Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[markviii]

ZRX61 - for info on the location of fire extinguishers, see page 85 for a more extensive pictorial.

charlief1 - no one seemed to worry about asbestos back then! (and don't even think too hard about what ingredients go into making hot dogs - they actually are one of my favorite th ings to eat for lunch)

Remember all that "angel hair" (spun glass) we use to put on our Christmas trees back in the 50s and 60s? It's a wonder we haven't all died!

Chris

 

[BB767]

Good spot for that fire extinguished in the doorway, allows you to grab it as you run in either direction.... where are they kept now?

Rick, take a look at page 85: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51567&page=85 , post #1689. I've got 7 out there right now, everything from...

...CO2 and dry chemical to...

...Halon to...

...good old H2O. I can fight just about anything that might come my way. They are by every door and in between. By fire code I only need 1 in the shop space I have. That's not nearly enough.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Thats a 68 roadrunner... just saying lol

I'm something of a Chevy guy, what do I know about Chrysler "stuff"? He had a bunch of GTX's and Roadrunners over the years and to a Chevy guy they all kinda look the same. Here's another one he had...

...it's a Roadrunner, that much I know but I'll leave it to you tell me the year.

BTW, here's how that same area looks today...

I figured I'd get that one on the lift wrong but I took a stab at it. It's now been corrected, thanks Jamie. Remember, I'm counting on you guys to keep me on my toes here.


Thomas

 

[Vernmotor]

Now that one is a 69-70

 

[LeeBoy]

That one is a 1969

...it's a Roadrunner, that much I know but I'll leave it to you tell me the year.

BTW, here's how that same area looks today...


I figured I'd get that one on the lift wrong but I took a stab at it. It's now been corrected, thanks Jamie. Remember, I'm counting on you guys to keep me on my toes here.


Thomas

 

[72gmc]

that is cool. thanks for sharing. i even like that you know the history of the building.

 

[hobbitss]

I'm something of a Chevy guy, what do I know about Chrysler "stuff"? He had a bunch of GTX's and Roadrunners over the years and to a Chevy guy they all kinda look the same. Here's another one he had...

...it's a Roadrunner, that much I know but I'll leave it to you tell me the year.

BTW, here's how that same area looks today...

I figured I'd get that one on the lift wrong but I took a stab at it. It's now been corrected, thanks Jamie. Remember, I'm counting on you guys to keep me on my toes here.


Thomas

I believe the "Now photo" was taken closer to the house and to the right of where the original Photo was taken... Is there a structure in that location now??

 

[BB767]

Now that one is a 69-70

That one is a 1969

Thank you gentlemen. I defer to the higher expertise in Chrysler matters. He had and still has others. Guess he likes them as much as I do early 60's Impalas. Now that can be both a positive and negative addiction all at the same time.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

I believe the "Now photo" was taken closer to the house and to the right of where the original Photo was taken... Is there a structure in that location now??

Sharp eye as usual Joe. When I took that picture in January, the outside temperature was hovering around 0 degrees F (-18 C) with about a 20 mph wind and I had to take my gloves off to use the camera. I didn't spend a whole bunch of time composing it to make an exact duplicate. That's why I described it as "the same area", it's close. There were no structures there when the original picture was taken and there are none now.

BTW, I've been rooting around in the tool shed again but I need to clean up some of the items removed before I get them on here.

Thomas

 

[BB767]

that is cool. thanks for sharing. i even like that you know the history of the building.

Hi 72gmc, I see you're rather new around these parts, welcome. If you haven't read some of the earlier posts of this thread yet, I not only know the history of the building, but I was there in person- witness to some of what went on and participant in some of the mischief that went on as well.

Thomas

 

[hobbitss]

Sharp eye as usual Joe. When I took that picture in January, the outside temperature was hovering around 0 degrees F (-18 C) with about a 20 mph wind and I had to take my gloves off to use the camera. I didn't spend a whole bunch of time composing it to make an exact duplicate. That's why I described it as "the same area", it's close. There were no structures there when the original picture was taken and there are none now.

BTW, I've been rooting around in the tool shed again but I need to clean up some of the items removed before I get them on here.

Thomas

Treasures from the Tool Shed!!!!!

Been Waiting all winter for this...

