Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT My Garage, My Truck and the Spit!

[joebass3]

Hey Dennis, look at the bright side! At least your shoulder is healed enough that you can get back in the shop. That must feel good. As for the Spitfire, yeah that *****! I agree with some of the others that a rebuild or used engine might be in your future but, if on a tight budget, I would definitely exhaust all of my options first. The thrust washer fell out so that's where I would start. Seems like a cheap enough chance to take. You need to drop the rear main bearing cap to do the TW so take a peak at the main bearing. If the engine has been run with no oil pressure and the bearings are trashed then you have your answer. You're in for a big repair. If the main bearings look good, the engine "might" be ok. You say there was an inch of crud in the pan. There may likely be crud in the pickup for the oil pump as well and that could be your oil pressure issue. Clean everything up and put it back together. Remove the oil pressure switch and screw in a gauge. You'll know soon enough if you have other issues. Fingers crossed for you!

 

[madison069]

Is it possible to inspect the location where the thrust washer resides while it’s in the car? I’m wondering if this one is an old washer piece that didn’t get taken out of the pan by accident? Also regarding the oil less filter, can you turn the pump via a drill to prime the engine before starting again? Maybe a good pump session with atf and air pressure in the oil ports would clean it out?

Just ideas to try if possible before pulling it out.

 

[Ford52PU]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I agree that a full rebuild of my engine would be the best choice to make but I can’t afford it right now so as others have said maybe that piece was in there from a past repair. I’ve ordered both standard size thrust washer and oversized ones as well. I also ordered a new oil pump. The pump was less than $100 so cheap insurance. I also have an oil pressure gauge I’m going to install. In addition the rockers were all caked up so I’ll be cleaning them up as well. I really want to drive it a little before it gets cold and goes away until spring.
Took a few pictures from underneath and the crank doesn’t look too bad where the washers live and the bearing has no grooves in it. Fingers crossed until I get my parts.

Thanks

 

[Ford52PU]

Well progress has come to a halt. My wife has had pain in both feet for a while. Had X-rays first time showed nothing pain continued and a second set shows left foot is broken and right foot is fractured. How this was missed 2 months ago but now Shes basically off her feet for 99% of the day and I’m washing, cooking, cleaning and anything else that needs doing so that does not allow garage time. Once I’m back I’ll update

 

[captain14]

Remember She took care of you after your surgery and recovery, now it’s your turn.

 

[Ford52PU]

Yes after 45 years my turn to help

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Sorry to hear about the wife. Hope she has a speedy recovery. I can understand how that happened, since I broke an arm in a bike wreck and it was not diagnosed until weeks later, after I continued to complain and was sent to an orthopedic surgeon.

 

[madison069]

Any reason for why they broke?

 

[Ford52PU]

My wife has osteo...... something or another but it causes thinning bones or brittle bones, shes been taking meds for 4 -5 to prevent something like this from happening but it did not work I quess. She went to the doctor on her own the other week and came home in the boot. I'm going with her next week to get more. Id like to see her in a cast or something that will encourage the bones to heal. We are also talking about seeing a specialist of some sort as she can hardly go up the stairs at night. I've been looking into a stair case lift, she says they are for old people and I told her were past that look in the mirror. This has been a bad year medically.

 

[thammel]

My wife has osteo...... something or another but it causes thinning bones or brittle bones, shes been taking meds for 4 -5 to prevent something like this from happening but it did not work I quess. She went to the doctor on her own the other week and came home in the boot. I'm going with her next week to get more. Id like to see her in a cast or something that will encourage the bones to heal. We are also talking about seeing a specialist of some sort as she can hardly go up the stairs at night. I've been looking into a stair case lift, she says they are for old people and I told her were past that look in the mirror. This has been a bad year medically.

Sorry to hear all that. You will take very good care of her. This happens primarily to women after menopause. Also, they don't do as much weight bearing activities as we do....weight bearing activities actually strengthen the bones. My wife is taking special stuff to fight this bone weakening problem. She's lost about 2 inches in height over the years. And has broken a couple bones too. LOL, both times with exercise. First time was in an exercise class. She fell down and had a compression fracture of her left upper arm. No cast, just a sling and time. Second time was 11 years ago...we are cyclists and I was behind her...saw her go off the side of the road and lost it. Fell on the road surface and had a concussion (yes, even wearing a helmet...she was definitely foggy for a couple hours). Also broke her left collarbone (common cycling accident problem) and had to have surgery and a rod and screws. What's interesting to me is the size of her collarbones compared to mine. Hers are probably half the diameter (cross-section) of mine. And I'm not a huge guy at 5'10" and 165 lbs. Anatomy and physiology is fascinating.

I hope her feet heal quickly and easily. Fosamax is one of the drugs used to fight osteoporosis. There are also infusions and other drugs.

