The Realities of Car Building

A car is more than just an assemblage of random parts. It takes careful thought, planning, preparation and execution to bring it all together in a package that will work successfully....we hope.
Plus Bottle Rocket update.
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[@forsakenmopars116]

Could NOT agree more! I think the best way to put it is a sign I saw once (that I want for my shop) - "Every twenty minute job is one broken bolt away from becoming a three day ordeal". I think that is the pure essence of the reality of car building and the essence of this video. I hate most of the TV shows where they have a small army of mechanics behind the scenes in a million dollar shop. Back in the 90's there was a TV show called Shadetree Mechanic... those guys did it right. They did the show out of a 2-car garage, no hoist, no bs, just two guys working on cars. THAT is how the TV shows should be done and videos like this are why I am a proud supporter of yours.

[@5000rgb]

The old Wheeler Dealers shows with Edd China did a good job of showing what went into their cars. They didn't really show the full time involved chasing down small parts but it was better than most of the automotive shows.

[@caseycuda854]

Could not be more true

[@chevydyall7619]

I don't mind the shows because you get to a result after an hour. But I own a Resto and know that's not how it is. As Tony said that's not the truth though. As long as you go into the show realising their only going to show you the highlights and add some drama because they need to keep you watching after the commercials you'll be right

[@Z_732]

Well put! Let's get some actual reality!

[@Z_732]

Lol.. those "one broken bolts" can be the worst...

[@chevydyall7619]

I build old cars for a living. Anyone planning on building a car needs to see this. Uncle Tony speak the truth

[@TheFrameoff]

That is why so many builds " NEVER" get finished and end up being sold as is

[@briancarabelos9606]

That’s the best way to buy them. Someone’s half baked project. I love getting them that way.

[@triangleofdeath6246]

yep, usually, they run out of money, or get too far over their heads. Many cases, the owners die before the car is done, and the widow ends up selling it. My current project is an 83 Imperial that the previous owner had yanked the engine to do a 5.7 HEMI build. They stripped the engine bay, and then sold it for some reason. For now, I have a 318 4bbl from an 81 imp that is going in, but I may eventually do a big block or HEMI swap. Luckily for me, the car is rust free, and the engine bay was all they stripped.

[@snowmobile488]

How long before you sell it unfinished?

[@lichking3711]

@@briancarabelos9606 not really, if you get someone else's project, you have to deal with the way they've worked on it. IF they had a good work ethic - shouldn't be a problem, but if they were doing things half-assed, like the guy I got my mustang from... boy will you have a frustrating time!

[@alanwhite3280]

Lich King Wanted a challenge. l found one of those almost 2 yrs ago. Still working on it. Between car & parts they had sunk $15g and the car did not run. Still refabing ehat they did or didnt do. Be careful what you wish for.

[@rumrunner1756]

Uncle T, I remodel houses and can relate to this. My stomach just churns when I watch the house flipping shows that show a dilapidated home being bought, rehabbed and sold for a nice profit, in a period of 14-30 days. Anyone who takes pride in their work ALWAYS goes over the time frame they allot and usually over their budget. People who say “That’s good enough”, instead of “I’m proud to put my name on that” are the ones that meet deadlines. ☮️

[@khaccanhle1930]

I did a bit of house remodeling as a job, it was a nightmare. We always had to open up a wall or crawlspace and be faced with some ignorant homeowners' trashy attempt to do something. We spent most of our time undoing other people's stupidity. It's way easier to just bulldoze the thing and start over.

[@redneckoleptic1813]

In property management and those people really no nothing!!!! I like to run over half the dipshit broads they have reading a script!!!!!!!! I can paint my face with pig anus and bat shit So, I can paint a house hehehehehehe….. BANG!

[@calebjamesdelisle6239]

2:38 narrator cuts in: "Tony's been at this job for years, he doesn't think to get his safety glasses just to quickly brush up a bolt" 🎶 Shake Hands With Danger ♫

[@Lengsel7]

Lol @ Shake hands w/ Danger. ....But still....Don't be a Primitive Pete.

[@mikepoint4983]

Your 100 % correct Uncle , when I was building my 67 Chevelle I never gave myself a deadline , I did what I could when I could , and that’s including working a full time job then sourcing parts takes time and money . But when it was all done and I took it for its first ride , there is no better feeling knowing you started and finished it on your own . Cheers

[@Properformancenutritioncom]

Have you ever wondered why you see so many old cars & trucks stashed in backyards & besides old buildings but you rarely seen them on the road? This is why.

[@redneckoleptic1813]

No, ignorant @#$%^s that think it's a collection!

[@clevelandmaker386]

@@redneckoleptic1813 your right

[@brentgoodman9970]

This is the truth right here.

[@Properformancenutritioncom]

We gotta have this car done in 24 hours...the customer is on his way!

[@bobroberts2371]

And the landlord to collect the past due rent... . . .

[@jamesmoore3346]

I used to work as a small engine mechanic for a John Deere dealer years ago. People would tell me man I need this rider fixed as fast as you can, my grass is getting higher, I just tell em 'It'll be there when I get it done, the grass ain't leaving, no worries". Its supprising how many people let little things bother them.

