How something easy becomes a mpia - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

vilant · 07-16-2012

Thought you guys might find my ineptitude a little funny. So I'm a construction worker, could build you a house top to bottom w/ all the fixin's. But my automotive skills are limited to changing oil, filters, fuses, and other easy projects. So I bought a used wiper motor from a yard, and decided to install it on Sat.. Easy right? So I get the old shot motor out, no sweat. Get the first screw started on the new one, good. Start the second and PING

I drop it down into the motor somewhere. Spend the next hour w/ flashlight, mirror, and magnet trying to find it and fish it out. Finally get it out (now my back is starting to ache from leaning over so much). And it's also 90+ in my garage and I'm soaked. Try it again being careful not to drop the screw and CLANG, are you

kidding me? Dropped the socket wrench down into the engine.... and it disappears. Now I'm efn furious.Spend another hour trying pull it out because it wedged itself down in there and refused to come out

. So I finally got it out and the rest went smooth, only took 3+ hours. Spent more time fishing out things then I did installing. Anyway, I'm looking to hang a punching bag in my garage for future endeavors, know of any good ones

VetteMed · 07-16-2012

Been there, done that -- don't feel too bad!!

PhillipsLT5 · 07-16-2012

forget the punching bag, install A/C unit instead

DaveK · 07-16-2012

That seems to happen with everything I touch these days!

XfireZ51 · 07-16-2012

Get a telescoping magnet.

tccrab · 07-17-2012

The first time I did a plenum pull I dropped a plenum bolt down that little gap behind the engine and it rolled back about 4 inches down the bell housing.
If memory serves me, it took about 3 hours of crawling all over the top of the engine with a flashlight and the magnet tool.
I never actually saw the blasted thing, it just magically came back with the magnet after an eternity of fishing it around in the dark recesses.

Feeling your pain....

'Crabs

Blue Flame Restorations · 07-17-2012

If you only knew..........What happens in the garage, stays in the garage........

C4Fanatic · 07-17-2012

My wife dreads every time I go to the garage...much cussing is sure to follow...

captcorvette · 07-17-2012

Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. Seen the movie, and read the book. None of which helped me to not drop stuff. Sometime in my late '50's I noticed that my dexterity wasn't what it used to be and neither was my sense of touch. Mental note! Be careful as you will be prone to drop stuff! Didn't help.

So now if I have a job that should take an hour I allow 3. If it is one of my favourite jobs like plumbing or spark chasing then I allow 4 or more. Most of the time is spent barking out profanities at myself but that doesn't help anyone within earshot. OK so most folks think I am a bit crazy but if the foo sh_ts then I am guilty.

Glad to know that I am in good company.

By the bye did I ever tell you guys that I hate plumbing and spark chasing? Oh yeah guess I might have mentioned it in the past.

ScottZ95ZR1 · 07-17-2012

Just had my plenum off and purchased Marc's DVD prior to doing so - best $50 I've ever spent on the car.

Studied the DVD a few times and knew my fat butt wasn't sitting up on the plenum like Marc does when it came time to remove the MAP sensor bracket.

And Marc says "be very careful with the fasteners - if you drop them back here you'll likely never retrieve them, and they are no longer available from GM".

One of mine was original and the other was stainless, so I knew someone like me had been there before. But I had been forewarned!

His words were going through my mind as I was starting the first screw (the original one), while putting the bracket back in place. I was being very, very careful.... and you know what I did.

And it was not to be found!

07-16-2012	#1
vilant Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 772	How something easy becomes a mpia Thought you guys might find my ineptitude a little funny. So I'm a construction worker, could build you a house top to bottom w/ all the fixin's. But my automotive skills are limited to changing oil, filters, fuses, and other easy projects. So I bought a used wiper motor from a yard, and decided to install it on Sat.. Easy right? So I get the old shot motor out, no sweat. Get the first screw started on the new one, good. Start the second and PING I drop it down into the motor somewhere. Spend the next hour w/ flashlight, mirror, and magnet trying to find it and fish it out. Finally get it out (now my back is starting to ache from leaning over so much). And it's also 90+ in my garage and I'm soaked. Try it again being careful not to drop the screw and CLANG, are you kidding me? Dropped the socket wrench down into the engine.... and it disappears. Now I'm efn furious.Spend another hour trying pull it out because it wedged itself down in there and refused to come out. So I finally got it out and the rest went smooth, only took 3+ hours. Spent more time fishing out things then I did installing. Anyway, I'm looking to hang a punching bag in my garage for future endeavors, know of any good ones __________________ Joe 1990 Bright Red ZR-1 #2599

