Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[markviii]

My information from colleagues in the astronomy and physics fields indicates the effect mentioned by Omphaloskeptic is inversely related to the parallax effect (or NOT!). Maybe, however, this is attributed to us being located at the Center of the Universe. Yeah, that's more likely! That's it! We do seem to get quite a bit done - some of this may be attributed to not sleeping very much. Or, more likely, to being a bit goal-directed and crazy!

Chris

 

[BB767]

Is that a dirty spot on the floor??
Thought at first it was a puddle of oil, but looks like a stain??

And don't ya want to know what caused that stain??

When I was building the shop benches I often used the 1' tile floor squares to do a quick reference and visually space out the various components. Well I left the legs standing over night and one of them, just one left that nice, somewhat square stain on the tile. None of the others did, just that one. Go figure as they say! Anyway, when I come in the shop I now look at it whenever a car is not parked over it and consider it a "beauty" mark. You would never have figured that one out I bet.

Sharp eyes there tdkart!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

man i hate reading this thread, that shop is just to awesome,lol.

nice II you got there.maybe i missed it, but what kind of times are you running? how did you like the roller tip rockers? i'm thinking of getting a set for my engine. what brand are they?

Hold that thought if you can. I'm doing a 14 hour day right now and in need of sleep. Up early to finish all the last minute details before Stanton. I promise to follow up on your questions shortly and thanks for your interest.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

No disrespect intended. I've been a fan of this project from the beginning.

I meant that it had gone from a non-functional hoarder's paradise to a clean and efficient, no-compromise shop.

Plus, I wanted a word that started with S.

Not to worry Jack, you are golden and can do no wrong in my eyes. You were a very early and steadfast supporter here. I've been following your shop thread and continue to be so thoroughly impressed with your accomplishments there. But then I would expect that from a fellow U of I Alum.

I suspect bgarrett's comment was all in fun.

As long as I have your attention may I add a well done to you on the Popular Mechanics and America's Best Home Workshops articles. You and I both managed to have both our shops in the same issue of Home Workshops which I considered to be quite an honor.

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

SQUALOR??? There is a large percentage of us readers who find that 'squalor' fascinating!

Agreed!! That is Character and Potential!!!

Tools!!

 

[Hemihead2]

Thomas,
I liked your explanation about the stain and my shop floor has a few beauty marks as well.
In a past life, though, I was a photo interpreter. I noticed the location of that stain in the white square doesn't match the location of any of the 4x4s in the picture accompanying your explanation. Was the stain created by a different grouping of posts that you didn't have a picture of?
I've been enjoying this thread since I joined GJ, and what you, Chris and Cameron have accomplished there has been a great inspiration for me and got me out to improve my own shop. I look forward to your sharing more of your journey.
Thanks for sharing,
Mike

 

[cool50]

HOLY COW Hey Thomas I think if you ask some one here will come over and scrub on that stain as long as it takes to clean it up. I just think, if a floor has "beauty marks" on it, it is being used. No one can say you don't use your shop. As always great job and please keep it up.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

(aka - future grass strip runway)

If it is grass it can not double as a drag strip!

 

[rburke65]

I thought I was a little strange until I began reading about "clocking" different things. I am an electrician and when I would install plug and switch covers in homes and in my own, I would clock my cover screws at 6 and 12. Thank God for GJ........I don't feel normal, just " better". Thanks guys and gals!

 

[flyingdog]

I thought I was a little strange until I began reading about "clocking" different things. I am an electrician and when I would install plug and switch covers in homes and in my own, I would clock my cover screws at 6 and 12. Thank God for GJ........I don't feel normal, just " better". Thanks guys and gals!

Much better than 3 and 9. Cleaning solutions tend to build up on the horizontal groove and thats not good to see from a health inspectors point of view...

FD

(another electrician)

 

[charlief1]

If it is grass it can not double as a drag strip!

Airplane runway, not drag strip.

 

[markviii]

Decisions, decisions, decisions! I think it's going to take more than a coin toss on this one (more like a magic act, creating something out of thin air). I'm sure the runway/drag strip would not pass the zoning committee (even if we could convince the estate which owns the farmland to the south to sell - luckily, we don't have time or funds to contemplate those possibilities). I hear there might be an entire airport within 5 miles of us for sale in the near future (if the University of Illinois is successful in divesting its ownership in said airport now that they're ending the Institute of Aviation). Again, lack of funds and time are limiting considerations. Tom can continue dreaming - that's free!

