Worst/Hardest job
#1
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 7004R
Axle/Gears: 3.27/42 ?
Worst/Hardest job
Hey guys,
I searched for this question and couldn’t find a thread on it so here goes:
Background:
In general, I think our cars are pretty easy to work on. But! Maybe I just haven’t ran into some of the jobs I don’t want to run into.
Question:
What are some of the hardest job to do on our cars?
For me, I know that one or them was the first time I ever replaced the fuel pump. After the first time it gets much easier through.
Let me me know if there’s already a post on this
I searched for this question and couldn’t find a thread on it so here goes:
Background:
In general, I think our cars are pretty easy to work on. But! Maybe I just haven’t ran into some of the jobs I don’t want to run into.
Question:
What are some of the hardest job to do on our cars?
For me, I know that one or them was the first time I ever replaced the fuel pump. After the first time it gets much easier through.
Let me me know if there’s already a post on this
#2
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Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Worst/Hardest job
As someone who's car started out as a shell I can't say that there's really anything "hard" to do on these cars. It all just a range in tediousness.
90% of the vehicle is held together with 10mm nuts and bolts, some parts just have more of them to hold them on than others lol.
90% of the vehicle is held together with 10mm nuts and bolts, some parts just have more of them to hold them on than others lol.
#6
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 7004R
Axle/Gears: 3.27/42 ?
Re: Worst/Hardest job
yup! I want a Porshe one day but I also want to be able to work on it myself... not sure how possible that would be
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#8
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Worst/Hardest job
I find taking apart interiors pretty tedious.. I second the console.. Newer cars are awful..
Heater Core isn't too bad.. Shampooing the antifreeze out of the passenger rugs can be pretty tedious when your heater core goes
I despise electrical/wiring and anything to do with Air Conditioning.. I feel like you waste your life trying to solve those problems..
Heater Core isn't too bad.. Shampooing the antifreeze out of the passenger rugs can be pretty tedious when your heater core goes
I despise electrical/wiring and anything to do with Air Conditioning.. I feel like you waste your life trying to solve those problems..
#10
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Worst/Hardest job
Reminds me, I need to pick up some low clearance ramps for the spring to get some stuff done..
#12
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Car: 1991 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 7004R
Axle/Gears: 3.27/42 ?
Re: Worst/Hardest job
I find taking apart interiors pretty tedious.. I second the console.. Newer cars are awful..
Heater Core isn't too bad.. Shampooing the antifreeze out of the passenger rugs can be pretty tedious when your heater core goes
I despise electrical/wiring and anything to do with Air Conditioning.. I feel like you waste your life trying to solve those problems..
Heater Core isn't too bad.. Shampooing the antifreeze out of the passenger rugs can be pretty tedious when your heater core goes
I despise electrical/wiring and anything to do with Air Conditioning.. I feel like you waste your life trying to solve those problems..
#13
Senior Member
Re: Worst/Hardest job
3 come mind.
heater core
Spark plugs with slp headers
Fixing tilt mechanism in steering column.
heater core
Spark plugs with slp headers
Fixing tilt mechanism in steering column.
#14
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Worst/Hardest job
Oh, spark plug wires I’m fine with.. I was talking about any electrical wiring/ harnesses that have issues are my nightmare..
I’ve heard there are headers that make changing plugs/wires easier though too.. haven’t done it in a while but a few I remember you have to get under the car for and can’t see anything..
I’ve heard there are headers that make changing plugs/wires easier though too.. haven’t done it in a while but a few I remember you have to get under the car for and can’t see anything..
#15
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Re: Worst/Hardest job
I'm not a fan of anything involving the front suspension. Fuel tank/fuel pump and rear axles seals/bearings are annoying too. And completely pulling the dash is a huge pain. But I don't think any of those jobs are particularly hard, just time consuming. As long as you have the proper tools (and knowledge).
#16
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Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: Worst/Hardest job
These cars aren't the easiest to work on for sure. Fuel pumps, exhaust manifolds, heater cores.. Yes they have made me do plenty of cursing. Tring to istall ground effects is a thin line between having too much gap and rubbing. I got so mad doing my bodywork I beat a lower door ground effect to pieces and luckily dpmalibu hooked me up with a nice set of factory ones
#17
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Re: Worst/Hardest job
Finding OEM parts
#18
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Re: Worst/Hardest job
Rust. Doesn't matter if it's suspension bolts rusted solid inside the bushings, or 7mm screws rusted solid, or a hole in a floor pan. Rust is a Pain to remove, neutralize, and hide.
