: LOL
So what's wrong with just going out into the garage and sitting in your car and not driving it anywhere??? I do it all the time:D

Seriously, joking aside, money or no money my heart goes out to you Greg, don't mess w/a man's car!!!!!!!

Let me know when your ready to roll and we'll go take care of this http://youtu.be/V8lT1o0sDwI

Wow...:wow: So sorry Greg, this has been a nightmare for you, I think your at a point where you need to take the whole car apart and go over it 100% yourself, you might not get this summer driving in,but you can fix what obviously is total novice work before you have new found heartache again!

With shops closing and good work being your reputation..its just plain ignorance and stupidity to not screw up,is it being lazy or not interested? Iam sorry for your troubles,but thank you for shedding the light on what a poor shop can do on a simple rebuild,can you imagine the poor other guys who's cars are there being ass raped and what they will be in for when there dream ride is finished!

Take care Greg...hang in there!...that rear oil shot out end picture made me loose my toast this morning!

:willy: :wow: :omg:

No need for disassembly! Remember that I give credit where credit is due... and the fit and finish and assembly it 100% top notch... I'm not complaining at all about that part of the build. I got what I paid for and more in that department.

My beef is with a shop that knows it has issues with a component they bought/sourced/installed/modified whatever.... gets more than a couple of times to resolve the issue... and can't perform.

When I picked up the car this time - I had the opportunity to take it out for a short drive. The very first thing I noticed was the noisy throw out bearing... it was a WTF! They put 40 or 50 miles on the car in the last couple of days and didn't address that? SO do they not know that throw out bearings don't squeal like pigs or do they not know how to fix it? Or did they cause the problem with a poor install and didn't want to expend the time and $$ to fix their FU? I don't know -- but what I do know is -- You don't get away with that with me and if you try to get away with that kind of crap - then in my best "The Donald" -- YOU'RE FIRED. :unibrow: It's a super simple world I roll in... I'm happy with paying for top quality work. I love it! But I won't tolerate stupid - I won't tolerate excuses - and I won't ever be back. :woot:

Not a thing wrong with going for a "joy ride"... But they get finished a whole lot quicker if ya stop drooling and start tooling... :willy: :lol:

No tears need to be shed for me... I'm a big boy... I can and will fix the couple stupid items and then the car will be OMG wonderful. My point of posting all of this up and air the laundry here is simply to share my disappointment coming down the final stretch.

Steve and Chuck have said to me - more than a couple of times - "geez we're really embarrassed and we're so sorry".... Ya know what? In my book there should be absolutely ZERO "I'm sorry" and or "I'm embarrassed" because you sure as hell weren't sorry or embarrassed when you billed me. And if you were so sorry and so embarrassed - then you sure should have done a better job THE SECOND TIME AROUND...

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Well so much for what I tell my guys ''THEIRS ALWAYS TIME TO DO IT RIGHT THE SECOND TIME!!'' I didn't think this was going to end well Greg..

I'm "okay" with second time. Been doing this long enough to know that you can't foresee every issue - that parts go south right out of the box - that "shizzel happens". You get two chances.... you DO NOT GET THREE. :wow: :lol:

Greg, I'm a little late to your party,sorry you have to go through this, but I'm sure if anyone can fix all the issues, it would be you.:woot:

Total bummer!
Get out to the shed and fix her up....then take your bride for a nice long drive in it....it will be all smiles after that..........:cheers:

I hope to see you in July....work might get in the way though. :(

Love this pic Greg.

Just an update 'cause I know you're all just dying to hear what's up with the car.

This morning I got up and decided to put the manometer on the stacks - since I know they worked hard on the idling. They were WAY out of whack... so I balanced those up and the motor smoothed out considerably. So that was a super easy fix - provided you actually own a manometer! :unibrow:

If you're playing with 8 stacks this is no less important than owing a timing light or a screwdriver.

Leaned out the idle AF ratio to 13:8 -- idle got crisper note and was steadier

I already reported that with ONE adjustment - the parking brake issue was resolved (so far). Prior to that adjustment - if you turned left - you'd swear you were driving with an exploded posi unit. Just terrible noises! So after studying the set up a bit - I made an adjustment - then went out and drove the car down a hill while using the handbrake a bit - on and off -- drag the car down and release gain some speed and hit it again. This is NOT an emergency brake -- but could be used as one. It's a simple parking brake but the little bitty pads are brand new and they needed to be bedded in and scrub off some of the nubs and newness.... after that they have not made a single peep. :woot:

Now -- let's have a simple class....

