Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[markviii]

Vernmotor,
Martin is right where Tom is at this very moment. He goes every year. He ran a 64 Impala SS up there before he switched to the Chevy II a few years ago (you'll recognize the car from this thread). If you're there, look for him and his 66 Chevy II L79. He'll be happy to see you.

Chris

 

[BB767]

This was the Chevy II at Stanton last year:

round one.

round two. Chevelle red lights.

round three.

I owe it all to Mr.Johnson's shop having mystical qualities prepping the car.

If I just get the car to 60' tomorrow at Martin I'll be all set again.

Thomas

 

[Motown 454]

Nice running Nova. It looks like you had some fun with it.

 

[henrysgarage]

Nice looking car, reminds me of our days running NHRA stock, good luck this weekend.

 

[OBNXIOUS]

Wow! I finally got to here... After joining this site last weekend I have spent many free moments reading through threads, and the last few days on this one. All I have to say is that you have done a phenomenal job! Your dedication and attention to detail is second to none. (I even noticed the light switch plate with all the screws aligned the same) HA! After reading through 81 pages, I feel like I know Tom & Chris personally. (Creepy I know) Ha.. This thread is truly an educational, inspirational, historical adventure, and I am glad I read it.. It is also great to see a group of people sharing their passion keeping this going for almost a year. Part B. We may actually have a mutual acquaintance.. Knowing that you are avid in purestock drags, brought this to my attention, and the fact that you said you race in Toronto (Cayuga) Growing up in Southern Ontario, I lived near a guy that races in purestock with some pretty rare cars, he has a 70 Nova LT-1 COPO, a 69 Chevelle COPO and two 69 COPO Camaro's. One of those 6 degrees of separation things HA... Anyways keep up the great work with the shops, and the dedication to your groupies. (us) Looking forward to your winter projects. Quick question, deduct marks off the test if you have answered and I missed this, but how many cars/vehicles do you and Chris actually have? And, what is capacity for all of your buildings combined if you really wanted to max out your collection? Thank you again for the entertainment!

 

[keithice]

Still a stunning thread..... unfortunately now I'm here, as in the final post to-date, I no longer have an excuse and will have to go and clear the back garden for a tip run.... (the local councils in the UK run "tips" where you take your rubbish and tip it... now really re-cycling centers). Thanks once again for an amazing and very informative thread... keith.

 

[abstamaria]

Thomas,

I was reading your wonderfully interesting thread (and am not yet done!). Is the Lotus race car yours as well?

Andres

 

[willy3486]

I aM gOinG inTo sHock, I need a rust fix. We need more old stuff pics.

Seriously I have enjoyed this thread and have it set up to alert me on when someone posts. It has to be one of my favorite on the web. While were at it is there any posts out there of old shops like this that are redone? I find it relaxing to look at this stuff as it is gone through. I like old tools and such and its like being there when they open up a accent tomb or pyramid. As far as your shop goes its good to see in a world where someone wants to destroy history that someone will make the extra effort to restore one. Excellent work. The old sign you left out front with the lawnmower work on it is a fantastic touch.

 

[hobbitss]

Tools???....

I check several times a day for Tools....

 

[markviii]

Thanks to all for continuing to follow this thread. We're still having fun and gaining more friends in the process.

willy3486,
We worked very hard to keep authenticity in the restoration, so rest assured this is the original. We didn't have to search high and low to find an original or create a new one (think "distressed" antiques) to keep the history of the place intact! We may not keep the sign forever in that state. At this point it fits and may be just a sign of benign neglect (or us being too busy to take it down!).

keithice,
Glad to be giving you some incentive. Thanks for joining in the fun. The UK presence grows!

henrysgarage,
Thanks for joining and adding to our Canadian presence on this thread.

abstamaria,
Taking a break of even a few days from this thread will put you at a disadvantage on the final exam! You need to match up your "breaks" with the days we're not posting so as not to miss anything (haha). It's all important!

Sadly, the Lotus is not Tom's (he wishes!). This car was one of the San Diego vintage race car group that Tom pit crews for. This group of cars spent 6 weeks with us between races in the midwest (Elkhart Lake, WI) and east coast (Lime Rock and Watkins Glen). Tom will tell you more about this car (and the team) if you ask - I'm a mere tag-along.

Chris

 

[abstamaria]

"Taking a break of even a few days from this thread will put you at a disadvantage on the final exam! You need to match up your "breaks" with the days we're not posting so as not to miss anything (haha). It's all important!"

Chris, thank you. I know that for a fact. I have decided to concentrate on reading this thread, having missed so much. My pile of unread car magazines is getting taller, thanks to GJ.

