A Shed Downunder.

[HOTFR8]

OOps..... this is my fault if you get in trouble. I should not have asked about the pretty Nurses.

As for value with the health cover. This is why we have insurance.
I hope they offer a decent beer and not just something like VB.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Beer??? Really... Enjoy....
Good luck with the Chemo and be careful with the pretty nurses...
I'm sure Mrs. 1/2 would have her say about that...
Prayers for a successful recovery....

Lynn W

Lynn yes seriously a beer or wine with dinner

The Chemo should go ok now that I have the PICC installed.

I really don't think the nurses have anything to worry about at all.

Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

OOps..... this is my fault if you get in trouble. I should not have asked about the pretty Nurses.

As for value with the health cover. This is why we have insurance.
I hope they offer a decent beer and not just something like VB.

HOTFR8 the will not be any trouble at all..

You are right there it pays to have good health cover for sure.

VB it is..

 

[HOTFR8]

VB it is..

Those horible green monsters. I would have expected a Crown Lager at least.

 

[Grizz1963]

Never good news, having more chemo, but wishes for a tame experience and a good recovery.

Hang in there, we are all rooting for you.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Steve hang in there. Prayers are still forthcoming for sure, and your inspiration for me to deal with the every day miseries of not having a young body anymore far surpasses any pain medication I refuse to take. I never say Ho Rah! I just grit my teeth and say Steve, Steve, Steve! I do get some strange looks sometimes though??? Pulling for you mate.

 

[bj383ss]

Prayers and thoughts for you Steve!

Bret

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: well if you have a choice of beer that isn't your favorite a nice red wine might even be a bit healthier. sorry i'm making lite of a tough situation with you in the hospital again, but your spirits seem to be better than mine when i'm doing well so keep up the great attitude. MENTAL HEALTH is maybe the most powerful weapon we have against disease so keep positive and you will overcome.

I bet Mrs. 1/2 is the prettiest gal in the place isn't she and of course her support and smiles are maybe why you are so positive. we're all pulling for you and I bet Andrew has another fleet of MG's to repair as soon as you are healthy too. and maybe he can arrange another ride in a classic for you ride home?

more prayers sent!!

 

[Bob Heine]

Steve, I don't believe a positive attitude is a cure but I do believe it helps with recovery. You're a long way from me but I'm sending you my most positive attitude and thoughts.

 

[Guster]

All the best Steve and hope the side effects of the treatment don't hamper the weekend QST. Still, take it easy and take time to heal and smell the roses.

Mum-in-law's husband got steak and red-wine the night he came out of his coronary by-pass surgery. Steak looked better than what they serve at the pub too. Nurse came by with a top-up while we were there. Clinic managed a strong balance between healthcare and hospitality industry. Mind you it was the clinic where they treated Keith Richards when he cracked his head, falling from a tree. Quite different from the average local hospital.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: have you asked to see the wine list and did you try out a nice red (I can't recall which one i like the best) while you are hopefully feeling better?

get well soon!!

Bob: of course everything that ails us can't be solved with just a positive attitude, but I bet it sure helps.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Those horible green monsters. I would have expected a Crown Lager at least.

HOTFR8 I do luv my Crown lager but the VB sufficed

Never good news, having more chemo, but wishes for a tame experience and a good recovery.

Hang in there, we are all rooting for you.

Many thanks Rian
At this point in time I am doing ok

Steve hang in there. Prayers are still forthcoming for sure, and your inspiration for me to deal with the every day miseries of not having a young body anymore far surpasses any pain medication I refuse to take. I never say Ho Rah! I just grit my teeth and say Steve, Steve, Steve! I do get some strange looks sometimes though??? Pulling for you mate.

Thank you Bobby
I am doing well at the moment and I am in great spirits I just have to go with the flow. I was discharge Friday afternoon and back at work Monday

Prayers and thoughts for you Steve!

Bret

Bret sincerely appreciated

1/2: well if you have a choice of beer that isn't your favorite a nice red wine might even be a bit healthier. sorry i'm making lite of a tough situation with you in the hospital again, but your spirits seem to be better than mine when i'm doing well so keep up the great attitude. MENTAL HEALTH is maybe the most powerful weapon we have against disease so keep positive and you will overcome.

