Above 1200 Sq/FT Cleaning Up My Shop

[oldironfarmer]

I hear the driveshaft is the best ground.

Bearings love it!

All kidding aside, glad to see it up and running.

Arc arc arc

Thanks! It's up and running, now if I can get it down off the stands and running, even better!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Andy that's fantastic and well done

Does it run ok?

 

[oldironfarmer]

Of course it's still on the jack stands, but snapping the throttle open got instant response from the engine, no hesitation and a pleasant roar over the tappet rattle. I was getting kind of nervous with the roller rockers hitting so much but they quietened down when the push rods warmed up. I think it's OK.

Me and my old friends on the road again, tomorrow.

Glad you're hanging around. Hope things turn out good for you on holiday. Maybe you'll have a boring holiday and make some press bushings.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Good one Andy

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

The throttle and TV Control cable engine mount bracket was not right. I found a universal one online for $8.95 delivered. It came today and got installed. But not before some cutting and welding to make it fit. Still saved a lot of time, and the unwelded part is chrome plated.

A bad TV cable linkage is probably the single fastest way to kill a 700R, likely why the old one is dead.
Your 'universal' needs to work like this

Throttle arm length is
1.109
_
+
.016

more detail here http://www.tvmadeez.com/article/

 

[bolensboneyard]

My bull and one of the cows got into my barn once when I had the wrecker pickup Model A. Concrete floor and the bull liked his privacy. What a treat trying to coax them out. Sweet feed usually works well but I didn't want to get them too excited and start knocking things around; all of which I didn't want damaged. I ended up dropping a fresh round bale about fifty feet from the door.

 

[Craptain]

Looking over your list, I came to the conclusion that number 21 is probably quite important before the test drive.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[oldironfarmer]

Good one Andy

A bad TV cable linkage is probably the single fastest way to kill a 700R, likely why the old one is dead.
Your 'universal' needs to work like this

Throttle arm length is
1.109
_
+
.016

more detail here http://www.tvmadeez.com/article/

While this one is a TH350, I still want the kickdown cable set right. Thanks for the information and link. I learned it's not a TV. I'll recheck what I set, which was full extension less "a little bit" at full throttle. I do have a 700R4 in the Blue car and need to check it. when I got the car the TV cable was unhooked. Great link. Thank you!

My bull and one of the cows got into my barn once when I had the wrecker pickup Model A. Concrete floor and the bull liked his privacy. What a treat trying to coax them out. Sweet feed usually works well but I didn't want to get them too excited and start knocking things around; all of which I didn't want damaged. I ended up dropping a fresh round bale about fifty feet from the door.

If you'd left them alone they'd have come out on their own after their date was over. That being said, most guys respond to food...

Looking over your list, I came to the conclusion that number 21 is probably quite important before the test drive.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Very astute observation. I can see you are a master mechanic and truly understand the subtleties of automobile repair and operation.

Here's hoping it gets on the road today!

 

[BBChevro]

Hey Andy, I hope that you don't mind me adding my 2 cents worth to the "Ignition Timing 101 class"...

As others have said, around 8 to 12 degrees initial is a good starting point (the vacuum advance needs to be disconnected and the line plugged while you're doing it) - but your main aim should be to get about 36 degrees total.
I don't know your distributor, but I would imagine that the mechanical advance would be all done by 3000 - 3500 revs, so checking it at 3500 will give a better overall picture.
To be able to read 36 degrees you will have to have degree tape or a degree wheel on the balancer - or one of those new fangle "off-set" timing lights (just select "36" on the dial and line it up with "0" on your balancer).

Of course, this is coming from a guy who for many years just bumped the timing up gradually until it pinged going up the steepest hill I could find, then just backing it off a teeny bit. [emoji1]


Oh, one more thing - first make sure that the timing marks are correct (no "mix and match" pointers and balancers).


Sorry if I rambled on a bit there Andy.
Now back to your regular programming.

