Mark's Monster Garage....3800 sq ft
- Thread starter IGO2XS
- Start date
Buzz Lightyear
Well-known member
That's another one to add to my "Lottery List" which now stands at around 80 vehicles.
Finally subscribed to save me having to find the thread every time.
I hear you. I think I have about 30 subscriptions right now.
Sorry man, but you are the 1st post after the first 1000......that counts.....right?
Front tires on the Dart are perfect. Don't touch em! Car turned out beautiful!
We were able to drop the car a little bit and after the alignment the car seemed to settle down some. I think the tires look good too now that its done.
I always love Saturdays in the garage. It is just nice to get a fresh start first thing in the morning on a project. No going to work or expectations from anyone because they know I look forward to a full day in the garage.
Both Bob and I moved around the garage a bit today. I spent most of the morning polishing the new radiator I bought for the 64 Malibu and the fan shroud. They really looked nice when they were finished. I have a large bench grinder set up I bought at Harbor Freight with some large buffing wheels. I have a few air tools with pads on them but they just dont seem to work fast enough for me. I also finished assembling my backhoe after painting it. I probably went a little overboard on it considering I am going to sell it.
I know you guys heard me talking about getting some help in the garage. We had a new young understudy to start this morning and unfortunately had a little mishap on his motorcycle last night and skinned up his hands.
Bob's youngest son came to the rescue and helped dad sand the bottom of the chevelle. We sandblasted the Camaro at this point but Bob thought best to remove all of the paint by hand this time around. This is definitely grueling work.
To break the day up the second half of the day was spent on the Nova. It is always hard to take over a project that has been started from someone else.......particularly after it has been primed because you really dont know for sure what they did .....or didnt do......to get to the primer stage. The first thing that happens around here is that cars get disassembled so the front end and doors came off. Lots of primer on this car so there is going to be a tremendous amount of sanding to be done.
Plans for the car.........it was a 9 second car before the power plant was removed. The owner wants to paint the car gloss black and you know the car has to be straight. He wants the undercarriage painted nice, frame, and firewall detailed. The owner already has a substantial investment in a new frame and motor and wants the car nice. This should be one interesting project.
Both Bob and I moved around the garage a bit today. I spent most of the morning polishing the new radiator I bought for the 64 Malibu and the fan shroud. They really looked nice when they were finished. I have a large bench grinder set up I bought at Harbor Freight with some large buffing wheels. I have a few air tools with pads on them but they just dont seem to work fast enough for me. I also finished assembling my backhoe after painting it. I probably went a little overboard on it considering I am going to sell it.
I know you guys heard me talking about getting some help in the garage. We had a new young understudy to start this morning and unfortunately had a little mishap on his motorcycle last night and skinned up his hands.
Bob's youngest son came to the rescue and helped dad sand the bottom of the chevelle. We sandblasted the Camaro at this point but Bob thought best to remove all of the paint by hand this time around. This is definitely grueling work.
To break the day up the second half of the day was spent on the Nova. It is always hard to take over a project that has been started from someone else.......particularly after it has been primed because you really dont know for sure what they did .....or didnt do......to get to the primer stage. The first thing that happens around here is that cars get disassembled so the front end and doors came off. Lots of primer on this car so there is going to be a tremendous amount of sanding to be done.
Plans for the car.........it was a 9 second car before the power plant was removed. The owner wants to paint the car gloss black and you know the car has to be straight. He wants the undercarriage painted nice, frame, and firewall detailed. The owner already has a substantial investment in a new frame and motor and wants the car nice. This should be one interesting project.
smsteve
Well-known member
Hey Mark,
Many thanks for the additional pics of the completed Dart. It came out great, I'm sure the owner is pleased. Is it in his hands yet? What were his comments when he first saw it?
Take care,
Many thanks for the additional pics of the completed Dart. It came out great, I'm sure the owner is pleased. Is it in his hands yet? What were his comments when he first saw it?
Take care,
Hello Mark
Sorry to be a kill joy mate....
The picture was just frightening of the amount of safety issues going on, maybe the worst being no safety glasses/goggles for the young lad. This picture could be used by schools/training colleges to see who can list the most violations visible!!
Perrorojo
Well-known member
I'm seeing glasses.