I bet Mrs. 1/2 is the prettiest gal in the place isn't she and of course her support and smiles are maybe why you are so positive. we're all pulling for you and I bet Andrew has another fleet of MG's to repair as soon as you are healthy too. and maybe he can arrange another ride in a classic for you ride home?

more prayers sent!!

Drives sadly there was not a whole heap of choice but I do have a nice Red I may try tonight.
I am doing well mentally as I believe you just have to take it on the chin and look forward.
Mrs 1/2 Cup is looking after me like you would not believe, more on that later
I just still have to take things easy and there is always plenty to do around here be that my work or Andrews MG stuff. I feel ok
Yet again many thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Steve, I don't believe a positive attitude is a cure but I do believe it helps with recovery. You're a long way from me but I'm sending you my most positive attitude and thoughts.

Bob a positive attitude goes a long way to aiding a recovery with out any doubt.
I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

All the best Steve and hope the side effects of the treatment don't hamper the weekend QST. Still, take it easy and take time to heal and smell the roses.

Mum-in-law's husband got steak and red-wine the night he came out of his coronary by-pass surgery. Steak looked better than what they serve at the pub too. Nurse came by with a top-up while we were there. Clinic managed a strong balance between healthcare and hospitality industry. Mind you it was the clinic where they treated Keith Richards when he cracked his head, falling from a tree. Quite different from the average local hospital.

Guster I am feeling great but still I do have to take things real easy and I am doing just that, taking it easy.
My Private Hospital is not quite to that standard but that is just sets the bar to another level.

1/2: have you asked to see the wine list and did you try out a nice red (I can't recall which one i like the best) while you are hopefully feeling better?

get well soon!!

Bob: of course everything that ails us can't be solved with just a positive attitude, but I bet it sure helps.

Drives I did pass on the Red but now that I am home I might try mine as it is a really nice Cabernet / Merlot
I am doing remarkably well at the moment, it only a small bump in the road.

Thank you one and all for dropping by, enjoy your week end.

 

[Finallygotit]

Glad you're home Steve and feeling OK. I will have a Merlot for you tonight.

 

[HOTFR8]

With that speed bump out of the way I would guess it is great to be home ready for some QST.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Glad you're home Steve and feeling OK. I will have a Merlot for you tonight.

Hey Dan that sounds like a plan.

With that speed bump out of the way I would guess it is great to be home ready for some QST.

HOTFR8 you had better believe it, but it is steady as she goes.

An update of the past few days to follow

 

[oldironfarmer]

I missed this last round.

Glad you're home.

 

[1/2 Cup]

All I will recap the last few days in two words or less if possible

. Bloods last week on the GPs advice.
. Oncologist back from holidays reads the report and summons me to an early appointment as I was supposed to go next week.
. My lymph's had been acting up and sore.
. I was put in the hospital straight away.
. As I have limited veins due to being a pin cushion for so long it was decided to put a PICC line in which is a longer term solution to taking bloods and giving medication.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14983-peripherally-inserted-central-catheter-picc

. This was all good until the line hit a blockage which after another Ultra sound and x-ray it turned out to be a non inclusive clot.
. The 1/2 strength Chemotherapy was still able to be administered through the line it came out soon after because having clots the two don't go too well together.
. Discharge on Friday afternoon with my next Oncology appointment on Wednesday.
. Mean while Dr Mrs 1/2 Cup has to inject the blood thinner ( Colexane )twice daily for the next week until I go on pills. She is doing a terrific job at it I might add.
. The clots are common with Cancer and it was great that they were picked up in time.

I trust this joins the dots

 

[1/2 Cup]

I missed this last round.

Glad you're home.

Thank you Andy, its great to be home..

 

[03.]

Crappy end to the week for you Steve, hope this one is a little more pleasant.
Cheers, lyndsay

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: happy to hear you are home and even happier to hear that Mrs. 1/2 is your head nurse and able to do what is needed for a while. best of luck (and skills) in getting this all sorted.

I bet your meals at home are much better than hospital food and especially with your own personal RED tonight!!

here's to your improved health.

take care and more prayers sent!!

