Let's see you, your tools, toys and garages in action

[stioc]

I don't think we've done this before but what better way than to see everything garage related in your favorite "repair in progress" pics!

I'll go first...this is about 2 years old, I'm replacing the clutch and redoing all the shifter and trans bushings etc on my E36. The new tool addition I needed to perform this surgery was the HF transmission scissor jack...and I wouldn't have succeeded without it. It took half a day to get the trans out and another half a day to button it back up. Two years later it's running great!

 

[Steve_S]

It's the garage in action anyway. I don't have any with me in them.

 

[Ramblur]

My moms Cadillac. Had it for a noisy PS pump.Found metal in the fluid so
I proceeded to remove the pump(surprisingly easy BTW). I was also rotating
the tires so I figured I'd take a look at the brakes too. Went to turn the strut
to get a better look but acted like the column was locked so I lowered the car
a little and reached through the window to turn the key on. Problem is I'd
already thought ahead and had the key on so when I turned it,it hit the
starter and fired right off. I heard a sickening metallic TING and
heard something hit the floor.Shut it off as quick as it started and when I
looked underneath I saw the belt hanging down.Sadly upon closer inspection
I found a stationary idler pulley that had previously been attached to the
block laying on the floor. Perfect! and SHhhh don't tell mom.

OUCH!

Did I tell you how much I love Northstars?

Mom totally bought the story about how it was going to take a week to get
parts and on the plus side it was much easier to swap the steering
rack out with the engine/trans/cradle out of the car. (I didn't know whether the pump or the rack was making metal so I changed them both) A buddy of
mine welded the broken pieces back on the block after much preheating and
almost a year later all is well.
Stay tuned to next time on, "As the Wrench Turns".

 

[goodfellow]

Ohhhhhhh -- I like those lifts Steve. Can you give me some info on the manufacturer

Nice ----

 

[Nova72]

the head bolts in a northstar is a pain in the ****, and the GM fix is a big heli-coil kit...

 

[dmw]

Installing a 3" downpipe on the PT...

 

[Ramblur]

Heres some more recent. Building headers for my Impala wagon.

 

[yinzer]

Steve,

Is that an Austin 7 on the lift?

 

[stioc]

Rambler, very cool! do you do this for a living or as a hobby? I can't tell

Come on guys, I expected to see a lot more pics? Don't tell me all the hundreds of neat and clean garages we've seen here don't see much action

 

[Jpfreak33]

Installing a 3" downpipe on the PT...

on a PT Cruiser

 

[Steve_S]

Ohhhhhhh -- I like those lifts Steve. Can you give me some info on the manufacturer

Nice ----

I've responded to your PM.

Steve,

Is that an Austin 7 on the lift?

Yes it is!

 

[dcjredline]

They make the Turbo PT cruiser which needs a down pipe.

 

[tdkkart]

Heres some more recent. Building headers for my Impala wagon.

Might just be me, but I think you're gonna have a big oil leak??
Haven't seen a total loss oiling system for awhile.............

 

[OldCarGuy]

1925 Rolls Royce Piccadilly Roaster...

If you Haven't read my recent thread. I have a 1925 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roaster on my lift that I'm adding a Gear Vender's overdrive unit to the power train.

 

[NRChopshop]

 

[Derald Rice]

Re: 1925 Rolls Royce Piccadilly Roaster...

If you Haven't read my recent thread. I have a 1925 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roaster on my lift that I'm adding a Gear Vender's overdrive unit to the power train.

WOW. This owner is a guy that drives his car. Otherwise you don't need overdrive to get it in and out of the trailer. He is using the car like it was intended to be used. Congratulations.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

This is me:

These are my tools:

These are my toys:

And this is my garage in action:

Welding:

MKIII Jetta:

Headlight mod:

Fun with wiring...

Suede headliner

Race car restoration:

Detailing:

Everything I own is hot-rodded!

I think I satisfied everything you wanted to see...any questions?

 

[stioc]

Brendan, very impressive. When I was your age (I'm twice your age now) I think all I knew was how to replace the spark plugs, change the oil and clean the carb jets. I also only had maybe a half a dozen tools in a roll-up pouch

Is that a FV? Always wanted to get one but not too many places here to race them (any open wheel cars) and not enough time to even race the race car I have.

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Brendan, very impressive. When I was your age (I'm twice your age now) I think all I knew was how to replace the spark plugs, change the oil and clean the carb jets. I also only had maybe a half a dozen tools in a roll-up pouch

Is that a FV? Always wanted to get one but not too many places here to race them (any open wheel cars) and not enough time to even race the race car I have.

Thanks a lot, man!

This is all new to me as well... I used to ride motocross and race karts and have always done the work myself but I only started tearing into real cars this year. Before that I knew how to change the oil or a tire and that is about it. The good thing about Volkswagens (the Jetta and the Formula Vee) is that they break every day, even when you don't drive them...so now I have tackled brake pads and rotors, ball joints, suspension bushings, spark plugs, removed engines etc. If something needs to be done I learn how to do it and jump in with both feet...you won't learn any other way, IMO.

