Above 1200 Sq/FT Restored 1930's Auto Shop

[Vette60]

Hi Thomas.

Thanks for continually sharing your journey - whether's it's the wonderful home build, the drag racing or your parade exploits, it's most appreciated. Can't of course forget the shop!

I was back in my hometown (Brentwood, PA) for our annual July 4th parade. It's been going on for as along as my Dad can recall - he's a life long resident of 77 years! It's really a special event that I get to now share with my kiddos - ages 10 and 7.

Keep up the great work!

Randy

 

[BB767]

.........


So I figured out most of your acronyms, but one had me stumped until we got past the beautiful jack restoration. Now I fully understand Voracious Oldsters Restoring Tools - EXtreme (VORTEX) Of course we were all familiar with VORT, but now VORTEX........

Oh you're going to fit in quite nicely here Andy, no problem at all! Pull up a chair.

There's been lots of discussion on zinc in flat tappet cam engines, and I thought the bottom line was low compression engines with relatively weak valve springs were not at risk. I have a few older tractors and have not been concerned about additives in them, and I would assume Gus would fall into that category. Obviously nothing wrong with using the zinc additive and I'm sure it is better, but does anybody think I'm off base in my assessment of the affected engines? High horsepower high spring pressure engines definitely are an area of concern.

Andy

Without getting bogged down in the zinc/camshaft controversy here, that's my understanding also. Low compression engines are not nearly at the same risk as their high compression brethren. Gus is so near and dear to my heart I just didn't want to even remotely take a chance with him so he gets some zinc in his diet.

The other thing I heard (on the internet, so it must be true) is zinc is not as important once the cam & lifters are properly broken in. Hope this is true as my 67 Chevelle has a flat tappet lifter. I have been using Mobil 1 for 5 years with no metal on the magnetic drain plug & runs ok.

I suspect you are correct as well. No doubt there are horror stories about not enough zinc and others, like yourself, with no problems. I fall into the camp of it probably can't hurt to add some zinc so that's what I do. My Corvettes get Amsoil Z-ROD, all the others I add a ZDDP additive of some sort or use an oil like Shell Rotella that still has some zinc in it.

Hello Thomas !

Can't tell you how disappointed I waswhen I found out from Steve Mekland that I had missed you and that Cool Dude Lou !
The parade and car show in the little town of Seymour are a great piece of small town living !

Hope to see you and Chris as well as Lou soon !

Craig

Thanks Craig and sorry to have missed you as well. Lou Bingham is indeed...







... One Cool Dude- OCD. Chris and I are blessed to have him spend the summers with us...



... in between his racing duties.

I love participating in parades, I have pulled floats, driven Model "T's", and the last one I was in I drove an 18 wheeler with 3 football teams on it.If you have never participated in one you need to, the thrill of being in the spotlight is awesome.

There were some big rigs in the parade too. You're right, it's tons of fun for everyone!

Hi Thomas.

Thanks for continually sharing your journey - whether's it's the wonderful home build, the drag racing or your parade exploits, it's most appreciated. Can't of course forget the shop!

I was back in my hometown (Brentwood, PA) for our annual July 4th parade. It's been going on for as along as my Dad can recall - he's a life long resident of 77 years! It's really a special event that I get to now share with my kiddos - ages 10 and 7.

Keep up the great work!

Randy

Thanks Randy for your kind words. With everyone's encouragement, we've got a little bit of everything in here anymore. How do you convey what a small town, 4th of July parade is to folks outside of the US? Lou and I decided last year- enough sitting on the sidelines, we want in!


And not to forget, under Lou's careful supervision...



... there's been additional working going on with the house. Stand by for more. Thanks everyone.

Thomas

 

[Joe-R]

The other thing I heard (on the internet, so it must be true) is zinc is not as important once the cam & lifters are properly broken in. Hope this is true as my 67 Chevelle has a flat tappet lifter. I have been using Mobil 1 for 5 years with no metal on the magnetic drain plug & runs ok.

