After helping out many people on here I think it's time that I post this.
Even though we have over 4,500 members on board when someone has a difficult situation and wants some answers, there can be some very confusing opionions out there on where to go with a problem. This can make matters very fustrating for the individual with the problem.
Even though everyone tries to help, which is great I would like to suggest some guide lines when a problem occurs to make diaganosing a little easier.
1.Don't throw parts at you problem hoping it will cure it. All you are doing is emptying out your wallet and making the parts guy very happy.
2. Try and record as much information as possible to your situation. Explain yourself in detail exactly what was done or not done.
3. Educate yourself. Buy a shop manual or loan one from the library.
4. Buy some basic tools and a simple voltmeter and or a test light.
5. Double check all of your work.
6. If you really want to install that gear set yourself (for example) and it is your first time, at least try to have a buddy there who has done it before so they can help you out.
7. Do some research. Talk to some other people with a certain combination and see how they like it or not. If you want to go a certain route then you will have an idea what works and what doesn't.
8. Lastly...be patient it will all work out in the end.
Thanks Frank Andricciola
P.S. if anyone else has some good suggestions, throw them in here!
9. Cussing really does make the work go faster and you do feel better while cussing while working on a car (just so you have an answer when the wife/girlfriend/child asks)
10. Never try to set unrealistic goals for yourself... No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to remove, tear down, rebuild, and install an engine in 8 hours...
11. Never try to do a job without the right tools... a flat blade screwdriver may "work" for popping followers out from under the cam on a 2.3, but you risk breaking the screwdriver, getting hurt from a flying follower, or damaging the cam. A $20 tool rental is a small price to pay to save the $150+ camshaft.
__________________
1976 Ford Mustang II Ghia: 302 with a 600cfm Edelbrock carb, Edelbrock Performer 289 intake, Dynomax Blackjack headers, 2.5" exhaust with Flowmaster Super 44s. RJS 11-gallon fuel cell, C4 tranny, chrome 16" pony wheels, fuzzy dice, brown vinyl half-top, and painted in the tackiest color ever (harvest gold, that's why I call it "The Goldenrod").
Also have a 2003 Dodge Ram (lightly modded daily driver/tow rig/office/dining room/home away from home/workshop... I call it "The Big Blue Dawg".)
Originally posted by 74stang2togo 9. Cussing really does make the work go faster and you do feel better while cussing while working on a car (just so you have an answer when the wife/girlfriend/child asks)
12. Liquid wrench is sold in 6, 12, and 20 packs(aluminum cans are ok, but bottles taste better)
13. air tools are fantastic
14. music is almost as important as liquid wrench
15.IF you might need any $5 part on a project, get it before you start, there is nothing worse than having a car all back together minus a foot of heater hose 15 minutes after pep-boys closes
You guys forgot the duct tape! i'm just kiddin. But sometimes when on a budget a little customizing can save you here and there. As long as its a sensible self modification. Don't go taping your new shorty's to your block, making belts out of shoe laces or them sort of things.
Originally posted by Twister 16. sometimes hot rod parts are cheaper than orrigionals
Yep... Holley 750 cfm w/ vac. secondaries? $255
Motorcraft stocker for my 460? $300!
__________________
1976 Ford Mustang II Ghia: 302 with a 600cfm Edelbrock carb, Edelbrock Performer 289 intake, Dynomax Blackjack headers, 2.5" exhaust with Flowmaster Super 44s. RJS 11-gallon fuel cell, C4 tranny, chrome 16" pony wheels, fuzzy dice, brown vinyl half-top, and painted in the tackiest color ever (harvest gold, that's why I call it "The Goldenrod").
Also have a 2003 Dodge Ram (lightly modded daily driver/tow rig/office/dining room/home away from home/workshop... I call it "The Big Blue Dawg".)
17) Make sure you use a torque wrench with the proper scale. Dont try putting 140 ft-lbs of torque on a tiny nut that calls for 140 in-lbs torque.
__________________
Sometimes I think that government fits that old-fashioned definition of a baby: An alimentary canal with an appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
- Ronald Reagan
18. Invite friends over to help. But don't expect them to do anything except pass insults back and forth.
__________________
Black,79 Mustang mostly carbon fiber/kevlar body, M-2300-k brake kit, full roll cage, maximum motorsport suspension, custom geared 6 speed, 2 inch rear fender flares, 1 inch front, motor being built (no eta). Looks like the Mad Max interseptor and weighs about 1800lbs w/o motor (450hp 351w installed to move the car around)
Black, 82 Capri RS 5.0L, B303, 1.7 rockers, World 180 heads, +150hp N.O.S, Turbo coupe rear end, T-56(tremec tko would be beter), 80 cobra nose
19. Don't change your spark plugs 30 minutes before you have to pick up your girlfriend from the train station. You will be late and she will be mad...... Trust me
__________________
1995 Mustang GT - Vert
RHD Conversion, Vortech V2-SQ, 42# injectors, CAPA Chip, 18" BonSpeed Wheels, 3.73 Motive Gears, AutoMeter Gauge Pod, Pedders Springs, Koni Shocks, 13" Cobra Brakes, BBK Shorty Headers
~~ He Who Dies With The Most Toys Wins. But Is Nonetheless Dead ! ~~
Originally posted by OzPony 19. Don't change your spark plugs 30 minutes before you have to pick up your girlfriend from the train station. You will be late and she will be mad...... Trust me
LOL!!!!
__________________
1995 5.8 GT Coupe / White / Tan Leather
All the normal goodies including a built C4, Kennebell Blowzilla @ 12lbs.
The faster way is not always better.. if someone showed you a trick to bypass a certain step, just remember that having to fix that new problem can take twice as long...
The AFM Tech Line 
