The Rodding Roundtable
Motorhead Message Central => Rodder's Roundtable => Topic started by: Crosley.In.AZ on January 01, 2024, 07:11:32 AM
A new thread for 2024.... 8)
Not much new here.. I have started the trim work on my windows in this mobile home. Need more supplies. Home Depot here we come. LOL
Going to the oldest stepson's for our Christmas party which wasn't celebrated on the 25th, due to so many guests being in other places that day. He said he's making ribs instead of traditional food. Yum, I like ribs way bettre than turkey.
Christmas lites are down.. We had very few up.
Visit the Home Depot we like.. They had 1 of the 5 pieces of trim I needed for the interior trim work on this mobile home. We drive west on a major raod here: Bell Road, towards 137 ave from 68th avenue. We found the trim we needed.
Drive around the corner to Wally World. Picked up various needed food supplies
I split firewood. Heating the shop with wood warms you in many ways. Cutting the tree, hauling the wood home, splitting and stacking the wood, and finally feeding the furnace. :)
^^Yep.^^
It was 39*F on the carport this morning as I cooked brakefast on the ol griddle.. It is 40* now, 2 hours later.
At least the sun is out today.
Spending money. Doing my part to support the economy. LOL. I'm going over everything that isn't as good as I expected on the 48. I dislike buying parts twice but you don't always get what you expect with name brand parts. :)
Today should be the last day of bad gas in the GTP. Finally! Hope it returns to normal after all the knocking.
Pic is the Bronco left rear corner that was so crunched at bottom and had an inch plus of filler on it. Sectioned the tail light panel and patched a pick hammered strip of qtr at that seam. Its fixed and in poly primer. ;)
^^^
Looks like it should. :)
I took the Red Phat Gurl out for a run. I ended up at my mom's grave site to remove the Christmas decorations from the site. Its near 49 years that I have visited my mom's grave.
I then run west out the I-10 freeway towards the Luke Air Force base area thru Litchfield Park area. Our RV 5th wheel is in storage there. Checked the RV and my car trailer is there too.
I have work to do on the RV this month. Get it ready for a few thousand miles this summer.
The Goldwing offered up the usual performance the bike is capable of. I only bounced off the rev limiter a couple times till I was back in tune with the bike. LOL
:arrow: :shock:
Crosley , our winter is so mild here that I have seen bikes on the road this week . That is a first in my life time .We spent new years with our son in Calgary and then loaded up the Uhaul and brought him home to live with us . We will be going back to pick up his son , my grandson , and both will be living with us from now on . The situation he was living in was not manageable nor acceptable so he took a transfer and is coming home .We are grateful to be able to have them home with us where we can be of help .
Welp... I don't think it was bad gas. GTP still clatters under boost. Deep inhale, shallow exhale. :blank:
Wishing you luck, Matt.
I'll take one of those, yep. :)
Just replaced the plug and wire on #3 (which is the hole the misfire code popped up on at the beginning) with ones from my spare engine at the shop. Fingers crossed, no drive yet.
Top plug in pic is the one I put in and that car was upside down but ran plenty after so thats why its black.
Bottom plug came out of #3 and my observations are that not the tip but the part around the tip sticks out of the ceramic a lot less than the top one. And... most eye-catchingly the tip is shiny on one side which can kind of be seen in pic. Didn't check gap on it. That plug could be damaged. I'll know soon enough!
Won't be able to even pop the hood again or hunt parts until at least tomorrow. Parts store wants $12 for one plug. Today is all obligations so the car just has to go without. In a nice first dose of snow for the season so can't punch it anyway. :)
My part of the world has snow today. I go out this morning and get in the 48 and drive off. About half way to coffee, I turn on the wipers. They work about 3 times and quit. I pull over and check to see if they froze. No, they're free. I get back inside and turn the switch on. I can hear the motor running. I think the arm came loose on the shaft. There's 2 set screws that hold it. I don't know how much I will have to remove to get to them. Might be a lot of fun. :)
But it's under warranty, right?
Phil, if it has a warranty past 30 days I'd be surprised. I purchased most of the parts back in the spring for this. I have had good luck with people understanding that it sat in the box for 8 months before using. My stereo has a problem and I just received the replacement from Crutchfield. No charge. If all that's wrong with the wipers is a loose set screw, I'll be good. If I would have had any foresight, I would have pulled the screw and drilled a small hole for the point to go into. I've put in 6 wiper motors and this is the 1st time for this. Maybe it was as cold as I was and just wanted to quit. LOL.
I worked some on my stump for panel beating. I made the 1" steel band around the top to help keep the stump from seperating as it dries. Shaping the stump and then forming the band to fit the top was fun and it went well. Tomorrow I am going to an auction. There is a nice lathe, Bridgeport and a bandsaw that I am interested in buying. I do not know why I am going because it is usually a waste of time. Stuff usually starts the bidding for more than what I want to give for it. I will just take the day off, visit with people, and enjoy the day. :)
Bill, I actually meant the warranty work to be returned to the guy who installed it, LOL. Sometimes I'm not clear in what I say or type, due to old age. Yeah, that's it, old age. ;D
I know about buying parts in advance and not being able to return them. I bought new bumpers for the Corvair for about $900 for both, then later see a Corvair forum member selling excellent used front and rear for about $300 for the pair. Sometimes you just can't win.
Phil, that installer is unreliable. :)
Yeah, I've run across the same thing. ;)
In keeping with that theme:
Loose spark plug! :idea: Front of engine on rear bank. :roll: :arrow:
Capital D'oh. :blank:
Aaaand now...
the car has ye olde scalded dog syndrome. Glory be. :)
Stuck wiper blades on while there was warm in garage. All thats left is to heal.
New job task: 73 Mustang. Starting with pan. Cut it out today. :)
I got blessed with a little blizzard today. Wind gusted at mid 60's. It's down to 30's now. We had rain and freezing rain early this am and then snow. Total accumulation wasn't great but the drifts are substantial. Tomorrow I will decide on shovel or snow blower. :)
Hi.... Eggciting belt replacement on the vacuum beater bar. It spins again. Will see how long this belt lasts??
::) ::)
crosley I got good at replacing those belts when we had a cleaning business . used to keep a few in stock and a spare vacuum at the ready.
We are finally getting some cold, and possibly snow coming, starting tomorrow. First time since October. We are at 40% snowpack at best so far this winter.
20 months after I was notified of the recall on my F350 wiper blade arms.... My truck has new wiper arms on it. They are much more secure. Fjord dealer setup a mobile service for this recall (2) deal.
The PCM and TCM was updated on programing. Some programming related to emissions ? I have Driven the truck 40+ miles. The trans does shift better, cleaner.
Now the fun part: The young fellow was all over my F350 for a "Multipoint Inspection". 10 minutes later I receive a text message with $405.00 of "suggested" service work.
$80.00 for cabin filter replace
$175.00 for HVAC cleaning & deodorizing
$50.00 wiper blades
$100.00 Diesel Battery service.
I declined the extra service. I told the kid that the wipers were 5 months old and if they are broken, he did it. I checked the wipers, they are solid on the arms
The $100.00 diesel battery service included corrosion pads on each battery terminal.
??? ???
I scooped snow this morning. That was enough exercise for the day. I can get all of the vehicles out. Several drifts to move. The sun is out and it will be better before the next cold front at the end of the week.
Chilly morning here too. No snow or ice..
My carport temp gauge said it was 32*F .... We took off for breakfast, errands, Home Depot, Wally World.. The car said it was 30*F at that time.
My wife reports the vacuum works better than ever. The vacuum was left behind when we bought this park model mobile home. :idea: :idea:
we are getting snow 6" of it ::)
Tony, you would've gotten by cheap on that service deal. After we had bought a used Subaru and had to take it in for warranty work, they called my wife and said that all the fluids needed changing and it would cost about $800. We declined.
We got our internet back today after being out for two days. Our Verizon cell service also disappeared last night, but is back up today. We had a really wet, heavy snow, and the township snowplow demolished our newish mailbox once again.
Makes you want to leave the banged up mailbox in place, don't it? Its like a freshy is a target. :roll:
I said awhile back the 69 GT was ready to paint. Well, thats about to happen now I think. Code F, Aqua metallic.
Rails are good on my 73 job and only one rear torque box has the rot. Flange cleanup for pan install done. Stock trans tunnel and brace are nowhere near wide enough for anything that goes behind a Coyote so pan will go in with screws for mockup. I have upper and lower cowl panels and theres some A pillar rot. Noticed that the 73 has an actual trunk pan instead of gas tank top as the floor. Which may be how it ends up, using the through the floor style. Smooth firewall and aprons are on the list, so... classic Matt... I want answers and mockups and what not because much modification is involved where putting stock metal back would be counterproductive.
Case and point- A guy made screens with bezels for the unpaintable 51 F1 hood this week. And got to just build them however he liked. They go at bottom of the HVAC ductwork and hex mesh from a first gen Mustang grille was used. That much seems appropriate.
Below are a couple critters from the back yard. (Coyotes, back shop, Ford and Mercury.
^^^^
Coyotes multiply like rabbits in your area. :)
ah yes, Mail boxes run down. A bit different out here without snow.
In the late 1970s a new house we bought had mail box at the street. With a sidewalk there, the mailbox was set back from the street.. Months later it was run over, smashed. Our mail was scattered about. It was a basic cheap metal frame holding the mail box.
I installed some .250 wall 2.5 inch round tube mount for the new mail box, concrete about 2 feet in the ground. I arc welded some some decorative curly stuff on it too. Many weeks later someone ran into the mailbox again. From the liquids and pieces on the ground, I accomplished my objective. :twisted: :shock:
After that, I built a mailbox mount from a sbc crankshaft, header tube bits, harmonic balancer and few other bits into a little "guy" with an extended arm to hold the mailbox. I thought it was spiffy. My wife veto'd that idea.
8) 8)
In Kansas, a man in a rural area got tired of people running over his mail box. He did a serious one. As I remember, some kids were running over mail boxes. they got hurt and he was found liable. ????
Quote from: kb426 on January 10, 2024, 05:39:12 PM^^^^
Coyotes multiply like rabbits in your area. :)
Yes, they have gone feral. Not enough roadrunners to keep them in check. :lol:
We are getting the cold from Canada today. It is 6 degrees right now, and -24 tonight. They are calling for -50 in wind chill, the weathermen love wind chill.
56° F here now, on a fluke of warmth ahead of... well, the mild sounding -7 forecast for next Monday morning. Supposed to hit 59 today.
Lots of gun killings here this week. :blank:
I love how old metallic colors turn out in modern paint. :) Beautiful hue. Gonna be a pretty car.
^^^
That mustang will be great with the correct wheels. :)
You mean Bullitts of course. :)
Setting stock and TTs and Cragars aside...
First thing outta my mouth was Keystones. Second was slots. Third was Centerlines. But none of the above is my bet. I left off keeping up with wheel styles and new car names long ago. What would you-all suggest?
I was back there just now putting a tape measure on the intended engine and trans for the 73 and while whittling shall be required, I don't think its so bad. Exhaust is probably the major width thing. Tunnel could be wide enough for trans but maybe not tall enough. Interweb says thats a glass transmission though and some have "skip shift"... wth?
I have the rails and cross brace all niced up and shot and am working at shaggy edges around pan.
Nice color, is that GM? I don't remember any Fords that color, but then, I live in a vacuum.
Its the original color, 1969 Ford Mustang, Code F. Gulf Stream Aqua metallic. Before pic below.
The good color cars got used up first. :idea:
Just WOW!
I remember seeing a galaxie 2 door hardtop in that color with cragar ss's. That was a striking car. The only place I remember seeing a mustang in that color was at Phil Long Ford in Colo. Springs when he had a row of unsold Shelby mustangs out front. I believe that was the winter of 1970.
8) 8) 8) 8) mustang .
Snowplow totally destroyed the mailbox today, had to install the old one, again.
Years ago, I went through a spell of mail box removals. it's been a long time since. I hope I'm not on the list. :)
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on January 12, 2024, 06:00:24 PMSnowplow totally destroyed the mailbox today, had to install the old one, again.
BAck in 1999 when we moved to Gilbert AZ... The area was mostly farm land and dairy farms too. The farm land was full of feed corn or alfalfa..
THe farm combines moved around usually at dark during parts of the year. The machines often run over the phone line boxes that were along the edge of the roads. Early years we lived out there, the landline phone was often "out"
:o
I was looking at yesterday's Mecum results. A 1966 Ford gt40 road car brought almost 7 million without the buyer's premium. :)
Take a look to see how easy he makes it look:
{https://youtu.be/8pfXtlH_kCI?si=rh6n-Dw3BEG1Zw2T}
Says no longer available.
I forgot to put brackets around the address. If you don't do that, the forum software blocks it. Sorry about that.
I've been checking the Mecum auction results daily. The 1st week wasn't much to talk about. On friday, it started to get interesting. yesterday had some astounding results. There was a Ferrari that went to 23.5 million and didn't make reserve. I never thought I would see numbers like that.
Ya , we been watching the Mecum auction on TV.. Some interesting prices on stuff. A few seem low to others, so I figure its in the details?
We watch the TV action a bit during lunch and then later after my 2pm nap
:o
I run a dehumidifier in the shop as much as temps allow. The one in there is from the late 90's and finally died. I ordered a new one on Amazon and it was delivered today. This is the pic the driver sent my wife in her email. It's actually sitting 25 to 30 feet down the driveway from the house.
Phil, do they consider snow to be an excuse to not take it to the house?
I guess they must. I didn't clear the driveway, but both my vehicles get up the slight slant with no trouble.
It was -8 on the way to coffee this morning. The 48 was making some different noises. :)
Yeah , it was 38*F here at the Sun City location this tuesday morning. Should be mid 60s today. Thursday and friday, saturday are suppose to be mid 70s... Then Sunday we have 70% chance of rain and on monday too.
:arrow: :idea:
We did another Home Depot visit.. Finish up the windows in the park model unit. Window coverings. In recent visits, there has been zero parking lot crowds around our vehicles or encounters inside the store, but;
Today made up for that. We had 2 inside encounters where we just happened to be in the eggzack spot another person walked up to and wanted an item. LOL It happened to my wife first, in the isle of window blinds. My encounter was in the lumber area... :idea:
I still take photos of the vehicle in the parking lot as we arrive. Before and after photos. LOL
:arrow: :shock:
I walked the picket line in -50 windchill today . Teachers on strike . 1 day strike with 5 days warning to parents. Underfunded system is making it near impossible to do our jobs .
Quote from: chimp koose on January 16, 2024, 10:24:55 PMI walked the picket line in -50 windchill today . Teachers on strike . 1 day strike with 5 days warning to parents. Underfunded system is making it near impossible to do our jobs .
Interesting. Underfunded?
Same in Arizona for decades. Teachers got raises a few yrs ago under a different governor. Now the argument is on school vouchers & teacher pay.
A revolving door here it seems ?
:-\
I made a handy dandy stand to hold parts for painting for a friend. It allows for a lot of adjustment and adapting to different sizes and shapes and even has a magnetic for holding odd things.
We have had the grandchildren here for the last 4 days while our daughter is off to Dallas to buy inventory for her store and the son in law is working odd hours. 3 of those days have been school snow days with a small amount of snow but really cold temperatures. Gramma and Granpa are running out of things to do. Our daughter will be back tonight.
The underfunding of our schools has caused divisions to cut programs and load up classes in order to reduce the number of paid staff. I have had 32 kids ,in 2 grade levels ,in one machining class . I have had to water down the class in order to give each kid the chance to complete their projects . I have 11 lathes ,each at least 58 years old to teach machining to 32 kids at a time . I do not see a rosy future for trade classes due to the costs required to provide them . Since covid my budget has dropped from $3000/year down to $750. I got a new milling machine 2 years ago right before the budgets were slashed . It replaced one from the 60's that went out for scrap metal . Kids take shop classes because they want to do hands on learning , class sizes are turning them away from enrolling as they will likely spend half of their class time waiting to use a machine . It is a shame as there are jobs for my grads available right out of high school . I have had former students return 3 years after graduating to tell me of the kind of income they are earning . It exceeds a 5 year experienced university degreed teachers wage .After this summer , one of those jobs will be mine . I half wonder if they will permanently close my machine shop when I leave in June .
Last thursday I was returning home from a 20 mile trip in my 2004 3.0 Ford Escape, and about 4 miles from home I had a loss of power and a noise like a broken air line on a truck compressor. Then a check engine light. I nursed it home and had it towed to my buddy's shop. My thought was a spark plug blew out but I had never heard of that happening on a 3.0 engine.
Well that is what it was. It blew out the center plug on the number two cylinder. So he reamed it, and installed an insert, six new plugs, three coils, and new intake plenum gaskets. $295 in parts and two hours labor. That is $1,000 cheaper than the bill for my HHR three weeks ago.
Today I took it on a 60 mile trip with no problems.
Early morning hours as we eat brakefast... We have been watching re-runs of a TV show "Parking Wars" . THey follow meter readers and ppl that install "boots" on cars with multiple unpaid parking tickets. Most of these shows are from 2008 - 2010
I can safely say that Philly at that time had a totally messed up system for ppl to recover towed - impounded cars. Car owner had to prove car insurance, current registration and have current drivers license. That is normal stuff that many folks fail at.
The problem was the car owner had to visit multiple windows. Usually the insurance card and registration is in the vehicle.. Which required a visit to 1 window for a "pass" to get to the vehicle tow lot to retrieve paperwork.. then back to more windows for towing paperwork , then to the cashier window to pay taxes aka fines.... THEN if you have other tickets , it may require a visit to traffic court, Then back to the tow lot for more window visits, LOL
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Getting windows in this park model mobile home finished out with mini blinds. I have 4 done. 3 more to finish. Looks way better. Very basic vinyl blinds. 1 inch wide , since the exterior walls on this mobile home are only 2x3 material. It's been a challenge since everything on the mobile home is non standard and you must adjust, adapt, trim, re-trim stuff. :twisted:
We had the arcadia sliding door sections (2) scraped old tint off and then re-tinted with modern commercial tint material. The sun hits this door in the afternoons. The old tint was turning purple , so it was very old. The door sections (2) actually had 2 layers of tint on them. The tech guy said it looked like old automotive tint.
I am always skeptic when I am told major amazing items on a product , then disappointed. This tint is amazing. We had a warm sunny day here and this tint knocked down the sun brightness, glare. I was very surprised and happy.
8) ... 8) .... 8)
Toe board patch. :arrow:
^^^^
Looks good, guys.
Repaired pin holes in the bottom of my 55 doors yesterday. Still waiting (going on 3 weeks plus) for Real Deal Steel to ship my wagon tailgate they showed they had in stock, They charged me for it the day I order it. They told me they were backed up from the holidays.
Dave, sounds like a test for you. :)
Something we started doing... for supplies, paper products, household stuff. Funny: a few yrs ago I bought little from Amazon , much less a Prime member... Now I am there daily. :idea:
We are a member of a "club" known as Costco since 1981.. Some saving of cash does happen , even with the yearly membership charges. We buy enough fuel now when in the truck and RV... We get more $$ returned that pays most of the yearly membership charge.
Local Costco stores here are "jammed", Crowded daily. Very busy. So , we tried ordering online with delivery. It is nice not to deal with large crowd, waiting inline at cashier, local traffic, parking lot traffic. Ordering enough , with phree shipping. Its nice.
oh: lots of rain falling today monday afternoon.. Suppose to rain tuesday too.
I know this boring stuff. sorry
8)
8)
We'll be getting a $245 check from Costco, just got the email today.
My check next month will be just under $400.
Doug...you're spending too much money. ;)
I've started using our Prime card more, as that gives us "money" at Amazon to spend right now, not waiting for the check from Costco. It makes it seem like we're getting stuff for free.
I just read that Laguna Seca raceway is under a lawsuit wanting to close it down. Another story where it was out in the country and developers have built housing around. The complaint is about traffic and noise. Remember the wall at Englishtown? :)
I've been watching that Laguna Seca story. Ridiculous.
Folks from here used to have an annual meet up at the Goodguys show in Des Moines. The Grandstand on the Main Concourse and right next to the autocross track used to overlook a dirt track so old Barney Oldfield once raced there. People used to ride a train out from Des Moines to the fair. One of those classic films of a staged wreck between two steam locomotives was staged just beyond the track, where the tracks ran.
The promoter was told the beginning of the racing season had to be delayed due to construction. Two weeks later their contract was canceled, the track having been bulldozed away. Worst of all, the leader of the group that fought for several years to shut down racing was someone who raced there for years.
Yea, Costco tells us $170.00 coupon this time for 2023.. In 2022 it was double when were across the counrty traveling. :idea:
Kinda funny ha ha type: Sams clubs across the US more often have diesel fuel than Costco. I use my Costco CC at Sams for fuel. I get sales at Sams and credit $ for buying fuel on the Costco CC
No rain this wednesday..
Yesterday, I purchased machine tool supplies. One of the items was band saw blades. I have a small unit that decades ago I used to buy Doall blades for. :) They worked quite well cutting 4130 tubing. Years ago, I called and gave them the part number I wanted. We don't make that any more. Since that day, I have been through an assortment of brands and mediocre is my description of them. That includes a replacement from the Doall line. I ordered some Starrett. They are double the price of the last bunch I purchased and I'm fearful that they won't be as good as I want. I purchased some small boring bars for the lathe starting at 3/8" and larger. Every once in a while, I need one. Having time to think on cold weather days gives me an opportunity to help the economy keep going. :)
More patchwork-
Looking good, Matt. A lot of work to get rid of rust.
I do use my Costco Credit card for Hotels when I travel, so that helps the total a bit.
Nice work, Matt. Amazing how much rust can hide behind a few little holes.
QuoteYesterday, I purchased machine tool supplies. One of the items was band saw blades. I have a small unit that decades ago I used to buy Doall blades for. :) They worked quite well cutting 4130 tubing. Years ago, I called and gave them the part number I wanted. We don't make that any more. Since that day, I have been through an assortment of brands and mediocre is my description of them. That includes a replacement from the Doall line. I ordered some Starrett.
The last several years I have been buying my band saw blades from https://www.bandsawbladesdirect.com/ Lenox blades. They hold up well and the prices are not too bad.
Old photo... It was taken at a car show at a stadium in Glendale AZ .. Stadium building that looks like a Jiffy Pop Popcorn bag,
My wife says sign is correct
:arrow: :shock:
It warmed up to 58 today so I went to the shop and did a little bit. I started out with a 5/8" bolt and a large washer. It turned into an adapter for my wheel alignment tool to hold the caster- camber gauge. After that, I washed the 48. That's the 1st time it's been washed since I started driving it in december. It had been through 2 snow storms, a couple of rains and plenty of mud at the intersections. It was almost brown everywhere. Sure was nice to not be freezing. :)
After doing small stuff in the shop, about 3pm it was 61 degrees. The bike and I went out. I rode around town to see what's going on. :) There was almost no wind and the sun was out. It made me forget that it's the end of January for a little. :) When I was checking caster on the front end, I took a pic of my ebay adapter.
Getting ready to head down to the Grand National Roadster Show on Thursday morning early. It is about a 1200 mile drive down there. We are having late spring weather up here, it was 62 degrees in Great Falls yesterday, so not getting the big weather change by going down this year. Might even be worse weather down there that up here.
^^^^^
Kool!
I finally got my Lincoln LS rear end back today. It's in very nice condition. I have to check the ratio, it is supposed to be a 3.55 gear.
Covered a hole in exterior wall of the park model we live in.. Remnants of a mini split of ancient yrs gone by. Power, drain , etc was all in one hole. Previous cover was that aluminum type tape used in HVAC stuff.
I found some misc exterior wall panels under the park model. Cut out a piece. Some pop rivets, silicone caulk.. done. Only took me 2 yrs, 4 months to patch the hole correctly
Good job speedy Andale! Yee! Hah!
Did some body work on the skirting on this old park model.
Some I could straighten. Others I put wood backers to hold it straight.
I gave the whole wall a warsh with wash & wax chemical sprayed with a H-Freight sprayer for a water hose. Simple Green was used too. The skirting is a little cleaner. LOL
8)
Rail patch ahead of LR wheel, 73 Mustang.
Looks good, Matt. Is the other side the same?
Thanks. Nope. Didn't have a spring eye just lopped off due to siezed bolt either (see bottom pic on left). That was heck to cut out but at least there was burnout box scent to savor. That rail rustout went right up to where the tub notches will start. It gets go-goodies later. :) :arrow:
I chopped a top or I made a pickup roadster today. I am working on the latest yard art square body Chevrolet truck.
It was late when UPS arrived today. He brought me a box of 8' led bulbs. I replaced a few before stopping today. It's going to be better for a blind old guy. :)
Bill, I've replaced all the fluorescent fixtures with LED lights; shop, basement rooms, two outbuildings. Threw the old fixtures away, no one wanted them. Gave the box of new bulbs to Habitat for Humanity.
Took a break. Watched some early 50s Gene Autry tv shows. The industry was young. The acting, sets, background scenes were a bit crude. Makes them shows classics
I will fit and attached the doors to the yard art project today and then I will move it out of the way. The next part will be cutting the bed and tailgate. I hope to paint this one and make it all white. After the sheet metal is done, I intend to build a tubular steel frame with casters to attach the body parts and make it moveable in the yard.
I finished changing out the bulbs in the shop this morning. I should have done that a couple of projects ago. :) I have a list of items to be completed before the next project. Most are tool related.
I worked out in the shop yesterday and painted the trunk on one of the Corvairs, solid gray instead of spatter paint. I like it.
Today, I had an appointment with the dermatologist for a follow up on my right ear and left arm surgeries last December. Looks good. I showed him a spot on my right arm and one on my right leg, but said I'm still in pain and don't want any more surgeries just yet. HA! He found a spot on my nose and sliced it off. Left there and went to the VA for a blood test for next weeks visit.
On the way home, a sheriff car passed me going pretty fast, but no lights. Two miles up the road, we see three cop cars at a house by the highway. There was an SUV in the house garage, but it went in through the side wall. The story was already on FB when we got home; someone was choking while driving, then passed out, then hit the house. Driver wasn't seriously hurt, no one in the house was hurt. Just last week, a huge body shop right across the highway from that house burned to the ground.
Kinda easy day here... Let my low back recover from recent stuff on this ol park model. LOL
Light rain falling here after 7pm , with strong wind.. I read comments from weather people an "atmospheric river" was coming.. Heavy rain in short time , over nite thursday into friday.
Screwed in my first store bought tub today. Of course, it's not for this vehicle. :roll:
Might get some 455 time in later, it is warm out. :) :arrow:
I removed the interior panels from the 48. They are getting recovered. I ordered 5 tool bit holders for my lathe. I filled 4 of them with an assortment of bits. That will be nice to not have to change bits. :)
KB do you have a quick change tool post ?
C.K., yes.
We made a few quick change tool posts and holders in my night class years ago . some of the older guys in class had bought lathes so we started making tooling for them . We also converted a horizontal mill to a vertical . the overarm was the dovetail style rather than the 2 big bars so we milled one end flat and machined up an adapter to mount a vertical head on it . The guy ended up with 3 axis feed on the table , plus rapid traverse as well as power quill feed , tilt and nod . The original horizontal mill was in nice shape and was bought for a few hundred dollars as nobody wants a horizontal mill .
I am making fixtures for my lathe to modify T5 parts for a bolt up fit to a Studebaker V8 bellhousing using the stock Stude clutch and linkage. The pilot bearing and Front bearing retainer have to be modified slightly. I want the fixtures for repeatability.
Today Josh and I assembled the T% for his 1987 Mustang 5.0. Between the wrong pats sent, the bolt holes in the case being stripped, and trouble getting the shafts shimmed right it took all day. And to top it off the fifth-reverse shift rail was damaged, so we tore down a parts transmission for the rail. So when I was picking up tools I found the good shift rail on the bench, which means we assembled it with the damaged shaft, and trouble getting it into reverse was the reason for tearing it down to begin with. so now it has to come apart again. :'(
Frank, I hate when that happens. When I replaced the gas tank on one of the Corvairs, everyone said to replace the brake lines also, as they are between the tank and body. I said they look fine. There. But not on the wheel ends. Tank had to come back out. I replaced the brake lines on the other Corvair when I removed the tank.
On a side note, I bought a new Lenovo laptop at Best Buy today to replace my trusty old Toshiba that has three green verical lines going through the monitor. I started it up, but couldn't make any of the icons respond. I used the mouse from the other laptop, so I switched it with another. I finally figured out the laptop was set up for the right button being the main one. Things work much better now that I changed that.
Well we tore down nthe transmission again, replaced the shift rail and it works good now. It took an hour and a half this time, tear down and reassembly.
I'm redoing my upholstered interior panels on the 48. So far, I'm 0 for 2 on attempts. The problem may be the sewing machine operator. I quit for the day to think about it. :)
I lifted and installed the 5th wheel hitch in to my truck.... More on that later
I hooked on to the RV. Moved it forward to open the entry door. There is a support beam for the cover in the way to open the RV door.
I found small amount of water on the floor of the bathroom. Looks like the heavy rain we had, some how got past the aux vent cover and the vent in the bathroom. It was a heavy storm. Rain and wind for hours.
The smoke detector in the bedrooom was beeping.. The old near dead 9 volt battery deal.
Been forever since I reached for a torch but today I got the lead out. :) :arrow:
Made some progress on the yard art. I am starting on the tube frame for it tomorrow. I will paint the sheet metal white when I am done fabricating.
I filed income taxes today. It's done. After I retired, I got more forms to fill out. I'm getting mental exercise. LOL.
I had my furnace and water heater replaced today. Both were at least 27 years old . went from 74% to 97% efficiency rating . The water heater was so full of rust it would not drain. Figured I might as well do this stuff now as I do not want the expense when I am on pension and a govt plan will allow me to write some of it off my taxes . One less worry .
My wife did our state and federal taxes yesterday, and is working on my deceased brothers today, after finally getting the rest of his papers in the mail. We seem to always break even with the state, and this year the feds are actually giving us a little back. Don't know how that happened.
The yard art is pretty funny. I like it.
My 2013 Honda Goldwing with Airbag has electric reverse.. It involves the starter motor for reverse power. There is a button you push for reverse... That activates a solenoid that pulls - pushes on 2 cables that move a lever to engage - dis - engage reverse.
Reverse acted up in 2023.. Not backing up, kinda skipping.
Today , between rain storms.... I warmed the bike up. Checked adjustments on the servo cables that move a spring loaded device that engages reverse.
TUrns out that the pulling cable that seemed tight , had a small amount of slack movement. Adjusted that cable and reverse gear now works like a champ.
8)
Filling holes that VA won't use. :arrow:
Looks like this all screwed down and marked for weld prep :arrow:
But firewall will be modified so that may not get welded yet, just like the pan and tub.
Good work Matt
We have thunderstorms coming through, lost power about a half hour ago. I'm running on the backup gennie.
did my last ever grade 8 night at the school. We show kids all the things that make our school different in the hopes that they will choose to come to our school for gr9 through 12.
We made it back from the GNRS, great show. What miserable weather down and back. LOTS of rain both ways. Snow started just south of Monida pass between Montana and Idaho going home. Ice on the Montana side until Dillon 75 miles or so, 40mph at best. Then melting until the top of Boulder hill, 30 miles outside of Helena. Ice and snow until home.
Thank you John.
Did some firewall hacking for the sake of engine swap and Vintage Air. On the 73 Mustang job. Made a flat CAD suggestion for that. To be finalized with engine in.
Also started cutting for right tub. Tub and rail notch kit is DSE and for a 64 1/2 - 70 but, per Gateway who has done a Coyote'd 73 and is supplying suspension... rail notching is not necessary, only outboard flange section is removed and tub is placed against side of rail. Leaves a good foot of tire width room, looks like. But again finalizing will require presence of components to be used.
Oh and fresh re-stripe for the parking lot due to unseasonable warmth. :) As an expression of loud joy, and as testament to the enduring validity of carbed, iron headed, pushrod flat tappet Pontiacs. TH400s and 12 bolts always were strong enough to thrive under this right foot and thats saying something.:arrow:
I had some help today so we did a major shop cleanup. Moved many heavy things from one building to the other and got my Stude parts all in the same place. It was a good day.
^^^^
I do seem to like black marks. LOL.
(https://image.spreadshirtmedia.com/image-server/v1/compositions/T210A4PA4301PT17X30Y3D1020767190W27155H32586/views/1,width=550,height=550,appearanceId=4,backgroundColor=00224C,noPt=true/but-officer-the-sign-said-do-a-burnout-funny-car-t-mens-t-shirt.jpg)
That gto leaves a nice mark ! Harleys seem to mark their territory too , but it seems a bit oily .
Ha :lol:
Harleys and Chevys. :D
Having a GTO is high on the list of abandoned lifetime hopes. I haven't driven or even ridden in anything but Grand Prixs for a decade, maybe more. The purple one is at 24 years and was my only transportation for the first few. Old GPs are more car than GTOs. Police always call my little fwd GPs Grand Ams and thats OK. Pontiacs just all look the same to some. :blank:
Started a new repair project on our 5th wheel RV... Suspension rebuild and upgrade.
I pulled apart the leaf spring shackles , bushings. It is common for these springs to eat bushings because of apparent poor design? Under rated size? Wrong material?
The 3 bushings shown, I did Not cut them out of the spring eye. They were worn out. We put 7k miles on these in 2022 and I greased them 2 times. They look like there was never grease in them. This RV was bought used, 14 months old. I have no idea how many miles on it before we bought it.
These bushings look like the bronze bushings.. WHich is an upgrade, because the OEM bushings are nylon material. The New bushings are a stronger bushing material and is magnetic. Photo shows how I pressed the bushings in the leaf with a C clamp, fully greased up the leaf and bushing.
Photo of the bolt shows the leaf eye wet bolt that the bushing was completely Gone !
There is more to this upgrade and repair.. Will Post more as I get there
8)
Heavy snow the night before last. Nearly buried my pickup truck. :)
If it wasn't for the tree trunk, that would be entirely believable. :)
:lol:
You gotta come up with one of those for on the lake. Start collecting styrofoam :idea:
Went to Lowe's today to get a few items. Got to the checkout area, all that was open were self checkouts. Stopped an employee and asked if that was all there was, so she had a guy open another aisle. Got to keep these people working.
Dropped my wife off at Costco and went to fill the car with gas. The minute I got back into the car, I remembered that she had the key fob for starting it. I called her on the cell, and she had to walk over so we could get it started. Glad it wasn't crowded like usual.
When I had dropped her off, I see this old geezer (older than me) driving towards me in a little ecobox car. It had full length Lakes pipes on it, and they were capped. I had to look in the rearview to see that it was a Hyundai, don't know the model, but it was super tiny. Wish I could've gotten a pic.
Was it a this?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Tiburon
I'm not the Hyundai type but am a coupe-only bodystyle noticer. :)
Got the trunk pan clamped in the 73 job now. Flange revision at tubs consists of just hacking off an inch and a half following the down flange around tub then flipping the pieces over and swapping sides for an up flange to plug weld while helping to stiffen the rail a tad. Hopefully nuthin fancy required. You'll see. :arrow:
I have mentioned this fellow randomly ... Brother of a friend. Late 50s and he has never amounted to anything. Not held a job long. Drug use (not his fault) , fired from what few jobs he had (theft) Not his fault. In and out of jail (mostly not his fault) wink wink. You guys know what I mean.
My buddy texts me early this tuesday morning about some RV stuff he has sold. I mention we are at a Frys Food store. He texts me " oh btw.... Jay is living in his truck in the parking lot for a month now" Jay is his brother in law (wife's younger brother) that is near useless. I ask " a white ford truck?" Yes... he texts back. LOL We had noticed the truck on the way into the parking lot.. Just a weird homeless, living in look about the truck.
The guy is 60 yr old now, homeless. has been sleeping in his truck in various parking lots for months. He has mooched his family to the point they will not talk or help him any longer. So sad.
???
It wasn't a Tiburon, it was way smaller. It went by kind of fast and I didn't get to see the model, but I did see the funny H on the trunk. I looked online and didn't see any models as small as the one I saw. Oh well.
And she purrs like a kitten till the lake pipes roar! 8)
It would be funny if they were actually connected.
Picked up a new set of doors for my car this fall and installed the drivers door on my 55 last night for the first time. Am I totally Screwed on this door or will a body shop be able to straighten this back frame?
I can not say for sure but I do not think it would be hard to fix if someone has experience. I have fixed similar problems by placing a block in the door jam below the damage and physically bending the window opening back into alignment. I can not say this method would work on yours without seeing it.
Quote from: 416Ford on February 14, 2024, 12:23:16 PMPicked up a new set of doors for my car this fall and installed the drivers door on my 55 last night for the first time. Am I totally Screwed on this door or will a body shop be able to straighten this back frame?
Not totally screwed. That will bend but it alters contours in the jamb so check for rubbing if you tackle it yourself. Burn limit is a pie cut on just the shell, not skin.
Gap width look to be ok if that comes in?
How it will go depends on it's willingness to bend. If it was bent to that position it should relax easy enough. If thats how it was made, it may get more involved. But the skin should just follow along with the shell. Might not be a big deal at all, could turn into a medium deal. Sans experience with this type of thing, it probably does look like a big deal.
Dave, I agree with John. I would block the middle of the door and put a 2x6 from the bottom of the window frame and go up to the top and apply pressure and see what happens. In the past, it didn't take much to bend a window frame if that's all that is bent. You might cut a template from the old door and see where the bend is. If it's just the window frame up, it's very doable.
Today like most days i am not doing anything ... surfing and answering reddit mechanic advice forums..
I am feeling bad about something that happened a few months ago. that really was not my fault..
a friend with a 66 fairlane after several engines over the past almost 20 years had a AFR headed 347... he finally let me help him dial in the carb and the timing. he likes to listen to forum help too much.. i noted that the air cleaner stud was wobbling in the carb so i made him get out his box of fasteners. the only 5/16-18 nut was a brass one from a ford starter relay i had him put it on and tighten it. i did not stand up and take the wrench from his hand (bad knees and a broken foot Prevent me from doing much standing or walking) i should have checked the tightness. but i did not.. he called about 2 weeks later. the engine high revved and the air filter fell off then the engine makes a thumping noise when he restarted it.. the air cleaner fell off the carb.. i ask where is the jam nut.. its not there.. the air cleaner stud came out of the carb again... if he had 2 nuts i would have had him lock them together on the stud then snug it into the carb.. 347 destroyed. top of the forged piston chewed up .. small dent in the cylinder wall.. AFR head chewed up.. it revved so high the keepers came half way out of another valve retainer. he got a replacement engine from some carolina shop.. it is a dart block 363 with afr heads and it cost 15K+.
i just feel * guilty.. nothing i can do about it. i should have taken the wrench from his hand and double checked it..
and for IdriveJunk.. yes.. if you run across a GTO absolutely if you can.. do it.. i sold my 66 GTO in 1985. am still kicking myself for that . at least i still have dreams about driving it. roaring thru the citrus groves on highway 126 between Santa Paula and Santa Clarita (magic mountain) when it was still a 2 lane winding road..
i put 6 engines in that GTO in 5 years and learned how to build a really bullet proof engine..
engine 5 needed to be replaced.. not because it blew up.. but because i let some friends drive it at the drag strip i worked at. they did an over 8,000+ RPM burn out in first gear on street tires for the whole 1/8 mile. they cracked the block thru the lifter valley.. down the area above the number 3 cylinder wall .. thru the lifter bores and oil galleys and up the number 4 cylinder wall area.. i was truly amazed when i pulled the intake and found that crack that explained how i could get coolant in the oil pan and oil in the radiator. and no the last 2 engines were Not Pontiac.. somebody had given me a 402 BBC from their 70 or 71 malibu as it leaked oil everywhere.. who ever built that used no gasket sealer anywhere.
i have to get back here more often..
glad to see its still up and running..
