Cuda vs. neighbor

[72hemi]

Blast them with some Godsmack, maybe a little Avenged Sevenfold. Disturbed or some other hard rock band.

[hooD]

   Once your car is up and running, I'd show the neighborhood what a burnout is.   

[72bluNblu]

Wow! 55 dB isn't a whole lot, but its supposed to be measured from your neighbors yard!  You might also be able to figure your actions as "construction", which give you up to 75 dB.

So, what I would do is invest in a cheap dB meter (http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-SOUNDLEVEL-DECIBEL-READER/dp/B000EOMWD0/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209013182&sr=8-2) and have a friend go on a field trip while you're working, say, over to your neighbors fence. Depending on how far away your neighbor is you may be in the clear. If so, you can use your new found data to tell your neighbor to pound sand. If not, you can use the new data to base your work schedule on the ordinance, and then tell your neighbor to pound sand. You can use the dB readings and the chart to figure out what that schedule is. Obviously, its better to be reasonable and work something out, but I think you've already demonstrated that this isn't likely if you plan to actually keep working on your car. And if you're working on your car during normal business hours and knock off before 5 pm you're probably already being much nicer than you have to be; I think its your neighbor that isn't being reasonable. After all, it would seem that you might be able to grind on your car for a half an hour straight every hour from 7am to 10 pm, which I'm sure your neighbor would just love!

Maybe my take on this is a touch harsh, but when you said "home school teacher" and "million dollar neighborhood"  I figured your chances of pleasing your neighbor at about zilch.  The only thing likely to make this woman happy is her own sense of superiority, which I'm sure your 'cuda does little to reinforce...

Take some readings, stay within the ordinance as much as you can, and you'll be finished with this part of your resto sooner than enforcement is likely to do much.

[Topcat]

Wow! 55 dB isn't a whole lot, but its supposed to be measured from your neighbors yard!  You might also be able to figure your actions as "construction", which give you up to 75 dB.

So, what I would do is invest in a cheap dB meter (http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-SOUNDLEVEL-DECIBEL-READER/dp/B000EOMWD0/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209013182&sr=8-2) and have a friend go on a field trip while you're working, say, over to your neighbors fence. Depending on how far away your neighbor is you may be in the clear. If so, you can use your new found data to tell your neighbor to pound sand. If not, you can use the new data to base your work schedule on the ordinance, and then tell your neighbor to pound sand. You can use the dB readings and the chart to figure out what that schedule is. Obviously, its better to be reasonable and work something out, but I think you've already demonstrated that this isn't likely if you plan to actually keep working on your car. And if you're working on your car during normal business hours and knock off before 5 pm you're probably already being much nicer than you have to be; I think its your neighbor that isn't being reasonable. After all, it would seem that you might be able to grind on your car for a half an hour straight every hour from 7am to 10 pm, which I'm sure your neighbor would just love!

Maybe my take on this is a touch harsh, but when you said "home school teacher" and "million dollar neighborhood"  I figured your chances of pleasing your neighbor at about zilch.  The only thing likely to make this woman happy is her own sense of superiority, which I'm sure your 'cuda does little to reinforce...

Take some readings, stay within the ordinance as much as you can, and you'll be finished with this part of your resto sooner than enforcement is likely to do much.

Today I'm gonna try the muffler sock idea that Ntsrtlgl mentioned. I called Ingersol Rand to see if there is a muffler for them. Looks like it has to be for that particular model they sell. Also look into buying the decibel reader. I'll need that to prove my sound output. Along with my cell phone time next to me watching how long I grind, I'll have done everything possible to appease her complaint.

[HP2]

The car is outside since it's on a rotisserie, i can't fit it in the garage.

I think this is the core of the issue and she is just using the noise as a means to attack you because she doesn't want to see your junk out front. I've seen rotisseries in garages before. No way you can get it in there?

Once inside the garage, then the whole noise issue changes gears.

The db meter does give you a leg to stand on. Don't know what it would cost to get one of those. The sock on the tool idea has some merit.