A PCV is what class?

That's right -- it's a controlled vacuum leak.

How many of you would "T" into a controlled vacuum leak to get vacuum for the MAP sensor or the Fuel Pressure Regulator?

GOOD CLASS! You're way ahead of these guys! 'Cause they T'd into the PCV line in order to pull vacuum on something that wants a solid steady signal!


Okay class now that you're on a roll --

If you wanted to get a car to idle down would you?

A) Advance the timing

B) Retard the timing


That's right... "B" you would RETARD the timing

If you retarded the timing - even just 2 degrees - would you then have to adjust the idle settings in order to achieve the desired idle RPMS?

YES! You're right again! Man you guys are good!

But here's the trick question....

If you mess with idle settings on EFI -- do you?

A) Reset the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) settings in the ECU

B) You have no clue so do nothing and expect the ECU to understand the
new voltage readings it's getting so it no longer knows it's at idle (closed throttle)

So it's the little DETAILS but you first have to have a CLUE and if you don't have a clue - pick up the phone and ask someone that does... but then that would be embarrassing to admit you're clueless so it's better to just screw it up and let the customer do it correctly. :woot:

Greg, on a side note I gotta stop by and see this car sometime. I'm over at my son's quite a bit who lives in Kirland (really enjoy the eating establishments downtown) where I'm currently sending this message from in the wee hours of the morning. We'll have to hook up one day this summer for a bite. What a weekend here in the great state of Wa... Oh and I've actually been hitting the car pretty steady the last couple of weeks:yes:

Lenie -- You've got my cell number! Call me buddy and let's hook up!

My wife is in europe -- it's sunny -- I'm home -- and it's hot rod weather!


EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Greg, all the above simple tweaks you've listed just shows that although very talented as fabricators they know very little about the mechanical workings of a car. In other words they can make it real pretty, but it may not drive down the road very well.

The problems you described are things that an average gearhead knows (other than maybe the efi as many have never touched one) and surprisingly they did not. It's like they're real good at someone bringing them in a fully sorted car for new paint and some sheetmetal mods, but they wouldn't be able to build a car from scratch.

Glad you have things on the right track. The car is gonna be a ball to drive.

Jody ---

At this point -- and it's really just sorting through some little silly things -- I have to just chuckle to myself and shake my head. It's comical now... I'm over being disappointed.

I totally agree with your assessment of the situation. It's a show car shop. I've learned from this.

What gets me is that they repeatedly told me about all the high dollar returning customer cars they've built - as in - "this is the 5th car we've built for this customer". So either they HAD people in the past that knew how to finish a car and they're gone - or the customer NEVER drives them... and when I think about the cars this shop has built... I've never seen ANY of them on the road - and after the "show circuit" you don't see them in the magazines such as GG Gazette so that tells me they're just tucked away in someones collection.

It also shows me to choose better the next time. Next time I will choose a shop that not only builds the cars - but takes them out and beats on 'em just to prove they can move and groove.... Making events like Optima etc even more important in my book.

I think you need to open a shop. One that's different from 99% out there. Does great work, on time, and with the knowledge about how to build these cars for more than just a car show; build them to be driven. :thumbsup:

It really sucks that after the second attemp that your still not happy with the way it turned out.
Not only Steve's, but any shop should be embarrased to have the car not right the second time. I wonder how many of his customers are on hot rod message forums?
You have the tools and the skills to fix the stuff. It won't take you long to get it done.
So when you bringing it down to Beaches Cruise night? After your done with the Camaro?

Thanks! But I don't need any income - and I sure as hell don't need a job!



EEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

yeah, but think of all the fun you'd have........... :lol:

I'd have the very finest tools in the shop money could buy.... and no customers. The first customer that was a butthead - I'd point to the door and tell them to get the f out of here....

I'm just not into dealing with bozos and wannabes.... and besides that.... work has a way of interfering with my social life.:willy: :D

Cars are only fun when you're doing it for your own personal satisfaction. Doing it for pay - no thanks... There's only like one Foose for every 100,000
"guys" out there trudging away.

BTW -- "something" in the drivetrain in the '32 just let go -- had to go get the trailer and winch it on... lucky I was on a buddies street about 10 blocks from the house here. So whatever the "noise" was -- it sounded like squealing throwout bearing - just might have been the precursor to something else. The rear end also has a lot of gear noise - and I've been thinking that it was the straight cut gears for the quickchange - but maybe it's something a bit more serious we shall see.
:rolleyes:

:( sorry man, keep us posted.