It is so good to hear from you Wayne
It's been too long since you've been here, Wayne.
Agreed. It's always entertaining. And educating too.
Howdy Wayne. Abandon ye all hope of me getting a GTO, I have. When the 455 starts ticking, I've driven my last V8. Honestly I believe I already have my last car, no matter how hard I work.
Trunk pan is screwed down in the 73.
Good to hear from you Wayne. It's bin awhile.
So far, so good. On the 73 trunk and tub stuff. Starting to look more fresh. :) :arrow:
I nearly wrapped up the fitting of the sheet metal for the yard art project. The sheet metal I used was from 4 different vehicles and of different years. It turns out that not all years of square body Chevrolet trucks have interchangeable sheet metal. It was a learning experience. I plan to finish up in the morning and then start paint prep.
Well theres 73-80 then 81-2 then 83-7, bumper-wise. But I thought doors ran 73-87. Paint sounds awful fancy though. :)
Heres a peek ahead at the instruction book picture for the Mustang tower notch kit. The top bend can be altered to suit if desired. Other pic is for comparison. Chop chop, hack hack, whittle whittle. :D
Matt, is the front getting macpherson struts?
Quote from: kb426 on February 16, 2024, 09:14:00 AMMatt, is the front getting macpherson struts?
Well, see... uh...
The site...
https://www.gatewayperformancesuspension.com/vintage-ford-front-suspension-kits
...is broken or? The "shop now" links lead to an error page rather than further details. But that company had a done coyote 73 Mach at SEMA and boss is working with them directly on all these things.
So all anybody gets is those little pictures. Which show a strut / shock thats fairly slender. Whether or not theres a bearing on top, well... I am assuming / committing nothing until we see the suspension. Supposedly bolts in but y'know how that goes. I am thinking next week we may be able to stab the mill and see where we are at. But you are not the first to ask that question. I'm just the bodyman. :)
As I remember with my feeble brain, the fox bodies were marketed with a modified mac strut and it looks similar to the Gateway link so I'll go with that. :)
RV parts are arrived. Spring equalizer, between the axles and connects the front and rear leaf springs together. The Olde part is the blue unit.. WHich is an upgraded aftermarket piece that our 5th wheel came with.
I bought bushings that were suppose to fit the blue CRE3000 unit. Guess what? The bushings do Not fit the blue unit. I looked harder and can not find proper bushings, so I bought the Dexter brand gold unit.
The gold equalizer piece is heavier, appears much stronger. 5 year warranty on it? Virtually Nothing in the RV market is warrantied for 5 years.
Another update on this rebuild will come later. I am installing some cross braces on the frame spring hangers too.
8) ... :o
Tony, do rv's not use Dexter torflex axles?
Quote from: kb426 on February 16, 2024, 06:34:54 PMTony, do rv's not use Dexter torflex axles?
That design axle seems used on horse trailers, car trailers. Not common on the RV world that I have seen. There are a few independent axle designs for RV as upgrades. Still use a type of leaf spring and slider design for heavier RV.
I have seen a few single axle RV trailers with torsion axles.
My 24 foot 1990 open car trailer has torsion axles under it
8)
Ever had some tools that you have set aside for say 2 decades or longer? :lol: Small stuff. Budget stuff, that you may have replaced with better quality or a larger tool kit?
Yeah, I am guilty. Even with my massive down sizing a few yrs ago, I still had many misc tools. I tried selling many of them at swap meets a few yrs ago.. I brought them back home.
I tossed most of them friday.
How about those misc jars, cans of misc screws , bolts , nutz? I still have a few , actually added to them a bit that I keep in the RV.
Since I posted this photo on another thread by mistake yesterday, I will post it here now. I should be ready to paint by Tuesday. I plan to paint outside as I do not care about the final results and I just want it one color and shiny. I just thought that this photo kind of makes it look like it is floating.
Hey I had a Chevy that did that too. :arrow: (makes photo album shuffling on desk sounds)
Bill, I yeah... or naw... ain't familiar with Ford suspensions. When I think of that, ye olde "twin I-beam" emblem pops into head. But I'm betting you are right... something like a bolt on M2 downstairs but based on the Fox era setup makes sense. GM muscle and smog era (only one leaf sprung X body) is all I'm familiar with and these Ford jobs are all just body on my end. So I skip paying attention where it doesn't pay to. One day it will all be next to the car, all bets are off til then.
Currently the 73 RR tub lacks one more R&I for trimming and weld prep. In my plan, the roof will go on last like factory and next operation after tubs is cut towers. The question of connectors or not has been input, but a Wats-link style setup is spec'd for out back. "Bolt-in". Theres that word again.
I do like shiny, non-rusted metal. :)
QuoteAs I remember with my feeble brain, the fox bodies were marketed with a modified mac strut and it looks similar to the Gateway link so I'll go with that.
Yes the Fox bodies has a Macpherson strut, but no spring on it. The engineer , Earl Macpherson who invented the strut worked for GM at the time, but they had no interest in it. He moved to Ford and his srut was first used on the French Simca in 1954 which at the time was owned by Ford. The first use of it in a Ford was the 1960 English Ford Consul, although the 1959 Anglia had a version of it before that, a strut with a king pin in it.
I have been chasing some electrical gremlins on a friends Chevy. This car was heavily damaged in the Joplin tornado. He redid the car hisself. Very nice.
Nice ^^^ :)
KB, I might be the only guy anywhere who sands things or paints in between before assembly. To me, it is easiest and best. Pretty sure that non car people customers have less questions about progress pics too, if they look neat and clean. :)
Gave the McPherson strut wiki a read and now I know why I can't stand the ride they give. Shock sees the same motion as the wheel with no leverage in between. Its not like I haven't rebuilt or replaced struts before, I have. McP struts are #2 on the list of fundamentals I detest about the cars I'm stuck with probably for life.
John, if that's a 327 4 speed SS, my oldest brother had one just like it around '66. It was a beauty, too, same color. Unfortunately, he got in an accident and screwed the front end up, bending the frame. Get this, the body shop that fixed it, cut the bent frame up in little pieces, then welded it together. In pieces. Not good. He said after he got it back, it acted really weird, so he traded it on a new Dodge Coronet.
It is a 327 4 speed SS.
Cool. I really liked that car. My middle brother had a 63 Galaxie XL convertible, 390 4 speed with a 4:11 rear end. I liked that one too, but it just didn't match up with the Chevy.
I have the first RV leaf spring equalizer in place. In one photo, notice the grease zert with red grease on it. Its very close to the brace on the hanger..Since this equalizer moves with the suspension I decided to change the zert to a short straight design for more clearance.
The new looking bracket in there is part of a new cross brace I am adding to the suspension leaf spring hangers... More later on that.
I have not gotten too far with the RV suspension in recent daze. Issues came up that slowed me down.
8)
There are a couple of outfits who build K members to bolt a Fox Mustang front suspension under a Falcon-chassis Mustang or other car. Fine for those who want it, but I just don't see it. There's just too much that can be done to help those cars without having to tear everything off and start from fresh.
A 73 has a sturdy sheetmetal engine crossmember.
The new front suspension will retain the radius rod and lower control arm.
The notch panels and the supplied patterns are not for this car so I am winging it.
F-1 bed is shot. Maybe the rest is too. Satin inner fenders are.
I wonder if the blue 64 Impala SS I bodyworked and painted in 2010 ever got assembled. Owner made me stop during buffing. Boy I got ripped off on that job but it enabled ne to keep my house.
I also wonder if the 83 280ZX I bodyworked and rebuilt suspension (McPs) on was ever assembled.
I wonder if the 69 Camaro body I completely reskinned ever got put together.
I wonder if the Nomad will ever be seen in public.
I wonder if the A will ever go home.
I wonder if the Cat will ever get in an article.
Those are a few of my wonders of the world. I think the lift I'm using now blew a seal yesterday.
:)
The bed looks good, Matt. I understand your wonders. :)
The god of sunshine smiled on me today. It got up to 71 degrees. The Dakota and the 48 both got a bath. I put 25 miles on the 48 out in the country at 75 mph. When I got back to town, I stopped at a store and when I went out, I confirmed that this morning's decision to purchase a new starter was the right thing to do. When the truck is hot, it will barely start. This was a Rock Auto starter. To make starters cheaper, they use less windings in the fields and armature. It barely works when cold. When hot, it struggles to start the engine. The starter never sounded quit right from the 1st time to start the engine. Oh well. One more time with new parts. I had the bike out twice today. If I live long enough to no longer ride, it will be a sad day. Hope you all had a good day and put a smile on someone's face. Crazies are more fun. :)
Johnny's paint and body shop was outdoors today. I sanded the parts with 60 grit sandpaper and applied 3 wet coats of single stage. I was amazed at the finished product. It is not a quality paint job but better than you would think. It is shiny and looks good from 100 yards away.
I thought this photo was interesting. It was taken today. The car on the left is the one I had in the shop yesterday a 327 4 speed. The car on the right is a 409 4 speed. The photo was taken in front of my friends shop.
Cool pic.
I was able to work long enough today on the RV to get the suspension on the passenger side buttoned up.
The short straight grease zerk may not work as I had hoped. Can not get my 90 degree slotted grease fitting on it. I modified another grease gun fitting and that was a bust.
I ordered a misc of grease zerks... Maybe something will work like I want? I hate it when my anal attention to detail is a pain in the ask like this over a dang grease zerk and access to it. LOL
Tony, when I used to operate heavy equipment, they had a flat zerk that took a special grease gun fitting to adapt to. This came up when I googled it. https://www.huyett.com/all-products/lubrication-fittings-accessories/grease-fittings/button-head-fittings
Wanting to sell the blue Corvair, and the tires on it are about 26 years old, whitewalls. The tires that came on the red Corvair are only about 3 years old with very few miles. Seems everyone wants whitewalls on the Vairs, so I finally found some to fit on ebay, and I ordered 5 as I wanted the spare to match. They came today and I started installing them, only to find two of them are blackwalls. Dammit. Contacted the seller and they said to send pix and to start a return on ebay. Their site on ebay says they are out of stock. I found another seller off ebay that has them and they are actually cheaper, but I have to find out first if I'm getting a refund, or they're going to get more tires. Working on old cars didn't used to be this bad, finding good parts.
Phil, you are onto something with your observation. The level of dedication and tolerance required now just to replace tires is only a tip of the iceberg example. Each and every aspect is a big mail order hassle. Who even has the capability to align a Corvair? Or Grand Prix. May as well sell out as soon as possible and forget the lifetime of automotive pleasure. That is ruined for good. Like I like to say, I'm making the dreams of others come true at the expense of my own. Just to be able to touch old cars in some way. For the exceptionally affluent.
Notches are tacked in and I am cutting the roof off. The 73 job.
Final photo. Yard art project is done except for the selling. I will wait a couple of weeks and then advertise it.
Quote from: kb426 on February 20, 2024, 10:16:22 PMTony, when I used to operate heavy equipment, they had a flat zerk that took a special grease gun fitting to adapt to. This came up when I googled it. https://www.huyett.com/all-products/lubrication-fittings-accessories/grease-fittings/button-head-fittings
Thanks.. I have not seen that design in years, I remember them on some tractors.
Will give them a look.
8)
I got an email from the tire vendor asking if I was sending all five tires or just two. I decided all five. He emailed me the labels, one for each tire. I unmounted the three tires that I had mounted yesterday, attached the labels and loaded them in my truck. We're going to Peoria tomorrow for a dermatologist appointment, and will drop them off at the FedEx store there. I ordered four tires from another vendor, and they should be here Friday. Almost double the price for only four tires, but I'll use one of the old tires for a spare. For now.
If it is cold where any of you are at right now, count your blessings. Unseasonable warmth here has the idiot knob cranked way up. Insanely aggressive bloodlusty drivers are at full blast and people with super high opinions of themselves at work are trying to put me down at any cost, as always. Look left, look right, do right, plan ahead, be polite... still only surrounded by hostiles. wtf.
Engine is bolted in my work project. So much metal had to be cut away that engine and trans just drop straight down into whats left of the car. Trans mount sitting on a jack awaiting fab of a crossmember in the right spot.
I had a different issue with 5 tire purchase a few years back from Walmart. My Car trailer tires were tired, aged out, falling apart and the spare was worse.
I ordered 5 tires online from Walmart. Shipped to the Walmart store we were near. The tires arrived, the store called. I took all 5 wheels in. Tires were installed. No balance job since I use balance beads in the trailer tires.
A few daze later Walmart sends emails about the sale of the tires. I receive a $ credit for 1 tire that was returned and my $ charge was reduced to 4 tires.
I look at my receipt and it shows 5 tires purchase. 5 tires installed. 5 tires AZ recycle tax paid.
:o
Yard work. On the south side of the yard, the weeds are starting to bloom. I spent a couple of hours pulling up henbit. There's a chemical that you use in October that kills it but the grass won't grow back in around it so I pulled as much of the roots as I could. They are deep like dandelions. 2 hours was enough that my back was telling me to quit. :)
The new tires came in Friday, and it was the last stop for the FedEx guy, so he was really chatty. We have DSL for our internet, and a 40' tower with antenna for the local stations. No local stations last night, so I checked the indoor wires etc. and decided it was probably the pre-amp on top of the tower. Not good. When I put up the tower years ago, my buddy made a plate that mounted on top of the buried section with heavy duty hinges welded to it and the other plate welded to the bottom of the bottom section.
I tied a rope to the top of the tower, ran it to a pulley on a large maple tree and used the truck to pull it up. Worked great. I also have a pulley at the top of the tower so I can raise a rope to the top in case I have to take it back down. I put a small sacrificial rope on it so I could change it now and then as it weathered. Last year, I went to change the rope and the new one slipped off the pulley. No way to get it back on.
Today, we bought a new antenna at Menard's and I installed it in the attic, and it works just as well as the one on top of the tower. I'm going to put the tower and antenna on MarketPlace and see if I can sell it in this rural area.
Planning to do some woefully overdue cleanup of the DD today.
Purple car odometer hit 40K again yesterday. We are in our 25th year. 9 with the GTP (drove it 120K so far) and 15 years with the lowly GT which is still a pup with under 200K miles but unusable due to the human garbage that surrounds us and the mail order only, no time off and no shop access world that only they wish to inhabit.
Woefully I did accomplish a GTP wash but thats all. Jambs and underhood inc'l but the main purpose was to flush salt from rockers. Not bad but only halfway through winter.
The 455 felt my presence today for sure. After breaking off another loose sail panel seam bondo hunk and painting there.
Thats a good Sunday and I already know what to do when I walk in the shop in the AM. Hope to see no buzzards circling the skeleton but that was the pattern last week. :arrow:
Not often you get to stab an engine with trans via straight vertical drop in a unibody street car now, is it? :) Convenient rust. ;)
I got the blue 72 out and gave it a bath. I wouldn't say it was clean, just cleaner than it was. I took pics and videos. It's next to see if it will sell. :) It got up to 75 degrees this afternoon. Beautiful day that started with 23 degrees. :)
The wind tried to blow me away today. I cleaned up scrap metal in the yard and donated to a friend who occasionally makes scrap trips. The leftover Chevy ad parts were left with a friend who I would describe as the local collector of stuff. His father was a good friend of mine. He has some acres in the country and has accumulated some cars and parts. His friendship is of value so the parts have way less value. :)
Hi... I found more bad shackle parts on the driver side of the RV suspension.
While waiting for parts to arrive: I installed 2 of the 3 cross member I am adding to the RV suspension. What this does is tie the spring hangers from left to right for more strength. These heavier RV put high twisting stress on the spring hangers in tight turns... like backing into RV camp sites , tight turns, etc.
Cross members are multi piece... bracket bolts onto the spring hanger each side. Cross member piece is 2 sections that slip inside each other. All bolts together with 20 bolts
I changed out 2 17" tires today. The tires had 2005 date codes. I know they had been on since at least 2013. (96 mustang parts). :) One of the tires wouldn't hold air. I installed the 10 year old tires I removed from the 72 last fall. I use these wheels for roll arounds. :) I used muscles that I haven't used since last fall. :) It was 71 at lunch time and 38 degrees at 4pm. We have a little storm coming through.
Visit my mom's grave today.. Installed a little solar charged light thing shaped like a humming bird. Mom liked little birds.
Dropped by my former employer. Geeez , many changes there. Big one: the general manager was removed, position deleted completely. Several personnel changes and there are 2 guys leaving soon to retirement.
One guy has returned after he retired months ago.. The owner has already talked him into working 5 days a week from 3 days a week. LOL
:lol: .. :lol:
I finished up the fixture for holding a boring bar on my lathe today. It works good. I had to buy some 3/8" T bolts to hold it together.
Pics please, Frank.
Not today but last nights project was filling the hole in the roof one of the previous upholstery guy put in with long screws. Ten holes in a 3 foot area.
Boy, Dave, am I glad you're not talking about me. :)
I hate when that happens.
Quote from: 416Ford on February 28, 2024, 05:05:53 PMNot today but last nights project was filling the hole in the roof one of the previous upholstery guy put in with long screws. Ten holes in a 3 foot area.
In the mid 1970s I worked part time at a custom paint shop. Next door was a van conversion company. New vans with custom interiors. Remember the van craze? We painted the vans with various levels of custom paint.
About 2 times a week , we had to repair screw holes in the van roofs from the interior installation..
:lol:
There is a shop in town here that does custom stereo installs for the car dealers. They managed to run a too long screw through the top of the cowl on a brand new Jeep. They put a shorter screw in the hole, and glued a deer whistle over the screw and put another one in the same place on the other side. Everyone was happy.
First post on February 29th, 2024... Not that eggciting I guess.
At coffee this morning, I asked if anybody had anything that we could celebrate on leap day. Someone mentioned a birthday of someone that nobody was too crazy about. That ended the discussion. :)
Quote from: kb426 on February 29, 2024, 09:20:37 AMAt coffee this morning, I asked if anybody had anything that we could celebrate on leap day. Someone mentioned a birthday of someone that nobody was too crazy about. That ended the discussion. :)
:lol: ... :arrow:
My grandma on daddy's side was born on Feb 28th, 1899.. Twins. Winnie and Linnie the girls. My Great grandma was not married, the father was a married man. There was court action to get the fathers last name on the twins. Then.. My great Grandma married and her husband adopted the twins... So they actually had 3 last names before they were 10 yrs old. Great grandma's maiden name, then the father's last name , then the adopted father's last name.
Crazy stuff for early 1900s I guess?
8)
OK... the shackle kit came in for the RV.. New bolts, shackle plates, bushings.
These bushings are olde material. I installed "better" bushings. Time will tell if the new updated bushings are really better?
The shackle plates are double the thickness material of the OEM design. My RV already had the thick shackles on it. Now it has new ones again. I now have spares on hand... LOL
I got the new shackles installed today.. Still a bit more work to do on the RV. I hurt my low left side of my back today. My left side back - hip is the worse part of my back. So if I hurt something , it usually is the left side. :arrow: :twisted:
I have a dead battery (of 2) in the RV. They are right at 3 yrs olde.. Interstate SRM-27 battery.. RV, Marine deep cycle. I need to decide to buy another lead acid wet battery or buy a lithium Lifepo4 (1) 100ah battery to replace the 2 wet cell batterys. The 1 lithium will have the same power as 2 lead acid batterys and last waaay longer.
8)
"Currently" making a tunnel for the 73 job.
Phil-
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/french-company-resurrected-chevy-corvair-you-can-buy/
:)
I installed a horn button on the 72 F100. That was the only thing that wasn't working to the best of my knowledge. Then I got started on yard work. I'm scalping the yard before spraying. Even though it's early calendar wise, there was green underneath the dry thatch. I found more henbit to dig up. Never ending here in weed country. :)
I like that Corvair but the Camaro look is still there.
I spent the afternoon replacing window switches on my Silverado. Not a big job normally, but difficult when your hands won't work. I'm going in for tests thursday.
I also replaced the starter solenoid on my zero turn. I only dropped one nut.
I extracted subframe mount bushings at 3 corners of the 02 GTP subframe, to put in the daily 99. It is spitting them out due to oil soak and getting sketchy to drive. Too much pain and danger and noise and not enough daylight to harvest that last one though. Had to do something, everything is falling apart.
No new bondo chunks fell off today though. Bad hand hurts though. The yard weed battle was forever lost to a lightning strike few year ago when on one side of yard water line was replaced then city main went at other side of yard. Once fill dirt is brought in, one must only surrender. As Dad says: "Long as its green and I can cut it." :)
More yard work. Boy are we having fun now. :)
we got a foot and a half of snow today. School has been cancelled for tomorrow . My snow blower died half way through the job . Going to get a cordless electric this time . Son works at the airport , all flights were cancelled .
It's been warm here the last two days. I took down my 40' tv tower the other day, thanks to having it hinged on a base plate. A guy from southern IL is coming on Wednesday to buy it for his ham radio. I thought my wife might want to put a large flower pot on the level plate that was still in the ground, but she said she'd rather plant an evergreen there. So, I spent yesterday digging out the base, with 3' of concrete attached to a 3" steel pipe. I buried this thing about 10 years ago and hadn't ever planned on digging it up.
After digging down about 20" all around, I wrapped a chain around it and pulled it out with the 4 wheel drive Tacoma, which grunted more than once for the load. Contacted the guy who is buying the tower and asked if he wanted it for his base, but he already has that planned out. My John Deere X738 with an after-market bucket was able to lift if a few inches off the ground as long as I stayed in the seat (205#) and with 100# of wheel weights. I took it to a ravine behind the house and dumped it over the edge. Glad that's out of the way.
We were at Costco a week or so ago, and I saw that Mobil1 was $50 for a 5 quart jug. Passed. A couple days ago, we hit an estate sale where the guy wanted $50 for a bin with 11 quarts of Mobil1 and a lot of bottles of drygas/antifreeze. Good deal. I'll mix the drygas with old oil to start my brush fires.
Hello from New Zealand. Having a great time, wish you were here :) We saw some interesting American autos and Burt's motorcycle. I met some fun people and we saw a lot of this beautiful country We will be back in the US in a couple of days
I've been outside this twenty mile radius once in the last decade or two. Not rich or important enough.
Subframe bushing efforts were a bust. Couple wasted hours on a couple priceless days.
Tunneling and humping efforts continue at work.
I saw this car today up the street and boys I gotta tell ya it done my soul good. The smirk from just the sight of it then the visions of driving it in it's natural habitat is undeniable. Imagine the thrill level hammering this joker. :D 8) :arrow:
^^^
Surely an interesting story.
That tunnel looks great, Matt, and LOVE that coupe!
What trans is under that pretty tin?
Quote from: kb426 on March 05, 2024, 07:33:31 PM^^^
Surely an interesting story.
Indeed. :) I think it is nasty beautiful. :arrow:
https://issuu.com/rpmmag/docs/03_-_hard_time
Quote from: jaybee on March 06, 2024, 09:06:02 PMThat tunnel looks great, Matt, and LOVE that coupe!
What trans is under that pretty tin?
Thank you sir. M82 trans, to the best of my knowledge. 2015 GT stuff. Shifter arrangement is wierd but remarkable on it.
Tunnel was a stout task but I dig a little shaping now and then. Yesterday I reached the level of completion just prior to weld prep on the tunnel. Thank goodness because today one knee ain't wanting to work. It was a spinal challenge as well. Hacking a quarter off in the PM was a bit of relief.
That weird shifter has kept me from using that trans even though the 3650 is my favorite 5 speed. It is possible to build a shifter on top of the trans if you have room.
Its a six speed. But that was my first question: What aftermarket product is out there to get rid of the stock shifter? No response.
I got jaybee's answer off this page... 2015 GT:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Mustang_(sixth_generation)
The 2005 and newer 5 speed has the same remote shifter. That makes life interesting. :)
Both battery from the RV test bad now. I had both battery on low rate charge for 24 hours. Still test bad. IF I change the parameters in the tester, drop the battery rating from CCA 600 to 500.. The 1 battery tests good, the other still tests bad even when I lower the standards. LOL
Plenty of rain in the area here... :twisted:
That is an interesting shifter and bracket.
I did visit old Burts motorcycle a couple of weeks ago at Invercargil, New Zealand. One of my Bonneville heroes.
The carport cover on this tin can park model has very small down spouts for rain water drain.. 3/4 inch holes, into a 1 1/4 inch square tube as shown in 1st photo. The very left tube is the down spout. The other 2 tubes are the supports of the cover.
The 3/4 inch drain holes clog easily with debris. 2 small leafs will block the hole. 4 down spouts on the cover..
On each end of the cover I replaced the small tubes with 2x3 inch regular down spouts, which work well. The middle 2 drains are captured in the design as shown in 1st photo, so I built little filters for the inner 2 down spouts.
I used some PEX tube I had on hand from the re-plumb of this place. 3/4 inch diameter. I drilled holes in the PEX tubes.. Stuck a cotter pin in place so the PEX tube does not slip down into the square tube down spout.
8)
Today completes 13 years in the same stall. Miles driven to get to it: 135,200. :arrow:
Applying coatings now to structure behind roof and qtr skins on the 73 job, so those pieces can go on. Not foreseeing great problems with outer wheelhouse but haven't tried it on yet.
Over the weekend I let my PC play slideshows through pics n vids in the Monte, Camino, and Cutlass folders. Many forgotten memories were had.
Matt, that's lots of drive time. As a rough estimate, that's around 40 miles per day?
Thats it exactly. You've heard me say career suicide before. 6,150 gallons of premium, 6,760 hours hating front wheel drive V6 McPherson strut ride mostly with no A/C sitting in a plastic black PONTIAC coupe, half a dozen wrecks, one wrist, and my automotive hobby. Coincidentally, theres thirteen grand left on the house. About half those job years, pay was stagnant. Now I'm so weary I can only muster 30 hours (plus ten drive time) weekly. Meh. No brand new car money but I help make cars look like brand new money. :)
So far, so good.
Very nice, Matt.
Thank you, Phil. :) Sometimes they gotta throw a decent pitch and then I don't have to slide into the bases. Have the other door on it now, fender and shaker hood are on deck. This will be quite the plug weld adventure soon. :arrow:
Correction, duh. Not a shaker hood. That goes on the 69 (which is a roller now). Too many horses. This new hood was stashed away.
I know these are big cars, but dang it they're good looking big cars.
This morning I was thinking I could enjoy a 1970-71 Ford Torino. Great styling, all the improvement potential of every other Falcon-chassis car, lots of room inside. Even the 4 doors have potential...or a wagon.
(https://www.guyswithrides.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/01313_529kxg8T21z_0kE0fu_1200x900.jpg)
Remember the imaginary Nova sedan delivery?
I don't, but that would be really interesting.
I remember the nova. :)
O&S decided it was time to retire the green car show bag considering I have no green cars. :) For those that aren't aware, I made a bag to carry all of the stuff for car shows and leave it loaded so I don't have to think or wonder if I forgot something. I did this back in 2008 when the 32 was all I had. I ordered some turquois zodiac metalflake material to start. I have almond material that is close to whimbledon white for the inner liner and ends. I did some things different on this one and I'm not real satisfied with the results. Those of you that know me are aware that a redo may be coming. :) I'm going to have to come up with a better plan 1st. :)
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) Metalflake
Bill your mind must be like a bear trap, that was six years ago.
Nice bag. I tote a wooden lunchbox that has made certaim coworkers frightful and curious as to what I keep in there. Such as a tablet and bluetooth speaker, etc. They want to call it a purse but don't want me swinging it at their heads. :)
Has a GP emblem on it which might leave an impression. Like the ol Honda brand on a calf from laying one down.
These images date back to last phone which croaked so had to dig a little to find them. Along with a slew of others spawned by seeing a Fairmont Camino at a swap meet.
Friday's task was to tame some monsterous hood gaps. It was one of those occasions where I switch off critical thought and just observe hands doing stuff.
Over here at Casa De O&S, it was oil change day on the daily's. The Dakota Rt has a little over 100,000 miles on it now. That kind of hurts me a little. It's going to quit and there's nothing out there to replace it in my world. The bosses Durango is all wheel drive. It's tall but not tall enough for me to get under without raising it. The good news is that there isn't a belly shield as is common now. The oil filter on top of the v6 is kinda nice. :) I didn't spill anything, forget anything or cut myself. That is a pretty good day anymore. :) I pulled the 48 in and removed the wiring harness plug for the ecu and checked the wires going to the mass air sensor. I didn't see anything that looked incorrect. I checked for a vacuum leak again. It idles correctly, no strange noises, nothing I can find. I think that means I'm not looking in the right place. Is it possible to purchase 2 sensors and neither one work properly?????:)
I sold two project cars today. The 54 Ford wagon, and a 48 Chevy Fleetline. Hot Rod money. :)
I'll probably be changing oil in the dailies this June. The Tacoma and Forester both have the oil filter on top of the engine with a built in drain 'cup' to catch that last little bit of oil. I installed Fumoto drain valves on both vehicles and they make the oil changes so much easier/cleaner. I added a short hose to each one.
https://www.fumotousa.com/
The 4WD Taco is high enough to get under it unless I have to lube it and turn the driveshafts. The Subie gets driven up on heavy plastic ramps. The Taco has 110,000 miles and the Subie 90,000 miles. Still both like new.
Yesterday I made top of core support removable on the 73 then did a final test fit of engine and trans. Already knew it fit but had to assure the entry / exit path was do-able. Welding tower notches now. Tacked in "subframe" connectors last week.
71 Bronco is Seafoam green now but still wet. I may have heard the 51 F1 running awhile ago :)
:)
Make grinder noises here.
Getting the thread Bogarting feeling... somebody tell a story. :)
It was cool and windy but it was a fun day at the old drag strip
Lot of rain , wind , rain , more wind here for 5 days in a row.. Spring has sprung here too. My allergies have gone nutz.
Installed the 2 new batterys in the rv last week.. another $217.00 with tax in the fun we have? Battery case lids are not installed in the photo. They are vented to the outside
8) 8) 8)
I have watched it snow and blow all day. Not terrible but certainly stopped all of my outdoor activities. :)
Rolled the RV out today. Open it up. Check stuff inside. No leaks found from recent rains and blowing wind.
My allergies are still nutz. Its been a couple years since I had a bad case like this one.
Weather continues to be very windy, slight rain each day or overnite .
Left tower done on the 73 job. Joined the connecting piece of tunnel to firewall yesterday and trimmed that for butt welding. You can see by the screw tabs left that there was plenty of room to plug weld it. But since I got the news yesterday that this guy wants to add supercharger too (as all Coyote folks do) I figure they can afford / will want the firewall smooth. Not like it will be visible much though. Nothing like doubling the horsepower halfway through body construction. I guess it will handle it. Same builds that get the upgrade still never want any sort of rollbar. :-\
I made a free standing mail box our of a large diesel engine crankshaft and flywheel. It is very heavy.
Called Costco the other day to see if I could get both vehicles in at the same time for tire rotation/balance. Today was the day, 1pm. We dropped both in the lot, then did our shopping. Thirty five minutes and we were done shopping, but it usually takes an hour or so for the tires. Looked at new fridges to waste time. Good grief, I hope ours last another 20 years. Yep, took an hour and eight minutes for both vehicles to be done.
Saw a lady eagle this week, on the wing but close up. The scale of those things is (say this in a British documentary host voice) extraordinarily massive. Bloody hell!
I'll work my way out of this coyote den eventually. Started plugging the cowl on today. The unimaginative beads on firewall will be buried behind engine but are for strength, not beauty. :)
* skunk came around last night while we were watching tv in the basement family room. Worst smell for quite sometime. I looked out the front door with a flashlight, and it went running down toward the creek. When that happens, we run the furnace blower and spray some Ozium around the rooms (sparingly), and the smell usually goes away. Today, I set some live traps outside with tuna, three traps by the creek and one right in front of the house. I looked outside at 10pm and saw the little polecat eating birdseed on the ground. Trap untouched.
I grabbed the 22 with scope and light and snuck out the back door of the garage. Went around to the front, and it looked at me once when I turned on the light, but didn't move far. That was his second mistake. One hollow point and it's down for the count, and no spray. Took it out in the country and dumped it off a bridge to a dry creek.
I've been down and out... My allergy stuff worked into a head cold. I have that cold mostly burned out of me now.
We had a couple days of mostly calm weather. Saturday afternoon we have a new rain storm to roll in, thru monday. :twisted:
I found a couple tired bicycles for 20 buck$ each. I may buy them for another small project. LOL :-[
A few trim items in the bathroom of this mobile home need replacing and caulking of course... THese old park model manufactured houses are like children: they always need attention on something.
:o
went to our big car show here today. 2 427SOHC cars in the show , an early 60s galaxie and a 70 mustang . Lots of nice cars but I am just not feeling it lately. Sold a pair of fiberglass rear T coupe fenders to a guy at the swap meet I met last year . I am getting tired of tire kickers on my roadster chassis . 3 guys in the last 2 weeks .
Visited a hot rod gathering this saturday:
A few photos of some cars there..
Quite a few cool cars in those 3 picks. I love that little Crosley.
Couple photos of Arizona based drag cars at event we attended saturday
I went to the Southwest Missouri Hot Rod 100 yesterday. Mainly I wanted to meet up with my brother and visit with friends that I do see often. There must have bee about 250 cars that drove the 100 miles and had lunch in the park.
It rained cats, dogs, small farm animals here sunday nite.
On Directv SAT service the station FETV has started showing the old Highway Patrol show with Broderick Crawford as Dan Mathews. Of course I am recording the show
This is what happened today. The 72 is on it's way to a new owner.
That is one sharp bumpside.
After helping load the truck, I took the profits from that project and went to McDonald's and ate, on the dollar menu. LOL.
Did you get change back?
Quote from: kb426 on April 02, 2024, 08:55:11 PMAfter helping load the truck, I took the profits from that project and went to McDonald's and ate, on the dollar menu. LOL.
Or: the secret senior menu?
:shock:
I watched that entire series years ago-
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiPNgE-Z-5RRov3vzyzVze7ru86056UIA
The star was a persistent drunk driver who by the end of the series couldn't even legally drive.
Last two vehicles I sold had to be pretty much given away for a small donation. You did good, Bill. Because it was not just built but also driven.
A front tire on the 69 has worn through, noticed it last weekend. Thinking now that scrapping all four GPs is the way to go. Can't even buy a decent tire now. No more V8 time for me unless I figure a way out. Even just the how to get my junk to a tire place.
Mom just got covid. Her only wish for me has never changed, she only wants me to drive Japanese air conditioners. I am defeated.
Frt susp xmember on the 73 was mud packed and rusted through. Fixed that, shaving all holes in aprons now. There were 25 on the right.
Phil and Tony, no to both. :) A friend came over to have me press axle bearings on for him. The 1st bearing we took out of the box fell apart. It's a tapered cone. I put it back together and spun it while holding the parts in my hand. It made some noise so he went to get another bearing. :) It was something I had never seen before. This was on a BOP 12 bolt rear. It has axle bearing retainers instead of c clips.
QuoteThis was on a BOP 12 bolt rear. It has axle bearing retainers instead of c clips.
Yes, kind of rare. No parts interchange with any other GM rear end. Very few ratios available for it too.
Worked on the chopper today . Machined the jack shaft to size . Now I need to cut splines for the sprockets tomorrow and then a left and right thread . Went to 3 stores before I could get a three quarter NF left hand thread nut . Checked on a few jobs for my retirement . Post secondary trade school wants me on their sub list which is great . Hot rod shop I worked at last summer wants me back so I will start there after summer . He is good with me not showing up when there is substitute teaching work and also understanding about me starting later after I take my grandson to school . Also talked to an electric motor rebuilding shop and they would like me to do machining for them from my home shop when I get everything working . Retirement will be busy !
If any of you want a couple or three Grand Prixs, come load them up. I no longer have the price of admission to the automotive community. A pair of 15s costs what a full set of 17s does, and theres no brand choice. Thats it, I am licked. I fear that even though I only have 13K left to pay on the house, I won't make that either. This is very very very sad but only to me. The greed outpaced me by a longshot and I admit defeat. What does a lifelong car-only guy do when its all over? I'd just as soon ball up under a rock and rot, feel sick. No reason to continue having the car job. The greedy can take all their greed and shove it. Close the curtains.
Think I finished up engine compartment of the 73 today. Glad to be done pretending I'm a Mustang engine. Running out of bandaids. Caught a slag ball on the collar today.
The new radiator for the 48 arrived in good shape today. if I'm full of energy, I will tackle the changeover tomorrow. :) Most of the sheet metal has to come off the front to do that. I don't want to have a case of the stupids when doing that. I'm not sure how much fabrication will be involved in mounting the new fan. I have a plan but like all of my plans of the last several years, they may need a revision,,,, or two. :)
Finished the splines and threading on the jack shaft today. Have to pick up bearings tomorrow and finish size the shaft for them . Then I can bore the housing tube to fit bearing OD and machine some end cover(retainers) with seals for the ends of the housing . I have to make pedestals to mount the contraption to the bike yet as well . I am thinking of using some 1 inch aluminum plate I have laying around for that . The plan is to have the bearings running in an appropriate level of oil in the housing rather than have a jack shaft running in a pair of pillow block bearings with exposed grease zerks. The greaseable bearings just look a bit too crude for my liking .
Sorry to hear you're having problems, Matt. I know what you mean about finding the older size tires. I had to pay $550 for four 13" whitewall tires for one of the Vairs. Good grief. All the pick-a-part yards are all gone around here, so you have to buy new stuff. If you can find it.
I haven't been working in the shop lately, with all the cold and rain. Just can't get into the mood. Plus, the thought of upcoming surgery on the bridge of my nose near my eye, in May. Went to the dermatologist office today, and they removed the nine stitches from my right shoulder. Still waiting on results to see if both my lower eyelids have cancer.
If all you guys weren't so old already, I'd tell you to take good care of your bodies and use sunscreen, etc.
Phil they want that much for two rears. A week's pay. It seems idiotic to continue but I will try. Arguably as stupid to keep the car as it is the job but thats been the caae for many years. You see how it is though, everybody thinks I am a primadonna sitting on a gold mine because I have the purple car... yet no one wants it for free. Free! Car. 455, parts car with 400 and many extras. Runs, drives, does burnouts. No want. Unbelievable but thats how poor my choices have been. So poor I'll have to pay to dispose of my life's highest achievements.
To this day the bridge of my nose scar (8 stitches at 20 yo) requires attention and tries to make me look like one of those shrunken apple faced hillbilly dolls. They even cut out a hunk of scar later to try to help it. But it ties into the ten stitches in one eyebrow from the same day and five just above the other eyebrow. Where my chin was ground away on asphalt gives me the biggest trouble.
The body is a log book so yep. And times of stress affect the insides like hitting them with a hammer.
Mom says she is steadily improving. :)
Started welding the trunk pan in the Mustang, mostly done. After work I went and bought two new 275/60s and put the 255s up front. They still have outside corner tread which is what I need to retain a shred of sanity if such remains. All Cobra GTs still so no brand mix chaos.