 

[Ford52PU]

Got a new vehicle yesterday and it’s runs on a battery.
Wife’s feet are hurting so much with breaks and the osteoporosis which will probably only get worse that I needed to do something. I got some estimates and purchased an Acorn Stairlift. It wasn’t cheap but it’s worth it for her safety. It’s much easier and safer now for my wife to get up and down the steps.

 

[Ford52PU]

Doctor determined that my wife’s left foot is not going to heal just in the boot. Surgery is next, plates and screws are the next plan of attack. Date to be determined the sooner the better wife and I agree but Shes at the mercy of his schedule. So the wait goes on.
Another new vehicle was added to the list this sporty model folds up and fits in the trunk of her car.

 

[captain14]

You’ll enjoy the lighter weight model. The AL facility my mother is in has something similiar. Makes it much easier taking her to doctor’s appointments. Etc.

 

[Ford52PU]

You’ll enjoy the lighter weight model. The AL facility my mother is in has something similiar. Makes it much easier taking her to doctor’s appointments. Etc.

Used it today to take her to the hospital to see her sister who’s in bad shape and it was easy to push and made a terrible sad trip a lot easier. Even was able to take her to lunch to try to lift her spirits afterwards. Best $100 I ever spent

 

[Ford52PU]

Well the Spitfire is back on all 4 wheels, no I didn’t fix it I gave up until spring. I needed to be able to move it so I can fit my snowblower into the garage when I move it from the storage shed.
My wife’s sister passed away Sunday at the age of 72. She had stage 4 lung cancer that spread to her brain in a matter of less than 3 weeks she went from living life normally to the diagnosis to a coma to dying. It’s been very hard on everyone especially my wife. That was her only sibling.
My wife had foot surgery last Friday and they found more damage than expected. They removed bone from her heel and used it to graph into the foot along with plates and screws and now it’s in a cast. It been a long few months.

Btw Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

 

[thammel]

Well the Spitfire is back on all 4 wheels, no I didn’t fix it I gave up until spring. I needed to be able to move it so I can fit my snowblower into the garage when I move it from the storage shed.
My wife’s sister passed away Sunday at the age of 72. She had stage 4 lung cancer that spread to her brain in a matter of less than 3 weeks she went from living life normally to the diagnosis to a coma to dying. It’s been very hard on everyone especially my wife. That was her only sibling.
My wife had foot surgery last Friday and they found more damage than expected. They removed bone from her heel and used it to graph into the foot along with plates and screws and now it’s in a cast. It been a long few months.

Btw Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Wow, So sorry to hear all of this... My condolences to you and your wife about her sister's passing. It's amazing that things can go downhill so quickly. And it sounds like a pretty long rehab is in store after her foot surgery. The Spitfire has to be put on the back burner.

My '63 TR4 body has been at the body/paint shop for a year. The engine block is at the machine shop. And I have all the other parts in restoration in my garage. Degrease, then sandblast then paint. I do love my TP tools 360 deluxe blast cabinet!

Take care!
Tom

 

[madison069]

Cancer *****. No matter how fast or slow it takes someone, it’s just not easy for the family.

Hope your wife recovers quickly, but take the time to heal properly though! Some physical therapy for sure is in her future!

Nothing wrong with putting the car on the back burner while you handle the current business. I’ve done it often with my Camaro.

 

[jon72vega]

I'm sorry for your loss, and hope your wife heals quickly.

 

[Xti04]

Sorry for your loss bud. Hope the wife is healing well.

 

[captain14]

Hope your wife heals, sorry for your loss and take your wife for a ride when you get your car back on the road.

 

[jon72vega]

Dennis,
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

 

[Ford52PU]

We’re having a very low key Christmas here this year. My wife is still pretty much stuck in the recliner chair as her foot heals which doesn’t provide me the space I need to setup my Lionel trains around the tree. So instead this year we’re limited to a small ceramic tree my late Mother made back in the 60’s. Hopefully next year things will be back to normal.
Merry Christmas everyone

 

[Ford52PU]

Havent posted on my thread because of life getting in the way.
Made the decision to sell my 52 Ford. Didn’t even start it last year due to my shoulder surgery and getting knee deep in the Triumphs issues then my wife’s feet issues. Decided to not kid myself any more. I live fairly close to the Morgantown Automall they consign vehicles there and have filled an entire former shopping mall with vehicles of all types. I know people who have sold and purchased there.

Drained the gas out of the tank, blew out the fuel line, replaced the filter, added 5 gallons and some Berryman and turned the key and the old 6 cylinder came to life. Checked all the fluids, lights and gave it a good washing and Tuesday started the 15 mile trek to the mall 10 miles into trip on a hill doing 35, my left rear tire decided to completely come off and it was not pretty. My wife was following me. I did a 360 spin out on a 2 lane road and ended up in a ditch. Smacked my head into the steering wheel and cut up my elbow. Not exactly the day I had planned. Strangers stopping to help was great. My wife was very upset she almost hit me and I almost hit an Amish wagon I had passed seconds earlier.

