Roadsterites all:
Here's the current list of PO dirty tricks, compiled as of 11/27:
Slapping bondo on the engine block to cover a crack, then painting the
block to make it pretty, and emphasizing that it just got rebuilt.
Fred Katz, SF CA
Replacing both 7/16" grade 8 bolts securing the upper A-arm to its tower
with:
1) a 10 mm. metric grade 8.8 bolt (equivalent to grade 5); and
2) a grade 5, 3/8" -- possibly a Sears-Special-of -the-week?!
The small miracle in my case was that the 10 mm bolt snapped (not the
3/8"!) when I was standing still at a traffic light, rather than when I
was doing highway speed. Had it been the latter, likely you'd never
have heard this from me!
Teddy
Rewiring the engine compartment using stereo speaker wire. I guess after
the original wire burns a few times you have to fix it anyway you can.
Mike, Hayden Lake ID
Grinding down the front brake calipers (and bolts) to clear smaller
wheels. Bolt nearly ground through. Could have killed me.
(Forgot who sent this--accidently deleted post when compiling--BP)
Telling the new owner it just got new shocks, while not mentioning that
the rubber bushings weren't installed with them.
Fred Katz, SF CA
Doing a 2" body lift with aluminum blocks and installing oversized tires
to disguise it. Looked like a 4x4 Roadster!
Sydney Raper
Rebuilding hood latch assembly with coil spring wrapped around assembly,
held together with roofing nails instead of rivets.
DPMD@aol.com
Using bolts instead of fuses, so they won't blow....melts wiring
instead!
Tom Walter, Austin TX
Using stop signs to patch the holes in the floorboards.
Dan Yates, Regina, Saskatchewan
Using an 8 penny nail instead of a cotter pin in the rocker assembly.
Eric Frisbee
Putting wooden boards in the bottom of the rear trunk side wells, and
packing them with dirt to keep them from bouncing around. Additionally,
storing a bunch of loose nails there so the new owner can cut his hands
while searching for items.
Putting in a high pressure radiator cap and loading radiator with stop
leak to disuise overheating due to bad head gasket.
Bob Porter, Harrisburg PA
Hammering screws into place after stripping the threads;
affixing lights with epoxy rather than pop rivets.
Aaron, San Diego CA
Shimming the snot out of the upper U20 tensioner to keep the chain
artificially tight, preventing the future buyer from hearing that
telltale 'death rattle' when checking out the car.
John F Sandhoff, Sacramento CA
PO dropped bolt into cylinder big enough to leave thread
imprints
on the piston and cylinder head.
Karen, Pomona CA
Anybody else have some goodies to add?
Bob Porter
Harrisburg PA
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