Tom, is that a Lotus 19? I had a 23 for nine years.

 

[BB767]

Thanks everyone for being so patient and understanding. The following will be an additional explanation of the outside water drainage problems and my solutions.

This is almost immediately after I bought the property, November, 2005. The stems of the bushes can still be seen and the "items" that were hidden by them now come to light.

This was from early spring, 2006 about 6 months into my work. This is the 1958 north addition. The walls to the left are around the lift creating the lift room. Here the roof has been replaced but the fascia and soffits have not been installed yet. The old windows are still in the shop and the tire pile is growing. The smoke house is in the background. The gas bottles held propane used in the radiator repair done in the shop. From where I'm standing taking the picture the ground is higher so when it rained all the surface water would drain toward the shop. Also with no gutters, all the roof rain would collect right along the shop walls and would pool there.

Originally I didn't want gutters because there are so many trees around I knew that keeping them clean would be very difficult. Eventually I found some material called "Rain Flow" the does a good job of keeping water flowing in the gutters. (If anyone wants I can show that in another post.) With that solved the next problem was where to drain the water to. I couldn't put a down spout on the corner nearest the camera in the above picture since that would drain it right outside the overhead door on the north end, possibly flooding the shop. Instead of using gutters on this long wall I used surface grading to move water away. Here if you count from the bottom block on the end, you'll see that the new "grade" is is 2 blocks up from the bottom row of blocks. Further back in the corner the grade is higher yet, 3 blocks high. This moves water as it falls from the roof away from the walls. As I've mentioned in an earlier post I dug down to the footings and applied a tar like water proofing material on the part of the block that would be below grade to keep water from flowing through the block. I then back filled with clay to further prevent water from soaking down and through the block.

To help minimize the amount of water draining into this area I did use a gutter as seen on the lift room wall and drained it into a ground tile. That tile connected with....

... gutters in front of the shop. The stone wall was used to hold soil in place with the new grade changes. Clearly seen as 2 blocks higher than the bottom block.

That tile in turn discharges just behind the shop sign out by the road. The tile turns 90 degrees up from horizontal about 2 " high. In a heavy rain there is enough "fall" in the tile line to move water up and out this discharge opening. Note the grill to the left, partially hidden by the ground cover.

Here you can see the gutter that is over the lift room door so there isn't a "curtain" of water flowing in front of that door.

And lastly a little detail on the other end of the lift room door in that valley...

....that is very near the front man door so this is how I managed to drain that area.

I just cut the bottom out of the overlaying gutter and used the gutter along the carport to move the water out to the end of the carport. Look back at the pictures with the cars to see that detail. The high shield is to prevent water moving quickly down the valley from over running the gutter in heavy rains. Those are the only gutters used on the shop. On the other, west side, the ground falls away from the shop so no gutters were used there anywhere.

I had the same problem with the barn. Lots and lots of trees which meant potentially continuously clogged gutters. I'll do a post on how that was solved.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Wow! I finally got to here... After joining this site last weekend I have spent many free moments reading through threads, and the last few days on this one. All I have to say is that you have done a phenomenal job! Your dedication and attention to detail is second to none. (I even noticed the light switch plate with all the screws aligned the same) HA! After reading through 81 pages, I feel like I know Tom & Chris personally. (Creepy I know) Ha.. This thread is truly an educational, inspirational, historical adventure, and I am glad I read it.. It is also great to see a group of people sharing their passion keeping this going for almost a year. Part B. We may actually have a mutual acquaintance.. Knowing that you are avid in purestock drags, brought this to my attention, and the fact that you said you race in Toronto (Cayuga) Growing up in Southern Ontario, I lived near a guy that races in purestock with some pretty rare cars, he has a 70 Nova LT-1 COPO, a 69 Chevelle COPO and two 69 COPO Camaro's. One of those 6 degrees of separation things HA... Anyways keep up the great work with the shops, and the dedication to your groupies. (us) Looking forward to your winter projects. Quick question, deduct marks off the test if you have answered and I missed this, but how many cars/vehicles do you and Chris actually have? And, what is capacity for all of your buildings combined if you really wanted to max out your collection? Thank you again for the entertainment!

We call him COPO Pete and he's the only guy I know that fits that description and yes I do indeed know him. Super great guy as well. Glad you find the thread so interesting. It's not for everyone but it is for folks like you who "get it".

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Still a stunning thread..... unfortunately now I'm here, as in the final post to-date, I no longer have an excuse and will have to go and clear the back garden for a tip run.... (the local councils in the UK run "tips" where you take your rubbish and tip it... now really re-cycling centers). Thanks once again for an amazing and very informative thread... keith.

