What did you do "IN" your garage today?

[Alchymist]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

With up to 6 women in the house(my daughter every other weekend and other odd times) and 3 of them teenagers, this is an appropriate name for our place. I can't wait to start putting in the second bathroom. Now I've got to figure out how to put it at the end of the driveway. The flags are colored for each of the girls favorite color.

You're going to put the bathroom at the end of the driveway?

 

[zmotorsports]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Replaced the driver's side exhaust manifold on a clients 1972 Ford Camper Special 390 cid engine. What a PITA. It was cracked right in the middle down towards the collector. She is nice and quiet now, sounds good again.

Mike.

 

[xtremek]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

You're going to put the bathroom at the end of the driveway?

That's where MY bathroom is now With six women and one bathroom, throne time is at a premium.

 

[SuDZ]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

I've been working on refreshing my 1973 Ariens Sno Throw. It was left out front of a estate sale with a sign that said Free. I took it home and it would run,then die, run then die, then not start, then start the next day etc. It turned out that someone had cut the spark plug cable in half, then tried to tape it back together. When the tape started peeling, it was allowing a bad connection to the plug. A new cable, and we were good to go. I think it was pretty well cared for since doing a tune up on it almost everything was pretty fresh and clean as far as the carb and spark plug etc.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Replaced the driver's side exhaust manifold on a clients 1972 Ford Camper Special 390 cid engine. What a PITA. It was cracked right in the middle down towards the collector. She is nice and quiet now, sounds good again.

Mike.

Mike, I'm assuming this was the original exhaust manifold? What do you use to get the bolts out without breaking them?

 

[zmotorsports]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Mike, I'm assuming this was the original exhaust manifold? What do you use to get the bolts out without breaking them?

I sprayed Kroil on them Sunday night and then again Monday just before getting it on the lift and getting tools out. I then smacked the heads with a small hammer, the ones I couldn't reach I used a long punch and smacked to try to shock or dislodge as much of the corrossion as I could.

The first two bolts came out without hesitation, then the top front bolt broke with very little effort on the ratchet. I proceeded to the rear and they all came out except the top rear one which also broke off flush with the head.

I used a 90* drill to drill out the top front bolt and a long reach drill bit between the inner fender and the frame on the rear top bolt. I drilled and tried some Snap-On exctractors but they were not going to budge. I was able to drill pretty much dead center so I kept creeping up on the size until I got to 5/16". I then grabbed the 3/8-16 tap and as soon as I started tapping it the pieces pushed right out and the tap merely cleaned out the threads.

Everything else went together pretty well but when that first bolt broke I got sick to my stomach. There was not much room to work but removing the oil filter did give me a little more room to work.

Mike.

 

[MScott]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

I'm not sure if it is the same problem, but Ford V-6's use very long, small diameter bolts to hold the exhaust manifolds on. It only takes a small amount of torque to break the bolt meaning that you have to drill the remainder out. A trick I have used is to cut the bolt heads off with an angle grinder and just slide the manifolds off the remaining studs. You can then get close to the head to use either penetrant or better yet, heat, to loosen the bolt, then remove it with vice grips. I have never broken a bolt since learning this trick.

 

[zmotorsports]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

I'm not sure if it is the same problem, but Ford V-6's use very long, small diameter bolts to hold the exhaust manifolds on. It only takes a small amount of torque to break the bolt meaning that you have to drill the remainder out. A trick I have used is to cut the bolt heads off with an angle grinder and just slide the manifolds off the remaining studs. You can then get close to the head to use either penetrant or better yet, heat, to loosen the bolt, then remove it with vice grips. I have never broken a bolt since learning this trick.

I will keep that in mind for that style, however, these were just the standard 3/8-16 X 1 1/4" long hex head bolts, nothing special. I put new grade 8 fasteners back in when reassembling.

Mike.

