Need help defining a couple of technical terms.

[Damon in STL]

I need some help defining some technical car maintenance/repair terms. In the future, I'd like to be more accurate when describing maintenance/repair procedures. I'm not sure if the terms are geographically specific or not. So, I thought I'd post it here since people here are from all over the US and other parts of the world and these must be global situations.

What is the correct technical term to use when you are under your car desperately trying to hold something in place (after it taking forever just to get it in the right position) and you realize that the other part you need to install with it is just out of reach?

This brings us to the next term. Typically those with some experience will ponder the situation (usually testing a few choice words) until their higher intellect kicks in and they confirm that they are physically capable of contorting their body in just such a way (just prior to something going "snap", "POP", etc...) to reach it, while still keeping the first part (that took 15 minutes to get where it needs to be) in place. Is there a term for this great feat of higher intellect?

And, finally, what is the technical term for the point of realization (while feeling mighty proud of yourself for successfully reaching the other part) when the light bulb turns on and you confirm that you have ordered the wrong part?

Damon in STL

[Velocewest]

1. Prostrate Subattainment
2. Retention Extension
3. Mofo-ment of realization

[Ryan Murphy]

Hey Tony,

That's a FANTASTIC E12 you've got! What kind of wheels are those? It's tough to see them in the photo, but the car looks amazing!

Thanks,
Ryan

[Ryan Murphy]

Ah ha! Just stumbled across another pic of your car, and see that they are style 32's. They look great man.

r.

[Velocewest]

Thanks. The style 32's are not on the car any more, the PO kept them. I bought it from a guy in your back yard, Ft. Collins. It has 16" e31 wheels now, but I'm going to put 17's back on it for daily driving, and keep the 16's for track days.

[Ryan Murphy]

Hmm.... Ft. Collins, huh? That's funny. I have sneaking suspicion that I know that car. The first BMW I ever looked at buying was that cars twin--a burgundy e12, with a 3.5 bored out to 4 liters, and tan aftermarket recaro's. Does that sound anything like yours?? I looked at the car in the fall of '99. At any rate, if it is the same car, it looks much better than it did back then!

Ryan

[Velocewest]

Mine has a 3.3 bored to 3.5 and converted to Motronic and tweaked a little, and a black interior. It needs paint though, the clearcoat is peeling in sheets. The pics above are from '98 right after the engine rebuild. I'm painting it this summer.

[Walt]

Tony,

Where in Oregon are you?

I'm in Seattle, but travel all over the PNW.

Walt