 

[ajohno]

Glad your back at home Steve. Nothing wrong with VB (Vitamin B) you enjoy.

 

[Ralf99]

Soooo with all the doctor stuff out of the way, did you manage to check out the flatheads this morning perchance?

 

[1/2 Cup]

Crappy end to the week for you Steve, hope this one is a little more pleasant.
Cheers, lyndsay

Thank you Lyndsay
Its nice to be home I can tell you but I still have an Oncology appointment on Wednesday and yet to be confirmed another Chemotherapy on Friday.
I can feel the neck lymph Node getting ever so smaller plus the pain is subsiding some what.

1/2: happy to hear you are home and even happier to hear that Mrs. 1/2 is your head nurse and able to do what is needed for a while. best of luck (and skills) in getting this all sorted.

I bet your meals at home are much better than hospital food and especially with your own personal RED tonight!!

here's to your improved health.

take care and more prayers sent!!

Drives many many thaks
Mrs 1/2 Cup is doing a sterling job with the Colexane ( blood clot needle ) and with out being too biased is doing a much better job of it than some of the nurses.

The hospital food was not all that bad to be honest but it is always nice to have a home cooked meal as a first preference..

As usual many thanks for you thoughts and prayers.

Glad your back at home Steve. Nothing wrong with VB (vitamin beer) you enjoy.

Aaron me too
There is nothing wrong with a VB

Soooo with all the doctor stuff out of the way, did you manage to check out the flatheads this morning perchance?

Ralf 99 glad you asked as I was just about to post an update.
My brother ( who is a wizard on flatheads ) visited the garage where they were all stored yesterday morning.
In all there are 5 flatheads from the early up to the last production ones.

These two earlies were easily accessible.

View media item 89879
The other three were covered with junk. All of them had their heads removed which was a blessing. Two had had sleeves installed that would need to be replaced as the sleeves had moved and another one would need sleeving as it was already maxed out in the bore size. One had dropped a valve but they all turned ok.
So in summary the risks are there may be cracks in the blocks which can be repairable however this all adds to the cost of a rebuild. A basic rebuild cost around $9 - 10 k out here with no whistles or bells. Our offer will take all this into consideration however from what we guessed from yesterdays conversation the estate believe they are worth mega bucks
The offer goes into tomorrow.

 

[drivesitfar]

1/2: nice to hear you are doing well at home. also nice to hear you had some quality time with your brother and maybe some old steel might be heading in your direction. crossing fingers here that you get them at a good price and that the engines are not cracked or any hidden defects you didn't see upon your inspection.

hope you enjoyed your weekend!!

 

[oldironfarmer]

Too bad the old engines are so valuable. They really need someone to take care of them. Preferably 1/2 way.

Got a guy near me who has rebuilt and hot rodded lots of them. He has a nice high HP one I looked at but he wanted $4,500 which was a little steep for my 52 F-5 but I'm thinking about the '41 1 ton pickup.

I love the old flatheads. Did they make them in Australia?

 

[1/2 Cup]

1/2: nice to hear you are doing well at home. also nice to hear you had some quality time with your brother and maybe some old steel might be heading in your direction. crossing fingers here that you get them at a good price and that the engines are not cracked or any hidden defects you didn't see upon your inspection.

hope you enjoyed your weekend!!

Drives many thanks it was a great morning out looking at old iron.
Our offer will be based on what we saw and the risk we are taking

Its just been a kick back weekend and I will be back at work tomorrow

Too bad the old engines are so valuable. They really need someone to take care of them. Preferably 1/2 way.

Got a guy near me who has rebuilt and hot rodded lots of them. He has a nice high HP one I looked at but he wanted $4,500 which was a little steep for my 52 F-5 but I'm thinking about the '41 1 ton pickup.

I love the old flatheads. Did they make them in Australia?

Andy yes you are right on that score they do bring a pretty penny out this neck of the woods but you have to be realistic in factoring in those hidden costs.
$4500 USD is about where we see them in $AUD for a standard rebuild but that number climbs rapidly when there is cracks, sleeving and hot bits to be added.

