Above 1200 Sq/FT building my BIG PARTY garage

[don long]

Hearing that kind of thing makes my day, Don.

(I would have given just about anything to have known either grandfather or to have spent time working with them. They probably would have too!)

-- Don

Don
I'm sorry that you missed out on that life's little treasure.
I remember my moms Dad being a hog farmer and huge hoarder. He had a 10 acre place with old stuff everywhere. I was too young to appreciate it then and can only wish that I could walk through his stuff now.
We have 20 grand kids and they all love spending time here Grandma is a special lady that loves to do crafts with them and feed them in the diner.

Don, Outstanding deal on the trans case for only $150. Plus; of course, a ton of labor but still that's relatively cheap.

I like the color. Looks like there's a lot of metal flake in that color. It'll look killer good. Will you use SS stripes or other graphics? Or are those features TBD still?

Yep Dan
I was a much happier camper after my visit to the trans shop yesterday. And today I picked up the trans case to clean up and paint before they put it back together

The color I'm choosing is a very special custom color and stripes will be decided after the car is painted.

 

[don long]

Well no work on the el camino today
Last night as I was coming in about dark from the garage I stopped by the Koi pond to enjoy a little piece before going in the house BUT
it wasn't in the cards. The pump wasn't working, The waterfall was dry and there was no electricity for the air pump to add oxygen to the water and the water was very dirty meaning that the pump wasn't running for a while (days)


This morning after trying to prime the pump



A little quick thinking? I went to the shop and grabbed the sump pump that I use for keeping the water out of the garage when we get heavy rain (non in several years) Then I strung an extension cord over the rose bushes to the pond and dropped the pump in the water causing a nice water bubbler in the shallow end and called it a night.


This morning I went out to figure out what the problem was. First I chased down a broken wire that caused the power to stop running the pump. Fixed that. Then tried priming the pump by forcing water from the pond to the pump but couldn't get any water thru the pipes. Next I poured water directly into the pump and the fountain dribbled out but I wasn't getting any **** out of the pond making me think that the pipe was plugged up with pine needles from the tree above. That ment digging up the pipe, cutting it out and replacing it with new pipe.
While removing the old pipe I discovered the problem. The union just back of the pump was broken and that's where I was loosing my vacuum to draw the water out of the pond and thru the filter then over the waterfall and back into the pond.



After $200. worth of tools and parts we are back in business. 2/3 of the day is shot and my back is complaining of the work load so no shop time today


.

 

[don long]

This is the project for tomorrow (YUCK)

 

[Wiz02]

Well no work on the el camino today
Last night as I was coming in about dark from the garage I stopped by the Koi pond to enjoy a little piece before going in the house BUT
it wasn't in the cards. The pump wasn't working, The waterfall was dry and there was no electricity for the air pump to add oxygen to the water and the water was very dirty meaning that the pump wasn't running for a while (days)


This morning after trying to prime the pump



A little quick thinking? I went to the shop and grabbed the sump pump that I use for keeping the water out of the garage when we get heavy rain (non in several years) Then I strung an extension cord over the rose bushes to the pond and dropped the pump in the water causing a nice water bubbler in the shallow end and called it a night.


This morning I went out to figure out what the problem was. First I chased down a broken wire that caused the power to stop running the pump. Fixed that. Then tried priming the pump by forcing water from the pond to the pump but couldn't get any water thru the pipes. Next I poured water directly into the pump and the fountain dribbled out but I wasn't getting any **** out of the pond making me think that the pipe was plugged up with pine needles from the tree above. That ment digging up the pipe, cutting it out and replacing it with new pipe.
While removing the old pipe I discovered the problem. The union just back of the pump was broken and that's where I was loosing my vacuum to draw the water out of the pond and thru the filter then over the waterfall and back into the pond.



After $200. worth of tools and parts we are back in business. 2/3 of the day is shot and my back is complaining of the work load so no shop time today


.

I know the feeling. Any time outdoor infrastructure needs attention, it ends up being more expensive and time consuming than your most pessimistic estimate, plus it requires an inordinate number of tools that you have to run back and forth to the garage for. Then there is the added bonus that at least one tool disappears in the great outdoors and you spend even more time hunting for it. My kind of fun

 

[don long]

I know the feeling. Any time outdoor infrastructure needs attention, it ends up being more expensive and time consuming than your most pessimistic estimate, plus it requires an inordinate number of tools that you have to run back and forth to the garage for. Then there is the added bonus that at least one tool disappears in the great outdoors and you spend even more time hunting for it. My kind of fun

AMEN

 

[don long]

You mentioned the color, I was thinking the burnt orange GM used back in the day. Looks similar to what you picked.

Shorty
I'm sorry that I missed your post
I don't remember that mentioned color

 

[68400BIRD]

I remember a burnt orange that they used on Corvettes a while back. Very sharp looking color.

 

[Bob Heine]

I remember a burnt orange that they used on Corvettes a while back. Very sharp looking color.

The most popular color on a 1972 Corvette was Ontario Orange, code 987. Odd that I would remember that....