[@willbreaker2196]

No excuses right 🤣

[@ford351cleveland]

If we dont sell it we will loose the shop!!!

[@STARDRIVE]

And we don´t want it to be a rush job!

[@CLINTSTER77COX]

We got my dads car on the track for the first time this month . 21 years he has been working/ building it .

[@JP-xg8cd]

I guarantee u ur pops felt like a king when that car hit the track, it’s an awesome feeling!

[@amc401nash6]

That's the kind of dedication I love to hear about!

[@doctoredable]

I can relate because I own a 39 year old Skipjack fishing boat. Over the last 22 years I have owned her I have replaced many elements with custom upgrades that take time to plan and refine as each project develops. I love the old gal. Took her out 4 days ago for the first time in 2019 after lots of improvements. She ran like a charm and the three of us caught 6 Chinook salmon from 14 to 24 pounds. All the effort is well worth it.

[@bigleague6723]

Haha! There is absolutely no bullshit in Tony. When I was putting my Mustang together, I had to dig through bins for a solid 2 days to find all the bolts and spacers, and cut and grind to build my pulley system for it. The devils in the details. Especially when you are using aftermarket parts, because all the parts never just bolt on and magically jive with all the other aftermarket parts you have.

[@triangleofdeath6246]

It seems the aftermarket stuff is never exactly right, it's always a bit off here or there.

[@harmankardon478]

The devil is in the detail! people think oh that just takes a few minutes wait until your actually doing a job and how long they really take.... then add that up to the thousands of jobs a car takes.

[@livewire2759]

13 years ago, I pulled out an oil burning 250 straight six from my old chevy truck and began the process of rebuilding it. I had it machined, got a bunch of new parts, then life got in the way. A few years later I decided to build a hot 327 for the truck, bought some more parts, did some work here and there and life got in the way again. Last summer I bought a junker with a blown up trans and parted it out. This summer I said F- it, and dropped in the 292 from the junker that smokes worse than the original 250 did. But hey, I can finally drive the truck again!

[@jonbennett118]

wait what happened to the 250?

[@AryDontSurf]

I'm with you, I'm waiting for my 235 to start smoking then I'm probably gonna build a 283

[@livewire2759]

@@jonbennett118 You don't want to know...

[@ridgerunner7980]

setting deadlines for custom work is for fantasy island...quality work is never rushed..

[@davidbeer]

Fantasy Island....😄 Ahhh de pleeene de pleeene...

[@herbertgearing1702]

You rock uncle Tony. It's amazing how constraints like budget and deadlines can inspire levels of creativity and outside the box thinking that those guys from the unlimited budget shows will never attain if they did a thousand episodes! I used to do budget (junkyard) projects with my uncle as a teenager. Now I want to start a budget project with my sons to give them a chance to use their minds to overcome problems instead of using my wallet.

[@Welcometofacsistube]

Learned long ago when building cars; if you think it’s going to take you an hour, wi will take you three. Example: spent over 3 hours cleaning bolts and nuts rebuilding my last engine build. Easy to take a part. Much harder to put it back together

[@aleasley94]

Hal 1000 you must mean 3 weeks..

[@Welcometofacsistube]

Al Easley sometimes, yup. I’ve have fought with a broken bolt for days.

[@christophercarpenter7536]

And you will almost always have to replace something you weren't expecting to when you take it apart

[@joshmow8302]

Right on you reminded me of a military saying" men don't plan to fail they fail to plan" yup you'll get er done Tony the right way 👍👌👏

[@jondickson75]

Thank you ! I’m glad I am not the only one who has these issues. Get tired of explaining to people why my car projects aren’t done yet. Time and money,,,,, plus you have to mow the yard! Thanks Tony. Keep up the good work.

[@barnabyjones6995]

Sometimes I mow the yard to avoid doing my projects.

[@uniflo2609]

That is so true. Nowadays, especially younger enthusiasts find it difficult to understand that. Part of the reason is precisely these TV shows

[@johnwilburn]

Thanks for making this much needed video. Cleaning, prepping gasket surfaces, measuring to find the size of a missing bolt, making a specialty tool on occasion.... these are all things they don’t show on the TV shows and they are most of every big job.

[@virtuestreams2616]

I appreciated your literary reference to Robert Burn’s “To A Mouse”, or perhaps to the more widely read work by Steinbeck, “Of Mice and Men”-it is one of my favorite novellas to teach. My eldest son and I built ‘64 Ford Falcon Sprint several years ago, and we said, many times, “this should take an hour,” but it always required three or four. We laugh often about our past miscalculations-thank goodness we had those experiences! Thanks for keeping things real Tony. Peace-out!

[@johnpassmore8176]

Been building cars for 40+ yrs and you are absolutely right you build the car 5 times and still never done.putting things in order is key to a successful build. Love your videos

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Exactly. My first car build in my 20s , it was done. But I daily drove it that summer , and every day when I got home I'd pop the hood ad tinker because on the ride home I'd think alot. My neighbor was always like : what's wrong now? Eh nothing really, and everything 🤣 I figured out it was never done.