The shorter tires made it noticeably quicker but the 255/275 stagger is the best and I had forgotten just how pleasant the ride is that way. Been running 245/255s but a 245 started showing belt. Happy days are here again and no you can't have her now that I've invested in 15s. They chirp magnificently, feel round, and there was zero wait or hassle because I knew they had them. Five bills and a five-spot. I just brought wheel / tires to the store with car on stands in driveway.
:)
But wait a sec, she told me Wednesday that 255s/275s in TA radials would be $1,338 all told. Hmm, theres another highly compelling reason to not use those. :idea: :arrow:
How about more of the same? Went out to wash the 69, but felt sorry for the dilapidated GT in the street. Thought I'd rinse the bird crap off it at least. Started it one day in the last half year or so. No start. Six year old battery. Another half week's pay gone, and the precious Saturday afternoon. Had to sand and paint the battery tray.
Automotive catch up weekend is toast, tomorrow is relatives visiting en route to the eclipse hype thing. So the cars both got just rinsed off or more like tarred and feathered with leaf litter / pollen in 25 mph winds. I was a doof for even thinking a wash job could be allowed. Took the GT for a drying out spin but the fans still don't work and the LR wheel is still crooked. To start. But it is loosely operative once more.
When will I do the three badly overdue oil changes? Um. Too hungry to think about that, must go in the GTP to dump billfold now for chow but hey...
That makes it a Grand Three. Yes! :)
It is a good day and I feel lighter somehow. ;) You all know that feeling.
Still feeling light in the pockets but man...
Dad insisted on taking the 455 around a few blocks today and I was shocked by how genuinely he adores that car. I can't turn it loose while he is topside. Nope.
All that ^^^ fussing crap meant nothing while we were cruisin'. He probably only chose today's visit to exercise Dad rights because his hearing aids are broken right now. But his interest patched my enthusiasm. The car has become a much greater privelidge than I ever earned. People don't seem to care how much bondo falls off. Not unlike growing old. :)
This morning was road trip day to the cemeteries to install new flowers on my mother's grave and my wife's parents graves.
On the way home on the freeway we hear a whack - ting noise under the car. Of course in my head I think "well there is a flat tire" and it was. TPMS lite came on a couple minutes later near our exit. At a red light I open the door, look back and sure as S the LR tire was very low.
I can report the OEM Honda tire changing tools and jack do work to change a flat tire. I found the object that put a large cut in the middle of the tread.
First photo shows where the sharp metal stuck in the plastic inner wheel well after it exited the tyre.
2nd photo shows the length of the knife blade shaped object..
Last photo shows the mini spare tyre installed in a convenience store parking lot.
??? ???
i am nearly finished the jack shaft pedestals. Just need to drill and tap the mounting holes on the bottom . Put the tube for the bearings in the lathe , just have to face off the tube a bit and bore both ends for the pieces that press in each end to hold the bearings . Seals should be in tomorrow so I can then make the end caps to retain the bearings and hold the seals.
At the cemetery my wife's parents are in , this chevy 1957 truck rolled in. Mostly original looking. I did not bother the older fellow while he visited a grave .
A few decades ago I had a 1957 chevy truck. Front IFS conversion from a 1970 Chevelle.. 454 with T-400 trans, 9 inch differential 2.75 gears. Kinda miss that truck
I bought this Harbor Freight floor jack in 2022... It developed a squeak in it last year. As you pump the handle it squeaked some where. I sprayed various lube products on joints. It would be quiet maybe 2 uses.
So , I took the dang thing apart and used my red n tacky bearing grease on everything I could. Pulled pivot pins one at a time... Grease, re-install the pins. Its quiet again. The joints were very dry, my spray lube was not really getting into much. :-X
Yesterday was a horrible day. Bodily.
Looks like Eb and Flo stopped coming here.
But.
Dad had a blast driving my car other day.
I watched the eclipse via dark sunglasses and autodarkening helmet by waving hand in front of it to keep it dark.
Done in trunk and under hood on my job. Customer visit in a couple hours from now. Halfway through pan install now. Tunnel, wheelhouse section, qtr pnl and roof install are what is left.
Dad sure has a big smile on his face, Matt. I like the looks of it.
Me too. :)
Tossed the tunnel and hump I made for the 73 job onto the scrap heap yesterday, customer wants an automatic. Welded seat braces in today then took roof and qtr off to prep them and weld a wheelhouse section. The pale green Bronco job is a roller now and rebuilt engine is going back in. Snagged somebody else's burger combo on the way home (they gave me the wrong order but I ate it anyway) and collapsed onto the bed upon arrival. Too bushed to boogie. :)
It pays to keep receipts. About four years ago, I bought some security lights for the house, one on each side of the garage doors. Bought them at Costco for about $40 each. One quit working, and being LED, you can't do anything with them. OOPS, Costco doesn't sell that brand any longer. Anyway, took the light and receipt to Costco and said it quit working. She was surprised I still had the tag. You bet. She looked it up on the puter, and said that Costco had reduced them to $10 each on clearance. Glad I had the receipt. She called a mgr. over and he overrode the puter and I got all my money back. I had already ordered the exact same light on Amazon for the same price.
Stop, children, what's that sound? Sounds like my Pelonis dehumidifier has a rod knocking on the fan. Hah! Still under warranty three years later (bought a one year extended). Contact the company, and they say to return it to Menard's for a refund or replacement. Throw it in the truck, and the girl behind the counter says they still have that exact same make/model. It's in the basement now running to its' hearts content. Mine too. Some days you're the dog, other days you're the hydrant.
still working on the jack shaft for the chopper . Both ends of the housing bored , one end has the sleeve pressed in awaiting final sizing . Other sleeve needs OD turned for a press into the housing . I am having equipment challenges on the job. The steady rests on my smaller lathes are not large enough to handle the OD of the housing , forcing me to use the large lathe . The large lathe steady rest can easily handle the OD of the housing but can only go so close to the chuck . As it is right now the housing is 8 1/8" long and just rides on the steady rest with 1/8" to spare . Final length of the housing finishes out to right at 7" . Once the sleeve is pressed in I will have to finish bore 2" in from the end to 42mm ID . I anticipate some fun getting knuckle room to operate the telescoping gage . Facing to length will also be fun . The good news is that once this is completed I will be able to throw a chain on this bike . Not done but a lot closer. Yes final paint will be metalflake 8) 8) 8)
^^^^
If there are no pics of the flake, I'm not believing it. :)
I got sidetracked today. The bike at my son's which has been sitting for around 2 years became next in line. He brought over the fuel pump and tank. The pump was not operating. After disassembly of the pump assembly, I found that corrosion on the electrical connectors was the problem. The strainer was real ugly. It's probably good that it didn't run. :) The tank has an opening large enough for me to get a hand and stainless wire brush in there. After about an hour of scrubbing, the tank is much better. I ordered strainers for it but it looks like it could be better than a week before they arrive. I think when it's reassembled, it will run as it should. :)
Practicing paint polishing with a cheap, 20v cordless, 4" rotary polisher from Amazon. I was very pleased with the deck lid right off the bat, after watching a couple of YouTube videos. No swirls, nice reflections, kinda purty for a car that's spent most of its life outside and hasn't been waxed as often as it should. Went to the roof, but that didn't go as well at first. I dropped the task because I didn't have a place to park in the shade, it was pretty warm, and I know that isn't right. This evening I went back to it and determined the issue is that I hadn't polished it quite enough where the oxidation was heavier. That's good, it's way easier and cheaper to polish a little more off than to put it back. Best of all, no blue on the waffle pad, so it's not through the clearcoat.
Out early this sunday morning.. Saw this modified HHR chevy in the parking lot of a food store. Workmanship looked DIY to me.
turned and installed the last sleeve for the jack shaft housing . Looks like I will be able to get away with using the steady rest in the big lathe for finish sizing the housing bores after all. 8)
KB I currently have 6 containers of metalflake to choose from . It is gonna happen ! 8) 8) 8)
Wow, Tony, that HHR is a mess! It's an interesting concept to undertake such a thing, but it would be difficult to pull off.
All I got done over the weekend was oil changes for the push mower and GTP, and mowed front yard. Half and half of what is needed. Cut new cardboard for the sunroof shade in the DD also, last year's was flapping in the breeze. Had to revise my health care insurance application to report another raise. That process is sure-fire anger every time. It was mid day Saturday before I felt like moving a muscle. Crouching in and leaning over the Mustang job for a few weeks has taken it's toll and now it is time to go again.
Had a real serene outing in the 69 yesterday though. :)
I've been working in the yard this past week, as the weather finally warmed up. Planted a 6' tree, plus clearing a lot of small trees from the sloped hill behind my house. I've been breathing hard since Tuesday, the 10th. Thought I was getting a case of bronchitis. Turns out, it may be allergies, though I've never had it this bad.
An online 'friend' on another site posted this picture of his truck, after washing it two hours before. That's pollen. No wonder I'm having trouble breathing. He's about 20 miles from me.
That's what the pollen has been like here, too. The radio says the area where I live is the 2nd worst for spring pollen season allergies this year of anywhere in the country. That's a position I'd gladly give up.
Yeah , we receive pollen here. yellow in color. Covers everything from the winds that blow near non stop at this time of year
Changed oil in my F350 a few daze ago.. 13 quarts of fun. :twisted: I sent a sample of the oil off to Blackstone Labs for a look see. Their base level testing fee is $35.00 now..
8)
its snowing tonight. :roll:
Bought an old Murray bicycle today for my wife for $35.00 . Original condition , it needs cleaning , lubrication of bearings, front tire is junk, altho it holds air. Rear tire is brand new.
26 inch wheels. I was looking for 24 inch wheeled bike, with single speed. All the ones I found with 24 inch wheels had No fenders aka beach cruiser style bikes.
I already lowered the seat an extra inch. I cut and modified the stem tube to lower the seat. My wife has stubby legs , hence the reason I was looking for 24 inch wheeled bike. She is not stable on the bike yet. It worries me a bit. Its been about 50 yrs since she was on a bicycle. She refuses to wear any helmet.
:o
Still snowing . I got the one end of the jack shaft housing bored to fit the bearing . I then used a pipe center to locate off the bearing bore and turned a register at each end of the tube to dial in on the OD and to run the steady rest on . Hope to have time to bore the other end tomorrow . Then I will have to drill/tap a fill hole , drain hole , and a vent hole and make end covers to retain the bearings in the tube and to put shaft seals on .
I've been informed by my wife: we are taking the bicycle to a park for her to have some open space to ride and relearn riding.
And: the old front tire developed dementia today. It will only hold air about 15 minutes now. A new tire with tube was in the works anyway.
Installed a rack on the back. One of this basic universal racks that you must install and remove 3 times to figure out mounting , shim washers, replace the included hardware... You guys know the routine.
Its been hot here. Low 90s..
8)
I know motorcycle enthusiasts and riders are present here. I know lane splitting is legal in California and lane filtering is legal in Utah. Why does the situation pictured occur so frequently with only inches to spare in other states? Is some lawful authority telling riders they are safest when they are within arm's reach of automobiles, and being believed? Such behavior persists in moving traffic as well. I view such as a threat, fail to understand the logic and wish someone would explain it like I am seven.
OK, even better... As I sat and sat patiently waiting at an intersection signaling a left turn, the policeman directing traffic approached my window asking if I wished to go left.
They get this stupid every year on the pot holiday, blocking access to and from my home for some unwelcome ritual event. Makes me so mad each year its a wonder I haven't broken my transmission in the powerful instant rages it causes or been jailed for the expression of such. Might have hurt the car this time, driving in the stormy rage, don't know yet. Who cares? Several officers I pay to guard a marathon I don't want in my city of residence would gun me down were I to begin to express my taxpaying sentiment.
Currently installing patches over roof seams at my job, as I witness co-workers wile away the hours in lengthy conversations with arms folded. Yesterday I treated my parents to their favorite restaurant after work and had to physically force their money back into their pockets.
Got home yesterday with lots of beautiful day left but without even the energy to shower. Sleep is all there is, if allowed my nearby dogs. Thats what I'm doing today despite the mile long overdue chore list. :)
I was a little freaked out by the prevalence of lane splitting in California. Traffic is rolling at 20mph, a lot of people are making hard cuts from lane to lane in an effort to move up in line a car length at a time, and all at once you hear a motorcycle engine coming up from behind going almost double the speed.
Yessir jaybee I find it very un-nerving and can only come up with death wishes as motivation for such behavior.
I mentioned pot day in there somewhere... in calming support of my ongoing tranquility quest, Mom gave me geraniums and lavender and potting soil yesterday so today was pot day for those. Touching dirt, rocks, and plants was somewhat theraputic.
To support ongoing + :) ...
I saw a vid this week of some boys on a merry go round with a buddy's moped or something laid down beside it with tire touching the base. :idea: :arrow:
They all leaned inward with heads down once it got going, then one kid flops his head outward and whoa! Now two kids by moped are laying on the ground trying to slow it down with their shoe soles. Dont'cha know that was a vom-o-rama at some point. :lol:
Matt, I really enjoy gardening. These days that's pretty well confined to pots on the deck, but you're absolutely right about the relaxation.
This afternoon I turned into a driveway too quick with the old truck, and tore off the front fiberglass bumper, and then I drove over it. I should finish the repair in the morning and have it back on in time for cars and coffee. When I do stupid things and break stuff, I try not get upset, and be glad I have the tools and ability to fix stuff. :)
I spent the day making new rear mounts for the 289 in my Studebaker with a 700R4 transmission. I even took pictures, but left the camera out in the shop and am too darned lazy to go back out and get it.
Installed new tire and tube on the bicycle... I have been riding the bike a bit. Sure tells a person how far out of shape you are.
Its been hot here still. Low to mid 90s. A/C has been on in this place.
Talked to our friend about her homeless brother... He turned 61 a few weeks ago. Lives - works in a homeless shelter now. Only thing he owned was a Ford truck. Had to sell the truck to qualify for the homeless shelter program. Her husband told me " The brother will screw this shelter living up and be out on the street again in 90 days"... It's just sad, yet the guy did this to himself for decades.
8)
Watched some of the Barrett Jackson auction on saturday... As usual , some of the prices paid is a bit shocking.
Tony, this is the 'bicycle' you should buy. Saw it at an estate sale yesterday for only $2500, marked down from $3500.
A friend bought this quadracycle last year off Craigs List for $500.00. The thing looks new , never used.
Its made in USA , I think the southeast area? The company offers a 48 volt electric conversion , so he bought that. He bought some used Lifepo4 lithium batteries that are from hospital equipment. Put the batteries in a metal tool box on the front of the quadcycle. The Common metal tool box flip open top style that has been around for 100 years. He says the thing is peppy with electric. Has different power levels, little dash display, etc
He took the yellow box off the back and put a small wire cage there to carry their 2 dogs in. Dogs are Cheeewinnie mix?
:o
I repaired the front bumper and reinstalled it on the truck. I went for a ride and I did not hit anything. :)
^^^^
That's pretty good for a blind old guy. :)
I bet he hit the gas. :)
Photo of the quadcycle my friend modified... Tool box has the 4 12volt batteries for 48 volt feed to the system..
These lithium batteries are removed on a time basis from hospital equipment with plenty of useful life remains in them.
Montana allowed lane splitting a couple of years ago. Last week I was sitting at a lite in the left lane and it turned green. Before I could even move a Harley came from 2 cars behind and blew by me. Wasn't ready for him.
I went in for gum surgery today. I had some bone growth that kept my dentures from fitting properly. I have to wait six weeks before they fit my new dentures, and now the temporary dentures no longer fit ::) Oh well, my Dr wants me to lose some weight. He may get his wish.
Quote from: sirstude on April 22, 2024, 10:41:31 AMMontana allowed lane splitting a couple of years ago. Last week I was sitting at a lite in the left lane and it turned green. Before I could even move a Harley came from 2 cars behind and blew by me. Wasn't ready for him.
A year (?) ago , Arizona put in place a law of : " Lane Filtering" for motorcycles. This Only applies to street riding, it is different from "Lane Splitting". Lane Filtering is used in street traffic at traffic lights with traffic stopped or moving slowly. Motorcycles are allowed to "filter" between vehicles to the front of the traffic.
This law has caused a large amount of confusion with motorcycle riders and also people in a regular vehicle that have never seen this action. Many riders now split lanes everywhere, which is not what the new AZ law is.
:o
Hey Frank, my wife has put us on a Mayo Clinic diet since January this year. More fruits and veggies, and sometimes the portions are way too much for me to eat. We've both lost 25 pounds; this morning I weighed exactly 200.0, a weight I can't even remember being it's been so long.
A friend of mine has his grandson paint his '68 GTO yesterday, so I took the blue Corvair for a ride to see how it came out (good), and to also get the engine warmed up to change the oil and filter. Less than a mile from home, I heard 'something' and when I pulled into the shop, I saw that it had thrown the fan belt. It threw the belt because the harmonic balancer came apart, luckily not hitting anything like the oil filter right next to it.
I ordered a new USA made one from Clark's Corvair Parts for...wait for it...$320 plus more for the seal. Geez. I checked the other vair with same engine, and I can see that balancer is getting bad also. I'll order one for that later on. Then a member of a Corvair group says he knows a company that rebuilds them for less than $150. Wondering if rebuilts are as good as new?
I'm still having breathing problems, tomorrow is two weeks. We thought it was allergies/pollen, but if I'm not feeling better tomorrow, we get to spend the day in the ER. Next month is surgery on my nose for skin cancer. Getting old is getting old.
Geeez , you old guys? :shock: I've been dealing with my low back left side for 2 weeks. All my usual fixes , tricks , stretching, etc has failed to help me much. Between my stenosis and defects in my L1 thru L5 , the back pain is life for me. Some days it is worse , like it has been lately
Visit to the new doctor PCP one... I hear those words we luv: "At your age" ,,,, soon I am having this test, that test , the CT scan of my heart.
With that said , my wife is losing her middle 75 yr old sister to dementia. That started a year ago with couple of black outs while driving. No accidents... some how she stepped on the brake as she blacked out. There have been tests, re-test... drivers license suspension by the doctor. She has fade out episodes like a seizure , multiple times a day, then the confusion, memory loss, reactive anger at higher levels.. THE situation drains my wife and the oldest sister a bit. We are not new to dementia. Next month there is a meeting with the neurologist for results of recent tests and the results of a 2 day long brain scan on a recorder.
8)
SOP, patching over the completed plug welded sail panel seams on the 73 ford job is done.
Looks good, Matt. :)
Thanks, Bill. :)
In reference to your exhaust leak, try making a vid while idling pointing the camera at different spots then go watch it. Helped me pinpoint a noise once.
Went to a local park on this tuesday. We BBQ a few burgers for lunch. Wife rode her bicycle around to get her comfortable on a bike again. No incidents happened. It was a relaxing time there.
THis old Ford rolled thru the parking lot, never parked. It was a long distance for the photo, sorry about the quality.
Big square was badly pitted, small square was a rust hole.
Finished sizing the jack shaft today. Went to a machine shop I once worked for to buy a piece of aluminum to make the bearing retainer /seal end plates. Would not take my money , freebie piece of 4" od x 4" long aluminum . They said that it is good for the students to see the kinds of stuff I am making . Have not worked there in 25 years .
O&S is very pleased to report that the oil pan on the 48 is dry. :)
First couple pics show that I did address the inner rust shown above. Its the 73 Ford job.
Third shows how I blended in the subframe connectors that are made for other years.
Last is patching front of gas tank brace today.
The weather pattern is soggy weekend but rain means peaceful. :)
We been looking for a bicycle for me... A visit to GoodWill store near us. Found this mountain bike style unit. 24 speeds. Lots of aluminum. Tires near new. Speedometer on it... $48.00 out the door.
Photo is "as is" we bought it.
Already changed the pedals and seat from another bike I got for nuttin. Raised and rearward handlebars are on order. That lean forward - down position bars do not work for me.
Been windy as "*****" here for 3 days. Rain is falling at the moment. Thunder.
8)
I went and picked up an 86 Mustang shell today. It was completely free......of rust, and cost me $100. Roof is damaged, repairable, but it's really clean. I'm going to part it out. Big demand here for rust free Mustang parts.
Finally got fresh oil in the 455 and caught up on yard work so this is my reward. There is not one tree on my property. It just robs another precious weekend day of catch-up from me due to circumstances beyond my control, converting sanity-preserving peace time to fruitless unwanted labor. Situation normal. :)
Matt, if I was close to you, I'd take that old G.P. out of your yard. :)
Paid $450 for it, can't give it away. Gee, if only it were an smashed 80s Mustang instead of a 70s Pontiac with original engine maybe things would be different.
I bought a new radiator for the old truck. I had to buy an aluminum replacement for the copper one that I had used for years. Their idea of a direct replacement is not the same as my idea of a direct replacement. It does go into the hole where the old one was, but it requires a lot of modifications to the hold downs, and to the shroud.
Lumberjack session complete for today. Sawed stacked and piled. Better hurry if anybody wants the 72, two towering widowmakers hover within glass smashing roof caving reach. Trees are all in city easement but also on city border. That old row marks the boundary and the easement is almost entirely within that fence, on my side. Email both cities? Wait for it? That car ain't supposed to be there according to city ordinance. I need this like a hole in the head. Not much choice but to just forget it, let it all rot and fall just like me. :blank:
I need another sip off that 455 real quik. :)
There was an anomalous log which came out of the deal that an inventive soul might make some sort of yard art from. It is still solid but a little punky. Stands up real sturdy. Birdbath?
Other pic is a hollow log the center dropped out of. Other limbs are more weak and worrying and could likely reach the house some. Heavy stuff. Bah. :arrow:
The wierd log is cool.
Changed the engine oil and filter on the daily driver Honda Civic car. I do this at 5k miles or near. I also drop the transmission oil at the same time, 2.6 quarts of DW-1 Honda fluid for the 5 speed auto.
Its been 2 yrs since I changed the cabin filter and engine air filter. About 15k miles.. I may change them again?
My low back did well on the car work, not the large pains I had last week . Crawling under the car a few times. I have wheel blocks I built to drive the car onto. It raises the car about 5 inches.
I am up to 1.6 miles at a time on the bicycle rides in the morning and evening. This old phart gets a little tired near the end. LOL I changed the handle bar. Waaaay better. I had to change brake cables from my donor bike to my rider bike for longer cables. I will change the seat back to the one that came on the bike. I thought the different design seat would fit my *** better. It does not.
Here at the age qualified RV park , I fit in well with old pharts on bicycles. LOL People wave, thumbs up.
:arrow: .... 8)
got cortizone injections in my fingers today . One finger made a pop like those christmas toy pull apart toys . Doctor said that was whatever was holding the tendon back , letting go . I have to do this each year now or go for the surgery . Trigger finger its called . Fingers look like sausages right now . :o
Ouch ^^^. My fingers feel like bananas often. When I do bondo my elbows and shoulders make that sound too.
Yesterday I finished construction of the 73 Ford body except tunnel. A thousand plug welds? More? Was about to narrow the back seat when interior plans changed again without notice.
Yesterday I flat spotted two brand new tires on my DD avoiding a wreck. It drives like a shopping cart with chewing gum on the wheels now. bumpbumpbump.
I am tired of living. :)
My wife has had trigger finger surgery on 8 fingers I think, and carpel tunnel surgery on both hands. She is happy with the results. My daughter has had the carpel tunnel on both hands, no trigger finger. My mother-in-law had Carpel tunnel on both hands before she passed. Looks like it is a family issue.
Yeah , the trigger finger deal is no fun! I had that about 10 yrs ago on my index finger , likely from air tool use for decades? After treatment , I used my bird finger for the impact gun for a few years.
Then, a couple years later ... I developed a cyst at the base of the same bird finger. Turned out the middle knuckle was developing excess fluid that traveled to the finger base and formed a cyst. Drained the cyst, then more fun injections. Cyst never returned
:twisted:
The 73 job is ready for spot epoxy all over. :)
I worked on a Honda cbr600rr that sat for too long with fuel in it. It corroded over the fuel pump and fuel gauge connections. I had cleaned them up and reassembled the pump. Back in the tank and no power. I removed the pump and took apart the wire connector. One of the contacts on the wires fell apart. I installed 2 insulated connectors and put the pump back in. Now the bike runs. It was surprising at how much corrosion the ethanol had done to the components. This bike was stored in a garage with pretty consistent temps. It's ready to have body panels installed and find a new owner. :)
^^^
The mustang is starting to look like a car. :)
Quote from: kb426 on May 01, 2024, 09:34:53 PM^^^
The mustang is starting to look like a car. :)
Whew, thats a relief! I was worried that it might be starting to look like a Bronco. :lol:
New radiator is in the old truck. The direct replacement for the old one took 4 days of fabrication to make it fit and work. :)
Washed my F350 today. I use the Harbor Freight foaming bottle on a water hose. With Purple Power Wash n Wax liquid.. With a long handled brush that is 10 inches wide.
I Started to wax the truck. Keep in mind it is ALL white. 4x4 (tall) , crew cab , long bed. After an hour my eyes were really tired to looking at the white paint. I only got the cab , hood , front fenders waxed. I use a Meguires marine wax. It is tough stuff. Easy on , a bit of a work out to wipe off.
I am up to 3 miles a day on the bicycle. I ride 2 times a day. About 1.5 miles per ride. I am slowly getting my wind back. Never thought I would be riding a bicycle again at 70 yrs old. My back side is still not too fond of the seat on the bike. I may try another seat.
:-X
Some topside pix post-epoxy. Sturdy, not showy, work. I kept it as neat and frugal as I knew how to. No double spacing of welds or crap like that but it sure ain't no metal fab tig snob showpiece. Just a 73 Ford with 3-4 times the intended power level and no rollbar. :blank:
But I took today off. I am in no hurry to start another all over mud job at my age and according to weatherpersons, today may be my only chance to mow. IF it dries out enough. I talked a thirty something into spraying the primer on this after I prepped all. Metal work seems to be the best balance of body (flesh and bone) wear, tear, and pain. :arrow:
^^^^
Surely the owner will be smiling when he sees that. :)
I'm servicing the 2008 Honda CBR600rr getting it ready to sell.
Bill, I sure hope so. :) I aim to please. GLWS
Went out to mow today and found another gift from above. Bookending the work week with Paul Bunyan days. Sigh. Called the city. Trees are the neighbor's responsibility. So over the fence I would holler hey spend several thousand dollars to preserve my sanity real quick willya, and have big trucks drive over my old car while you're there? but I don't want to stand anywhere back there. Let alone mow or saw so I can't hear the crack of the widowmaker. Lest I end up skewered. So here I sit, waiting for the next. In the midst of my quest for greater tranquility. Trees will wait until I have the window AC up and then on a rainy day they will fall and knock the AC out and torrential rain will go in precisely the direction to flood the house while I am twenty miles away unaware. Boy, howdy.
I went for a test drive to see how the new radiator works. So far it gets an A plus but we will see how it does on a hot day.
I was given an MGB yesterday for another yard art project.
Got home from the hospital yesterday after spending almost two weeks in there. Went to the ER on 4/23 for what I thought was bronchitis. Turned out to be a collapsed lung. Fun times. The worst of it was when they poked that tube between my ribs. Spent most of the rest of the time having a flexible tube running to a 'collection box' collecting fluid from around my lungs and a water seal to keep air from going the wrong way back into my body. My lung is almost fully re-inflated, but they cut the flex tube a bit and installed a one way air valve that allows air from around my lung to escape as it fully expands. I'll have that on me for at least two weeks when they will evaluate it to see if they can remove the tube from my chest at that time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. No firm reason why it collapsed.
Anyway, I'm on FB today, and someone from Arkansas posted a pic of his Corvair at a car show yesterday. That purple pickup behind the Corvair looks awfully familiar. Looks like George's PU. Can it be?
I sold George's pickup to a guy in Arkansas and I think he has resold it. Where was the show?
I am glad you are home and doing better. These are hard times to stay healthy. :)
Thanks, WZ. The Corvair owner didn't say where he is from, but he posted this:
BTB Conway AR Expo Center Car Show.
So, I'm guessing Conway AR? The truck looks just like it did when George had it. I've seen where people buy a vehicle, then change it. When I sold my 58 Yeoman, the buyer said he was taking off the chrome wheels and T/A radials and going back to dog dish caps and wide whites. Someone contacted me and said it was for sale with mag wheels, black wall tires and finned valve covers.
Glad you're better, Phil. That can't be fun.
Arkansas? :)
Oh, Conway.
Phil.... what Bill said! ^^^ +1
I chucked the limb onto tree owner's shed. ;) :idea:
I'm glad you're feeling better, Phil. That had to be crazy painful and not a little scary. I've seen George's pickup in person a few years ago, that car looks great and has held up really well.
Phil, sorry to hear about your medical problems. I've heard that a collapsed lung is really painful. Hang in there.
Thanks for posting the pic of the old truck. I spent a lot of time in the driver's seat and made lots of really good memories. Good to know it's still plugging along.
Maintenance day on the DR650. Changed oil-filter and flushed the brake fluid. This is dot4. Even in a dry climate, it needs changing. I used the last filter and oil I had. Does that mean it's the end of the road for it and the rider? LOL.
Hey George, do you still have the pic of the truck leaving the line at Milan Dragway? I used to have that one among my desktop wallpaper collection, but I lost it somewhere along the line.
Phil: Hope you are doing well.
Been windy as could be here. Sunday was brutal , there was snow in northern Arizona.. This storm front likely is headed east?
Received my report on F350 oil sample from Blackstone Labs.. All the numbers were good. Oil only had 2450 miles on it from near 1 year ago. We did not travel in the RV much last year. We did put 5200 miles on the daily driver Honda Civic car.
8)
Thanks for all the well wishes. Got a call from the doctors office yesterday giving me an appointment on the 22nd for an xray and possible removal of the chest tube. Breathing well, minor pains and chest tube isn't draining much fluid, so doing pretty well.
Kitchen cabinet refacing will be done NEXT Thursday and Friday. Decided stove and fridge will also be replaced as fridge is 24 years old and stove is a POS. Going with a professional stove this time, hoping for one that will work as intended; this will be our fourth stove since moving here in 2008. Not a good track record for appliances.
I'm still amazed at the odds of seeing George's truck at a car show on a Corvair site.
George's truck does have Corvair front suspension and brakes.
"George's truck does have Corvair front suspension and brakes."
Well, there you go. I didn't know that.
George, was this the year you sold the truck? I think it is the last picture I have of it in Kzoo.
I was tucking rear bumper on the 73 job yesterday when the guy working on the 51F1 came to me in desperation trying to get doors to work. :lol: :lol: :lol:
I have no pity. :blank: Thats what ya get. A conspiracy of astounding proportions was required to make the job go so badly. All because no one listened. Not once. That has only worsened since.
None of you will recall any of what I am talking about and I will not care. It is just a shame, all around, that things cannot change. That same deliberate ignorance prevails to this day.
That is why I don't want my name in any future article features, should they occur. Decided that a long time ago. Sadly.
Most of this week thus far was spent mudding sail panel seams on the 73 job. When I get to work today, first thing I have to do is deliver catastrophic news to the F1 assembler. Wonderful! :)
On the bright side haha, I am entering my fourth year of no auto A/C. Theres nobody to get a ride from and no facility to use to repair the hit n run on the GT but the GTP keeps going. Flumpflumpflump now though.
I'll look for that pic John and PM it to you if I find it.
Matt, I'm amazed at the mileage on that car. You got a good one. :)
Yep Bill, she's a ringer. :)
Street was blocked, power out on my block when I got home. Sat with grumbly gut an extra 15-20 minutes waiting to drive the last hunnert yards to my pad.
Guess why. Big tree down across road. :roll:
Big front just went through with no GP crashing limbs. Just rain despite news yelling severe and impact a lot.
F1 got sorted out shortly after removing stock weatherstrips. I tucked (mocked up with old stuff tacked) the 73 rear bumper and continued mud work. On the old quarter.
No other excitement to report. :)
Thanks, George. I loved that pic because there was a lot too it. Nice action picture.
Matt, I recall they took the '51 right in the middle of the work after gradually moving you to the edge of the action. Since then there's been more than once they ended up doing extra work because they didn't know where the first work was headed.
You hit the nail on the head so eloquently. :) Thank you.
It was a blatant attempt at constructive dismissal, no two ways about that. Why, I'll never know.
Nobody is giving me crap now though. I often wish I could resume my car hobby but theres just not a way. The damage is done. If I step outside myself and look around at the shop, all but three jobs are wearing my bodywork. Lots and lots of it. It is as if I am out-pacing parts buying and job finishing ability by a long shot. I still have no wheels, tires, or transmission, suspension, rearend, or new rear valance and bumpers. Avoiding backwards work is my objective but I am outgunned by circumstances beyond my control. I guess its OK. People that get their ride finished are happy and all I want is metal work.
Made some rust bunnies for Mom's yard. :) :idea: :arrow:
Testing the Harbor Freight bicycle rack hitch mount today. I did some measurements of the rack pf how close it is to the hitch receiver of my F350... It will be too close to the back of the RV .. Likely the inner bicycle will rub on the rear wall of the RV.
I may buy a hitch extension or only load 1 bicycle on the rack. Other bike in the bed of the truck ?
8)
I spent the day at Tulsa Raceway yesterday hanging out with an old friend and watching him run his Pro Mod Barracuda. A fund day for an old guy.
I never appreciated the 71-73 Mustangs that much when they were new. That's despite Dad having one as a rental when his Ranchero was in the body shop, and a High School friend with a 429 Super Cobra Jet. I always thought of them as being way too big. In reality, they were almost the same physical size of the 1969-70, but a little wider in order to fit the 385 series big blocks. The later car is a little heavier, but not that much. Today I'd say they're a fine car and I'd love to have one.
spent some time on the chopper today. I made the bottom plate to mount the jack shaft pedestals on to . I have to open up the holes a bit and then I am going to make a plate for under it that will have the 4 mounting holes drilled into it . the mounting plate is slotted for chain tensioning ,the plate for under it will not be slotted . The slotted mounting plate gets welded to the frame .
CK, your descriptions are highly intriguing but wish I could see. Screw drive chopper sounds far out, man! 8) Flake Freak! :shock:
Jaybee, yessir I concluded theres enough body on that gen (5" wider) to be something. That blind spot is just a monster though. On the fastback 73 I think the quarters got more blocky which is cool but they went more curvaceous with the fenders, skipping back a gen to the '68 styling a bit. The 71-3 nose is inarguably more aerodynamic and the nostrils are cool. The long slim snoot with stubby flanks style does push it toward the personal luxury coupe image that I like.
This week I was alone in the grey room quite a bit and at one point when I let the lift down all the way I said to myself: That is just a funny looking car body. And it is. Owner wants maximum chrome on it so we'll see what boils out.
I spread the chores out fairly even this weekend. Even took the GT out today. It has been nice to sit by an open window lately with no barking issues. Peaceful and cloudy calm days in between storms mostly. Suddenly, it will be blazin summer. :arrow: But for now, tranquility reigns. :)
I've been down with a head cold. This is starting to annoy me. :)
Everybody get well soon! :)
My next job project-
What are the plans for it, Matt? Restoration or custom? I've always liked those years Chevy/GMC.
Me too, Phil. Its a long bed 4x4 which makes the odds slim for customizing. All I know about it is '71, 350 Qjet, tube headers, looks like it might run, whole bed is toast, roof is badly dented, aaand of course...
All I need, to get to work on it is the bare cab and it is crawling with ants. I scattered ant poison on the floor and seat today.
did some 'sculpting' on the jack shaft pedestals today. They had a bulky industrial look to them .
We have watched some of the Highway Patrol TV shows in recent weeks.. Neat to see the old cars that were new then , in action... Lets say the suspensions on them old cars were weak , loose, need more dampening from the shock absorbers.
Lots of 1957 Ford Fairlanes , new 1957 chevys , hardtops and convertibles. Buick Specials , Roadmasters. Mopar hardtops , convertibles
When I was in the hospital, I'd watch Perry Mason. Loved the 59 Ford Retractable and the convertibles. Did not like the huge barge of a Lincoln in a couple episodes. It was really out of place. I did watch Highway Patrol a couple times. 10-4.
almost finished with the jack shaft setup . The mounting plate is welded to bike frame , pedestal mounts are "sculpted" and resemble the large end of a connecting rod . Just need to drill and tap for a vent and then press the bearings in . There is a bike swap meet coming up and I think I may just buy Harley calipers and mounts rather than spend the time designing and machining my own mounts to adapt Suzuki brakes to Harley rotors/forks . I have a question for anyone who might know. How small of a battery can I use in this bike to start and operate this 1000cc Suzuki engine ? What are the dimensions of the smallest battery that would work ? I am considering putting the coils , fuse panel and battery just beneath the gas tank and covering/hiding them with a fake tank bottom . I have what is called a coffin tank that sits just above the bottom of the frames backbone. I may be able to hide a small battery etc. below the tank by putting another set of angles/facets underneath the tank to look like the tank is just that much deeper and tucking them up in that space .Project creep? I have learned to accept my ocd in regard to building things. lol
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on May 16, 2024, 10:45:09 PMWhen I was in the hospital, I'd watch Perry Mason. Loved the 59 Ford Retractable and the convertibles. Did not like the huge barge of a Lincoln in a couple episodes. It was really out of place. I did watch Highway Patrol a couple times. 10-4.
Yeah , lots of convertibles in Perry Mason.. They put Bill Hopper (Paul Drake) in a T Bird and Bill was a good sized fellow. He did not fit the early T-Birds well. LOL
:o
C.K., I'm assuming the engine is a v twin? They have different requirements than a 4 cylinder so I'd look at similar listings. I have only owned inlines and smaller v's so I'm not much help.
Since last post I removed and gutted the 71 job cab, saw a video of a cat eating corn on the cob, and observed a high speed police pursuit from a yard away. While covered in ants and with crooked spine from squatting inside auto / truck bodies.
Dad has to remove the spark plug from his old push mower and dump gas down the hole to start it, but Mom doesn't want them to have a new gifted one. She does the push mowing for exercise. A brand new self propelled one would be put in a garage sale and money given to church.
My health insurance assigned a lady pediatrician in Texarkana as my doctor. I don't use it, just pay it. I am 57 and live in the opposite corner of my state.
My car insurer states that bills are sent 19 days prior to due date and cancels me monthly now after 40 something years because the USPS now requires two weeks or more to take mail between Arkansas and Georgia. Statement printed on 14th for due date of 20th arrives on the 4th of following month, forcing electronic pay.
My fixed rate only mortgage ever payment amount is now over half escrow and my DD drives like it has square tires. I'm kind of glad no child of mine was ever born. This will be my fourth summer with no car A/C.
Feeling kind of sick from digging with fingernails into damp encrusted vehicle flooring infested with wildlife, as is my exclusive job requirement now. All dirty work goes to Matt, lowest on totem pole and unable to be heard or seen.
The cat eating corn though... :)
Believe it... or not! :lol:
Cab pics. I found out it gets EFI.
The cat is comical. :)
O&S made a little road trip in the 48 today. I went to Atwood Ks. for their show. 42nd annual. I pushed a strong head wind going up and had tail and cross wing coming home. 18.2 mpg going up and better than 23 returning. This link is for the pics I took. {https://youtu.be/ReV83o_M0XU}
KB the engine in the chopper is a suzuki gs1000 in line 4 with 4 carbs . Supposed to make north of 90hp stock. The donor bike was a 77 gs750 with the 1000cc swapped in . Donor bike also had factory mounts for a side car .
