Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop
- Thread starter BB767
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
Jeff, I refurbished the shop for myself, but I'm doing the thread for all of you good folks. Sharing the shop here and in person has been great fun for Chris and myself. The best part is the fun continues long after all the sweat and blood doing the shop has been forgotten.
Thomas
Is it possible to hold a mini Oshkosh or Sun 'N Fun on 12 acres?
Wouldn't that be a hoot!! 
Thomas
About five minutes west of me, currently.
I couldn't find anything regarding Fogarty MFG. CO., other than an old placard on eBay and a broken link to a shelving company. I could ask one of the old guys that's been around here if they knew of the place.
If you could ask around who knows what might come up? ADaughen you're now designated a Restored 1930's Auto Shop Field Reporter and we await your news. Film at 11:00??
Thomas
I've been reading for a couple of months now. This is the best thread I've read in a long long time. I had to chime in. Tom, what you've done is something I've always dreamed of doing, but never had the time and or money. My hats off to you Sir, for creating a beautiful place. I think Mr. Johnson would be proud.
Chris, I bow to you. If it had been my wife, I'd have had to convert the tool shed to my living quarters by now.
BTW the Fords with the wide whites are 36's I believe.
Dave
Hello there Dave, you're practically a neighbor from down south. You might be near Clark and his helicopter, who knows?
Thank you so much for dropping us a note here. This thread might not be everyone's cup of tea but for those who "get" what I'm doing here I'm glad you're enjoying it. Chris has been so totally supportive of my efforts she's just amazing. It becomes more and more apparent all the time what luck it was for me to marry the young lady.
A most warm welcome to you.
Thomas
Thanks Doug for that info. I've got some better pictures of both coming here. Like Gus, they came from a much simpler time, not a bad thing.
Thomas
Chrysler developed the TC with Maserati and it was a really nice looking car but had a $33,000 price tag and lots of unique Maserati parts. It was a convertible but came with a removable hardtop with the porthole.
Chrysler developed the LeBaron at the same time and it looked an awful lot like the TC but sold for $14,000 and used common Mopar parts. Never saw a removable hardtop but it was available as a coupe. Buy a LeBaron coupe and convertible for the same price as the TC...
Edit: I didn't realize the photo posted was restricted. This is my wife's car from a decade ago.
Great additional information and pictures Bob, thank you. That really helps fill out material here. Hard to figure out what Chrysler was thinking when they developed both cars. They are so similar appearing. Bet they lost a ton of money on the TC.
Thomas
RalloZ35
Well-known member
kngkong
Well-known member
I can't remember if I've posted to this thread before. Wow, I'm trying to get up to date on your adventures since last week reading a little at a time at work and I'm only up to page 60! Thanks for the great entertainment. I wish I could find a small fraction of your treasures, looks like a lot of hard work but very rewarding. Cheers
kngkong
Well-known member
Phew! Finally up to date. Got through over 200 pages in the last week. What can I say I have checked in on your garage from time to time over the past couple years but didn't really register the scope of the project. Reading it all in one go has really been a different experience. I share the same passion for old technology and try to respect and restore my share but you sir are a machine! Well done and thanks for taking the time to document everything so well.
You are a man among men kngkong, plowing through such a long subject so quickly. It took 2 1/2 years to write about what you've just read in the last few days. Thank you for checking in here and your interest. Those who follow this thread share a common bond and we all "get it".
The guys here might think I've fallen off the map of late, not having posted anything of significance, but I've been doing projects out there but haven't had the chance to post them in as yet. I finished up at 2230 tonight for example and it's really too late to do more than this post. (I finished replacing the clutch in the Chevy II and found the input shaft on the transmission was hitting the end of the crankshaft, why I have no idea but that has now been corrected. It now power shifts like a dream, but I digress.
) Everyone seems to understand, even Joe, that I'll get additional material on here. I've got a weeks vacation coming up after the first race of the season so that should help me catch up. At any rate, welcome kngkong to our family here and please stop by to visit anytime.
Race Ready Thomas
If you've got any issues with the ****** PM me Thomas. I've got a local that's known world wide on doing 3 & 4 speed GM manual tranys for cars and I'm sure he'd be able to help you out. If you want to look him up he's on evlibay and even has his own website. Do a search for cajun john transmissions and I'm sure he'd be more than happy to help you. I've got his number if you want to talk to him direct but he's semi retired due to helth issues.