EDIT: Don, there was some metallic in that orange but nowhere near the color you are going with.

 

[four.cycle]

Sorry to hear about Jose, Don. Hope he recovers quickly.
That's a serious bummer about that transmission. On the bright side, it landed on the floor, not YOU. (It could have been worse!)
What's the cyclone fencing for on the fountain? You have critters down there?

 

[68400BIRD]

Here's the orange I was thinking of. 2007 Atomic Orange

Atomic Orange 2007 Chevrolet Corvette

Pictures of 2007 Corvettes in Atomic Orange color scheme. These real cars in real period paint show the colors in ways samples and swatches cannot replicate,

www.corvsport.com

 

[don long]

I remember a burnt orange that they used on Corvettes a while back. Very sharp looking color.

Great memory 6840bird
That is close to what i'm looking for. Here is your vette

The most popular color on a 1972 Corvette was Ontario Orange, code 987. Odd that I would remember that....

EDIT: Don, there was some metallic in that orange but nowhere near the color you are going with.

Yeah Bob
That color I posted is a very special $$$ color

Sorry to hear about Jose, Don. Hope he recovers quickly.
That's a serious bummer about that transmission. On the bright side, it landed on the floor, not YOU. (It could have been worse!)
What's the cyclone fencing for on the fountain? You have critters down there?

Thanks fourcycle
I'm hoping Jose returns soon. I do miss him not only as an employee but he's also like family around here.
Oh yes we have critters here the cranes are the worst but I think that we may have fed some racoons in the past also

 

[don long]

Not much work on the El Camino today. Had to chase down some of Ann's cousins at LAX this morning.
They are visiting from Australia. they were here in the U.S. for the first time last week and spent a few days cruising around L.A. before heading out to Los Vegas then on to NYC to discover a couple of other cousins they had never met.
So they are back today and fly home tomorrow night

I did get my polished aluminum radiator ordered and expect it to show up tomorrow and the transmission case is primed ready for a scuff and color tomorrow

 

[don long]

I received my new radiator today so that task is now handled . I sprayed the color on the transmission case this morning and put the primered fender panels back on the fenders and put them out of my work area until I need them again which won't be for a while.

 

[Grizz1963]

Looking at your pond security, I suspect you have a Heron problem too.

Mickey next door has lost so many fish over the years, to the point where he now has a roof, pergola and low picket fencing around the pond, plus fishing line strung around it.

The herons keep trying though.

 

[don long]

Looking at your pond security, I suspect you have a Heron problem too.

Mickey next door has lost so many fish over the years, to the point where he now has a roof, pergola and low picket fencing around the pond, plus fishing line strung around it.

The herons keep trying though.

Yes do Grizz
I also have racoons here along with a family of hawks that live in the big tree out front so the chain link has slowed the fish kill down some.

 

[don long]

I have been working all day on the El camino firewall and steering column.
I cut this ugly out of the truck the other day and have been trying to come up with a better look



And tonight it looks like this



Here it is with the column hooked up before I bondoed up the welded in piece

 

[Wiz02]

I have been working all day on the El camino firewall and steering column.
I cut this ugly out of the truck the other day and have been trying to come up with a better look



And tonight it looks like this



Here it is with the column hooked up before I bondoed up the welded in piece

Looking good!

 

[don long]

Looking good!

Thanks Wiz
I'm getting excited with this project

 

[don long]

I went to a car show this morning hoping to see a few el caminos and get some new ideas but there was just one 1972 truck there out of over 500 cars and trucks.
It was the Outriders picnic so no judging and no public to worry about just a lot of car guys and their wives

The Zephyr showed well. There was plenty of room and car clubs parked together nicely. It was a cool day in the mountains of irvine lake.



This one was interesting. He just gave it a thick coat of clear and called it finished


A few nomads came in together

The only el camino in the show. I like the color

There were several old sedan deliverys in the crowd

an old tow truck parked behind us


Even an old fire truck dropped by and gave people rides on it



A couple more overview shots.

we had a good time at the show seeing several car buddies , having a good lunch, and enjoying all the old iron on display.

 

[Wiz02]

Me too, @don long. But by the time I retire and have the time to acquire anywhere near your skills, I will either be too old to do it, or won't remember my name. Oh well, it's not the destination, it's the journey

 

[fouckhest]

The El Co is looking good @don long

My fiance sent me this the other day, ever sense I hung up my Esso tiger she now understands how much vintage signs and such are worth...but this was a bit extreme, however, figured you would appreciate!

Upstate auction house sets world record with sale of 'holy grail' antique sign

Richmond Auctions sold a rare sign for over $1 million

www.wyff4.com

 

[don long]

The El Co is looking good @don long

My fiance sent me this the other day, ever sense I hung up my Esso tiger she now understands how much vintage signs and such are worth...but this was a bit extreme, however, figured you would appreciate!