Wow, this is turning into a nightmare.

Greg, that really blows man.... better that happening up there than down here in Pleasanton I guess!

Hope it's not something TOO major.... :mad:

Can identify with that statement.

All the challenges have forced us to know a lot more about this car stuff than we would have. Plus we may be able to earn an on-line master's degree from just this thread!

Yeah --- I bought the nightmare on a whim at an auction... shoulda dumped it right when I figured out it was a POS...

I'll get squared away... It ain't the first car like this I've had go south... eventually you can turn them all around.

Class dismissed!


:rofl: :rofl:

I decided, after the clutch or something in the drivetrain "let go" on Sunday morning -- that the car should just go back to them and let them fix it. Why should I pay top dollar and then do all the work - AND let them "off the hook" for their BS.... So the car was delivered by me this morning.

They were paid IN FULL when I picked it up... I since put a stop payment on the check - a pretty good one - and they'll get the dough when I think the car is ready to be "finalized". The longer it takes to finish the work - the longer it will be before they're paid. I think that is more than fair considering that all the other work was paid for WELL in advance - so they were working on a "credit balance" for the entire build except this last bit. No car - no pay.

Not sure what happened with the drivetrain -- I heard a loud "POP" -- and then nothing - no forward or backward movement - no grinding - no clanging - no dripping - no movement. Put it in gear - you can let out the clutch at idle and it will BARELY move forward on it's own. It's not making a single sound that would say "OH CRAP! SOMETHING JUST BROKE". Go figure. Not my job to figure it out is kinda what I'm thinking. The throwout bearing was squealing - so maybe it finally ate itself.

I asked them to take the stupid StarDrive out (this was my idea to put in) and replace it with a good old fashioned KEY. The StarDrive is more than useless.... anyone wants one - speak up and I'll send it to ya.:rolleyes:

Also - the exhaust continues to fall off it's perch - it's a real simple fix by extending the bushings it's riding on - so that's no biggie.... but the chrome continues to come off the drivers half shaft -- and the rear continues to puke grease...

Our beloved Mister Tim Bruning solved the issue we were having with the 8 stack not wanting to idle down - so kudos to him for that! The EZ EFI is all tuned in and works like a charm!

I am still in love with the level of fit and finish - it's just superb....

Funny though === Santa Barbara I got an "honorable mention" in what was about a 4 car field . Saturday I went to a small (208 cars) parking lot show (I hate them but my buddies all wanted to see the car)... and I got........ ZIP.... and trust me - the field was so average I walked the show in about half an hour... Nothing - nada - zip... so apparently there is something about the car that people don't like - or don't see - or maybe because it's just "another red '32". The few - VERY FEW - people that took time to look - went nuts over all the little stuff - but that was dang few people. I don't give two hoots about that -- it just struck me as odd. My buddy Bruce Leven (google his name and you'll see a stellar car guy with a long history of racing and car "stuff") LOVED it -- and given his collection of 30+ top notch cars - that was all I needed.

I'm in Portland...what are you asking for the StarDrive Greg?

What is it about the star drive? Does it just not work like its supposed to?

LOL, I bet if you ask the guy that is working on your car, to install it. He'll tell you he wants nothing to do with it!

Oh this is going to be "one of those cars"....

I've written that I stopped payment on the final check - and I TOLD the shop that immediately - and also said that when the issues were resolved I would release funds just as immediately. I have lots of problems - but one of them isn't paying. :woot:

So after a couple of emails -- my listing what I wanted REPAIRED - and what I wanted DONE (and willing to pay for - no issues there at all)... I took the car back to the shop as they agreed to repair the issues -- and frankly they should be happy to do more billable work as well... they knew at this time that the stop payment was in.

This morning I drop the car off -- the rear end turns out to be broken and I have cut and pasted the email -- edited, from Steve regarding the rear end.

QUOTE:

The reason your Roadster will not move is because the spline has twisted
and the shaft has snapped in the stub axle. That must have been one serious
burn out. Both stub axle assemblies will be sent back to Kugel, examined and
repaired and reassembled there and then returned to us. At this point that
failure appears to have had nothing to do with the throw out bearing.

END QUOTE:

There was NO BURNOUT.... that would have been much more fun I can assure you of that.

