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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » How to get over lost?

Aug. 4, 2010 8:00 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

I'm lost.

I have a 1968 Ford Cortina, rust free and the engine is in place. The cam I installed promises 340 hp, it also sports a Ford 8.8 posi.

Sometimes I go out to the garage and just stare at it. Oy.

I bought a Honda GoldWing as a diversion, three weeks later I have a cool bike and my mind is at ease.

It's for sale -- I'm easily bored.

I poke at the Challenger but mostly stare at it. Believe me, it took weeks to frame in the firewall. It's not finished. My mind is not at ease....

Talking to my son he could use a truck. I drive way too far to drag home something that runs. I told him if he paid all my costs he could have it for my money (I ransacked my sock drawer). I got an offer to sell it for twice what I paid for it but I'm still putting in waaay too much time for the satisfaction.

How do you get motivated? Someone posted a similar thread earlier and I tried to buck him up.

I've attempted several Challengers before this, a Corvair on a Monty frame, a Geo with a FWD Caddy; I feel horrible for not having the engineering skills to follow through.

I like boats. Challenger + GW + trailer+ crap = $5k. I swear if I do not complete this, I will never attempt another auto project again. I'm looking at a blind alley and weekend yachting looks good.

Help, I can't afford therapy.

My wife says I'm thick skinned and can take the heat....

Dan
Aug. 4, 2010 8:10 p.m. mtn SuperDork

You just got that caddy right? You're unhappy with it. You want to sell, nay, give it to me. When can I pick it up?
Aug. 5, 2010 8:29 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

mtn wrote:

You just got that caddy right? You're unhappy with it. You want to sell, nay, give it to me. When can I pick it up?

I feel better.
Aug. 5, 2010 8:32 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer SuperDork

Can i see pics of one said Cortina?
Aug. 5, 2010 9:03 a.m. ClemSparks SuperDork

I know how you feel...I've been there dozens of times.

I usually find it is due to some "emotional hurdle" that I just stall out on. Some big portion of the project that I'm unsure of and have a hard time either making a decision or just taking the first step.

What I've foun on my house (a TINY house but a HUGE project...everything but a bulldozer, as I say) is that If I just start the first step of the project that's blocking me, it usually goes well. Once I get started and see the smallest amount of progress...I can't stop working on it and things roll along well. It's getting that start that is the key for me, it seems.

For instance, I had to replace every inch of sill and rim joist on that house...with the house still sitting on top of them. It took me MONTHS to get the emotional momentum to figure out how to jack the house up...lots of attemts...lots of failures. Then, finally I "got it" and developed a method that worked and within a couple of weeks (working an hour here and an hour there) I had all 100' of sill and rim joist replaced.

Now all I need is money to finish the rest of the house...because all the rest of the renovation seems easy relative to replacing the floor structure under a standing house.

I discourage easily, but I also have my enthusiasm rejuvinated easily as well.

There's my thoughts...
Clem
Aug. 5, 2010 9:37 a.m. NYG95GA SuperDork

I've been having much the same issue of late. I do believe that getting that first start is important, but this oppresive summer heat makes it a real chore. Considering my facitlities (pole barn, dirt floor..), I think it might be prudent to wait for fall..

Good luck with your motivation. maybe you'll stumble across a muse!
Aug. 5, 2010 9:51 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

Dan, I believe you once told me to take it one step at a time when I was having problems finishing my projects.

It works, I have finished all of my smaller projects and I am tasking out the current one as well.
Aug. 5, 2010 9:56 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

What Dr Brown said.

Make a big project a series of small projects. Resist the urge to boil the whole ocean. Focus on the Cortina because it is cooler than all the other stuff combined and it will make me happy too. Then, when your insufferable blues come back - I'll come and get it.
Aug. 5, 2010 10:04 a.m. John Brown SuperDork

Crap I forgot to call dibs.
Aug. 5, 2010 10:21 a.m. RossD Dork
Aug. 5, 2010 10:30 a.m. Toyman01 Dork

I usually have two or three or ten projects going at once, not all of them car related. I've got a RX-7 that needs a new power plant, a 70 Chevelle that needs body work, an antique engine that needs mag work, a clock that needs cleaning and adjustment, a 40s tractor that needs reassembly and on and on.When I get sick of one I move to something else. If that doesn't help, I go over to Jensenmans house and see what he has done lately. That usually inspires me to get off my lazy butt and get something done on my own crap.