07-16-2012	#2
VetteMed Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,828	Re: How something easy becomes a mpia Been there, done that -- don't feel too bad!! __________________ 2004 Z06/Z16 LeMans Commemorative Edition 1991 ZR-1 #302 White/Gray (sold) 1991 ZR-1 #1147 Red/Saddle (sold)

07-16-2012	#3
PhillipsLT5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,452	Re: How something easy becomes a mpia forget the punching bag, install A/C unit instead

07-16-2012	#4
DaveK Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sudbury, Ontario. Canada Posts: 1,540	Re: How something easy becomes a mpia That seems to happen with everything I touch these days! __________________ 1991 #1516 Black/Black davidmkelly.com Author of fast-paced, sci-fi thrillers.

07-16-2012	#5
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,710	Re: How something easy becomes a mpia Get a telescoping magnet. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Former Membership Chairman Former ZR-1 Registry - BOD 1972 Corvette 4speed base Coupe SOLD long time ago 1984 Corvette Z-51/4+3 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Aqua/Gray #474 SOLD 1992 Corvette ZR-1 Black Rose/Cognac #458 2014 Honda VFR Interceptor DX

07-17-2012	#6
tccrab Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Folsom CA Posts: 1,656	Re: How something easy becomes a mpia The first time I did a plenum pull I dropped a plenum bolt down that little gap behind the engine and it rolled back about 4 inches down the bell housing. If memory serves me, it took about 3 hours of crawling all over the top of the engine with a flashlight and the magnet tool. I never actually saw the blasted thing, it just magically came back with the magnet after an eternity of fishing it around in the dark recesses. Feeling your pain.... 'Crabs __________________ TomC '90ZR1 #792 Honorary Pirate [B]If it ain't FUN, you're doing something terribly WRONG. [/B]

07-17-2012	#7
Blue Flame Restorations Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pendleton, IN Posts: 3,909	Re: How something easy becomes a mpia If you only knew..........What happens in the garage, stays in the garage........ __________________ 1988 KOH Prototype EX5023 sold 1990 ZR-1 #444 Convertible 1990 ZR-1 Black #966 1991 ZR-1 Quazar Blue #296 1957 Duntov SS Project

07-17-2012	#8
C4Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sin City Posts: 149	Re: How something easy becomes a mpia My wife dreads every time I go to the garage...much cussing is sure to follow... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]1991 ZR-1 #128

07-17-2012	#9
captcorvette Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Posts: 449	Re: How something easy becomes a mpia Been there. Done that. Got the T-shirt. Seen the movie, and read the book. None of which helped me to not drop stuff. Sometime in my late '50's I noticed that my dexterity wasn't what it used to be and neither was my sense of touch. Mental note! Be careful as you will be prone to drop stuff! Didn't help. So now if I have a job that should take an hour I allow 3. If it is one of my favourite jobs like plumbing or spark chasing then I allow 4 or more. Most of the time is spent barking out profanities at myself but that doesn't help anyone within earshot. OK so most folks think I am a bit crazy but if the foo sh_ts then I am guilty. Glad to know that I am in good company. By the bye did I ever tell you guys that I hate plumbing and spark chasing? Oh yeah guess I might have mentioned it in the past.

07-17-2012	#10
ScottZ95ZR1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pendleton, IN Posts: 666	Re: How something easy becomes a mpia Just had my plenum off and purchased Marc's DVD prior to doing so - best $50 I've ever spent on the car. Studied the DVD a few times and knew my fat butt wasn't sitting up on the plenum like Marc does when it came time to remove the MAP sensor bracket. And Marc says "be very careful with the fasteners - if you drop them back here you'll likely never retrieve them, and they are no longer available from GM". One of mine was original and the other was stainless, so I knew someone like me had been there before. But I had been forewarned! His words were going through my mind as I was starting the first screw (the original one), while putting the bracket back in place. I was being very, very careful.... and you know what I did. And it was not to be found!