Build Logbook or other ways to keep track of stuff

[taquito971]

So, are any of you so anal as to use a logbook or database to keep track of what parts came from where so when you hit up the autoshop to replace a broken part you know what year/model it came from?

I'm getting ready to do a motor swap on my '79 and thought maybe it would be nice to keep track of what part number extended brake lines I used, what make/model/year the motor came out of, who made the lift... You know, all that stuff.

I've tried to find something like this, but didn't find anything.

Brian

 

[79bonanza]

if you have a spead sheet app on your computer that seems like a good way to keep track of stuff.

 

[Orange85]

I started to keep track of receipts but then lost some so I gave up on that. I do know for the most part what everything came from.

When I go to the parts store I give them 5 different years and 5 models. Then I get the whole don't you have this year truck. And I get to say yeah the motor came from that year, or yeah that's the front axle tho not the rear.

 

[ccarley]

Heh, I started a few years ago logging. Maybe too much, but it's good info.

Every fuel fill, mileage, gallons, price / gallon, date, where I got it, octane.

In between fuel fills, I jot down what I worked on, or if I added sea foam to that tank. If the driving was different enough, I'll note what it was. Like all freeway or something. Looks something like this:

65,254 miles, 13.54 gallons, Chevron Regular (home), $3.15, 11-24-10
- Replaced air filter, changed oil (Chev 5W30), Fram Tough guard filter
- Sea foam

blah blah blah. I keep the notebook in the center console Keeps track of what changes you made, and what it does to fuel mileage, as well as price of fuel, and if it changes your mileage during winter/ summer etc, as well as different driving types.

Easy to do, but some people freak out when they see how detailed I am. Then again, when I sold my Wagoneer, the new owner really appreciated the detailed log!

Clay

 

[Blue85]

I keep a lab-book type journal with the design notes for each project so I can reference them later. Anything on a loose sheet of paper or random pad is as good as gone tomorrow. For my fuel injection conversion I made up a binder with my wiring harness drawings, electrical center layout and ECU schematics. This stays in the truck so if I'm broken down, at least it's not for lack of information.

Autozone shows me as having about 10 vehicles for parts warranties. I don't always know which vehicle a part came out of (like my 14B s/f or Firebird air intake) but I know approximately which years sported those parts, which is good enough.

 

[taquito971]

I suppose a logbook is the method of choice then. I had considered that but was hoping for a ready made book that maybe would remind me of the questions I hadn't thought of answering. I'll grab a log book and start keeping track of things that way. That was dad's "old school" way of doing it anyway. Thanks for the input.