Trusting your car to the man

[dkn1997]

Manifolds  on, made appointment w/exhaust shop to connect existing system (made for headers by them a few years ago, still mint, no rust) to the manifolds.

Now to borrow a trailer to get it there.  This is the part I hate.  I have no problem trailering it there, but I don't want them starting it until the exhaust is done, don't want to burn anything up with open manifolds.  so it's going to be a bit of a F#$% story, but it should be worth it in the end.

the other reason I don't want them starting it is that it hasn't ran in months and I took a whole shitload of stuff apart while i was under there.  it's all back together now, but I don't want the first "fire up" to be at his shop in case it decides to puke some fluids  out on the maiden voyage.

several potential leak areas:
1. tranny (took dipstick out to get headers out)
2. valve covers. (swapped out sheet metal ones for stock ones)
3. steering (new firm feel box)
4. heads (antifreeze from studs, put new ones in)

I am probably just being paranoid, but I just don't like taking it to the man for anything.  But I learned a long time ago that exhaust is not a do it at home job unless you have a torch, welder, and can get it up real high.  the good news is that I have an appointment and will be able to wait there while they do it, so no joyrides for them.  also, I can get a friend to come to help me push it anywhere they want.....

[rt green]

good idea

[BigBlockSam]

take the rotor out of the distributor. problem solved. Rene

[limey]

Great idea, take the coil off too...then they have NO chance!

[dkn1997]

I wil be there the whole time, so I guess I should not worry.  about 5 years ago, I dropped it off for a wheel alignment near where i worked.  I was doing a service call outside at a house near the shop and I actually saw them test driving the car.  He was driving very slow and I was impressed. he had no way of knowing I was going to be in the area.

[Steve P.]

Now that wasn't a proper test drive... A proper test drive would have included a full 1/4 mile run from launch to shut down.

You want to know your alignment is good for the drags, don't you??

[dkn1997]

true.  but they will get a second chance in a couple of weeks because I just changed my steering box

[Mike DC]

       

about 5 years ago, I dropped it off for a wheel alignment near where i worked.  I was doing a service call outside at a house near the shop and I actually saw them test driving the car.  He was driving very slow and I was impressed. he had no way of knowing I was going to be in the area.

You're lucky on that one.

I once read an article on a factory Hemi Challenger.  The owner hadn't ever beaten on the car at all, and the 426 motor should've survived to the present day on without ever having been apart.  But it didn't.  Years ago he took it to a shop for a brake job, and when he got the car back the Hemi had a spun main bearing. 

       

[Silver R/T]

I usually research a shop where I take my Charger too. I only go where people recommend

[ChargerAndy]

DKN,
    I wish you luck with the "Man". I'll be in the same boat in a couple months when I change my headers for manifolds, have it flat bedded to the shop and have them alter the exhaust to connect up. I have the manifolds, but Im stalled on the exhaust tips.... mine are incorrect and I would like to go to factory stock but Im not sure how that will work with my over sized and relatively new exhaust. Either way I too will be hanging around the shop while they work on it when the day comes. I took it to a brake place and did the same thing.... watched it like a hawk. Good luck, Andy