There is some thing about an old flathead for sure. I do believe they were made in Australia ( subject to confirmation )

Thank you gentlemen, enjoy your day.

 

[Ralf99]

From what little I've read, I believe flatheads were manufactured in Australia (and Canada) up until '54 - production in the US having finished in '53.

No idea how many units were made, but I'm guessing they would have been manufactured at the Ford Geelong plant 200 mile or so south of Shepparton.

I'm sure 1/2Cup will come back with much better info and/or correct me if I'm wrong.

The Ford Geelong plant can also lay claim to developing and producing the original Australian 'Ute'.

Sadly, due to "globalisation" of the Australian car market, the manufacturing plant closed down a couple of years ago, but Ford do run a product development operation on the site.

 

[HOTFR8]

Sadly, due to "globalisation" of the Australian car market, the manufacturing plant closed down a couple of years ago, but Ford do run a product development operation on the site.

Most of the Australian Fords came from Canada due to the fact Australia and Canada both belong to the Commonwealth at that time.

Sadly Ford Geelong is very derelect. Broadmeadows you will find has the development area and had plenty of input into the current model Mustang and the Ford Ranger (built in Thailand). The grass at the front door of Ford Geelong was a foot high when Eddie Ford ( Restored Cars Magazine) went and looked.

 

[1/2 Cup]

From what little I've read, I believe flatheads were manufactured in Australia (and Canada) up until '54 - production in the US having finished in '53.

No idea how many units were made, but I'm guessing they would have been manufactured at the Ford Geelong plant 200 mile or so south of Shepparton.

I'm sure 1/2Cup will come back with much better info and/or correct me if I'm wrong.

The Ford Geelong plant can also lay claim to developing and producing the original Australian 'Ute'.

Sadly, due to "globalisation" of the Australian car market, the manufacturing plant closed down a couple of years ago, but Ford do run a product development operation on the site.

Ralf99 thank you very much for your input

I will try to dig up some more info.

Most of the Australian Fords came from Canada due to the fact Australia and Canada both belong to the Commonwealth at that time.

Sadly Ford Geelong is very derelect. Broadmeadows you will find has the development area and had plenty of input into the current model Mustang and the Ford Ranger (built in Thailand). The grass at the front door of Ford Geelong was a foot high when Eddie Ford ( Restored Cars Magazine) went and looked.

HOTFR8 I do know that the Model As were assembled in Geelong from knocked down components from Canada, however the one thing I am not sure of is what local content was in them at that point.
Geelong Ford is looking real sad.

 

[Ralf99]

Yes, many if not all came in as CKD from Canada.

The old Product Engineering plant in Geelong was knocked down 10+ years ago and is now a Bunnings. The old Telstar/Laser assembly line is now a Godfrey Hirst carpet factory. The old foundry at the back of Godfrey Hirst is somewhat derelict but still has Ford signage.
The main assembly plant is reasonably well maintained and still has illuminated Ford signage and looks pretty much the same as it has done for the past 50 years or so.

At the back of this plant is a well staffed development and testing office which supports the You Yangs Proving Ground just out of Lara. The Proving Grounds have had 90Mil or so spent on them over the last couple of years. Combined with the Broadmeadows office much of the R&D for the Asian marketplace is undertaken.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Yes, many if not all came in as CKD from Canada.

The old Product Engineering plant in Geelong was knocked down 10+ years ago and is now a Bunnings. The old Telstar/Laser assembly line is now a Godfrey Hirst carpet factory. The old foundry at the back of Godfrey Hirst is somewhat derelict but still has Ford signage.
The main assembly plant is reasonably well maintained and still has illuminated Ford signage and looks pretty much the same as it has done for the past 50 years or so.

At the back of this plant is a well staffed development and testing office which supports the You Yangs Proving Ground just out of Lara. The Proving Grounds have had 90Mil or so spent on them over the last couple of years. Combined with the Broadmeadows office much of the R&D for the Asian marketplace is undertaken.

Ralf99 thank you for that

 

[Ralf99]

https://www.geelongcityofdesign.com.au/ford-australia/


Some 300+ engineers and many more tech staff still beavering away out of sight - probably more than when manufacturing was in full swing.


