Do you keep a journal or notebook on your car?

[Kern Dog]

I've been keeping notebooks on cars since the late 80s. I write down the easy tips, the tasks that suck, all maintenance stuff. Rarely do I list the prices though!
I also try to record the mileage of the car at the time of repair. I try to list part numbers but I sometimes I forget to do it. These records sure help support my memory and keep me from repeating mistakes. Also, it helps for things where I have deviated from stock. With all the changes I'm doing lately with the new guages and dash wiring, I need to document what I have rerouted.

 

[Xp29h]

Since I purchased my 69 charger, I've been keeping two books. One for repairs, what I do to it, swearing at the previous owner for doing things the way they did, etc. and the second is a 3 ring notebook binder for receipts! Getting full already!

 

[747mopar]

I should, my memory is horrible and I find myself scratching my head pretty often trying to remember what I did.

 

[omoskito]

I should, my memory is horrible and I find myself scratching my head pretty often trying to remember what I did.

That`s the point. Not only the cars getting old, the owners as well:icon_smile: I`ve been doing so but not as much as I should. The older you get the sooner the years go by and you forget what you have done to your car. I can only recommend doing so, even to myself:read2:

 

[Richard Cranium]

Does a Playboy under the seat count?

 

[Big Bad Dad]

For many years, I have been keeping files on all my vehicles and riiding mowers, and even trailers. I keep a manilla folder on each with the VIN spelled out, and record the date and mileage of all repairs and maintenance. I also stuff the reciepts in the folders for a record, or in case needed for parts warranties. I am currently the "caretaker" of 12 cars, 1 trailer, and 2 garden tractors. There is NO WAY I could remember when and what was done to each, and the folders are handy to refer back to in the event of a warranty issue. (Advance Auto's Lifetime Warranty has now provided me with two replacement radiators in my 78 Dodge Pickup since I purchased the original in 1993!) The folder on the 67 Coronet in my avatar goes back to when I purchased it in 1977!

- - - Updated - - -

And, it is interesting to go back and track costs. A few years ago, I was laid up due to a medical issue with lots of free, bored, time. I tallied up all of the reciepts in the folder of my 67. I bought it as a daily driver when I was 19. Including the initial purchase price of a little over $600, I found my dollars spent on the car were less than $4000 in all those years. (My time and labor not included) And, no thanks, I do not care to "double my money"! LOL

 

[Bruzilla]

I used to do that, but now that I'm driving cars for fun I don't keep anything. I used to work for a guy who not only kept all the maintenance stuff, but also recorded every time he bought gas, how much, where, the cost, etc. Drove me frigging crazy when I was with him in the car and he had to stop for gas as he would spend ten minutes doing paperwork.

 

[mutt71]

When I bought my 1969 Plymouth Sport Satellite, it came with a loose leaf binder full of records of ALL repairs and the cost of same. It also had the broadcast sheets (2) in it, as well as a photo copy of the Title (both sides of it).
I have continued the record keeping and have almost filled another loose leaf binder. I also have a 69 Plymouth Shop Manual in another binder as well.

 

[BigBlock61]

Does this site count. I document everything I do to my car on here.

 

[Cranky]

I used to kept records but after I saw how much I was spending, it wasn't fun anymore....and RC beat me to the punch on the subject of Playboy.

 

[747mopar]

Does this site count. I document everything I do to my car on here.

Good point, I've visited the sight many times just to jog my memory.

 

[Mocajava]

I do it in 3 ring binders. I have two 3" for the 55 Belair I am building and another 3" for the Coronet with pictures and all receipts. Even the the mistakes as i build and the changes in direction are in there. Amazing how much $ you can spend and then eat as you go a different direction.
On my 55 especially, I got so frustrated at after market manufacturers that claimed they had done test fits and GUARANTEED that their parts would fit and work with other systems. Spent $800 on a set of Dougs ceramic coated headers to fit LS2, and rack and pinion system from another vendor with Iditit steering column. Was told "absolutely will fit, we have tested those components together and no issue". Had to cut off two of the tubes, fab different routing, weld up and have header re coated to the tune of $200 extra (shipping and recoat). I now have my steering shaft from the column going through my headers and not happy with that, but a valuable lesson learned with trusting vendors.

 

[Moparsmitty]

I keep maintenance records on all of my vehicles, oil changes, lube, etc. I also keep all of my receipts and invoices for labor and parts. When I sold my Corvette, the buyer told me that he really appreciated getting all of the paperwork on the restoration. Some of the invoices I had were 25+ years old.

 

[383man]

I know everything about my cars since I built everything on them but this is a great idea as my memory is fading. Heck I am not even sure I remember the jet size in my carb. I am going to take this advise and start writing everything down about my car. Ron

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

I'm all about pictures, I keep a ton of pics and use a facebook page for the car to help keep the documentation of what happens, changes and progress takes place plus friends and family get to keep up with it as well by watching the page feed. Its free might as well take advantage of it.

 

[GetX'd]

I wish I had done better record keeping. I've had the car 44 years - but it sat stored for about 30 of those years. I'm just finishing up with a ground up restoration and didn't really document anything. My memory isn't that great and because of all the years stored I've forgotten nearly everything and how I did it from the early years. With the refresh nearly everything is new again. Very few documents to prove it. The journal idea is a good one........

 

[Budnicks]

I use to keep {or make employee's} detailed logs on my company trucks &

I always did extremely detailed logs on any changes & weather, altitude, track conditions, parts differences, shocks, tires, leakdown #'s, #'s of runs & or open & seat pressure on valve-springs, specific clutch settings, launch rpms, timing changes, fuel spec.'s, run rpm differences, etc. etc. etc. on all my racecars at the tracks for future references...

I never really have on my daily drivers thou,
just mainly tune-up & oil change stuff, specific mileage when & what was done
& sometimes fuel mileage, if it seems to be falling off some,
otherwise NO, never saw a real need for doing it...

I do have a crap load of receipts & Manila folders for everything I've bought,
on all my cars trucks etc., especially hobby cars/projects,
for well over 30 years thou, I refer back to allot... that's not a log thou

 

[hangn0ut]

If i kept records of all the hours into the early mornings in the cold and in the heat. The skinned knuckles,burns,bruises and bumps on my head. All the set backs,mistakes,wrong parts and bad advice. Lost parts,stripped threads and broken tools i would probably be commited or find another hobby.

 

[barbee6043]

i'm getting to be an "old fart" ! I have 6 project cars I piddle with. I have found I need to make notes as to what I did/need to do for each one. I work on one and then another.
example: I replaced the freeze plugs on the 273, BUT after I finally gotaround to getting it back in and running, I NOW remember I didn't replace the ones in the back of engine.. got a leak NOW! ha

 

[slepr1]

Thanks for the reminder. I need to get on that right away....starting tomorrow