Tales of a Gearhead
Stacey David
Updated 10 days agoCovering everything from current industry issues and trends, to answering questions and offering advice to gearheads across the nation, Stacey brings a lifetime of automotive knowledge and expertise to the Podcast listener. With Stacey's unique life experience, and deep pool of friends, the program is fun, informative, inspiring and like nothing else on the air.
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Episodes (145)
The Right Project for You
Stacey opens this episode with a question from Brandon, a listener who is trying to figure out where to start on his first project: a '73 Olds Omega. This opens up the larger topic of making sure something is the right project for you. Even though that classic muscle car you saw out in the field may look tempting, you might be better off starting with something from the '90s - '00s.
Buyer Beware of Speculations
Stacey explains why it's up you to do your research on a potential purchase and not just listen to a seller's "speculations" on who may have owned the vehicle in the past. Then it's a quick dive into the mailbag to answer listener questions about x-pipes and door VIN tags.
Test Drives and Auto Industry Opportunities
"Be prepared..." It's not just the Scout's motto; it applies to the car person too! On this episode, Stacey helps you do just that when dealing with test drives. Whether you're taking the keys or handing them over, there is a lot you need to know and consider to protect yourself and your project. After that, Stacey goes through the automotive opportunities for someone who is just starting out.
Right Tools, Right Project!
On this episode of Tales of a Gearhead, Stacey walks through the question "What types of tools do you really need?" Then he has some advice to a younger listener about the best ways to look into apprenticeships. And finally, a question that's probably unanswerable, "What is the BEST V8 engine of all time?"
Avoiding SCAMS Online
On this episode, Stacey discusses online automotive scamming and the things you need to look out for so you don't lose any of your hard earned cash. Then, it's into the mailbag for some advice on fixing a control arm that doesn't involve using EPOXY and swapping a HEMI Magnum with a HELLEPHANT crate engine.
Auto Clone Legal Issues
Stacey digs into the legal issues of auto clones, tributes, replicas and how a Copperhead that made it into the MECUM auction wasn't THE Copperhead. Then it's mailbag time with a simple starter question and the safety criteria you need to consider if you're thinking about installing a vehicle lift in your shop. Tales of a Gearhead is presented by Cornwell Tools.
Car Auction Categories and Motorized Toolboxes
A listener question about a '64 GTO leads to Stacey to go into detail about the various car classifications and their meanings used in auto auctions. Then, there's a little tease about a really cool motorized Cornwell toolbox project Stacey that can be seen on upcoming episodes of GearZ.
Hybrid Electric Corvette, Splicing Vehicles, and E-15 Fuel
Stacey digs into General Motors' announcement about the new upcoming hybrid and electric corvettes, should you splice two vehicles together and the pros and cons of the Biden administration's plan to allow the use of E-15 gas year round.
How it Started Part 2
Stacey's tales of his early days in Nashville continue. Things kick off with him being selected to play on the Grand Ole Opry with Roy Acuff, his first time meeting Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsy's bass player Billy Cox, his VERY BRIEF stint as an Elvis impersonator, and finally his battle with a fly while finishing the paint on one of his first award winning builds. Listener questions tackled are replacing the wiring harness on a '73 Cuda, battery 4-1-1, and putting 3/4 ton axles into a 1/2 ton Silverado.
Dream Garages and Duke Boys
In this episode, Stacey talks about the obstacles you might face while building your dream garage, then dives into a story about the discovery and restoration of the Dodge Charger from the opening credits of The Dukes of Hazzard. Along the way, he answers a great question about welding for beginners!
How it Started
Today Stacey goes back to where it began, sharing tales about how he always loved mechanical things (which wasn't always good news for his mother's appliances), how discovering rock and roll lead to his lifetime love of playing music, his early days as a musician in Nashville, and how he first got into television. Then it's a quick dip into the mail bag where Stacey shares some advice on restoring a bed on a '56 GMC 2 1/2-ton truck.
Spouse vs. Project
Cars can become a big issue in marriages and family relationships. Stacey helps you navigate this potentially touchy subject, then tackles a variety of listener questions!
Be Prepared When Picking Up a Project!
Stacey goes into detail about what you need to bring with you when you pick up a new project. If it's been sitting in the woods for a decade, you probably need more than just a couple ratchet straps!