Then maybe I need glasses
I looked hard at the picture but thought what could be the frame of a pair of glasses was in actual fact the floor pan of the vehicle. Blowing the picture up doesn't make it any clearer......
Then maybe I need glasses
I looked hard at the picture but thought what could be the frame of a pair of glasses was in actual fact the floor pan of the vehicle. Blowing the picture up doesn't make it any clearer......
Hey guys thanks for the concern. Yes, he was wearing glasses. He did pick up a sander and start to sand but we both busted him within a few seconds.
That is some messy stuff floating around in there and no one needs to get an eye put out. Your welcome and I am glad you liked them. Sorry I did not document more of the built. I just like to show accomplishments along the way. You know, major milestones like a motor done, interior, or something most people would want to see. There are some great "how to guys" on GJ but I am afraid I might teach some bad habits!!!!
I wish you could hear the car because it sounds awesome. The owner just loves it. He lives next door so he would stop by about every other day and check it out. He is most excited I will be giving him his last invoice!!!!
Last edited:
JCQuick
Well-known member
Chevelle Guy
New member
I wish my boy would get off his games "brain musher" long enough to come hang with me in the garage. My older brother had me in the shop with him taught me a lot some of my best memories! As far as the other post you people are just way to politically correct. With all the **** going on now days it's nice to see a young man hanging with his Dad keep up the good work guys! I love it...
some of my best memories! As far as the other post you people are just way to politically correct. With all the **** going on now days it's nice to see a young man hanging with his Dad keep up the good work guys! I love it...KPSquared
Well-known member
Umm. . .Youtube. No excuses.
That car is a beauty!
Great to see the kid out there. So many people blame tv and video games but those kids didn't buy those toys for themselves and they sure as hell are young enough that their parents are soley responsible for how they spend their time.
Looks like Bob is one of the good dads! Way to go!
Umm. . .Youtube. No excuses.
That car is a beauty!
Great to see the kid out there. So many people blame tv and video games but those kids didn't buy those toys for themselves and they sure as hell are young enough that their parents are soley responsible for how they spend their time.
Looks like Bob is one of the good dads! Way to go!
thank you guys.
My grandfather had a farm and although we did not live on it my dad made sure I worked there. It gave me a good work ethic I still value today.Bob has 4 kids and the come and go throughout the day but it is the youngest who likes cars and wants to help. He is a talker too. Man, he has more questions than you can shake a stick at.
Ok, I will get a you tube video of the car running. We still have it in the shop. It is done but the old heater core started leaking........its always just one more thing
I do have a garage update that actually has something to do with a garage update One item on my wish list has been a 4 post lift. I wanted one primarily for vehicle storage. With more work going on in the monster garage I want to move a few of finished car out of harms way and particularly the dust. Also, I am a little funny about space as I like things a little more wide open and it will be nice to free up some extra working room.
I have got the wife approval to put a nice 4 post lift in my house garage like the one pictured below from Greg Smith Equipment.......(let me refraise the approval....it was roll eyes and then the "do you really need it".....I mean, hell yes I need it!!!) Both of my two post lifts came from Greg Smith and one of my big tool boxes. I found the quality and price very competitive and their customer service exceptional. Since I purchased my first lift from them almost 10 years ago they have 7 locations so shipping is economical. One of their warehouses is in Florida and I placed my order today so I hope to have the lift within a week.
The lift I purchased has a 8000 lb capacity and they call it extra tall at slightly over 7 feet of lift. This would allow me to back a truck under it if necessary. I hope you guys dont mind but I would like to do a little documentary on the assembly of the 4 post lift. I am really excited about this!!
This picture was taken a few days ago but by today most of the welding and sanding was done. Although we bought the car with most of the metal in place the previous owner had not completely welded the floor pan in but it is complete now. We are moving the car outside to sandblast a few small areas that warrant a little extra attention.
I dropped the BBC 454 off today at our motor builders shop. It is not the original motor but that is OK with us. Man, he had a nice 468 cu inch motor with about 500 hp sitting on the stand just ready for a nice muscle car..........it is really tempting to buy it. We are restoring the body, interior, frame, and suspension to original condition but we are looking for a little more power under the hood to make this weekend cruiser light the tires up.