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[drivesitfar]

ANDY: while I don't understand ALL your engine speak I do understand the part where it started up and maybe wanted to fly off the stands. WELL DONE SIR!!

hope you get a few more (or all) of the TO DO LIST ITEMS finished by SATURDAY so you can deliver the car back to your son. i'm guessing he'll be VERY HAPPY!!

hard to believe you can have one or two day deliveries from online shopping where you live or maybe you are on the preferred list cause of your volume of sales and your personality. have you taught the delivery guys how to pour hot metal yet?

cheers

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

OOps. Not near as much to worry about on the TH350, but having kickdown is nice.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Hey Andy, I hope that you don't mind me adding my 2 cents worth to the "Ignition Timing 101 class"...

As others have said, around 8 to 12 degrees initial is a good starting point (the vacuum advance needs to be disconnected and the line plugged while you're doing it) - but your main aim should be to get about 36 degrees total.
I don't know your distributor, but I would imagine that the mechanical advance would be all done by 3000 - 3500 revs, so checking it at 3500 will give a better overall picture.
To be able to read 36 degrees you will have to have degree tape or a degree wheel on the balancer - or one of those new fangle "off-set" timing lights (just select "36" on the dial and line it up with "0" on your balancer).

Of course, this is coming from a guy who for many years just bumped the timing up gradually until it pinged going up the steepest hill I could find, then just backing it off a teeny bit. [emoji1]


Oh, one more thing - first make sure that the timing marks are correct (no "mix and match" pointers and balancers).


Sorry if I rambled on a bit there Andy
Now back to your regular programming.

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

Interesting post! I did not check the aftermarket chrome pointer, but it sure is pretty!

I guess I'll get a timing light. I've always timed like you said you used to. But the little buggar is running like a screaming mimi!

ANDY: while I don't understand ALL your engine speak I do understand the part where it started up and maybe wanted to fly off the stands. WELL DONE SIR!!

hope you get a few more (or all) of the TO DO LIST ITEMS finished by SATURDAY so you can deliver the car back to your son. i'm guessing he'll be VERY HAPPY!!

hard to believe you can have one or two day deliveries from online shopping where you live or maybe you are on the preferred list cause of your volume of sales and your personality. have you taught the delivery guys how to pour hot metal yet?

cheers

Thanks! But I won't be delivering the car, he can come and get it. My wife really can't travel and I can't leave her for that long so I'll wait him out.

I get quick deliveries because I don't have Prime. But I get stuff from eBay in Prime boxes. I think most every shipper is shipping pretty quickly these days. It's just good for business.

However one of my UPS guys runs the Pumpkin Patch I took my broom machine to a few years ago. He is into IH tractors and is getting interested in casting. Busy guy.

OOps. Not near as much to worry about on the TH350, but having kickdown is nice.

I drove it today without the kickdown hooked up. Turns out it was stuck in kickdown. Wound up pretty good before shifting.

Like I promised I got the ground cable on the engine before starting it again.

If you look close you can see the manufacturer's name on the aluminum motor mount.

Did a lot of cleanup today and took the car for a spin.

Runs great but the lifters are a little loose. I'm going to take them down another half turn. I only tightened them 1/2 turn from no slack.

Just a few more things to do.

1 Mount radiator
2 Connect transmission cooler lines
3 Mount alternator and A/C compressor and install belts
4 Mount A/C condenser
5 Reconnect wiring
6 Mount front cowl, stay arms, overflow tank and hoods
7 Make gaskets and mount headlights
8 INSTALL OIL
9 INSTALL WATER
10 INSTALL TRANSMISSION FLUID
11 Reconnect battery
12 Double check all connections
13 Start and idle on jack stands to circulate new transmission
14 Off stands and test drive
15 Install radiator flush and flush radiator
16 Refill with antifreeze
17 Install spark plugs
18 Install fuel pump
19 Install torque converter cover
20 Put block drain plugs back in
21 Put front wheels back on
22 Install new A/C clutch coil
23 Install new cooling fan thermostatic control
24 Cut four bolts off condenser
25 Fab new hood latch receivers
26 Install engine ground strap
27 Troubleshoot HEI (if ground strap does not correct problem)
28 Adjust valves
29 Revise and install new throttle and TV Control cable mount
30 fix transmission leak

I could use some advice on the No. 30. The dipstick is leaking where it goes into the case. A new gasket (o-ring) came with the transmission and I put it in. Nice snug fit. What are the option? Gasket goop?