Hoisting 700R4's in and out is pretty high on my personal list. Had it down to about a 2hr job, jack up to jack down before I gave up and cut losses with my 86 TA.
Hoisting 700R4's in and out is pretty high on my personal list. Had it down to about a 2hr job, jack up to jack down before I gave up and cut losses with my 86 TA.
#19
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Re: Worst/Hardest job
If rust is an issue for the car I would say replacing the fuel pump or replacing a front fender. Removing and entire rear suspension and exhaust that has rusted together was horrible. Removing a front fender with all of those 10mm (2 dozen in all?) bolts rusted together is just as bad.
#21
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Worst/Hardest job
No wonder you don’t like 700R4s.. I could get a T-5 out in 20 min.. haven’t had to do a 700R4 yet.. hopefully won’t have to either..
#22
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Worst/Hardest job
Any job on any vehicle involving rust can set you back.. it’s not thirdgen specific unfortunately..
A lot of “easy” jobs turn into projects because of rust
A lot of “easy” jobs turn into projects because of rust
#23
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Car: 1991 Firebird Formula
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Worst/Hardest job
Not exactly a "stock" car problem, but getting certain headers in the car without pulling the engine can be a challenge, even the shorties. And then getting to the collector bolts on the passenger side . I didn't find the heater core too hard but I know some cars are harder than others. Center console removal is tedious, next time I might try sticking a screwdriver down in the handbrake mechanism to pull the ratchet back (year 91 so it has the ratcheting mechanism) which should allow me to pull it straight up. Should make it a bit easier.
EDIT: Taking the 700r4 can also be tedious. It was a lot harder to get it out the first couple times but after some (unwanted) practice I can get it out and back in in a couple hours.
EDIT: Taking the 700r4 can also be tedious. It was a lot harder to get it out the first couple times but after some (unwanted) practice I can get it out and back in in a couple hours.
#24
Re: Worst/Hardest job
I installed my entire Tremec TKO 600 and Lakewood bellhousing before realizing I needed an adjustable pivot ball for the clutch fork. I removed the stocker and installed the new pivot ball....
....WITH IT ON THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!
How 'bout THEM apples!!! LOL
....WITH IT ON THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!
How 'bout THEM apples!!! LOL
#25
Re: Worst/Hardest job
Seems so simple;
Removing the Tranny dipstick tube on an auto. Related; the ECM grounds bolted to the back of the pass side head. ( same PITA bolt ) It's so easy to just cut those ground wires, but I ALWAYS fought to get them off intact rather than hacking them.
Removing the Tranny dipstick tube on an auto. Related; the ECM grounds bolted to the back of the pass side head. ( same PITA bolt ) It's so easy to just cut those ground wires, but I ALWAYS fought to get them off intact rather than hacking them.
#27
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Car: 1988 IROC Z Convertible
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: 700 R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GU2
Re: Worst/Hardest job
For some reason your headlight switch/dash reminded me of replacing the speedometer cable that stopped working in my 87 years ago.. It takes a little bit of luck to get the new cable plugged in the back of the speedometer from what I recall.. felt like trying to thread a needle with your eyes closed..
Not a hard job, but some luck required
Not a hard job, but some luck required
#30
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Car: 1987 Z28 Camaro
Engine: 305 LG4 4bbl
Transmission: TH700R4
Re: Worst/Hardest job
i think my spark plugs with my headers took about 6 hours the first time, and about 4 of those were getting at #8 - changed to accel shorties and its like a 5 min job now.
apart from that, removing the smog pump piping from the back of the block which was also where the EST ground was, i lost about 3 hours and half the skin on my hands to that bloody job.
speedo cable is also horrible
apart from that, removing the smog pump piping from the back of the block which was also where the EST ground was, i lost about 3 hours and half the skin on my hands to that bloody job.
speedo cable is also horrible
#33
Re: Worst/Hardest job
Cylinder #8 spark plug on a stock A/C equipped car. I hate that plug.
Doesn't matter whether you jack the car up, or if you have small hands to get back there, its just a pain.
Thankfully now I have long tubes lots of other "weight loss". So full plug changes happen in about 30 minutes.
Doesn't matter whether you jack the car up, or if you have small hands to get back there, its just a pain.
Thankfully now I have long tubes lots of other "weight loss". So full plug changes happen in about 30 minutes.
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