One item on my wish list has been a 4 post lift. I wanted one primarily for vehicle storage. With more work going on in the monster garage I want to move a few of finished car out of harms way and particularly the dust. Also, I am a little funny about space as I like things a little more wide open and it will be nice to free up some extra working room. I have got the wife approval to put a nice 4 post lift in my house garage like the one pictured below from Greg Smith Equipment.......(let me refraise the approval....it was roll eyes and then the "do you really need it".....I mean, hell yes I need it!!!) Both of my two post lifts came from Greg Smith and one of my big tool boxes. I found the quality and price very competitive and their customer service exceptional. Since I purchased my first lift from them almost 10 years ago they have 7 locations so shipping is economical. One of their warehouses is in Florida and I placed my order today so I hope to have the lift within a week.
The lift I purchased has a 8000 lb capacity and they call it extra tall at slightly over 7 feet of lift. This would allow me to back a truck under it if necessary. I hope you guys dont mind but I would like to do a little documentary on the assembly of the 4 post lift. I am really excited about this!!
This picture was taken a few days ago but by today most of the welding and sanding was done. Although we bought the car with most of the metal in place the previous owner had not completely welded the floor pan in but it is complete now. We are moving the car outside to sandblast a few small areas that warrant a little extra attention.
I dropped the BBC 454 off today at our motor builders shop. It is not the original motor but that is OK with us. Man, he had a nice 468 cu inch motor with about 500 hp sitting on the stand just ready for a nice muscle car..........it is really tempting to buy it. We are restoring the body, interior, frame, and suspension to original condition but we are looking for a little more power under the hood to make this weekend cruiser light the tires up.
Last edited:
FITO
Well-known member
I just happened to notice your Liftmasters are on the outsides of your doors. Any reason why you didn't put them both in the middle? With everything you post I feel silly asking about openers but I'm doing mine later this month and was planning on putting them in the middle and using one outlet.
I always enjoy the updates, thanks for sharing!
I always enjoy the updates, thanks for sharing!
Toolfool
Well-known member
You know we love to see anything you're doing in the garage, even a lift assembly.
2jz4me
Well-known member
Wow, your garage is overwhelming. Too bad the orange willy was done so half-butted.j/k
Wow, your garage is overwhelming. Too bad the orange willy was done so half-butted.j/k
Yes I know, I kind of skimped on that car didnt I?
Ok cool, if you dont like anything let me know...........for example, if I start sharing cooking recipes with you guys, send the nearest GJ guy over and beat me in the head
The main reason is the distance between the middle of the doors. Unless your garage doors are far enough apart there is not room to get both operators in the middle.....also maybe some service issues if they are too close. The other reason is these doors come with remote (plug in) motion detector lights. You will notice my lights are mounted on either side of the operators so they are spaced farther apart.........therefore, you need both plugs of a duplex outlet for each operator. I did not want to mount my lights out in the middle of the garage because the idea of these openers to me is keeping the garage ceiling clean.......yes they are direct drive which is a real advantage but they get rid of wall acne.......less **** on the wall to look at. My preference is to have the operators at the far ends of the doors. Running the wire for an extra outlet is pretty reasonable.
Also, thanks for reposting a picture of the Willys. Quite honestly I never get tired of looking at it
Luckily I have some higher ceilings in this garage. The 4 post lifts have stops every 6 inches so you can pretty much "park" the lift height at any point. This way I can put the 66 suburban on the bottom if I want.
Wingnut65
Well-known member
There you go and do it again... I turn my back to finish a bunch of on-line courses and you go and complete another beautiful car. Awesome work, Mark, Bob and Deanna.
The 'Before' shot reminds me of an old mid-70's dart that my band director drove, but his was puke green and had vinyl roof! Pardon the terminology, but it gives the perfect picture of his. But the work that your XS Garage puts out is AWESOME! I know you like GM, but your talent is universal. I just wish you could spell VW and my finance minister would provide funding...
Now that my life has returned, we are starting a project at home to replace our entertainment center in our Family Room. I am going to spend this weekend diving into your AVS thread to see if my ideas are close to what you did. I can't wait to upgrade to a big flat screen with a real sound system...
Keep up the great work at building and mentoring... Can't wait to see the Nova, Chevelle, C-10, Vette... And the list goes on.
BTW, lets start planning!
tskills10
Well-known member
Looking at the before and after pics, WOW!!!!!!