I've got his number if you want to talk to him direct but he's semi retired due to helth issues.If you've got any issues with the ****** PM me Thomas. I've got a local that's known world wide on doing 3 & 4 speed GM manual tranys for cars and I'm sure he'd be able to help you out. If you want to look him up he's on evlibay and even has his own website. Do a search for cajun john transmissions and I'm sure he'd be more than happy to help you.
Thanks charlief1, I might take you up on that but I've corrected the issue and buttoned the car up and I'm bedding in the clutch right now. I've had "issues" with the car's inconsistency to power shift- the clutch wasn't releasing properly- and I suspect the input shaft problem had a lot to do with it. We'll find out shortly. In my initial testing, it's shifting better than it ever has. Really shifts amazingly easy and now quick too! The L79 has a Holley with vacuum secondaries so if I lift the throttle while shifting those secondaries shut and and reopen much slower than mechanical ones would which takes precious time. I lose about .2 if I don't power shift, but leaving the throttle wide open during shifting gives me those quick times. Best to date is a 12.91 so I see 12.8's in my future with decent air and the ability to power shift consistently now.
The new blue benches and blue cabinet set up in the barn works very well. That's what I used when working on the Chevy II this week. Those benches were "baptized" with a Muncie transmission, a worn out clutch and pressure plate with clutch dust galore!
I did cover them with cardboard and they are none the worse for wear from the work. A successful set up I think!I still have another smaller, shallow bench in mind to add the the area in front and to the right of the lift. See those jack stands in the background on the floor, under foot? I've already taken care of them with another wood working project. It's coming to a thread near you soon.
Thomas
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Hopefully it's Chevy orange and not Hemi orange.Oh, by the way I almost forgot, my newest project was dropped off today to be powder coated.........orange.
Thomas
Boosted1
Well-known member
THis is a fantastic setup.
Thanks charlief1, I might take you up on that but I've corrected the issue and buttoned the car up and I'm bedding in the clutch right now. I've had "issues" with the car's inconsistency to power shift- the clutch wasn't releasing properly- and I suspect the input shaft problem had a lot to do with it. We'll find out shortly. In my initial testing, it's shifting better than it ever has. Really shifts amazingly easy and now quick too! The L79 has a Holley with vacuum secondaries so if I lift the throttle while shifting those secondaries shut and and reopen much slower than mechanical ones would which takes precious time. I lose about .2 if I don't power shift, but leaving the throttle wide open during shifting gives me those quick times. Best to date is a 12.91 so I see 12.8's in my future with decent air and the ability to power shift consistently now.
The new blue benches and blue cabinet set up in the barn works very well. That's what I used when working on the Chevy II this week. Those benches were "baptized" with a Muncie transmission, a worn out clutch and pressure plate with clutch dust galore!
I still have another smaller, shallow bench in mind to add the the area in front and to the right of the lift. See those jack stands in the background on the floor, under foot? I've already taken care of them with another wood working project. It's coming to a thread near you soon.
Thomas
SkywalkerCR
Well-known member
Hi Thomas,
Just finished reading the last two pages of the thread and saw your stainless plate fix for the lift.
Another thing that might work is to use conveyor belt rubber sheets on the floor or glued to the lift front itself.
I am also wondering if it would help to potentially replace the steel / iron roller wheels at the rear of the lift with some kind of rubber or urethane ones.
Maybe you could use some from the boat trailer industry.
Here is a link to look at where you can see the different sizes and materials available. http://www.easternmarine.com/Boat-Trailer-Straight-Rollers-End-Caps/
Thanks Clark
Just finished reading the last two pages of the thread and saw your stainless plate fix for the lift.
Another thing that might work is to use conveyor belt rubber sheets on the floor or glued to the lift front itself.
I am also wondering if it would help to potentially replace the steel / iron roller wheels at the rear of the lift with some kind of rubber or urethane ones.
Maybe you could use some from the boat trailer industry.
Here is a link to look at where you can see the different sizes and materials available. http://www.easternmarine.com/Boat-Trailer-Straight-Rollers-End-Caps/
Thanks Clark
tkbowman
Well-known member
Thomas,
I've been out riding a couple of my motorcycles over the past month (logged right at 10k miles) and came across a threat to your claim about what's the center of the universe:
This is still the best thread on any site I've ever visited.
