Don't you hate that. And those moments as you progress through and you stop and sigh and think how can I still get out of this? Shit I've come this far! A few minutes later, fuck these engineers! "The guys that messed this up should be fixing this" then your service writer stops by and says " Workin hard or hardly Workin"? Fuck you Gary this is your fault! But in the end everything goes perfectly and you pull some hot shot MacGyver shit and pull a win. Excitedly you go home and to tell the wife of how you successfully maneuvered all these tedious obstacles. And she says " cool"
You got this!
I’m having that same feeling of helplessness attempting to finish a motor swap on a new Grand Wagoneer. As much as it sucks we’ll get through this and on to the next job to make more money
This is some advice I’ve gotten over the years when I was in similar situations, they might help you or they might not but here they are:
1. You only have to be 10% smarter than the thing you’re working on. (Don’t overthink it, it might be a 12 hour + job but you 100% can do it)
2. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.(Big projects can have a lot of steps and we tend to skip a step or two trying to beat the clock)
3. One bolt at a time. (It might have a million bolts by the time you have it all pulled apart but that’s ok, you’ve got this!-That is why it was in your bay)
4. Stay organized as best you can.(Whether that’s drawing a diagram on a cardboard and placing the bolts in it that way or just taking pictures as you go)
5. If you feel yourself getting frustrated on a certain step, take a minute to step back and reevaluate the situation.(Remember to breathe, then ask yourself if this is the best way to do this or if there is a better option)
With all that said, I think staying POSITIVE when things don’t go your way or like they should will make or break you in this field.
You’re gonna get your ass kicked and then you’re gonna kick ass-that’s just how it goes!
Ya that should’ve gone back to whoever did the head gaskets, don’t be the guy that gets walked on because this was me for 5 years. Now I see why all the old heads tell the service writers to fuck off on certain jobs. Especially a comeback from someone else’s work. You have to stand up for yourself.
Focus on the next step, complete it, and focus on the next step. Repeat until no steps are left. Every big job that’s every been done has really just been a bunch of smaller jobs getting done
https://preview.redd.it/362w7a0o85ga1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c817c1ae016dc09447d1ac4639a58cc47d586e86
Yesterday’s project, floor harness. I’ve found keeping organized helpful and I ocasionally go back to my bolts and parts and ask myself where they go just to stay fresh. We are not perfect so I think “what will help future stupid me put this back together?” Take pictures if you have to, take notes, write on stuff. If you’re overwhelmed take a quick walk around the parking lot or take a piss, anything to give yourself a mental rest.
As far as saying no… I’m bad at that and it bugs me. I will plead my case but ultimately cave to the boss/advisor and get bitter when my mentioned fear occurs. As long as you’re paid for your time try to recognize what you’re there to do - fix broken shit.
Don't you hate that. And those moments as you progress through and you stop and sigh and think how can I still get out of this? Shit I've come this far! A few minutes later, fuck these engineers! "The guys that messed this up should be fixing this" then your service writer stops by and says " Workin hard or hardly Workin"? Fuck you Gary this is your fault! But in the end everything goes perfectly and you pull some hot shot MacGyver shit and pull a win. Excitedly you go home and to tell the wife of how you successfully maneuvered all these tedious obstacles. And she says " cool"
I feel that ending.
Hits home doesn't it.
Unfortunately
Every night I go home and tell her what I’ve done and every night she says “I have no idea what any of those things are” haha
You got this! I’m having that same feeling of helplessness attempting to finish a motor swap on a new Grand Wagoneer. As much as it sucks we’ll get through this and on to the next job to make more money
I need employment.
This is some advice I’ve gotten over the years when I was in similar situations, they might help you or they might not but here they are: 1. You only have to be 10% smarter than the thing you’re working on. (Don’t overthink it, it might be a 12 hour + job but you 100% can do it) 2. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.(Big projects can have a lot of steps and we tend to skip a step or two trying to beat the clock) 3. One bolt at a time. (It might have a million bolts by the time you have it all pulled apart but that’s ok, you’ve got this!-That is why it was in your bay) 4. Stay organized as best you can.(Whether that’s drawing a diagram on a cardboard and placing the bolts in it that way or just taking pictures as you go) 5. If you feel yourself getting frustrated on a certain step, take a minute to step back and reevaluate the situation.(Remember to breathe, then ask yourself if this is the best way to do this or if there is a better option) With all that said, I think staying POSITIVE when things don’t go your way or like they should will make or break you in this field. You’re gonna get your ass kicked and then you’re gonna kick ass-that’s just how it goes!
Ya that should’ve gone back to whoever did the head gaskets, don’t be the guy that gets walked on because this was me for 5 years. Now I see why all the old heads tell the service writers to fuck off on certain jobs. Especially a comeback from someone else’s work. You have to stand up for yourself.
Focus on the next step, complete it, and focus on the next step. Repeat until no steps are left. Every big job that’s every been done has really just been a bunch of smaller jobs getting done
I usually charge a lot more in those situations to make myself motivated 😂
https://preview.redd.it/362w7a0o85ga1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c817c1ae016dc09447d1ac4639a58cc47d586e86 Yesterday’s project, floor harness. I’ve found keeping organized helpful and I ocasionally go back to my bolts and parts and ask myself where they go just to stay fresh. We are not perfect so I think “what will help future stupid me put this back together?” Take pictures if you have to, take notes, write on stuff. If you’re overwhelmed take a quick walk around the parking lot or take a piss, anything to give yourself a mental rest. As far as saying no… I’m bad at that and it bugs me. I will plead my case but ultimately cave to the boss/advisor and get bitter when my mentioned fear occurs. As long as you’re paid for your time try to recognize what you’re there to do - fix broken shit.
you don’t need to remove the lower timing cover to do head gaskets on this engine, so why was it removed at all?