What incredible difference. You took it from grandma's grocery getting to looking like a badass that I wouldn't mind seeing sitting next to my Mistress. And this is coming from a Chevy guy.
There you go and do it again... I turn my back to finish a bunch of on-line courses and you go and complete another beautiful car. Awesome work, Mark, Bob and Deanna.
The 'Before' shot reminds me of an old mid-70's dart that my band director drove............... I just wish you could spell VW and my finance minister would provide funding...
Now that my life has returned, we are starting a project at home to replace our entertainment center in our Family Room. I am going to spend this weekend diving into your AVS thread to see if my ideas are close to what you did. I can't wait to upgrade to a big flat screen with a real sound system...
BTW, lets start planning!
Jeff, I wondered where you have been........I thought you broke up with me
I know your entertainment center will rock but if you need any help give me a call. OK, if you talking about what I have been thinking we need to plan our GJ Florida Cookout. We talked about March but looks like we would be looking at the first of april. I think you talked about starting a thread about it.
Looking at the before and after pics,
What incredible difference. You took it from grandma's grocery getting to looking like a badass that I wouldn't mind seeing sitting next to my Mistress. And this is coming from a Chevy guy.
it was literally grandma's grocery getter
Well, this will be the last time we handle the motor work on a Mopar. Body work and interior OK but it was stepping a little too far out of the box. It was a great experience but not that good if you know what I mean.Hey guys I dont know if anyone has noticed this but I have a garage ornament stored high up in the garage out of sight. I brought it down today to get it polished up and take a few pictures of it. Its a lowrider schwinn bicycle. Its all chrome, has custom made "low rider" tires, a crushed velvet seat, and a whole lot of bling. Yes, it has a spare tire and dual exhausts out the back.
As you can see Woody is still hanging outside in the chair just waiting to give any of the hot chicks who stop by the garage a lap dance!!
As you can see Woody is still hanging outside in the chair just waiting to give any of the hot chicks who stop by the garage a lap dance!!
Toolfool
Well-known member
OK, now I know you just have too much money.
ha ha.....both Woody the dummy and the bike were gifts from friends who wanted me to have something in the garage for decoration
For all of you Florida guys we are in the process of organizing a pig roast-car show at the Monster Garage some Saturday in April. Wingnut is my co sponsor so you know this event will be organized to the "T"
stay tuned for more details. we will be starting a dedicated thread to officially announce this event shortly.
Homebody
Well-known member
That bike is T!Ts!!
Here is a little bit of an update over the last 4 days.
Today my 4 post lift from Greg Smith Equipment arrived. It is pretty exciting to have this arrive and looking forward to the installation later in the week. I was concerned about the unit arriving without scratches. I know its just a lift but I want it looking good. These guys pack these lifts in a nice steel inclosure, use cardboard, then wrap in all in plastic.
Last Thursday my neighbor came over and wanted to take the Dart for a cruise. We had driven it up and down our street but had not had it out on the road. Next thing I know its 9 pm and a flat bed is dropping the Dart off at my garage He made it about 8 miles before the car stopped moving. The transmission had been a gamble as it came with the motor and was used and untested. I got the car down to a buddy of mine who owns a transmission shop. He is the same guy who took car of the ****** on my Willys. He had the Dart transmission disassembled pretty quick. We learned it was an early 60's unit and it was just wore out. The transmission will be rebuilt and a nice little shift kit added. The cost will be around $1000.
The Nova probably doesnt look any different to you guys than the last time I put a picture up. Over the last 8 days there has been over 40 hours of labor on the body. The owner of the car brought it too us after another guy couldnt get the car done. They had it in a heavy coat of primer but the body needed quite a bit of work. Bob blocked it, primed it, blocked it, and primed it again. Right now we are going to let the car sit for a week in the sun and let it dry out. Right now we are waiting for fenders and doors. The owner wants this shiny black so it has to be straight.
The Chevelle is moving along as well. There was a little bit of sandblasting but otherwise the body is moving along well. The bare spots were covered with the acid etch primer and the body has been moved inside. Right now Bob is fitting the doors and making sure they fit flush with the body. Tomorrow we will be making a $6000 through Eklers Chevelle. Primarily we are getting suspension parts, brake lines, and bushings. It is definitely not the last order we will make.