C.K., this is the battery for a late model cbr1000rr. I had a similar battery in my 2005.
YTZ7S is a 12V 6AH 130 Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Battery
Dimensions: 4.50 inches x 2.81 inches x 4.21 inches. Polarity: Positive on Right, Negative on Left.
That was quite the gathering at Atwood, Bill. Thanks for sharing some real juicy stuff. :)
The 99 GT ( my backup DD ) lives again, been driving it around this morning after swapping in fan relays off the 02 GTP (RIP). Fans work now, thats all. Still has a long list of needs but it could fill in, in a pinch. Been a few months since it was viable for the commute so thats progress! :arrow:
O&S put the 48 up in the air and checked for loose fasteners, rubbing anything, etc. I changed oil in the trans at 1268 miles. There was some metallic particles in the oil so after another 1000 miles, I may change it again. The total average fuel economy for yesterday was 20.2. 20 has been my bench mark on project vehicles so I guess I hit the mark. :) I had a tiny bit of freon left when I serviced the system. I emptied the rest of the can today. With the Taurus fan on, it get's cool in there quite rapidly. We'll see how it does when it gets to 110 at 70 mph. :) I gave it a bath so it's bug free for a bit.
Welp... GT's fans do spin but ambient temp reading was stuck on 64 with it over 80 outside. So I look up the number and find a Standard brand in stock at closest store. Scribble down the number, run 3 miles to there. Noticed when parking that temp was 220 or so. Right after watching it stay stable in my driveway at 210 or under for like 20 minutes. Temp drops to normal (180-190) while driving. Hmm.
Pop hood, yep 225-230 idling with both fans whirring away. Hmm. Enter store, wait, am told that store does not stock the item. Go down the street 1.4 miles. I do this and get it plus a bonus toy for myself. Random 220°F spike cruising 35 mph coming home. Hmm
Change sensor in driveway. Neighbor has taken the GT's specific parking spot in street, leaving space in front of their house. Hmm. Ambient temp now stuck at 67. Hmm
Back into neighbor vehicle then pull forward a couple inches to park as placeholder to defend my territory. Abort further auto repair thoughts because of that. Wanted to keep going, keep driving to keep working things out. But no.
The tire we concluded here months ago was ruined, is doing fine. I would have liked to have taken another stab at straightening up the LR wheel from the hit n run better today also. May as well drop that because with the temps I'm seeing, fans must be slow so must special order $200 item to find out. Before a fan nearly catches fire like on the GTP awhile back. Smokin cherry red, it got.
Hmm. After the GT sat a spell, keyed on to see ambient temp... 94°. About right. Mysterious but unrelated to engine temp issue. Normal is rock steady 180° with little fan action required. Another bad replacement water pump? GM 3800 cooling systems require meticulous burping and have no tolerance for leaks. But it does leak barely, don't know where. Hmm.
Doing laundry now and oh... hello ant friend(s). Dadgummit. Its them weeds on death row at work. Again. Welcome to my home little amigos. Not.
Another anti-Matt-er Sunday. Just cancel the progress statement, move my peg back to square one and geek on the red 41 in the pic. :) :arrow:
thanks KB for those dimensions.
I was thinking I might be able to put the battery above the trans , below the carbs to kind of hide it in plain view if the under tank area is too small . I am not much with bikes , would that area be too hot ? Can this battery be laid on its side ?
Well I installed my first inner tube yesterday on Dad's mower as an 87th BD effort.
I'm in the midst of working out a patience-required roof dent on the 71 job. No holes so far. :)
C.K., to the best of my knowledge, any AGM battery can be put in any position.
Matt, that's a good collection of pimples. :)
Senior day at local Goodwill store. 20% discount.
Quote from: kb426 on May 21, 2024, 11:28:28 AMMatt, that's a good collection of pimples. :)
Wut? Nothing some talc based putty and dibenzoyl peroxide paste won't clear up.
A new era. Shelby's son mowed my grass this week. They grow up fast.
Quote from: enjenjo on May 21, 2024, 05:29:37 PMA new era. Shelby's son mowed my grass this week. They grow up fast.
That is something you can be right proud of. :)
One day short of a month, I had my chest tube removed today. Yipppeeee. I'll get another xray tomorrow morning to be sure my lung is staying inflated. My wife was in the room when the nurse practitioner pulled out the tube, and said "Holy *!" The NP got a kick out of it. It was about 14" inside of me.
The NP showed us the xray taken on Monday, and it showed the tube stuck inside and my lung was 99% inflated. She also showed us the xray taken a month ago with my collapsed lung. Wow! Right lung was really small.
2 days ago, I installed the 3rd new starter on the 48. The 1st had no power when the engine was warm. The 2nd had solenoid click, sometimes 3 times before engaging. The good news is they are not difficult to replace. The last unit had a good warranty so I'm out some time and labor.
Watched some recent Steve Magnante videos. He is selling cars, his house, magazine collection , etc to pay medical expenses.
Steve is still recovering from his illness and seems to be unsure when and if he returns to his old activity.
Also: Steve said he will setup a Gofundme account and to wait to donate funds to his account only.
.
.
My brother and I were at the Mid America NSRA Street Rod Nationals today. I took a photo of our cars together. No surprise that attendance is at its lowest ever.
Replaced the blown apart harmonic balancer on one of the Corvairs. It blew apart before I went to the hospital, so I was well enough to do it yesterday. I bought a shorty pulley puller so I wouldn't have to lower the engine. Took longer, but didn't have to get under the car to disconnect anything. As Willie Nelson would say, "on the road again."
Went to a bike swap meet today. Score! Got a set of handlebars that will put my hands low enough to be legal , and they are metric so I can use my Suzuki hand controls. Also got a front and rear caliper for the Harley rotors . Our school car show was today , we had about 60 cars , all went well . 8)
Storms around 3 AM, probably a tornado, went right by my folks' house. They are fine but will be without power or gas for awhile, utilities were hit hard across the county and one fatality has been reported. Their street access is blocked by trees, and... its about to be hot and muggy plus more severe weather possible this afternoon. Uh oh. Goodbye holiday, goodbye comfort, and hello hassles. As we count our blessings. :blank:
Oh... that last pic was just a screenshot from my Oldsmobile days. No particular significance.
May 26th (today) ....... In 1943 Edsel Ford died. I have liked the Edsel Car for many years
Bit of maintenance on the daily vehicles on saturday.
Changed the transmission inline oil filter on the Honda Civic car. Since the air filter box was removed to replace the trans filter.. I cleaned the MAF sensor with a spray of MAF cleaner. The Civic is hard starting in the morning. Bit longer cranking till the engine fires. After that: All day the car starts quickly. I thought it was fuel pressure. So I cycle the key off and on a couple times to prime the EFI system. That key action does not help. THe car runs great. No surge like low fuel pressure or bad injectors. It will run 35mph or 85 mph just fine. Weird.
Did an EFI pressure check on the Honda Civic car again. Fuel press is fine at early morning first start up.
I ran fresh DOT 4 brake fluid thru the F350 truck. The ol "let er drip method" worked well. 2 quarts of brake fluid was used. I try to refresh brake fluid every 3 years or less.
8)
Today, the 48 and I went to Garden City for memorial Day services. This is my most cherished holiday. :) Weather was good, services were good. :)
Message from my buddy about his mom. This was the 99 yr old mom I helped him move about 6 months ago into a full assisted living place.
She passed in her sleep yesterday. Her 100th birthday was on April 10th.. Her health started to decline about 3 weeks ago.
It is sad, yet she made it to 100 years old.
I jacked up the front of the 48 and removed the front wheels. I took a small wire brush, brake clean and a rag and scrubbed the road grim and scum of all of the accessible alum parts on the corvette suspension. I should have done that before I installed the front. Even though I didn't plan on cleaning this truck much, it needed to be cleaner to start. :)
started making risers to mount the handlebars higher on the chopper .
All only bad to report here. Day five of my 80 something parents being without power and authorities are still unable to label the magnitude of the storm but say a dozen tornadoes in the state Sunday are confirmed. One with a record breaking 1.8 mile path width. Boss has two lakeside houses each with multiple holes through roofs. Mom boldly ventured out yesterday and got rearended by a Malibu slammed into by an F150 with Utah plates. Message to world: Stop messing with my folks. Drip rail for my cab project showed up yesterday but still only have one of four pan brace sections needed and blasting operation has been pushed aside, forgotten. Happy summer to all. :)
I wired in a disconnect switch on the 2 ga battery cables to my 3k Inverter on the RV. I installed the switch on the negative side. The Inverter for some reason would randomly turn on and go into standby mode. That would drain my 2 batterys since the covered parking the RV sits at, reduced the useful sunlight to keep the batterys charged.
1st photo shows the gray box 3k watt Inverter at the top. Red switch lever is below it. Next to the switch is the Jaboni solar charge controller.
Switch is rated at 275 amps.. continuous. 325 amp surge for a few seconds. The system should never come near those levels of amps from the batterys.
8)
I secured the bumper cover on rear of my folks' SUV at lunch and et shop pizza. Screwed a new drip rail on the GMC job, did other cab and fender stuff. Climbed house and cleaned gutters when I got home. They were new last year but an entire ecosystem evolved in there. More rain n storms ahead. Then I pulled weeds while two loose cats observed. Longest short week ever, just due to worry. :arrow:
This shows the twistys that hit-
https://www.4029tv.com/article/map-arkansas-tornadoes-radar/60950995
Folks got power back today! :)
Onward :arrow:
I shaved a blower hole.
^^^^
Definitely improved.:)
Wow, bad storms there, Matt. The whole tornado season has been bad.
Still kinda looking at enclosed trailers. Dual axle 18 to 20 footer. Few and far between with when I find one local.. Prices seem very high to me.
I looked into converting a RV trailer of old age to an enclosed trailer. I can find old 5th wheel trailer RV for $800 to $1300. Seems like a lot of work to gut the interior, remove the systems. Build a door or doors on the rear end. Floor would need added onto for strength, like 3/4 plywood tongue and groove?
Quote from: jaybee on May 31, 2024, 07:52:49 PMWow, bad storms there, Matt. The whole tornado season has been bad.
Yep they pegged the death toll at ten and the 1.8 mile wide one set a state record.
Yard work consumed the weekend but did not even include mowing the front yard. I am too used up to maintain anything that I have and can't imagine how I got any of it nor how to keep it or get rid of it. Life is just all only all work and I fall short of all minimum demands now. Uh-oh.
At least my yard and car weren't both wiped out in one week and I wasn't killed in my sleep by a tree. I have it so good. :)
Big firewall holes are next to go according to coworker consensus.
We hired on at a food store (Not Walmart) here this morning. We Used the self serve isle for certain reasons.
It seems if you do not follow procedure, the check out system gets upset and wants to reset. Because we were not scanning 1 item. Place 1 item into a bag at a time. THen remove the bag and place in the cart via telling the system what you are doing. We have used the Walmart system and it works waaaaay easier.
My wife was so whizzed off , she stopped listening to me or the store employee. The store employee stepped up and finished scanning. She scanned the four 6 packs of soda and then had to tell the system each scan the item was placed directly in the cart. LOL
I explained to store employee that she would Never see us again in the self serve area.
:o
Well, theres that. :)
Matt, that sure beats filling 6 small holes. :)
Its like Doc Adams once told Festus: "Why use just one perfectly good sentence when half a dozen will do?" :lol:
More, larger holes being filled :arrow:
Past project progress, (or lack thereof)
...and hey dig the swoopy running board across the way. :)
^^^^
MMMMMMMMMM.
Oooh, me likey those running boards!
I like how it echoes the contour of the stake pockets and I like the step following the cab side but I'd have liked it even more with a wider radius at the outer edge. The doors are suicide and the bottleneck can hopefully discourage stepping over the boards upon entry / exit. I am sure the whole thing will be a hit but "theres only so much a guy can do with the front end on those".
I got the 71 GMC cab corner clamped on but the bottom flange lacks much in the fit department.
Figured out part of my daily driver Honda car problems. Goofy starting some daze, the next day the car starts fine.
Battery was going out. It had bad daze, then a good day.
Walmart exchanged the battery under warranty... 3 yr warranty , it was 35 months old.
8)
Started this project yesterday,, Daily driver Honda car again. Wheel covers are plastic. Argent silver in colour.
THey were scuff'd , faded, paint flaking off, etc. Lug nutz hold them on. I removed them , re-installed the lug nutz.
I washed them about 3 times. With Simple Green, Dawn dish soap. THen used the powder TSP to make sure they were clean of tire treatment stuff so the paint would not fish eye.
Scuff;d them with 400 grit wet- paper. ALso used a red scuff pad. Bought a near Argent Silver paint at Home Depot.
The wheel covers look much better. I f I had the space here. I would repaint the car. It has the typical clear coat paint flaking, falling off on the roof , trunk lid, etc.
8)
Ugh, I'm trying to figure out to do about clearcoat on my Fiesta. Not the whole car, just the front fascia, where I hit a coyote at 13,000 miles. Everything else is really sound, the car is in fantastic shape, so it feels wrong to not do something, but I'm not sure what.
I think detailers have a product they wipe on that is like a fresh clear coat
Thanks, I'll look into that. There are also some catalyzed, automotive quality, rattle can clears out there. A good bit of work, but this car is in really good shape for its age, with nothing except a little dent in one of the rear doors that doesn't even have chipped paint.
And clicking HVAC blend doors, but that's pretty minor for a 10 year old car.
Jaybee, my junk has dual zone climate control (well, it did) and I just reach under the dash and turn a knob made from a broken blend door actuator when I need to switch between hot and not. I keep meaning to put a lever on it and use a choke cable but it is hardly worth any effort.
Saw a conversation about "wipe-on clear" other day:
https://www.chevelles.com/threads/patina-preservation.1175068/
On my junks, when I use Duplicolor 1K spray paint clear to make bumper repairs, they are visible within a year and completely gone in two. 2K would be much better.
Oh... You guys will probably like Josh's Stude tubs too. ;)
I miss doing customizing. :-\ :arrow:
Matt, who did the chassis on the Stude?
Same guy. :)
I have been messing with the old truck. Today I changed out the 180 degree thermostat for a 195 degree. The higher temperature rated thermostat improved the cooling. Out on the interstate at 75 mph it ran cooler than yesterday with a slight higher outside temperature today. I think that the 195 is cycling and letting the water have more time in the radiator and it cools more. The 180 is probably staying open and the water never stops moving. I am open to any thoughts anyone may have.
I've always liked the look of using another set of cut down pickup fenders for inner tubs. They look like they belong, for good reason.
Ya those inner tubs look very classy.
They hide the fender bolts too.
Quote from: WZ JUNK on June 14, 2024, 08:42:04 PMI have been messing with the old truck. Today I changed out the 180 degree thermostat for a 195 degree. The higher temperature rated thermostat improved the cooling. Out on the interstate at 75 mph it ran cooler than yesterday with a slight higher outside temperature today. I think that the 195 is cycling and letting the water have more time in the radiator and it cools more. The 180 is probably staying open and the water never stops moving. I am open to any thoughts anyone may have.
In my power tour years I found the air deflector under the core support to be critical for highway cooling. Also, system pressure. Be it pinhole or loose clamp, air-only leaks high in system such as heater hose may not lose water but still prevent proper pressurizing.
At what temp reading do you declare overheating? Is your expansion tank in the radiator or seperate? Does it have a proper cap for the style?
Clutch fan or electric? If electric, do they run on highway?
I'm no help and am guessing you want excess highway temp suggestions but theres you a reply. :)
Off to Pueblo tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing friends and seeing how the show is. Because it's the 50th Back to the 50's, I wonder if the numbers will be down? The 48 is as clean as it will be for the next 4 days. I will kill a lot of bugs on the trip but I don't clean the truck until I get home. :)
The link is for the Pueblo show. {https://youtu.be/KK1Inj5VQrQ?si=08QjwUTHFboLTUci}
I was blown away at lunch today when ALL of the shop teachers I have taught with over the last 19 years showed up for a surprise lunch to wish me well as I retire this friday . The only one who could not attend sent well wishes from her new home 2 provinces away . Two of these guys I first taught with 32 years ago and both are retired. I was humbled by the show of appreciation :'(
That was nice, C.K. Did anybody bring metalflake? LOL.
That's awesome, Chimp, a lifetime of service, noticed and recognized.
Very awesome. :D
There should have been a glitter shower or metalflake cannon. Maybe you can do that at some of the attendees's retirement parties.
HACK Shack is in it's 20th year. Nothing planned but I thought a roundup of past jobs, a mini car show, would be appropriate. Nah.
Recieved an enormous Dynacorn order yesterday, a whole 71 GMC longbed minus chassis, hood, cab and cowl. Plus stuff for a wrecked Camaro. That was fun and the cardboard mountains even more so.
But I finished up rust repair on left side of cab yesterday.
Mom got the insurance offer on her totaled RAV4 yesterday too.
I successfully got my birth certificate and new SS card application was approved yesterday in anticipation of driver's license renewal next week. First thing this week was a forced apology using boss-scripted words to another 30 something employee who knows all. Not as bad as the last face spit party.
Oh yay, power just went out. Strong storm this morning.
Quote from: chimp koose on June 25, 2024, 11:16:49 PMI was blown away at lunch today when ALL of the shop teachers I have taught with over the last 19 years showed up for a surprise lunch to wish me well as I retire this friday . The only one who could not attend sent well wishes from her new home 2 provinces away . Two of these guys I first taught with 32 years ago and both are retired. I was humbled by the show of appreciation :'(
Nice to hear the folks came to see you retire.
8)
Juice was off for a super inconveniently timed half hour. All the boxes from yesterday at the shop were scattered and soggy so I've spent the morning hauling those off. Been a long day already but I got to drive a stick a few miles. Been a longer time since that. I have the front right pan screwed in the GMC but major mismatch at tunnel, uh-oh.
Thanks guys , I really needed to share that as it meant so much to me . I attended grad today , 2 of my kids are off to take machining at a tech college. That is 19 years straight where at least one kid (best was 4 ) goes on to trade school to take up machining . I probably should have kept track of how many went on to trade school just in case I needed to justify my programs existence . Now it does not matter .
Threads broke off the air hose today and I caught the hose end in the face. Then it dented the cab roof a couple times as I applied direct pressure to the bleeding. Neato. It was sort of like being clubbed with a mace.
^^OUCH!^^ Hope you're okay, Matt.
Seems ok now, just ugly and theres another hard hit to the head for my body to remember always.Threaded ends on those hoses are crimped... aluminum or pot metal. Whatever went wrong with chrome DeVilbiss hose ends and red 1/4" hose with brass Milton couplers? Must have worked too good.
Ouch!
Yepper. Much better today, thanks. May as well post some bodywork as thread bleach. I was ready to fit R cab corner then try on new doors.
IDJ I had a student years ago who managed to get a car wash wand whipping around in the car wash bay . smacked him a few times and beat on the car a bit .
I hope all of the Rodding Roundtable knights have had a good Independence Day. It's always a good time to relax, enjoy times with people who are important to us, and take stock in the things that are important in life.
I have a very large, heavy, old, gear reduction, 1/2" drill. It quit working the other day and I determined that the electric cord was bad. I remove cords from stuff that I throw away and hang them on the wall in the back room of my shop. (part of my materials library) I picked one of those cords to use for the replacement. When I finished replacing the cord and tested the drill, it did not work. I determined that the cord I used, to replace the old bad one, had a bad plug. I replaced the plug and the drill is fixed now.
So I had cut the wire and plug off a good tool, saved the bad part, and threw a good tool away. :o
^^^^^
:)
I got a no seatbelt ticket today, while wearing my seatbelt.
Anybody else had that happen? I have no intention of pleading guilty.
That happened on the way home from the folks'. Went to the u-pull-it first thing today. They had one RAV4. In the right color and with the bumper I needed, in good condition. Snagged it, went over there and used the spare tire jack to push out the mangled rear body panel so the floor trim would fit. Then replaced bumper cover and reinforcement. They are thrilled.
Fireworks had to compete with lots of thunder and lightning here last night, which was kinda surreal. Don't happen often.
Got new doors both hung on the GMC cab Wednesday. The one on the already welded side of cab does not fit but does latch. The one on the not yet welded side fits ok. Par for the course.
Its like I always say... If I do good somewhere, look out because bad is to follow. I got my new drivers license and fixed Mom's car so was just beginning to relax. Then came the blue lights and the injustice and need to fight the law and boys I gotta tell ya... that knocks away a great deal of hard earned mental growth of mine. Gonna be mad for the next month and that may just be the beginning. Court date: August 5.
It is face spit, to me, and I am angry as hell. :twisted:
I had a pleasant surprise today. I ran out of argon last week. It was the same price as a year ago. With all of the price increases we see, I was dreading the outcome. It's still $175 with tax but several years ago I paid $197. I make sure I don't leave the valve open when not welding. :)
I've never heard of a seatbelt ticket while wearing a seatbelt. One of my truck drivers once got a ticket for not wearing his glasses after he took them off while parked behind the scale, in plain view of the officer.
Speaking of which, my work team saved a life a week ago, yet it brings me sadness. A week ago Tuesday, one of my best drivers, with 4 million accident free miles, managed to sideswipe a trailer and take the side mirror off. The rental manager where he had gone for help with the truck called to say she was uncomfortable giving him a tractor because he was acting strangely...and had hit a pole with the rental.
We could insist upon a drug test, but he refused any additional treatment. He couldn't drive without clearance for the drug test, so we put him in a hotel room. He answered his phone sporadically. He missed 4 different Ubers I called for him. At times he seemed fine. At times he was totally out of it. Not knowing the name of his wife, for example. We knew something was badly wrong, but he wouldn't let us get him medical help.
On Friday afternoon he finally agreed to let us fly him home, but by that time we weren't sure he could do it on his own. Our head dispatcher worked a whole day, then spent 9 hours driving to Greensboro, running him to the airport in Raleigh-Durham, and driving back home. It was bad. By the time he got to Kansas City he had to be lifted from the wheelchair to the car.
We did what we could, what he allowed us to do. He spent the week dying of a stroke in a hotel room. He's alive, but he'll be severely impaired. He's a good person, and he deserves better. I tell you all this because I think we all know a lot of men refuse to get medical help as long as we can stand under our own power. If something is wrong with you, please get help.
Did a field repair on the cover for my 5th wheel hitch. Its some type of vinyl material, with lashing straps that clip together. The sun burned out the strap material. This is all sewn together. We do not have a HD sew machine here. :lol:
I used some 3/16 dia , wide head pop rivets with small washers as backing. I had these rivets from previous RV repair. RV is like a child, Always needs attention of some type!
Photo 1 shows the exterior clip and strap... Photo 2 shows the interior with washers spreading the load. I used a piece of strap on interior too.
8)
How many among you would plead guilty to a wrongfully issued no seatbelt ticket?
Without pix, it didn't happen.
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on July 07, 2024, 11:03:05 AMWithout pix, it didn't happen.
Best glimpse he could have had is this, but I was moving at 35-40 mph. Neighbor took this pic for me.
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on July 07, 2024, 11:03:05 AMWithout pix, it didn't happen.
There is a youtube channel from Pinal County AZ sheriff office called "Fridays with Frank" It has become very popular. Camera guy videos Frank on traffic stops. It is funny , serious, eye opening to how many people are driving with No license, insurance, illegal plates, 20 to 50 mph over the limit.
Often Frank does a traffic stop and people take their seat belt off. He calls them out for that. Seat belt should remain on. I can NOT reach my trucks glove box for vehicle paper work with the seat belt on.
Watched a video a yr or 2 ago... Gal had a dash camera with rear facing the driver camera too. Police stopped her: No seat belt. She disagreed with the LEO. He of course told her "No seat belt" She then pointed to her dash camera that would be in court to prove she had seat belt on... Was it staged video ? I do not know
8)
When stopped by the law I leave my seat belt on until the officer is at my window. Then I unbuckle it. I was burned like that about 30 years ago.
Quote from: enjenjo on July 08, 2024, 12:12:27 AMWhen stopped by the law I leave my seat belt on until the officer is at my window. Then I unbuckle it. I was burned like that about 30 years ago.
First thing he said was "That seat belt was NOT on you when you passed by me!". I said that was wrong. I did undo it to reach the glovebox, in his presence.
Allow me to describe the situation then you tell me if you'd plead guilty or not.
Police unit was hiding behind another SUV which was blocking it's view of my car. His line of sight began at the view shown in pic.
I had just took my burger out of the sack, put it on my lap, and pulled one side of the wrapper loose. Saw cop, check speed. 38 in a 30 so I coast past.
Lazily, he pulled into street. I think he has me for speeding so I reach across the console and drop burger back into sack. That move was interpreted as putting the seatbelt on and thats when he hit the lights and punched it.
I have a signed witness statement confirming that I had the belt on at the beginning of my journey. Made two stops at drive-thrus on the way home.
I explained to him about the headrest loop getting me pulled over for this before. That officer was apologetic. This one sassmouthed me saying with a chuckle "You can argue all you want!" and I responded that I didn't wish to argue then did not say another word.
This would be the only blemish on my record. I do not deserve it. At no point did the officer have a clear view. I intend to ask him if any other vehicles were present and if any smells were detected from my vehicle (fries / burger). If he denies the other vehicle was present, I will know that truth is not available and go forward with due hatred toward local police firmly and permanently established.
As I've said... I mean nothing. No one can be made to understand and I do not have the privelidge of being believed. Any statements against me are taken as gospel. It is a consistent life pattern.
I have a feeling the court will side with the cop, but it sure couldn't hurt to take that picture and demonstrate just how difficult it is to see the belt.
Quote from: jaybee on July 08, 2024, 09:26:40 PMI have a feeling the court will side with the cop, but it sure couldn't hurt to take that picture and demonstrate just how difficult it is to see the belt.
Pretty silly of me to have thoughts of defending myself. The Eeyore-esque stuff I say all the time is true. I don't have a chance. Must lay down and accept the trashmouthing without resisting. Because thats what is right, Matt losing for no reason.
All day yesterday I fought the new left door of the 71 job. Fits now but the shell and skin are out of place in relation to one another by a good quarter inch fore / aft and this door is taller by maybe that much.
Found on Craigs List: A Crosley re-bodied car in Bisbee AZ. The ad refers to it as a Crosley Clown car at $5k asking price.
Ad claims a little maintenance and it would drive. From the pictures "a little maintenance" to drive it is being a bit loose with terminology . I guess each persons term drivable is different ?
Still have a chest tube in place since April 23. Actually, this is the third one; First was in for 28 days, out for 4 days, then another smaller one in place. That one didn't work, so they took it out and replaced it with another large one. I've been home since June 17 with it still in place and a one way check valve to let air out but not in. I'm waiting for a call from doctor today to see if another xray will show lung still in place. If it is, then we will decide when to pull the tube.
In the time off the first time I was home with the first tube, we had the cabinets refaced with new doors. Went back into the hospital and wife said new appliances were in, so we waited until I got home again to have the fridge delivered, then a few days later the range. We have an HVAC company here today to install the new high power range hood, which needed a new 8" vent through the roof. The old 3"x10" through the wall isn't enough.
After getting home this time, we had high winds pass through and downed a large limb from a neighbors tree, destroying one of our 8' shrubs in front by the street. One limb fell off this tree last year and partially destroyed that same bush. I cut the limb up myself. I can't do it this time, so I called the neighbor, who lives about a half mile away (we're in the country) and he came and looked at it. He cut it all up himself, and we got an estimate on a new shrub to be planted in its place; $700. He wrote us a check for that. He said that next year, he is going to clean up the frontage of his property towards the street. I told him I'd be healed by then and will help him. He owns the properties on three sides of us, plus more in the area.
Sorry for the long post, just thought I'd catch up while I can't do anything while the workers are here.
Phil, that sounds like an awful health ordeal. My cousin had her lungs out then back in last year and she does ok now, all things considered. Its real good to hear that you are mending and confident. Hoping all that will go as well as it can for you.
Even with 1/8" plate shims at front of this door, rear gap still sucked due to cab corner wear and tear and damage. So a bodyman does what he has to. There was a cut in the rocker jamb too, to clear the door shell.
Wow, Phil, that's a lot to go through.
I'm all packed to head to Iowa tomorrow. I'll stay with my brother, get to see Dad, and my son is coming up from Texas. We'll go the IndyCar double header on Sat/Sun.
I need the time off work, and this is a great time for it.
Hellava a ordeal there Phil.. Keep after it.
Tech tip: On camping type griddles , If you use one outdoors. I have a Blackstone 22 inch propane griddle we use while in the RV and at our winter place. Keeps the heat and mess out of the RV. I can wave at ppl walking by. :lol:
On the grill wall top edges there is a rough texture.. I use a mill file on the top edge of the griddle. Flatten the top out. That way I can scrape my spatula on that top edge to clean off debris as seen in the photo. Keep the stuff in the grill.
O&S had a small project today. The remaining black patio chairs got turned green. Those of you that have been around for quite a while will recognize the color. :)
deuce look very nice 8) 8) 8)
I got door gaps established on the cab at work. No hood yet. Theres one side's worth of welding left to do on the brown bottom cab stuff. Thats what I'll start on today. After that its mock up with bed I reckon. Then bondo. Mud man is eyehole deep in a show truck job and my last mud job is untouched right where I left it.
The pale green Bronco is pretty far along but according to the tech, flexplates that will connect a 302 to a C4 are not made. Do what? He tried to explain but it started to sound like aligning v belt pulleys on a Pontiac.
Hey now... theres a good word.
P O N T I A C
:)
Quote from: chimp koose on July 11, 2024, 10:52:01 PMdeuce look very nice 8) 8) 8)
Yeah... but where is the metal flake ? :shock:
A starter and flexplate that work together did find their way into the pale green Bronco Friday. I heard it crank but not run. Our guy rigged up a little exhaust to hang an O2 sensor in and for cam break in without deafness before going to an exhaust shop.
So... it didn't end up getting OD or roller but did get a Sniper2 and VA. And it will probably go home for the season and return when the topper is done or when the cam wipes, whichever is first. Has cream colored dash, seats, and rollbar and a good floor covering. Looks fresh as a daisy.
When I looked in on it last, static timing was being established. They had this clear plastic thingy that fits over the dizzy like a cap and indicates proper rotor position. I was like wth izzat? I always liked to use a broom straw to find TDC with a valve cover off, whats this clear plastic limpwristed idiotproofing garbage? Wondered if it came with the EFI kit.
Anyhow... yeah. Today I saw an amazing pic which actually shows the .223 boat tail about one foot away from creasing Trump's ear. :-o
Matt, the hyper spark distributor comes with the plastic piece to line up the housing with the rotor.
Shot number 6 chipmunk today. Got tired of trying to trap them. Won't use poison because our cat does catch them now and again. They have really good hearing. I open an entry door so I can shoot from in the garage, and they can hear it open.
The county fair opened today, so we ran up there for my yearly treat of an elephant ear or funnel cake. No ears this year, and the funnel cake place wasn't open yet. Maybe later on.
Gave my new cast iron gas grill grates the third seasoning treatment this afternoon. It was easier with these than when my wife did her new kitchen range cast iron grates. Doesn't take long for the grill to heat up when it's 90 degrees outside.
58 yeoman , your comment about shooting from in the garage reminded me of what my favourite uncle did back when I was a kid . There were these magpies that would make noise early in the morning and when you stepped onto the porch with a rifle they would fly away . One morning my uncle got crafty and just slightly opened his bedroom window enough to slide the rifle into position . He neglected to inform my still sleeping Aunt what he was up to ! A shot rang out and my Aunt screamed bloody hell . My Uncle went outside (probably the safest place for a while ) and found 2 dead Magpies , he nailed 2 with one shot!
CK, sounds like your uncle was a good shot, or very lucky. My older brother that died last year lived on one acre on the edge of a small town, about 5500 population. He had raccoons that would raid his deer corn during the night. He as single and stayed up all night and slept all day. He taped a small cardboard box to his Ruger 10/22 so he could shoot them through his window in his bathroom. He didn't have to look for his shells after shooting.
We took our family on a quick trip to California that included Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Parks. There were nine of us traveling together. It was hot but we had a great time. I spent over $200 on ice cream. Money well spent. The man who invented ice cream was a genius. :) We hiked about 37 miles total but I did not go all of that as the higher altitude are making it hard for me get the oxygen I need. I guess I did about 30 miles. This was our third attempt at a family vacation and it worked.
I spent the day trimming trees. I hope I don't get any more boring. :)
I got a twofor shooting woodchucks one time.
I returned from Iowa today to find it 99 degrees out. Watched two days of racing. Got to see my Dad, brother, sister, and oldest son. Helped brother with some plumbing, he had an absolute disaster going and I think the plumbing is in a good place now. Installed new water softener, sediment filter, flushed a bunch of stuff out of the system that had found its way into the well when there was a broken fitting at the well casing, and bleached the well water enough times over 6 days to have a shot at clean water once it's all cleared. Had a lot of good food. The only thing that didn't work out was getting out on the Harleys. One of them wouldn't start. I'm pretty sure he let it sit too long without a battery tender.
I read George Poteet has died... Hotrodder, Land Speed racer in the Speed Demon car and others.
I had brief visits with George over the years. He was very good to me. His car with Danny Burrows at the wheel beat our record at Bonneville. I looked up to both of these men. George did something very special for a friend of mine who was terminally ill with cancer. I will never forget what he did for my friend. To me it was more important than any car he owned and any record he set. He was a man of character.
.
Matt, I don't understand why an owner wouldn't clean up a project before bringing it to a shop.it seems that you would want to know more about what you had than a mystery covered in nasty. :) The bronco looks good. Clean and simple. :)
Bill, I reckon it is the same reason that adjusters and estimators cannot take a knee to glance under a wreck and a service advisor won't pop a hood. They get chewed out if their garments become unduly soiled.
The Bronco turned out really nice, better than new.
Hey, it's great to be back. High winds knocked out power and 'net, just got them both back tonight. Many trees down, and a neighbor has been helping me get the driveway cleared and a few other trees. Some are his and some are mine.
Bad news on the lung...it's gotten small again. Weird. Waiting for a call from St. Louis hospital for next challenge. Three hours away, so wife won't be making daily trips to see me.
Matt, the Bronco looks good. The old Ford truck brings back memories. I had a '46 heavy 1/2T with the 100hp eight and granny low 4 speed in the 70's and 80's. The pic is before I painted it the same colors. I had a local body shop fix up some metal running boards for me. I took it to show the original owner (her husband had died) and she was thrilled that it was still running. It still had the owner manual where she had written a grocery list on the inside cover. She told me that when it was delivered, it had wooden planks for bumpers, but they sent steel bumpers later.
The other guy with the hat in the picture was Bob Gerace, a really nice guy. He had some nice old cars.
Hey, it's great to be back. High winds knocked out power and 'net, just got them both back tonight. Many trees down, and a neighbor has been helping me get the driveway cleared and a few other trees. Some are his and some are mine.
Bad news on the lung...it's gotten small again. Weird. Waiting for a call from St. Louis hospital for next challenge. Three hours away, so wife won't be making daily trips to see me.
Matt, the Bronco looks good. The old Ford truck brings back memories. I had a '46 heavy 1/2T with the 100hp eight and granny low 4 speed in the 70's and 80's. The pic is before I painted it the same colors. I had a local body shop fix up some metal running boards for me. I took it to show the original owner (her husband had died) and she was thrilled that it was still running. It still had the owner manual where she had written a grocery list on the inside cover. She told me that when it was delivered, it had wooden planks for bumpers, but they sent steel bumpers later.
The other guy in the pic with the hat was Bob Gerace. A nice guy that had a few nice cars.
Yeoman , I wish you well with your lung . That must be tough to deal with . IDJ , another home run ! that bronco looks great .
Down to one cab corner butt weld on the GMC cab and that'll be done today.
Our man Blake did the Bronco put-together and it is out for custom bent exhaust.
Our man Josh will be doing the 47 and Aaron started teardown yesterday. Two full trash can's worth of filth so far. The lugnut with keyhole is an enigma but owner wants to use those slots. I'm told the mill is likely a 50s 283 with 4 speed. Gets TCI chassis and Coyote has been said.
You guys oughtta see the 49 Merc truck. It is getting close to built. Blue with black fenders.
GMC looks good. New metal beats rust anytime in my world. :)
Geeez Louise Phil.. Sorry to hear the lung issue continues. Take care
8)
I have an Amazon package that was to arrived this past thrusday... Via UPS delivery.
UPS sends a notice on wednesday that due to weather in Texas , the package would be 1 day late, delver on friday.
Friday I receive a notice that due IT problems , the package will now deliver on tuesday July 23rd..
Earlier there was a large network outage that affected various businesses. Car dealers, etc. Now: we have a serious IT problem that affects a huge amount of companies, public and private.
This stuff kinda worries me a bit as to how far it really will go? Major electric grid failure via sabotage?
Thanks, Tony. Our Verizon cell phones still aren't working. I agree that the bad guys are working at shutting down more important stuff.
I sold my Fox Mustang body shell today. It only took 9 weeks
@Tony, the IT/internet shutdown was massive, and accidentally caused by one of the world's largest internet security companies, Crowdstrike. Short version, they screwed up bad by issuing a faulty update to run on a little-used computer platform known as Windows...
On the topic of UPS, though, their service has gotten really bad. A week almost never goes buy that I don't send at least one UPS package, many of which are time sensitive. Their service has deteriorated badly at the same time they've increased their prices by about 50%.
Quote from: jaybee on July 21, 2024, 09:37:03 PM@Tony, the IT/internet shutdown was massive, and accidentally caused by one of the world's largest internet security companies, Crowdstrike. Short version, they screwed up bad by issuing a faulty update to run on a little-used computer platform known as Windows...
On the topic of UPS, though, their service has gotten really bad. A week almost never goes buy that I don't send at least one UPS package, many of which are time sensitive. Their service has deteriorated badly at the same time they've increased their prices by about 50%.
Yeah , I read the reports put out on the IT problem.. For some reason I am doubtful we are getting the full accurate information ? I have become more cynical over the decades. Not sure it is warrantied here or not.
On the UPS shipment : Just this monday morning received another notice that my package will now be 1 more day late. Will deliver on wednesday now? Which is weird since tracking shows the package arrived up here in the mountain UPS distribution complex on saturday morning. The package should deliver today between 5:30 and 6:30pm, maybe yes, maybe no ?
It is chilly here this morning. 55* at the moment.
8)
Quote from: Crosley.In.AZ on July 22, 2024, 08:20:50 AMOn the UPS shipment : Just this monday morning received another notice that my package will now be 1 more day late. Will deliver on wednesday now? Which is weird since tracking shows the package arrived up here in the mountain UPS distribution complex on saturday morning. The package should deliver today between 5:30 and 6:30pm, maybe yes, maybe no ?
It is chilly here this morning. 55* at the moment.
8)
Well , at 6:05pm local time my tardy package arrived. I received a notice from Amazon this monday morning telling me : Hey ! Your package will arrive today... ! :lol:
I have new items ordered from Amazon. Tracking tells me it will deliver on Saturday. I have never seen the UPS trucks around here on Saturday. May be delayed again?