Tim
I've been out riding a couple of my motorcycles over the past month (logged right at 10k miles) and came across a threat to your claim about what's the center of the universe:
This is still the best thread on any site I've ever visited.
Tim
markviii
Well-known member
"Center of the known Universe" -- they must not do much traveling! I see why they want population. With 3 bars and no churches, people should be flocking there (we have 1.5 bars and 3 churches - one church left because the village approved the 1 new bar - the .5 bar is part of the local restaurant). The most news-worthy thing that's happened in Gerlach, NV, in the past 2 months (reported by a bartender) is a brush fire was sparked by a transformer and quickly put out by a volunteer firefighter.
We'll keep our place here in the Center of the Universe!
Chris
We'll keep our place here in the Center of the Universe!
Chris
tkbowman
Well-known member
For those who don't know, Gerlach is home of the "Burning Man" festival each year when some 50,000 people come and build a temporary city on the playa.
Jorge, it sounds like you've been caught in the vortex! That can be good or bad depending on how much sleep you've missed while reading. Thank you for your interest in my work here in the "Center Of The Universe".
There's more on the way.
Thomas
Hey there Clark, so the heliport's gonna be OK don't you think? I'm not planning on planting Alfalfa there till this fall and it's just mowed grass there now. That way you don't have to worry about any crops when you drop by.
I don't think the counter-weight rollers on the lift are a problem especially not now since they're rolling on stainless. It's pretty rugged stuff. For now I'm going to take a wait and see attitude about leaving the stainless on the tile surface or bolting them on the concrete and making them flush with the surrounding tiles. If they don't seem to move sideways much just laying on the surface I suspect I will wind up insetting them. A much more elegant method don't you think?
I just didn't want to do that and still have them move and create the same problem. I'll see how it goes.BTW, last week Hot Rod Magazine's Power Tour did an overnight in nearby Champaign all 3,000 cars or so. That was less than 10 miles away from the shop. A couple of folks stopped by the shop while I was over at the show looking around. They both left cards but I feel bad they didn't get a tour of the shop. Had they let me know they were coming I'd have made arrangements to meet them. If anyone out there is planing on dropping by, please send me a PM and schedule permitting I'll do my best to show you around.
Thomas
And I might add "Burning Man" is quite an event. Not sure I'd like it taking place near me but it's fun to see pictures of it.
No fear Tim, Philo is quite secure- still..... "The Center Of The Universe" indeed.
Thanks though for your report from the "field". Good work.Thomas
BTW, last week Hot Rod Magazine's Power Tour did an overnight in nearby Champaign all 3,000 cars or so. That was less than 10 miles away from the shop. A couple of folks stopped by the shop while I was over at the show looking around. They both left cards but I feel bad they didn't get a tour of the shop. Had they let me know they were coming I'd have made arrangements to meet them. If anyone out there is planing on dropping by, please send me a PM and schedule permitting I'll do my best to show you around.
Thomas
Lucky man to get it that close to you Thomas. It ends in Arlington at the cryboys stadium this year and if I can do it I'll be there to meet up with some of the Buick guys.
Wonder how they'd handle a lion? That's no reason to leave town IMHO Lucky man to get it that close to you Thomas. It ends in Arlington at the cryboys stadium this year and if I can do it I'll be there to meet up with some of the Buick guys.
That's today and they are at Lone Star Park, I believe.
Well get up there then.
Got 1 service call in the morning so depending on how it goes I may make it, but don't hold your breath.While I'm gone flying and not posting in, here's a link some of you might be interested in:
http://saltofamerica.com/contents/displayArticle.aspx?17_113
It is an internet article done on the shop that has some shop pictures not found here on The Garage Journal thread. The author of that article is Stu Moment. Stu along with Bruce Artwick created the original and highly successful computer program "Flight Simulator" which was licensed to Microsoft which in turn released it as Microsoft Flight Simulator. As it happens, Stu and I went to college together, both in aircraft maintenance training, getting our A&P licenses and simultaneously we were in flight training earning all of our flight ratings together. I've know Stu for the last 40+ years and we still live locally, within 8 miles of each other. He lives on an airstrip and soon, I will live on a drag strip!
