Forum Of The Month

Stephen McNabb's Chevy Nova Q&A site has over 9,000 members worldwide, owners and fans of the 1962-1979 Chevy II, Nova and Acadian. The forum is divided into several sections, some dealing with technical topics, such as Drivetrain and Performance, Steering and Suspension, and Body and Interior, while others focus on the specifics of each generation, First (62-65), Second (66-67) Third (68-74) and Fourth (75-79). Then of course, there is the BS area, which focuses on nothing at all.

In addition to being one of the best resources on the net for technical, historical info, and classified ads relating to Chevy Novas, we have a great community of friends. Our motto is, "Nova People, Helping Nova People."

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Repair Mistakes & Blunders

My wife and two children were planning their summer trip to visit her family. Before leaving, I decided to do routine maintenance on her '95 Mazda Millenia, including changing the fuel filter. Following the shop manual procedure, I ran the engine while disconnecting the fuel pump relay to minimize gas in the line. Through a small access panel in the trunk, I had a very difficult time removing the old filter from the rusted bracket on top of the gas tank. After cutting through the old bracket, I had to devise a new way of securing the new fuel filter. Finally, I was finished and the car was ready for the five hour trip.

Once they reached their destination, my wife called to inform me that the car had been starting to hesitate toward the end of the trip, and now would not start at all. My heart sank as I realized that my work was not successful. I packed my tools and went to fix the car.

When I finally arrived, I checked the fuel pump relay and the fuel pump pressure, and surprisingly, both were OK. Still, I was convinced the problem was fuel related. Tired and upset, I started to grasp at straws and decided to remove one of the fuel injectors. My mistake was that I first did not void the fuel line, and a fair amount of gas leaked from the fuel rail into the cylinder.

Knowing that the gas needed to be removed from the cylinder, I removed the spark plug and cranked the engine. Gas shot up in the air and all over my tools in the trunk of the adjacent car. After cleaning up the mess, I was out of time, and I needed to take my wife and kids home. Broken, but not defeated, I borrowed a truck and rented a tow dolly to tow the car back home.

Once home, I changed the spark plugs, and surprisingly, the car would run, although somewhat rough and smoky. I attempted for days to find the elusive problem until at my wits end, I enlisted the help of a friend who is a professional mechanic.

The verdict: BAD GAS. I quickly mailed a note and a copy of the receipt to the gas station my wife had patronized on the trip. A few days later, I received a phone call from the gas station. "Sir, please look at your receipt. You did not pump mid-grade as you noted. You pumped diesel". My wife had allowed my six year-old son pump the "gas" for her!

Tom in Indiana

Tell us about your most infamous auto repair blunder. Use your woe to help others avoid similar mistakes. Please email your story to flamur@rockauto.com. Include your mailing address and shirt size (large or extra large) and we will mail you a RockAuto "Do it yourself?" t-shirt if we publish your story. The story will be credited using only your first name and your vague geographic location (state, province, country, continent, etc.) so you can remain semi-anonymous!

Playing The Car Market

Turmoil in today’s financial markets leaves the majority of savers and investors wondering what to do with their money. Watch it wither away in a bank account paying 1.5%? Follow the crowds running to buy gold? The choices look bleak.

I am heavily invested in a favorite financial instrument, but I feel there is no conflict of interest when I recommend it. If you are thinking of investing in Beanie Babies do you want to talk to the McDonalds manager selling behind the counter? No. You talk to the six-year-old sitting in a booth with a stack of Beanie Babies on the table in front of her.

You should invest in large quantities of low cost (just above junk grade) used vehicles. Do not buy something like one COPO Camaro or Hemi Cuda for a zillion bucks. Buy a bunch of tired Ford Econoline vans for $800 each. This is not about emotional, dream car investing, but you can still invest with your conscience. Choose to buy only Chevrolets, Volvos, or whatever your favorite brand is.

Diversification is a benchmark for any good investment strategy. Used cars are a great way to invest in diverse commodities markets, protect against inflation, and maintain maximum liquidity while minimizing downside risk.

An example of a single vehicle investment might make everything clearer. My brother bought a ‘77 Lincoln in ‘85 for about $400. Today’s news tells us steel prices are up 60%, copper is selling for $4 a pound; oil futures are at $120 per barrel and so on. The Lincoln is nearly 5000 lbs. (2268 kg) of steel, copper, magnesium, a dab of platinum, etc. The gas tank holds 24 gallons (91 liters) of refined oil. (I remember borrowing the car and filling up the tank around ’95 so I know the gas is fairly fresh.)

You can see this car is a commodity bonanza! But my brother did not buy just one car. He kept steadily investing. He bought a Ford in ’86, a Dodge in ’92, and so on over many years. Roughly add up the tonnage and it is easy to see how a buy and hold strategy has built up quite a nest egg.

The liquidity of a cheap used car cannot be beat. Sell the entire car or sell it in pieces at any time. Used cars in the $1000 range have depreciated fully and if maintained are likely to retain their inflation adjusted value no matter what the commodities markets do.

Storage space is a legitimate concern for some investors. But there are often solutions. My brother put a lift in his garage and stores a car raised up in the air.

Another great option is to find a neighbor with a big yard already full of old cars. Buy the cars from the neighbor, but be slow about hauling them home. If the neighbor has cash in his pocket, he might not mind if the cars sit on his land for another decade or two. But keep in mind, the neighbor could very well also be a savvy, long term used car investor so don’t be surprised if he runs you off!

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

Hi,

I bought this 90 'Olds Cutlass Ciera SL two years ago. This is my first American car and I am very happy with it. Despite the high price of gasoline here in France (€1.40 for 1 liter of 98 octane...over $8 a gallon), American cars are less costly to maintain than the French cars. I find all the parts I need at RockAuto with very good prices.

I thank the USA for manufacturing such excellent cars. They are comfortable and solid. They are the best cars in the world!

Thanks RockAuto,
Perrier
Mulhouse, France

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