1949 caddyman,

Great looking engine compartment! My understanding is that any sliding surface camshaft (non roller cam) needs the extra ZDDP found in API rated CJ-4 oil (Shell Rotella and others). I used to use Mobil 1 (API SM rated oil) in my 66 Corvette until I flattened the cam. CJ-4 oil is readily available (and inexpensive) at Wally Mart, etc, so why not use it?

Joe

 

[oldironfarmer]

The other thing I heard (on the internet, so it must be true) is zinc is not as important once the cam & lifters are properly broken in. Hope this is true as my 67 Chevelle has a flat tappet lifter. I have been using Mobil 1 for 5 years with no metal on the magnetic drain plug & runs ok.

I would find it surprising if the cam and lifters being broken in made much difference.However, if you have a low horsepower engine, it may not be an issue anyway. The worst that can happen is you get to get a roller cam.

 

[1949 caddyman]

All this talk about oils & zinc caused me to look up an article I read last year. It's by 540rat who is a mechanical engineer. Lots of info & a long read. Not saying its all true but it does make sense IMO.https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/motor-oil-wear-test-ranking/

 

[oldironfarmer]

All this talk about oils & zinc caused me to look up an article I read last year. It's by 540rat who is a mechanical engineer. Lots of info & a long read. Not saying its all true but it does make sense IMO.https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/motor-oil-wear-test-ranking/

Obviously the guy's an engineer, his blog is waaay too long. I'm a registered professional mechanical engineer too (takes one to know one), but his work is pretty well written and well researched, thought out, and appears quite technically correct. The bottom line is his testing and reporting of thin film strength of various brand name oils and a few additives. It makes the choice at the store a lot easier for me, balancing performance with cost. If he is wrong he sure sucked me in

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

Not to get this thread off track, but I've read 540Rat's stuff and it's very good. Everyone can have their opinion, but it''s hard to argue with facts and scientific testing.

 

[bryceaugustine]

almost 4 days old!

ok so i know we still got a lot of work to go on the house. but then what? more projects? powder coating? any more tool clean up to do? oh are we going to finally fix that switch plate?

but in all seriousness, i hope you have some stuff planned so we can all continue to live vicariously through you.

how was harvest this year?

 

[markviii]

"Knee-high by the 4th of July" is fiction around these parts. We tend to have at least 6ft tall corn by then - it may have been taller, but I didn't take the time to run across the road to stand next to it. It's just beginning to look like the corn is ready to tassel soon. Seriously, harvest around here is in the Fall (mid-Sept to mid-Nov).

The only harvesting going on right now is our alfalfa. They took the second cutting yesterday. No bales - not sure what the farmer is using it for.

Sweet corn is going strong, too. If you've never had fresh-picked sweet corn from around here (specifically Illini Xtra Sweet Hybrid developed and grown here in this county at Univ of IL), you don't know what you're missing. It's actually twice as sweet as regular sweet corn and the hulls are very tender. We're at the peak of the season right now.

Projects are on-going. Whatever needs doing gets done, some planned, some not. We'll keep you posted.

Chris

 

[BB767]

Stuff

almost 4 days old!

ok so i know we still got a lot of work to go on the house. but then what? more projects? powder coating? any more tool clean up to do? oh are we going to finally fix that switch plate?

but in all seriousness, i hope you have some stuff planned so we can all continue to live vicariously through you.

how was harvest this year?

Lou volunteered to walk across the road from the shop to give you an idea of how the corn is coming. Lou is about 6' (2m) tall. We've had near perfect growing weather so far. Timely rain and lots of sunshine.




This is the harvest of our 2nd cutting of Alfalfa this year in my field of dreams (and sometime heliport) next door.



Both cuttings have been very generous.



We'll get one more cutting this year and then let the plants recover enough to winter over.



This field has been nicely productive for us and has been a carpet of green all spring and summer long. We'll go one more year with Alfalfa since it's still producing so well. We'll change to a different crop in 2018 for one year and then start with a 4-5 year Alfalfa crop cycle all over again.

After the house build this year I'll spend the winter setting up the wood shop in the basement and help Chris get her picture framing equipment moved and set up as well. Next year I'll be landscaping off and on throughout the year, especially spring. I'm not going to plant any grass seed around the house this fall. The ground is still going to be settling and I want it to go through 1 season of a freeze-thaw winter cycle before seeding. The old family home next to the shop, aka "The Lodge", will be removed this winter and that basement area back-filled. That will be settling a while too and will need some attention.