[@johnpassmore8176]

@@MrTheHillfolk I can relate to that. It always looked like I was working on my car cause I always had hood up. Just looking

[@MrTheHillfolk]

@@johnpassmore8176 Yeah that was basically it, make sure there was no leaks or missing parts. And it's kinda nice to your underhood rubber goods and wiring too. My dad used to always pop the hood after getting home on a hot summer day, and it showed after years and years on a Saab turbo. Similar cars were all hard and baked out on the rubber and wiring, killing turbos from the heat soak and whatnot. Haha I bet people would drive by and be like what an unreliable car he has the hood open everyday 🤣

[@thefordmaniac]

Thanks for the reminders. Hiting alot of roadblocks on my 65 galaxie. Frustration, lack of funds and time. Doing all work myself.

[@test123apt]

Keep with it my brother! You know someday you're going to be standing in front of a shiny Galaxy you're going to think back to this moment and be so happy you persevered and kept the project going! You got this bro!

[@Properformancenutritioncom]

I have all day everyday to do whatever I want & this kind of stuff still takes me forever. Nights & weekends only must be really tough. I hope you get through the roadblocks with your Galaxy soon & get it on the road.

[@01trsmar]

@@test123apt .. Ford Galxie is one Ford I like along with Mercury ParkLanes,Monterey..Never was a Mustang guy!! But Mopar is where its at!

[@joshn938]

It's a labor of love. That will be one happy machine when she's done.

[@thomashopkins2609]

Awsome! I'm 64 and finally building my first car. It's going to take one or two years to come together because it's unconventional. What you are telling folks is exactly right. Everything is tested, modified, adjusted, changed over and over again. Patience is the key. It's the trip not the destination.

[@Gettinbentoffroad]

Couldn’t agree more I’ve had my old cougar for about 6 years and people always talk about how it looks what they don’t know is how long it took to get there.

[@Aaron.Newman]

Use safety glasses with the wire wheel! But good call on cleaning all the bolt threads. Really makes a difference when putting things back together.

[@5000rgb]

Or a full face shield. Just drill a small hole for the cigarette.

[@JohnSmith-bx1mp]

@@5000rgb I did that with my dust mask,my boss tried not to laugh,while reprimanding me.

[@richwashere168]

John Smith I usually use the “safety squint” with the wire wheel.

[@zjw3504]

I have found the realities to be true over the past 2 1/2 years of resurrecting my 1965 Ford Falcon! It sat for 25 years outside and was soon to be scrapped until I saved it. It took 3 engines until I finally found a good one without any internal problems! And despite having it running perfectly, there's still tons of body work left to do and front end work and suspension. And let's not forget the stacks of paperwork for the missing title! But I wouldn't trade it for anything because from building this car I have learned so many things, and I know my next build will be easier and after so many, it will be like second nature! All I wanna do now is save more classics, all the Falcons, darts/valiants, corvairs! Great video Uncle Tony!

[@Sonoma_Coast]

If you someday have an intro to your videos, may I suggest using the sound of a chrysler/dodge/plymouth starter. I love that sound. Brings back memories of all the Darts I've had years ago.

[@fordilac]

All the old movies and tv shows using the gear reduction starter sound for every kind of car.

[@DrewLSsix]

Sam Hagins Like the sound of guns cocking no matter what’s actually happening its strictly there to make it clear what’s happening in a given scene.

[@circlepfarm9729]

Great idea!

[@alanbaird9846]

440 six barrel dart with a straight 650 Carter replace is great lumpy Cam kick down at a roll speed

[@01trsmar]

Pretty good idea!!! I heard my starter 8 times today..Daily drive my restored 68 Charger RT Super strong 440!!!

[@andrewmaxfield6658]

I love "Bottle Rocket" and have been following you from the beginning. I have a kind of love and respect for you and Lamchop for this. You and Lamchop under the car taking the undercoat off was classic. Reminds me of my days with my 65 Impala. Burnt paint, under coating and seared flesh. Golden moments.

[@dbeaumontresident847]

Reality check with Uncle Tony. Proof that if you put your mind to it, and realize what it takes, you won't lose inspiration! Great video Tony! #ROLLUPYOURWINDOWS!

[@thomasmulhall4873]

I've been building cars for 30 years, and I'm still astonished at how long every operation takes. Few people, except those who nuild, have any idea of the time, and dark days of a build. How about waiting for the plater, powder coater, component rebuilder, trimmer, and all of the sublet vendors. I had an oil filter housing out for a year! You are spot on with telling the truth about our vocation. One thing: ALWAYS wear safety glasses when using a wire wheel.

[@robertderidder1622]

I'm a home engine builder myself and never a truer word spoken. Thanks Tony! Love the videos and keep them coming!

[@JP-xg8cd]

Building a car is a real pain in the ass, but the satisfaction u get when u get to drive it to the local car show and somebody says hey nice car or truck, that is priceless cause u know u built it with ur blood, sweat, and tears.