Going to the monthly luncheon for old guys tomorrow, and plan to file two deeds and mortgages while I'm in town, so I think the car will set for a day. Maybe the missing pieces will come in.

Thanks for the visit!

 

[dchance]

Andy,
Looks good. All you lack is finishing up.

Dwight

 

[Grizz1963]

Impressive stuff.

I like the angle of the car without the headlights too.

Not sure why, but has an Eliminator-esque feel to it in that pic.

 

[1/2 Cup]

You are doing well Andy

It great to see you are firmly grounded now

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

If there is a ****** shop in town, ask if they have a top hat type seal.
I think its Dorman Part # 65113 if you have to go to the parts store.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Andy did you post the pictures of the gas valve you built for your blacksmith forge? I am assuming you have one firing the coal. I plan to build mine up with fire brick and do something to save myself the time using propane. Most of my jobs are to small to waste time messing with hand cranking and lighting. I could go through your thread but that would take more time than I may have left to live.

 

[Matias]

Looking good! Always good when no surprises come up during the first test drives.

 

[xtremek]

The list is actually short, and looking good as previously stated.

 

[bj383ss]

Glad to see you making progress Andy. I just replaced the top hat seal on my TV cable for the 700R4 in the 64'. There is definitely different styles. The one that came with my new TCI TV cable was junk. I some OEM ones that had a metal shell impregnated in the seal. That is the kind you want to get.

Definitely check that you TV cable on the Blue car is correct. It can kill the trans in less than 10 miles if it is not setup correctly.

Here are all the links I have about setting up the TV Cable correctly.

http://700r4.com/faq/whattv.shtml

http://www.tvmadeez.com/article/

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=526152

Bret

 

[drivesitfar]

Andy: you sure made quick work of your TO DO LIST on the purple car. Wow it's driving down the road today and you did it all by yourself without a crew or any help other than a few tips from some of the members which may or may not helped. VERY WELL DONE!!

I certainly don't blame you for having your son (or is it your son in law) pick up the purple car, but wondering how you are able to go to your meetings with the old co workers if you can't leave your lovely bride at home alone? do you have a health care person stop by regularly or maybe one of your kids on those days?

reason i'm asking with 86 year old parents and 82 year old in-laws i'm sure one day in the near future i'll have to find solutions to taking care of them as they are now living in their homes and doing fairly well so far.

more prayers sent to you and for your wife's health to improve.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Andy,
Looks good. All you lack is finishing up.

Dwight

And finishing up is taking place, slowly. I will be glad to be done.

Impressive stuff.

I like the angle of the car without the headlights too.

Not sure why, but has an Eliminator-esque feel to it in that pic.

I kind of thought the same thing. Should I be worried about my sanity, thinking like you?

I was thinking a strip of LED headlight under each front fender would be cool.

You are doing well Andy

It great to see you are firmly grounded now

Thanks, Steve! With the ground installed I feel drained.

If there is a ****** shop in town, ask if they have a top hat type seal.
I think its Dorman Part # 65113 if you have to go to the parts store.

Thanks! Did not know they existed. I'm getting a great education!

Andy did you post the pictures of the gas valve you built for your blacksmith forge? I am assuming you have one firing the coal. I plan to build mine up with fire brick and do something to save myself the time using propane. Most of my jobs are to small to waste time messing with hand cranking and lighting. I could go through your thread but that would take more time than I may have left to live.

I'm a little lost here. If you're asking whether I have a gas forge, no I don't. If you're asking whether I have a gas pilot to light coal, no I don't.

It takes me three minutes from striking a match to getting a 3/8" round red hot. About the time it takes me to unwind hose, turn on the bottles, adjust the regulators, and get an oxyacetylene torch going and the work is still not hot. It takes a couple of minutes before that to clean out the tuyere, put in kindling, and cover it with coke. Coke lights easier than coal, and I use oil soaked planer chips for kindling (what I clean up oil on the floor with). The oil burns good and hot. I don't have an electric blower on my forge because you burn up a lot more coal with a powered blower. I prefer to crank the bellows, it's easier to adjust the fire temperature and not burn up the work.

