Taking a second to sit down and think is an essential part of problem solving. Jumping in too quickly often extended repair time due to overlooked details or new issues caused by rushed decisions.
From vacuum line rerouting to glove box light repair, many minor issues snowballed into full-system refreshes once I dug in. Budgeting extra time for the unexpected is now something I build into every job.
Many procedures assumed perfect factory conditions and parts availability. In reality, 40+ years of previous ownership, aftermarket changes, and missing components made many “standard” repair instructions unusable. Each repair required a mix of factory knowledge, real-world adaptation, and creative workarounds.
From the alternator miswiring to the complete absence of radio wiring, electrical diagnostics required logic tracing, schematic research, and creative testing. Understanding how and why a circuit was designed saved hours compared to blindly swapping components.
Parts like the DM165 ICs for the radio or the factory lock relay weren’t available from any supplier. Persistence, niche forums, and networking with hobbyists helped me source what I needed and taught me how to either replicate or replace unavailable components creatively.
Without a tachometer, timing and carburetor tuning had to be done by ear, by feel, and by watching engine behavior. This sharpened my ability to hear and feel engine behavior in real time.
Removing the driver-side fender meant physically cutting it in half—there was no other option due to buried fasteners inaccessible behind the crushed fender. I learned that disassembly often takes more time, creativity, patience, and sometimes controlled aggression than expected.