Damint

"Pixel" (Improbcat) 06/17/2016 at 13:28 • Filed to: None

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The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! just got sold out from under me.

Slant6 > Pixel 06/17/2016 at 13:51

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sad

Steve in Manhattan > Pixel 06/17/2016 at 14:15

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The good thing? It’s now someone else’s problem. And have you run across this guy? Interesting videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Kz0…

fintail > Steve in Manhattan 06/17/2016 at 14:31

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Fun two degrees of separation (or something), Kent has actually worked on my fintail.

He’s a good guy, was extremely honest and ethical when he had an active shop.

fintail > Pixel 06/17/2016 at 14:31

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Too bad.

But hopefully that means it won’t be scrapped - as long as it lives, everything works out.

Steve in Manhattan > fintail 06/17/2016 at 15:11

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I haven’t worked on a car I owned since the 90s (‘87 300D) but I love to watch his videos - it keeps me in touch with that world. I’ll never own a car again given where I live, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy videos vicariously.

Steve in Manhattan > fintail 06/17/2016 at 15:36

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Should have said - he really seems like a standup guy, and it’s good to hear it confirmed.

His shop is no longer active?

fintail > Steve in Manhattan 06/17/2016 at 16:03

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I think he works on selected cars, maybe if you are friends with him and talk him into it - but I don’t think he has an open to the public shop anymore. He did for several years, until maybe 2004 or so when his internet business really took off (he had a big ebay venture before youtube). That’s about the time I moved away from the area. He also did a little work on a W126 I had at the time. I remember he also showed me how to put a window regulator in my fintail - his mantra is to show people how to do it themselves.

I don’t live in a place anything like Manhattan, but I don’t really like to do more than the most routine work, either. If I did, and had the right car, his videos and books would be on my shelf. He found a niche and ran with it.

Steve in Manhattan > fintail 06/17/2016 at 16:07

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I helped a buddy do a clutch in an old Volvo once, but my only solo experiences include plugs, wires, a carb rebuild, and getting to use a lift and replacing differential fluid and an oil pan gasket.

fintail > Steve in Manhattan 06/17/2016 at 16:10

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My experience is no more than yours. I lack the tools, space, time, and honestly, the knowledge to do much more. I do a little fine tuning on my car now and then, but big jobs (brakes coming soon), I take it to the shop.

Steve in Manhattan > fintail 06/17/2016 at 16:59

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Maybe try the brakes yourself? It’s supposed to be replacing parts and bleeding the system. Although I never tried it ... should have.

fintail > Steve in Manhattan 06/17/2016 at 20:31

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Nah, no room, not enough tools, and I have enough paranoia to keep me away from that. I know I would have leftover parts, and I would worry every time I tapped the pedal. I don’t have recourse against my own ineptitude. I don’t even change my own oil.

Steve in Manhattan > fintail 06/17/2016 at 20:46

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Did oil changes for years, but yeah, brakes are important. I did carbs, but if they didn’t work, the car didn’t move. Brakes might figure in ... dunno, stopping?

fintail > Steve in Manhattan 06/17/2016 at 21:11

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I am pretty sure I will never own another carbureted car. My first car, a 66 Ford (this was in the 90s, so it had plenty of time to become cranky) was enough.

I experienced brake failure in the fintail once, due to a broken line. Not something I want to repeat.

Steve in Manhattan > fintail 06/18/2016 at 10:54

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Finaltail doesn’t have dual circuit brakes, I take it.

fintail > Steve in Manhattan 06/18/2016 at 12:47

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Fintails from ~1962+ have it, mine has it. I remember I had 3 stops until it was empty - it was a big leak. I always carry extra fluids, so I was able to refill it and nurse it back home.

Steve in Manhattan > fintail 06/18/2016 at 13:45

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And did I really write “Finaltail”?

I recall a call to Car Talk about an original Land Cruiser - they guys said that upgrading the brakes was Job 1.

fintail > Steve in Manhattan 06/18/2016 at 15:13

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It’s an unusual word :)

The brakes on the car are usually excellent, save for when one of the lines are broken.