New CAT Air compressor Locked up?

I've learned to just say #### it. If I've double checked something I know I wouldn't just walk away if it wasn't right.

 

Yup. I use a mental sign off in my head. Double checked, done and noted.
I have driven back to the shop to check the gas axe valves tho.
For a period of time I was a "team leader" or a working foreman. I had to put a stop to interruptions. I help when I'm ready. Till then FO.

 

I'm not sure I'd be too concerned or call it a mental problem. Just being conscious.
Gentlemen like AModelCat, goodysnap and myself wrench for a living. Experience and developing processes take time.

 

First place I ever worked at the boss told me it takes about 5-7 years after you get your ticket to become decently competent. Being a teenager I really didn't "get it" at the time. I'm seeing he was spot on with that statement. Right around the 7 year mark is when I really started having confidence in my abilities. It was right around that time my OCD with re-checking my work started subsiding as well.

 

First probably five engines I overhauled my foot usually shook so bad I could barely hold the clutch in to crank it over! I have gotten better, but suffer from the same 3 a.m. wake up or right a note on dash on way home to recheck something.

 

Organization and having a system to the process is key to the quality and perfection the top guys should strive for. Something as simple as a paint marker on a rocker nut is a step that works to ensure your mind it’s done and the need to revisit is unnecessary.

There is a huge difference between working at home in your own garage and being able to invest as many hours as you need and being under the gun in a real world shop. In shop life you are always under the gun to be efficient and or on a timeline of some kind. For me the pressure brings out these second guesses more than anything. But the pressure almost never goes away.

I have had some catastrophic failures in my shop from mis steps. Heck we’re only human. when it hits, it hits hard. Just have to strive to keep them away as few and far between as possible.

 

Don't if any you guys watch KT3406 on the U tubes, but he was calling me out when he said parents should bought kids crayons after all paint marks in an engine! I put torque sequence on head bolts or anything with sequence or still mark torque to turn even though I use a Snap-on techangle torque wrench. Also mark every jam nut on rockers and dot on bolts I have torqued. I am also the guy that torques head bolts at least three times. Little less time pressure working in fleet environment vs the dealership. Comebacks come to me (knock on wood very rarely, but I am human and make mistakes).

 

So you also worked on 2 stroke Detroits! Man could they scream if not just right.

 

I've done 2 complete engine builds in my life. A Series 50 and a performance 350 Chevy. The 350 made me the most nervous since the only thing OEM used in the build were the block, crank and rods.

To be honest, heavy duty engine work doesn't really interest me much. I've kinda found my niche with hydraulics and electrical.