:shock:
loaded up one chopper and took it to its home . It is the one I have been building for a buddy of mine . 110" evo made to look like a pan head ( my favorite) , dynoed to 100 horse . Springer front and rear looks to be hard tail but suspension is underslung beneath engine /trans . This bike has all kinds of pointy ends on everything . During the build it got the name Vlad the Impaler . I have opened myself up countless times on the pointies on this bike . It bit me again today. Tomorrow we bring the chopper I am building for my son home . I can not seem to walk past this bike without scraping myself on the beautiful pointy rear axle . Did it again today . Oh yes gentlemen this bike will be bathed in metalflake 8) 8) 8) . suzuki gs1000 motor and trans, hard tail w /John Harmon springer front . This baby is over 8' long . This move will have emptied my shop of 19 years of most all I still have there . Just a few pictures to take down and I am gone .
I am officially a member of the ADA Geezer generation. Had a Clear Caption phone installed today. My last pair of hearing aids had a program where I would mount a small round magnet to the receiver, and when I put the receiver to my ear, the magnet would make my hearing aids louder. My new hearing aids are smaller and no room for that program.
ADA supplied the phone free of any charges ever, and they even installed it. Now to see how I like it.
I epoxied bare spots on cab and put together what bed parts we have yesterday. Back to bondo. Last body I did is still abandoned, post-bondo, right where I left it. Not feeling real useful or wanted. West coast hires are pushing to out me, I can tell. Had a flat on the 69 Sunday but at least made it to the garage. Tire hunt starts when work week ends. As the stress of going to court nears, temptation to pay my extortion fee to the city and endorse/believe lies about myself over a seatbelt increases. Resistance is futile. I am convinced of my inferiority and wickedness and can only embrace others' opinions as my own. Mine don't matter, I'm an awful person. :)
We been out looking at houses... Found one with small shop in back. Guy worked on used Appliances.
This old wringer washer was sitting in the back. Mom had one in the 1950 & 60s like many households did.
Few other older machines too.. Remember the front loaders that had slanted fronts on them?
How do you make a carriage bolt arrangement even more silly? Put it through an eight-notched washer, of course. And wood. :roll:
Figured I'd best shuck the GMC bed first of all. Of course it had a half ton of junk in it to unload first.
Eventually I figured out why the washers are that way. While mindlessly slathering roof mud.
Here is a thinker for you now:
Wood is the rarest material in the universe. Only happens here. It's companion, fire, is the same way. Things "burn" via chemical reactions in space but fire is also unique to here.
So sayeth the interweb. Hmmm.
I looked at a clone 1965 GTO convertible yesterday. I thought about buying it to make some money. It needed a few things, and it was a very reasonable price, but I want to work on other things. Years ago I would have been all over it.
I have been watching a69 Buick Skylark GS. It has not sold yet. Mainly because it has a 350 Buick rather than the 455 it came with. I happen to have a NOS 455 Buick short block and a complete 455 for the rest of the parts needed. The 69 looks to be a solid car.
I saw this on CL today. 145K miles for $1,500.
https://fayar.craigslist.org/cto/d/fayetteville-2008-escape-clean-body/7769777427.html
Thats less than a set of 17s for my 69 and it is probably air conditioned.
After being sent on a wild goose chase by my own big brother yesterday I had Big O order me some 15" TA radials for the front of my junk. Be here next week. I hate dew and miss the 455. Could have been driving it now.
Assembled the new 71 bed box this week. A helper randomly snuck away and therefore I became injured.
I'm on my second Escape. Both of them front drivers. I love them. For me the great thing is with the 3.0 they are rated to tow 3500 lbs. I prefer the 2001 to 2009 models.
Quote from: WZ JUNK on July 25, 2024, 01:24:20 PMI looked at a clone 1965 GTO convertible yesterday. I thought about buying it to make some money. It needed a few things, and it was a very reasonable price, but I want to work on other things. Years ago I would have been all over it.
Boss just sent fuzzy pics from the July issue of "GM Scene". The root beer float colors 65 GTO convertible we did at work got a feature and the centerfold. Wish I could read it. I didn't do much on that one, just door handles, cowl shave and some prime & block. That was a super fancy build. I think it had one feature already, and appeared on Car Crazy (Meguiar's TV show, at SEMA). Anyhow, hey yeah 65 goat ragtops... nice. 8)
This weekend is a soul killer with the big car down. Maybe if I just go start it up, that'd help.
Wasted some time yesterday trying to extract e-coat chips from chopped pinky but nope, too deeply embedded. It was sawed on or scissored by two edges with the weight of a long bedside trying to liberate a hunk of flesh. I got mad. :)
Quote from: enjenjo on July 27, 2024, 11:10:42 PMI'm on my second Escape. Both of them front drivers. I love them. For me the great thing is with the 3.0 they are rated to tow 3500 lbs. I prefer the 2001 to 2009 models.
My brother wanted one of those from that year range too but ended up in an Envoy. I sent him that link and he thought I wanted it, or for Mom. Not me! But that price was lookin right, for the mileage.
I am rooting for the GS for you btw, via thought vibes. Any 455 will scratch muscle itches lesser mills just can't reach. :)
We had a 2012 Escape for a few years with front drive, but went back to Subaru for all wheel drive for the wife in winter. She had one when we married in 2008, so it's our third, but I had one years ago, so it's my fourth. We've never had trouble like other people do with engines, etc., but she did have problems with her trans in her 2001. Her son put in a used one and it ran for years after we sold it. My daughter ran mine into a tree on the ice, so that wasn't the cars fault.
I have been gone but now I'm back. LOL
Link to Salina car show {https://youtu.be/AKLhumNPJ_M}
I forgot pic. :idea:
Installed a new kitchen faucet in this RV.. Old one had issues. Had to shut the valve off in certain spot of the faucet dripped slowly. There are no shut off valves on the water lines that feed faucets in most RV to isolate a problem at sink or toilet.
For some reason RV water connections are different size than house stuff. Since the RV is plumbed in 1/2 inch PEX tubes, it is easy to install residential PEX shut off valves and residential Kitchen faucet of single stalk design. This was the same process as I did in the bathroom 1.5 yrs ago. Swap over to residential style fittings with shut off valves.
The faucet was part of my recent Amazon delivery by UPS.. Suppose to deliver on saturday. It was here on Friday.
Fun Fact: I did see a UPS and FED-X trucks here in the park on saturday.
8)
I hear tell today that the 59 Catalina got a photo shoot a week or two ago. Probably same mag. It was at the shop being primped so I reckon that was why. Looked like a million bucks. 8)
Good photos from Salina. I saw photos of some friends cars. I want to go back to that show. Maybe next year.
Useless trivia: the 48 still has the efi hiccup when ever it wishes. It averaged 19.986 mpg over 539 miles for the trip. I had it up in the air inspecting and have found nothing loose or leaking. I removed the center portion of the seat this afternoon. I was able to come up with an idea to change out the seat and install a center console and a short flip up arm rest to replace it. The current arm rest is too low to be of any use. The cup holders are not very useful. The beginning of more parts and closer to seat upholstery.
Piling on a tad more useless trivia... the 245/275 60s tire combo on my 69 now is the most big-n-little stagger I've ever put on it. I like it. Turns and brakes nice with no front rub for more confident motoring. Things in general are shaping up. :) :arrow:
I sat the bed and cab on the 71 GMC yesterday. New cab mounting set has 4 equal height bushings but the old rears are twice as tall. 4WD cab mounts are different? Must research.
Ah, just a subtle bit of stagger, looks nice.
Years ago, we would be at Blanding, Utah making our way to Speedweek along with a bunch of guys from this board. What an experience. :)
Thanks, Jaybee. 8)
WZ John, I'm betting you might know this heap parked next to my junk :arrow:
Matt, that one is new to me. Most of the ones I have been around are not street driven. Nice looking Henry though.
The guy said he was the car that ran right before the Okie Twister met it's demise. Kyle I think it was. Came from a nearby shop asking about some tooling in the mech shop.
It has the same back tires as my GP. :)
Well I started teardown of the GMC chassis today. It had half a dozen frame rivets missing or broken or loose around the spring mount and steering box area but no cracks found.
How does the RRT collective repair such? I replaced rivets with 3/8" grade 5 bolts, nice and tight, but opinions in the shop vary widely on what is adequate or honorable. Any inputs? :idea:
I am planing to replace some rivets in an older frame myself. I had planned to use bolts and then an additional tack weld. It will be interesting to see what others have to say.
Well, I'll tell ya my first thought. Same as yours. Perhaps one tack on bolt head and one on nut. First I thought I'd use lockwashers but just nut and our shortest bolts fit with very little exposed threads and I liked that. So thats how it sits.
Race / offroad guy says just use grade 8 bolts but added that boxing of the area is best for offroading with big tires and hard use, and pointed out the typical crack spot on these.
Rod & custom guy said plain bolts and perimeter weld the parts to rail. Then remove bolts and weld the holes maybe.
Guy who used to do limo frames said cherry the loose rivets and C-clamp those. Bolts for the rest.
I believe a couple small edge beads strategically placed would yes prevent any part movement but question how necessary that might be considering the amount of flex that is in a long bed frame and how weld areas may become more brittle.
So I seek a broader consensus. I am OK with how it sits now, truth be known. But I have seen a 73-87 durn near rip the steering box area out of the rail.
So opinions or experiences are welcome but I'd be OK calling it done now.
In the pic you can see the crossmember in the box area. That whole end was almost free from the rail, with one rivet broke in half but both halves still present, and the other one badly wallowed out. It was an eye opener when with that crossmember end freed, I used a short tool in a rail hole to realign the top hole. About the whole front half of the rail could easily be twisted. Hmm.
Side note: 73 Mustang job gets first polyester primer on the body today. It has been patiently awaiting that for months. Activity is to resume on that job since goodie-buying is back in full swing.
I sat the GMC cab aside with unsanded glaze on the roof. Far as I can tell, my pace is doing fine. :)
Matt, The frame material and rivets are both softer than a grade 5 bolts and way softer than a grade 8. The cross sectional area is a little less than a rivet due to the threads, but better material so that's fine. On the other hand, rivets completely fill the space available, so there's no chance of motion unless they loosen up with time. No reason to stop you from replacing the missing rivets with bolts. If you have some that show rusty dust or other indications they've loosened, maybe heat them slowly so the heat can get deep into the rivet and retighten them with a bucking bar?
You can buy the rivets from McMaster Carr.
Here is a hot rivet setting tool
https://kensironstore.com/products/rivet-bucking-tool
You can make one too from some bar stock, a drill, and a round nose grinding wheel.
Cut the rivet so about 1 1/2 to 2 time the head diameter sticks out. Heat the end red with a torch, buck from the head side, and form the new head on the other end. Do a couple test rivets in the same thickness material to see how much stick out you need.
Here is a video for home made tools. He heats it too much on the second try. You pound on the shank end and buck the head. You can hold the buck on the inside of a frame with a bolt and nut pushing against it. Ionia Rod Shop used to build all their frames this way. He is a little anal about the rivet fitting tight, it will swell to fit unless the hole is really off. And you should only heat the shank end and not the head unless the hole is really off size.
I learned to hot rivet in shop at school many years ago.
Thanks for the info and suggestions, gents. :)
I found half a dozen more at the trans crossmember. There were none on top of rails so I am calling that four missing, out of eight. But they must have been gone for a long time. Two on bottom have bolts instead that were still tight (thats all that was holding the xmember) and the other two rattled. So I put six bolts there.
If we had any 7/16" bolts or nuts, I might have enlarged holes to that size but we don't. The 3/8" filled the holes fairly well.I don't believe theres anything to worry about now. The consensus leads me to believe that not welding anything is fine.
Busted rivets on frames just isn't something I have run across much. This one just had a rash of that, in important spots.
I have two (good ones, out of six) more to remove out at the tail crossmember so it can be relocated for a gas tank. About half of the good rivets still can't come out even after grinding off both sides so the remainder must be drilled out. So yep when they are secure they are secure. But those long floppy rails exert a lot of leverage.
I made the mistake of trying to tighten up a slightly loose one cold but it only took one swat and bounce of knuckle inside a rail to convince me that wasn't an option. ;)
One rusty splined rear upper shock mount stud was a spinner so I researched a little beforehand and decided a couple plug welds through the bracket would do. Studs and threads on them are fine despite appearances.
Mustang body in poly primer finally, woohoo!
I bet the mustang owner is getting excited. :)
Quote from: kb426 on August 02, 2024, 09:22:13 AMI bet the mustang owner is getting excited. :)
Lighter pockets do put a spring in one's step. :)
I did get the frame stripped of parts. A couple rear shackle bolts were extremely hesitant to leaving their homes but the job is done. X measuring it on jack stands bare went OK but as it sat, one corner was up 3/4" and the opposite was up by 1/2". As I began to ponder corrections I leaned on a rail end and oh my goodness the whole frame is about too floppy to even measure accurately. It twists super easy. So, calling it good. :)
Crapshack. Forgot pic again. Meh.
Watched the live feed from Speed Week today... New guys doing commentary this year?
Sound came & went. Still fun to watch it.
We got started wiring up my lathe and mill today . Wrong size cable was sent for the lathe so had to remove it from the ceiling and wall . Proper gage should be here tomorrow . I can then install it and wait for electrician to do the hooking up . VFD was sized to the mill by the electricians engineer buddy so all is good . I may be using my machines by next week ! Mill will use twist lock plug in and compressor will be on a switch rather than using the breaker all the time . Lathe and MIG welder will share an outlet . I have enough heavy extension cord for the MIG to weld about 30' from the garage if needed. Not done organizing my shop as I have all of my stuff home from the school I retired from this year. Going to try and set up the back 10' of my shop as a machine shop only.
C.K., have someone show you how to upload pics so we can see your metalflake. :)
Sadly 10 days ago , my cousin's only grand child was found dead at home. She was in her early 30s of age , single, no children, 2 cats, she was an only child. Hard worker, fun gal, liked to travel and party. We did not know her well 1 on 1. I knew her mainly thru her grandmother's eyes and frequent emails from grandma over the years.
Some medical event took her life.. Just sad.
Crosley , sorry to hear of your cousins loss. It is sad when a parent loses a child .
KB I had thought I might do the INDUMA raised lettering on the mill in 'Flake but it will have to be a slow day for that to happen . Not high on the list for now. Other things I have thought about are mounting an old instructional aid 3' long 1" micrometer and 6' long 6" vernier caliper outside ,above the garage door along with my mini chopper . The chopper would be buried in 'Flake ! 8) 8) 8) For now I will have to deal with setting up the inside of the shop so I can start machining again.
Wow, Tony, I'm very sorry to hear of her passing. Incredibly sad, and far, far too young.
Been rainy , cloudy around here for a week now. It would be in high 80s during the day , the rain in the afternoon.. We enjoy it too. :shock:
Other day I repaired the last strap on my cover for the 5th wheel hitch in my truck. Same process I posted earlier. Pop rivets on the new strap material. I doubt the whole cover lasts another year from the AZ sun
Remnants of Hurricane Debby should be arriving overnight. I think I'll stay inside.
Almost three weeks in the hospital again and I want to spend more time outside. July 30 went back in with the chest tube infected, took that one out and put three more in, found hole and stapled it closed, just got out today with no tubes. They don't even let you step outside for a minute. I've got to build up my strength again to start doing thing around the house. Geez, it's hard enough just to walk the 200' to the mailbox.
Tony, sorry to hear of your cousin's passing. Way too young.
Sorry to hear you had to go through that again. It takes forever to come back from that.
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on August 10, 2024, 06:47:28 PMAlmost three weeks in the hospital again and I want to spend more time outside. July 30 went back in with the chest tube infected, took that one out and put three more in, found hole and stapled it closed, just got out today with no tubes. They don't even let you step outside for a minute. I've got to build up my strength again to start doing thing around the house. Geez, it's hard enough just to walk the 200' to the mailbox.
Tony, sorry to hear of your cousin's passing. Way too young.
Wow Phil , this has been a H of an ordeal for you. Keep moving forward..
8)
New battery in to the F350 today. It tested OK , little low on voltage. About 10 months ago I noticed some acid had bubbled up on to the top... Today I found 2 sides were slight bulge out. 3.7 yrs on the OEM battery. I have never got an OEM battery to last that long in 25 yrs. Usually 11 to 14 months is it for OEM battery
New AGM from Auto Zone. Group 65 , 750 CCA.. Why Auto Zone? I look for store availability if we are traveling. I try to use Walmart batterys. They are good item. Walmart has stores in many locations. Auto Zone is my 2nd go to on a few items . Many stores around.
The insulatore for the OEM battery was some what soaked with battery acid, so it was tossed
8)
Dang, Phil, sure hope they have you fixed up soon. That sounds absolutely miserable.
Thanks, jaybee, they said they got it this time. We went to a flea market today so I could walk around, and lo and behold, one of the food trucks was selling funnel cakes. I like to have one once a year for my junk food fix. We had gone to our local two county fair in July to have one, but they weren't selling them yet. Couldn't make the other fairs, so I said what the h*ll. Dang it, they got pricey. $8 for one, and the vendor said they marked them down from $12 they were charging the music venue. Appetite being bad as it is, I did eat most of it.
Phil. I'm glad they threw you out of there. Must have been good behavior. Hope you have continued progress. :)
I spent some time in the garage today sorting parts into drawers and labelling them . Got most of the storage totes emptied into drawers labelled by the project vehicle and what is in the drawer . I have an old cabinet from a drafting room that has 40 drawers about 16" square by 6" deep. Starting to see the floor in my shop again . Now only if the wiring guy would show up again !
Been calm here for a few daze... Weather has been stormy still... Cooler
Couple of non car projects coming up in september.. Will see if that comes together. :lol:
Fed-X arrived here at 7:30pm. Dark out. A Package from Harbor Freight. Local HF store was out of a few items , so I ordered them delivered.
4 days ago , I start to receive a shat load of text msg from my brother and niece (their daughter).. My brother's wife tripped and fell. Some how the vacuum was involved, I am still not sure if she fell on or tripped over the vacuum. She is in rehab now. Fractured knee cap, below the knee the small leg bone is fractured too. No surgery needed, leg is in a brace. She is already in rehab facility.
As most of us here (?) Know getting old aint for sissies.
8)
"As most of us here (?) Know getting old aint for sissies." Yeah, Tony, I think most of us are getting that.
I took today off, after cleaning up more downed trees yesterday. That just added more aches and pains to ones I already had. Wife got a few extra aches and pains too from clearing/burning limbs/brush.
Killed a couple more mice in the shop with the bucket trap, and found where I think they're coming in. A small spot under one overhead door where the weatherstrip didn't reach the end. I filled it with steel wool for now and will see if that slows down the kills.
Speaking of non-auto related repairs, my wife has a plastic legal size file box and the 'locking' handle kind of broke. It works on the principle of a piece of plastic bends to allow the handle to fold to lock the lid in place. I tried some really small hinges, but not enough give. So I glued two small tire patches to see if they will stick in place and work. I'll let it set overnight and check it out tomorrow.
Got the last of the cable hung for the lathe and welder . Electrician is very ill . he hopes to come on the weekend . I told him to take it easy im not in that big of a rush.
I just returned from a trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Great time and lots of sites to see. The weather and the temperatures were really nice.
More repairs on the RV... Cabinet bottom shelf dropped down.. The mount brace was on top of the shelf base, not under it. Bouncing down the roads the shelf dropped as the staples pulled loose.
In the hi-lited yellow lines... The shelf has pulled away from the brace - mount. WHy the RV builder did it that way? Who knows.
I moved that mount base to under the shelf and added a white wood brace in the middle, under each shelf. Much better , I think?
8)
Spent the day at the drag strip with Hooley and some other friends. I helped him with the "Okie Twister" and I arranged it so that I could pair up with him in the time trials. I left on the first yellow and red lighted of course. The end result was I paid $45 for him to humiliate me. I just wanted to hear him go by me and I wanted to be behind him when he shut down at speed. A great day.
Here's a link to some pics from the Scott City car show {https://youtu.be/cwNTqRZT3KM}
Received a package of 4 items from AMazon , delivered by UPS.. On time , delivered well.
THe package was not from an Amazon facility tho. It was poorly boxed. The ship label had been on a different box, cut off and then installed on this box with cardboard remnants of the former box it was stuck to.
Each item was loose in the box, no packing. Weird Oh well. My stuff is here.
8)
Tony, I had an experience that was not so dissimilar recently. I purchased 3 cans of R134A from a place that had decent ratings. They arrives in a shabby box, without the correct markings for shipment of compressed gases. The box was much bigger than the cans and they were loose inside, no packing material at all. It was immediately obvious the cans were different weights, coming in at 15oz, 12oz, and...8oz!
First, I messaged the vendor to see if they'd make it right. My message was removed. Then I gave them a poor rating on Amazon. That was also removed.
Everything that I have ordered from Amazon direct has had poor packaging. My wife is a regular customer and I can see the same in her purchases. The UPS and Fedex driver's have rural deliveries in my world so blowing the dirt off the boxes is part of my job. :)
I have very good service from Amazon. Most things arrive double boxed and packed so that the item shipped is protected. In fact I often wonder why they over protect the item so much that it is difficult to unpack.
Quote from: jaybee on August 20, 2024, 08:18:45 PMTony, I had an experience that was not so dissimilar recently. I purchased 3 cans of R134A from a place that had decent ratings. They arrives in a shabby box, without the correct markings for shipment of compressed gases. The box was much bigger than the cans and they were loose inside, no packing material at all. It was immediately obvious the cans were different weights, coming in at 15oz, 12oz, and...8oz!
First, I messaged the vendor to see if they'd make it right. My message was removed. Then I gave them a poor rating on Amazon. That was also removed.
Interesting... I wrote a review 2 plus yrs ago on a folding camp table I use for my griddle. I mentioned a few things to watch for. Pinch points for fingers as you open or close the table. I used zip ties on a few things so the table would not close up accidentally. I gave the table good marks with my warnings.
Amazon removed my review, I was put on probation for review posting. I asked for a reason why my review caused this. I received a BS response that I was sure an A I response , Not a human .
A year later I started to post reviews again. I use words like: Great, thanks, wonderful... If I post a negative review. Like: " Great low quality, thanks! " Amazon has not responded to any of them. I commented about "Great Low quality packaging... Awesome slow delivery"... Amazon told me to Not comment on packing or delivery problems . LOL
8)
I blocked out the Mustang. Then blocked out the resultant spot primed areas. Still working at the hood and haven't done jambs or bay yet. Theres still no suspension or powertrain but the body will get final primer soon.
GMC job was handed off to another tech to finish cab mud. The rest is new metal.
I heard the A run. On four holes.
I hear tell that at some point in the near future the Bronco body with almost all new metal that I screwed together a year or two ago will resume.
Nothing of interest to show or tell. Nothing makes sense. Nothing to look forward to, or to fondly remember.
One of the new Cooper Cobras I bought in April has dry rot cracked all the way around the bead.
Wondering if offering a grand to take the 72 GP outta my yard would get any action. Weather has been dry enough that theres a sporting chance at unearthing it.
... and ANOTHER new hose end just flew off while blowing bondo dust off the Mustang hood.
I am at my wit's end. Why am I having this problem? The scars and dents must stop but theres no way around air hoses except career change.
Here is a pic of somebody's Belvedere GTX engine to atone for my tone.
New Mustang hood required bondo from the scoops back. So far.
There is 175 PSI at all the shop's hose ends. No regulator anywhere. Could this be why? The others have no problems. For 13.5 years I didn't either. But in the last couple months three new hoses' ends have failed. I am now gun shy and cringe a lot around air hoses because I am scared I'll be hurt. Perfect. Time to throw in the towel I reckon.
In conclusion: :roll:
A regulator had been installed on my drop by the time I got to work today, set to 90 working PSI. :-o
I "bless your heart" -ed the guy who installed it.
I then used a found Flexzilla hose end repair on my newest black hose with brass ends that failed. It is of a bulky aluminum construction.
I feel much safer.
Everything works more like it should. :) For now. At ease.
175psi is...a lot.
Here's a link to pics from the Colorado Rock and Rumble.
{https://youtu.be/JrMnqOjQVng}
I just returned from the Frog Follies. Great show with many old and new friends. For the last few years we have a toast about 2 pm on Saturday at events that my brother and I attend. He has done it for the last couple of years and I need to get more involved. Anyway he buys some good stuff and we poor a shot to all who want to participate. We toast to all our friends who are no longer with us. A tradition.
That's a fitting end for many people who have entered our life's, John. :)
I made a little road trip today in the 48. It's getting close to 4,000 miles. I went to Amarillo (190 miles one way) to test drive a new Miata. They had a 23 with 5000 miles on it but it appeared to be sold as I drove in the drive. After driving the car, we go back inside and I ask for the price because on the dealer's website it lists msrp plus $150 doc. fee plus addons???? Turns out the addons are 4 grand of crap. I sure won't be buying anything from that dealership. The salesman said they add that to any vehicle 2018 and newer. I'm amazed they are in business. :)
Bill, sounds like bait and switch, only bait and add. Geez.
Quote from: kb426 on August 31, 2024, 07:31:13 PMI made a little road trip today in the 48. It's getting close to 4,000 miles. I went to Amarillo (190 miles one way) to test drive a new Miata. They had a 23 with 5000 miles on it but it appeared to be sold as I drove in the drive. After driving the car, we go back inside and I ask for the price because on the dealer's website it lists msrp plus $150 doc. fee plus addons???? Turns out the addons are 4 grand of crap. I sure won't be buying anything from that dealership. The salesman said they add that to any vehicle 2018 and newer. I'm amazed they are in business. :)
You guys may or may not remember when nitrogen in tires was a big magic deal at new car dealers 20 yrs ago? An add-on to the window sticker of 400 to 900 $$ for "Lifetime nitrogen in the tires" LOL
I was at a chevy dealer with my problematic 2006 Silverado for warranty work again. They had new vehicles near the service bay for customers to look at while waiting.
I noticed an add-on for nitrogen on the window sticker as a sales gal walks up to me and made the mistake to start a conversation with me. :twisted: I mention the hundreds of dollars for life time nitrogen in tires. She starts the blah blah sales pitch. I tell her that 78% nitrogen air has worked for decades for me. I had to explain to her what I meant.. That regular air has 78% nitrogen.
8)
Wow, $4K of add ons! Not a chance I'd buy a car that way.
I always felt the same way about nitrogen in tires. It was one of those pseudoscience things. Race cars run nitrogen in their tires so it has to be good for your street car. Except the reasons why race cars run nitrogen don't apply to street cars. So they made up a reason...that nitrogen is microscopically bigger than oxygen, so it won't leak out as fast.
OK, let's roll with it. The 22% of the air in your tires that isn't nitrogen leaks out, so you replace it with more air that's 78% nitrogen. Then 22% of THAT leaks out and you replace it with more air that's 78% nitrogen. I know you see where that's heading. If the sales pitch were true, it wouldn't be long before you'd have virtually 100% nitrogen in your tires just by filling it with air.
Yeah, Costco puts nitrogen in tires when they install new ones, and they also have a nitrogen station in the parking lot to 'air' up your tires if they're low. Free of charge, of course.
The 71 GMC job has been handed off to the next guy. The 73 Ford job is in final urethane primer now. Right door and fender (originals) required some fill fudge to match up body line at gap. Boss told me my next task is to resume the 75 Bronco job (bottom of pic). That one was paused once it was screwed together with new metal. My all-knowing coworker tells me no, it is the basket case Bronco (top of pic).
Oh... the personal heap junk I actually came to report:
DD GTP threw a P0341 last week (cam sensor DTC) so I replaced the ignition coils with a new set of three from one box for a hun in Walker brand, from O'R. Beats buying them seperately by a long shot and if theres a dud something can be done about it.
I still prefer to picture tall and dangerous pink skinned jungle archery enthusiasts when I hear Amazon.
Car runs great now though. 323K and not even breathing hard yet. She's a marathon runner. The purple sanity preservation device is still operative as well. Weather is lovely. Enjoy labor day. :)
...aaand as we've all come to expect of me...
Sunshine means storms ahead. I now have GTP torque converter oscillation. Deep inhale, barely exhale. Trans job will be 4K+ now I bet.
Over 30 years ago, when I built the old truck, I did not chop the molding that surrounds the door window openings and covers the pinch weld. For years I did not have a way to weld the very thin metal of this piece of trim. Today I cut and welded those pieces and I just finished dusting them with some of Krylons best flat black. Who knows, I may actually get the truck someday. In the mean time, I will continue to drive it as is.
Here's a link to some pics from the Hooker Ok. show. {https://youtu.be/iwvQ5d5OBcs}
I am pretty sure that the gold Chevy station wagon is the one that my brother owned a few years ago. I visited with the present owner recently and it is a dead ringer for the way brothers car looks today. It is the one that has the story of the gold mine with it. (he found a bank bag with the contents of a safety deposit box that include gold coins and jewelry in it.)
worked on my 65 merc truck today. carb issues . accel pump diaphragm was cracked and losing fuel . parts here tomorrow
parts did not get here. still waiting on electrician to finish wiring my lathe and mill
Electrician coming sunday . Today I fixed the man door on my garage , it closes and opens properly now .
Sold my roadster drag chassis. I will never build another drag chassis on spec again .
Checked out a service disconnect box. 120v to it. The hvy deteriorated external wires there? My contactless powerchecker says those wires are hot in the "on" position
I built a tool to help me bend radius in sheet metal. I will be making a hood sometime this winter.
I like the tripod stand. Looks good and not as many places to knock your shins.
The legs on the pipe anvil were made from scrap of an old treadmill. I like junk.
Nothing to report. Job just keeps ratcheting up the self-loathing factors. Not only will I never get to customize anything, I'll have to do all sanding of all items on all jobs including that which others have customized halfheartedly. To me, that is teeth kick on top of face spit. Bike rally smack dab in the center of my commute bottleneck this week so I made me a temporary sticker. :)
Sticker flew off on the way home. Rally must be a dud, not one bike got behind me. I was not shot at either.
Been sanding other peoples's leavings for weeks, at work. While guy in next stall is never expected to sand and enjoys free reign over three heavily metalwork-customized price is no object projects. It is getting to me again. If his metal work were finished like mine... might not be so bad but it ain't. Its like throwing dirty clothes on the floor expecting Mommy to clean his room. I cannot subscribe to the panel edges must be sharp enough to cut you mentality, it makes any vehicle an obvious bondo bucket. But thats what non-sanding man prefers. Customer preferences are simply disregarded and overridden.
The 51 F1 job still suffers with owner whims flipping around like a fish on a hot sidewalk, as it has from day one. Has custom wheels with redlines on it now and just this week... glory be... fenders got shot and buffed. I thought something was progressing on the A but ain't seen a hood on it since primer.
69 Mustang is going together real slow, 73 Mustang sits untouched as does the 71 GMC. But it's axles are getting attention and frame powder coat and engine rebuild sublets are done.
The F1 getting fenders painted is the oh-so gloriously positive nugget in this post, in case you missed that. Cheap saves on stock basket case trucks is my life now. And I'm capped at around 50 MPH now. Yippie! :)
There was a time when making a hood sounded mighty intriguing to watch. Sounds like fun. As does going to a drag strip. I have seat belt court next week. Just call me Eeyore.
More like Piglet now. :)
The no seatbelt ticket got tossed by the city attorney today. My GTP still works, and I am still sanding other peoples' show slop.
Matt, that sounds like a decent day. :)
T'was. Fair chunk of stress relief there and the sanding pace just has to be what I can handle. That interior of yours is lookin slick. :)
8) 8) 8) on the seatbelt deal.
I once went to traffic court with my daughter for a ticket she got for running a red light . It was on camera. the guy before us had the same charge and after playing the video he beat his . Same cop. when we went up for daughters charge , the charges were dropped BEFORE the video had to be played in court .They let us watch the video before we made a plea , we knew it was a stretch to call it a red light. This cop got an earful from the traffic court judge . I had to comment to daughter about how we spend father daughter time in traffic court .
Went in for surgery today. Right hand Carpel tunnel, and right elbow Ulnar nerve relocation. It went well, they sent me home with some good drugs.
Good news, Frank. :)
Hope it works for you, Frank. I had cubital surgery on my elbow years ago, and it didn't help. I think the doctor wasn't the best. Anyway, I'm coping with the numb finger tips, nothing serious.
New meat again. Tearing down an 85 K10 Jimmy. It is freakishly rust free, only has spots at the roof seams. Came with 6.2L diesel and is manual trans 4WD. Has a random SBC now and 305 on the sticker so who knows? I can't remember the last time I had a running and driving work project. Don't know yet if it is just a paint job or a frame off but there won't be anything roddy about it. Says fire chief on the gate.
Has a new GM hood on it but looks to have sat with no hood and been covered in guano so they pressure washed it before coming in. Brilliant! I am pretty happy and bolts are mostly coming right out. But I am also tasked with establishing a new SOP for organizing and sorting and labeling of everything and making notes, etc.
Well... it looks like has had pans over pans, and rockers, at some point. Spoke too soon. Job security! :)
I find zip lock bags/felt marker/ tupperware tubs to be helpful in keeping things in order. Also take lots of pictures now . It seems straight forward until a year from now and a dozen jobs in between to remember the little details . I am sure this is stuff you have done more often than me 8)
I am slowly going about making my garage more weathertight. I have let many things slide over the years and got to the point that I have to do some work . Re aligned my man door and sealed it up . Installed a shorter top panel on garage door so it closes all the way at the top .Still need to play with the weather seal along the top of the garage door . Have large gaps at either side of the bottom of the garage door to deal with . Might have to pour a bit of concrete to fix it as the coveralls shoved under the door dont seem to fix it :lol:
CK, come do my garage next. After you get all practiced up. :)
Have lots of bags and bins and tape and markers. Things we talked about are like:
What old bad things to throw away when.
How specifically fasteners are to be labeled and grouped.
Listing contents on outside of bins. Heck I do that at home.
As it is, two or three years can go by before reaching for something stashed. Example in pic. Thats part of what we are working to improve. Delays are sometimes due to customer money flow capacity, sometimes due to job juggling for flow or personell shuffling. It is insanely difficult to find and keep good help. They have to love it and ya gotta give a new guy some tasks to find out where he stands. :roll:
There is also the matter of mapping shims and/or making other assembly notes upon mockup teardown and preserving those until needed.
Hope you heal quickly, Frank.
Well Matt, at least they keep that white truck washed, if nothing else... :lol:
A month ago , we bought a house in Holbrook AZ. The RV life was not conductive to getting projects on tract. We were paying storage rent on 3 places for the towable 5th wheel RV , the car trailer and my shop tools , and rent of the park model in Sun City area... We have rolled that $$ all together and bought the house.
All storage costs have been deleted. We are in the process to sell our park model unit in Sun City AZ and we will be done with central Arizona. It has been in the 105 to 113 degrees in the central AZ again in recent days. This house has not seen much upkeep in 10 yrs or so. It is a time capsule for the 1970s. LOL
The house is on .40 acre. Shop in backyard is 1600 sq feet with 100 amp service separate from the house.
Couple of drone photos from the listing.... Back yard was full of debris, dead tree stumps, broken concrete, bricks , stones, over grown bushes and trees. I used the F350 to lightly trim about a dozen bushes. Pulled a ratty old chain link fence and several posts out.
Still more to do as we have not even moved in yet. That happens the 29th of September. We are tired after 3 weeks of daily work. I thought I retired 3 yrs ago?
:shock:
Way to go, Tony. But, un-retirement is just starting. I retired 14 years ago, and I'm still working on the property we bought in 2008. A huge storm came through a couple months ago, and we're finally almost caught up with the clean up, having all the tree limbs and trunks piled in the weeds for later cutting and splitting. Our roof is due for replacement starting (maybe) next week. We're also having a backup gennie installed later to replace the portable that I use in emergencies. We lose power too often, and with more skin cancer surgery around my eyes coming up later, I don't want my wife to have to worry about how to hook up the gennie.
Your place looks good, and a good sized shop. I didn't think that anyone had grass in AZ. Ours is looking sad in IL, and we don't have the temps you do there. I'm just happy I don't live in the southeast US. Wow,they've got their work cut out for them.
I'm happy for you, Tony. I think you will be more satisfied with the house. You and your wife both know how to travel when it's time. :)
I went to Goodland ks for their "fall fest". The car show was larger than in the past but as has been the current trend, the stuff that interests me is a way smaller portion. I had a good time at the show visiting with people and listening to a great band. They did covers that were great. I got home and checked their Bandcamp page and the originals aren't near as good as the covers. :) The weather was a little warm for some but it was a great day for me. :)
Tony, that looks like a pretty presentable place with a very acceptable shop building once you get it to move in condition.
Tony, good decision. Just don't try to do all the work in one day. My youngest brother bought a motorhome a couple of years ago and then they sold their house. They have been traveling a lot but they are wearing down now. They are looking for something like you found. I never wanted to move or change location. We have been here 45 years and the house was paid off 30 years ago. There are 11 houses on my street and 5 of those families have been here longer than us.
O&S had what should have been a simple set of tasks. The 1st was to change oil in a v6 charger. Whoever did the last change overtightened the drain plug. I have a new oil pan on the way. They are held on with silicone. I had a very strong effort to get the silicone broke loose on one corner. It's draining out as time goes. 2nd was to replace the front struts. The easiest way to do this is to remove the upper a arm from the spindle. I watched a video and saw a guy smack it with a hammer with lots of force. I have an aversion to using hammers. After trying everything else, I wacked it with a sledge. I managed to get them loose and finish the replacement. There are some fasteners that torque to 125 lbs. The wheels are 138 lbs. I have sore spots. LOL. The oil pan should arrive in the morning and if things go well, an hour should complete the oil change. :) I've been removing loose paint on the house getting ready to paint. I'm using the blow nozzle and the air compressor. It's working quite well.
I am the southwest version of O&S it seems on this house work. I took about 80% of the kitchen out 2 weeks ago. The area had not been cleaned in many years. Took the cabinet doors off. Set them on edge on the ceramic tile floor. Later as you pickup the doors to take them outside... The doors are stuck to the floor from oil and grease from cooking. LOL
Behind the cabinets and sheet rock? Poor workmanship everywhere. Wires spliced together and taped up. Abandoned 120 volt lines. Electrical boxes taped and sheet rock mud over with wires still inside. Grounds not hooked up. Water lines moved poorly. Fridge water line was routed inside a wall. Up and over to the kitchen ceiling , then back to the first wall. 2 spices in the 1/4 inch water line. One was leaking for a while
We are doing small tasks one day, major task the next. Etc... Today was a new gas water heater install. Did Tony buy enough bits to finish the job? Nope. I need a length of vent tube , since the old piece is 2 inches short for new water heater. So the water heater is installed. Full of water. Gas connected, Not turned on because of vent stack. W-heater is in small mechanical room in middle of house.
2 days ago: it was a new dryer vent install.. THen utility sink, faucet and shut off valves install. Washer water valve assembly install. Just to get the laundry area going from slap A worn out everything.
Wife has been cleaning.. Hall way light sconces?? Take the glass off, there is minimum of 1/4 inch of dust and dirt on everything. Ceiling fans had not been cleaned in 10 yrs I guess?
One bathroom had carpet in it near shower. Wife hates carpet in a bathroom. Carpet was rough condition, She ripped out the carpet, tack strips and all. Shower - tub was heavy encrusted with calcium.. Wife used CLR on that. Soaked paper towels to lay on the calcium and she removed a large amount..
