Ever feel like an Idiot?

[zanthus]

Well I was planning to rebuild the lower end sometime after I replaced the head and gasket. Once gasket was replaced I started the car only to find out 15 minutes later that my oil pump wasn't working...SOOO I rebuilt my engine sooner than expected. Like I said, lots of learning experiences. Lots.

[moonpup]

While leaving my cousins house late one night, I almost immediately noticed a furball fast asleep on the roof of my 240, along with the culprits footprints all over the hood and windshield.

Each step closer to my Z, I fully expected this creature to hear my approach and leave the scene with the nonchalant arrogance they are known for.

This didn't happen, "it" was out like a light and as I neared the side of my car, I saw an opportunity to show my disdain for this particular member of the animal kingdom.

I leaped forward with a blood curdling scream while simultaneously clapping my hands. Needless to say, this did in fact wake up the furball.

However, it also caused all 20 of its steel like claws to fully extend in its effort to gain immediate traction and that was not, I repeat, NOT what you want to happen on the roof of your precious Z!

Copious amounts of polishing compound were needed to erase the errors of my way.

[zbane]

I had a headlight burn out, and for the life of me I couldn't get the lamp mount out of the car to replace the bulb.

So what did I do?

I took off the front quarter panels.:stupid:

Now, if I had just pushed a little harder (just a little), the mount plate would have just slid right out...

[Carl Beck]

Sitting on the floor, in cramped spaces... big 1/2" drive electric drill, with a 1" concrete bit. Needing to drill a hole though the wall of the house, to run a new gas line for the gas fireplace starter. Everyone knows that 25+ year old concrete blocks have finally reached their peak strength, and are therefore very hard to drill though. So I rented a BIG DRILL and bought new drill bits.

I'm holding that big heavy drill and pushing on it for what seemed like an hour. My arms are getting tired and I'm cussing that dam block. With only a fraction of an inch of progress - I'm thinking that perhaps I should have started with a smaller bit to begin with... So I stand up, straighten myself out - and change the bit to something like 1/2"... Sit back down and start again. (the hole needs to be near the floor so not much room to work)

In the mean time a friend had stopped over, and was standing there observing the effort and hard work... He could tell I was getting tired and my arms were getting weak... So he offers to give me a break, while he continues the drilling process.

He sits down, and I hand him the drill - - he starts drilling the concrete block... then stops. Holds the drill up, pulls the trigger and looks at the drill bit... then at me... DAM!! #%$*&^#@!!

I knew at once.... I was running the drill in reverse the whole time!! He hits the lever, puts the bit to the block - and in about four seconds the hole is though the 8" block.

da.......

Sometimes it pays to stop and take a serious look at what you are doing.....

FIWW,

Carl B.

[280~Master]

I could not get the electric window to roll down in the 300ZX this weekend. After about 2 days of exhilarating fun I said to heck with it. Put everything back together and found out that I hit the window lock button 2 days before so the child would not play with it.

[sblake01]

So far, there's not much posted here that I haven't done or at least some variation of it.

[76Datsun280z]

I knew at once.... I was running the drill in reverse the whole time!! He hits the lever, puts the bit to the block - and in about four seconds the hole is though the 8" block.

]

I did that very samething once at work. I was installing a bagger system and had to pre drill holes for it and I finally got one of the mechanics because it wouldn't go through and made a big fool out of myself once he showed me that I had it in reverse.

[e_racer1999]

I could not get the electric window to roll down in the 300ZX this weekend. After about 2 days of exhilarating fun I said to heck with it. Put everything back together and found out that I hit the window lock button 2 days before so the child would not play with it.

did something similar in my e30 bimmer.. saw a button on the dash, was like "what is this?" pushed it, didn't do anything. "huh."

later that day, i try to roll down the pass window. won't go down. so i'm trippin, thinking i have to troubleshoot a dreaded electrical problem.

look up on ebay on the fuses and what not, and see mention of a window lock button... on the dash

[Zs-ondabrain]

I could not get the electric window to roll down in the 300ZX this weekend. After about 2 days of exhilarating fun I said to heck with it. Put everything back together and found out that I hit the window lock button 2 days before so the child would not play with it.

I used to be an installer at the local Car Audio Shop and I got paid $45 an hour (1 hour minimum charge) to push the "Lock Out" button at least 2 times a week. Especially on BMW's

Please don't take this the wrong way when I say " I used to live pretty high on the hog because of that damn button"

Dave.

[bigoak]

Variation on Carl's story...

Moved into our current house 3 years ago and was installing a new wall mounting bracket for a TV in the gym:

1. Dutifully use a stud-finder to locate stud

2. Select a spot about 12" from the roof

3. Begin to drill first hole for bracket

4. Meet a little resistance about 1" into the stud

5. Push a little harder because I'm a big, tough guy

6. Yelp like a scalded cat when there is an small explosion

7. Thank god its the gym and I'm standing on a rubber floor

8. Examine the 1/2" end of the drill bit that has melted

8. Realize that ought of an 8' span, I've drilled in the exact 1/2" space where the metal-sheathed power line to the furnace runs.

9. Take small solace that as a big, tough guy, I drilled though the metal sheath

10. Call the electrician and pay $150 to fix the furnace power line

11. Hop on the treadmill, turn on the tv and watch a hockey game

Not my most brilliant moment, just ask my wife...

As some have commented on my golf game...strong like bull...smart like bull too...

Cheers,

[BuDavid]

well this one deservs a bullit into my brain!

I lifted my beloved Z using a 4 point car lift to replace the front control arm bushings.

I replaced them and I reached the point of installing the front anti-roll bar, well since the car was lifted, the snti-sway bar links were far a bit from the cntrol arm holes. I mad idea came into my mind saying "why don't you put the wheel under the control arm and lower the car so it will be pused upwards and the bolt will go into your control arm's hool'e!"

I did that, while I was standing next to it suddnly the car took a rotating motion and I froze coz I douldn't figure out at the firs second what the hell is going on!:paranoid:

well, I had I guess 98% luck that moment, the wheel under the control arm of corse was round (as it is with almost all wheels in the world)

I was s tupid that I put a wheel that rolled and twisted when it was pushed by the control arm the was turned upwards! the car got hooked with 3 legs from the car lift from the :

1-transmission (bent the fender just under the emblem side)

2-left fender (also the thin sheet bent under the emblem)

3-the normal jacking point at the rear

and the forth leg was free in the air!

I almost had my Z fallen of the lift without wheels on!

I felt more what an idiot that day!

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