You might just have the summer blues. I hate working on cars or anything outside during the hottest part of the summer. So I usually don't. The motor popped in the RX-7 two weeks ago. It's sitting in the driveway and I haven't even raised the hood on it. I probably won't until cooler weather this fall. I find something small to tinker with in the A/C. Probably the clock as I can do that at my desk.

Don't worry. This too shall pass.
Aug. 5, 2010 10:46 a.m. Wonkothesane Reader

When I reached that point my Rx7, I found the best motivation was to make a list. At first it's a bit disappointing when you realize all you have to do, but if you put the "small things" at the top of the list it's really motivating to be able to cross 'em off.

I taped it to the windshield, put a big sharpie label on the top, "THE LIST" and big step 10 was "DRIVE THE HELL OUT OF IT!!!" It's pretty cool to get to step 10 :)
Aug. 5, 2010 10:53 a.m. zomby woof Dork

When I was young, and had more energy than brains, I took on one large project after another, and finished them. Now that I'm older, and have way less drive, I only take on projects that I can work on, on my terms. That means, for the most part, buying only cars that run, or are mostly complete. The days of buying 3 parts cars, and stripping them to support one project car are long gone. I buy running cars, and fiddle with them during the nice weather. During the winter, if they need something serious, I plan it out in small pieces. Don't feel bad for not having the engineering skills to follow through. If you did, you probably wouldn't have the time, and energy to. I don't.

Stop biting off more than you can chew.
Aug. 5, 2010 11:13 a.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

Get over it!
Aug. 5, 2010 11:25 a.m. HiTempguy HalfDork

I only do one project at a time. Only one car has an actual plan, and is allowed to have money and time spent on it at any given moment. After that project is complete, I move on.

I also, while younger, have subscribed to Mike's train of thought. I don't buy three beaters to make one car anymore!
Aug. 5, 2010 1:13 p.m. VanillaSky HalfDork

I bit off a lot more than I can chew with my most recent purchase, a Jeep Cherokee with a bad rear freeze plug. Replacing it requires transmission removal.

The only thing keeping me motivated is how clean I'm able to get this thing. I pressure washed the active undercoating system off of the transmission, and now it looks new. I'm going to steam the back of the engine while I'm in there. It seems like it's the cleaning that's keeping me going on this thing.

Small bites.
Aug. 5, 2010 2:28 p.m. minimac SuperDork

When you got motivated, you did the 'wing relatively quickly. But you become easily bored with the project. (you forgot to mention the cheap E-30). You've had the Cortina long enough to be bored with it. Push it out into the driveway, clean the garage and put everything back in it's place. Spend a couple of "quality" dates w/ the Mrs. Then sit down, focus on the Cortina. Make a list of what needs to get done and what you'd like to get done. Push it back into the garage and get started. Don't worry if you can't make the challenge this year, I'm sure you could use the extra buck in next years budget. Most importantly, you can't get squat for it torn apart....get it together and you'll recoup costs plus!
Aug. 5, 2010 3:01 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Thanks all, I did the Wing to break away from the Cortina, it only took 3 weeks. You're right, I have to pick a small bit and work that. The posi axle seems easy enough, just have to make lowering shims.

Ian and Kim (son & fiance) are in town for two days on the way to Montreal, that put some wind back in the sails.
Aug. 5, 2010 3:28 p.m. zomby woof Dork

I'll bet the wing was fun because it was running, straightforward, and simple. There was no pressure of a long term commitment.

I bought a car this spring that was running, and I'm using it to commute. I need a commuter anyway. In the evenings, and my days off, I pick away at small jobs as I feel like it, but nothing that takes too long, or puts it out of commission. In the meantime, I still use, and abuse it. Plans for the summer are a built head, high compression pistons, and better intake. I'll collect, and prep the parts until I have everything, and when I have a full day to dedecate to it, I'll be ready.

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