 

[IONH]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

I'm not sure if it is the same problem, but Ford V-6's use very long, small diameter bolts to hold the exhaust manifolds on. It only takes a small amount of torque to break the bolt meaning that you have to drill the remainder out. A trick I have used is to cut the bolt heads off with an angle grinder and just slide the manifolds off the remaining studs. You can then get close to the head to use either penetrant or better yet, heat, to loosen the bolt, then remove it with vice grips. I have never broken a bolt since learning this trick.

That's an interesting idea. If you take the assumption that they will all break every time, then no harm in just cutting them off so you at least have a *nub* sticking out to grab onto.

Guess I'm just a guy with a little bit of hope every though.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Thanks Mike. And thanks to MScott too. I've got old headers on the 283 in my '55 Chevy truck. I'd at least like to remove them to clean up the block and paint the headers. But I also like the idea of switching to ram horn manifolds.

I worry that if the bolts break they'll break off at an angle in the head making drilling exactly in the center impossible. Then what to do?! Pretty sure I'm over-worrying this but I just don't want it to become an ordeal. Maybe a MAPP gas torch & the candle wax trick? I don't know. 50-50 acetone & ATF?

 

[MScott]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

That's an interesting idea. If you take the assumption that they will all break every time, then no harm in just cutting them off so you at least have a *nub* sticking out to grab onto.

Guess I'm just a guy with a little bit of hope every though.

I figure the cost of new bolts is peanuts compared to the aggravation of breaking them off. The bolts are too long to get heat or penetrant into the threads without removing the manifold first.

 

[bluechevy94]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

I moved my drill press into the garage from the basement.Went and got two sheets of pegboard from Lowes and done some organizing.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EWMXSwkDTMX3Mrql75GW0yZdSfkuk2HVKMsHzrahIVc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C9DhSEi4heY/UDQlU7BeDFI/AAAAAAAAADo/qJwpA1VoGPs/s800/100_1724.JPG" height="800" width="600" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w-K5CrJfm9V7Vc98iz8B7yZdSfkuk2HVKMsHzrahIVc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_jo7UA7Kx1I/UDQlYMdxg_I/AAAAAAAAADw/zbtlfwBje6Q/s800/100_1719.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GG6t6oKNJW0YTrnBoHQA4yZdSfkuk2HVKMsHzrahIVc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-73bv0QnsnkE/UDQldEi2tnI/AAAAAAAAAD4/sA4sSWdDk0s/s800/100_1720.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

 

[mncountrydoc]

I hauled in a heavy old powercraft 4 drawer tool chest that wad my grandfathers that I am going to clran out for my sons tool collection

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Bib Overalls]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

I made up and fitted this stainless steel "through the wall" compressed air port for my shop.

SS ball valve was a $5 yard sale find. SS ******* and tee came from McMaster Carr. TIG welding by my friend Barry.

The brass connector is a temporary outlet. The finished system will have a drip leg in this location.


Shop Remodel 46 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr


Shop Remodel 47 by Bib Overalls, on Flickr

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

blue chevy94 - Looks really good.

 

[BWS]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Got a lowsided Kaw in for body/paint.....fairing stay chiropractory.Started yesterday.Whilst plottin the rebuild,I was in inventory looking for parts or sumthin?

Anyway,ran across a section of 3/4" copper coil.Left over from some HVAC build?So,took it into shop and wrapped it neatly around a 10" diam pcs of pipe,just for the shape.Got maybe 6 or 8 active "coils".

So,while working on guys bike,gonna install cooling coil on Air comp.After the tank.....with a dripleg of course.It'll do more good as part of compressor than taking up space in junk rm?

 

[A1an]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Continuing my (crappy) mag restoration project from yesterday, I did an admittedly quickie job today on the 2nd daisy mag that I'll use for air hose.

1st I painted it a lighter primer gray thinking I'd like it better - I didn't.

So, I did a quick reshoot in the darker gray I used yesterday.

I don't have a 2nd plastic center cap, and necessity is a mutha', right? I had some leftover roofer's aluminum stock. I traced a circle on it, used tin snips, then my bench grinder to get it round +/-. Above its unpainted. Here it is after I primed and sprayed it with the same metallic paint I used on the plastic cap. Its not as nice I agree but I'm telling myself its like the flat caps that road race cars used to use.