Today my 4 post lift from Greg Smith Equipment arrived. It is pretty exciting to have this arrive and looking forward to the installation later in the week. I was concerned about the unit arriving without scratches. I know its just a lift but I want it looking good. These guys pack these lifts in a nice steel inclosure, use cardboard, then wrap in all in plastic.
Last Thursday my neighbor came over and wanted to take the Dart for a cruise. We had driven it up and down our street but had not had it out on the road. Next thing I know its 9 pm and a flat bed is dropping the Dart off at my garage
He made it about 8 miles before the car stopped moving. The transmission had been a gamble as it came with the motor and was used and untested. I got the car down to a buddy of mine who owns a transmission shop. He is the same guy who took car of the ****** on my Willys. He had the Dart transmission disassembled pretty quick. We learned it was an early 60's unit and it was just wore out. The transmission will be rebuilt and a nice little shift kit added. The cost will be around $1000.
The Nova probably doesnt look any different to you guys than the last time I put a picture up. Over the last 8 days there has been over 40 hours of labor on the body. The owner of the car brought it too us after another guy couldnt get the car done. They had it in a heavy coat of primer but the body needed quite a bit of work. Bob blocked it, primed it, blocked it, and primed it again. Right now we are going to let the car sit for a week in the sun and let it dry out. Right now we are waiting for fenders and doors. The owner wants this shiny black so it has to be straight.
The Chevelle is moving along as well. There was a little bit of sandblasting but otherwise the body is moving along well. The bare spots were covered with the acid etch primer and the body has been moved inside. Right now Bob is fitting the doors and making sure they fit flush with the body. Tomorrow we will be making a $6000 through Eklers Chevelle. Primarily we are getting suspension parts, brake lines, and bushings. It is definitely not the last order we will make.
knotttty
Active member
great work ..... as usual Mark.... is the Nova a big block ??
Roy
Roy
Hey, that's probably the only bike having a pedal that can be used for both propulsion AND as a kickstand!
So does the neighbor ever get to drive the Dart again? (I know, sh!t happens)
Yep, Wingnut65 is on top of it - he already has me fired up about the little get-together. Although, I doubt there will be anything "little" about it knowing the host!
Wingnut65
Well-known member
That bike is just too much. Yes, it fits in the Monster Garage (home of XS)! As for the pedals, you really have to plan pedal locations when making banked turns or it could get scratched up.
I agree with shopnut, take the keys away from the Dart owner. it seems like the one thing that isn't touched us what bites ya. Hope he enjoyed those 8 miles (Quick calc, that is $125 per mile
)
As IGO2XS and shopnut mentioned, plans have started for a Florida GJ Cookout. We are working on a date that is far enough out so others can make plans to attend, but also that does not conflict with our wive's schedules...
There will be some of this and this 
and this 
and probably some of these as well...
Stay Tuned and we will start a thread for it.
I agree with shopnut, take the keys away from the Dart owner. it seems like the one thing that isn't touched us what bites ya. Hope he enjoyed those 8 miles (Quick calc, that is $125 per mile
)As IGO2XS and shopnut mentioned, plans have started for a Florida GJ Cookout. We are working on a date that is far enough out so others can make plans to attend, but also that does not conflict with our wive's schedules...
There will be some of this
and this and this and probably some of these as well... Stay Tuned and we will start a thread for it.
Yes it is..........he has a 468 BB. I guess he is planning on an 8 second street car. Real cool guy and great to work with.
Hey, that's probably the only bike having a pedal that can be used for both propulsion AND as a kickstand!
So does the neighbor ever get to drive the Dart again?
The bike was just built for show. If you look at the front forks you will notice some armaflex insulation around them to protect them from hitting the frame. The bike is like a dragster, it only goes straight
The transmission really wasnt his fault
It had been setting around awhile and we hoped to get lucky on it.............no such luck It should be done tomorrow and be ready to roll.The party............I can tell you guys I have already sprung into action on this upcoming party. My mom always said the best way to get things done is to plan a party.