Clocking screws is the new normal. I'm also guilty. Since I started framing pictures, I inspect every frame in stores, public places (especially art galleries and museums) and even people's homes to see how well the mats are cut and the corners joined. (I know I shouldn't, but it's just like a magnet! And I learn a lot from other people's mistakes as well as my own.) It's amazing how many "professionally" joined frames and cut mats are done so poorly. It detracts from the art when it should complement it.

Chris

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Chris, 'clocking' is not just a disease about screws anymore! lol

As for the grass runway/nerf drag strip...
I'm quite sure Thomas could 'make do' on your 5 acres simply by building his biplane as a STOL! Also, he could make it on the cheap by using that flat head he already owns to power it. C'mon Chris, you wouldn't deprive the boy of his toy would you? I mean, how much trouble could it be to add a hanger beneath your retirement home? lol

 

[Motown 454]

I definitly would have never figured what the stain was from.

 

[realvc]

Look under the Nova and there is another stain spaced the same as the photo of the BB legs. Not in the exact location but the same spacing.
Good luck at the drags.

 

[hobbitss]

For breaking the 1,000,000 mark and finally becoming the all around Forum Leader, first in posts and first in views....

This is a bump from page 5

Now how about some TOOLS!!!!

 

[markviii]

Thanks, Joe! Tom's trying to get back to the thread after the drag races, but we've been sidetracked with necessary apartment work and catching up with the mowing.

Stay tuned!

Chris

 

[Bob Telep]

Thanks, Joe! Tom's trying to get back to the thread after the drag races, but we've been sidetracked with necessary apartment work and catching up with the mowing.

Stay tuned!

Chris

Hi Chris,
I'll let Thomas give the details of his exploits at the Pure Stock drags, but suffice to say the Nova is one tough runner!
And, I'll be looking for revenge next year!!

Bob
PS contrary to earlier reports, I am sad to announce that the intake bolts on the Nova were NOT clocked.


Here he is in the staging lanes, and ready to wreak havoc!!
(Click on thumbnails to open)

 

[BB767]

Here's a quick recap of our racing adventures last weekend. Perfect weather for racing, both Cameron and I got personal best times ever in our respective cars.

I also got to run Bob Telpe in his beautiful '69 Camaro a 396/375 hp 4 speed car......twice. On the first round I ran a 13.100 vrs his 13.316 and on the second match I managed a 13.266 vrs the Camaro's 13.410. We both had huge grins returning to the pits. Lots of fun running against friends, win, lose or draw. Bob you might remember is the gentleman who refreshed my Sun distributor machine which I get to pick up this weekend.

Cameron qualified against this very nice '70 Cuda but couldn't bring home the bacon. He still ran his best times ever in the car, 14.581.

I was up against a quick 1970 Buick GS 400. We were 1-1 going into the third round but I spun and he won. I'll get him next time! My best was a 12.915 @ 108.52 which is the quickest ET (Elapsed Time) the car has run to date. I should be able to get the car to run 12.8's....next year. I'm going to change the gearing somewhat and see what that does.

So the Impala is in back in the shop waiting some post race adjustments. Note the famous "stain" in front of it on the floor.

See how almost square it is from that 4"X4" wood post? Hey, it's a working shop, warts and all.

Up next, tomorrow I'm moving a couple of the Blue Spruce trees I planted last year and then in the afternoon my neighbor and I are taking his Piper Tri-Pacer airborne to get some aerial pictures of the shop and property to compare with those taken in the late 1930's/early1940's, and the one from the mid 1970's. I'll try to get it on here shortly. Should make for an interesting comparison. Thanks Joe for being so patient. Tools are coming!!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

man i hate reading this thread, that shop is just to awesome,lol.

nice II you got there.maybe i missed it, but what kind of times are you running? how did you like the roller tip rockers? i'm thinking of getting a set for my engine. what brand are they?

OK, I have a moment to catchup on some questions. I just posted the latest times for the Chevy II which were 12.915.

