The Simple Fix That Wasn’t

I once had a date lined up… a real one, not theoretical, not “maybe next week,” but an actual first date on the calendar. And of course, the universe responded the way it always does when you angsty teen brain needs something to go right:

My car refused to idle.

Probably the slow, annoying fuel leak coming from the Holley 4010 the top-loader carb that looks innocent until you actually try to work on it. I figured, No big deal. I can rebuild a 4150 in 15–20 minutes. How different could a 4010 be?

Turns out the answer was: very.

The 4010 doesn’t politely hand you the bowls from the sides like a normal carb. No, this one requires you to unbolt the entire top half like you’re performing open-heart surgery on a piece of 1970s engineering.

Fifteen minutes passed. Then thirty. Then an hour. Then I was elbow-deep in gasket material wondering why the float level had the audacity to look at me like I was the problem.

Meanwhile, time kept ticking. My date texted: “Hey, everything okay?”

Me:“Yeah! Just running a little behind, car stuff lol!”

By the time I finally got the carb back together, and tuned, I was covered in gas and gasket remnants, and the date had (rightfully) moved on with her evening.

I never did get that first date.

But I still have the car, and she became a friend that I have to this day.

And honestly? I think I got the best end of the deal.

Now if you excuse me, I’m looking on Ebay for a nice 4010