 

[SkywalkerCR]

Hi Thomas,

I am a "Chevy Guy" myself, but I got interested in "Mopars" from one of the guys I used to work with.

Chrysler made what we now refer to as a "platform" in auto speak called a "B" body. "The Plymouth B-body series ultimately comprised four cars with nearly identical outward appearances (differing only in trim package, drive train and accessories). These were the Belvedere, Satellite, GTX and Road Runner. The Superbird was a Road Runner with an extended nose and a high-mounted rear wing. It was the only Plymouth B-body that looked essentially different from the others." These have gone up a lot in collectability value since so many of them rusted away or were abused by the following driver generation.

When I turned 16 the kid across the street had a Satellite with 383 in it. The most distinctive thing that I remember about that car was the "Chrysler starter sound". For those of you familiar with what I am talking about, this sound will immediately echo in your ears......do you know, do you know? When he would start it up.....blue smoke rings would curl out of the box tip exhaust out the back. I helped him change the valve guide boots in it, and afterwards it smoked less. But he was told by the dealer that the big wedge motors like it and the 440 were designed to burn a little oil (1 quart between changes at least) to keep the valves cool.....uuuuhhmmm.

Thomas, here is a great website.....to get you further "edu-motorcated" on all you want to know about Chrysler products......www.allpar.com

Thanks Clark

P.S. Last but not least. We did have two large Chrysler assembly plants here in STL. The last one was torn down last year. They had been there since the mid-fifties......want an eye opener....Google or YouTube abandoned auto plants.

 

[SkywalkerCR]

Happier Days at STL assembly plant circa 1968...see attached pic.


End of the line, LITERALY!-

 

[onething]

IIRC, the distinct sound had to do with the way the gears were cut.

 

[Vernmotor]

Add coronet to your list of B-body

 

[BB767]

Hi Thomas,

I am a "Chevy Guy" myself, but I got interested in "Mopars" from one of the guys I used to work with.

Chrysler made what we now refer to as a "platform" in auto speak called a "B" body. "The Plymouth B-body series ultimately comprised four cars with nearly identical outward appearances (differing only in trim package, drive train and accessories). These were the Belvedere, Satellite, GTX and Road Runner. The Superbird was a Road Runner with an extended nose and a high-mounted rear wing. It was the only Plymouth B-body that looked essentially different from the others." These have gone up a lot in collectability value since so many of them rusted away or were abused by the following driver generation.

When I turned 16 the kid across the street had a Satellite with 383 in it. The most distinctive thing that I remember about that car was the "Chrysler starter sound". For those of you familiar with what I am talking about, this sound will immediately echo in your ears......do you know, do you know? When he would start it up.....blue smoke rings would curl out of the box tip exhaust out the back. I helped him change the valve guide boots in it, and afterwards it smoked less. But he was told by the dealer that the big wedge motors like it and the 440 were designed to burn a little oil (1 quart between changes at least) to keep the valves cool.....uuuuhhmmm.

Thomas, here is a great website.....to get you further "edu-motorcated" on all you want to know about Chrysler products......www.allpar.com

Thanks Clark

P.S. Last but not least. We did have two large Chrysler assembly plants here in STL. The last one was torn down last year. They had been there since the mid-fifties......want an eye opener....Google or YouTube abandoned auto plants.

Clark, many thanks for all the links, allpar is especially informative. I'm quite familiar with B-bodies since I wind up drag racing against them all the time. Without being able to see trim on them I find them difficult to distinguish from one another. The very first drag race series I was in years ago with the 64 Impala I wound up qualifying against a Superbird. Turns out 'birds and Daytonas are so heavy with all the extra body work they'er not terribly quick on the drag strip. They look cool though.

Thomas

Oh about that first race, the Superbird broke so I won by default. I had trailered close to 1,000 miles round trip, two nights in hotels, spent a whole day in qualifying runs, only to have him not make the call to lanes on race day. Very disappointing.

 

[BB767]

IIRC, the distinct sound had to do with the way the gears were cut.

And he hit it right on the head, it's a very distinctive sound from those starters.

Thomas

 

[Jagmandave]

Don't forget to turn those extinguishers over once a year and whack them good a couple of times on the bottom with a heavy rubber hammer to break loose the compacted powder inside - that way you'll get maximum use of them if you need them.

