DavidB

Thank you. Those cars were built by stylists that knew what "proper proportion" is, plus they weren't restrained by such mundane things like ergonomics & crash worthiness. Oh, & if I want to go fast in a more or less straight line, I'll break out my brother's old family truckster, 69 Coronet 500 wagon. It's got a mild 493 CID engine that makes an honest 550Hp & 590 TQ at the crank. Even though it handles MUCH better than stock, it still pushes until you hit the gas & then that heavy back end gets really happy (if you know what I mean ). Still, it'll make you reaffirm your relationship with your deity of choice when you open the 4bbl, despite it's 4500 lb weight! Few cars in the world command the price of a 71 Hemi Cuda convertable, or most real Hemi cars (the exception would be the 66-67 Chargers, for some reason). Oh, & NASCAR is not comparable to a street car, & hasn't been since the later 60's/early 70's. I like "different." That's why I got into the Mopars back in the late 70's. Today, with the ever escalating prices of cars & parts I'm seriously considering selling them off & buying a few Ramblers! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Ummm... you might want to do a little research, then edit this. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

My Corvette chaser. Although you may thinbk that it's just a little old Dodge Dart with nice wheels & tires, I assure you it's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Think you can just whip that Vette through the next corner & lose me? Think again! It's a white-knuckle, E-ticket ride. And if that doesn't cut it, there's always the Barracuda. it has most of my suspension tricks under it, but wider tires. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Ads? What ads? Firefox + adblocker = no ads. Still annoying how narrow the threads are now, though. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

I just ran the numbers the other day for my planned 1275 mile (one way) trip in 4 weeks. I could get a plane ticket for about $75 less than gas would cost me. Add parking at the airport for 15 days, plus the 70 miles each way my GF would have to drive to pick me up & drop me off, plus the fact that I couldn't take most of the tools & such I would need while there, & it now costs more to fly (& I get less done), so it's drive time for me. BTW, I make the whole trip in one shot (leave NJ @ 11PM, arrive in Ar @ 4PM), my truck only has 29K miles on it (so it's reliable), plus it gets 25-26MPG. Bottom line: If you can make the trip in one shot (with a couple rest-stop naps) it'll likely cost less than flying. If you can get someone else to go with & split expenses, it's lots cheaper than flying. Go here: http://www.lowestfare.com/lf_default.asp?session_key=410011AC420011AC20080426013205068cf1448584&plf=lwfr & see what a flight would cost, then add parking, a rental, etc. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Good! And with all due respect (for someone that really does work as opposed to my being retired), the feeling's mutual. Did someone say, "Spank the monkey"? When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Professionals prefer Mac or Snap-On. Most hobbiests get by with Craftsman. For rare occasional use, Northern or Harbor Freight is good enough. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Found in this morning's paper. Your thoughts? When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

They all said, "Beware, doll." But you thought they were all kidding you! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Very well could be, & usually is, but if the bulbs all work then check for corrosion/rust in the bulb sockets on the fast side. The flasher works with electrical resistance. The higher the resistance, the faster it flashes. I could go on about bi-metallic strips, how the flasher works, & such, but won't. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Is that why Clarkson on Top Gear claims Americans can't make cars that can take corners? Oh, but how I'd love to take him on a little drive in my 68 Dodge Dart, or my brother's 68 Plymouth Barracuda. Both were rebuilt using mostly stock parts (exceptions are sway bars & Koni shocks). As far as gas prices, US vs abroad, we pay less than 10% in taxes & I think, in Europe especially, taxes are closer to 50%. BTW, latest I read today says prices are rising now because demand is going DOWN! This right after saying prices are rising because "summer driving season" is approaching & demand is expected to go up. WTF!?!?!?!? The media has finally used EVERY excuse there is! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

I worked for a guy that did the hair plug thing. All I can say is: DON'T!!!!!! Even the new procedures where they use multiple strands in random patterns show unnaturally. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Don't let the electronics scare you! I'm an "old school back yard mechanic" & I'm here to tell you that all you need to do is transfer any sensors onto the new engine, plug them in & it's ready to go. One thing I've learned is: These things are made & designed to be built by monkeys! It's nearly impossible to plug anything in to wrong place as the plugs are all unique. IOW, it only goes together one way! I also would recommend pulling the engine & having a reputable machine shop rebuild it rather than take a chance with a mass-remanufacturer or a crate engine. If you didn't sling a rod through the side, it should be good for rebuilding. Total cost should be under $2K for a rebuild & DIY swap. Just out of curiosity, which engine, 4.0 or 5.2? I know a little about the 4.0, but too much about the 318's! BTW, last 318 I bought was right out of the bone yard. I got to it as it was being brought in, started it & bought it on the spot. Threw it in a 68 Barracuda & used (& abused) it for 5 or 6 years. It's my brother's car now & it's had a Herb McCandless 340 in it for about the last 20 years (it's been in the family since 1980). Pic attached, from last fall, moving along at about 75 on the Pa Turnpike. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Whoosh!!!! Right over the kid's heads. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Puff, puff, pass!!!! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

My red head. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Doood... Add some Albert King, Freddy King, R. L. Burnside, & (either of the) Sonny Boy Williams & you'd have a near perfect mix there! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Ain't THAT the truth...! Get well soon, Dave! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Yep, The BOOZE Brothers! When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

----------------------------------------------- Would that have been Joey D. at Lakewood, NJ? Yep, that's the one! He & 2 or 3 others bought the skydiving operation at Lakewood in 83 or 84 & it folded after the 85 season, Thanksgiving weekend. I happened to be on the last legal load (formation flight with both 182's & the Cherokee 6, 14-way attempt), the weekend before T-giving (though there were a few bandit jumps into the bowl later). Haven't seen Joey since the early 90's. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Joey D showed me that pic back in the later 80's. It was on the first page of the pic album he opened. I was (& still am) in awe. It's, IMHO, a beautiful picture. Didn't know it was in color, though, so thanx for the link! Yes, I did think of this jump on 9/11. Matter of fact, at that time I was doing a job in Jersey City across the street from the train station. We were on site on 9/10, but were back in Trenton fabricating (curtain wall) on 9/11. Didn't get back on site for almost a month, & it sure looked strange not seeing the towers. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Nah, I think the last one is John F. Kennedy. I had to go back and recount... oops, I meant #5 as LBJ. Yes, #6 is JFK. I agree. Looks like LBJ to me too. Doesn't surprise me he's there. He is, after all, a Texan... When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Only one Abbot & Costello skit? No Marx Brothers? No johnny Carson? http://www.metacafe.com/watch/266947/copper_clapper_caper/ When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Probably a little low on refrigerant. Yea, it's counterintuitive to think it would do that, but it's a classic symptom. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

Ah, yes, Louis XIII. Now for 10 bonus points, what was on the flip side of the 45? When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.