Sorry you have run out of excuses Keith. Make sure to look through the rubbish so as to not throw away something useful like an old Walker floor jack!

I'll have more "excuse" material here shortly. Not to worry, you can blame it on me.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

"Taking a break of even a few days from this thread will put you at a disadvantage on the final exam! You need to match up your "breaks" with the days we're not posting so as not to miss anything (haha). It's all important!"

Chris, thank you. I know that for a fact. I have decided to concentrate on reading this thread, having missed so much. My pile of unread car magazines is getting taller, thanks to GJ.

Tom, is that a Lotus 19? I had a 23 for nine years.

Hello Andres and thanks for checking us out here. You are correct the Lotus is a Mk.19 of which only 16 were manufactured in 1961. You say you had a Lotus 23 and you sold it???? Isn't that a little like selling one of your children? That's one of the reasons I've got so many cars, I just can't bear to part with them.

Seriously, welcome and thank you for the kind words. Sorry your other reading is backing up but you seem to have your priorities in the right order.

Thomas

 

[abstamaria]

Yes, Thomas. I sold the 23 three years ago, when I stopped racing. It is an important 23 from the U.S. perspective, as it was the Ecurie Shirlee 23. There are pictures of it in posts 52 and 62 of the "Modern House in Far East" thread on this forum. Here is one link:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71002&page=4

Visit when you have time. Like Peter Egan of R&T, the 23 had been my dream for a long time and it was the high point of my small collection. I had toyed with idea of fitting a milder twincam and using it on the street, but ultimately decided that wasn't feasible. So, yes, it was quite painful to let it go. I still miss it.

I have decided to set aside this weekend seriously to read your thread. You cannot imagine how interesting it is to someone sitting in the tropics several thousands of miles away from you.

My best,

Andres

 

[OBNXIOUS]

We call him COPO Pete and he's the only guy I know that fits that description and yes I do indeed know him. Super great guy as well. Glad you find the thread so interesting. It's not for everyone but it is for folks like you who "get it".

Thomas

That would be him.. Growing up, probably from the time I was 10 up I spent many days at Pete's cousin's body shop just watching, getting in the way, asking questions and trying to understand. I witnessed the Nova get meticulously restored, and the orange 69 Camaro. Surprising the things that stick with you for many years after.

 

[_CY_]

thanks for sharing... got a Walker 2 ton and 4 ton long body that looks exactly like Walker ads.

will post pic's soon

 

[slammedstepside]

Just want to join the long list of people congratulating you on your fantastic work. Like many, I joined GJ because of this thread. It's taken me a long time to get through to this point, but it's been time well spent. Seeing the way you've preserved the history of the shop while simultaniously making it your own is truly incredible.

Also, I just wanted to point out how amazing it is that after all the other things you and Chris do (work, apartments, work on the shop, restore tools, drag race, etc.) not only do you find the time to continue to post new pictures of your work AND keep us informed on the history of the place, but you both go out of your way to respond to virtually every post someone puts up on this thread. It really speaks to both your character and your passion for the work you've put into this place.

Keep up the great work, I'm looking forward to each update.

 

[Tim McNees]

great garage

 

[BB767]

thanks for sharing... got a Walker 2 ton and 4 ton long body that looks exactly like Walker ads.

will post pic's soon

Hello CY. I'm sure I speak for many here.... yes please do so!! Please include any background and or details about them. Lucky guy!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Just want to join the long list of people congratulating you on your fantastic work. Like many, I joined GJ because of this thread. It's taken me a long time to get through to this point, but it's been time well spent. Seeing the way you've preserved the history of the shop while simultaniously making it your own is truly incredible.

Also, I just wanted to point out how amazing it is that after all the other things you and Chris do (work, apartments, work on the shop, restore tools, drag race, etc.) not only do you find the time to continue to post new pictures of your work AND keep us informed on the history of the place, but you both go out of your way to respond to virtually every post someone puts up on this thread. It really speaks to both your character and your passion for the work you've put into this place.

Keep up the great work, I'm looking forward to each update.

Wow, what a nice comment and compliment slammedstepside. You do make an interesting point that others have brought up from time to time. Yes Chris and I are quite busy with all that we do. Having started this thread last January and with the amazing positive reception it's received I really do feel an obligation and responsibility to try to respond to all of you who have taken the time to read (or at least viewed the pictures ) and then taken even more time time to drop us a note or comment such as yours. I guess I consider it personal.

