Why Do ALL Previous Owners SUCK?

[FreeBird]

Why is it that everything I think is going to be relatively simple on my '66
CC styleside turns out to be a CLUSTER$%^#@!? Everything and I mean EVERYTHING touched by the guy I bought her from (and who knows how many others before him) turns out to be exactly that....I have no issues with what Ford did, I can figure that stuff out, but DAMN...

Most recently, I decided that I would remove the dashpad....Reportedly a relatively simple mod, pretty much a matter of personal prefence. Been workin' on the underdash part of the wiring harness,(which is a whole 'nother story in itself) had the instrument panel out and one thing ALWAYS leads to another, right? Anyway, pad was all cracked, etc....Well, some DUMBASS had decided at some point to fill the cracks with some sort of foam s#$% (Great Stuff or something similar) which of course took off the otherwise perfect original paint under the pad.

So, now I gotta paint the dash before putting it all back together...got crap around the windshield seal which I planned to replace anyway, JUST NOT NOW.

The driver I thought I bought and have always kept tagged and insured is turning into a "career project". Gettin' really pissy about it and guess I'm just looking for a bit of encouragement from others who I am sure have felt the same. Stories/anecdotes from any/all are welcome at this point...As Uncle Skip would say, I need a "Zen" moment..put down the Slick and step away slowly and think about it.....And grab some beers in the meanwhile, and think about it.

[Johnny Canuck]

Could be worse. You could be working on a Chebby or a Dodge that had the same PO.
Then you'd really have something to be mad about.

[ICEMAN6166]

multiply your aggravation by 12 then you will understand how i feel after having that many.

[MadMaxetc]

If they cared about the truck they wouldn't have sold it.

If you don't care, you do stuff to it like you don't care.

That sucks that you are having to do all that work just because some one was lazy.

[Alan Mclennan]

I hear you Freebird! the PO of Berryl must of got relays cheap he had about 8 of them screwed to the inner guard with 2" long PK screws, you hit a bump ( non Ford type ) and you got your tyres re grooved. took some of those babies out and dang no high beam, some didn't even go anywhere !


Alan,

[ICEMAN6166]

did buy one from another member that has not given me any headaches.

[Z-MAN]

I feel your pain...But mine was a driver, until one weekend I took a part off and then I saw something else that needed attention and my driver is now totally disassembled. Kind of a sickness and it was all self inflicted. I will have had her a year this month and everything I am doing to it now is with no shortcuts. Another good thing is my kids and I are having a blast working on her.

Z

[66fordtrucknut]

Like this cab mount/shoe heel, or a seemingly solid core support packed full of bondo or 1 screw hole in a otherwise pristine radio delete dash.. I feel your pain.
Charlie

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[GDG]

Every rod or project car that I have ever bought that was under construction has turned out to be a total re-construction. But sometimes I wonder what someone down the road might think about the logic of my repairs. I try to keep that in mind because sooner or later your own fixes will need some attention. Be sure to make all parts removable, don't use foam, go to source when making electrical repairs (no scotch locks), make solid welds, don't bury rust with bondo or foam, the list goes on and on!!!!
Doug

[Michael Bryce Winnick]

I have NEVER bought a parts car or truck in my entire life. I bite the bullit and hit the junkyards, beg on line, e-bay etc. My 66 Longbed is my 4th restoration (70 Torino GT, 77 Mark V, 69 Marauder). THis time I am spoiling myself. I live in a small town with few "car guys." On my way out to dinner last Saturday I see a 66 F-1-- longbox custom cab in front of a storage facility. It was incredibly complete, all electric works, all trim is there, frame is EXCELLENT, it has 0000 brakes, but the 352 starts and purrs. The 3 on the column shifts like new. My test drive was brief and interesting-no brakes. The glass is immaculate. The seat is original. All dash lights and guages work. Heater-blower-wipers-lights-flasher-dirctional-all ok.

The floor is gone and lots of body rust. On the otherhand, the truck I ma restoring has a mint body. This truck will give me 90% of the parts I need for a GREAT restoration.

The stainless bed trim is like new.

As a side benefit, the 15 inch wheels that are on it has oem deep dish trim rings.

He took $700.00 for it.

Just braggin'