I think Rob at Keith Craft Motorsports in Plano is quite competent. I think the problem comes from when he is way way over committed and takes on a 'little case' like mine. He was unbelievably crunched on time getting that Terlingua ready for the photo shoot (the day I dropped it off) and then to load it up and head off to SEMA. He just couldn't concentrate on 'mine.'
I don't particularly blame him, but i do have to question if he was just guessing at the carb or truly thought it was that. The carb has been rebuilt before, maybe twice or who knows how many times, so i don't MIND buying a new carb. But..... if that wasn't it, then what?? Good ideas on the ignition suggestion, can't remember who brought that up in the first place, a few pages back. Maybe Warren?
anyway, if it isn't 'ignition' then what?? keep tracing it down??? that's all fine and good if you know what you're doing, but.... scary and stressful when you're driving down the road and pooof! loss of power. more than once.
Maybe i'll keep test driving it and get confident at it's repair. The december meet is a month away and i can keep driving around my neighborhood every couple of days. today was a beautiful day, 85*, so i took Pepe for a 20 minute neighborhood cruise. I'm sure the neighbors in the neighborhood next to mine were wondering why i kept driving around their circles.
So.... another point is that Rob has several 'certified' mechanics working FOR HIM, and i wonder if he just automatically gives them the cars like mine, with little, irritating problems. I know of two folks who have had issues with their car when they picked it up..... Who is working on the car?? Rob can't do it all. I 'adore' Rob, and trust him, as a Cobra buddy, Cobra mechanic, and almost a 'friend'. I mean that in a good way. He and Trish are nice people that i like.
I appreciate all the comments here, too. thank you!
Some of ya'll's diagnostic ideas sound really simple, but still a bit daunting to me.
Kinda stuck.
Might have to have Warren fly down here, no matter what.
K