I had no issues with the roller tips at all. I installed them to reduce side loading on the push rods and thus reduce wear on the valve guides which they did admirably. They are from Comp Cams. The Pure Stock race organizers are doing their best to keep the cars as stock as possible so even though the roller tip rockers don't really help make the cars any quicker they have decided to move back to stock plain tip rockers.

Well emeraldcoupe if you hate reading this thread...

...how about just looking at the pictures? Thanks for your interest.

Thomas

 

[Kevin54]

I'm betting that stained tile will get the best of him before long and be replaced without us being told.

Thomas...are you running street tires on the Nova instead of any type of slick or street slick?

 

[emeraldcoupe]

OK, I have a moment to catchup on some questions. I just posted the latest times for the Chevy II which were 12.915.

I had no issues with the roller tips at all. I installed them to reduce side loading on the push rods and thus reduce wear on the valve guides which they did admirably. They are from Comp Cams. The Pure Stock race organizers are doing their best to keep the cars as stock as possible so even though the roller tip rockers don't really help make the cars any quicker they have decided to move back to stock plain tip rockers.

Well emeraldcoupe if you hate reading this thread...

...how about just looking at the pictures? Thanks for your interest.

Thomas

lol. thanks for the info. nice et's. can't wait to get my car finished.

 

[BB767]

I'm betting that stained tile will get the best of him before long and be replaced without us being told.

Thomas...are you running street tires on the Nova instead of any type of slick or street slick?

Hi there Kevin, the Pure Stock or Factory Stock class specifies street tires of the type the car was equipped with from the factory (Pure Stock), no cheater/street slicks of any kind. All four tires must be the same. So I run Goodyear red line Bias Ply tires, not radials.

The genius of Pure Stock/Factory Stock format is the street, treaded tire requirement. Since you can't "hook" the tires very well, you can't shock the drivetrain and break something like you can with slicks. The tires just spin instead and if you're spinning you're not winning, ask me how I know! We rarely experience anyone breaking on the track, hence the event moves along steadily with no long waits for track cleanups.

BTW I'm particularly fond of my "square" stain. I suspect it's unique, not to found anywhere else. It's like a badge of honor.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

lol. thanks for the info. nice et's. can't wait to get my car finished.

If it has no modifications you might consider running it at some of our events.

Pure Stock is the Way To Rock!

Thomas

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Hi there Kevin, the Pure Stock or Factory Stock class specifies street tires of the type the car was equipped with from the factory (Pure Stock), no cheater/street slicks of any kind. All four tires must be the same. So I run Goodyear red line Bias Ply tires, not radials.

The genius of Pure Stock/Factory Stock format is the street, threaded tire requirement. Since you can't "hook" the tires very well, you can't shock the drivetrain and break something like you can with slicks. The tires just spin instead and if you're spinning you're not winning, ask me how I know! We rarely experience anyone breaking on the track, hence the event moves along steadily with no long waits for track cleanups.

BTW I'm particularly fond of my "square" stain. I suspect it's unique, not to found anywhere else. It's like a badge of honor.

Thomas

so what kind of 60ft times are you pulling on the bias ply tires?

 

[BB767]

so what kind of 60ft times are you pulling on the bias ply tires?

My best last week was a 1.972.

Thomas

 

[emeraldcoupe]

that's pretty nice on skinny bias plys. i don't think i'd fit into a pure stock, i have a late 302 and a t-5 going in the car ('66 mustang). it will look stock though

i don't know if the ps races come down this way, i haven't heard of any around here.

 

[BB767]

Thomas,
I liked your explanation about the stain and my shop floor has a few beauty marks as well.
In a past life, though, I was a photo interpreter. I noticed the location of that stain in the white square doesn't match the location of any of the 4x4s in the picture accompanying your explanation. Was the stain created by a different grouping of posts that you didn't have a picture of?
I've been enjoying this thread since I joined GJ, and what you, Chris and Cameron have accomplished there has been a great inspiration for me and got me out to improve my own shop. I look forward to your sharing more of your journey.
Thanks for sharing,
Mike

Mike as I was building the benches during the initial phase I would position the legs on the tiles, do whatever measurement I needed and then lay them down. This was done several times over the course of the initial build. At one particular time I remember leaving them standing upright overnight and when I came back the next time found the oil from the wood end grain had stained the tile, right through 5 layers of wax. Who would have guessed? That was a first for me. From then on I put cardboard under them when I was working out in the middle of the floor. Once they were positioned into their final spot I didn't care if they stained the tile or not. They probably won't move again in my lifetime, especially the one with the steel plate!!