Thomas
http://saltofamerica.com/contents/displayArticle.aspx?17_113
It is an internet article done on the shop that has some shop pictures not found here on The Garage Journal thread. The author of that article is Stu Moment. Stu along with Bruce Artwick created the original and highly successful computer program "Flight Simulator" which was licensed to Microsoft which in turn released it as Microsoft Flight Simulator. As it happens, Stu and I went to college together, both in aircraft maintenance training, getting our A&P licenses and simultaneously we were in flight training earning all of our flight ratings together. I've know Stu for the last 40+ years and we still live locally, within 8 miles of each other. He lives on an airstrip and soon, I will live on a drag strip!
Thomas
landroversforever
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2011
- Messages
- 86
Lovely article Thomas .
I spent many hours playing Flight Sim, so love that connection
.I spent many hours playing Flight Sim, so love that connection
rlwhitetr3b
Well-known member
Wow
A thread long enough to need Cliff's Notes
Great read - thanks for sharing.
That would help studying for the test.
Vernmotor
Well-known member
I give!I never pass the test !
Lovely article Thomas
I spent many hours playing Flight Sim, so love that connection
Ross, I think Stu did a good job of capturing the essence of the shop and what I'm doing out there. We took completely divergent paths after college and here we are 40 years later, close by, hale, hearty, healthy and most importantly, happy.
Both still involved in aviation in different ways. I remember some of Stu's very early work with Flight Simulator, but at the time it was completely lost on me the tremendous potential it had. I don't think either of us would have done anything differently. We both are at the stages and situations of life we wish to be.
Still Living The Dream, Thomas
I keep telling you Chris, you better not spring anything on these guys without a study guide first. Fair warning!!
Thomas
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thomas,
Is this test going to be marked on a pass/fail, letter grade or actual percentage correct scale? Any chance Chris will grade us on a curve? And most importantly, are the results of the test going to show up in our permanent record? I'm not sure but I think a bad mark on this one could be my third strike....
Is this test going to be marked on a pass/fail, letter grade or actual percentage correct scale? Any chance Chris will grade us on a curve? And most importantly, are the results of the test going to show up in our permanent record? I'm not sure but I think a bad mark on this one could be my third strike....
Sweet Old Bill
Well-known member
Bob,
It is even worse than a third strike. Miss Chris is threatening that future contributors MUST have a passing score on the test & she seemed to scoff at the notion of grading on a curve!! j/k
It is even worse than a third strike. Miss Chris is threatening that future contributors MUST have a passing score on the test & she seemed to scoff at the notion of grading on a curve!! j/k
markviii
Well-known member
Oh, Sweet Old Bill, you certainly are trying to stir the pot, aren't you! I've never graded on a curve AND DON'T PLAN TO EVER START!. I won't spring anything on you (it's "open thread" in any case). There will be a study guide of some kind (I'm working on it). The test results will not be posted for all to see. If you're one of the group who "gets it" with what we're doing with the Restored 1930's Auto Shop, you'll do fine on any quest (= quiz/test) I create. You're all getting a well-rounded education, so you won't "fail" no matter what. There's plenty of material to give those brain cells some exercise to ward off Alzheimer's! (better than Sudoku, isn't it?) (Writing a "Cliff's notes" or an exam is much harder than wading through this entire thread!)
Don't worry. Be Happy. (Oh, and I would never threaten to strike out any contributor who's followed the progress we're all here for fun, right? We've got a very "open door" policy here in the Center of the Universe.)
Chris
Don't worry. Be Happy. (Oh, and I would never threaten to strike out any contributor who's followed the progress we're all here for fun, right? We've got a very "open door" policy here in the Center of the Universe.)
Chris
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I am a humble suburban standard 2-car garage owner, but since I AM 50 years old, I REALLY appreciate the regard that you have shown for the products of the "America-of-old", when this country built the best in the world hardware..... THANKS for all of your efforts, and for I know LOTS of hours you have spent, uploading and posting all of the TREASURE of pics that you have, of this GREAT project !!!
Sincerely, Jim Jensen
St. Augustine, FL
Sincerely, Jim Jensen
St. Augustine, FL
Maybe you should start having "pop" quizes Chris?
That might help keep us on our toes after all.