Gus will need some additional electrical work that I don't think we'll get to this summer. Bonneville is coming up in less than a month and that's going to punch a big hole in my August time available. All 3 courses are laid out on the salt flats. The rookie and short course are groomed and ready and the long course is being groomed this week. Weather projections are for light rain at most. With luck, no heavy rains will spoil our party during Speed Week this year.

I've quite a bit of material from the Tool Shed to still go through. There are a bunch of hand tools that I need to figure out how I'm going to clean them up. I'm doing a sort through of material in the Honey House tomorrow. Weather permitting that building is slated to be moved next Monday. I'll keep you posted on that.



Here's the firebox completed as seen from the stair landing...



... and as seen from the balcony. I'll go into more detail in a separate post. Meanwhile A/C ducts are being installed, and plumbing is getting roughed in. Nothing glamours but all necessary.

Thanks for suggesting I correct the switch plate.......I might revisit it..........but don't hold your breath on that one!

Thomas

 

[BB767]

Beltsville Shell Is Back Home Once More

I forgot to mention Beltsville Shell has come back home to TCOTU today. There are 41 sign offs in it right now. Before sending it to Lyndon in Australia, I'm going to take it to the book bindery to see about repairing some pages that have come loose. It's been on the road for 4 years now and is overall good condition. Thanks to everyone for taking such good care of it.

Next stop - Australia!

Thomas



BTW, I noticed the Metropolitan Police patch seen above, that Baz added as a bookmark, has gone missing. Might the last few readers send me a PM if they find it. I'd really like to have to keep it with the book. Thanks

 

[Grizz1963]

Re: Beltsville Shell Is Back Home Once More

I forgot to mention Beltsville Shell has come back home to TCOTU today. There are 41 sign offs in it right now. Before sending it to Lyndon in Australia, I'm going to take it to the book bindery to see about repairing some pages that have come loose. It's been on the road for 4 years now and is overall good condition. Thanks to everyone for taking such good care of it.

Next stop - Australia!

Thomas



BTW, I noticed the Metropolitan Police patch seen above, that Baz added as a bookmark, has gone missing. Might the last few readers send me a PM if they find it. I'd really like to have to keep it with the book. Thanks

Trust Baz to make his mark

I will give him a ring and see if he maybe has another.

 

[bryceaugustine]

Wow that was one heck of a update. Thanks for it. I know your busy.

 

[bazzateer]

New police patch on its way to Philo, IL tomorrow.

No more where that came from, I retire in a few weeks!

 

[markviii]

Thanks, bazzateer! We''ll keep it here in Philo. Perhaps the original will show up, just like Mr. Johnson's name patch appeared out of the blue one day while Tom was mowing. No one can say TCOTU artifacts aren't well traveled!

Congratulations on your retirement!

Chris

 

[bluestripe67]

I just realized the missing police patch happened on my watch. I will search for it and get it to you Thomas. Dennis

 

[oldironfarmer]

Re: Stuff

Looks like you're making good use of one of the old benches from the tool shed!

 

[BB767]

Re: Stuff

Looks like you're making good use of one of the old benches from the tool shed!

Now there is a sharp observation oldironfarmer! Good for you.



That bench was originally one that I used in the old shop before I built the present benches. I had always considered it a temporary bench. You can see parts of the new benches in the foreground as they were being built.



When I replaced that old, temporary bench with this new bench, I thought is was too handy to get rid of it. I thought it might be useful when I built my retirement house so...



...I put it out in the tool shed (background on the right) for a few years.



When I removed the tool shed I moved it outside and used it as a work platform...



... to aid in the removal of that building.



With the tool shed gone, I stored it in the 2 car garage for a while, just waiting till I started on the retirement house.



Once we had a floor at the new house where I could put it, I moved it out there.



It's been out there...



... ever since. I'll use it till the bitter end of the house build and then when I'm finally done with it here, I'm giving it to a friend of mine. We going to use it out in his rural woods as a shooting bench to replace the smallish shooting bench we've been using for target practice. This one has a nice large surface so we'll have lots of room. That old bench will live on indefinitely.