Obviously the liquid and gas ones don't require this, but it's good to check the gauge and make sure they're still charged. We used to clip a paper tag on ours and note the date this was done as a reminder.

 

[BB767]

Don't forget to turn those extinguishers over once a year and whack them good a couple of times on the bottom with a heavy rubber hammer to break loose the compacted powder inside - that way you'll get maximum use of them if you need them.

Obviously the liquid and gas ones don't require this, but it's good to check the gauge and make sure they're still charged. We used to clip a paper tag on ours and note the date this was done as a reminder.

That's a great reminder, thanks Jagmandave. I'm not a big fan of dry chemical extinguishers for various reasons but it's better to have something should the need ever arise and they are cost effective. Tags with inspection dates is a great suggestion. I inspect mine every fall with the time change and when I change my smoke detector batteries.

In my cars I carry old school Halon or it's new, EPA friendly replacement Halotron. For those who might not be aware, if you discharge dry chemical into a running engine you will very likely have to tear the engine down and clean it internally. Those chemicals are not friendly to the internals of engines. Halon or Halotron on the other hand will not harm an engine internally. If you experience an under the hood fire with the engine running and use either of those two it's a non event. A multi thousand dollar car to me is worth spending a couple hundred dollars on a quality extinguisher and agent. While we're on the subject of cars and fires, from the advice of a Long Time Fireman Friend (LTFF), I disconnect the negative post from the battery on my cars once I park them in a building and they will be unattended. He said they get called out at least once a week for a car electrical fire.

BTW, Halon or it's equivalent is what we carry in our aircraft cockpits. For electrical fires especially they'er first rate. It works good and lasts a long time.


Thomas

 

[onething]

BTW, Halon or it's equivalent is what we carry in our aircraft cockpits. For electrical fires especially they'er first rate. It works good and lasts a long time.


Thomas

We have signs in all our computer rooms that say

Warning: Automatic Halon Fire Suppression System

In Case of Fire Evacuate Immediately

We were told the halon works by taking the oxygen out of the atmosphere. I guess you guys are used to oxygen deprivation in the cockpit

 

[BB767]

BigAl62, here are a couple more pictures of those steel rims from the tool shed.

Assuming I'm measuring from the correct areas they measure 15" diameter and I think 8" wide as I recall (my memory is great.....just short).

They had no manufacturers markings stamped anywhere I could find easily. There is some light surface rust I didn't clean off but I would have thought I could see any marks through it. I didn't measure the bolt hole spacing. Do they look familiar to you or anyone else?

Thomas

 

[BB767]

...

We were told the halon works by taking the oxygen out of the atmosphere. I guess you guys are used to oxygen deprivation in the cockpit

Yes we are.................but don't tell Chris, OK?

Actually we not only have oxygen masks we can wear but alternatively have PBE's (Portable Breathing Equipment) that are designed to allow us increased mobility when fighting a fire and yet have an independent oxygen source. Something I hope to never have to use.

Thomas

 

[ToyMeKaNeK]

I thought this might be of some interest to you and this thread. Maybe someone might be interested in this little beauty.
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_d...vra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HA0412_S132

John.

 

[BigAl62]

BigAl62, here are a couple more pictures of those steel rims from the tool shed.

Assuming I'm measuring from the correct areas they measure 15" diameter and I think 8" wide as I recall (my memory is great.....just short).

They had no manufacturers markings stamped anywhere I could find easily. There is some light surface rust I didn't clean off but I would have thought I could see any marks through it. I didn't measure the bolt hole spacing. Do they look familiar to you or anyone else?

Thomas

Those look to be 15"X8" GM truck wheels. The bolt pattern should be 5" on 5 stud. Put them on Craig's list, they should sell fast as they're not that easy to find anymore. (I could be mistaken about that, but the last time my buddy needed some for a customer he had a heck of a time finding them)

 

[BB767]

I thought this might be of some interest to you and this thread. Maybe someone might be interested in this little beauty.
http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_d...vra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HA0412_S132

John.

Wow, if all they say about that Nova is true that's one sweet ride. So what do you think Chris, you'd look super fine in it, honest!! Of course I'd do it just for you 'cause that's how much I care.