[@garymckee8857]

I only watch your channel because it's not a commercial for fancy car parts and there's not a complete shop that has everything to work and rebuild a vehicle, in other words real life. Thanks Tony.

[@PoBoyRacing80]

All good points and spot on for the everyday builder....who doesn't own or can afford a shop to do a frame up build on your car. ......I'm two weeks in on making all four power windows work on my '59 Ford Thunderbird....with doing wire repairs....testing motors....testing switches.....buying some new motors and switches....not to say learning how to remove the door panels and interior parts and keep them pristine and then reinstall them.....but I'm almost done and I now have the knowledge on this power window system so that I can help someone else if they have this problem with their '59 bird.....but I've only seen 4 of these cars in the last few years....so I probably won't be gitting any phone calls anytime soon!!!!!!

[@jamesmoore3346]

I have a 98 dodge ram 1500, had it for little over 7 years now, it is a daily driver, project truck in the works. I'm not looking to build a drag strip king, just a truck that has my personnally in it, it takes time, why get in a hurry. I don't have a bottomless bank account, I have to think and plan each thing I want to do to it. Took me 4 years just to do the body work and prep the truck for paint, finally I rattle can painted the truck just to give me a blank canvas to continue working on the end project, doing this all while recovering from lung cancer, its been a long road but I never gave up. No one can begin to imagine how hard it is to keep on when you get to working on it and after about 30 minutes your give out, but I never give up. Now this truck means more to me than ever, it has become a large part of my therapy. Just keep on keeping on.....1-1/2 month back it took me 3 days to correct the faulty leaking lower plenum gasket issue, its as if I got a different truck. Its running great, not bad for 187K miles on the clock. Its not the prettiest truck out there but its my truck and I'm very attached to it.

[@jonbennett118]

Thanks Tony great video. Yes you can not build half a car in 90 second commercial break. Bottle-rocket is looking good -its not the destination but the journey that makes the memories, you Uncle Cathy, lambchop and others are great. Thank you!

[@gordo4044]

Tony, for what you say takes you 1 day most of us should expect at least 2 days to do the task right and take the time to check it all over to ensure it’s correct! Awesome video UT!

[@markmontgomery8466]

So true man. So many people think these things just "fall" together with parts out of a magazine because of media. Another great video. UT Garage 🤘

[@loganpe427]

Not reading other comments yet. UTG is hands down _the_ realistic show for budget car builders ever! Fantastic!

[@msmeyersmd8]

I have had this experience more times than I care to admit. Great informative video. I’ll strongly encourage my Sons to watch it. Unfortunately, it takes being kicked in the face by reality to make it sink in some times. They have learned. And are still learning. Love the Steinbeck Reference. Kudos to the Poet Mechanic. “The best laid plans of Mice and Men oft go astray.”

[@GideonWallace]

Uncle Tony, I use evapo-rust on all my nuts and bolts. I set them over night, and I come back and clean them in WD40. They look beautiful and it's all done in lag time.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

That stuff isn't bad. I used it to remove rust on a vertical surface. Wet it down and apply saran wrap on it so it'll stay wet.

[@DanielTurner-cf8rr]

Very well put! Don't forget to mention budgeting. Not only do these projects take 5 times longer than expected but they generally cost several times what you budget for. Always. You really made a great point here for those who are new to these bigger projects. This is exactly why you see so many project cars on craigs list that say "just needs completed ".

[@OlympusHeavyCavalry]

I believe your spot-on with your narrative Uncle Tony. My now deceased brother built 2 cars on a budget, both were clean, reliable and fantastic. Where time is both your friend and foe, taking your time is the only way to do things methodically and correctly for the best possible job and the satisfaction of DIY. And rushing your work doesn't solve anything.

[@robertscherer4160]

I'm rebuilding a 74 plymouth duster and am master ASE certified in truck. The car has fought me the whole way and I'm happy where I am with it now. All I can say to everyone is slow is smooth and smooth is fast. Take your time, power through frustrations, and keep grinding away. There is no such thing as a quick fix and you will be happy with the outcome in the end.

[@deormanrobey892]

When local regs required me to find and fit an air pump and evap canister to my 80's El Camino that had a TPI swapped in, I realized I was through doing anything deeper than maintaining my old heap or telling people what that noise their car was making was. I watch this channel mostly as nostalgia for those days in my late teens and twenties, when friends and I would do swaps and fiddle diddle with tuning before pre emission vehicles in fair shape started to turn into gold. I was too busy to keep up, and now I'm too lazy to care. I even have stock pipes on my bike. :p

[@MrTheHillfolk]

I put a cutout on my car, and it's cool, but being older now I ride around 85% of the time with it closed 🤣

[@wesleyronne4685]

I'm 15 and just got done rebuilding my 318 by myself and am ready to start putting it back in, It's been a lot of youtube videos and trial and error. This video is dead on, I probably have 60 percent of my build time in cleaning bolts and and parts. 30 percent was spent in finding stuff and the last 10 in actual assembly lol anyways thanks for the vids keep up the good work

[@UncleTonysGarage]

Welcome to the club, Wes!