Second time you heat the work the fire is bigger and it heats faster, the torch takes the same time to reheat. Even for small heating jobs I rarely use a torch. That being said to forge weld I plan to build a gas forge. It takes a deep coal fire to weld, and takes a fair amount of coal. You have to have all the oxygen consumed before the gas stream reaches the work, and then hot coke above the work. I think a gas forge would be easier to weld with and maybe a little faster.

I wish we had messed with the forge while I was there.

Looking good! Always good when no surprises come up during the first test drives.

Or at least minimal surprises.

The list is actually short, and looking good as previously stated.

Glad to see you making progress Andy. I just replaced the top hat seal on my TV cable for the 700R4 in the 64'. There is definitely different styles. The one that came with my new TCI TV cable was junk. I some OEM ones that had a metal shell impregnated in the seal. That is the kind you want to get.

Definitely check that you TV cable on the Blue car is correct. It can kill the trans in less than 10 miles if it is not setup correctly.

Here are all the links I have about setting up the TV Cable correctly.

http://700r4.com/faq/whattv.shtml

http://www.tvmadeez.com/article/

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=526152

Bret

I guess I need to look and see if the transmission came with a top hat seal. Through ignorance I would not have known what it was. It is a TCI transmission. I ordered one online before I saw your post so I'm sure it is not metal impregnated.

Thanks for the TV cable links. I'm a lucky guy. I've got 10,000 miles on it now, with some hard acceleration. I'll check the setup.

Andy: you sure made quick work of your TO DO LIST on the purple car. Wow it's driving down the road today and you did it all by yourself without a crew or any help other than a few tips from some of the members which may or may not helped. VERY WELL DONE!!

Thanks! I usually have no help and just dummy through things. With GJ there are so many competent people watching I may as well get the help. And, yes, the help is valuable.

I certainly don't blame you for having your son (or is it your son in law) pick up the purple car, but wondering how you are able to go to your meetings with the old co workers if you can't leave your lovely bride at home alone? do you have a health care person stop by regularly or maybe one of your kids on those days?

reason i'm asking with 86 year old parents and 82 year old in-laws i'm sure one day in the near future i'll have to find solutions to taking care of them as they are now living in their homes and doing fairly well so far.

more prayers sent to you and for your wife's health to improve.

It is my son, he lives 2-1/2 hours away. It's an 8 hour day to go, have a meal visit, etc. Tulsa is 45 minutes away. I am fortunate that my step daughter lives 1/8 mile down the road. She is fully competent to take care of her mother, but she is also raising three small grandchildren and her husband (my son in law with the backhoe) is in declining health. I have been to see my son in the last year but I try to limit the time I rely on my step daughter. She plans around my activities as best she can but there is a big difference between being gone four hours and eight hours. Plus, if there is an emergency, I'm not far away. If I'm towing a vehicle 140 miles away I can be unavoidably detained by a wreck on the highway, tire damage, or other unexpected event.

My wife is past the ability to live alone so my primary task is to make sure she stays safe and well. Everything else is secondary. It is unlikely you can do the same for four people who don't live adjacent to you.

When my 93 year old mom was living with us I had pretty much a full time job with just the two of them.

Thanks for the visits and comments!

 

[BBChevro]

That's a great use of resources Andy - I keep sawdust for oil spills, but throw it out after using it (but then, I don't have a furnace).
[emoji106]



Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[jblnut]

I don't use anything for oil spills .... I guess working on dirt floors has its advantages after all

 

[Guster]

Really nice work on the car Andy. It does look pretty sleek without the headlights on. What's next on the list after this one? Tomorrow is Saturday after all!

 

[Mlowery]

The top hat seal Ole Slew showed, I believe is 78 or newer. Your tube looks like an aftermarket. I have never had much luck with them. The newer tubes get noticeably smaller where it goes into the trans allowing the seal shown to work. If your stick only has a grove for an O-ring, the seal shown won't work.
It seams some of the aftermarket sticks came with an odd size O-ring. The factory size that cam with your trans may be too small. If you have an assortment set you may try one size larger. Makes it a lot harder to get it in. Grease it good. Also make sure after it is in before bolting it up, wiggle it a bit, make sure it's centered and you don't have to lean on it to get the bolt started. If you do, leaks are a lot more likely.

