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I was wondering what everyone does when they "run out of steam?" Specifically, when you get tired of your Olds?
I've been considering selling my Oldsmobile. I have a spare 455 and TH400 that I thought I would install (they ran when removed 8 or 9 years ago). I would never be able to make money or come out ahead selling my Olds, but if I do sell it then I should keep the good 455 and TH400 that are in the car now.
The last few times I've driven my Olds it has run like a POS. It died in early Dec. when my wife and I were on a date and I had to get it towed. The tow truck driver lowered it on the exhaust tips and crushed them. I finally got it running again but the last time I drove it it died again! This time it was the 12V IGNition lead to the distributor.
I just got my General HAM license and I thought I could use the money from the sale of my Olds for an HF radio and for parts for my truck. I want to get my truck running better because I can drive it every day to work. Even when my Olds is running fine I only drive it a few hundred miles a year. Of course, all this being said my wife doesn't even want me to consider selling it. Then again, who cares what mama says...
I just got my General HAM license and I thought I could use the money from the sale of my Olds for an HF radio...
That's cool. During the period of ~1965-1966 (14-15yrs old) myself and my neighbor built a couple of HF radios from parts you could buy from I believe it was the Radio Shack catalogues; although there were several companies at the time which produced these types catalogues. Oh wait, I think the company was called Heath Kit. I built a VOX Super Beetle amplifier, also.
Anyways, what fun we had building stuff from parts we ordered, learning how to solder and the thrill of actually having this stuff work and talking to someone. We were actually successful on not more than several occasions to have been able to SKIP across the Atlantic (of course the ionosphere) and we talked with some people in Europe someplace.
Have fun with your HF radio. BTW, we had no General HAM license, I don't believe Hyman, Almy or Murray had one - why did we need one!
I have other interests that keep me occupied when I get burned out.I bow hunt starting in October and most of my car stuff goes on hold until spring,unless it is something I can do inside, like rebuilding carbs or other detail stuff.It is too cold and too costly to heat my garage in the winter. By spring I am readyto get back in the garage, be it the Olds or working on the wifes or kids cars. I understand it gets frustrating sometimes. I usually get like that when I have to wrench on my daily driver or the lawn tractor or whatever. Seems like there is always something that needs fixing.
If I were you I would hang on to your Olds for now. Chances are you will feel different after taking a break from it for a while.
I wish I had the "only answer". Each person is different, but I think we all go through times when we lose interest. Once you sell the car, you'll find times when you wish you had it. Perhaps work at getting the HAM equipment and keeping the car. I wish you good luck on your decision.
Joe, shame on you ! I typed the very same thing but I "backspaced" to remove it. I do have other "hobbles" to take some time away........ "old motorcycles", firearms, car shows, a cabin in the woods, and small machine shop in one stall of the garage. Hmmmmmmmmmm, and I have also been dreaming about finding a '55 Olds 2 door sedan to build a "nostalgia" Gasser.
I often feel like that, until some little ******* in a rice rocket pulls up next to me at the stop light, keeps reving his sewing machine motor, and takes off like a bat out of hell. That's when I wish I was driving it at that very moment and blow his freakin doors off.
I've got so many different things going on right now to keep me busy. I tried to sell mine last year because a suitable substitute came available, but that didn't pan out. I only have room for 1 project at a time. Do what makes you happy, cars do come and go.
I hear you! I never had any real problems with my car and told people that I would not be afraid to drive it to California. In the last couple of years it came home on the roll back twice and I was losing my confidence in the car. I would only venture not far from home. This winter I have taken care of several issues (with help from guys on here). Hopefully the confidence will come back, but I will not take it out without having my cell phone. Hope you make the right decision for you.
Rick
I split my time between home projects and auto projects... Helps me not to lose interest in any one thing... Although, I am down sizing my fleet and inventory of parts to help simplify my time choices / efforts...
I now work on restoring cars everyday and sometimes I just get burned out on doing it. But I still have my Cutlass that I will get out and drive around and to some cruises. It sits in the garage ready to go. It just makes me happy to drive it. For me, very relaxing.
Relating to the crotchrocket, this in not mine and not an Olds but is identical to my first car I've owned for 42 years. Hopefully, I will start on it within the next couple of years and it will run as well as this one.
I don't have the body or money to support my hobbies in the way I would like any more. I had thoughts of selling the 55 or part of my gun collection awhile back. but then I thought what would I do with my time my car show friends and where would any new memories come from. It's the memories that one has that keeps you going as you age, the anticipation of the looks of a new or refurbished part that you have made or found. Also the pleasure one gives to others as they enjoy the treasures you have built or the history you have exposed them to.
Give it a little time the passion has a way of returning . Remember we as collectors are just caretakers of our toys, some of my stuff has gone through four or five generations and I hope to let it go to someone more complete and in better shape than when I received it. Save the history and share it for the ones coming behind you. It doesn't matter if it's cars guns or clocks someone will appreciate your labors if you let them know a little about it, pass it on.Give them a memory and share the passion it's contagious..... Pardon my nostalgia feelings I kinda got lost in a post like this , it happens the older I get...... Tedd
I now work on restoring cars everyday and sometimes I just get burned out on doing it. But I still have my Cutlass that I will get out and drive around and to some cruises. It sits in the garage ready to go. It just makes me happy to drive it. For me, very relaxing.