:shock: :shock:
Tony, I used Castrol superclean straight from the bottle to remove grease and smoke. There might be something better but I didn't find it. I would remove everything I could and put it in a drive and spray it and hose it off. I know the house won't be done until it is but I think you have a good project. Everything you do will make it better. :)
I gave my wife superclean for the stove vent, she loves how well it works.
One step forward, two steps back. I decided to put green LED's in the dash lights on the Corvair. Could reach all, but couldn't get one back in. Vair experts said to pull the dash panel, it's easier. Well, I did. Figured while it was out, I'd paint the panel, and install a vacuum gauge that's been sitting on the shelf, into the center empty pod where the clock should be. I'm not paying over $300 for a clock. Panel turned out well, with a couple small runs, but they're at the bottom, and this isn't a restored car anyway. Decided to paint the rest of the dash also, since the main panel was out.
Getting the glove box door off was fun, as the arm that holds it level doesn't come off the door, and you have to really finangle the door to remove it from the dash. Well, that cardboard box is beat after so many years, so ordered a new one for $43, and those two little rubber bumpers that the door closes against. A pair for $8. Good grief. Total with shipping is $70.
Today, ran 1/4" copper tubing to the engine along the left door sill, and behind the rear seat. Had to drill one hole, and made sure I didn't hit anything. I bought two feet of vacuum line at O'Reilly's today at $5 per foot with military discount. Geez, it's only rubber, guys.
Got the lines connected and went to start the car to see how the vacuum gauge worked...no go. Lights worked. Went back and made sure battery was tight. It was. Tried again, still no go. Go back to engine and smoke is released from a main wire. Dammit. Crawl under car. Nope, I didn't hit anything. Must be under the dash. Double dammit. Maybe tomorrow. I just can't seem to get ahead on this car.
Bill, I watched a video last week about Ford engines where the guy said their oil pans are "one use" only, and the oil pump pickup is plastic, which is connected to the oil pump at the front of the engine driven by a rubber belt.
Tony, after my brother died last year, we had to clean up his house to sell. He was a very heavy smoker, and everything was covered in a heavy layer of tar or nicotine. We had to scrap electronic components because they were jammed up and wouldn't run. We thought the globes on the wall lamps were amber until we washed them; they were white. He had a wooden roll top secretary desk that my wife sprayed with Murphy's Oil soap to clean it. Didn't work. She had to scrape the thick stuff off. We scrapped that too. I don't know how people can live like that.
He was a good electrician. He wired my whole new house in 1975, and rewired my after divorce house in 1999. His house was a different story. We never did find what some switches were for and some outlets didn't work.
Such is life, I guess.
I'm going to look for that Castrol cleaner and give it a try.
Anyone heard how Frank is doing?
Got the water heater fired up after the vent stack was hooked up. Hooked up the relief valve tube also. Works as it should. THe olde w-heater was 14 yrs old. It did not heat well. LOL
I try to spend an hour or so in the yards every other day. Today I dug up more small stumps from bushes. I have dug up about a dozen so far. I have a couple more bushes to "lightly trim" with the F350 truck. :shock:
I forgot a PEX fitting at Home Depot this morning. 1 hour drive each way. Wife told me to check the local hardware store 1.5 miles away. I was skeptical. I have not found PEX fittings in local ACE or others in Sun City AZ.. This place today: Walts Hardware... Has 20 pounds of stuff in a 10 pound building. Its organized, clean. Staff was quick to help. THey had the fitting I needed.
Phil: Sounds like fun on the Corvair.
8)
Tony, don't feel bad about things needing fixing on the house. I've watched videos on FB where home inspectors are checking new million dollar plus homes that are pitifully built. Soffit vents nailed to soffits with no holes cut into the soffit for air to vent, or vents on the roofs nailed right to the shingles. Water leaks, electrical problems, one where when he flushed a toilet, it filled the shower drain. A lot of them are in Texas.
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on October 02, 2024, 02:14:09 AMTony, don't feel bad about things needing fixing on the house. I've watched videos on FB where home inspectors are checking new million dollar plus homes that are pitifully built. Soffit vents nailed to soffits with no holes cut into the soffit for air to vent, or vents on the roofs nailed right to the shingles. Water leaks, electrical problems, one where when he flushed a toilet, it filled the shower drain. A lot of them are in Texas.
Phil; I hear you on new homes quality. Here in Arizona we have an inspector Cyril (Cy) Porter.. He has a social media site CyFyhi dot com he puts up short videos of new homes he has inspected with millions of views. Cy seems like a straight shooter from the videos I have watched
Taylor Morrison Homes just sued Cy to shut him up. Cy won in court. The judge found no falsehoods in Cy's videos. Not sure how far this action will go.
This house we bought has many issues.. Many. We had it inspected. Had the drain lines video camera inspected.
We went into this with our eyes wide open. ... I think. LOL
:D
We didn't have our house inspected, and it's had some weird things pop up. Some things I think were done by the previous owner that I know, and he's not the smartest kid on the block. Other things are in the design of the house, which was built in 1979. We're having a Generac backup generator installed this year, and the electric meter is on the back wall of the house, and the conduit goes under the floor of the garage to the basement, making it harder for the installer to put the transfer switch down there. He's decided to install it outside next to the meter box, run the conduit through the wall, over a door, back down to the floor and through the wall again to the outside to the gennie.
I checked out the Corvair today, and my copper tubing didn't hit any wiring. About 6" of 10 gauge wiring melted, then just stopped. Don't know why. I removed the voltage reg to see if the points maybe stuck, but they were okay. Repaired the wire and went to start the car, and it wouldn't start (it's been a long time). Now what? Half tank of gas. I pulled the air cleaners and looked, no gas in the carbs. Dumped some in, and the engine finally started. Whew! For a minute there, I thought the fuel pump died. New pumps have been junk for the last 20 years, so owners have been going electric.
A slight fear is arriving on cordless tool batterys. My Milwaukee batterys are 5.5 years old. One battery is really dropping off the chart. LOL I can use it, charge it, etc. The life cycle is about half now in use on the same tools.
With so many counterfeit batterys on the market , it is a tough thing to purchase? I looked at a discount counter at Home Depot yesterday. A Dewalt 4ah battery was $119.00 on discount.
I own Dewalt and Milwaukee cordless power tools. Some times you can buy a new tool ground with 4 or 5ah battery for near the same cost as a battery by its self.
I have had several batteries rebuilt by Battery Wholesale. So far I have not had any of them fail with some of them over four years old.
About 2 weeks ago , we learn that No USPS mail was coming to our house. We had only received 1 letter here. Then an Amazon package on USPS was listed as Undeliverable because "Invalid address or No such person"
We visit the local USPS office. We were told the address was listed as "Unoccupied" and she said we will change that so your mail is delivered.. We receive that Amazon package and mail that the USPS office was holding.
About 8 days later (stil no mail) My wife's package is listed the same "Invalid address" in USPS tracking.
Next visit to USPS we are told " You don not have a mail box at the street, It is on the house. We can not deliver to that box on the house" LOL My wife asks the obvious question.." Why were we not told this many days ago? We could have installed a mail box by now.
So, we bought a large mail box. I built a stand to proper height, proper numbers and mounted it in a location similar to many neighbors.
The carrier will inspect our mail box and then we will learn if we can have mail delivered here. Very frustrating
:twisted: :twisted:
Tony, I hear that story a lot. In the decades before, many times the carrier would not follow the rules about boxes but as the older employees have left, the newer ones are instructed to follow them explicitly. When I moved into my house, the mailman told me that without a box, any mail that was addressed to it would be thrown away. I put up a box even though I had a po box. In between both addresses, I usually get my mail. :)
Quote from: kb426 on October 04, 2024, 07:11:06 AMTony, I hear that story a lot. In the decades before, many times the carrier would not follow the rules about boxes but as the older employees have left, the newer ones are instructed to follow them explicitly. When I moved into my house, the mailman told me that without a box, any mail that was addressed to it would be thrown away. I put up a box even though I had a po box. In between both addresses, I usually get my mail. :)
Yeah the USPS is the Federal equal to Arizona Motor Vehicle Dept.. Ignorance runs rampant. I've had several MVD employees upset with me when I tell them : "You do not know your job.. Get some one that knows the laws and rules." When that person arrives, all is handled.
I gots many stories on AZ MVD missteps.. I would think most of us old car guys here have stories on motor vehicle paperwork.
8)
After my divorce in '95, I moved to a very small town that had a local post office 'uptown' which was a couple buildings. Everyone in town had a rural mailbox, including the houses right across from the post office, which did have inside mailboxes. I thought that was odd.
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on October 04, 2024, 09:54:19 AMAfter my divorce in '95, I moved to a very small town that had a local post office 'uptown' which was a couple buildings. Everyone in town had a rural mailbox, including the houses right across from the post office, which did have inside mailboxes. I thought that was odd.
What I am learning is the former owners of this house had a PO Box.. Yet: There were 2 mailboxes on this house when we bought it. One near the front door... Other near the area where the garage door would be. The garage was converted to a business decades ago. I will convert that back to a 2 car garage again if I can get the suggested garage door guy to call me?
The mailbox at the front door was dirty inside and out, not used in many years. We removed that one. Figured the front mailbox was to be used? LOL
On my mom's side , there were several USPS employees.. Decades ago mom's brother was the postmaster of a small town for many years. I think it was Sullivan Indiana?
oh well. I hope we pass inspection or at least they explain properly what is wrong this time. All this time just to get our mail delivered is silly.
:o
The little town I live in has only Post Office Boxes. This causes much problems with ordering on line, since most don't let you know how they are going to deliver. The only time I get a notice ordering, is when the vender says they can't deliver to a PO Box. Most of the time the Post Office here will not transfer a street address to the PO box, so the stuff gets tossed, yes, that is what they do, not send it back to the sender. So I makes sure I get tracking on everything and run to the PO as soon as tracking shows arrival. One of the guys told me to put #xxx after the street address on everything. xxx is my po box. Things are working much better now since I have started adding that.
I have been laying around the house healing. No complications. Monday I do a follow up with the doctor.
Yesterday, I got almost half of the main color sprayed on the house. I tried to take advantage of a calm day. I still have a little paint removal to do on the back side of the house. I made a road trip to Home Depot this am and picked up 6 sheets of siding. I have an area 8' x 20' that the lap siding is poor enough that it's getting replaced. More O&S exercise program. Depending on the wind, I will be a sprayer or carpenter. I use the last part very loosely. LOL.
For a while in Des Moines we had a carrier on certain days who was deathly afraid of dogs. Thing is, he didn't avoid the dogs. Instead, any house he suspected had a dog he would rap on the window or do something else to provoke the dog to bark. Then he would go back to the Post Office and complain that he felt threatened by the dog. Then the occupants would be forced to put up a box at the curb. The end result was that he would walk the entire street, then drive it in his truck and deliver to a handful of homes. We were fortunate in that our dogs wouldn't bark when they heard the mailbox on the house, only when someone knocked on the door. That and he couldn't see our dogs in the back yard, and they were mostly quiet.
I had all neighbor dogs barking, train engineer playing expressively with the horn, and helicopters skimming treetops directly overhead all at once at 11 PM last night. During a rare moment of peace when the window unit cycles off. I yelled. Today I went 3 miles for breakfast and was shaking by the time I made it two from road rage. Thursday's homeward commute across just the first city took as long as the entire trip normally does, with sitting through four or five traffic light cycles at two intersections. In the last two weeks, train delays add up to a full hour. Tried to work yesterday but really was only in the way. Coworkers' personal projects took over the instant boss left for CtC. Meanwhile I scrubbed lacquer primer off by the buckets, with thinner. With the painter spraying ten feet away gagging me.
Today I get to attempt fan assembly replacement in my GT. If I can accomplish that, I must then set about attempting to remove the entire rear suspension in my garage in order to access one radius rod bolt that still has it crippled from the hit and run. Then theres the ruined brand new tire to replace and a hail busted windshield to replace. Oh and the left front tie rod that an SUV folded in 2013. Before I can think of the whopperjawed brakes or any other long forgotten issues that have to be fixed. Because the GTP shifts funny at 45. No idea how I can get an alignment even if I do succeed on the GT so it will be ye olde guess adjust and drive to see drill.
Guy with the recent 56 truck project popped in yesterday to ask me what I did with the instructions for his one piece glass. Had to walk completely back through that deal. They don't have instructions because that kit is too complex and is not even sold to hobbyists for that reason. I found the youtube guy for him again, that explains it all.
Cars and roads must be eliminated from my life or I will finish it incarcerated. Weather is nice though. :)
This morning my son arrived with an air nailer and we went to work. We removed the old lap siding and installed 4x8 sheets to replace them. 5 hours later, he walks off in good shape and I needed about an hour long break to be worth 2 cents. LOL. Ready for paint after trimming the bottom edge on the panels. :) I had enough fun for the day so that will probably be a tomorrow job.
I'm waiting for Corvair parts to come in on Monday, so today I trimmed some dead tree limbs overhanging my yard, then cut them in smaller pieces to shred tomorrow. Also pulled down a couple dead limbs from the storm a couple months ago, that I could reach with my 20' pole saw. Now I'm sore from using muscles I haven't used in a long time. Will use the pulsating shower head on my lower back tonight to see if that helps.
I had to order glass fuses for the Corvair from Amazon. I had a lot in the drawer, but not the kind I need. I don't know why I've got so many 250v fuses in there. Must've gotten them at a sale somewhere? Threw a bunch away.
Good to hear you've got no complications, Frank.
Saw this olde Fjord truck at a McDonalds this morning ... In Peoria AZ.. We made a near final run for moving stuff from our park model trailer and had a "family gathering" friday. :o :o
Wife drove the F350 truck. I rode the Goldwing. It is a 233 mile drive. Wife had not really driven the truck yet. She likes the power the truck has since it will accelerate up hills , unlike the 2013 Honda Civic slows down on hills. On steeper climbs the Civic screams at 4500 rpm in 3rd gear.. The F350 don't care on the hills.
There may have been a time or 2 the Goldwing may have traveled into triple digits? Truck drivers in the last 20-30 yrs have gotten really *************
8)
That's a nice little hot rod.
Yesterday I went to a local show here that was a charity for rescue pets. Not massive, but a decent sized parking lot with nearly all the spots filled. It was real eclectic. A pair of Porsches, muscle cars, ricers, A really nice 1st gen Bronco, and a trio of tricked out Hyundai Velosters.
I overheard a couple of guys talking in front of the 1938 Chevy owned by one of them. Nice car. You could tell it's a long term project and extensively driven, because some parts looked brand new and others clearly had some age on them. Gotta love that. The apparent owner was pointing out that young folks have less interest in a car like that when new cars are so fast and handle so well. I get his point, but the car market has dang few CARS these days. Far too many SUVs for my taste.
O&S got 2 coats of paint on the new siding and did the 2 end walls. With that, I'm out of paint until wednesday. I could start on the trim. :)
Quote from: jaybee on October 06, 2024, 10:52:24 AMI overheard a couple of guys talking in front of the 1938 Chevy owned by one of them. Nice car. You could tell it's a long term project and extensively driven, because some parts looked brand new and others clearly had some age on them. Gotta love that. The apparent owner was pointing out that young folks have less interest in a car like that when new cars are so fast and handle so well. I get his point, but the car market has dang few CARS these days. Far too many SUVs for my taste.
Ya , the current crop of vehicles offered by any manufacturer is mostly the SUV , crossover or what ever they call them..
Wife wants to buy a newish Honda Accord or another Civic. SHe likes the size of them, comfort. Etc. Problem for me is Honda has all CVT transmissions in them. Durability on CVT is still iffy and the drivabilty feel of the CVT sucks for me.
:twisted:
Tony, I had heard bad things about CVT's, but then we bought a used 2016 Subaru Forester with one. It took me a while to get used to the engine revving so high when you kick it down, but other than that, it doesn't bother me. It's got about 97,000 on it now with no problems.
Now I've probably jinxed myself.
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on October 06, 2024, 10:16:34 PMTony, I had heard bad things about CVT's, but then we bought a used 2016 Subaru Forester with one. It took me a while to get used to the engine revving so high when you kick it down, but other than that, it doesn't bother me. It's got about 97,000 on it now with no problems.
Now I've probably jinxed myself.
:lol: Jinxed?
Phil: We bought this 2013 Civic new, it has 140k miles on it now. This 5 speed automatic actually has a drain plug on it. I change engine oil and transmission oil at 5k miles. The trans only drops 2.6 qts of the DW-1 atf.. I figure its a good practice to drop the atf with engine oil?
Toyota a few years ago came out with a CVT that has a gear driven 1st gear, the shift to 2nd is then on the CVT belt drive. I have little knowledge on that transmission, I just did some reading on it.
A friend in Wisconsin has a Subaru 2022 model, he loves the AWD. He says the newer CVT drives much better with the fake shift points. Seems to me its like an electric car with fake engine sounds while driving? :lol:
8)
Trans repair cost should be a primary consideration in any modern vehicle purchase IMHO. Three or five times the value of the vehicle is nonsense. We have been trapped.
The GT works again now. Used to run at 190°, period. With new fans both at full song it runs 225+ if not moving.
I helped my buddy Hooley run the "Okie Twister" Henry J yesterday at the American Hot Rod Reunion. A great day but lots of work for old guys. He made it to the final round but red lighted by .015 seconds I believe. A great day.
Yesterday we went down to Townsend (population 2000) southwest of helena for their Fall Fest. 325 cars was the official count and not to long after I got there, I saw this car driving in. Many of you probably remember it from lots of magazine coverage. The young guy that brought it said he had been watching it since he was a kid. A couple of months ago, his brother called him up and said that car he had always talked about was on Bring a trailer. So he managed to get it, and it now lives just east of me. Sorry I cannot get my picture to load, so sent you all to the web page of the car,
https://www.quadradeuce.com/ (https://www.quadradeuce.com/)
I think I remember that car or another one like it built maybe by Summit. The one I remember was a different color scheme, maybe blue and yellow.
I'm still stripping paint off the Jimmy. One quarter, one fender left. Hoping gate gets blasted. I imagine the reflective lettering has to come off first.
The interesting today thing is I saw the resultant carnage of nitrous on cast pistons, LS style. Wow. That was innerestin'. I was grinning because if you're gonna do something... do the hell out of it. :)
Quote from: enjenjo on October 03, 2024, 04:36:21 PMI have had several batteries rebuilt by Battery Wholesale. So far I have not had any of them fail with some of them over four years old.
Only tool battery rebuild service I find is MTO Battery
A few years ago, I bought my wife a Ryobi leaf blower with 18V battery. She tried using it yesterday, and the battery was dead. Home Depot wants $98 for a new battery, Amazon around $60. A guy on Market Place advertised a Ryobi drill, charger and three batteries for $45. Cheap deal. Now she has two chargers, three batteries and an extra drill.
Stopped by the VA today in between our appointments and told the tech I had trouble changing the wax guards this morning while cleaning the hearing aids. These new aids from this year have weird guards that are hard to change. I asked about the 'new' upgrade to use the 'old' style wax guards, and she said sure, and she changed them right then and there. Cool.
Then I went to my appointment with a non-VA audiologist to have my ears checked to see if the Army is responsible for my hearing loss. After all the tests, she said they are, but couldn't guarentee that they would take full responsibility for it. It'll take at least three months to find out.
The glove box came in for the Corvair yesterday, so I'll install that tomorrow. Along with those two expensive little rubber bumpers.
I remember spending probably 15 or 20 minutes once at the Des Moines Goodguys show, looking over the Quadradeuce at the Rad Rods by Troy display. Fascinating work.
QuoteOnly tool battery rebuild service I find is MTO Battery
I was under the impression that Battery Wholesale was a national chain. They only serve Michigan Ohio and Indiana.
I googled and there are several in the Phoenix area.
Drove the GT to work yesterday. On the way home, it didn't get over 210°. That commute took 75 minutes Monday and 45 Tuesday.
Need something to watch? From this millenium?
Here.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kYhjoerKWPM&pp=ygUScmRyMiBjYXJyaWFnZSByaWRl
Noticed this moon roof temporary repair the other day. At a Lowes in Show Low AZ.
:idea:
If you have a house with an attic.. We often store stuff there. ?
In this house we bought in late August I have found in the attic:
Galvanised fence pipe about 2 feet long (2 of them)
Spare tire threaded rod with lock
7 empty boxes of Kenwood stereo equip.
Various wood trim molding bits
Fiberglass corrugated green material sheets (6 of them) 2 feet long
8 foot long aluminum framed with fiberglas panel of unknown use?
The spare tire holder puzzles me the most, about being in the attic?
:twisted:
The spare tire carrier reminds me of my 74 Ford pickup. It came with the blue lock protector from Ford.
my father once found a French horn in the attic of his rental home ,
I finished with the main color on most of the house. I have some soffit left and then the dark trim. Pretty boring but necessary. :)
More on the house attic sage: My attic visit on this place was the first time I was up there. We paid a house inspector $450.00 and received a report, photos, etc.. Larry did a poor job. He did mention some attic insulation was out of place. Nothing about duct work loose, off, disconnected
I found the HVAC had problems.. About 12 yrs ago a evap cooler was removed and a/c added to the furnace setup. Old duct work closed off poorly in the attic as shown in the 3rd photo. The cap is not even srewed in place.. There is a diverter slider in place that was used with the evap cooler in the winter for furnace operation. I need to fix that too.
Photos 1 & 2 show duct tube that feeds the kitchen area. Explains why there is no air flow from the main vent in the kitchen? LOL
Every time I turn around I must head in a different direction of repairs on this place.
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
have you showed this stuff to the guy that inspected the place ? Wonder how he would explain ?
Had a colleague who bought a newly built home and then had some kitchen lighting upgrades done by an electrician some years later. The electrician had to stop work and show some of the wiring that had been there since new that was a safety problem and needed fixing before he could continue . House was built during a housing boom and inspectors were doing 'drive by inspections ' as the tradesman called it, Quick walk throughs with little or no attention to things in order to get them all done and not slow down the contractors . Home owner called the original builder about what was found and got nowhere .
Today I mounted my mini chopper over my garage door on the front of the garage . I am stoked , it looks great! glad to say there is no HOA in my neighborhood , LOL 8) 8) 8) 8)
My wife and I drove the old Chevy on a Reliability Run as part of an event called The Gathering at the Roc. A great run in north central Oklahoma. We had our picnic lunch beside the road in a city park with lots of great hot rods passing by. There was somewhere between 450 and a 1,000 cars on the run and it went well. Mostly two lane roads across the prairies of the Great Plains with a few small towns along the way.
Lackluster post. Everything on the house is painted except the facia. It will be a few days before my knees can stand some more ladder time. I'm about to be ready for some hot rod time. I was thinking about going to Amarillo for Sick week. I'm a terrible 'tator. After being a racer, I'm not so sure I want to watch. :)
The Sick Week group was at our local track today. I did not go although I enjoy these events. I had family activities today. As a side note the walk in admission to the track was $30.
Thursday I epoxied the (almost whole) 85 Jimmy job, Friday I mudded it (just the body).
I'm saying it was a hard to break weathered polyurethane crust over, on panels with filler spots, extra thick lacquer primer. Both of which laugh at sandpaper and ruin it in seconds.
The GT coolant temp seems to have stabilized but a park lamp lens is falling off now. Good car.
As is the GTP, which seems to have also stabilized referring to shifts in the 45-50 MPH range. I am slow to believe that somehow a transaxle fluke (debris?) has fortunately passed like that but if it keeps up, I'll reconnect the lockup wire and see what happens.
The purple car is still just as the purple car as it ever was. It may be getting bored with me seeing as how nothing ever changes. Love thy rod.
Thats all for this happy Grand Three and me. :twisted: ::) :) :arrow:
Quote from: chimp koose on October 11, 2024, 11:31:47 AMHad a colleague who bought a newly built home and then had some kitchen lighting upgrades done by an electrician some years later. The electrician had to stop work and show some of the wiring that had been there since new that was a safety problem and needed fixing before he could continue . House was built during a housing boom and inspectors were doing 'drive by inspections ' as the tradesman called it, Quick walk throughs with little or no attention to things in order to get them all done and not slow down the contractors . Home owner called the original builder about what was found and got nowhere .
I have found more crap wire stuff. Wires that are wire nutted together with Plenty of electrical tape and dropped into the insulation up in the attic.. I know this is bad , illegal , unsafe. I am still trying to figure out what the former home owner hooked in to.. Attic got too warm today to continue. Its on the list to "get back to".. That list is too long.
A long time friend 2 years ago started having flicker of lights in his house. He has lived there 37 yrs. He hired a friend that is an electrician to find the problem. On the end of 2nd evening of looking , the guy found a cluster of wires, wire nutted together in the attic. That group had been hot and there was black from arcing. He was dang lucky the house did not catch fire.
8)
I know you guys live with much more heat than my area but I installed a 'ridge vent' in my attic the last time I shingled . Basically a vent that covers the peak of the roof in connectable 4'lengths. You cut away 1" from each side of the peak for a 2" gap the length of your roof or however long you need . Sure lets the heat out! My house ( no a/c) felt noticeably cooler shortly after installing . Attic is well vented now.
Oil change day on the 48. It has about 4500 miles now. Because of the left side accessories drive, the oil filter is bottom only access. :)
Have about half of the replacement HVAC duct work installed in the attic. We are also changing the duct vent in the kitchen to a square design my wife wants. I got the ceiling hole cut, 90 elbows in place. Tomorrow will be the insulated flex hose install.
I removed more debris from the attic. about 25 feet of 10-3 romex type wire was abandoned there from the OEM HVAC was removed and new stuff installed about 2012.
RIpped apart more walls in the kitchen.. I found more disaster wire work. About 9 more splices of wire nutz and electrical tape.
For some reason I have many joint aches , again.
:lol: :twisted:
I did a tiny bit of work on the 48 today. I had an idea for the bed cover latches to be opened by and mocked up a simple version. They work properly so I need to fab up some parts so it looks like a race car builder did it. Why do something for pennies when you can spend 10 or 20 dollars doing the same thing? LOL.
Took me 2 daze to return to the hvac flex duct install. My low back was real upset from the 1st day work, so I took a couple daze of easy work fully upright. Not sure the removal of remaining kitchen cabinet and counter top was easy work, but I felt better at the end of the day.
Only banged my head 18 times in the attic today. My bald head has many scabs on it. Its a shame I count the head bangs
Sometimes I forget my age and problems my back has?
Square register duct work in the kitchen ceiling.. 2nd photo is 8 inch insulated flex duct stuff installed. New adjustable duct connectors at each end. Screwed and aluminum duct tape held together.
:arrow: :idea:
Looks an awful lot like the attic of my house in Des Moines. Though ductwork doesn't normally run in attics in the upper midwest, wiring does, and we had storage up there as well. And my TV antenna, since we were close enough to the transmitters to not require it to be outside on a mast. I preferred spending 3 hours in the 5' crawlspace to an hour in that darned attic.
I often check tracking on items I buy online.. Usually Amazon. Most items I order from Amazon ship via USPS to me up here in Holbrook AZ. ?
Recent purchases: 2 items came out of Hebron KY Amazon facility via USPS. One went to Kent WA , then to Arizona. 2nd item 2 daze later from Hebron KY went to San Bernadino CA, then to Arizona. USPS routes have been interesting over the years for me. LOL
Not sure I mentioned: after the first few hiccups with mail delivery and mailbox installation here.. All is fine. On daze we receive packages, there are 2 mail delivery. 1 USPS vehicle drops off the packages , then a 2nd vehicle drops off the regular mail.?
Quote from: jaybee on October 18, 2024, 08:52:14 PMLooks an awful lot like the attic of my house in Des Moines. Though ductwork doesn't normally run in attics in the upper midwest, wiring does, and we had storage up there as well. And my TV antenna, since we were close enough to the transmitters to not require it to be outside on a mast. I preferred spending 3 hours in the 5' crawlspace to an hour in that darned attic.
This house was built in 1972.. Duct work is primarily in the attic recessed in a lower ceiling area. Covered by insulation. FYI: this place only has 4 inch thick bat insulation laid down. We will fix that once the wire defects are corrected. Blown in insulation will be about 18 to 24 inches deep.
In the photo is the insulated flex duct that is now very common in Arizona for decades. That new flex duct replaced an added on vent to the kitchen. Why the former house owner added another vent is unknown. There is a vent in the room. That room is open and has a small eating area and the kitchen all in one.
Since the vent hole was in the ceiling and my wife asked for a square vent.. We spent about $150.00 for new parts and I installed it so the vent is operational..
:arrow: :idea:
I've been doing minor stuff on the exterior of the house and storage shed. I called a contractor for an estimate to replace the eaves with painted metal. He said he'd be over in a few days. LOL. He didn't say what few days. I'm getting tired of being this boring. :)
I am cleaning and reorganizing the shop. I get pretty messy sometimes. The last car show of the season was last Saturday and it was a great day for that. There were 584 cars. Not bad for a local show. We have a couple of reliability runs coming up and then the car stuff will be done until spring. The left front fender of my daily driver needs some attention. I am assembling the inventory for this winters project.
We've been cutting up the trees that had fallen in the storm in August, and I pushed them into the weeds with my tractor. We hadn't used the log splitter for over a year, and when I gassed it up, it started first pull. My Stihl 16" chain saw (MS180) started as normal, but I've been using it. Then yesterday, the 16" saw quit and wouldn't start. Hmmm. Dragged out the older 18" Stihl (MS280) which hasn't been used in a couple years, as it's heavier. But it cuts so much better. Pretty soon it quit and wouldn't start. Back to the other one, and it started, so I used it. This yoyo effect went on for a while until the big one wouldn't start at all, and both my chains on the small one were about toast.
Well, this morning, the big one still won't start, but I sharpened the chain on the small one and it started, so I cut some more logs to size. At lunch time, I took the big one to the local JD store where I bought it years ago and said it needs some help, plus picked up two chains for the small one. That new chain works so much better than the nubs on the worn out one.
We built our holzhousen as high as we could, so tomorrow, we'll start another smaller one next to it. We found we can stack a lot more wood building a holzhouzen and it doesn't fall over like our traditional stacks did. We transferred our last years holzhouzen to the wood shed a few days ago (it's the one in the picture). Our new one is about 8' diameter at the base and a little over 5' tall.
Phil, will the wood last through the winter?
Phil: never heard of holz houzen before.. Looks like a lot of work on firewood either way. ? :o
I trimmed more dead wood from our tree in back yard. The limbs hit the concrete and shatter like glass it is so dry.
John: I spent half of sunday moving stuff around in this new to me shop. Not sure if I gained any organizing tho?
Shaving rusty cowl vent on 47 Ford cab.
Bill, the wood should easily last all winter, as we only use it to heat the basement family room while we watch tv at night. Most of it is crappy wood from junk trees, but some is maple from the neighbors tree, some is hedge which burns very hot, and some is hackberry which burns okay. We still had some left over from last year, but it was a warm winter.
Tony, we used to stack it traditionally in the back yard, but it kept falling over. We had so many trees on our property that they fought for sunlight and were all twisted and curved, not straight like all the wood that you would see advertised. So we use the straight cuts for the perimeter ring and throw the weird stuff in the middle for support, and it works out well.
We're taking a break today, as my wife is pretty sore.
I finished up small stuff today and took the bike out for a spin. It was above 80 degrees and was really great running around the countryside. I don't expect many more days like this. It is almost November. :)
I took Monday and Tuesday off this week and will do the same next week to avoid losing time off to the company's vacation cap. Today we drove about an hour down to Sandbridge, the public beach the locals prefer. It's basically where the Outer Banks cross from North Carolina into Virginia. Beautiful day oceanside, as it was nearly 80 this afternoon. Too cold to swim, but not too cold to let the waves lap up over your ankles a few times.
I dodged a bullet this week. I have the 4 door Corvair for sale on FBMP for $6900, and last week I got a text saying that he would pay me $5k and give me $500 to deliver it 200 miles away in MO, a 3 hour drive. First off I told him the 5K wasn't enough, and that I would take 6k, and $500 delivery. He said okay, as he didn't have a car to come and see it. After a few back and forths, I said no, I don't HAVE to sell the car, so forget it, I don't want to make the trip. Then he offered $700.
I told him that for just over $400, he could rent a 10' truck and a trailer from UHaul and drive up here to pick it up himself. He said he'd think about it. Then he asked if I thought he'd fit into the Corvair, as he's 6'. I said yes, as I'm 5'10" and others have said that they're 6' and fit. If not, there are track extenders available to give you a couple more inches.
He'll let me know on Monday. Monday he said he'd let me know on Wednesday. I texted him this am asking if he was coming today or not, and crickets. We continued splitting fire wood, then stopped for lunch. Right after lunch, a car pulls into the drive filled with people. It's the guy come to see the Corvair. Okay, this guy is 6' all right, but he didn't tell me he's 400 pounds and uses a walker. So he says his son who is 6' and maybe 300# will test drive the car. Okay. Son was a tight fit. Son wasn't happy with the car, but his smaller girlfriend liked it. I was sitting in the back, and when we got back, the rear door latch wouldn't catch. Geez.
He asked me if it would make it to St. Louis, and I said it might, might not. Hell, I don't know. The car runs great, but it's 57 years old, and I haven't had it that long or driven it very far. I would drive it, but I don't know about someone who doesn't know about old cars.
I fiddled with the door and found the inside door handle was stuck, and by then he had decided to not buy it. Okay by me. THAT'S why I didn't want to drag it to St. Louis in the first place, even for $700. Would've wasted my day, plus having to rent a U Haul trailer.
Phil; quite the story. 6 foot tall , size of 2 people? ;) I've had ppl ask about driving a car a sorta long distance after I explained ALL the stuff wrong with the car. LOL
My last Crosley wagon I had for sale 8 or 9 yrs ago. On Craigs List. I had a fellow call me. Ask a few questions. The car was mostly an empty shell, with AZ title, bare seat frames, some trim peices for the side windows. He was telling me who "he was" : Founder of an old car club in Phoenix, owned a body shop in central Phoenix, blah , blah, blah. Basically it was a story about "Do you know who I am?"
He would pay my full price if I delivered the car to his shop, during the week, during his shop hours, 37 miles away. I told him: Nope. He tried to make his case about full price, buying the car unseen cept for photos on Craigs list.
So , I told him: You want me to take time from my work, deal with Phoenix traffic with a car trailer, during the week? I said "no thank you".. He could not believe I refused to agree to his terms. I said " When I am interested in a car, I drive there, look at it, make a deal or not" .. You can do the same, bring cash and a trailer if you are serious.
A week later I had a guy call. Ask a few questions. He came out with a trailer and cash. We haggled a bit, he paid me, loaded the car up and left.. Then,
2 yrs later a friend I know thru transmission business calls me. He says ******* has your Crosley running , nice hotrod, V8 , etc.... I tell my friend "NO idea who that person is, never sold a car to him" .. Turns out it was the arrogant guy that called on the Crosley wagon yrs ago for delivery at his place, his terms. The guy that bought the car was sent out to my place by him
:twisted:
Interesting stories. :)
Yeah, car buyers can be fun. Tuesday night while watching tv, I got a text from another 'Rick' asking is this still available? I answered yes. If they give me the generic question, I always give the generic answer. Being that this guys name was Rick and it was a new account, I figured he was checking up on me? I deleted it when he never answered.
So this big guy is sitting on the bench in front of my shop when I tell him the latch may be broken, and that he could find a USED one, since no new ones would be available. He tells me "yeah, there's a shop in St. Louis that restores Corvairs, and he could probably find one." I'm thinking you drove three hours when you could've gone to this shop to see if you fit into a Corvair? Will wonders never cease?
I did a road trip to Galesburg Michigan today to look at some Studebaker bell housings to see what is needed for a T5 adaptation. More thinking needed. I though about stopping to see George, but I just ran out of time.
Quote from: kb426 on October 24, 2024, 10:20:35 AMInteresting stories. :)
Ah heck another story on the same Crosley wagon I had for sale..
Guy calls: asking questions that if he had seen the photos, read the ad.. He would know the answers. Turns out he does not have a computer. His friend told him about the Crosley for sale and he is Not a car guy. Just looking for an old car to restore.
I explain the condition of the Crosley wagon to him to the "N-th degree". I also tell him he needs to see the photos of the Crosley first. He comes out and nearly immediately starts complaining that I was not truthful to him. Crosley was too small for him. He claimed I told him the dash was complete minus gauges and he says there is no dash , no dash pad (Crosley never had a dash pad), No glass in the car: I told him there was no glass ? Crosley dash is sheet metal with holes for gauges to fit in.. LOL
We parted ways on unfriendly terms..
:roll:
I've been busy. I moved the 8' windmill in the front yard that was above a below ground level stump, surrounded by hosta flowers. My wife removed the flowers, and I dug down and removed the rotted stump with a pick for the rotten stuff, and splitting wedges for the less rotten stuff. Nursery will place a red maple tree there in the next couple weeks. We lost a lot of trees in August, so they will put one there, and another about 30/40 feet away, and one more near the front of the house.
My wife had a huge flower garden in the front yard that got devastated by the storm with huge trees falling into it. We dug up the one surviving hydrangea tree from there and a sunflower bush, and moved them elsewhere. I removed everything else and tilled it yesterday. A different nursery will place a large maple tree in the middle of that flower bed, and I will plant grass in the rest. I'm going to rent a fun toy, and excavator to dig up some yucca plants in that area so they don't keep coming up.
Then today, I rented an electric jack hammer to take out the rear sidewalk behind the garage where the new backup generator will be installed. It will be placed where the sidewalk was, and we will make a new curvec sidewalk next year. Yesterday, I broke up the first two sections with a sledge, but the rest of the sidewalk went to 6" for some reason, so I rented the jack hammer. Wow, wonder why they went so thick? I used my tractor's front bucket for hauling the broken pieces to the ravine out back. Then had to go buy 2400 pounds of dirt to fill the space. Geez.
Busy for us here on the house. The windows leak air and rattle in the wind. Seals are rotted away on the frames. The glass to frame seals shrunk , hard, bad. Full of dirt in the channels. Our bedroom was real bad. We plan on new windows in 2025. The window screens were bad, rotted, holes in them. Front main window I had to bend up the screen frames to get them out of the dirt packed channels. Then dig out the dirt with my trusty Craftsman scroodriver. Then my trusty 35 yr old Craftsman shop vac.
I used white silicone caulk on our bedroom and living room windows after digging out dirt of the channels for ever it seemed.. In the bedroom I used a common RV window treatment: The silver bubble insulation to cover the inside about 80%. Just enough to let some light in to the room. I used 4 layers of the bubble stuff and then a chunk of rigid foam behind.
Fixed a few electrical items in the attic. Banged my head only 3 times. I set 2 metal boxes to splice back together correctly a wire the previous owner had hacked into to run power to outside. Electrical connections here in AZ must be in a box and have access to that box, not hidden in a wall. Not wire nutted together then a shat load of tape added.
I have half fixed bad wiring that previous owner took a 240 volt line, split that into 2 120 volt lines. He used those bolt together cable clamps on the larger wire to connect #8 wire to awg 12 wire. Real swift I say ! :twisted:
He thought nothing of running romex wire exposed , on a wall. A little paint and it all blends in like Red Green's stuff in Canada?
:o :o
.
Looks good, Matt. Another cowl vent has bit the dust. :)
No more "factory air" on that truck.
Yep it had to go.
It's unbelievable how many junk bodies end up in that shop. Of course there is money to be made fixing them. I have fixed bodies just as bad, but it's always been "my first car" or something really rare like a Airflow coupe. No reflection on you Matt or the work you do.