Yes it's a Formula Vee! I finally had enough change to pick it up this spring and it has undergone a full resto since then. There is a thread in Fabrication & Techniques if you would like to check it out: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17465&highlight=

I kind of stopped updating it because I got really busy but you can see what it looks like in my last post! Just need to put the engine back in and it's ready to go!

If ever you are in my area let me know and maybe we can work out some track time!

 

[russlaferrera]

Brendan, very impressive workmanship and shop setup. My questions are , How long have you been doing fab.race karts? The 2nd question is .Why are the tires shrink wrapped?

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

Brendan, very impressive workmanship and shop setup. My questions are , How long have you been doing fab.race karts? The 2nd question is .Why are the tires shrink wrapped?

I started riding motocross when I was 8...rebuilt my first two-cycle engine at age 9 and my first four-cycle at age 11...at age 12 I bought my first dirt bike that I raced for two seasons and did every bit of the work myself...I started racing karts in 2004 ranging from entry-level four-cycle karts to 125cc TAG and ICC (6-speed shifterkarts). Last season was my last in karting, finished off with a podium finish in the Canadian National Championships. I haven't raced since then and have just been getting my Vee ready for 2009! Although I had offers from two teams I will be working out of my own trailer by myself just as I always have - there is no other way!

I wrapped the tires because they won't be in use for close to a year - old racing trick to keep tires fresh, I guess...and because my shop floor always has misc. fuel, brake cleaner, etc. everywhere on the floor so I wanted to protect them a little bit. Probably does next to nothing but I had a 1500 ft. roll of packaging wrap so I wanted to use it hahaha.

I am sixteen now...

 

[Ramblur]

Rambler, very cool! do you do this for a living or as a hobby? I can't tell

Might just be me, but I think you're gonna have a big oil leak??
Haven't seen a total loss oiling system for awhile..........

If you Haven't read my recent thread. I have a 1925 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roaster on my lift that I'm adding a Gear Vender's overdrive unit to the power train.

[Russell] No,sure don't make a living at it(but I have in the past) so I guess you can call it a hobby,my wife prefers "obsession".

[tdkkart] I read some where that crankcase windage eats up a lot of HP,
this should eliminate almost all windage freeing up copious amounts of HP
Should keep the valve cover breathers from leaking too.

[OldCarGuy] I want to be like you really bad. Actually had a prewar RR
barnfind come through the RV park years back. Iirc a touring car with
what was left of original paint,aluminum body,and bullet holes!

[OctaneMotorsports] You Rock! And obviously have "IT" pretty bad.
Reminds me a lot of myself many years ago.

 

[83yota]

One of the toys

The tool boxs

The other toy (hiding)

 

[MichaelUser]

Hello,


Here's my contribution. I am a newbie. BTW.

That was last year. I need to take more pictures soon. I changed a few things around.

 

[Brickout]

Everything I own is hot-rodded!

I think I satisfied everything you wanted to see...any questions?

Are those just mufflers on there? If so, how well do they work?

 

[e-tek]

I think I satisfied everything you wanted to see...any questions?

YES!! - you seem like a very cool kid - from what we can see....care to give us the rest of your story? I don't mean to get too personal, but I'm guessing many of us have sons that are or will be your age and would like them to learn the hobby too.
How do you do in school? Do you have a job to pay for all this? What do you want to do "when you grow up"?
Love the projects, repsect your skill-developement! Really like the muflers!!

 

[dmw]

on a PT Cruiser

Are you famliar with the SRT-4? The same engine is in the PT GT. Turbos like a big exhaust. I have a coupe mods, and it puts down 230whp and 300+ wtq. Not bad for a little car that I can fit my famly of 4 in and still gets 22+ mpg.

 

[jarhead]

My daughter and I have been working on a 42 Ford 9N. We started a couple of years ago It is running and usable. I just need to get busy on the sheet metal.

 

[vette-kid]

One of the toys

The tool boxs

The other toy (hiding)

83yota,
That looks like a killer trail rig! Whats your setup? (suspension, motor, etc). And is that an old school land cruiser I see back there? Awesome!

 

[OctaneMotorsports]

YES!! - you seem like a very cool kid - from what we can see....care to give us the rest of your story? I don't mean to get too personal, but I'm guessing many of us have sons that are or will be your age and would like them to learn the hobby too.
How do you do in school? Do you have a job to pay for all this? What do you want to do "when you grow up"?
Love the projects, repsect your skill-developement! Really like the muflers!!

Thank-you! You seem like a very cool...old guy...from Saskatchkamatoon, nonetheless

Story is pretty straight-forward. I got into this stuff at an early age (motocross, kart racing) and neither of my parents are even remotely mechanically inclined - my dad is a chef and my mom is a teacher for the deaf - so it was kind of out of necessity. If I wanted to race, I had to pay for (most of) it and do the work myself. I started off with a $50 Jobmate tool set (the worst of the worst, completely horrible tools) and worked with those upgrading one thing at a time as my needs increased.

