I hope this is not a sign of "Ole age" but I Made the mistake of putting my trailing arms etc... back together, while trying to shoot the breeze with a visitor. I forgot to assemble the strut to the support that holds the lower shock mount... you know the one that is hard to get out once put on and .. I just wasn't paying attention. Fortunately I hadn't really cranked down on it when my buddy asked what that black rod hanging down was for ...  And would you believe I had already put the other side together and did it right... I guess I just wasn't paying attention... Next time I think I will use a check list or put a tag on stuff that I may overlook...  At least it is all done now.. just waiting for emerg brake cable that needs to be replaced (frozen up)... should be rolling on Saturday...... all new (rebuilt) trailing arms and other stuff.... Hasn't been out since March 10  2 cruzn38851.520150463

Don't feel bad, I put wrenches in my back pocket and then spend the next 1/2 hour looking for it.

Hey, Ray...don't feel bad!! It happens to the best of us!! I can't remember how many times I've had to take something back apart cause I forgot something! At least you caught it in time!! Sometimes we just get in a hurry, or our minds start to wander...

 I had the same problem. I once was changing an intake manifold. Once I got the manifold off I put a rag over the lifters and pushrods. Need I say more when I went to look for that rag to clean my hands? And the new intake was installed.   

I know the feeling. A couple of years ago when I put a new intake on my '78 I forgot to open up the gasket foil where the hot air choke tube goes through. ARGGGH! After taking care of that, I installed the thermostat housing which looked great...then I found the thermostat sitting out when it should have been inside the housing! Double ARRGH! At least that was far less hassle to correct.

I know we all make mistakes. Mistakes are one thing...but I hate making stupid mistakes and those qualified as stupid mistakes!

Yeah, like dropin' nuts (metal) and bolts....have to look 30 min. to find 'em and another 30 min to get to it.

Just last week I put the wife's MGB back together (engine rebuild) after twelve months apart, and had to put the gearbox crossmember on six times before I got it right.  Things just didn't line up right for the first five times, once I got to the sixth time it all went together like grease through a goose.

Doing dumb things is not limited to mechanics either. Just ask any of our wives.

Real close my7t1, even my engine's similar to yours.  Or at least it will be when I get the crack in #3 cylinder fixed.  My grille lights are amber, I would have to say that's the only difference apart from the fender vents.  Mine are black with just the edges chrome.

 

Black is good.

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