[@fordilac]

Good for you young man, my first was 216 chevy almost 60years ago.

[@deliveryguyrx]

You're so right about the time factor! And that's if you can FIND the time to devote to the car only!Factor in a nagging wife,nosy neighbors,and the usual household bumfuckery,it's hard for the average guy to move forward on a project!

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Mines been sitting 10yrs (inside) , but I swear I'm not getting rid of it. I have about 1.5 major car projects in front of it , so hopefully in another year or so I'll get on it 🤣

[@ZEPRATGERNODT]

Nagging wife...hahaha

[@fastinradfordable]

MrHillfolk Get to it yet? I’m using my COVID lockdown time to build build build

[@AryDontSurf]

It always does end up alot more abstract than anticipated.

[@MrT9822]

I'm a counterman. I watch your vids so I'm prepared for my Mopar guys. Something a lot of countermen don't do I guess. ACTUALLY RESEARCH. I'm an import guy 😂😂😂

[@farmoremystyle]

This is gold! I'm doing my first build and I was starting to feel the one step forward two back scenario. I had to pull myself up today with the whole take your time inner talk. This guy is straight up, I like that.

[@AudioOrchardMusic]

I learned this when I was a teenager. There are still a couple projects sitting that I started like 15 years ago.

[@iceblue72wot]

Tony is right ,, it takes an incredible amount of time to get the right parts and get it together correctly. Especially if you restore the original parts yourself. New parts can be installed by anybody.

[@tomnekuda3818]

Boy, you said it all.......after watching the fantasy builds on youtube I value your channel the more. You're doing it the way 99% of us have to do.

[@fordinlinestraight]

How any one could dislike this guy blows my mind. I think Tony is the most likable guy and full of knowledge . Thanks for the vids Tony!

[@Bodgemiester]

Totally true, I just finished my 2 week paint job, after 5 months. Now the previously running engine is apart for burnt valves. Love it

[@jamest.5001]

Car builds move at the speed of your cash flow!

[@lonwillis783]

Tony your absolutely correct. It will take many months to build something like that. I love this.

[@jerrynavarro9580]

The moral of the story is "dont bite off more than you can chew ! " because I've build 2 vehicles a 77 Silverado and a 81 Buick regal and man at times it was ok but at times it was a nightmare. Especially when it came to electric al shorts . Good video uncle tony!

[@papimace4260]

Uncle Tony I've been going back and forth between you and others but you show shortcuts and simple tweaks that make a big difference to a straight forward engine inside and out.. I love it, keep up with the updates man it's great stuff 💯💯

[@fredkeele6578]

I'm a retired 34 year auto body journeyman. You spelled it out for people that don't know. Builds and body/paint jobs are very labor intensive and detail tedious. Thanks for the video. PS. I'm sure you wear safety glasses, at least your reading glasses when hitting that wire wheel. I've had wires break off at fill speed before, and for thru several layers of shirts into my epidermis layer. Plus I've had rusty metal drilled out of my eyeball. The latter was when I put my glasses on my forehead to "see" better. Lol. Take care

[@connorwilson8696]

i inherited my best friends 95 stang... sitting in his back yard for 5 years engine less.. gave myself a deadline of 1 year, to get it running, new everything front to back, fuel tank, fuel lines, breaks, suspention, rust repair, building a engine.. well because of a dead line near the end i started cutting corners to have it running on his birthday, and it ran, not well and was no where near driving , 4 years later its acctually running on the road and has been amazingly reliable so far this summer. these things take a ton of time, no project happens over night 👍🏻

[@c.s.s.1723]

These are exactly the things that I have to argue with my own brother about. He wants to “schedule” a project and I always say plan on things taking 3-5 times longer AT LEAST! You are so correct! Put things together like a gentleman and do it clean. Make it good to take back apart again. You only regret later not taking the extra time. There is no time limit for perfection. I hate those “reality” shows. Most of what goes on is when the camera is turned off.....

[@kevyncagle6941]

Been saying this for years. Preach on Reverend Uncle Tony

[@hellpig4309]

Once again spot on! I'm sticking a SBC in a Nissan PU. Had to use a short water pump. No biggie, right? Different pulleys, alt brackets, etc tried alt low, but later had to move it up. All good, til I stuck in a radiator. Inlet right at alternator. 3rd times tbe charm. Rule of thumb. When figuring time to do something, go to the next unit of time, and double the number. One hour becomes two days. 2 days turn to 4 weeks. It'll get you close

[@kramnull8962]

I know exactly what you mean. I've been siding and putting windows in a house built in 1950. It has been a plan against a plan... I respect you very much doing what isn't done in the reality of the a half assed day of throwing money at everything...

[@obsessedwithcars219]

Thank you for everything Uncle Tony! Please more rambling!

[@adamduchesne]

that has always been my favorite style and year of the 4 door dodge.reminds me of the old furys. they just give me a good feeling, makes me think of when I was a kid. seeing them driving around everywhere. those cars was taxis,police cars, government cars in general. that bodystyle was everywhere.when you stopped seeing themon the roads. the 70's was gone for good.keep up they great work Tony. thanks for taking the time to share your life with us/youtube.