 

[oldironfarmer]

That's a great use of resources Andy - I keep sawdust for oil spills, but throw it out after using it (but then, I don't have a furnace).
[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

I generate a lot more than I can use, but it is efficient.

I don't use anything for oil spills .... I guess working on dirt floors has its advantages after all

I like working on dirt until I drop something oily. Both sides of my shop used to be dirt floor sheds. I disposed of motor oil on the floor and had a pretty solid oil floor when I covered them.

Really nice work on the car Andy. It does look pretty sleek without the headlights on. What's next on the list after this one? Tomorrow is Saturday after all!

Thanks, but I had a big OH **** today. You may want to retract your statement!

The top hat seal Ole Slew showed, I believe is 78 or newer. Your tube looks like an aftermarket. I have never had much luck with them. The newer tubes get noticeably smaller where it goes into the trans allowing the seal shown to work. If your stick only has a grove for an O-ring, the seal shown won't work.
It seams some of the aftermarket sticks came with an odd size O-ring. The factory size that cam with your trans may be too small. If you have an assortment set you may try one size larger. Makes it a lot harder to get it in. Grease it good. Also make sure after it is in before bolting it up, wiggle it a bit, make sure it's centered and you don't have to lean on it to get the bolt started. If you do, leaks are a lot more likely.

I found the top hat which came with the transmission. Thanks for the information, I do have an O-ring selection and from what you say I expect the top hat to not fit in. Since the kit O-ring is leaking I'll bet this is the problem.

Today was a big day. I've been failing to get the rocker arms to quieten down. I reset them again today, one cylinder at a time, per firing order. The electric oil pressure gauge was not working in the car, it sits at 20 psi with the engine off, and doesn't move when it is running. I put a mechanical gauge on the block before I started the engine today and no oil pressure!! This was at 2:00. I shut it right down and pulled the distributor to turn the pump by hand and see if it would pump. Some dummy failed to get the shaft off the old pump installed on the new pump. That dummy might have been me.

I found the shaft still in the old pump in my parts washer. Dropped it in and I could feel the pump turn when I turned the shaft. Drained the oil and pulled the pan. The engine had run maybe 15 minutes. I drove it 4 miles. Pulled a rod cap and it looked pretty good.

I'm surprised. I buttoned it back up and stuck the distributor in. Great oil pressure and it sounds good. Got finished at 6:00 so I went in and got dressed for Zumba.

I've made some bonehead mistakes but this one about takes the cake. Fortunately it looks like I dodged a bullet. Probably took twenty thousand miles off the engine, but I think it's good for several years no more than it's driven.

I'm hanging my head tonight...

 

[1/2 Cup]

You were lucky, I mean real lucky Andy

At least you found the problem..

 

[Guster]

Andy got very lucky indeed Steve. The start of that story and the photo had my sphincter clenching right away!

Hopefully it quietened down without revving this time.

Might be worth having some cuddle time with the cows to relax after that. You are sitting on a veritable goldmine too - http://thefrogo.com/animals/cow-cud...au9Fb6N5Y8G3USAYaipMzhk4LhgcD0KJ4SKsv8JeIOQCw

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I guess there is something to taking the shakedown cruise easy.
An opportunity to become an expert HEI installer in just 4 days!

The top hat on my dodge seemed wrong, but I put all my weight on it and it went in. That part of the ****** has been leak free a couple years now.

 

[BBChevro]

My guess is that you don't have noisy tappets now either.

Good that you caught it when you did Andy.

We all make mistakes big and small - don't sweat it, you're among friends here.

[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[dlcwent]

"I've made some bonehead mistakes but this one about takes the cake. Fortunately it looks like I dodged a bullet. Probably took twenty thousand miles off the engine, but I think it's good for several years no more than it's driven."


Don't start bragging and thinking you're anyone special, maybe we should start a new thread and see who can get the honors of making the biggest bonehead mistake of all time. I have a pretty big list to pick from.