Thomas

 

[Lyndon]

Re: Beltsville Shell Is Back Home Once More

I forgot to mention Beltsville Shell has come back home to TCOTU today. There are 41 sign offs in it right now. Before sending it to Lyndon in Australia, I'm going to take it to the book bindery to see about repairing some pages that have come loose. It's been on the road for 4 years now and is overall good condition. Thanks to everyone for taking such good care of it.

Next stop - Australia!

Thomas



. . . . Thanks

Thomas

Great news.

You little beauty. Look out Aussie boys - it'll be heading our way soon!!!!



Oh, and Thomas - great work on your place. I've been watching but trying not to bother you..... Besides - you're so ****** busy! (Makes me tired just keeping up with your posts).

Lyndon
Sneaking in a GJ look at work.

 

[tkbowman]

If the book is finished in Australia by the end of November, I could bring it back when we return to the states.


Tim in Burien, WA

 

[Lyndon]

If the book is finished in Australia by the end of November, I could bring it back when we return to the states.


Tim in Burien, WA

Tim

We are actually sending it on to NZ after we've had it. PM me (& Thomas) if you want to get on the reading list....

Lyndon
Not long after wine o'clock here.....

 

[xtremek]

Re: Stuff

I've never seen alfalfa harvested like that before, interesting. Around here, it's baled in 6' round bales mostly and then fed to animals. Small farms (mostly horse owners) bale it in small rectangle bales (about 75 pounds each). Why is it harvested like that? As usual, your place looks exquisite and the work is top rate. Keep up the good work.

 

[tkbowman]

Tim



We are actually sending it on to NZ after we've had it. PM me (& Thomas) if you want to get on the reading list....



Lyndon

Not long after wine o'clock here.....

I'm already on the list for when it gets back to the states.


Tim in Burien, WA

 

[oldironfarmer]

Re: Stuff

I've never seen alfalfa harvested like that before, interesting. Around here, it's baled in 6' round bales mostly and then fed to animals. Small farms (mostly horse owners) bale it in small rectangle bales (about 75 pounds each). Why is it harvested like that? As usual, your place looks exquisite and the work is top rate. Keep up the good work.

I wondered too, but was shy to ask. Looks like a chopper to make alfalfa silage. I've never seen that before either, but since alfalfa is a complete nutrition source for bovines, if you had the equipment to store and feed it, it would make a slick system.

Or they may be preparing it to make alfalfa cubes. A dense, storable way to package alfalfa for easy distribution in bags. Treats and feed for horses, goats, etc.

I'm sure Thomas will be forthcoming with the truth.

By the way, I'm pleased to no longer be self-loading cargo. Even though I would not have objected at the term when I was. Having handled lots of semi-self-loading cargo (Cargo Often With Stubbornness, COWS), I always thought it nice how the self-loading cargo would line up, maybe grumble to themselves, but hardly ever balk or try to jump a gate. In respect for the cows I've been known to mooo! when going down a slow line to the big aluminum pot. An occasional crew member off the farm would enjoy that.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Re: Beltsville Shell Is Back Home Once More

I forgot to mention Beltsville Shell has come back home to TCOTU today. There are 41 sign offs in it right now. Before sending it to Lyndon in Australia, I'm going to take it to the book bindery to see about repairing some pages that have come loose. It's been on the road for 4 years now and is overall good condition. Thanks to everyone for taking such good care of it.

Next stop - Australia!

Thomas

When BS1.0 returns from the Second Happy Event Entering the Southern Hemisphere (SHEESH), is it time for retirement or is there an opportunity for some of us late bloomers to experience the original BS of BB767?

 

[jbmatth]

With a Witty Informational Social Exchange from a fellow Acronyms Slinging Southerner you will surely fit right in here. (Pardon the potential implication of name calling, it was intended to all be in good fun albeit slightly dirty humor.)

JB

P.S. Welcome to G.J. Old Iron Farmer from a fellow Okie in N.C. Ok.