This has evolved into more than just a thread on some forum somewhere. The shop project represents a significant undertaking on my part and yes I am passionate about it which seems to come through. Now I've found all of you who are just as passionate as I am and that is very gratifying to know I'm not alone in my seeming quirkiness to undertake such a project.

Thank you for sharing your comments and encouragement.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Here's an update on my work cleaning out some of the buildings. This is the flathead that was suppose to be overhauled some 60 years ago but never it never happened. It got put aside in the back corner of the building to the right until I uncovered it 5 years ago. There it sat until yesterday when I brought it outside and transferred it to the barn in the background.

It appears to be fairly complete. I've been told it's a Ford 60 which was the smallest flathead V8 Ford made. Though it was in dry storage it was not environmentally controlled and has rusted due to humidity. Any of you flathead experts out there please add any information you see fit. This is my first exposure to them. I do know that the tool shed contains some NOS flathead parts which I'll be getting to pretty soon.

Thomas

 

[HOTFR8]

That V8-60 will make a great restoration project. Do you have something to put it in when restored ?

 

[BB767]

Here is more on the buildings clean out....





The interesting thing about this scale is that the upright part of it is made of wood (still has it's original paint) and not metal. Don't know much about these but I'd guess it's somewhat old with all those wood parts.





This is what a bench grinder of the day looked like, belt driven. It was a light duty one. To lubricate the shaft you oiled the shaft, just outside the pulley in the center. The upper oil hole is missing its oil cap which kept "junk" out of the oil hole.



This bench grinder used a 2" wide drive belt ( pulley in the center) because it had larger grinding wheels and it needed the larger surface area of the 2" belt so it wouldn't slip. It also was heavier duty than the other grinder so it had grease cups to lubricate the shaft. Here's how grease cups work...



This is a grease cup on my 18" ( about 1/3 meter) Yates American thickness planer from my wood shop. This machine was made in 1944. The grease cup is the part sticking up and angling to the left.



Here's another grease cup on the other end of the planner, this one is installed at a 90 degree angle. The actual cup is to the far left.




Here part of the the cup has been unscrewed and removed.



Here you can see the 2 parts that make up a grease cup.The cup is full of grease (grease cup,eh?) Note the swirl pattern of the grease in the cup from unscrewing it. Also note the threads are fine threads to give you better control in the amount of grease dispensed.



Another view.



Here the cup is installed but not screwed down yet. Look closely and you'll see the threads still exposed.



Now you just screw the cup down and as you do so.......



...you force grease down the grease line under the cup which will then lubricate the shaft the line is connected to. Also note the cup has serrated edges on it to get a better grip. Older equipment had grease cups instead of grease zirks. Certain bearings responded better to being greased under the low pressure of a cup instead of the much higher pressure generated by a zirk. How much a machine was used determined how often you would "grease" the machine by turning the cup. It is usually turned just a 1/2 turn whenever you "grease it.




This of course is the homemade floor grinder. The best part of this picture is all the space I now have around this floor grinder. See post #888 on page 45 to see how more space I now have.



In the background is an old cabinet makers work bench with a black smith's vice installed on it ( thank you Kevin54 for identifying that vice (see post #891, page 45 )



The overhead line shaft for the trip hammer and camelback drill press.



Here the all the grinders and drill press plus numerous other items wait to be picked up by an agricultural museum which will use them in exhibits exemplifying agriculture as it was "back in the day". It is my hope that this equipment will now live on in use as this museum is a hands on one in which the equipment is used and not just as static displays.

Thomas

 

[Older'n dirt]

Hey Tom. I just couldn't resist anymore so I had to register here. Hope to be visiting your digs again after I pick up Verne's Evinrude. Probably bringing Don & Rick with me again if it's OK with you and Chris.

But now, regarding that flattie, ....... If you ever consider selling it I know someone ready to jump.

 

[BB767]

Hey Tom. I just couldn't resist anymore so I had to register here. Hope to be visiting your digs again after I pick up Verne's Evinrude. Probably bringing Don & Rick with me again if it's OK with you and Chris.

But now, regarding that flattie, ....... If you ever consider selling it I know someone ready to jump.

Anytime Dennis, more people = more fun. If I ever "sell" it, wanna race your LS6 Chevelle for the flat head?? You win and the flat head is yours plus all spare parts, I win and that gorgeous Chevelle is MINE!! Seems fair don't you think?

Welcome to my world here my friend. See you guys soon I hope.

Thomas

 

[markviii]

Here's an update of the state/country list (from page 78). If I missed you, sorry. Just let me know. I don't want to leave anyone out of the fun!

