[Thegundog]

It seems like EVERY decision I need to make with my car is an extensive research project....

Took me days to research and select a water pump, a water pump!... and I still haven't purchased a thermostat :0

Now I'm onto the engine compartment paint... and I'm exhausted!

My son told me a few days ago, "would you please just buy some paint!"

We'll I would, but there's a lotta options and I need a new gun unless we rattle bomb... and guns need to be researched!

Maybe it's because I'm trying to do things correctly, as best we can and still keep an eye on the costs.

I'm hoping more of these decisions will come easier and without so much effort, the car is going to be a driver.... I'm driving myself crazy!

Is it just me?... or can anyone relate?

 

[63BGT66]

Design Paralysis... yea I can relate

 

[74Rallye]

I ran into that problem with my first resto as well as the first house I remodeled. I didn't know exactly how to do something so I would spend 4 days doing something that should only take a day by trying to make it perfect. Sometimes you have to think like a contractor and say "That's good enough". It's not always applicable, but a lot of times it'll keep things moving. One aspect of a quality job is actually just finishing it.

 

[Tallguy]

Do you enjoy the research? I do and consider it part of the project/restoration.

 

[stephen_wilson]

Yup, I know what you mean. That's the downside of a global supply chain with so many options, and the internet to research them ! Back in the day the only resources were magazines for the most part. The supply chain was one of the mag. vendors of several local auto parts stores

 

[Redneckgearhead]

I have to remind myself there is no wrong answer. If I don't like the results I can fix it.

 

[wicked93gs]

Not sure there is such a thing as "doing it right". There is only "doing it like the factory" and "doing it differently than the factory". Most times the factory way is better....but certainly not always....paint being a prime example.

 

[BlakeTX]

Do you enjoy the research? I do and consider it part of the project/restoration.

Same. Sometimes the planning can be more fun than the doing.

 

[wicked93gs]

Same. Sometimes the planning can be more fun than the doing.

Very true...I will also add that doing can sometimes be more fun than driving the finished product...for me anyway.

 

[BlakeTX]

Very true...I will also add that doing can sometimes be more fun than driving the finished product...for me anyway.

I've had that feeling before too. I almost feel guilty saying that, but let's be honest... Most, if not all of us spend more time and energy planning than driving.

 

[stephen_wilson]

Some things are fun to plan and obsess about, but not the mundane replacement type pieces, parts and hardware.

 

[Travis98146]

It's called "overthinking". Restoring a classic isn't rocket science. If you're building a concours, then go with factory specs. If not, do what you need to get it together. Too many DIYers attempt to be engineers and re-do/improve what the engineers did originally.

 

[stephen_wilson]

It's called "overthinking". Restoring a classic isn't rocket science. If you're building a concours, then go with factory specs. If not, do what you need to get it together. Too many DIYers attempt to be engineers and re-do/improve what the engineers did originally.

I disagree, there's lots of junk parts out there these days, if you don't do your research it's easy to end up buying parts twice.

 

[dobrostang]

Not sure there is such a thing as "doing it right". There is only "doing it like the factory" and "doing it differently than the factory". Most times the factory way is better....but certainly not always....paint being a prime example.

See the Post about "Previous Owners" or PO, I would beg to differ on this statement, there area CLEARLY WRONG ways to do things! ;o)

WIth respect to paint, I found NAPA Rattle cans are awsome. They have a satin then a satin that is a little more towards gloss, I tried both and went for the glossier one. Nice spray pattern, holding up VERY well...

 

[cruising68]

I disagree, there's lots of junk parts out there these days, if you don't do your research it's easy to end up buying parts twice.

This! I made the mistake of buying a suspension kit to rebuild the front end. That was before I did my research. I ended up replacing a lot of stuff in that kit because it was crap. I ended up with a lot of Opentracker and SOT parts in the end. Didn't make that mistake again.

 

[jdub]

OCDing about every single aspect is part of the fun! That's why no project is ever finished and nobody ever had only one.

 

[wicked93gs]

See the Post about "Previous Owners" or PO, I would beg to differ on this statement, there area CLEARLY WRONG ways to do things! ;o)

WIth respect to paint, I found NAPA Rattle cans are awsome. They have a satin then a satin that is a little more towards gloss, I tried both and went for the glossier one. Nice spray pattern, holding up VERY well...

Haha, I should say there are only "superior" and "inferior" ways to do something.

 

[LeeFred]

I know the feeling. I'm on my 3d day of researching for an AFR gauge to buy so I can tune the carbs on my 289. I find something I'm interested in, start googling, read the reviews (after putting them in order of when they were submitted), and when I see too much negative stuff, go to the next one, and then the next one....

 

[Jmo1999]

It seems like EVERY decision I need to make with my car is an extensive research project....

Took me days to research and select a water pump, a water pump!... and I still haven't purchased a thermostat :0

Now I'm onto the engine compartment paint... and I'm exhausted!

My son told me a few days ago, "would you please just buy some paint!"

We'll I would, but there's a lotta options and I need a new gun unless we rattle bomb... and guns need to be researched!

Maybe it's because I'm trying to do things correctly, as best we can and still keep an eye on the costs.

I'm hoping more of these decisions will come easier and without so much effort, the car is going to be a driver.... I'm driving myself crazy!

Is it just me?... or can anyone relate?

No right or wrong way, that's why your are on here to get ideas, see what everyone else does.

 

[Kelly_H]

That's the blessing and curse of Google!! I also tend to get totally paralyzed by indecision, frequently to the point where so much time passes that I forget about it. Probably some of you have noticed this over the years - I know that I notice it, when I get interested in some modification and start searching the forums only to find MY OWN POST about the exact same subject time-stamped a year or two prior! As an example - I finally decided to go with rear discs this year, and FINALLY bought the kit last month. My forum searching turned up three separate threads by yours truly about the subject, spaced over 4 years. It's a wonder I can get out of my own way sometimes.

One thing I have learned though is that whatever part I buy, it doesn't really matter how much research I've done... either it's the wrong part, or it's the right part and it's terribly manufactured and I have to send it back anyways. It is truly incredible how many parts go onto Jane and then come right back off. I've considered trying animal sacrifice prior to parts installs to see if I can improve my odds, but I'm afraid my neighbors would be concerned about the volume of blood seeping out from under the garage door