 

[Joe-R]

Re: Beltsville Shell Is Back Home Once More

I forgot to mention Beltsville Shell has come back home to TCOTU today. There are 41 sign offs in it right now. Before sending it to Lyndon in Australia, I'm going to take it to the book bindery to see about repairing some pages that have come loose. It's been on the road for 4 years now and is overall good condition. Thanks to everyone for taking such good care of it.

Next stop - Australia!

Thomas

When BS1.0 returns from the Second Happy Event Entering the Southern Hemisphere (SHEESH), is it time for retirement or is there an opportunity for some of us late bloomers to experience the original BS of BB767?

Hi Thomas,

Could I please get on the next American leg of the BS reading? Maybe I could even stop by and pick it up in person!

Joe

 

[oldironfarmer]

With a Witty Informational Social Exchange from a fellow Acronyms Slinging Southerner you will surely fit right in here. (Pardon the potential implication of name calling, it was intended to all be in good fun albeit slightly dirty humor.)

JB

P.S. Welcome to G.J. Old Iron Farmer from a fellow Okie in N.C. Ok.

I regret I saw no humor, having previously owned donkeys, I found them to be smart, independent, and are one of the few animals that will not founder when provided with excess food, so you can also say they exhibit restraint and good judgement. Every time I was called an a$$ at work I was pleased with the compliment. The last time I loaded my a$$ and hauled a$$ to a friend's place I was a little sad. But thanks for the compliment, as you basically labeled me a wise a$$. Fine line between wise a$$, smart a$$, and dumb a$$, I know because I have been all three and have owned the first two.

 

[56vette461]

I regret I saw no humor, having previously owned donkeys, I found them to be smart, independent, and are one of the few animals that will not founder when provided with excess food, so you can also say they exhibit restraint and good judgement. Every time I was called an a$$ at work I was pleased with the compliment. The last time I loaded my a$$ and hauled a$$ to a friend's place I was a little sad. But thanks for the compliment, as you basically labeled me a wise a$$. Fine line between wise a$$, smart a$$, and dumb a$$, I know because I have been all three and have owned the first two.

Okay oldironfarmer, you just took me down memory lane.

And that my GJ friends is the very essence of the Oklahoma sense of humor. I heard my Dad use those same references between wise, smart and dumb so many times growing up. My family settled in Oklahoma during the land rush, and many still live in the OKC area. I unfortunately live in the state of kornifornia and I am only able to get back home a couple of times a year at most. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Okay oldironfarmer, you just took me down memory lane.

And that my GJ friends is the very essence of the Oklahoma sense of humor. I heard my Dad use those same references between wise, smart and dumb so many times growing up. My family settled in Oklahoma during the land rush, and many still live in the OKC area. I unfortunately live in the state of kornifornia and I am only able to get back home a couple of times a year at most. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Having been to many beautiful places in the land of the fruits and nuts, I tell people how much I love the wind in Oklahoma: if it weren't for the wind everyone would want to live here and we'd have to move.

(One of my favorite places on earth is Muir Woods and I have some 360 pictures of there on google earth)

Andy

 

[BB767]

Re: Beltsville Shell Is Back Home Once More

Hi Thomas,

Could I please get on the next American leg of the BS reading? Maybe I could even stop by and pick it up in person!

Joe

Will do Joe. Once I get home I'll organize and post the newest and latest US and Canadian tour for Beltsville Shell after it's triumphal return back from Australia and New Zealand.

It's a road racing weekend right now at Road America in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin. 50th anniversary for the Can-Am race series. The original rules for that series were the car had to have 4 wheels and 2 seats. That was it, those were the only rules. The result was some of the most fantastic race cars ever built were produced for Can-Am. Bruce McLaren from New Zealand came to dominate the series with his exquisite and powerful cars. I'll post some pictures of them shortly.

Thomas

 

[csp]

Re: Stuff

I wondered too, but was shy to ask. Looks like a chopper to make alfalfa silage. I've never seen that before either, but since alfalfa is a complete nutrition source for bovines, if you had the equipment to store and feed it, it would make a slick system.

Or they may be preparing it to make alfalfa cubes. A dense, storable way to package alfalfa for easy distribution in bags. Treats and feed for horses, goats, etc.