Good solution for center caps are metal caps found in the electrical aisle of Lowes or Home Depot. They come in various different sizes and have a pretty clean look to them:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_108639-15527-49152_4294722504__?productId=1002123&Ns=p_product_price|0

I used these to replace missing VW caps on my prior car and they looked pretty nice. Better than nothing and had a pretty nice finished look to them:
https://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/199678_2007865156675_4082227_n.jpg

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Good solution for center caps are metal caps found in the electrical aisle of Lowes or Home Depot. They come in various different sizes and have a pretty clean look to them...

Oh...good tip. I used the ones in your link to temporarilu plug holes the firewall of my old '46 Chevy truck. But I never thought they'd exist in a big enough size for this use. My center holes are over 2" dia. Maybe heading for 3" but I'll definitely look.

I love this place!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

I cut a couple pieces of siding, made a material list and dug out a couple of phone dials and slicks for a buddy.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Started reinstalling the Jericho transmission in the race car after a rebuild. Tore out 2nd gear at Road America two weeks ago ... probably a little too much wheel hop on my down shifts, need to pay attention to the throttle blipping when I go from 3rd to 2nd. Broke a ton of teeth off second gear that rattled around and nicked up 3rd and bent the main shaft. So four gears, main shaft, and some bearings. Will finish the reinstall tomorrow night be ready to head to Blackhawk Farms Raceway (South Beloit, IL) early Saturday morning.

 

[Hal]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

As usual ran in and out grabbing tools for an outside project. To wit, (or maybe witless) pulling a steering knuckle off one old Ford ****** to see if it would fit a newer one. Local junk yard couldn't, or more likely couldn't be bothered, to verify the interchange, so I said what the heck, it won't take long to pull it anyway.

Loosen axle nut first, not happening, stomped the 24 inch Snap-on breaker bar, foot slipped off, bar recoiled and smacked my other shinbone in good shape. Went and got Snap-on 3/4" drive bar, which I should have used in the first place. Got everything else off, then had to back off and punt with my heavy hub puller to get the axle out of the hub, the forcing screw came up about three threads short, so I had to back it off and cheat with a socket under the end of it. Declared victory and pulled out, limped off into the sunset and baled some hay. Will work on the second installment Thursday.

Thursday morning 6:00 am: big purple knot on my shin, just below the knee, feels really tender. I'm gonna have to be careful of that for a few days.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Finished up the project I posted about in post #1389 and in my "Gray Garage" thread.

I used the trailer spare tire mount brackets that Harbor Freight sells. Just lag bolted them to the horizontal 1x's I already had a garden hose hanger and some crappy hooks screwed to. I'm not sure I like it - opinions?

I MAY relocate these both to under the outlets/light switch and use the upper wall for other storage.

BEFORE

AFTER

 

[SuDZ]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Thats cool.

SuDZ

 

[BWS]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Good story Hal...

And Dan,I picked up some Cragars on the side of the rd with a "free" sign on them.They were 14's..........anyhow,I simply cut a round pce of steel,drilled/tapped to accept studs based on wheels bolt pattern.In the center of this back-up plate....we welded a pce of pipe,as an up-right.

The round pce is under the wheel,the pipe passes up through wheels center hole,and to that,we welded a sq pce of plate.One of them has a flea mkt vise.Another has a Beverly shear.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Good story Hal...

And Dan,I picked up some Cragars on the side of the rd with a "free" sign on them.They were 14's..........anyhow,I simply cut a round pce of steel,drilled/tapped to accept studs based on wheels bolt pattern.In the center of this back-up plate....we welded a pce of pipe,as an up-right.

The round pce is under the wheel,the pipe passes up through wheels center hole,and to that,we welded a sq pce of plate.One of them has a flea mkt vise.Another has a Beverly shear.

Oh so you used them as bases for tool supports, very clever!