Hey thanks John.

Thomas

 

[markviii]

Not my color - and no more room in the garages - and I don't shift very well since the "frozen shoulder" injury 2 years ago - and... No. Thanks for the thought, though!

Chris

 

[GGB]

Chris, I'll bet if you bought that car, you would probably get someone from this forum to volunteer to drive for you and do all the shifting!

GGB

 

[GGB]

Oh, and to help the garage situation, I've got room in my barn for one of Tom's 64 SS's!

Just trying to help out as much as I can.....

GGB

 

[Rag Roc]

Wow Tom........shut down on your own thread.

Remember it's easier to beg for forgiveness, than get permission. I think you need the car. Good luck.

 

[BB767]

Not my color - and no more room in the garages - and I don't shift very well since the "frozen shoulder" injury 2 years ago - and... No. Thanks for the thought, though!

Chris

Wow Tom........shut down on your own thread.

Remember it's easier to beg for forgiveness, than get permission. I think you need the car. Good luck.

Denied!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An always hopeful Thomas

 

[BB767]

Chris, I'll bet if you bought that car, you would probably get someone from this forum to volunteer to drive for you and do all the shifting!

GGB

Oh, and to help the garage situation, I've got room in my barn for one of Tom's 64 SS's!

Just trying to help out as much as I can.....

GGB

I was kinda thinking I could help her out with that driving and nasty shifting stuff. But thanks for the offer just the same.

That's what friends are for, right GGB?


...........is it just me or maybe she just doesn't understand that a Nova started life as an economy car and that with today's gas prices I was only thinking of her best interests at heart? Why I'd bet it'd get driven all the time just to "save" on gas.

Bewildered Thomas

 

[markviii]

But my MarkVIII would feel so neglected and we cant have that!

Nice try at the guilt trip with the "economy" pitch - shell out $x for a bit less in gas$ - a bit of a false economy to add in to all that's going on. Nope, not buying it, not me! It didn't work with the new air strip to the south, either. Thanks guys. You're real pals.

Chris

 

[GGB]

Back to the drawing board, Thomas!

Chris, we're appealing to the former teacher in you-can we (scratch that) may we please get an "E" for effort?

GGB

 

[charlief1]

But my MarkVIII would feel so neglected and we cant have that!

Nice try at the guilt trip with the "economy" pitch - shell out $x for a bit less in gas$ - a bit of a false economy to add in to all that's going on. Nope, not buying it, not me! It didn't work with the new air strip to the south, either. Thanks guys. You're real pals.

Chris

Well I'll put it another way then Chris. The vehicle will only increase in value as long as it's well kept, another building on the property will also increase the value of the property. Learning to drive a stick is also a valuable skill. Seems like a win-win here to me. Of course, I've learned that teachers are the hardest to teach something so there is that.

 

[markviii]

I know how to drive manual - learned on our '64 rambler American. We had many manual omni/horizons and a 3/4 ton cargo van with manual column shift with no power steering or power brakes. I prefer automatic as well as power steering, brakes, windows and radio. All those extra doodads (GPS, computerized extras) I can do without. Too distracting.
We have so many things in our inventory for their "investment value" that I don't think we need another one....unless you can find me my next Mark for the right price. Our "problem" is we can't ever seem to get rid of vehicles. I think our next building will have to be our retirement house.

Chris

 

[ZRX61]

We were told the halon works by taking the oxygen out of the atmosphere.

It does. You REALLY do NOT want a couple of lungs full of the stuff.

 

[Falcon67]

Our server room is safe - we'd have to take an axe to a chilled water line to put out a fire.

I carry a dry chemical in my race car - only because IHRA requires it. At an NHRA track, they make you take it out. If I'm upside down and on fire I want two things - 1) to get the hell out and 2) did I win?

 

[mdbeck1]

...the new air strip to the south. Thanks guys. You're real pals.

Chris

Cool..... Thomas gets an air strip....

 

[Vernmotor]

What is the bolt pattern on them wheels. 4.5 look like mopar or ford wheels to me.

 

[Vernmotor]

I need to go around and look at all my fire extinguishers and see what I got. I know there is one in the kitchen and two in the garage. and two in the trailer and one in the race car.. But I am not sure what kind ?