[@black88coupe]

Great video. You have to make the car serviceable without a doubt. It takes so much longer to think it through but thats the truth of the matter. That’s what separates the good stuff from the junk. Two ways to do everything- first class or half -assed. 👍👍👍👍

[@brianglade848]

Back on the 80s, I was building a 72 Skylark, this was reality, I'm wrenching in driveway, my dad is cutting the grass,dog shit bouncing off the car doors, Jesus Dad pick it up first before you go all medieval on that.... Uncle Tony you rock!!!!

[@ericheine2414]

Truth... the reality of which we're not ready to handle. I would have gone with Lamchop and another senseless canoe accident. Bottle Rocket Part 22 "The Reality Check." There's nothing worse than when your reality check bounces. Uncle Tony that was an excellent update. Thank you for your continued commitment to honesty in the Bottle Rocket project. I hope you get some rest before the 36-hour Marathon. See you tomorrow. Take care and be well.

[@dfields80]

Preach on Uncle Tony! Most people just don't understand. They can't comprehend how my 68 barracuda 318/904 that I bought for 1500 and now have about 15,000 invested and is not done. They have watched too many episodes of Overhaulin.

[@Daniel-Weaver]

Sanitary. Love it. My greasy biker dad and somewhat greasy biker Uncle Jim used sano, righteous,groovy,cherry, and bitchin all the time. My millennial kids are carrying on. Along with rad and gnarly, and now lol and omg.

[@thilde659]

Great advice, and doesn't just pertain to cars. Life lessons from Uncle Tony.

[@jacknickolstine3355]

A gentleman's guide to building a racecar 😂🤣

[@DR440]

Things to know. *It's never really all that cheap. Things will pop up that cost more than anticipated. *Swap meets can be gold for used speed parts at a lower price. *Aftermarket stuff almost never fits correctly. It will take mods to get it to fit somewhat correct. *The deadlines on shows are complete bull***t. Doesn't happen on real world builds...and of course things will always happen faster for them when parts are being handed to them for free. *"$Free fiddy" is always a good price point. As an example, a free part that needs a little work can be a better deal sometimes. *If you have access to a good known running engine, it's never a bad way to go. Good machine work is not cheap. *If you are trying to get a running car going, the first thing you should do is the brakes. As soon as it's running, you are going to want to drive it. *If you can't afford a part, try to trade for it. *If you have a part that you haven't used for many years, it's never a bad idea to give it to a person in need. It's simply good "Carma"...yea, I said it lol. *It is best to work on certain areas of the car and complete one thing at a time. Blowing it all apart can be overwhelming, especially if you have multiple projects. *Get used to hearing "I'll have to order that". Hurry up and wait... *Get a welder and a decent set of tools. Tools will pay for themselves when you don't have to pay somebody everytime you need something done.

[@Beandiptheredneck]

DR440 you obviously have experience in cars!! And these tv show timelines are made that much less realistic by the fact that they normally start with a near perfect car that needs next to nothing but a fancy paint job and a new crate motor from “one of our sponsors”

[@DR440]

@@Beandiptheredneck That's correct! Lots of the things listed or most everything listed was learned the hard way...experience!

[@daxtonbrown]

Well said. My latest big job on my 57 Bel Air took 8 months. I did 4 starters before I got the right one and combination. Two sets of headers didn't fit so I did ramshorn and had to fabricate pipes. Did control arms with ball joints, cleanup and refit took forever. Three fuel pumps didn't fit. Had to go electric. Then found fuel tank completely filled with rust. On and On.

[@snake_eyes_garage]

I’m glad there are so many of us in the same situation. At least I don’t feel like the only guy with a project that takes forever. One saying I have is, “When I had time, I had no money. Now that I have money, i have no time.” Beers all around and have a happy Labor Day weekend.

[@RockBottomGames]

I spent a year restoring my 72 Nova and only drove it 16 times before I broke it 😂 guess I'll try again next summer. Building a car is dirty , time consuming, painful, expensive, annoying,nothing just fits anddddd I love every last bit of it. keep up these amazing videos!

[@four-eight-zero5627]

Best thing for me was to just get started on my first build. I'm a year into it and now the truck is up on jackstands and the front suspension is completely tore apart. The engine rebuild was fun. Now it's 110°F outside and I'm doing suspension.. not fun. It sure does help to have a good relationship with a local machinist.

[@Johnsmith-ec9eq]

Going through this now with a Dodge Truck for my dad. What I thought was an easy 3 week job is taking months! I’d be lying if I didn’t say I liked it though, aside from seeing him being able to drive it home, it’s the time you spend with the people who help you. I haven’t had this much enjoyment with him since when we started restoring the 69 Chargers we bought.