Engines - Crate vs. Custom
Does your project need a new engine? Should you get a crate engine or have one custom built? Stacey helps you answer that important question, and gives a fan some advice about putting a 1956 Ford F-800 on a late-model bus chassis!
Why Do Projects Take So Long?
That old project has been sitting in your garage for three years now! Or has it been five...? Stacey helps you understand why it takes so long to finish your projects regardless of whether you're doing the work yourself or a shop is doing the work for you. Then, he answers a listener's question about a transmission that's been sitting long enough to vote!
Reproduction Bodies
Stacey takes a deep dive into reproduction bodies for your restoration projects, then handles a great fan question about converting a truck from 2WD to 4WD.
How to Answer an Ad
Welcome back It's 2022, time to get your project out Welcome back To the podcast that has the subjects you asked about Well, Stacey is gonna tell you how to answer an ad, then give you some rear end/chassis tips that'll make you glad that you took the time to write in. Right here is where it begins. From the custom shop To the shade tree back lot Welcome back, Welcome back, welcome back, welcome baaaaaack
Buy or Trade?
Life is full of questions. Should I start a car collection? Am I a collector or a hoarder? Should I buy or trade? Do I really need to expand my project horizons? Well, this episode is for you… or is it?
Listener Questions
It's mailbagaroo time once again! Stacey answers questions about a '72 CJ5 winch bumper, using an electric spray gun to paint your project, how many projects are too many and finally the ins outs & benefits of replacing your car's wiring harness yourself.
Karen Davidson
On today's episode of Tales Of A Gearhead, Stacey sits down with Karen Davidson. The great-granddaughter of Harley-Davidson's co-founder William A. Davidson. They discuss everything from her meeting and hanging with Evel Knievel as a kid, her studying fashion design in college, to running her own leather business & her past 30 years as Harley-Davidson's creative director. Plus her advice for any young women out there who might be interested in getting into the motorcycle lifestyle.
Christmas Memories
Chestnuts roasting on a open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose… With 2021 coming to a close, Stacey talks about the most recent Tesla recall and the dangers of vehicles & their drivers becoming too reliant on computers. Then it's a wrap up of 2021 and all it's brought from COVID year 2, supply chain issues and the comeback of car shows and events. After that, go top off the egg nog and relax as Stacey and Jonathan share some of their most fond Christmas Tales.
Hot Wheels Memories
To start things off. Stacey offers some suggestions to listener Cara and how best to approach dealing with the panel & rocker rust issues on her "baby" an '08 Chevy Xtra Cab 4x4 Then Stacey hops into the Way Back Machine to share a Gearhead Tale as old as time. A story of a boy, his struggle to find the perfect Hot Wheels (in this case the Jack Rabbit Special) and finally... FINALLY beat his brother — and most importantly — his older sister in the family's weekend kitchen Hot Wheels races.
Sgt. Rock Art
Stacey continues his discussion on the importance of knowing automotive mechanical basics - everything from changing wipers, to checking/replacing the oil & coolant, to knowing how to properly change a flat tire. Then its a quick dive into the mailbag to answer a listener's question about whether or not he should swap an LS engine into his wife's Caddy daily driver, that's starting to sound like it MIGHT have issues. Finally everything heads back to the GEARZ shop for a quick look at Stacey's upcoming book "The Little Hot Rod" and a deep dive into the inspirations and artists that helped create the artwork on Sgt. Rock.
Let's Get Physical
Fresh from a trip to Utah interviewing legendary artist and designer Tom Daniel, Stacey gets into the proposed North Carolina law that would ban the "Carolina Squat" on vehicles. After that, Stacey illustrates the importance of knowing basic automotive maintenance by describing how he recently had to repair the clutch on the shop van in front of a most unusual crowd. Then everything wraps up with a physical tale that will send chills down your back.
Family Affairs
It's holiday time once again and that means… family. The good, the bad and sometimes the ugly. So with that it mind, Stacey offers suggestions to a listener on what would make a good project for the ENTIRE family, that can create great memories that last a lifetime. Then on the flip side, Stacey has advice for a listener who is being willed a '73 Corevette, but is not sure if they want to keep it. The he wraps things up with some ideas on how to stay motivated not frustrated with your first project.