Alter your belief then? Many of them get turned away. Imagine those.
That has to be a "wow" moment. However, if all there is are rusty bodies where you are, what do you do????
Ha. We all thought it was a fine specimen. The wow moment for me is once theres plenty of money, amounts blur. Want can then trump frugality. Or sensibility. Thats the demographic zone where we thrive, I guess.
You just can't hardly take somebody's restored or un vehicle in then spend a chunk to reveal truths then say no to it. Throw it in the trash and buy another better one pitch works for phones and more stuff every day. But what are you gonna say to somebody who can actually pay? Nope, we can't handle that one, it's too much? That'd leak out.
Sigh. Defending a shop that I have no reason to. I'm not but kinda feels like it. All that is boss stuff.
The sunvisor area patch is going well and to my surprise this morning, there is no encapsulator dripping through holes in my roof skin or rearview mirror area fixes. Thats a bodyman moment. :)
It's starting to look like my new project may actually happen. I am waiting for my lawyer to finish the work on getting my title, and then I will start purchasing the rest of the materials. I am calling this one Harley Ford. It is something to keep my hands and my mind busy.
More details to come when I start to work.
I replaced the shocks on my Dakota. 103,000 miles. The fronts were junk, the rears might have been working. It took O&S 1.5 hours. Someone that knew what they were doing would have been less than 45 minutes. :) Typical of replacement parts, the fronts had different bushings than the originals. I would expect a person working in a repair shop to have many sad stories.
Friend of mine bought a 1962 Rambler wagon. Kinda surprised since he hates 4 door anything car wise.
196 engine , automatic (leaks like a sieve) trans. Front suspension is worn out. Brakes are weak he says.
I am telling him to get mechanicals fixed and drive it. He says no. Wants to sell the power train. He is open to various engine trans combos. I mentioned 4cyl Eco Tec turbo engine with plenty of power. NOPE. No computers on this car he says.
Narrow engine compartment , so he is even looking at more modern inline 6 engines
8)
The problem with that factory cowl air conditioning vent, for instance, is that you might find it after you've done so much other work to the vehicle, that now you're into it for so much cash and time, that you can't just quit on it. So you fix that, and then you get to the kick panels and find them perforated, so you have to fix them. You could just dip the vehicle and see what it all needs, but that's not cheap either.
I rented the mini excavator this morning. Fun times. They have the trailer sitting there with the mini ex behind it so I have to connect to the trailer, then load the machine. The machine weighed in at about 3800 pounds, and I don't know how much for the single axle tilt trailer, but the old 2014 V6 Tacoma was feeling the load. It was fun using it to dig up the yucca plants and dump the crap onto my landscape trailer. Going by the loads of black dirt that I buy, I dug up at least a ton of rocks, dirt and yucca plants. I dumped it all on the downhill side of a short retaining wall. I don't care if the yucca's grow there. Then I had to go buy another ton of dirt to fill the hole.
I remember why I quit doing pics now. All it does is generate ridicule. May your retiree worlds and dreams and air conditioners remain rust free in perpetuity, I'll be here on earth wallowing in scrap.
Is shaving cowl vents something the HAMB doesn't like or something? Never mind that. Don't care and won't share.
Matt, I have owned several of the AD series trucks over the years. I have found that the cowl vent allows air to flow through the cab especially on the early years that do not have vent windows. I am not a fan of air conditioning in most old cars and so I like the cowl vent. It has nothing to do with styling or whether it is traditional or not. And you or the customer are certainly entitled to build or do whatever you want with your own vehicle. If someone has offended you, just let it go. Remember that there are many on the internet that the only tool they own is a keyboard. I like to see the photos of the work you do. I have learned from them.
Same here, Matt. I wasn't criticizing any work you do, just stating that once you start, you open a whole can of worms. When I started on my red Corvair, I thought it was going to be a sand and paint job.HAH! Replace the front floors, two front lower corners, quarter sized hole under the windshield, and a whole lot of mechanical work.
I've had two vehicles with cowl vents. A '46 Ford 1/2 ton that I used as a truck, so didn't need a/c. The '41 Pontiac never made it to the road, so that ones moot.
I've been amazed at the work you do, and always wonder why they give you such a hard time where you work. Keep the pictures coming.
I just get weary of foruming long about each November. It is an observable pattern.
Like the crash fixing daze, I do the tasks given. Just welded pinholes above rear roof seam. The collective desires only seam sealer there.
Everybody having stuff built wants and gets air conditioning and that is also an observable pattern. Eliminates the need for the vent.
It takes time for me to generate a proper response to most situations ::) so here is that:
A possibility exists that the shop gets too-far-gone projects because we can handle them. Get a load of this area inside front of roof-
Looks good, Matt. I agree with your answer. I've been watching for years and the shop has a steady stream of customers. That speaks to me. :)
Dang, Matt, that came out! Someone bought it, someone's willing to pay to fix it, and someone knew where to find someone who knew how to fix it. Something didn't go in the crusher. Sounds OK to me.
Matt the shop rate where you work must be much lower than it is here. A $2000 rust free cab VS $112 per shop hour doesn't give you much time for rust repair. I always tried to make my customer's money go as far as possible, so if money could be saved by getting better parts that is the way we did it as long as that made the customer happy.
It's harder now but there are still rust free bodies out there at reasonable prices. Mostly on the west coast, but Montana and Wyoming are good places to look too. One of the nicest early F100 bodies I have seen came from Little Rock Arkansas. My Studebaker truck came from Kansas. Any place but the rust belt.
Frank, there are a couple other major factors.
We aren't a car and truck finder or seller. People don't order a truck from us. They bring us the truck they want to build. If they need help looking around, assistance or advice can be provided but a customer with a vehicle and rough plan is the normal and of course preferred starting point. For us, here. Once a vehicle is at a stage where it can be accurately evaluated as a nonsensical specimen, customers are made aware and have control of their next move. If a customer drags their feet, somebody else won't so the foot dragger may have to start over... waiting for another job slot like the one they just waited a year for.
Your assumption about labor rate may be right. However, no standard exists for labor times. For example if one tech does in two hours what another does in four, how many hours are billed for that task on job A vs job B? There is no accepted standard for reference on labor times, and... not all employees are paid the same internal rate.
So I think it fair to say you have jumped to a conclusion in trying to figure out whether my boss or my customers are the idiot. I don't need to know. Do you?
I've been correcting wires in the house we bought.. I finally fixed the mess the guy made of the 240 volt wire that he split to 2 120 volt lines in a half A** method. One line fed into the garage on the house. 2nd line ran out to the patio with exposed romex stapled to the wood beams of the patio. Sweet !
I ran full new line of 12-2 romex on 20 amp breaker for the 2 car garage. I've have Not run any lines to the patio yet .
Enjoy the photo of the cluster wires... This was wrapped in black electrical tape and dropped into the attic insulation.
Saturday I will fix the rain gutters. They are trying to fall off the front of the house.
8)
I have been cleaning the shop and throwing away stuff. Both things that are hard for me to do but I am trying to get ready for winter.
I had been wanting to make something that a friend, who is an exterminator, uses to catch snakes. He uses plastic pipe but I found this cardboard tube with plastic caps and I think it will work. You remove one of the plastic caps (labeled snake in) and place the pipe in front of the snake. The snake see the hole and goes for it. You replace the cap when the snake is inside the tube. Take the tube to your neighbors yard and remove the cap on the other end,(labeled snake out) :)
:shock:
4 3/4 years in (Including several long pauses to gather additional funds. I started the job and a thread here in Feb 2020), the '51 F-1 5.0's appointment with the out-of-state custom interior fabricator approaches. Was supposed to be like a month ago but the 49 Merc truck interior build is still ongoing there. So I hear. Scrambling to make ready for this is ongoing here, but it is still a work in progress so nitpicking is still disouraged at this point.
It charged my batteries a few percent to see the hood painted, albeit with only one coat of clear because accents are to be added yet. FYI I asked the painter how he shot inside the air extractors. He replied that he shot from both sides. Then I looked at it. Of course theres just dry spray down in the holes. I tried to tell them (powers that be) this as the idea hatched. But "Paint day is a long way away." was the senseless retort. Tough to argue with logic like that. The chicken wire in grille (vintage Mustang-esque hex pattern) also goes behind grille and in the extractors, in bezels made by the guy who made the rear roll pan and eliminated fender bolts in the bed. Years after my involvement ceased.
Yesterday I walked up and saw the first image. Nobody around. The smirky chuckle of vindication erupted, sure. But I busted out laughing. Not at it, but with it. Because I put a smiley face on it in metal. :) :lol:
It ain't every day a guy gets to do something like that. :idea: :arrow:
It will be 2 years this month since I sold the gray 51 that Matt's project inspired the grille on. The custom grille on those trucks tends to be my favorite part. O&S decided he needed a little exercise. I ordered tires for the Dakota. They had 23 date codes but had been stored in a stack in the warehouse. I pulled one tire yesterday and gave up trying to seat a bead on a new tire after an hour. I put pieces of wood in the inside to spread and left it for 18 hours. That widened the gap some but not enough to be easy. I had to have 110lbs. or better in the bead blaster to get them to expand. After 2.5 hours of exercise, I have tires again. The last set went 5 years so I expect theses to do the same. Or the truck be replaced at some point or the driver be replaced. LOL.
That pipe trick works for gophers too. Spent yesterday cleaning my t parts for epoxy. Zinc prime first followed by epoxy . All fenders , running board aprons , hood shelves and lower rad cover are done . I have a few dents to deal with on the trunk lid and then it and the hood sides will be done in epoxy as well. All these parts are destined for the garage attic so trying to make them least likely to rust while they are up there. Have not done any work on this car since I built the engine for it while covid was upon us .
@tony, that rats nest of wires is terrifying! I think that beats the wall plug I found at my Des Moines house that was wired with power tool cord.
O&S did something today that should have been done a long time ago. Back in about 2000, I built a bead breaker for changing bike tires. Since then I have lengthened it and use it on 17" and smaller car tires. It is actuated by some acme thread with a 1.25" nut that has many inches of stem sticking through it depending on what size of tire is being busted. I have been turning this nut by a wrench for all of these years. :) (slow learner) Today I picked up a impact deep socket and started machining. The socket was cut into 2 pieces and machined for an insert pilot in the tubing. The tubing is left over steering column from the 48 chevy. :) The 2 parts were pressed into the tubing and welded. After it cooled, I put it into the lathe and made sure there were no sharp points that might grab some skin while running it with an impact wrench. I had some left over gray wheel paint which became the color of choice. I just finished changing tires so who knows when It might get used but unless I forget where I stored it, the tire changing should be a little easier. :)
On side projects for this house.. Many of the light fixtures of florescence tube type 4 and 8 foot lengths. They look like they were used before installed here? Markings on them like "OK " or "good" , etc. Couple 4 foot tube fixtures are like the guy took the guts out of the fixture and screwed the parts to the bench? Raw wires hanging out . LOL
On the 8 foot fixture the tubes were a recessed 2 pin design. Not the common exposed 2 pin or the single pin design.. I did some searches, measure twice or 3 times with the online search. I bought 1 set of what is called "Tombstone design" socket for single pin as I wanted. Test fit was surprising. The modern part fix my olde fixtures perfect.
I ordered a box of 12 pairs of the sockets. Today I converted the fixtures on 2 of the 8 foot units. LED ballast bypass tubes with 5k daylite color. They are awesome. Now to get time to modify the other fixtures in the shop. LOL , get spare time? Where?
This afternoon, I converted the four foot fixtures with 4 tubes each in the 2 car garage on the house. These only required the ballast removed and a re-wire.. Only 1 fixture worked , sorta.. :lol: Results are the same as the shop: awesome. Both fixtures function now.
8)
I changed the outlets in the kitchen today to the newer style, mainly because I'm updating our house to code for when we sell it in the far future. We have outlets on both sides of the sink without the gfic outlets, so I changed them all so they'd match. Each of the outlets are on separate circuits, so I needed two. I'd already done the ones in the main bathroom years ago; again, outlets on both sides, and both on different circuits.
When we had the kitchen remodeled this year, the range hood needed a larger exhaust vent, so we had it put through the roof like it should've been done 45 years ago, instead of into the attic. Same thing with the bathroom vent when the roof was replaced last month after a storm went through in August. I've lived here 16 years, just takes me a while to catch up.
Hey Frank, you may be right. :) That would come as no surprise, you are a clever man.
I just had the presence of mind to glance at the labor rate sign posted in the office at work. I've always made it a point to not look, for 14 3/4 years. This market has absolutely exploded in that time, making a relative number tough to pin down. But it said 85. 95, mechanical. I think 136 for media blasting.
So your assumption is probably sensible. We offer an affordable service for those with marginal specimens and the shop has done so for 20 years. A solid climb and a rough go. But here we are with the rest of the office papered in feature articles on plaques. I played a big part by staying, probably due to my laziness as a person. Can't be that way at work. Owning and running the shop has to be a nightmare so I try to be effective no matter the task. Thats the only way... to work like we are on flat rate.
About the time I left the crash world, mechanical and frame labor were lumped together on one rate so a bodyman installing a radiator made like 80 while same task paid a mech tech 120. Then everyone went hourly and earnings potential went out the window. Insurance companies did that after Katrina wiped them out. Those changes hit painters the hardest.
Blah blah blah, credit where credit is due, blah. Its a living. :blank: :arrow:
... aaand-
The reason we all think the 47 is not so bad is:
Such is all we know. We fix junk, unaware that rust free bodies for everything are still available. Don't know any better. Never seen it. Well maybe that recent 85 Jimmy job. But it is an 85 and already had rockers replaced. Semi-competently.
But lets face it. Most rustbucket bodies we start with include several pounds of excrement, rodent poison and nests / corpses, ant colonies, and wasp nests the size of pineapples. If you ask me, the sign needs another line for hazard cleanup. Because if a customer is unwilling to shovel dung out of a trunk first, that should cost extra. I presume the mentality there is well hey I have the money, I shouldn't have to lift a finger to save any. Take the vehicle, do the things, send a bill. Don't call to say it is full of rat turds, just bill me. Boss hands tech the job with no mention or acknowledgement of such. If he complains, thats asking for special treatment. I could get lathered up on that point. The right to refuse those presenting undue health hazaeds ought to be a thing. :roll:
Matt, you said a mouth full." Because if a customer is unwilling to shovel dung out of a trunk first, that should cost extra. I presume the mentality there is well hey I have the money, I shouldn't have to lift a finger to save any." That doesn't apply to me but it does in life in a huge manner. This forum has do it yourselfers. Are we a dying breed???
I was in the shop polishing some metal with the buffing wheels on the pedestal motor when sparks flew out of the outlet. Whoops. Looks like the old motor gave up the ghost. I could mount the newer grinder motor, but it has shorter shafts, so I looked on Harbor Freight, and apparently, they quit selling them. Checked Craig's List tool section, and the very first ad was posted six hours ago for a HF buffer motor for $50. I emailed and asked if he's available tomorrow. If he is, I think I'll stop by HF and get a couple new buffing wheels too.
Quote from: kb426 on November 04, 2024, 04:47:03 PMMatt, you said a mouth full." Because if a customer is unwilling to shovel dung out of a trunk first, that should cost extra. I presume the mentality there is well hey I have the money, I shouldn't have to lift a finger to save any." That doesn't apply to me but it does in life in a huge manner. This forum has do it yourselfers. Are we a dying breed???
In my humble opinion...DIY'ers in general, I'd say no. That is eternal, to the degree possible but it may usually be a trait learned from a waning pool of teachers and there will always be those who insist on DIY but should not even be allowed to touch tools. Automotive hobbyists, perhaps. V8 rodders, absolutely. One foot in the grave if you ask me.
Because as I reckon... In our civilization, the sweet spot for rodding activity fell in between the emergence and regulation of personal transportation technology built around fossil fuel.
Like cigs, or nukes. A way was found and used but in doing so it was found that we don't want to use that. Yet the technology actively remains. Until another method is developed for maintaining a global stalemate, future everyone is best off if we just stick to TNT until all agree war for territory is invalid. A world at war accelerated both nukes and gas tech. TV and tobacco were a match made in heaven so much slower to be eliminated from the mainstream. I'm the only smoker I know now. Gas, thats slower to fade as we grasp for alternatives and remain road-bound. So yeah, I think you pegged it square, Bill. The all will throw dirt on the ICE culture within a few generations by any means. Artifacts from our age will be as plentiful as the fossils we based them on.
However, by any propulsion means available, as long as there are wheeled personal vehicles and roads, their limits will continue to be pushed.
Plastic is going through the same process. The cause of, and solution to, all life's problems. That is not unlike alcohol but that my friends is here to stay. :arrow: So is weed.
A tornado touched down within a mile or two of the shop this afternoon. We all split early. Those with wives left earlier and that proves out my theory about childless loners having less rights or less consideration on matters of safety. I just hope the twisty missed the shop. Took out a couple houses at least, on the other side of a tiny airport from us. Memorial weekend tornadoes ripped up nearby areas in town in the middle of the night. The pics of this one on news reminded me of the enormous uncontrollable nearby toxic business fire plume that happened a couple weeks ago and took more than a week to extinguish even with all the king's horses and all the king's men.
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on November 03, 2024, 11:38:32 PMI changed the outlets in the kitchen today to the newer style, mainly because I'm updating our house to code for when we sell it in the far future. We have outlets on both sides of the sink without the gfic outlets, so I changed them all so they'd match. Each of the outlets are on separate circuits, so I needed two. I'd already done the ones in the main bathroom years ago; again, outlets on both sides, and both on different circuits.
Same here for GFCI outlets in the house. There is only 1 GFCI outlet here and it is on the outside wall where I plug in the neon flash lights under the RV. Those lights supposedly help to keep varmints away ?
There are No GFCI in the bathrooms , kitchen yet. They are on the "list"
Open grounds were common on areas the previous home owner modified the electric here. He must have thought the ground wire was not needed on outlets , light fixtures, light switches ?
I bought a 100 of the green screws on Amazon to secure the bare ground wires to the poor wire routing I am correcting here. I have used about a 15 screws so far on old work that I am fixing.
8)
I added the last two boards to a workbench I started building over 50 years ago. It is amazing what you can get done, if you stick to it. :)
I have been busy voting at different polling places today ;)
Doing some simple work around the place. Fixing small holes in the walls. Electrical boxes removed, I am filling the holes. Old thermostat removed, holes filled. Bedroom Doors hit the wall from No door stop, fixing the holes. I put boards behind the doors so they do not hit the wall again.
Changes to the air lines in the work shop. I added air fitting on black pipe atteched to the wall... Hooked to PVC pipe for air lines.
I have removed probably 200 feet of wire from the attic alone. From old phone line to 10-2 romex lines , plus the 240 volt lines. There are the old plug in style phone jacks in every room of this house. Bathrooms too.
:o >:(
put a set of new injectors in my 97 vortec , it was bleeding off fuel pressure and #7 plug was wet with fuel and a misfire on that cyl. Now still no start . fuel is 5 yrs old but it burned 1/2 tank of it before all this . I did put about 1 1/2 times the proper amount of sea foam in the tank just before it became a no start . before it would crank a bit before firing . New distributor and fuel pump was the fix from its 5 year slumber as the teeth on the dist were worn sharp. wtf?
I presume that's the spider-style injector? Those things are infamous for the issues you're talking about. There are sources for a version which puts the actual injectors out at the ends of the spider as opposed to the centrally located injectors with poppet valves out at the ends of the spider. Probably not your issue, since you just put a new one in, but I think they're pretty sensitive to sludge in the fuel.
I am going to pull all the plugs and crank it over a bit with the fuel pump off . Then drain the gas , change the oil , dry the plugs and put a shot of oil in each cyl before i try to fire it again . When I had the manifold top off you could see there was a lot of fuel wash in the back 4 cyl like the spider was leaking at the back or something .
We took the old Chevy for a 100 mile reliability run. It was reliable. A good fall drive through the western Missouri Ozarks.
I replaced the front hub on the Dakota that I replaced a few years ago. It was spewing grease pretty good. I bought a Moog for replacement. End of box: China. We'll see. :) It got up to 67 degrees so I took the bike out for a ride. Lots don't ride in the cooler months but I try to ride year around. The DR650 is the only carb I have left outside of yard equipment. I try to keep it exercised properly. LOL.
Got the truck to run. It has a hard time getting the fuel pressure up and when you shut it off it loses pressure fast. 50-55 psi when running . Put a scan tool on and no misfiring at all and air/fuel is at 14.7 as it should be. Injectors was a good call . I think the pump is bad so hopefully that will do it . This pump has pumped a total of 1 tank of fuel .
C.K., maybe the check valve has debris in it.
Did anybody else see pics of this car at the Pistons and Paint show?
We had first snow here last wednesday. Couple inches. By mid day it was gone. Thursday we had very lite snow most of the day. Never stuck. It was mid to high 30s here.
My left hearing aid , the wire ear piece has broken. It flops around loose. not good. My right ear is weakest hearing. I run the hearing aid at at full power. For now. Costco brand hearing aids. Costco is 200+ miles away and you must schedule appointment with them for Anything of hearing aids. Even a simple drop off of broken aid unit.
Wow, Bill, how would you do bodywork on that car?
Good luck with getting your hearing aid fixed, Tony. Mine are all out of whack, and I don't want to go back to the VA to have them adjusted. They just don't listen to me when I tell them what's wrong. I need to find an 'old' audiologist to adjust them for me.
My local propane supplier called me this am and said that they can come and install a new 500 gallon tank for me this morning, and move my present 500 gallon tank to my shop to replace the 120 gallon tank there. I own both my tanks, but buy all my gas from them, so I'm not worried about having their tank at the house. I figured a newer tank at the house would be a good selling point when the time comes, plus it is supposed to have wifi capabilities to notify them when it gets low. We're having a backup gennie installed January 2nd, so they will install the piping for that also. It will be in the 50's today, so a nice day to do outside work.
Wonder what that chevy would look like if it drove through a deep puddle at speed? ;D . Kind of creative as I have never seen anything like it before .
I saw that car in a one of the mags here at work. She did all that with a hand held plasma torch. It's different I will say that.
That'll weld up. :lol:
How-to: Make a doily. :roll:
I've always wanted to make a lamp shade out of a pitted perforated floor pan. Don't mean I oughta, necessarily.
O&S replaced the remaining front hub on the Dakota and removed the trans pan. I cleaned it and used gray silicone to install it. I used a gasket 5 years ago and it had failed. As a precaution after the 48's oil pan debacle, I measured the depth of the pan bolt holes to make sure there was adequate depth. :) I had put 15,000 miles on it and the pan was real clean. The 46re has a history of being good or not so much. I wonder if I got a good one? LOL.
Is this position of the outlet a thing back east? Upside down. Can not plug in this cord with outdoor weather cover in the way. I fixed it.
The work shop outlets were alll upside down. I changed that too. House outlets are mostly correct.
Tony, those are outlets from New Zealand or Australia. :)
I always liked the grounding plug on the bottom. Oh no, Mr. Bill...
I thought all the outlets should have that 'shocked ' look . maybe its a last chance OHS warning :lol:
Quote from: WZ JUNK on November 12, 2024, 12:25:15 PMTony, those are outlets from New Zealand or Australia. :)
John , that there is dang funny. Possible too ?
:o
Not likely Oz uses 208V outlets.
I drilled 170 1/4" holes in 3/16" plate today on a little project I am doing for Fatcat.
Saturday Josh and I pressure washed the engine for my Studebaker and cleaned out all the coolant passages. Now I can pull it down enough to seal up all the oil leaks.
Quote from: enjenjo on November 12, 2024, 09:23:39 PMNot likely Oz uses 208V outlets.
I think John's comment was about below the equator parts moved to above the equator ? Then they are upside down?
8)
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on November 11, 2024, 08:59:24 AMMy local propane supplier called me this am and said that they can come and install a new 500 gallon tank for me this morning, and move my present 500 gallon tank to my shop to replace the 120 gallon tank there. I own both my tanks, but buy all my gas from them, so I'm not worried about having their tank at the house. I figured a newer tank at the house would be a good selling point when the time comes, plus it is supposed to have wifi capabilities to notify them when it gets low. We're having a backup gennie installed January 2nd, so they will install the piping for that also. It will be in the 50's today, so a nice day to do outside work.
We were discussing heat for the 1600 sq ft shop here. There is a 240v heater there. I ran that to keep the shop near 58 - 60 degrees F . The energy use for a couple days was a surprise. Per the electric company web site the shop was using near 4 times the electric than the house use. House electric use does go up a bit on days the laundry is run. Electric 240v dryer here. We have the electronic meters that report electric usage to the power company daily.
All 3 garage doors have NO insulation on them. I will change that too. Likely the ceiling insulation is light as the house has only 4 inches since built in 1972
We have natural gas furnace in the house here. That hook up would be complicated and silly expensive from the house to the shop. We are looking at a propane furnace setup. I have a 100 pound propane tank here I brought with me. That would not supply a furnace very long even at low temps. I would like the shop to be around 60*F to be comfortable.
This morning it was 24*F here. Should hit 58* to 60* today
8)
They came and pumped the 120 tank to the new 500 tank that they dropped in the yard by the shop. Then moved the 120 aside and went and picked up the old 500, full, and moved it to the shop, all 2800 pounds of it. It made some dents in the yard, but they'll work their way out (I rolled them later and they're better, but still there). Then they moved the new tank by the house and ran a second line to where the gennie is going to be. The fill truck came later while we were gone and filled the new tank.
I had asked the two guys how much I could sell the small tank for, and they both agreed that they usually go for $1 per gallon capacity. Okay, so I advertised it for $250 and sold it yesterday for $225. The buyer came and had me use my little tractor with small endloader to load it in his F250.
Tony, my shop only has 1 1/2" styrofoam insulation in the walls, and the walls are finished; I can't go any deeper. The ceilings are over 6" so I'm good there. There are only a few times that I have to keep the shop heated for more than one day, and that would pull that 120 down pretty quickly, so the 500 should help me in that department.
Tony have you looked at Minisplit AC? I use them to heat my shop. On a 40 degree day one of them will keep my shop at 60 degrees. In the summer I use both of them to cool the shop to 72 degrees
Quote from: enjenjo on November 13, 2024, 07:56:31 PMTony have you looked at Minisplit AC? I use them to heat my shop. On a 40 degree day one of them will keep my shop at 60 degrees. In the summer I use both of them to cool the shop to 72 degrees
Yes. I read some newer mini split heat pumps function better in cooler weather. It is 24* F here this thursday morning.
The power service in my shop is only 100amp. The current heater setup is a 240v 50 amp breaker. If that is removed, that will free up some amperage?
Phil: thanks for the eggsplaination on propane tanks and stuff. Only thing this desert rat has used propane for is a BBQ and the RV .. It has been near 50 yrs since I had natural gas in a house like we have here now.
:lol:
A few photos... Of the loose lite setup in a small utility building in back yard. I removed that light assembly. :shock:
Also: photo of the natural gas wall heater in the front work area / laundry room. My parents house built in 1951 had wall heaters like this one.
Last photo: the utility building had 41 baby food jars that were attached to the bottom of the shelf like Popular Mechanics showed decades ago. 41 jars, 41 lids with 2 screws in each lid to the bottom of the shelf. The loose lite assembly was just above that baby food jar shelf.
8)
Tony, just for reference, my shop is 24x40, just 960 square feet, and I have a 75,000 btu heater that does well even with the low insulation in the walls.
I'm assuming that natural gas heater you have is vented to the outside. I had a non vented propane heater in my last 24x24 garage that put a lot of moisture in the air and rusted things.
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on November 14, 2024, 10:01:01 AMI'm assuming that natural gas heater you have is vented to the outside. I had a non vented propane heater in my last 24x24 garage that put a lot of moisture in the air and rusted things.
Yes, the wall gas heater is vented thru the roof to the outside. The laundry room and small storage - work room share a common wall, The gas heater is exposed on both sides
It has a thermostat on the wall. It actually works very well. I keep the thermostat set at 59*F , so the room is about 60 - 61* F usually
:idea:
A note popped up on my computer.. It is 15 yrs since Jay Carnine ( C9 ) died suddenly. November 15 , 2009.
We have lost several members here over the years.
got the fuel tank back in my 97 sierra. Reman injectors , new distributor , wires ,plugs,fuel filter and a new fuel pump . Old fuel pump would not hold pressure ,as it ends up, there was a crack in the line from pump out to injectors inside the tank . Had to replace all the hardware in the pump assembly. Runs good now but the fuel gage swings wildly while driving and calms down after you stop for a while. Oh well at least its running nice.
Gas gage in my truck has simmered down quite a bit. 8) I spent some time today putting up a shelf above my lathe . Lathe is a foot away from the wall so the shelf comes out flush with the back splash on the lathe and about 8" above . Made a tray for oils and oil cans , then a metal plate screwed to shelf for mag based dial indicators also room for all my tool holders and tool posts . Lastly at the tailstock end I drilled holes to put live centers and drill chucks. I think it should allow me to work at the lathe without having to walk anywhere for tooling . All my drill bits are on a shelf 2' from the tailstock end of the lathe next to my cabinet of threading taps. I am literally within 6' of all my lathe equipment when standing at the machine. Once the mill is up and running I will have to organize all of that tooling as it is in a set of drawers next to the mill but kind of hap hazard organized. I may put 4' fluorescent lights over the lathe and mill as well.
I decided this weekend I need a shelf for my lathe. I will mount it off the lathe base because my lathe is in the middle of the room. I do have a 4 ft LED fixture over the lathe with 2 5000 lumens bulbs.
Josh and I spent the weekend working on transmissions. We assembled one, and tore down a second one. We found it was a Z spec T5 and badly destroyed. We salvaged very few good part out of it. A couple gears and the syncro drums. The mainshaft had even bent. Of course this trans was in a 9 second factory GT Mustang. I'm even afraid to use the case.
Fun fact: aluminum foil we all use. The tear off strip often rips the foil crooked like it is Dull? Do not run your finger across that * metal cut off strip. It cuts fingers easily. Ouch. :shock:
More electrical repair in the house. 3 way light switches, new romex, new 3 way switch in kitchen. Wired it all up like the old switches were, ALTHO , I used a new 3 way switch at one end. Did it work ? No.. After 45 minutes on the internet, new switch on the other end.. Did it work? No. I started swapping wire positions on the switches and suddenly it all functions correctly.
Oh, btway , I found another buried drywall muddied over electrical box in the ceiling. I have that proper repaired. It was Jammed full... 6 romex 12/2 wires fed into this 1 box ! Took 2 more boxes mounted to the rafters for easy access. Some new romex between them.
Wife helps me often. When I am in the attic, she admitted she hears me "thump" my head.. Then she hears the usual "gawd dammit" , I am sure she chuckles.
Air compressor that has blown up air pump on it.. May turn the tank into a fire pit? Just buy a larger compressor later. My little 26 gallon 120v compressor works well for now.
I read Motor Trend TV shows are done? Over? Money issues with Discovery and Warner Bros companies. Road Kill and other Freiburger - Dulciech - Finnegan TV shows are done. Kinda explains why Freiburger went back to his You Tube channel several weeks ago?
8)
Crosley car in Bisbee AZ. On Craigs List. Weeks ago this was priced at $4995.000 or close to that. I remember thinking: 5 Grand for that ?
A week ago it was $2200.00
Now it is $1600.00
8)
We bought new phones for the landline in the house and outbuildings (dam expensive off Amazon). The old base unit was getting hard to understand the messages. This house was built in 1979 and the phone 'hanger' was positioned high on the dining room wall for the old style dial wall phones. The new phones have a wall mount that makes it hard to see the led lights for messages, etc., so I decided to lower the base mount. Now I have a 1 1/8" hole to patch and clean up. Did I mention that I don't like doing plaster work?
Put a fake light switch over it :shock:
SNOW today. I have a battery powered snow thrower. Did most of the property 2x and then it quit . Recharging and hoping I dont need to use it a 3rd time today
I put a dent in the front fender of my Suburban about a year ago. It was my fault. I fixed the dent yesterday and today I painted. After supper, I will unmask. Last fall I stripped and painted the top and this summer I stripped and painted the hood. Both of them were peeling. I am caught up until I do the next dumb thing.
^^^
Looks like it ought to, John. Someone tell me when we quit doing dumb things, short of dying. :)
Well, John, you fixed your fender, and I fixed the hole in the dining room wall where the phone used to be. Would've been an odd place for a fake light switch, ck.
Now I am done for the day. I'm tired.
Might be interesting to watch: {https://youtu.be/WgiU2wpqC0s?si=VRKD_l50-7FeQxRJ}
Another from 67: {https://youtu.be/KYW7fPxSBEA?si=pjWq-UPYMZBX3w9W}
That was interesting video. A friend, who is no longer with us, could have been in that film. He was a racer during that time in the Kansa City area. Soon after that he went to California and then ended up here many years later. He had a body shop here when I met him years ago. He retired from the shop and was in poor health. I would go to his house, when I was test driving a hot rod, and take him for a ride. We both enjoyed that.
I hauled a friends Anglia to a local shop today. I wired the car a few years ago and he has been busy with other projects. Now it is time to get it running. It uses a Fuel Tech brand computer to control the engine and we have had trouble finding someone in our area that can get it running. It is a more difficult control system than most, but it also enables you control a lot more stuff. A really trick, one of a kind engine, and I want to hear it run.
Sad to hear of the end of the Hot Rod shows. Honestly they let the channel get stale 3-4 years ago. It's almost as though they've been trying to kill it by showing the same handful of episodes over and over.
Quote from: jaybee on November 22, 2024, 07:45:32 PMSad to hear of the end of the Hot Rod shows. Honestly they let the channel get stale 3-4 years ago. It's almost as though they've been trying to kill it by showing the same handful of episodes over and over.
Yeah , how many street race type shows can there be? The Bi**hing Rides show the recent 2 years was too much on his CF-1 Corvette type car. I got tired of seeing the car on the show. ROadKill was getting a bit stagnant , Yet David F says they always had full creative control of the show? So ? What happened?
Tony Aneglo left the Garage show and I dont think the girl works well with Lucky Costa, bad combo.
I really liked Engine Masters show. Steve Brule' is a smart engine tuner guy. He retired , likely he knew the show was over?
Oh well : 1 door closes , another door opens. We shall see something new?
8)
"Oh well : 1 door closes , another door opens."
Tony, I just saw that the other day in a car ad. One door closes, another door opens. Other than that, the car is pretty good. ;D
Quote from: Crosley.In.AZ on November 22, 2024, 10:39:52 PMQuote from: jaybee on November 22, 2024, 07:45:32 PMSad to hear of the end of the Hot Rod shows. Honestly they let the channel get stale 3-4 years ago. It's almost as though they've been trying to kill it by showing the same handful of episodes over and over.
Yeah , how many street race type shows can there be? The Bi**hing Rides show the recent 2 years was too much on his CF-1 Corvette type car. I got tired of seeing the car on the show. ROadKill was getting a bit stagnant , Yet David F says they always had full creative control of the show? So ? What happened?
Tony Aneglo left the Garage show and I dont think the girl works well with Lucky Costa, bad combo.
I really liked Engine Masters show. Steve Brule' is a smart engine tuner guy. He retired , likely he knew the show was over?
Oh well : 1 door closes , another door opens. We shall see something new?
8)
I guess the TV show attitude / process happens on many levels? The same seems to happen in the home improvement shows. I watch a few of them .. The faux drama in TV shows appears endless? We are gonna lose the shop! Or : We are gonna lose the house ! LOL
If you are on the Facebook (if not, stay off Facebook, it;s dangerous or something) Joe Zolper (Garage Squad) has a good commentary on the behind the scenes of these shows and how executive producers treat the folks on the show. Producers Walk away with all the money, yada yada.
ok , rant over.
8)
The tv shows are all so phony, I can't stand to watch them even for a few minutes when I'm in the waiting room at the doctors office. The home show: she volunteers at the animal shelter, he works part time at a convenient store and they just bought a $250,000 home and want to spend another $250,000 completely changing it. What?? Yeah, right.
Whittling at the 47 job. :)
Matt, is that the worst or just a beginning?
Bill, other side is not as bad and is next. After that, removal of firewall and floor ahead of seat riser, to fit the 2015-up 5.0L and ten speed auto. Already showed the roof stuff. Did also do a fix / mod along bottom rear of cab. Another guy did the rest of the body already.
The 51 has been getting steady action. It is cute. :)
I watch each new season, but I don't find Kindig's stuff relatable. The quality is absolutely amazing, but at his prices they should be. I've been to their website. Ground up builds start at $400,000, so anything they put out is being built for some multi-millionaire looking to brag. They can be car guys too, obviously, but the message to regular folks is "you can't afford this, ever."
I once saw part of a TV show from that shop. Little foundation in reality. High fantasy is the genre I'd place it in. Says the junk user from the bargain basement. I've installed their floofy-suck door handles more'n once but Riviera / GP handles are better. :)
Today's objective is to hook a chain to the 72 GP in my back yard in order to keep my home insured. Don't know what the other end of chain will hook to but my hand is being forced. Underwriters have been deified in our society and their will shall be enforced by any means. No room for Pontiacs under the overpass. Health ins just jumped to nearly double and home insurance is doing same. Liberty, justice, and what-not blahblahblah. Supersonic doom.
In previous weeks, between roof and cowl side, I did this other brown bottom stuff. All fabricated. Inner and outer cab corners and multi piece patching of pan / cab back panel with contour revision (widened hump area to simplify rust repair).
:) :arrow:
Matt, is it too soon to know what the plan is for the 47?
Thought I already said it, Bill. "Nice driver." is all the info I got. 2015+ Mustang GT engine and trans (5.0, 10 speed auto), no blower. Frame has been modified with modern suspension and steering assist has to be electric since all coyote vehicles are that. Brakes going under dash with a 90°. Owner's leukemia appears to be in remission. He did it up in the 70s with an early 283 4 speed and slots. 4.11s then 3.73s later. Considering reddish metallics and two tones. Stock door latches, handles, seat. I get little info, probably because I don't keep secrets. :shock:
You may have, Matt. I have no memory. :)
Well, you are the round Ford truck master in my book, so wha'dya think of that plan? Be a fun game to play once before cashing in your chips, wouldn't it? :)
I got a chain on the death row car. It has to go back within about 50' from whence it came, in the weeds behind the shop. I snagged it from the hoarder complex next door when it was cleared out after a fire a decade ago. Saved it from the crusher that day. Sad hassle now. Lots of goodies on it.
I think it will be very good. I would want to change out the dash. I thought that era was very bland to look at. As I remember, there isn't much room in the cabs so a guy has to be real careful with what you do. If I remember correctly, 40 thru 47 is the same cab. I notice that people are using the 2015 mustang epas rack and pinion on crown vic fronts. If there is room, I think that could make a good conversion. :)
Ha. Yep that dash has about as much character as a stick of margarine. But it is a fair bench, as dashes go. I think this puppy got a plain ole M2. I am just glad it ain't me that has to pick wheels for stuff like this.
Oh no! Yesterday was a dark black day...
I have ten grand left to pay on my mortgage and the fuss over the car in the yard is the tip of an iceburg.
I did not know that State Farm is going out of business in my state. Summer of '25. Even if they stay in automotive, they can't keep me.
Only option I see is to dump entire life savings to buy the house immediately and go forward never being insured again. State does not require home ins.