[@floydt2029]

I understand, take a lot of love too !😅

[@floydt2029]

the power steering bracket for the '78 T-bird with a 400 engine was a bit tricky

[@dougcoleburn1579]

Every time I finish a classic car I don’t know what to do with all my free time. So I buy another one😀

[@01trsmar]

@UNCLE TONY....I see you painted the Dodge KARY VAN!!!!!! Do a walk around,rev up that 318.. One thing I love about 318's is the induction roar! (non lean burn ,non smog carb 318's as lean burn/smog carbs don't rev or have that induction sound).. Show your Charger too I love that car!!!!

[@ios6605]

Way to go Uncle Tony, your videos are getting really good man ,,,,, I built a 1973 Dodge Challenger and it took me about 6 1/2 years to finish on a budget 💸💸💸💸 it makes me laugh when you talk about the actual work that needs to be done on it but it just takes time ! Love the show man keep the good work ❗️❗️❗️I definitely know these things take time and I still miss it 😔 I wish I never would’ve had to sell it ✌🏼

[@ericfitzpatrick5319]

I'm doing a cobra that I originally was planning on a quick simple horsepower gain and build. I was just going to do a bigger, but mild 488 lift flat tappet cam in a tired 302, worked over cast iron heads. After I started; I kept finding myself wanting to change this and that for a little more horsepower. Now; I have a heavy worked over 351w shortblock, severely worked over cast iron heads, Howard's roller cam 533 lift, ford 9" rearend, Swapped factory trans for a stronger trans (T5), tougher suspension, now I have patch up rust holes so the car doesn't rip apart. I learned as you change one thing, it forces you to have to change something else, so everything can handle the upgrades horsepower and torque. All along; I turned an original $1500 budget to about $5-6k project. I want the car built right, which also means exspensive!

[@kgooch69]

When I started restoring my 67 Fairlane...I told myself 2 years and about a $6500-$7000 budget... took me 4 years before I drove it for the first time....and more like $12,000. There were some set backs....put a Cleveland in it...they don't come in fairlanes...so what to do about headers ?...was an automatic car...I wanted a 4 speed...etc..etc...so I know what you mean uncle Tony....good stuff !

[@falconater68]

So, what headers did you use?

[@kgooch69]

@@falconater68 70 mustang... passenger side tube wanted to touch the floor board a little...I chose to ding the pan. The z bar was a little tight on the other side so I had to "massage" one tube it's tight but has free movement... would like to go hydraulic some day.

[@leahcimthgirw3163]

As soon as you start talkin about that stubby top piece for your carb I knew it was a piece to a light fixture total genius

[@74dartman13]

I know exactly what you're saying about the details! I'm installing a aftermarket 4 barrel manifold on my Dart, and the little details are a killer! I had to fabricate a new bracket for my throttle cable too. Also a bracket to hold the a/c compressor! The after market manifold had no place to bolt the a/c to! All those little things take a lot of time!

[@AtZero138]

Dude.. your Badass.. when I get to my own 4 Barrel Swap.. you mine me hitting you up for few Tips.. advice is always welcome ... 68 Dart with 318

[@74dartman13]

@@AtZero138 no problem! I bought a used Eldebrock manifold that was for a non a/c car and my Dart has a/c. That's where a lot of my problems started. Live and learn!👍😎

[@Volusiaev]

I just love the sound of the "crusher-run gravel under UT's feet! Now that's hot rodding!

[@bentrishaleemartin926]

I just bought another corvette , it’s at the shop right now getting a full build , cam, heads , full exhaust , clutch , rear end. I am waiting anxiously 😎😎😎 glad I passed the job on to someone else

[@nightrat973]

Amen! Just got a 70 C10 that had gauge triple with an ammeter. Got a gauge set with voltmeter thinking it would take a few hours. It's been 3 weeks, and it's still not done! But I'm looking up wiring, making it look nice and cleaning up some previous mistakes

[@jbmopar1971]

Uncle Tony speakin the truth. Those car shows are fun to watch but boy they set up bad expectations for time. Then when you finally get to turn the key you spend much more time tuning, chasing gremlins, finding little leaks here and there. But after a while you'll be able to understand what your car is trying to tell you. 👍👍👍

[@NebukedNezzer]

You really educate how much is involved with building a car. there is only one thing I can think of that would be worse. That would be getting a car that has been butchered and is a complete disaster that has to be completely redone.

[@carguy3028]

I’ve been working on my truck for 5 years it started as just trying to paint it but I had to take the body off the frame, then I made it a short bed and other things. I just got it back from the paint shop and it’s still taking a lot of time. This video is 100% accurate.

[@jrg7951]

I takes amazing patience, something that not many people have.

[@wearegame777]

100 % accurate! Took me all day to fab and fit new spacers for a newer style mini 120 Amp alternator (using original 440 brackets) for my 440 Dakota. I'm going to need a set of Cal Custom valve covers for it as well :)

[@Samsgarden]

You illustrate the problem in all fields. Social media removes the procedural and developmental side of creation, economic reality, navigating personnel issues and compliance, etc. etc. People see this vast productivity from afar and develop anxiety. It in turn influences how other people work and feel should be perceived in an endless feedback loop

[@UncleTonysGarage]

Oh fuck..you just gave me another level of shit to ponder and climb on top of...like I don't already have enough noise in my head. Thanks??