I used THIS to mount mine.

Can't see them but there are two 3/8" lag bolts holding it on the wall. The hole spacing is for a 13" trailer rim. I could only get one bolt in but that's enough for this.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Oops, double post. Sorry.

 

[Kevin54]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Oh so you used them as bases for tool supports, very clever!

I used THIS to mount mine.

Can't see them but there are two 3/8" lag bolts holding it on the wall. The hole spacing is for a 13" trailer rim. I could only get one bolt in but that's enough for this.

Fix those outlets. A few small washers and you can space them out. Even loosening the screws and putting the face cover on will remedy it.

 

[BWS]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Uhhh,Dan...your finished wheels look a chit-ton better than the Cragars I got,duh.But hey,they were free.

Am going to make a concentrated effort to get with the pics here.The G-damn camera that we have eats battery's....The biggest prob is that the battery "door" is broke and taped together.So,taking battery out is a major pain.That,and we had a computer crash that scrambled a whole page of exisiting pics.

Understand that a pic is worth a thousand words......gonna start posting some,even if it kills me,haha.

 

[lerwin001]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

appreciated the smell of the painting I did yesterday

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Fix those outlets. A few small washers and you can space them out. Even loosening the screws and putting the face cover on will remedy it.

Ha ha, yeah that's been bugging the hell outta me too.
(Now that I look at it, the scratched paint and cob webs bug me too!)

You guys don't miss ANYTHING, do ya?

I'll do it and replace the photo so no one will know what a half-asser I was

 

[egnorant]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

New wheels and fixed a valve on this...

Did a lot of cleaning and wiring as part of setting up my shop, but this was on my long list.

Bruce

 

[Kevin54]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Ha ha, yeah that's been bugging the hell outta me too.
(Now that I look at it, the scratched paint and cob webs bug me too!)

You guys don't miss ANYTHING, do ya?

I'll do it and replace the photo so no one will know what a half-asser I was

I won't get on anyone for cobwebs as my garage is loaded with them. I went around one day with the shopvac and got them all only to come back the next day and have then in every corner of the garage, under the bench, behind anything sitting. It's a never ending job with those things.

 

[Bar Ditch]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Replaced the power source on the computer. Replaced the ignition on the hot rod. Found my battery drained so I traced it back. Went to the parts store and asked for a better ignition. Came home to find out that its the same model, just different COO. So hopefully it stays working cause I have to haul rock.

 

[fatcatgaragelounge]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Just stared at my painted concrete floor that is peeling up and wondering what I should do to fix it. My garage is not a workshop and I only park a golf cart in it. I am putting in a bar but need to fix the floor situation. Any suggestions?

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

... Any suggestions?

$0.69 sq/ft tile from Home Depot. That's what I'm gonna do...eventually.

 

[e-tek]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

My son Colton and I made some "How To" video's (How to do bodywork - not how to make video's!!)

See them here: http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/0epd0-uxpzw/mqdefault.jpg

Dan - those wheels look good and add to a "garage motif"!

Kevin 54 - I have some outlets like that too - amazing how much stuff you can do while ignoring the little things, eh?!

 

[phy6]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

I won't get on anyone for cobwebs as my garage is loaded with them. I went around one day with the shopvac and got them all only to come back the next day and have then in every corner of the garage, under the bench, behind anything sitting. It's a never ending job with those things.

A bug fogger worked for me. Came back a week later and the floor was just covered in large wolf spiders and assorted bugs. I used 3 hot shot foggers from Walmart for a 36x60 garage.

 

[zmotorsports]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Replaced CV shafts and struts on a Buick Century last night for a neighbor's daughter.

Started rolling some tube for the new swingarm on my son's new sand quad chassis.

Mike.

 

[JohnK007]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Replaced the tie rod ends on the wife's 2000 Camaro, then took it to check the alignment.

 

[Flatland Dave]

Re: what did you do in your garage today?

Greases up the skid steer and did the base fill work for the new shop foundation.