But I'm not one to bust your bubble so yes I agree that was pretty bad. I'm glad it didn't turn out worse for you.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Better than winning the lottery when any of us gets a break in the short circuit category. Considering most guys our age are at the onset of not knowing where their shop is, and all the praying we do for each other, getting thrown a bone now and again I'd guess is God's way of saying give the kid a break he has more important things to do. Hey! Wait a minute! Maybe that's where the term Bone Head comes from? Hum, dad used to call me that a lot?

 

[oldironfarmer]

You were lucky, I mean real lucky Andy

At least you found the problem..

Thanks, Steve, those are very kind words! I feel extremely lucky. Don't know what the bottom of the tappets look like, and you would tear it right down and make it right. I plan to get some miles out of it and plan a nice crate engine when the time comes.

Inexperience played a part, both in putting the oil pump in with no shaft on it and not recognizing the sound as lack of oil. At least I won't make this exact same mistake again.

Andy got very lucky indeed Steve. The start of that story and the photo had my sphincter clenching right away!

Hopefully it quietened down without revving this time.

Might be worth having some cuddle time with the cows to relax after that. You are sitting on a veritable goldmine too - http://thefrogo.com/animals/cow-cud...au9Fb6N5Y8G3USAYaipMzhk4LhgcD0KJ4SKsv8JeIOQCw

Thinking of all the times I revved it up trying to get the lifters to quiet makes me shudder. And remember it sat for a month on an engine stand, being rolled over to help the oil drain. OK, not for that, but still, it did get rolled upside down a few times.

The worst part is I did just want to go and hide, do something I think I can do, like melt metal. It was hard for me to pull the distributor and the pan and get into the thick of it but it went surprisingly quickly. I was no longer trying to be careful, just get it done. If I hadn't been so careful with the engine I would have left the old oil pump in and would have saved this lesson for later.

I cranked it without a spark until oil came out the top sensor port. When it started it was very smooth and quiet.

Being around the cows is relaxing, unless you're working them. Not sure how they have trained those cows, however. Their natural instinct is flight. I have a few I can pet, but if they get too friendly they want to nuzzle you, and they are very strong nuzzlers. They can knock your wind right out if they nuzzle you against a board fence. Perhaps those cows have a diet of hemp and other natural weeds?

I guess there is something to taking the shakedown cruise easy.
An opportunity to become an expert HEI installer in just 4 days!

The top hat on my dodge seemed wrong, but I put all my weight on it and it went in. That part of the ****** has been leak free a couple years now.

Easy does it, for sure. No HEI expert, but I got it back in and running well and still don't have a timing light. I'm at about 12 degrees advance.

I guess any plastic that can be forced into the gap would do the job. I'll try the top hat I've got. Also though about gasket maker, above the O-ring. That should not make it's way into the transmission.

My guess is that you don't have noisy tappets now either.

Good that you caught it when you did Andy.

We all make mistakes big and small - don't sweat it, you're among friends here.

[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

Thanks! It was a big mistake for me. It seems I usually get lucky, but this really was fortunate.

It is not easy to announce your failings among your friends (and the rest of the world). But I decided when I started this thread to just tell it like it is. Building errors, etc. It does help people who are just looking in casually to see things don't always go smoothly for others either.

"I've made some bonehead mistakes but this one about takes the cake. Fortunately it looks like I dodged a bullet. Probably took twenty thousand miles off the engine, but I think it's good for several years no more than it's driven."


Don't start bragging and thinking you're anyone special, maybe we should start a new thread and see who can get the honors of making the biggest bonehead mistake of all time. I have a pretty big list to pick from.

But I'm not one to bust your bubble so yes I agree that was pretty bad. I'm glad it didn't turn out worse for you.

I know people make lots of mistakes, sometimes very costly. I'm pretty fortunate that I don't make a lot of mistakes. Getting older is making that tougher. One error here is I moved the old oil pump to clean it up before deciding to replace it and left it in the wash tray. I washed other stuff right beside it, but if it had been with the other removed parts I MIGHT have noticed the shaft.

This blunder takes the cake for me. We don't need a contest, do we

Glad to hear from you!

Thanks for the kind words and support, guys!

I'm supposed to get a delivery of aluminum today and hope to take him for a ride in the purplish car. The engine will get a workout. If it's looking for an early failure better now than when my son has it in a parade or something.

Full speed ahead!

