I can't speak for Timelock but I hire people to do "menial" tasks all the time. Whether it is changing my oil in one of my vehicles or doing my taxes it is economically wise for me to do this. As the cliche goes.."Time is money". In my line of work if I am working on time consuming tasks instead of doing my job I am wasting money. Whatever free time I end up with goes to my wife and kids (and a little on hobbies like this forum). I look forward to the day when all I have to do is go look at my car and polish the tailpipe, but that day isn't any time soon.

 

Soaring now leads us toexamine the division of classes! His question about why I don't do theeasy work myself is based on serious assumptions and values.

Who would have thought the Mustang fourm could delve into such provacative discussions as labor relationsin a capitalistic society.

Why would anyone hire help to do housecleaning when they can do it themsleves? Or use gardenerswhen the fresh air does us good? Orhave others wash our cars whenit's much cheaper to do it ourselves? Or why we spending time on this self-absored hobby when we could be focused onhelping the poor or curing global warming?

I don't know. Perhaps I'm spoiled or shallow. Or perhaps what seems "menial" toyou , is not to me.

All I know is that I am happy, my Mustang shop is happy... and my family loves me. Life is good.

Oh, and my trunk will hopefully look good - pictures to come

 

Funny post Timeclockmind. Based on your writing, I'm can't quitefigure outif you're a college professor, an attorney, an actor/producer (this is L.A.) or perhaps a mechanic yourself who just doesn't want to deal with these things after working on other vehicles all week.

You make an excellent point that we all do things for different reasons, be them financial, time management or desire. I used to live ina typical tract home (avg. by L.A. standards, puny by the rest of the country's ), mowed the lawns every week, did all the maintenance, gutted and remodeled bathrooms and even ran the snakes down the drains when necessary. As I was painting the exterior of the house last spring, I decided that this would be the last time I'd ever do this in my life if I could help it. I had done everything around the house, some to my own physical detriment (blew out two discs weeding the rear slope []) and I had just had it.

Two months later the house was sold and I started fresh with a residential "assistants" hired, consisting of a gardener, cleanining lady and even a pool guy. This allows me a few weekend momentsto work on the fastbackand spendof time with the wife and four kids.I do enjoy working on theMustang (most of the time) and will continue doing the workmyself ... with the exception of all the paint and body.

Suum cuique!

 

I didnt like the look of the frame rails and floor pans so:

 

Timelock.....I just assumed that this classic mustang thing was a hobby to you as it is to the rest of us. It's no skin off my nose if you have others repair and maintain your Mustang. I was just wondering why you would have someone else take care of the fun things we do to maintain our hobby.

 

Yeah, like soaring said...do it yourself! More pride and chances are, done RIGHT!

 

Everyone has their own way of enjoying the hobby. Some enjoy it more than others. Some have more time, some have more money. Not everyone enjoys getting their hands dirty. Well, getting to the topic at hand, everyone has their own definition for "attention to detail". I take pride in knowing every nut, bolt and screw was turned by my hand. I paid close attention to how well every component to my car was installed, by me. I drive my car with confidence. I know that my head bolts, my oil pump, my driveshaft and my axles ,among everything else, all have the same consistant attention to detail. I know that my oil drain plug was tightened by hand, not with an impact gun. I know there is synthetic oil in my engine because I put it there, not because some walmart mechanic said he put it in. In my opinion, which are like a55holes, we all have one. Having screws replaced just sounds ****. I think in this case your attention to detail can be topped with having each of those fuel tank screws turned to the same position, and every visible, and non-visible screw on the car turned to the same position. These are the details that catch my eye at a car show.

 

Soaring, perhaps I will try a few of the simplier tasks myself at some point. Since I am not very mechanical, I'm always afraidof screwing something up.

My big thrill comes from driving which is only a few weeks away (I hope!)

 

Folks on this site are very supportive and very willing to help... if what you're doing fits into their little "click". Your toy, (and that's what it is for most of us), is there for your enjoyment. Don't try to please these folks. They will have a pile-on-feeding-frenzy of judgement if you inadvertantly invite it.

I personally have abandoned the persuit of perfection for several reasons. First, I like to drive my car and park the thing where I need to. Parking lot people are careless, inconsiderate bastards and are going to beat it up. If you've attained the perfect finish, for example, your parking lot days are over. Dings can feel likekidney-punchesif you worry about them to that degree. I've embraced my dings. Secondly, it's a 40+ year-oldFord and everything you fix is going to have to be fixed again in a few short years. Even when you opt for the best parts you can get, they'll periodically fail you. The higher you place your standards, the more fixing there will be. If you truly enjoy nursing your 'stang, then your car ---(and in this case, your local shop),is lucky to have you. A-men. (And post pictures! I'd love to see that beautiful thing.)

 

Were is this coming from???? Like any friendship, you have to learn how everyone around you jokes. Please don't take what is said literally, it is never meant to trash or put anything you have done or any idea down, it is made with honesty and gesturing, just like you would get at sears parking lot on a Saturday night, hanging around at 2AM...Don't loose your sense of humor and patience with us, hang out and enjoy....