Those are the exact two options that I had come to mind also. That's a corn chopper that they used to pick up the windrows and send into the trucks. It's the same machine used to harvest entire corn plants to put into silage for feed at large cattle operations and feedlots. Usually places like this do incorporate other grains and alfalfa into the mix.

We bale ours also, small bales that can be picked up by hand for the hobby farmers and horse owners and large round bales that we use for cattle feed in the winter.

 

[dpljmurphy]

If the book is finished in Australia by the end of November, I could bring it back when we return to the states.
Tim in Burien, WA

As a late bloomer to the COTU and a fellow Washingtonian, I'd love to get on the list for when the tomb comes out this way. Cheers and thanks for the updates, David

 

[bluestripe67]

Thomas!!!!!! I have found the Metropolitn Police book mark. It will be in the mail tomorrow. Dennis

 

[mdbeck1]

Thomas!!!!!! I have found the Metropolitn Police book mark. It will be in the mail tomorrow. Dennis

...and now Thomas has a REAL problem.


What to do with TWO of the patches.

 

[Zeke]

Re: Beltsville Shell Is Back Home Once More

Will do Joe. Once I get home I'll organize and post the newest and latest US and Canadian tour for Beltsville Shell after it's triumphal return back from Australia and New Zealand.

It's a road racing weekend right now at Road America in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin. 50th anniversary for the Can-Am race series. The original rules for that series were the car had to have 4 wheels and 2 seats. That was it, those were the only rules. The result was some of the most fantastic race cars ever built were produced for Can-Am. Bruce McLaren from New Zealand came to dominate the series with his exquisite and powerful cars. I'll post some pictures of them shortly.

Thomas

And then everyone got their *** wiped by Porsche. End of series. CanAm at its height was the best racing ever seen.

 

[BB767]

Re: Beltsville Shell Is Back Home Once More

And then everyone got their *** wiped by Porsche. End of series. CanAm at its height was the best racing ever seen.

Amen to that Zeke.



There was a huge field of Can-Am cars at Road America last week for the 50th anniversary.



I didn't get an accurate count...



...but many of them were vintage...



...McLarens and...



... there was this one outstanding Ford GT40 Mk IV, vintage 1967 I think.

On our team, Danny had the pole position for his Can-Am class in the Lola T70. He also set a personal best lap time at RA. Then on the very next lap...



...either the steering arm broke or an upright broke. Either way the result was this box of broken parts and...





...some minor damage to that beautiful Lola T70 body.

End result; he was done racing for the Can-Am event this week. Hope to get it repaired in time for Lime Rock and Watkins Glen in September.

More on the RA event is coming...

Thomas

 

[upndown]

Used to go to the races in the early 70's. Spent many hours on firemans hill as well as RA carousel. Thunder valley was just that when the Can Am cars came thru..THUNDER! Great times.

 

[xtremek]

Re: Beltsville Shell Is Back Home Once More

...either the steering arm broke or an upright broke. Either way the result was this box of broken parts and...





...some minor damage to that beautiful Lola T70 body.

End result; he was done racing for the Can-Am event this week. Hope to get it repaired in time for Lime Rock and Watkins Glen in September.

More on the RA event is coming...

Thomas

Who will do the repair?

 

[BB767]

Chopping Alfalfa

To answer a question here about our Alfalfa harvest this year.



In the past we've done both large round bails to feed to cattle and...



...square bails to be sold to horse farms locally. The small square bails are easier to handle.

This year Justin is chopping the Alfalfa...



...and then plastic bagging it. By keeping oxygen from it in a plastic bag, it won't get moldy and can be stored and used as cattle feed for several months. A big advantage to doing this is shorter time between cutting it and harvesting it. If it's being bailed it takes about 2 days to dry after it's cut before it can be bailed. Should it rain on it before it's bailed, the nutritional value is largely lost. When chopping it, it can be harvested and bagged in almost the same day. The window to rain exposure is thus greatly reduced. Additionally you save a trip or two...



...by not having to rake...



... and turn it over every day as it dries.

OK, now there's more test material for you!

Thomas