MGB: What is this mentality?

Admit it, you've all done this. At least I dont think I'm the only one. What is it that makes us think this way?
Here's the situ: you're trying to get at a fastener thats hard to reach or rusted. Dont want to remove any other parts. No that would be extra work and I might have to replace a gasket or disconnect some wires. So you try every imaginable wrench, socket, long nose pliers in the box and finally find something that you can reach it with. Gear wrench would be perfect. Drat, heads too big. Maybe you have to hook your pinky in the closed end of a combo wrench or use a universal socket with a long, no, longer extension, oops too long better put a deep socket on instead and then hold your tongue just right with your right eye closed. So finally you get maybe a flat or two of turn on it and THEN reach up into the black hole and think just maybe with 2 finger tips you can turn the fastener off! Why did I/you think so? No luck so you find that right combination that worked before and get another flat or two looser. This time for sure! Instead of maintaining contact with the tool until it comes off, you try the finger thing, well this time using the thumb too. Not once or twice but three times you/I have been duped by a little nut or screw. And then it finally comes off and just to to add insult, proceeds to fall into some abyss never to be seen again !! Ho hum it's sort of comical and I think next time it will be easier. Is it just me? Give it to me straight. I can take it.

Have the Happiest 4th ever and all friends all over the world can celebrate too just because!
RS

No, you've got it right. It's just the norm when you work on old LBC's.

Shawn

Got a telescoping magnet to retrieve the nuts, bolts and washers that fall in the abyss.

Not just LBC's, but BMW's VW's, Honda's, Taurus SHO's, Nissans, Ford Rangers, Cessnas, Bellancas...

And don't forget to add a few colorful words as well!

John Morrison

Been there, done that, and will undoubtably do it again. Reading your post put a smile on my face; you've done a great job of describing the "process." Kinda makes me wonder if we don't sometimes look like that chimp using a stick to fish ants out of the hole in the log. Except he doesn't say "s#*t !" when the ant falls off the stick.

Happy Independence Day

Been there, done that, and, undoubtably, will do it again. Great job describing "the process" too. Kinda makes me wonder if we don't look like that National Geo chimp fishing ants out of a hole in the log with a stick. Except that he doesn't say "s*#t" when an ant falls off of the stick.

Hey. . .Happy Independence Day everyone!

Rob

t.lay Wrote:

t.lay Wrote:

You don't keep it from sticking! That's half the fun!

Poke - clank/stick to wrong part - jerk/pull it loose - clank/stick to wrong part....

Michael, I do have a magnet but it doesnt work on instrument knurled nuts. Anyway, I got it at Sears and it has a shroud over the magnet to keep it away from side attractions. Only problem with that is the head is a bit bigger but the shroud can be slid out of position.
Glad I'm not the only one,
RS

And when you find out that inhaling large amounts of PB blaster is not good for your sinuses.
P.S. if the Good lord had intended us to work on these things he would have given us 3 arms.

You mean this is not normal?....I figure the less I take apart, the less damage I am likely to do and have to replace or fix with even more parts. I also used to believe that all brits were contortionists (sp?) and what a handy condition that would be to have with this hobby!

I magnatize my larger screwdrivers so when I need a nut or bolt that's just out of reach on the ground under the car I can "reach it" with a tool I already have with me.

DW

t.lay Wrote:

Do you really need anything that drops into the Abyss? That's where I store my extra fasteners and parts. I have a second car in there!!!!!!

Have a great Fourth!

I actually saved all the good nuts / bolts / screws off
of the parts car.
Two Mayo jars full. Drop one. Leave it. Go to my Mayo jar.
Most people want a Genie in a bottle. Heck with that!
I got me a Mayo jar!

The abyss is where the spare fasteners are "stored". For emergencies. The car was designed that way. I've driven my car for years, and all the spare nuts and washers that reside in the cracks and valleys just sit there without ever moving. Sometimes I find them there, but I'm careful to put them back. Abingdon would have wanted it that way.

I didn't hear you mention tape. All kinds of tape. Tape the bolt/nut to the wrench, socket, etc... Sometimes it holds, sometimes it doesn't. If you've ever installed the front wings of a B by yourself, you've learned a few tricks...