I have no issues with this -- my response is that if they think I broke the rear end - just get it fixed and I'll be happy to pay for that - that I didn't want that to hold up getting the car done.

MY RESPONSE via EMAIL

QUOTE:

If you think I broke the rear end - I will pay for any and all charges for it's repair.
I don't want that to hang up the repairs of the car.
The Throwout bearing is another matter. That's been wrong from the get go.


END QUOTE:


But here's the kicker....

He wants me to pay for 16K of the 19K final bill BEFORE he starts work -- or, in a threatening manner, he says they're not starting to work on the car.

Can I tell ya something? <my infamous line to Cris Gonzo>

The very last thing a business wants to do is to threaten me. As I explained it nicely in my response. If you'd like to start a pissing contest - let me know I'll forward the name of my attorney. As I also stated - I have other hot rods to drive - I have more money than god - and I am "willing". Well... that, and I'm pissed off, and stubborn too...

So here's my response - verbatim:


QUOTE:

Instead of trying threatening tactics with me. You're far far ahead just getting the work done and getting paid.
Sometimes you just have to park you're ego. I have other hot rods to drive and more money than god. The only guy that will win this battle us<SIC> me. I have time I have cash I am willing.

Just fix it - fix it RIGHT and wash your hands of it. You'll sleep better.

If the throw out bearing problem is discovered. I can wire 15k In the morning... It's up to you.

END QUOTE:

Then I added this in another email because it came to me that this is probably part of some of the issues the shop may be having... if they're having issues at all -- just sayin'...


QUOTE from another emailed response:

BTW - you're pissed off at the CUSTOMER for refusing to accept defective work. Maybe you should be pissed off at your shop that did the work?? I don't remember building the car. I did PAY someone to do that. So far it's been on two tow trucks and I've had to fix several different issues.

So kudos on your customer service. It explains why you're down to 5 or 6 guys.

END QUOTE:


Now == there is no denying that I'm a certified bungholio... but you also have to know me -- and know that when I'm saying many things on here as well as these kinds of emails -- that I have a HUGE smile on my face. Yes they have a name for guys like me - I'm the first one to tell you that I'm a big one (I don't have a big one but act like I am a big one!)... So I'm just trying to set the picture here.

Anyway -- we'll see what happens. Two guys with big egos fighting over their toys -- not a happy ending. Someone wins - someone looses. Either way I'm fine with jumping in. Some guys are just like that.

I pay faster than anyone on the planet - I make up my mind - I'm extremely "decisive" so I'm never the hang up.... but with that comes a price - that price is "you have to deliver". The product has to be as stated, or as agreed, if not, we have a problem. I'll kiss a guy in broad daylight and sing his praises publicly... or not. :D

So this could end with a whimper -- or it could end sometime about 2 years from now. It's up to them. They have the car... I have my check book. I'm still out cruising around.

BTW -- I never once mentioned anything about them reimbursing me for the tow truck or any parts or ANYTHING from the Santa Barbara trip - that ain't how I roll.... I just suck it up - and go on about my biz.... so I'm not that crappy customer. Dude! Nobody is easier to get along with than me. But ya gotta do it RIGHT and you gotta do what you say you're going to do - because that how I do my end of things. I expect the same in return.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Jocko ---

You'll have to read my latest post -- I may or may not get the car back for awhile --- it seems to be temporarily being held hostage.... :rofl:

IF -- BIG IF -- I get a speedy resolution... the StarDrive is YOURS FREE. I even have the instructions.

:lol: you're the man Greg! :thumbsup:

Keep the money and pick up your car. Doubt they will give it up now...

Greg...I love you. LMAO

Not even close. :lol:

Revelations 21

The 12 gates are 12 pearls; each individual gate was made of a single pearl. The broad street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass...

"I never once mentioned anything about them reimbursing me for the tow truck or any parts or ANYTHING from the Santa Barbara trip"
I'm appauled that they haven't offered.

Greg,

sorry to hear about the troubles! a class act hot rod shop like rad rides or the roadster shop or the ring brothers would have no problem getting things fixed for the customer because if they do not take care of the customers they will have no buisness. hope things work out for you. there is a lot of little details on your 32 that i like alot and i noticed them right away as we own a 32 ourself.

i guessed i missed out on the stardrive. i was wondering how they worked.


hope you get it back soon! :thumbsup:

I seem to recall Greg offering this tactic to help resolve an issue for a fellow board member...



This is why I would never mess with Greg Weld! :rofl: