Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Miscellaneous(GMC) Ramblings (or how to win while losing)
| Miscellaneous(GMC) Ramblings [message #99060] |
Wed, 08 September 2010 22:48  |
Michael Bozardt
Messages: 367
Registered: January 2007
Location: College Station, Texas
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I keep undertaking projects that seem normal, but something always goes wrong. Take for example, rotary air valves. Guys at the shop tell me I have air leaks including the valves. No sweat, (uh, wrong word-I'm in holy hell Texas). "We have the technology" or at least the cork gaskets and new tiny o-rings. But, only enough for one set of valves!!!
I'm smart with tiny parts, I'll use a deep dish pan. First valve comes apart readily and I note three springs. Oops, one just jumped out of the pan onto the floor. Using flashlight and magnet, I cannot find the spring. No problem, I will take one from another valve(I sell used parts, remember?). Second valve comes apart and guess what? The springs are smaller than valve 1. I now have to go to valve 3 and it also has smaller springs. So, I can rebuild using smaller springs, but valve 1 will remain incomplete and unsalable. Ha! You think I lost an o-ring or two also! No, just had to cut the larger one off the plungers from the valve and used Vaseline to get the new ones on.
The story goes on and on. I re-installed the exhaust manifold and torqued it only to remember the engine plug to drain the anti-freeze is not installed and the opening is way up under the exhaust manifold. Now, y'all see why I don't generally charge for labor to remove parts.
I spent about four months after the Pueblo, Colorado trip, trying to get my engine timed correctly, only to eventually find a shop in Houston that is not afraid of cabuerated engines and have them tell me I have three burned valves. This after installing a Paterson carb and the made-for-GMC M/H aluminum intake manifold. Well, besides these great additions, I now have two rebuilt "J" heads, Paterson plug wires and dist cap, electronic ignition from JimK, the hot coil, hi-tech exh. manifold gaskets(only torque to 18 ft lbs., hmm!) and an A/C compressor I cannot seem to get back into position-will try again tomorrow.
Are we in or out of business? A question many want to know including me! In three + years, I have sold about $60,000 in new and used parts, probably 85-90% used. Yet, I have not made a profit. The inventories I bought were expensive and I had no real idea of how much to sell the parts for. My overhead is way more than I anticipated, like $1000/mo for mortgage on the shop property, insurance, taxes and utilities. Usually, I don't count the cost of my truck, fuel, maintenance, eating out, trips to check out or transport inventory, boxes, tape, bubble wrap, trips to post office and UPS or freight company. These costs typically come from our joint account-not the best of ideas but necessary. Obviously, I needed to charge more, but I chose prices that I thought would be fair if I were the buyer.
Still, don't have a handle on pricing and at no profit, the constant question of why am I doing this? One reason is that I enjoy doing it. I get a few choice parts for my coach, have a reason to spend the money to make the rallies. Love the tech sessions, even the ones I don't understand. However, it is now clear that some changes are in order.
I need to sell the shop property to pay off the mortgage and to provide a little capital to repay on the home equity loan. But I can still develop and sell new or reproduced items that GMCers need or want and are not being made elsewhere. I may just rent a smaller facility. Secondly, I must reduce the purchase or stop buying inventory as I will have less space to keep it-parts coaches for instance. Thirdly, how much do I want to be involved and would I rather have some time for golf? After all, I am supposed to be retired. This last question, in particular, has perplexed me. I'm almost addicted to doing this work-enjoy it that much. Though my knees and back are causing physical problems and I come home dragging, I'm ready to go the next day.
For now, I hope to get this GMC back together for Du Quion. If not, I plan to go anyway with the pick-up and GMC parts in the trailer. So, it ain't over until my wife says it's over and I keep her guessing. Look forward to seeing you Midwesterners in Du Quion............Michael GEMRECS
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| Re: [GMCnet] Miscellaneous(GMC) Ramblings [message #99064 is a reply to message #99060] |
Wed, 08 September 2010 23:16  |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Something tells me I'd like to retire that way!
Larry Davick
On Sep 8, 2010, at 8:48 PM, Michael Bozardt <ilse@earth-comm.com> wrote:
>
>
> I keep undertaking projects that seem normal, but something always goes wrong. Take for example, rotary air valves. Guys at the shop tell me I have air leaks including the valves. No sweat, (uh, wrong word-I'm in holy hell Texas). "We have the technology" or at least the cork gaskets and new tiny o-rings. But, only enough for one set of valves!!!
> I'm smart with tiny parts, I'll use a deep dish pan. First valve comes apart readily and I note three springs. Oops, one just jumped out of the pan onto the floor. Using flashlight and magnet, I cannot find the spring. No problem, I will take one from another valve(I sell used parts, remember?). Second valve comes apart and guess what? The springs are smaller than valve 1. I now have to go to valve 3 and it also has smaller springs. So, I can rebuild using smaller springs, but valve 1 will remain incomplete and unsalable. Ha! You think I lost an o-ring or two also! No, just had to cut the larger one off the plungers from the valve and used Vaseline to get the new ones on.