I do pretty well in school. I went to a regular school until Grade 9 and maintained a "B" average. Honestly I could do so much better but the stuff we have to do in school these days is so absolutely redundant and useless that I can't say I put fourth the best effort all the time. But in a real world scenario I can figure out just about anything with the best of 'em. For grade 10 I tried online school, which was pretty awesome. I traveled with a race team all over North America for weeks at a time to places like Florida, Las Vegas, California you name it. It was hard work spending 4+ days in a transport truck, working 6 AM 'till midnight for two weeks straight in all weather, driving home then unloading the trailer only to re-pack it and start all over again. It absolutely killed me, but I learned a lot and made more than enough to pay for my race car and the restoration. I'm going back to high school in September (ughhh don't remind me) that will be a lot better as it has auto shop, welding, etc...if I don't learn anything taking either at least it's fun and more experience.

Right now I work at Cambodian Tire in parts/automotive which works out for me pretty well because I can walk there in about five minutes and I get a 15% staff discount - really helps when buying parts and supplies. It's not the best job in the world but it's a paycheque every two weeks...after working for the race team for three years I had to slow down and this made perfect sense. At one point I had three jobs for a little while, I don't mind working for what I have and I always will but there is no reason why I should have to do that.

Most of my money is made out of my garage, though. I'm always fixing cars, bikes, welding/fabricating simple items, installing stereos, detailing cars (the proper way, not the teenager dish soap and sponge ********) you name it I've done it. If there is something that has to be done that I haven't done before, either for my own stuff or somebody else's, I read up on it as much as possible and just do it. I'm not the best at anything but I have gained a very vast knowledge of just about everything engines/vehicles/hardware related.

What do I want to do when I grow up? You're pretty much looking at it. Anything along these lines I will be happy with...I don't want to work a desk job of any kind. Probably a race team or a fab shop is where I see myself. Not too horribly concerned about all that because I am probably going to die pretty young anyway...cheers to liver damage from years of brake cleaner and gasoline

 

[jhn9840]

Brendan,

That's quite refreshing, alot of guy's your age are lying around doing nothing, playing video games all day. With your attitude you will be a secess at whatever comes your way.
Best of luck to you.

jhn9840
John

 

[Kevin54]

Brendan,

That's quite refreshing, alot of guy's your age are lying around doing nothing, playing video games all day. With your attitude you will be a secess at whatever comes your way.
Best of luck to you.

jhn9840
John

Ditto on that. A lot of guys that age around here are just riding skateboards up and down the street being basically useless. Good to see someone young that is working hard, applying theirself, and actually know what the goal in life is that they are after. Kudos

 

[e-tek]

Well Brendan - I'm glad I asked!! Glad to give a "cool kid" a furum to show that there are still people who have a work ethic, a great command of English and a great sense of who they are - not to mention a great sense of humour (Cambodian Tire!!)

With your interest and effort - you could easily get on a NASCAR/Indy Lites crew, etc.

Keep up the posts - I'm sure I speak for many - we're thrilled to have "met" you. Cheers.

 

[Control]

Brendan

I am impressed. You seem to have your head on straight and know where you plan to go in your future. I am a member of another posting board that may be of interest to you (or anyone else for that matter) because of your interest in fabrication and racing.
http://www.offroadfabnet.com
It is similar to the garage journal as they don't flame and everyone has an opertunity to speak. I myself have learned several tips and tricks from some of these guys and can truely say some of them are world class fabricators.

I would recomend anyone that is interested to check it out.

Didn't mean to high jack anybodies thread but considering how this has taken a turn to kind of support a very talented and hard working individual, I didn't think it would hurt.

Brendan, good luck.

 

[TA462]

(Cambodian Tire!!)

LOL, it took me a second but I got it, lol. Brendan, I worked there when I was a teenager as well. I actually learned alot working behind the parts counter.

 

[ati2de]

Been awhile since I was last here. Anyway here is a shot of my using the underside of my hoist for a spray booth.
The second photo shows what I'm painting. and the third is the finished car.
As an extra, the fourth is without the spray booth.
BTW, nothing escaped that booth, no overspray nothing.

Rod
http://www.customfurniture.net/ati2de/

 

[Steve_S]

Nice Speedster! I'd like to learn more about it!

 

[ol55]

My daughter and I have been working on a 42 Ford 9N. We started a couple of years ago It is running and usable. I just need to get busy on the sheet metal.

Seeing that smile on your daughter's face makes me smile. She seems like she's into it!

 

[RAYJAY]

Here is some of mine

 

[Rolling_Thunder]

Mine gets used ALOT but I dont dont take many Pics! Here my Goldwing getting Tires brakes and an air Filter! Major Surgery!