Upstate auction house sets world record with sale of 'holy grail' antique sign

Richmond Auctions sold a rare sign for over $1 million

www.wyff4.com

Thanks fouckhest
The el camino is turning into a fun project.
As for signs, They have gotten so over priced that I have lost interest in them. I'm going back to the old automotive equipment

That sign was a very nice and rare sign however

 

[LutzTD]

Fouckhest: My fiance sent me this the other day, ever sense I hung up my Esso tiger she now understands how much vintage signs and such are worth...but this was a bit extreme, however, figured you would appreciate!

nice to see those old signs, but whenever I see those auction results, I think beany baby. I would be happy with a local artist's rendition for a fraction and then they get paid too.

 

[Russtred]

Don,

Long time listener, first time caller. Love everything you do! How long before the half-wits that run your state outlaw antique / classic cars and car shows because they don't meet their ludicrous emissions standards?

 

[don long]

nice to see those old signs, but whenever I see those auction results, I think beany baby. I would be happy with a local artist's rendition for a fraction and then they get paid too.

Lutz
I have to agree

Don,

Long time listener, first time caller. Love everything you do! How long before the half-wits that run your state outlaw antique / classic cars and car shows because they don't meet their ludicrous emissions standards?

Russ
They keep trying different ways to get this old iron off the road but there are way too many of us for them to win

 

[don long]

I worked on the el camino today and got the frame and body separated. Now I can put the body on my rotisserie and clean the frame up and finish the plumbing

 

[rharman]

Don,

Long time listener, first time caller. Love everything you do! How long before the half-wits that run your state outlaw antique / classic cars and car shows because they don't meet their ludicrous emissions standards?

Can't see that ever happening. Car culture runs too deep in California.
And, not enough cumulative mileage to be hugely significant.

 

[Davenr]

Hi Don,
Up in the Blue Mountains with Vanley last weekend. Thought you might like to see this truck we spotted at the entrance to a property!
Cheers David

 

[don long]

David
That old truck has seen some much better days. I saw Chip Foose at the car picnic on sunday. I felt bad for the guy because everyone was running up to him all day so he couldn't really enjoy the cars

Thanks for the pictures

 

[don long]

Well I've managed to get the elcamino loaded up on the rotisserie and the frame cleaned up a bit

 

[Davenr]

David
That old truck has seen some much better days. I saw Chip Foose at the car picnic on sunday. I felt bad for the guy because everyone was running up to him all day so he couldn't really enjoy the cars

Thanks for the pictures

Hi Don.

Yes Chip is really a great guy and makes time for everyone. He was the best of all the car guys that I spent time with over the years. The car show looked good!

cheers david

 

[don long]

Since I've lost my grounds keeper, I'm having to do all the little things that he would do.
Today rather than working in my shop I worked on the electrical issues at the koi pond. I relocated the tortoises from one end of the grass area to the other end. Then went to work fixing the sprinklers in the front yard.

After all that I snuck an hour out of the day to locate the right side exhaust and get it mounted.



Now I need to find the other cut out and build the dump exhaust for both sides

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Don, Those tortoises are heavy as hell aren’t they? Don’t throw out your back doing that kinda stuff.

Hey, will the El Camino have electric bypass dumps? I didn’t do that with my ‘55 but later kinda wished I had. Yeah, they’re kinda juvenile but then spending all the mo way in my ‘55 was juvenile too! Oh well.

 

[don long]

Don, Those tortoises are heavy as hell aren’t they? Don’t throw out your back door g that kinda stuff.

Hey, will the El Camino have electric bypass dumps? I didn’t do that with my ‘55 but later kinda wished I had. Yeah, they’re kinda juvenile but then spending all the mo way in my ‘55 was juvenile too! Oh well.

Hi Dan
Yes the big fella weighs in over 200lbs so I put the bigger female on my golf cart and had that big male follow me down the driveway
and the 3rd one I got as a little baby (about 3" in diameter. He is 16 yrs old now and clocks in @ 75lbs

This is where the tortoises hang out. I just keep moving a fence up and down the grass so they don't kill one area or another

 

[pwschuh]

I have heard that turtles have some nerve endings in their shells and can feel it when they are touched. Same true for these guys?

 

[don long]

I have heard that turtles have some nerve endings in their shells and can feel it when they are touched. Same true for these guys?

No I don't think so, but they know when their feet leave the ground

 

[Grizz1963]

Paradise.

 

[shortykorte]

Always enjoyed the car shows in CA because they were held in really nice parks or fairgrounds that looked like parks.
Elco is looking good. On the torts, I met a lady here that has(had) one. It decided to go on a walk about and they haven’t found him yet.

 

[Wiz02]

Always enjoyed the car shows in CA because they were held in really nice parks or fairgrounds that looked like parks.
Elco is looking good. On the torts, I met a lady here that has(had) one. It decided to go on a walk about and they haven’t found him yet.

For a moment there, I am thinking - a wrongful act was owned by a lady and took a walk ? Then, I remembered the tortoises

 

[rharman]

I have heard that turtles have some nerve endings in their shells and can feel it when they are touched. Same true for these guys?

Actually, they can feel. The shells are also somewhat porous/breathable - that's why you should NEVER paint them.
And, yes, they do know when you lift them. The relocation experts always say to carry them very close to the ground.