Thank you for your continued interest here and I bet you find improving your shop well worth it. This thread has been a rewarding experience for Chris and myself and we're happy to share it. Cameron......not so much, he's a little more private but tolerates me anyway. Now I've got a couple of Blue Spruce trees to move.

Thomas

 

[Vernmotor]

Welcome Back Tom ! looks like you had fun at the races.And that seems like a real good ET for what you are running ! I am down right impressed with that..

 

[BB767]

HOLY COW Hey Thomas I think if you ask some one here will come over and scrub on that stain as long as it takes to clean it up. I just think, if a floor has "beauty marks" on it, it is being used. No one can say you don't use your shop. As always great job and please keep it up.

Hey cool50, do you really think I could con, er, I mean "persuade" some kind soul into doing that?! That would be swell. Wonder if I could get them to do windows too?? Shoot in that case I'd even go for broke and ask if they'll do my Jepp changes. Our 767 fleet flies as far east as Tokyo and west to Athens, Greece with Moscow being talked about, so we have to carry a ton of Jepp airway manuals, and updating them every two weeks is not my favorite activity, trust me!

Thanks again for your kind comment and encouragement.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

If it is grass it can not double as a drag strip!

You must have forgotten about the snowmobile drag races over in Homer every June or July, done right on the grass. Is this a great country or what?

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I thought I was a little strange until I began reading about "clocking" different things. I am an electrician and when I would install plug and switch covers in homes and in my own, I would clock my cover screws at 6 and 12. Thank God for GJ........I don't feel normal, just " better". Thanks guys and gals!

See I just knew you'd fit right in here. Welcome!!

But Bob Telpe has already spilled the beans about my not clocking the intake bolts on the Chevy II. He was crest fallen........... Another myth goes up in dust.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

For breaking the 1,000,000 mark and finally becoming the all around Forum Leader, first in posts and first in views....

This is a bump from page 5

Now how about some TOOLS!!!!

Well Joe I don't know if a tree spade is the type of tool you're thinking of but...

...it is a tool after all. With the barn in the background, this is partly how I spent my day...

...moving a couple of Blue Spruce trees out at the ranch. It was too windy to fly and get the aerial photos, so that's been rescheduled for tomorrow morning. Stand by.

Thomas

 

[cool50]

You have to update your Jepp's every two weeks?

 

[ZRX61]

it will look stock though .

The secret to many a drubbing on the street

 

[BB767]

You have to update your Jepp's every two weeks?

Sad but so true and I've got the paper cuts to prove it!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

The secret to many a drubbing on the street

So true Rick and with the 2 door post Chevy II with an L79, even stock it's wicked quick. Ask Bob T how he knows.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

While I don't fly Boeing 787's....yet, for those of you concerned that the composite wings on it might break during turbulence, take a gander at this.

http://787flighttest.com/hanger/wp-...t/ondemand/tpn/firstflight/&file=TestLog4.flv

Cudo's to all you engineers out there.

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

Thanks Joe for being so patient. Tools are coming!!

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

While I don't fly Boeing 787's....yet, for those of you concerned that the composite wings on it might break during turbulence, take a gander at this.

http://787flighttest.com/hanger/wp-...t/ondemand/tpn/firstflight/&file=TestLog4.flv

Cudo's to all you engineers out there.

Thomas

Sort of related Funny story...
I used to fly much more than I do now, always got a window seat and watched the wings and scenery during every landing and takeoff... One trip, nice little old lady sits in the isle seat next to me... While I am glued to the window in anticipation of takeoff she asks what is so interesting outside....
Being full of takeoff anticipation and not thinking anything strange about the question I answer truthfully and with enthusiasm... "You have to see this, it is awesome! While the plane accelerates down the runway the wings begin to bow up and when the the front wheels leave the ground the wing tips must lift two or three feet, but the best part is when the main gear leave the ground the wing tips must bow up 6 or 8 feet!!!"
About that time I notice all of the color has drained out of her face and she had this odd expression... I thought better about regaling her with stories of foul weather landings at Logan during Ice-storms and how the wings tend to flap up and down during some of the rougher landing approaches...

For some reason she didn't say another word the entire flight....