>
> The story goes on and on. I re-installed the exhaust manifold and torqued it only to remember the engine plug to drain the anti-freeze is not installed and the opening is way up under the exhaust manifold. Now, y'all see why I don't generally charge for labor to remove parts.
>
> I spent about four months after the Pueblo, Colorado trip, trying to get my engine timed correctly, only to eventually find a shop in Houston that is not afraid of cabuerated engines and have them tell me I have three burned valves. This after installing a Paterson carb and the made-for-GMC M/H aluminum intake manifold. Well, besides these great additions, I now have two rebuilt "J" heads, Paterson plug wires and dist cap, electronic ignition from JimK, the hot coil, hi-tech exh. manifold gaskets(only torque to 18 ft lbs., hmm!) and an A/C compressor I cannot seem to get back into position-will try again tomorrow.
>
> Are we in or out of business? A question many want to know including me! In three + years, I have sold about $60,000 in new and used parts, probably 85-90% used. Yet, I have not made a profit. The inventories I bought were expensive and I had no real idea of how much to sell the parts for. My overhead is way more than I anticipated, like $1000/mo for mortgage on the shop property, insurance, taxes and utilities. Usually, I don't count the cost of my truck, fuel, maintenance, eating out, trips to check out or transport inventory, boxes, tape, bubble wrap, trips to post office and UPS or freight company. These costs typically come from our joint account-not the best of ideas but necessary. Obviously, I needed to charge more, but I chose prices that I thought would be fair if I were the buyer.
>
> Still, don't have a handle on pricing and at no profit, the constant question of why am I doing this? One reason is that I enjoy doing it. I get a few choice parts for my coach, have a reason to spend the money to make the rallies. Love the tech sessions, even the ones I don't understand. However, it is now clear that some changes are in order.
> I need to sell the shop property to pay off the mortgage and to provide a little capital to repay on the home equity loan. But I can still develop and sell new or reproduced items that GMCers need or want and are not being made elsewhere. I may just rent a smaller facility. Secondly, I must reduce the purchase or stop buying inventory as I will have less space to keep it-parts coaches for instance. Thirdly, how much do I want to be involved and would I rather have some time for golf? After all, I am supposed to be retired. This last question, in particular, has perplexed me. I'm almost addicted to doing this work-enjoy it that much. Though my knees and back are causing physical problems and I come home dragging, I'm ready to go the next day.
>
> For now, I hope to get this GMC back together for Du Quion. If not, I plan to go anyway with the pick-up and GMC parts in the trailer. So, it ain't over until my wife says it's over and I keep her guessing. Look forward to seeing you Midwesterners in Du Quion............Michael GEMRECS
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Miscellaneous(GMC) Ramblings [message #99096 is a reply to message #99060] |
Thu, 09 September 2010 09:29 |
Charles
Messages: 455
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Michael,
Reading two of the replies you have received I can
tell they haven't seen your place. More work than
any one man should be doing. I commend you.
BUT! I wouldn't want to be in you shoes. I wish you
the best and hope to see you in Du Quoin.
Charles
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Charles Wersal
Duncanville, Texas
26 foot 1975 Glenbrook
Pandora's Box
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| Re: [GMCnet] Miscellaneous(GMC) Ramblings [message #99114 is a reply to message #99060] |
Thu, 09 September 2010 10:23 |
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Michael,
Simple observation - you don't charge enough. Charge more. I bought some
stuff from you a couple of years ago. It was worth more.
A response - I know what it's like to sell what you enjoy doing. It makes it
that much harder to make a profit.
I hop you do get to DuQuoin one way or another. I wanted to meet you at
Montgomery and, of course, you didn't get there. And, when you get there,
don't forget to add in some for travel expense for what you sell unless you
like being in business for your health.
Byron Songer
1978 Royale by Coachmen
Louisville, KY
Personal - http://web.me.com/bnsonger
Eastern States - http://www.gmceast.com
Michael Bozardt wrote:
> I keep undertaking projects that seem normal ...
>
> I'm smart with tiny parts, I'll use a deep dish pan ...
>
> The story goes on and on. I re-installed the exhaust ...
>
> I spent about four months after the Pueblo, Colorado trip ...
>
> Are we in or out of business? A question many want to know ...
>
> Still, don't have a handle on pricing and at no profit, ...
>
> I need to sell the shop property to pay off the mortgage ...
>
> For now, I hope to get this GMC back together for Du Quion. If not, I plan to
> go anyway with the pick-up and GMC parts in the trailer. So, it ain't over
> until my wife says it's over and I keep her guessing. Look forward to seeing
> you Midwesterners in Du Quion............Michael GEMRECS
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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