What is the one tool you "wouldn't be without" while working on classic cars?

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A bfh!!

 

money

 

Ha...thought that was for newer cars!!!

 

Outside of a deep wallet, I don't think I can narrow it down to just one tool because you don't do the same repair over and over. There are specific tools required for different jobs. I have a 50 year collection of hand tools, power tools, and test equipment needed for all aspects of car repair. The biggest grief in a repair is trying to work around a tool you don't have.

 

Or a tool you need, have AND you can't find it or your buddy borrowed it and has it two hours away AND is out-of-town for the week!!!

 

A credit card is handy, doesn't take up much room, and fits almost any car..... Tedd

 

A good Chassis Service Manual

 

I dunno. Before I ever knew those existed, I rebuilt the engine, transmission, front suspension, rearend, and did all sorts of repair work. I just put stuff back on the reverse of how it came off. And all of that work was performed with a basic ratchet set, combination wrench set, assorted screwdrivers, hammer, etc. that all fit into a 14" carpenter-style tool box.

 

Dwell/tach volt/ohm meter

 

Vise grips

 

My hands!
Great set of sockets

 

 

I have a few machine oil bottles, like a bbq refillable squeeze bottle. I put gasoline in them and prime carburetors.

 

You know I've given this a lot of thought over the past few hours and did come up with the one tool that is essential for me when working on a car.

MUSIC!

 

A chicken to sacrifice.

 

Common sense

 

 

My last Alvin Lee show (since you brought it up). Up close personal show - small tavern/lounge ~500 capacity. I stood 5' in front of Alvin the entire show.

Keep On Rockin'
Long Legs
Hear Me Callin'
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
Take It Easy
Slow Blues In C
Cannonball Rag
I Don't Give A Damn
Love Like A Man
I'm Going Home>
First Encore
Choo Choo Mama
Second Encore
Rip It Up

 

x2!

 

Any metric tool to throw when frustrated!

 

A comprehensive set of wrenches. (Whitworth set out of frame)




Moral question - If you crawled under the car and found you had the wrong size, would you crawl back out and get the “right” one or would you cheat?

…

 

Cigar Cutter

 

YouTube, good dexterity meat hooks, a common-sense brain to control both, 45 years of tool collecting, air and fire tools, and plenty of working fluid.
For the advanced commoner all the above AND A GARAGE WITH A LIFT!

bccan depends on what period of life is in question....when I was younger I'd choose the up n down to retrieve the right tool if I had it....now I have said tool but I'd cheat to avoid the up n down so I don't need a day and 1600mg of Ibuprofin to recover after a 4 wheel brake job on my F250.

 

Theres many great tools that have been named and having a specific tool VS a more generic version can be a great help too.

For me I thought about which tools i use the most and which make a job easier (like an impact wrench VS a rachet) and in the end

I think Ill go with (inserts short drumroll)...having my wrenching buddy back, of all the jobs we did together many were easier and the results

were better or i was more motivated going into the job knowing i had help coming over.....

 

There's a lot to be said about having a wrenching buddy.

 

Dang, I don't think I've yet encountered anything on the Olds that some basic tools couldn't handle. You musta had a possessed car to need that level of mojo.

 

Did anybody mention a BFH?

 

i cant be without my torch, its a must in michigan.

 

Most things said above depending on what extent a person works on their own car. For me....auto lift and a powerful air compressor are must haves. Then, lots of specialty tools for body work, engine, and overall R&R. If a person is going to do their own paint work, sandblasting, metal replacement, engine work, and etc......then additional specialty tools are required such as a nice welder, sandblaster, bodywork tools, painting provisions, and then the whole engine tools piece.


30 CFM at 175 psi continuous duty air compressor.

 

R12 charging station.

 

PATIENCE

 

Amen to patience.....things don't often go as planned or desired.

 

I used to have one of these ... but lost it

 

A lot of great answers here, and a lot of funny ones, too.

A serious answer for me is a set of ratcheting wrenches. They may have had these back in the 80s, but I did not own any until I bought my Cutlass a little over a year ago. I can't believe how handy these are and how much I end up using them instead of a ratchet and socket.

 

 

Sorry for being too serious,

1. a good set of standard and metric sockets
2. A good set of box wrenches
3. A good set of screw drivers (flathead and Phillips)
4. A good hydraulic jack
5. Jack stands
6. A pry bar
7. A torque wrench

Bonus Tools

1. Steering wheel puller
2. Brake piston compressor
3. Tie-rod separator
4. Multimeter
5. An 1-1/4 " sockets to manually turn an engine.crank.
6. U-joint sockets

And of course a super large tool box with cool stickers.

 

Patience, that is a tool that will serve you daily when dealing with old cars..they are old, you do not work on them daily so many of us are shade tree mechanics so patience is a must..along with Youtube!,lol

 

Metric, why?

 

As you get older…..this:

best $830 I ever spent