Learned this yesterday. Its gonna leave my whole family without a means to insure our homes. :'( :'( :'( :'(
I already can't sleep. Can't keep a job if I can't sleep and can't get to work in uninsured cars. This is catastrophic. Life under the overpass draws nearer. Doom is inevitable. Party is over.
Just wow. I am in awe. Attacked by an ally. Very very sad now, and even angrier. Pray? Weep? A nuclear war is bound to start soon too. Infinite peril has arrived. Head for the hills while you still can and if you find a cave to inhabit, defend it as though your life depends on it. :arrow:
If you own a car that doesn't run, I feel sorry for you. Heads up. Google it if you don't believe me.
In the last 52 years , the design of 3 and 4 way light switches in houses has changed?
I have changed the old worn out 3 way switches and the wire configuration is a bit different. Frustrating is a word.. I had one 4 way switch setup.. ? 3 switches operate a set of hallway lights. WIre diagrams I found online were wrong. I used Leviton brand switches and finally found a diagram on their website. I swapped wires around a bit.. specially at the last switch that feeds the lights power was different. Success finally. after an hour and change.
I have swapped new wall switches on two 3 way systems Last week and then the 4 way system this evening. I have 2 more 3 way systems to swap out worn out switches. I may understand this stuff (nope) yet ?
8)
I worked on the drivers door of the Corvair today. It's been sitting on a roll around table for a few months, waiting for me to sand the jambs and interior around where the interior panel goes. Yuk! A lot of hand work. I've got it sanded and taped up, and will primer it tomorrow. I still have the door jamb to do on the car, but it's easier than the door. This is the last of the major primering on the car. I've already hung the right side door and will have to take it off again when I decide what color I'm going to paint the car. Factory color was Capri Cream, then it was repainted something red, then started sanding for a repaint before I bought it.
I was leaning towards another color of red, and the metallic colors really pop, but I haven't painted a metallic total car since the early 80's, and it's something I'm not the best at (the dark blue VW bug came out well with only one small run, but the gold Chevy PU was awful). Funny thing is, I've never seen another Cream colored Vair since I got this one, so I'm kind of leaning going original, plus it's a solid color, and no BC/CC.
Decisions, decisions. I bought a dealer promo 67 Corvair that only comes in Capri Cream from an online auction last week. Paying top dollar was bad enough, but the "tax, title and fees was terrible." I've enclose a pic of the model on my living room carpet, in case I haven't before. CRS, you know.
Cream color should be forgiving and look right at home.
My insurance guy says my home insurer is not leaving my state, as several news articles indicate. What can be believed, from anyone? Everything is lies and I'd be (even more) foolish if I didn't keep my guard up. I was given no explanation. Just have to dispose of the parts car then undergo a review. Since my home has had zero updates in a quarter century I anticipate large expenses will be required to meet their qualifications and that my premiums will redouble previous redoublings to a point where it is more than the mortgage and health insurance combined. Work until death. Might require two jobs to stay afloat. Doom yet lingers. Media serves to mislead us all, always.
Here. Article about old GTO job. My first Kindig handles install.
https://gmscenemag.com/root-beer-dreams-1965-pontiac-gto/
Here is some comic relief:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CmlWeWUD4IA
went to a speed shop today to get a woodruff key for the crank sprocket for a timing chain on a sbc . WOW $45 . Did not buy it as I will make sure I dont already have one . Speed shop owner was surprized at the price too . Have known him for years . we looked it up and similar pricing at summit. Makes me think sbc is considered obsolete?
! just checked McMaster Carr. About $0.70 each when you buy 25 at a time, plus $10 shipping.
https://www.amazon.com/JEGS-601018-Crankshaft-Key-Long-Style/dp/B09FNP74BQ
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaf-all87030
Hey Matt, I've decided to go with the original color of Cream. Will order the paint soon, just to have it before the prices go sky high next year.
Don't believe what State Farm tells you. Or anyone. I worked at a factory for 40 years, and one time there was a rumor of a layoff coming up. We had a meeting on Friday with management assuring us there was no layoff in the works. Guess what? Monday comes and there was a layoff. Yeah, that happened overnight. For me, their credibility went down the tubes after that, forevermore. One other time, we had a catered lunch brought in for a safety award lunch, and just over 30 of us got food poisoning and missed a couple days work each.
Before I got married 16 years ago, I had Country Companies for my insurance, my new wife used State Farm. We switched to State Farm for everything. They've been pretty good over the years with our claims on the house after storms, but we had a large storm in August that downed a lot of trees and ruined our roof. Twenty thousand to repair/replace the roof and they paid the first half and would pay the second half after completion. Well, it was completed second week in October, and they still haven't paid. I keep getting texts on my cell that they are going to call, and if I miss the call, to call a number.
I got another text today, so I called our local agent and asked what the hell was going on. He called my wife back later and said the office in Georgia has been calling a number for us in a Chicago area code. We're a hundred miles away from Chicago. Wonder why I wasn't getting the calls?
I hope everything works out for you there. I forget which state you're in.
More wacky tracking for package from Amazon, on UPS ... :lol:
Package left Haslet TX shipper , arrived Phoenix AZ.. Then tracking shows it just left the shipper and was at DFW airport? Next stop? Ontario CA. THis wednesday morning it arrived in Phoenix AZ. Some type of cross pollination happened in the tracking ?
Amazon tells me the package will arrive december 4th, UPS says the package will arrive today 27th.
I ordered this item on the 21st in an attempt to avoid probrlem with thanksgiving day week.
8)
Phil: we've had old phone number problems with a Chase account bank card and REAL bad problems with Directv SAT service !
We lived in Gilbert AZ.. Directv contractor pulled up next to our driveway. We could see the vehicle and "Directv contractor" sign on the door. 2 minutes later he drives off. My wife calls Directv. She is told we were not home, contractor called , wrong phone number. The phone number Directv gave my wife had been deleted 10 yrs earlier. It was our old landline number. It was Not the first time DIrectv did this with the old landline number.
???
Phil, it's Arkansas. Not believing what anyone says would include you and me. Do you believe I live in Arkansas? Do I believe you ever had even one Corvair? Etc. I had two employers stiff me for 3 weeks pay by disappearing. By the time I was twenty. Today, nobody is even willing to do the search I did- "is state farm leaving arkansas" then read the articles I read. Every person alive would rather dismiss than believe me so what I say is pure lies. Nothing anyone says is true. You are all liars.
See? Thats how that feels. If an SBC intake says firing order 18436572, do we make up our own firing order to prove that's a lie? No, we trust it and our engines run.
So trust me when I say you can't trust a word I say. Because I believe some Canadian speed shop wants over $20 for a crank key that costs seventy cents in Ohio. All my bodywork pics over the last decade or two were AI generated, of course. Never done a lick of work in real life. Hell I don't really exist, it has all been a simulation.
If you believe that... hey I have some Missourri oceanfront property I'll make you a great deal on. :)
Theres them who don't lie and them who don't believe and everything in between. Mistakes can actually be mistakes. One thing I know for a fact is that some will accept a bodywork flaw just to avoid considering solutions that day, then a thousand days later deem it unaccepable and hold you responsible for them having approved of it to begin with. Man's poor memory is an intentionally installed feature which perpetuates our foolishness.
Yep, the world is a back stabbing contest. One must read between the lies. Help is not on the way.
January 17, 2015 is the day I lost all credibility to a kid in a Ranger. I have not been believed about anything since 5:15 PM that day. I would hate for any of you to truly be subjected to that. It ruins your life. I know this to be fact and have sadly come to accept it.
Nothing is truer than lies. Just lay down and take it because thats all there is. Truth is fictional. In order to sustain one's existence, acting as though you support a chosen lie is required. No one is at fault, responsibility is just a hot potato and love is the greatest lie of them all. Plausible denial must be upheld at any cost. And here we are, spewing complete BS. It is all anyone can know. :idea:
I saw the jeggs price when looking after I posted . I think Brians counter man who I am sure is an expert with ricers and turbos probably saw one of those offset keys for advancing the cam and thats where the price came from . those keys are pricey and converted to cdn dollars are ridiculous . Our dollaris taking a dive since Trump warned of 25% tariffs on cdn and mexican goods to US . Likely will not be planning any purchases cross border with a weak dollar .
CK, I can believe that. ;)
A Pontiac job went home yesterday. Believe it or not, it is a piece of crap. :arrow:
The 71 GMC cab I worked this summer got shot today.
Everybody have a pleasant Thanksgiving Day with families. :)
By golly the UPS tracking was correct. My package from Amazon arrived on the 27th. ;D
We hope you folks enjoy the turkey day as much as possible. Lite rain here.. Calm , kool weather. Windy
I replaced the front tire on the dr650 today. The narrow tires take some effort to get the inner tube in. The old tire was installed in 2016. I had been riding out in the country a few weeks ago. The stickers got the inner tube. :) Because of the age of the tire, I replaced both. The inner tube was newer but unless they get more expensive, I'm going to replace instead of patching. That being said, in 2010 I purchased 2 tires and tubes for just a little less than one tire and tube cost now. :) I've owned this bike for 20 years. I think about getting a new bike but I wonder if it would be worthwhile? I haven't seen anything that got me real excited. Most of the new bikes have an almost 33" seat height. I have a 30" inseam. :)
My wife and I spent the last week at Fatcats house in N Carolina. Fatcat and I repowered his 6" Craftsman lathe with a treadmill motor. We received the wrong belt from Amazon twice. Lets see if three times is a charm. We test fired it with a drill motor, but we may have to adjust the pulley ratios. Pictures to come when the bugs are worked out.
I have heard of the treadmill motor being used that way before . I contemplated it with my mill to avoid 3 phase . Just the other day I started thinking the treadmill in the basement might make a great belt sander .
I used a treadmill motor on my previous mill. It didn't have much power at real slow speeds. It needed a gear change to elevate the rpm at low speeds. I sold mine not long after that and purchased a new unit with the variable speed dc motor. It spoiled me rapidly. :)
I have a bowflex treadmill in the basement that you can change the speed on with a 1 1/2 hp motor . I am thinking it might work good as a drive for a metal belt sander I have in the shop . It was a home built machine I got from an estate . It has three 1/2hp electric motors on it now and when I tried it out this summer it was making the plug in cord warm ! I am no electrician but it seems a bit too much banjo engineering going on there . Not sure how much fab work I am going to be doing in the future so not sure if it will be worth the effort . If I have small jobs to grind I can always go back to the school I retired from , the guys there are great about letting me in to use the tools . If I start needing to do a lot of grinding I might have to do this grinder at home as I dont want to wear out my welcome at the school.
Couple friends have modified olde treadmills into large belt sanders. We had a purpose built belt sander at Hughes. Used it for various side projects usually cylinder heads to clean up the surface. I do miss all the equip available there.
:wink:
Once you have access to equipment and then you don't, it's a sad feeling. Many times you can still perform a task, it just takes longer and may be not as precise. :(
KB that is why I started to outfit my shop years before I retired . Even if I dont use the equipment , just having it to use if I want to is a good feeling . I started in the machining trade 42 years ago and have had at least one project car on the go for longer than that . I am nearing the end of my bucket list builds . That list started over30 years ago when I sold a car that I had built for me that I never really missed when gone (63 Acadian ). Thats when I decided that I would only build cars I had always wanted to own .
Quote from: kb426 on December 01, 2024, 01:32:20 PMOnce you have access to equipment and then you don't, it's a sad feeling. Many times you can still perform a task, it just takes longer and may be not as precise. :(
Very true.. Today (sunday) I spent some time in the shop sorting stuff out from how it was packed 3.5 yrs ago when we downsized. I am finding tools all over the carts , boxes, more boxes.. I did not attempt to organize anything when I loaded up my old shop.
Gathering all my transmission tools in one tool cart.. which means for now I am putting the stuff on the Harbor Freight mechanics 5 drawer cart. That cart is waaaay full right now. Not organized yet. Not sure I will fire back up on transmissions or not yet. I stupidly sold both sets of my bushing drivers for transmissions. I should have kept one set. Big mistake.
:twisted:
Let's see what I can make from all this stuff. Or what happens when you mate a Harley Davidson to a T Bucket.
Quote from: WZ JUNK on December 02, 2024, 03:29:20 PMLet's see what I can make from all this stuff. Or what happens when you mate a Harley Davidson to a T Bucket.
There was a fellow that installed a Harley engine into a Crosley wagon. He used a 200-4r transmission as I recall? Mounting hardware with belt drive to the 200-4r converter. I think the engine sat lower than the 200 trans. With a gilmer belt drive at 1-1 ratio..
Will be interested what you come up with John.
8)
I am using a 700r from a V6
More details to come as I make progress.
make it a kick start! ;D
Look out for the metalflake police! :)
Quote from: WZ JUNK on December 02, 2024, 03:29:20 PMLet's see what I can make from all this stuff. Or what happens when you mate a Harley Davidson to a T Bucket.
I ain't so sure them two will mate no matter how long you keep em in the corral together playing romantic songs.
A vision of blown 3800 always pops into head if I see an empty rod roller like that. H-D power would be cooler sounding than Hyabusa haha. But lose to it. Not HAMB friendly.
Looks to me like makins for more'n one contraption. Backwards trike? Or maybe a track nose side car or trailer. In any event, now that the cat is outta the bag the flake patrol will likely swing by to measure your intended flake size. Above a certain size you may have to register it as a boat. :lol:
Looks like a lot of fun. Have it!
Today I created adjustment for the 47 driver door. Hinges are riveted to door and pillar holes are fixed but door needed to come outward some in front. Hogged the fine threaded 5/16" holes out to 7/16" and that was enough. Longer screws with nearly impossible to reach nuts in pillar for now. Ready to hack pans and wall but am hinky about not having cab mount wood yet so I can bolt er down. But the touchy rust work is done now and doors can fit. :)
Had a colleague who put a blown 3.8 in a chevette. Thing is pretty fast for being a stock motor in a super light car . Barely 2000 pounds
A friend's wife bought one, a sedan, new. I couldn't bring myself to do one but a 3800 early vega would be cool enough. Shave off half a ton or more compared to the GTP, that'd be zippy. Maybe even sporty fun with a stick.
So I dug out cab mount bolts from the 47 and am puzzled. The wood cab mount blocks fell apart like a mummy when removed but... the bolts have what looks like valvesprings (pro street rear suspension ha ha) at each end.
Bill, are you familiar with that stuff on a 47? The wood is available.
Anyone aware of an upgrade for that? I stand ready to set it up for normal body mount biscuits like the 51 but if a common alternate solution is out there I want to know. Thinking I should order the wood blocks for stock heights so the body lines up properly. But those springs, wth? Is that something added, or stock? Bolts look OE.
Also if there is a top vendor for 40-7 Ford truck parts in general, I could use a hot tip. The internet is vast and I need to provide part numbers.
The hood is on the '51 F-1 5.0 and I don't have a pic yet wow. Still dull, graphics to be applied. But hood being on was a sight for sore eyes.
The spring was to allow movement from the flexible frames and poor roads. If the chassis has been modernized, I would use rubber without a spring. If that isn't the plan, then a spring could be wise.
That sir, is timely and useful input. Point taken and much obliged. Stock frame is now boxed and has M2.
Then was gravel, now is aaphalt, hmm. Rubber sounds like me.
Here you go, F1 pics :)
I purchased a new lathe chuck. One half the runout of the previous unit. I installed it and it was the same as the old unit????? I checked runout in a dozen places. I decided that the cam-lock eccentrics must be bent or wore. The Grizzly version is based on the unit I have. I took a chance and ordered new parts. $32 for parts, $16 for shipping. Boy do I like this. I hope they are the same as my unit. :) None of this made sense to me but in about a week, I'll see if I found the answer or I'm still searching. This is on a D1-4 cam-lock just in case anybody is curious.
KB how much runout are you getting ?
Matt, I quite like the way the front of the F1 turned out.
C.K. 14 thou total. I removed the eccentrics and ordered the Grizzly versions. If they're not the correct size, I'll try to make some. :)
14 is a LOT . I had a 3 jaw in one of my lathes at school that would dial out to zero a lot of times but within .003 was what i would usually expect of a 3 jaw . In one shop I worked at we used to re grind the jaws with a tool post grinder . You either chucked a ring into the back of the jaws (there is usually a stepped surface back there), or opened them up and locked them into a ring to open them for grinding . Closing the jaws down on a ring was the preferred method as it loaded the jaws against the scroll thread the same as when chucking on OD . It worked well for fixing bell mouthed jaws . I have not seen many 3 jaws in industry , 4 jaws are on everything .
I just remembered another shop I worked at where they had a 3 jaw bolted to a face plate in the lathe with 3 bolts and thick washers . You would spin the chuck by hand and smack the chuck with a soft hammer to dial it in . once dialed you cranked up the bolts holding the chuck . It was a beater lathe for work that was not fussy . It also required setting the tool just slightly ABOVE center so that when cutting ,the slack in the spindle would allow the shaft to raise up to centered .
O&S installed new front brake pads on the dr650 this afternoon and went for a ride. 57 degrees. :) That's a long ways from a record temp but it was pleasant. Maintenance on the vehicles is all done until something fails. :) I should have a couple of months before oil changes start again. By then it will be real cold. :)
O&S Construction installed a new door between the kitchen and laundry area. Still some work for trim out , other fun stuff. Somebody framed out the opening 2 inches too high (me)... SO I corrected that yesterday with door installl too.
Been busy: kitchen wall insulation install. Some sheet rock hung up (ceilings).. Installed final 3 way light switches, front outdoor light fixtures replaced. I am tired each day. If I sit down, I fall asleep.
Received 2 quotes on insulated garage door 18 x 7 foot install with opener. Includes the removal of wall and door that currently fill the garage door opening .. with trash debris haul away. Quotes include the opening to be re-framed up for garage door hardware install
1 quote is $7100.00 and change
2nd quote is $5200.00 and change
Y'all can guess which we likely will go with.?
:o
BUilt a new wall between kitchen and living room. Actually replaced OEM kitchen wall. Moved it back 2 feet to open the kitchen up some. Kitchen was too small. Of course the wire in the wall I hoped to simply move - reroute for outlets was not long enough for my plan. SO: more re-wire in the attic, more romex wire
Got the new wall up, anchored, wired. Old wall ripped out. Scrape the remaining kitchen popcorn texture crap off the ceiling. Also finished the re-wire of patio outlets with proper conduit, weather tite boxes , GFCI , etc.
All this new framing is non load bearing. I built the new to match the olde stuff.
I have used over 200 feet of new romex 12-2 wire in this house to fix the mess I found. I have replaced 4 circuits from the service panel out.. sheesh. !
:P
Looking good, Tony.
Our rural mailbox is about 800' from the house, and our house doesn't face the road, and we can't see the mailbox, so we can't tell when we get mail. For the past 8-10 years, I've installed a transmitter on the mailbox door that beeps the receiver in the house. I've always used double stick tape to attach the transmitter to the door. Last winter, the snow plow obliterated our metal mailbox, so we spent the money on a really nice heavy duty box. Taped the same transmitter to the door. Lately, our temps have fallen to ~20*, and when the mail comes, I find the transmitter in the back of the mailbox. I'd stick it back on the door, and the next day, same thing.
Come to find out, when the mail person opened the door, it would fall off, they would pick it up that throw it in the box. Tried new tape, nothing would stick to this new box in this temp. Dammit. Trying to think of what would work? Spotted four little round strong magnets on the side of the microwave that used to be on the cordless phones that would kick my old hearing aids into high gear when I used the phones. We got new phones recently, and my new hearing aids no longer need the magnets.
AHA. I will superglue them to the transmitter. I had two of them glued to the back (working on the kitchen counter), and set a third on the back of the transmitter, and it slid over to one of the others, and they both jumped off the transmitter and onto the floor. Of course, the glued side is where they met, and they were stuck together. It was hard enough to pry these magnets apart (nyomedium) and there was no way these were coming apart. Luckily, we had a couple more of the same on the fridge. Mission accomplished. Sticks to the mailbox door and the magnets don't interfere with the operation.
I made a roll around cart to hold a Harley Davidson Evo engine. It will either hold the dummy engine that I will be using for fabrication or the engine I plan to use. I plan to pull the good engine from the motorcycle tomorrow. A friend brought by this handy tool he made that allows you to use a conventional engine hoist to remove the engine from a motorcycle. It was new to me and it seems like a great idea. I was dreading removing the engine from the motorcycle and this should make the job a lot easier.
Item from AMazon was shipped via UPS SUrePost. It was 4 pounds over the weight limit at USPS , 74 pounds. Limit is 70 pounds. Listing on AMazon says it weighs 54 pounds. Invoice said weight was 69 pounds. USPS office said it was 74 pounds. ?
The USPS office tells me they need 100.00 $$ extra due to let me take the box from the office. I told him to "keep it" as I paid for shipping already. USPS was to return the box : "returned to shipper" via UPS .
Then hours later: the UPS driver shows up at my house. He asked me if I wanted the box. I said yes , if the extra $100.00 was not due, He said : No more money due. I have the box in the house. I will post photos later. It will be fun.
:o
After installing new eccentrics and dressing down a high spot on the spindle. {https://youtu.be/a3h-NTYag2g?si=OkZEhKIc-oSZpryy}
:) :) :) Right in line for a 3 jaw
I made the master template for the motor plate and associated plates for my project out of scrap 1/4 " aluminum plate. I cut it out with a saber saw and filed it to shape. The hard part was getting the indexing holes for the pins that will locate the transmission. Everything seemed to go well. I call it the Burt Munroe method of doing precision work.
I haven't had the opportunity to try it yet, but I've read where people will use clay or Play Dough stuck on something to find where to locate holes.
Transfer punches make the job easier .
I am starting a 406 sbc build today . Scat crank and 6" rods . Todays job is to make sure the rods clear the pan rail . Then the rods need to clear the cam. 10:1 CR , heads flow 243 CFM @.500 lift. .506 lift solid W 235intake/255exh @ .050 on 108 LSA . Will use 800 cfm holley on open plenum intake . Kind of a 'shelf motor ' using the stuff left over from other builds . Going in a friends square body truck. Should be a torquey thing . Would rather have a performer RPM manifold but this is whatwe have for now . Intake is easy enough to change later.
Set screws will double as transfer punches.
The small GM V6 would be metric threads in the block as I recall. I have machined transfer screw punches for various projects.
At Hughes we had cnc files on many bell housing patterns.
The small V6 pattern was close to the Caddie Northstar V8 engine. One bell housing bolt hole had to be relocated to bolt a 700r4 to the Northstar engine.
Just random useless info.
:shock:
Once I got the dowel pin holes the rest was gravy. Finding the center line of the crankshaft was interesting. Worked on the frame some today.
My brother's wife passed away thursday at age 74. She had battled diabetes since age 15 and what seems like every complication related to diabetes. She was at home with family after several days in the hospital.
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Sorry for your loss Tony . Hope your brother finds peace in this difficult time .
Sorry for your loss Tony.
Sorry for you and your family Tony.
Sorry for your loss Tony
My sympathies, Tony.
Sorry for you loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Thanks guys... My brother seems to be doing well, but it is early and he is busy with details from his wife's passing. His daughter is in Arizona from CT with her oldest son (22).. My brother's 40 year old son lives on the streets in Tempe AZ. He has not been located. To be honest I think it is better the son is not around right now.
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Tony, I'm sorry I haven't been around for a few days, or I'd have offered my condolences sooner.
November 5 I went to the auto paint store and bought a gallon of Capri Cream for the Corvair, along with the necessary reducers and catalyst, plus three aerosol cans of the same paint. Dammit, that's not cheap, but it's easy to paint a jamb, then the door and hang it, then go on to the next. Don't have to keep mixing and cleaning the gun. Got both doors and jambs done, plus the front trunk surround. Saw that I wasn't going to have enough cans to do the engine compartment surround and the insides of the trunk and engine covers, so I went back to the paint store for three more cans.
I took one of the empty cans with me. Got home and started painting around the engine area and needed one more coat, so I grabbed one of the new cans and gave it the final coat. What?? It's flat paint. Took the three cans back today and showed the guy what it looked like on a strip of flat metal that I had painted with the first batch and second batch.
He got on the phone with the guy who had mixed up the last batch of paint and asked him what had happened. Don't know, other than he had mixed up a pint of paint and distributed it to the three cans, instead of mixing each can on its own. The guy there today is the one who made the first batch. He mixed them up individually and I tried one and it was glossy, so we're all happy again, except for having to do that small part over with another coat.
H*ll of a story Phil.. its frustrating for sure. I have not bought or painted a vehicle in years. The cost$ is crazy now. I have used soem John Deere Blitz black on the 1962 Falcon we had years ago.
I need to re=paint the fiberglas air dam on my car trailer. It is yellow that matched my 1971 C-10 truck I sold 20 years ago.. Needs to be white now. I have been looking at rustoleum paint for that?
Still miss that C-10 truck for some reason
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Quote from: jaybee on December 16, 2024, 09:23:30 PMTony, I'm sorry I haven't been around for a few days, or I'd have offered my condolences sooner.
No problem.. My brother has not been communicating much with me on this. His 42 yr old daughter does text me. Her and I have grown close in recent years.
Saw this weird VW creation a few weeks ago. It is at a shop on RT 66 , just west of the Wigwam Motel. Need to get a closer look. Has not moved in a long time it looks like?
The Wigwam Motel has many old cars sitting in place for the RT 66 theme.. They need to freshen up the old cars a bit. At least move them from time to time?
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I worked on suspension modifications on my Harley Ford project. No photos but I made the brackets for the rear spring and I modified the front wishbone so that the quarter elliptical springs and the friction shocks can be mounted. The goal was to have a prototype frame on wheels by Christmas but I may not get that far. That's okay, things are moving along. This one is not a race.
The painting saga continued today. I had the three latest cans of cream, so I stood the hood up against the shop overhead door and started spraying, finishing the first can. Grabbed the second can and started spraying, and it was almost yellow. Good grief. Grabbed the third can and finished the hood. Grabbed the yellow can, one of the first cans (MT) and one second can (also MT) and jumped in the truck. My wife came along for the ride.
This time, I headed in the opposite direction to the main store, about 15 miles farther away. I'd been doing business there since the 70's, but when I moved south, the southern store was closer. I've done business there only a couple times. Anyway, I told the woman behind the counter my story, and the manager heard it also. She talked with a young guy who was going to mix it up and they found the formula. I said I'd buy another two cans just to be sure I had enough. The young guy left to mix the paint and the mgr. whispered something in the womans ear. The kid came back with four cans of paint and the woman said they were only going to charge me for one, mgr's orders. Cool. She also asked me if I wanted the yellow can. I had no use for it, but my wife paints things for the yard and garden, so she took it.
Some days you're the dog and some days you're the hydrant. I guess today I am the dog. Next time I need paint, I think I'll either go the extra mile to the original store or their competitor nearby. May be a while for the next one, though.
Always looking at stuff online I think maybe I need.. Such as a small utility trailer. This one is a Studebaker bed trailer. He does not list what axle is under it. One photo you can kinda see what looks like the back side of a differential?
Studie bed trailer is on facebook market place.. Looks a bit sketchy? Special lug nuts.. Tape on the hitch ? Only $475.00
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Just got hired back to teach machining at my old school . Part time , mornings only for second semester. They could not find another qualified instructor so I am going to train a new guy while teaching the class . He is a former student of mine . 8)
I worked on suspension parts today. There are still a few parts missing. :) Poor picture but some proof that I did something.
I got a ticket in July for no seatbelt while wearing it. Went to court in August to plead not guilty and again in September to get it anulled. I told my brother of the incident and he recognized the cop's name from his prayer meetings. Turns out his wife has been inexplicably ill for some time. Since then, was recently involved in a car wreck and is now near death. Turns out her breast implants had been slowly leaking, poisoning her. The wreck, specifically the seat belt, burst them. I can't make this stuff up.
Rust work done on the 47 cab job. Firewall just in with screws as requested. My best extrapolation puts the intended body mount heights at 2 3/4" rear, 2" middle, and 2 1/2" at front, to make cab bottom level with frame and running boards. Today I made nut plates for the door I added an adjustment feature to.
The shop crew dogpiled the boss's wife's forlorn white S-10 which was her first new vehicle, for Christmas. I volunteered as requested for over a full day but was only used for half of one, sanding, and got paid for it. They added roll pan and wheels, ditched side moldings, etc. Fresh interior and all. Think the bed got shot today. It should be a nice surprise for her.
Meanwhile, I straightened out bloody nose stuff on a 66 Camino job that still runs a single master cylinder and got my brother to yank the 72 GP from where it sank in yard out closer to the gate so hopefully a flatbed hauler can winch it aboard. Come get it now free, save me the expense. Otherwise it goes in the weeds and vanishes forever. Theres a virgin 400 in it.
Busy day at O&S Construction acres.. Finished the 2nd parts cart wheel conversion. I did the first cart 2 months ago ? ::)
Hung up 3 sheets of drywall on my new kitchen wall with the lift and my wife's help .. Would have hung up a few more but we did not have any more sheets of drywall. Will buy more on sunday.
Last photo shows new sheet rock I hung up in the kitchen a couple daze ago. I removed old drop down soffits from original design. Extensive wire repair and new wires in the walls now as you guys know by now with my excessive whining about the wires. New outlet, kinda high up on the wall for microwave vent hood device that will be over the stove now
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While doing cab mount stuffs yesterday I dropped my long pry bar. Fortunately I caught it with my face. As if I don't have enough character already. Didn't miss the eye by much, did catch the sharp end. Dang. Only need one more face stitch to make an even two dozen in a lifetime. But it wasn't that severe, just looks like I been brawling a bit. :)
El Camino looks good, Matt. I had a '46 Ford PU back in the 70/80's, stock 100hp V8, 4 speed with granny low. Fun truck, but speedo only went to 60 with the 4 speed.
Drywall looking good, Tony. You going to do the taping, too?
Quote from: 58 Yeoman on December 20, 2024, 11:25:27 PMDrywall looking good, Tony. You going to do the taping, too?
Yes.. All dry wall work will be done by me. Painting too.
I took down a large sheet of plastic that separated the living room from the new wall construction in the kitchen. Wife is happy. I am sneezing my head off. I'd say I have sneezed 40 times since friday evening?
At 7pm last night , I was scraping popcorn texture off the ceiling of a bedroom. No rest here at O&S Construction Acres. I wet the texture popcorn first. Easier to scrape. Less dust?
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Quote from: jaybee on December 05, 2024, 09:27:46 PMMatt, I quite like the way the front of the F1 turned out.
Me too but I still don't want my name associated with it.
Tony, I used a clean yard sprayer when I removed popcorn. I had a wide scraper and a large trash can underneath to catch as much as possible. I was done in relatively short order. I'm sure you have it figured out. :)
Quote from: kb426 on December 21, 2024, 09:45:12 AMTony, I used a clean yard sprayer when I removed popcorn. I had a wide scraper and a large trash can underneath to catch as much as possible. I was done in relatively short order. I'm sure you have it figured out. :)
Ya , pump up yard sprayer with water in it.. I put a large chunk of plastic down. Vacuum up what the plastic does not catch.
I have a 18 inch wide blade scraper with long handle. Can stand on the floor , scrape easily.. My shoes soles do clog up tho with texture stuff. I thought about using my wheel barrow to catch the texture.
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Bill, how do you keep toenail clippings from flying across the room?
Matt, go outside. :)
Brilliant! :idea: :)
House is coming along real nice, Tony. I'd definitely wet the popcorn first. A lot of it has asbestos.
Is this readily identifiable as a deuce and a half?
Matt, yes. Looks good.
Thanks, Phil. Just wanted to be sure it was obvious.
I drove a 5 ton dump truck in the Army. Looks the same, only larger. ;D
I went to the local pick and pull salvage yesterday. It is the salvage yard that I can walk around and look for stuff that I can adapt. I enjoyed the walk.
We made our usual sunday run to Home Depot in Show Low AZ. 6 sheets of 1/2 inch drywall, compound in a bucket and a box too. Various other items.
I thought mayb the F350 would ride a bit smoother with sheet rock and stuff in the bed? Nope
::)
IIRC This is my first attempt at wildlife. Thought pencils should work good for fur and feathers but they are no match for a paintbrush. Them two drawings might be the only art this year. They were fun. :)
^^^
That's good, Matt.
Thank you, Bill. :)
Have a merry Christmas!
I may have mentioned playing a very small part in the 3 week surprise restoration of boss's wife's old truck (her first new vehicle). Here it is. They ditched moldings and chrome and added roll pan and wheels. Maybe she will see it today. We are working half the day. She makes delicious cupcakes for us occasionally. :P
Home Depot was out of 1/2 inch sheet rock on sunday. Across the street is Lowes. 6 sheets bought as I mentioned in another post.... Only 1 new sheet remains? Where did 5 sheets go? LOL
My new wall has sheet rock on it. My wife was a great help on this as usual . She is never afraid to jump in to help with stuff.
I measured , checked, re-checked and then cut the hole for the living room side outlet cattywhompus as the photo shows. Not to be out done: next outlet on kitchen side was cut 3/4 inch too low. Repaired both of them. LOL
Nailed down some metal corner bead material too. There were cracks that were next to the HVAC vent, dug that out. Some paper tape , hot mud repair.
At 7pm I was mounting some folding brackets in the laundry room,. Wife wanted a folding wall table to fold clothes on. Brackets mounted after I sanded the wall. Previous owner did not believe in smoother flatter walls? Slap on drywall mud over screws and Its good? (no photo)
:idea:
Tony, you're gaining. :) Who picks the colors for the inside? :)
Couple weeks ago: I modified the kitchen plumbing back to OEM config for sink to be under the window as my wife wants. New freeze proof sill-cock for outdoor use.. Modified the outlet for dish washer electric and a garbage disposal.. Previous owner had sink at an angle couple feet from the window. He had raw romex wires running under the sink for diposal and dishwasher electric
Also we installed a new dual pane, E gas, high altitude window in the kitchen. It is soooo much better than the OEM aluminum frame , worn out , single pane window. Way less cold coming in now.
To everyone "Pease on (your little patch of) Earth". GPster
thanks GPster . Merry christmas to all of you on RRT .
Great picture, Matt!
Thanks, jaybee. I thought the truck was much better but maybe I need to think about trying more wildlife. And backgrounds! :lol:
I kinda (?) covered my kitchen pipes with sheet rock. Some insulation was placed too. Likely I will Not tape and finish this wall section since it is behind cabinets?
Couple weeks ago , in my spare time. I built 3 six foot tall lighted candy canes for yard Christmas decorations. Basic 3/4 inch PVC pipe heated with H-Freight heat gun, bent around a fixture with my wifes help.
Then I bought some white pool noodles (Amazon), red duct tape, LED string lites (Amazon) in red , blue and white colors. The LED lites string is actually turned with the diodes inside so the noodle is lit up. Purty kool effect.
Noodles were slid over the PVC pipe ( not fun, PITA really)... Then red tape for the spiral effect.
:idea:
You are a genius Tony. Good job. I like making stuff like that.
trying to do a faux brick wall to match the one next to it, done a dozen years ago . I finally found the matching bricks and ordered them today . I get a phone call a few hours later , sorry that brick has been discontinued . Back to square one . >:(
Quote from: WZ JUNK on December 27, 2024, 12:45:56 PMYou are a genius Tony. Good job. I like making stuff like that.
Thanks John... The candy canes are on ver-3.0 for lights. I tried basic led mini lites wrapped on the canes. Wife said: All I see is the mini lites.
Ver-2.0 was Amazon led string white lites with diodes outside. WIfe said: the lites are too bright.
Ver-3.0 : I turned the led string around, diodes against the pool noodle. WIfe is happy. It is still bright, but looks kool.
So: I bought some red and blue led string lites from Amazon for red - white - blue candy canes with led diodes facing the noodle.
The red duct tape has some wrinkles in it. I tried as I could to keep the tape flat as possible. I guess you could say the candy canes in daylight are 10 footers. LOL
I will build something different for 2025 Christmas season. My mom loved the holidays starting with Halloween thru new years.
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My niece text me a few daze ago. Her brother has been located. That was easy. He called from jail wanting to talk to his mom for bail money again. Its the 4th time this year as near as I can find out online from various Arizona arrest websites.
My brother (his dad) had to explain to his son that mom had died 2 weeks ago. There will be no bail money any longer. I found a mugshot from my nephew's arrest in July 2024.. Holy smokes, the 40 year old guy looks rough , angry, po'd in the photo. I sent the photo to his sister to view. Her comments were a bit stronger than mine.
A few years ago , my brother stopped posting bail for his son. HE figured the state/county/city could deal with his son. The son would get arrested. Dad would post bail. Son never shows up for next court date. Bench warrant issued. Son arrested again at some point. Spends time in jail for prior violation arrest. Released , then repeat in a few weeks or months.
So... the son would call his mom for bail money. Mom is gone now.
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Either last year or this year, I don't remember with all that's been going on with my health this year, I replaced the rear window in the Corvair. I used the 3M sealant 'rope' from the Corvair supplier for both front and rear windshields and it worked great. They even supply the two rubber spacer blocks for the bottom of the windows, but having removed the rear air intake grille, I didn't use the blocks to hold up the window. Didn't think it would slide, being that it is so sticky. I noticed it a few days later, so I installed metal screws in the holes that hold the grille panel in place with vacuum hose on them to keep it up.
Fast forward to yesterday when I'm reinstalling the panel and find that the window has slid more than I thought, and I have metal to glass contact in the bottom center. Hmmm, not wanting it to cause a cracked window later, I decided to remove the window and replace the 'rope.' Wow, easier said than done. The old rope had come out easily with wire, but this stuff is still so fresh, it just reseals itself. I've had the wire all the way around, and the window will not budge.
I've modified a small screwdriver and double ended pick to dig out the rope where it's high enough to get in there to lessen the gripping power the next time I run the wire through. It will probably take at least a week for the new rope to come through the mail anyway, with it being a holiday week.
Funny thing about this sealant is the Corvair supplier sells 3/16" rope, where everyone else sells either 1/4" or 3/8". NAPA sells 1/4", and I was going to order from them and have it in a day, but then I needed a few other things, so I ordered from the Corvair site and paid the almost $20 shipping USPS. It's only money, right?
I'll probably be out there digging away again today at that infernal rope.
On the lighter side, we live in the country and our house faces the woods, the garage doors face the county road, so we can't see if someone drives up. I've installed a camera in front of the garage and we have a monitor in the dining room so we can see if someone is coming up the drive. We were sitting at the table yesterday having lunch when I saw a doe running across our drive with an eight point buck running after her (it's rutting season). A few seconds later, we saw them through the front window, then we ran to the back bedroom to watch them run through the back yard, through the ravine and up the other side and into the woods. We get a lot of does around us, but few bucks.
celebrated our 35th anniversary with friends today
Congrats C.K. :)
Just got back from Christmas in Austin, TX. I think I'm about to the point where I'd retire tomorrow if I could, and live there from now on. I can't, so I won't.
Quote from: chimp koose on December 30, 2024, 06:38:42 PMcelebrated our 35th anniversary with friends today
Congrats on that. :)
Congratulations, Chimp.
Congrats C.K.
Thanks guys .
Congratulations on 35 years of marriage, CK. 8)
As a man with no years, I can appreciate the importance of a trusty spouse. Grape and I just finished 24 and I dare say I have gotten more support from it than I have given back.
Have a nice '25 everyone.
HAPPY NEW YEAR :)
Congratulations, Chimp.