Relating to the crotchrocket, this in not mine and not an Olds but is identical to my first car I've owned for 42 years. Hopefully, I will start on it within the next couple of years and it will run as well as this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItfdQ-HDAvg
Give it a little time the passion has a way of returning . Remember we as collectors are just caretakers of our toys, some of my stuff has gone through four or five generations and I hope to let it go to someone more complete and in better shape than when I received it. Save the history and share it for the ones coming behind you. It doesn't matter if it's cars guns or clocks someone will appreciate your labors if you let them know a little about it, pass it on.Give them a memory and share the passion it's contagious..... Pardon my nostalgia feelings I kinda got lost in a post like this , it happens the older I get...... Tedd
Tedd, how very true...As we age, interests have a way of changing BUT, As I said in your thread about your knee, we will "Endeavor to Persevere" to meet our end objectives...
My car didn't run, or ran poorly for many years.
In spite of this, when I passed it in the garage on the way into the house it just made me happy. Sometimes possession alone is worth something.
I made the car more reliable and fell in love with it all over again. Now when I take it out to enjoy it, I can really enjoy it. I went over the top (and this is not popular here) with a late model computer controlled fuel injected engine.
I blip the key and it fires immediately. Every time, no worries, no matter how far from home.
When not in use, I keep it covered so I don't have to clean it and I have a battery disconnect so it holds a good charge.
I recommend you listen to the wife and don't sell, but I would suggest considering some reliability upgrades.
Fuel injection (bolt on carburetor replacement type)
Electronic Ignition
New battery with disconnect (if necessary), and chase down any draws.
Cooling system (if necessary)
Most breakdowns can be avoided with these systems covered.
I have always said if I didn’t do the car thing, I would take up drinking. Which hobby would be a better use of time of funds?
i never tire of the Olds, my issue is too many other things in life getting in the way of fun Olds time. If I’m having a bad day, take a drive somewhere.
I would have to agree with your wife. Spend a little time and money making some reliability upgrades/repairs. You don’t necessarily need to install EFI or electronic ignition, just a good front to rear inspection. These cars were expected to be able to drive cross country, no reason it won’t today if it’s in reasonably good condition. Sure, breakdowns can and most likely will occur, but hopefully will be rare. Most likely will be easy to fix also.
FWIW, I didn't remove the hood of my Olds this weekend to prep the engine and transmission for removal. Instead I tinkered with my truck. We'll see how I feel again in a month or two.
When my Olds aren't running, I can tolerate it only for a short time otherwise I consider getting them hauled away for junk. As said, make it a reliable cruiser. I carry a spare car worth of parts that can die on both Olds V8's. Both are decently reliable but everything is far distances here and no one will have parts I need in stock. Just getting in and cruising is the whole point of owning these cars.
Right there with you. Mine was in various stages of "broken" for 9 years and many times I wanted to sell it for scrap.
I just took a break for a few weeks and worked on something else. The worst thing I could do was try to "work through" a frustration. I would just make it worse.
One thing is to try to work in phases. It helped a lot when I got it to the point where I could split things up into small jobs then drive it. Working for months without any seat time got me pretty wound up. Shifting that around so I could cruise at least once a month (even when it was in bare metal) really helped.
I have never really lost steam with my love for the automotive hobby.
My love for the automobile is part of me,been programed into my brain since before I have memories by my parents giving me car toys.All my life my family has been interested in automobiles.
It's the one and only constant in my life that no one can ever take from me. Woman have come and gone,houses have come and gone,other hobbies have come and gone...but my love of the automobile has always been and always will be there.
I do have other hobbies,collecting diecast,collecting and racing slot cars,collecting knives,collecting and shooting firearms. Some of these hobbies I do loose steam once in a while.
The nice thing is,when I do loose steam in them,I can leave them sit aside until I am ready to return to them and enjoy.
I haven’t loss the desire “yet.” The last 8 years, death, sickness, old age and relocation has eliminated all of my car Buddies. There use to be a core of 9 Friends that would be in and out on the weekends. We’d meet up at different buildings to lend a hand. I’m the last man standing for 4 years. Family obligations take up a lot of my “retirement” time. Even my Machine Shop Owner passed away, we went to the same school, 1956. My advice, listen to the Wife and try to work on your Oldsmobile everyday, even if it’s only 20 minutes.
Find new ways to appreciate your car. Build a new engine , go racing with it, do subtle but satisfying changes. I have had my olds 13 years and i constantly change things i have been burnt out before but once i get back to it woth a fresh mind all is good
If i get frustrated w a part of the project Ill either tackle another portion or work on another hobby for a while and then come back to it, it helps that november to march is pretty much "storage" and no work can be done so come april im ready to go again....
March 8th, 2019, 12:36 PM
This time it was the 12V IGNition lead to the distributor.
I typed the very same thing but I "backspaced" to remove it. 