[@fomobros2207]

I pulled a 2.3 out of my car and put in a 351W which you know is very much like a 302. I reused the transmission and tried to keep it simple and cheap, but I still ran into a TON of headaches just like you mentioned. The saving grace for most of us is doing the work ourselves or having good peoples help. Otherwise we would have a FORTUNE invested in a car that is only worth a few grand. You speak the truth. Great vid!!

[@sbf_fox2434]

I just got my 351w swap done on my 85 CFI GT. I started with a v8 car and I had already swapped a t5 into it so it potentially should have been easy. It wasn't. I did a few engine swaps in the past, but this was the first engine I build myself from scratch. I must have run across 60 things that did not go right. I wasted a bunch of time trying to get a factory 351w 4180 Holley / Motorcraft carb to work on it. The latest snafu was the factory front anti-sway bar contacting the front drain plug on the swap pan denting and eventually cracking the pan. I tried to fix the pan about 8 times, but it still leaks so I had to pull the pan and swap it out for another. Almost have it back together. The headaches were worth it though! The car exceeded my expectations performance wise. I built it for the street and it is a joy to drive. Tons of bottom end torque and it pulls strong through the rpm range. I wanted to get it done for the Woodward Dream Cruise a couple weeks ago and I am glad I finished it in time.

[@fomobros2207]

@@trillrifaxegrindor4411 No I have never raced it. I drive it to work and romp on it every so often. Since I first cobbled the car together I put in a 99 V6 Mustang T5 which has the same torque rating as the fox V8's. Luckily I have never been in a situation where I dumped the clutch and got traction or I might be picking up pieces of a 7.5 rear end lol. It's a slow process but one day I'll have it race ready, but for now its a fun daily driver and I get my use out of it.

[@fomobros2207]

@@sbf_fox2434 That is exactly what I thought. These cars came with either 2.3's or 5.0's and I know of plenty of people that have pulled the 2.3 in favor of the 5.0. So i thought a 5.8 would be a cinch....but it wasn't. I went with a Street Demon Carb which worked fine but I had to MacGuyver the throttle bracket because it wouldn't bolt to the intake. The fuel lines, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator all required more planning than I anticipated. The best place for the fuel pump was in the way of the passenger side muffler, to remedy this I run really loud one chamber mufflers. And then the driver's header contacted the steering shaft (and I bought the 351W fox swap headers) believe it or not shorter motor mounts fixed that. My sway bar is also close to my oil pan, luckily there is no contact though. You are right though it's worth it, I'm going on three years since the swap, and I still have to pinch myself in disbelief sometimes lol.

[@sbf_fox2434]

@@fomobros2207 My factory CFI system had a second fuel pump where the passenger side muffler would go on a dual exhaust car. Luckily it had a low pressure pump in the tank also, so I could eliminate the frame mounted pump when I converted to carburetion. I also had to bend my throttle cable bracket. I am running a Pro Comp Stealth knock-off dual plane and the bosses they put for the throttle cable bracket put it at the wrong angle so I bolted the bracket on and bent it with pliers to line up. I converted to use a center rear brake hose like the 87-93 dual exhaust cars using the body mounted bracket so I had to run my brake line from the passenger rear to the center to meet up with the bracket for the later brake hose. My BBK shorty swap headers almost hit the steering shaft, but they clear with the convertible mounts. I hear for the BBK long tubes you need to run the aftermarket steering coupler. I am going to bolt the anti-sway bar in now with some used SN95 front brackets that position it about an inch lower than the fox brackets. I still have some belt misalignment problem. The pulleys are from the 5.0 and it had the problem too. Seems the crank pulley is one rib farther back than the rest of the accessories. I found the 351W water pump pulley gives a little more clearance for the belt front to back so I put that on. I thought I had it fixed, but when running a rib came off the belt. It seems to have self-clearance itself for now.

[@fomobros2207]

@@sbf_fox2434 So my 2.3 had the same set up. A low pressure in tank pump and a high pressure in line pump. I was afraid since it was originally set up for fuel injection it would not work for carburetion (now I found out you've done it lol). So I put the Holley Red pump in place of the inline pump and had plenty of other issues that were all my fault i.e. fabricating a fuel pick up that makes a radical 90 degree bend, which caused the pump to cavitate.....i went through three pumps before i figured that one....thank goodness for warranties lol. I have the same BBK headers and i originally installed some of China's worst convertible motor mounts. I had to grind off the alignment nipple and waller out the bolt holes before they would bolt up and they still caused the headers to rub the steering shaft. It sounds like higher quality convertible motor mounts and i could have dodged that bullet.

[@jonoh4883]

If Time is not a Hindrance then Funds will be. If Money is not a Hindrance then Time will be. Its always a Double and Triple edged sword, Research and Patience can be your best friend when pursuing a car build of any magnitude. Great VID

[@bhaddock9277]

I relate to this. Thanks Tony. Very good to hear I'm not alone in the issues I face working on things. I also like to have stuff sensible so that it can be reliable and "future serviceable". Nothing more annoying than redoing somebody else's bad workmanship