[472 R/T SE]

Gotta admit, a car on a rotisserie is an unsightly object. 
With your refound decibel readings I would get the police involved first.  Tell them, hey you'll most likely be hearing from my neighbor  .  Find out what they'll pursue, tell them you're abiding by the covenants and tell them you've tried negotiating with her and this is your last step.  One step ahead of her.
She very well could have called them already and they told her to try and talk with you first.

In our neighborhood, you're not supposed to have a non running rig on the street or driveway let alone a rotisserie.

[fishn4cuda]

Glad I live in the country! Couldn't imagine having neighbors. Way to nosy. I have had the sheriff pay a visit due to someone running around on a Sunday AM with open headers! I was just test and tuning officer. Seriously, while standing in front of my 70 Challenger RT with a 440 about 15 yrs ago.

[72bluNblu]

Gotta admit, a car on a rotisserie is an unsightly object. 
With your refound decibel readings I would get the police involved first.  Tell them, hey you'll most likely be hearing from my neighbor  .  Find out what they'll pursue, tell them you're abiding by the covenants and tell them you've tried negotiating with her and this is your last step.  One step ahead of her.
She very well could have called them already and they told her to try and talk with you first.

In our neighborhood, you're not supposed to have a non running rig on the street or driveway let alone a rotisserie.

I'm pretty sure that the rotisserie is in his backyard, not his driveway...

[Katfish]

I think the visual aspect is the problem.  Can they see the car in your back yard?  I'm no snob by any means, but I wouldn't want to look at a "junker" for months.

You have to remember, to them, it's just an old piece of crap, that redneck works on.  He's been doing it forever Buffy.

[nivvy]

I think the visual aspect is the problem.  Can they see the car in your back yard?  I'm no snob by any means, but I wouldn't want to look at a "junker" for months.

You have to remember, to them, it's just an old piece of crap, that redneck works on.  He's been doing it forever Buffy.

If you dont like it dont look at it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldnt change for any of my neighbors.... ta heck with them..... its my land!!!

[Aussie Challenger]

      I had a problem with a neighbour behind me many years ago when I lived in the burbs, nothing would appease them, so I ignored them, kept myself legal and the local council ended up backing me up against them.  Good Luck.   

[472 R/T SE]

I'm pretty sure that the rotisserie is in his backyard, not his driveway...

Doesn't matter, it's not in his garage out of sight.  I was simply comparing the fact of some of the things you can't do in some 'hoods.  I would venture to say if he was doing this work inside his garage with the door closed there wouldn't be an issue.

Hey I'm all for not being bothered whilst working on my rides.  I had a neighbor pitch a rock at my car when we showed up at 7pm with half open headers.  I know exactly what it's like dealing with aggressive neighbors. 

Just looking at it from her point of view and what she may be thinking.

[jeryst]

If you dont like it dont look at it!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldnt change for any of my neighbors.... ta heck with them..... its my land!!!

I agree with Stroker. I dont like the color of my neighbors pink house, but I dont demand that they change it. I dont like looking at my other neighbors huge garden, especially in the fall when its just a bunch of dead brown plants, but I dont tell ask that he give it up.

The car isnt going to be there forever, and the noise isnt either, so just tell them that you are within your rights and they will only have to put up with it for a short while.

[HP2]

ta heck with them..... its my land!!!

I dont like the color of my neighbors pink house, but I dont demand that they change it.

Perhaps and if you are not in convenat controlled neighborhoods than you can tell your neighbors to pound sand. But since we had a list of covanences listed previously, I take it that this is a convanent controlled neighborhood. If that is the case, and topcat bought in to the area knowing that there are/were controls that people agreed to when buying the home, then he may be in violation of those agreements. If he was there before these were enacted, then that is worth pointing out to the complaining parties as well. If these are not neighborhood rules for the development, then that needs to explained to the complaining party as well.

I'm all for doing your own thing. But you also have to deal with rude neighbors EVERY DAY that you or they live there. A little bit of explanation and/or compromise in this type of situation can go a long way to preventing future problems and the resultant headaches.

[Topcat]

I think the visual aspect is the problem.  Can they see the car in your back yard?  I'm no snob by any means, but I wouldn't want to look at a "junker" for months.

You have to remember, to them, it's just an old piece of crap, that redneck works on.  He's been doing it forever Buffy.

No they or anyone can't see the car. We have a pretty high fence all around.