 

[realvc]

Great news on your engine situation. Your son is very fortunate to have you for a dad.


Vince

 

[Bob Heine]

Bless you Andy! I was about to post my old man mistake on my thread but maybe it's better to hide it here. After I welded the three square 1/4-20 nuts to the PT Cruiser crossmember, I was done for the day. Put everything away and turned off the lights. Painted the crossmember the next day and was feeling pretty good. Finished test-fitting everything and quit early. Catching up on my subscribed threads I read one that mentioned running out of shielding gas. A very dim bulb went on in my head, went to the garage and sure enough, I forgot to close the valve on the Ar/CO2 tank 24 hours before and the gauge reads a solid zero. A cheap welder comes with cheap components and apparently the valve inside the welder leaks a little. The tank wasn't full when I started but it should have lasted another six months. That turned out to be a pretty expensive trio of spot welds.

 

[oldironfarmer]

Better than winning the lottery when any of us gets a break in the short circuit category. Considering most guys our age are at the onset of not knowing where their shop is, and all the praying we do for each other, getting thrown a bone now and again I'd guess is God's way of saying give the kid a break he has more important things to do. Hey! Wait a minute! Maybe that's where the term Bone Head comes from? Hum, dad used to call me that a lot?

Thanks! I think? I can't remember what the subject was...

Still waiting for a sawmill to run

I really don't want to think about not being able to find my shop. That would be a very sad time indeed.

Great news on your engine situation. Your son is very fortunate to have you for a dad.


Vince

Thanks, Vince! I am very fortunate to have him for a son. Very fortunate.

Bless you Andy! I was about to post my old man mistake on my thread but maybe it's better to hide it here. After I welded the three square 1/4-20 nuts to the PT Cruiser crossmember, I was done for the day. Put everything away and turned off the lights. Painted the crossmember the next day and was feeling pretty good. Finished test-fitting everything and quit early. Catching up on my subscribed threads I read one that mentioned running out of shielding gas. A very dim bulb went on in my head, went to the garage and sure enough, I forgot to close the valve on the Ar/CO2 tank 24 hours before and the gauge reads a solid zero. A cheap welder comes with cheap components and apparently the valve inside the welder leaks a little. The tank wasn't full when I started but it should have lasted another six months. That turned out to be a pretty expensive trio of spot welds.

I am so paranoid about leaving gas valves on I check them about every time I walk by. I did lose a bottle of pure argon for TIG while it was off. Bubble testing the bottle I found a small leak at the valve threads going into the bottle. That's their side. It will be interesting to see whether they will warrant the contents. If they will test it they will see it is a leaker. I need to take my spray bottle next time I buy gas.

My current effort is to hang my hood on the gas valve. I don't hang the hood unless I've shut the valve and I don't take the hood off unless I'm opening the valve. So far it has worked well. So far.

I used some oxygen and acetylene today. JB came down to bring me some aluminum (what a guy!) and brought a piece of steel to share. He had bought a 49"x51" piece of 1" and we split it so we each have a 2x4 welding table top. It has a half circle cut out of each half, but that can be welded. 25mm makes a NICE table top.

Thanks, JB!

While he was here we finished flushing the purplish car and drove around the block. It's running ok, not OK. I've got a few things to do to it. At least we hear no rods knocking. Right now it's drained from flushing waiting on the sender for radiator fan control before it gets antifreeze.

JB also had been forging some so we fired up the forge and smashed some red metal. He smashed a piece enough times that it started to look like a knife. Maybe he'll post a picture.

So I had a great day today. I didn't forget to put the oil pump drive shaft in an engine once today. All day.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Andy that is one fantastic piece of steel plate, well done JB

Don't worry we wont let you forget about the oil pump drive shaft but we all make mistakes as well.

 

[BBChevro]

Nice piece of plate Andy. [emoji106]

I've been looking for a suitable piece for quite a while. I'm quite adaptable regarding the dimensions, but fairly picky about price (read as "free" [emoji1] ).

Sent from my SM-G950F using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Grizz1963]

Steel welding tables are great.

My 1/2 inch 1200mm x 600mm piece came from Germany

The table frame was left behind by the previous owner of my previous house.

Looks like JB grew out of his shirt