I couldn’t find the lugnuts but I found the tire down a hill into a wooded yard on a guys driveway.

911 was called, AAA was called. Sent my wife home she need to calm down, directed traffic for over a hour until the State Police finally arrived another 20 minutes later the flatbed arrived. Winched the truck on and got it home. Found a cracked brake drum, stripped up wheel studs, the left rear fender took a shot that needs repair. Got tire on with some lugs I had and turned the key and it fired right up got it back in the garage and it will sit there a little longer. Ordered a brake drum new wheel studs and lug nuts and sometime in the future I’ll see what I can do to fix it good enough to sell. Then I’m calling a flatbed to take it to the mall to sell it. I’m too old for this **** but would like to live a little longer.

All in all it could have been worse I guess. Seeing my tire rolling down road as I was starting to crash and the front end coming in the air was pretty scary.

Btw the beer can in the picture is not mine it was just laying in the hillside. First thing my brother asked when I sent him the picture.

 

[zanyad]

Holy ! Glad you're okay and came out with only minor injuries.

 

[JJC]

Glad your ok

 

[jon72vega]

That's terrible!
Glad you're ok.

 

[Ford52PU]

Thanks guys I’m kind of on a roll. Sunday night I tripped and fell headfirst into the wall.
The wall lost

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Really sorry to hear about the problems you have experienced. Wishing you the very best.

 

[captain14]

Very bad luck on the drive. Just more things to fix.

 

[ChefRex]

Glad you're mostly okay, the truck can be fixed, feel better.

 

[madison069]

Thanks guys I’m kind of on a roll. Sunday night I tripped and fell headfirst into the wall.
The wall lost

Well atleast you're head strong!

That ***** about the truck though, wonder why the tire came off in the first place? Might be a good idea to check the other lug nuts to make sure they don't fall off like the left rear did!

 

[Ford52PU]

I’ve ordered all new wheel studs and lugnuts. Had to order a brake drum as well. Will be a while before I get back after it though.

 

[Ford52PU]

Another added surprise to the truck adventure was the case of poison ivy i picked up, I guess from climbing down the hillside to retrieve my tire that tried to escape. My left arm and face and neck all broke out. Went to the walk in doctor yesterday morning and now I'm on a 10 day prednisone taper. Great side affect is my knees are not hurting right now! They usually kill me.

 

[madison069]

That accident just keeps on giving, and not in a good way.

 

[Ford52PU]

A Unexpected Twist has arisen.
After my truck adventure we had an anniversary trip planned for Chincoteague Va. we’ve been going there for 40 years and it’s our happy place for sure. Sometimes we camp but this time we stayed in a hotel. We had been looking online and saw a couple of houses we like and called a realtor to show them to us. Well we ended up making an offer it was accepted and on June 5 we make settlement. It’s a single 2 story built in 1920 in a very nice in town location. It had a new roof put on last year. Most of the windows have been replaced and it’s basically bring your toothbrush ready. There’s some painting to do and there’s a broken shutter to replace, I will hire that out no roofs and high ladders for me. But what this means is the truck will sit for a while, the Spitfire will sit for a while. As we will be getting to know our new vacation home. Daughter says we’re too old, but you only live once. As Warren Zevon said “Enjoy every Sandwich “

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Congrats - glad to hear you're still "kicking".

 

[captain14]

Good luck on the new house and the adventures it will provide.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Wow Dennis! I hadn't been back to this thread since August of 2024 - time flies and a LOT o' **** has happened! Be thankful you're not a horse! The shoulder, the elbow, the poison ivy, the bonk on the head, if you were a horse they might have shot you!

Very sorry to hear about you'r wife's osteoporosis. You and I seem to be on similar paths medically. I mentioned on that old post my shoulder was giving me trouble. I ended up having a Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement in February this year. I'm 3+ months post op and can do a lot now, just not anything that involves lifting much. My 27 year girlfriend (no, NOT 27 years old, damn!) also has osteoporosis so I can relate to what you're going through.

Congrats on the new house, I hope it's a huge success for you guys. Best to you and yours, Dan

 

[Ford52PU]

We made settlement on the beach house Friday morning. Needs a lot of cleaning, painting, yard work and who knows what else but something about the sunsets make it worth the aggravation.

 

[Ford52PU]

We settled on Friday and stayed until Tuesday Wife had a doctors appointment Wednesday and a hairdresser today and we will go back tomorrow or Monday.
Cleaned the entire first floor then on Sunday worked on the overgrown backyard tree limbs, rose bushes, wild weeds and vines even a few saplings all had to go. Loaded the bed of the truck and Monday morning went to the landfill, had 150lbs of stuff to unload.
Why would people paint with out masking off? I replaced 8 outlet covers because they had years of paint on them. One screw they could be removed before hand or some tape but no slop it on them and move on. Need to do some touching up. Of course wife wants everything repainted, a new master bath and the kitchen done over. Not sure where the money is going to come from. She might have to wait for my life insurance death benefit.