** indicate states that are represented so far. If you've posted, but haven't identified your location, you can PM me if you want and I'll ** the state or add the country of origin. So far 35 states have posted. (4/29/10 - we now have 37 thanks to Todd and Tom in Nebraska and West Virginia)(also welcome Jay for #38)(I can't remember who was #39, but #40 on 7/3/10 is wats56 from WY)(and #41 on 9/27/10 from NH). Only 9 more states to go!
As of 10/26/10, we now have 42 states.
States (& Possessions included because Tom flew there at one point in his career)
** = posted
**AL
**AK
AMERICAN SAMOA (AS)
**AZ
AR
**CA
**CO
**CT
DE
Wash DC
FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA (FM)
**FL
**GA
GUAM (GU)
HI
ID
**IL
**IN
**IA
**KS
**KY
**LA
**ME
MARSHALL ISLANDS (MH)
**MD
**MA
**MI
**MN
**MS
**MO
MT
**NE
NV
**NH
**NJ
**NM
**NY
**NC
**ND
NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS (MP)
**OH
**OK
**OR
PALAU (PW)
**PA
PUERTO RICO (PR)
RI
**SC
**SD
**TN
**TX
**UT
VT
VIRGIN ISLANDS (VI)
**VA
**WA
**WV
**WI
**WY

Countries represented so far (22)(I know there are more!):
France
UK (many locations)
Scotland
Switzerland
Australia (several locations)
Canada (many locations)
Sweden
Netherlands
New Zealand
Ireland
Iceland
Portugal
Hong Kong
India
South Africa
Turkey
Afghanistan
Iraq
Denmark
Philippines
Peru
Norway

 

[Motown 454]

Nice pictures Thomas. Thats the first flat head I've ever seen opened up.

 

[32coupe]

And here's one more from Australia for your list.

It took me 3 days to get to the end, but it was well worth it, thanks for starting this thread.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[hobbitss]

TOOLS!!!!!!

I see Tools......

Thank you.....

 

[LPete3]

Love seeing the pictures of the "new" old stuff. I would like to be added to the fun, watching from Peru.

Lynn

 

[Stuart in MN]

I like that you're sending those tools to a museum. Will they be able to set up the line shaft and belts so they actually work? I've always been fascinated by old machine shops/woodworking shops that use that form of power for the machinery.

The old cabinetmaker's bench is pretty cool, too, with lots of other interesting stuff sitting around it. I wonder what car that radiator grille came off of?

 

[willy3486]

Does your Yates American planer have babbit bearings in them? I was wondering about the drill and grinder as well.I am thinking they do. If they do have the babbit bearings how well do they hold up? I don't have any tools that I know of that has them and I was wondering how they held up and how hard are they to redo? I have a older powermatic planer but I have never taken it apart. I plan on going through it though. I have a lot of old woodworking stuff from the 30s to the 60s. You just can't beat the quality. I am trying to get away from the newer stuff and get the older cast iron tools made in the 30s to 60s. I have quite a few pieces now.

 

[markviii]

LPete3 (Lynn),
Thanks for taking the time to immerse yourself in our fun! You're country #21 (I've updated post #1629 to reflect this addition of South America as the 5th continent after previously posted North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia). I don't know how I missed you back a few pages ago - I just must have been reading too fast instead of paying attention to details! (or I'm too busy for my own good)

Chris

 

[BB767]

great garage

Tim,

I was thinking that same about yours in the background. Neat and tidy.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

That V8-60 will make a great restoration project. Do you have something to put it in when restored ?

HOTFR8 I also expect it to be an enjoyable project. As of now, no, I don't have a specific vehicle for it but that always seems to resolve itself....but don't tell Chris OK?

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Nice pictures Thomas. Thats the first flat head I've ever seen opened up.

Thanks Wayne, they're such legendary engines aren't they. I thought it might be fun for all the gear heads out there to see one with all it's pieces parts exposed.

I also note you were one of the first responders on this thread, having commented here about a week or so after I first started it. Thanks for sticking with us all this time.

Thomas

 

[HOTFR8]

HOTFR8 I also expect it to be an enjoyable project. As of now, no, I don't have a specific vehicle for it but that always seems to resolve itself....but don't tell Chris OK?

Thomas

Even if it sits on an engine stand until you work it out I am sure it will be a fun project.

 

[markviii]

As soon as I saw that intact engine, I was sure it was destined to be a future project. With the rate we acquire cars and other things, I'm sure he'll find something to put it in eventually (notice that I didn't say he'd have to get rid of something first -- I don't have that power -- anyway, in this family, we seem to have a "problem" with disposing of things). (I don't think Tom keeps too many secrets, but if I knew about his secrets, they wouldn't be secrets anymore!)

Chris