You know there is a lot of wisdom to that. I will be turning this monster garage upside down to finish up some projects already started.............see, I work better under pressure I have started in the far dark corners of the garage........the back storage area. We all have our junk and I am no different. However, most of the junk I have is in the form of construction materials.......more like paver bricks, retaining wall stone and gates. I started yesterday organizing......last night I put the gates on craigslist and they are already sold. I am keeping the pavers but selling the retaining blocks. This is an in progress photo and will show you guys when i finish. You know, it was one area I was not proud of but now I got the fever to get this place in order
ejm1961Tbird
Well-known member
Mark - I'm sorry if you've already discussed this, but can you give me some details about your temporary paint booth? Thanks
tskills10
Well-known member
I would love to make it to the party but I don't think the wife would appreciate me taking off from Ohio to go to Florida. I'll have to let my buddy, who right by you, know about it.
JCQuick
Well-known member
someone say Party don't forget mee
don't forget mee Wingnut65
Well-known member
Here ya go JCQ. It makes sense to have a link to the Party Thread posted here "Florida GJ Cookout at the Monster Garage!"
We would love to have you. I am sure she will understand
Since most of the Texan's probably won't make the "Florida Party" we will just have to go to Pappadeaux on the same day!
Aw man that is not nice to throw my favorite restaurant in my face
The one we used outside is a tent I bought from Sams Club.......10 x 20 with side curtains. We primarily used this one for priming. We just put a 24 inch fan on one end and it worked out good........We have sandblasted and done all kinds of sanding in it so it really isnt good for much more than priming now.
The room on the inside of the garage is a purpose built room. I have a 20 inch variable speed explosion proof fan on one end with a filtering system of nothing more than fiberglass air conditioning filters. It worked great to paint the Camaro. I will over the next few weeks be finishing the inside of the walls so they are cleanable. We have worked in it since the paint job and it is not fit for painting because of the open framing......too much dust hinding in the cracks and crevasses.
There are lots of ways to build temporary paint booths. Some guys use 2 x 4's and visqueen. I would google temporary paint booths and see what comes up. I am not sure if we are doing it right but it works.
I just picked up a motor for the 1969 Chevy C10 project. I had a 454 for it but I stopped by a friend of mines shop and he had a fresh 468 cu in big block. He owns a machine shop and it has all of the good stuff in it. We are putting a polished intake on it and some other goodies and I will bring it home. Here is the before picture and I will share it once we get it done.
Today we unwrapped my new Greg Smith Equipment Atlas Garage Pro 8000 extra tall Greg Smith had it all nicely packed up in a steel framed crate. Our first order of business was to unbolt and remove the 4 posts. I was pleasantly surprised to find only one small scratch on these large pieces of steel . I thought with the packaging and trucking I might find some additional wear and tear but the lift was packaged up really nice.
All the parts were further wrapped in plastic. I set the 4 posts up and pictured here is one of the guys unwrapping one of the crossmembers that will support the 2 ramps.
We layed the support posts down 2 at a time and slid on the cross members. The cross members slide really easy down the track. We then set up each pair of posts with the cross members positioned at the bottom of the posts. In the below picture we have slid the cross members up to the first locking position where they will stay until we lay the driving ramps across them.
We just spent an 90 minutes on it today and we will finish it up tomorrow. It was an easy two man job today. Tomorrow we will need some extra manpower to move the ramps on the cross members.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. I thought with the packaging and trucking I might find some additional wear and tear but the lift was packaged up really nice.
All the parts were further wrapped in plastic. I set the 4 posts up and pictured here is one of the guys unwrapping one of the crossmembers that will support the 2 ramps.
We layed the support posts down 2 at a time and slid on the cross members. The cross members slide really easy down the track. We then set up each pair of posts with the cross members positioned at the bottom of the posts. In the below picture we have slid the cross members up to the first locking position where they will stay until we lay the driving ramps across them.
We just spent an 90 minutes on it today and we will finish it up tomorrow. It was an easy two man job today. Tomorrow we will need some extra manpower to move the ramps on the cross members.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Last edited:
yucholian
Well-known member
Is that a stairway to heaven?
JMcFly
Well-known member
ha ha.....both Woody the dummy and the bike were gifts from friends who wanted me to have something in the garage for decoration
For all of you Florida guys we are in the process of organizing a pig roast-car show at the Monster Garage some Saturday in April. Wingnut is my co sponsor so you know this event will be organized to the "T"
stay tuned for more details. we will be starting a dedicated thread to officially announce this event shortly.
I hope it's not on april 6th.. I really want to go!