I haven't been to the Proving Ground in many years, but I have had the pleasure of taking a turbo'd XE Falcon development mule around the high speed track "hands free" so to speak.

 

[HOTFR8]

Yes, many if not all came in as CKD from Canada.

The old Product Engineering plant in Geelong was knocked down 10+ years ago and is now a Bunnings. The old Telstar/Laser assembly line is now a Godfrey Hirst carpet factory. The old foundry at the back of Godfrey Hirst is somewhat derelict but still has Ford signage.
The main assembly plant is reasonably well maintained and still has illuminated Ford signage and looks pretty much the same as it has done for the past 50 years or so.

At the back of this plant is a well staffed development and testing office which supports the You Yangs Proving Ground just out of Lara. The Proving Grounds have had 90Mil or so spent on them over the last couple of years. Combined with the Broadmeadows office much of the R&D for the Asian marketplace is undertaken.

https://www.geelongcityofdesign.com.au/ford-australia/


Some 300+ engineers and many more tech staff still beavering away out of sight - probably more than when manufacturing was in full swing.


I haven't been to the Proving Ground in many years, but I have had the pleasure of taking a turbo'd XE Falcon development mule around the high speed track "hands free" so to speak.

Thanks for the clarification and correction. As you are in that area I guessed you would know more on that subject. Although I take it one section must look (sadly) very derelect.

HOTFR8 I do know that the Model As were assembled in Geelong from knocked down components from Canada, however the one thing I am not sure of is what local content was in them at that point.
Geelong Ford is looking real sad.

I do know as an example my 48 Truck shows as being Aussie but the difference between mine and the US model and this is just one example our park lights are the same as Mercury (Canada) where the US model had them as part of the top bar in the grille.

 

[1/2 Cup]

https://www.geelongcityofdesign.com.au/ford-australia/


Some 300+ engineers and many more tech staff still beavering away out of sight - probably more than when manufacturing was in full swing.


I haven't been to the Proving Ground in many years, but I have had the pleasure of taking a turbo'd XE Falcon development mule around the high speed track "hands free" so to speak.

Ralf99 thank you very much for the link now I have some reading to do.
That would have been an awesome experience to drive on the Ford Proving Ground

Thanks for the clarification and correction. As you are in that area I guessed you would know more on that subject. Although I take it one section must look (sadly) very derelect.

Make that x 2

 

[HOTFR8]

As an example.

Canadian Mercury. Note park light location.

My Ford. Again note park light location.

A US model F1 with park lights in the grille.

It is interesting to read about how Ford assembled knocked down models in Australia before they began production here and now sadly lost.

 

[Geoff289]

Ralf99 thank you very much for the link now I have some reading to do.
That would have been an awesome experience to drive on the Ford Proving Ground



Make that x 2

It is. The Mustang Owners Club was fortunate to get access to it in 2014 in recognition of the 50th year of the Mustang. Fun doesn't begin to describe it.

 

[Ralf99]

Certainly the Engine Casting Foundry was never one of the better looking parts of the plant and was always pretty shabby as most foundries built early to mid last century appear to be. I drove past a couple of weeks ago and it did look pretty derelict, but I'm not sure it ever looked much different. That part of Geelong was it's industrial hub for much of the last century but all lies derelict now - including International Harvester, the Grain Elevators, Corio Distillery etc.

The loss of the foundry and the associated knowledge and skills of the people who worked there will likely be the biggest hit to Australian manufacturing in the future.

 

[HOTFR8]

Oh so correct. Many of the foundry pump moulds here at Thomson, Kelly and Lewis have either been destroyed or shipped to India. At the time that happened many said just as you state how much a loss it is.

 

[Bob Heine]

Steve, the little things can get you. So good to hear they found the clot right away and took steps to clear it. I have lost several friends who were on the mend when a clot moved. As good as my prayers might be my faith in Julie trumps them.

 

[1/2 Cup]

It is interesting to read about how Ford assembled knocked down models in Australia before they began production here and now sadly lost.

HOTFR8 so true
Thanks for sharing.

It is. The Mustang Owners Club was fortunate to get access to it in 2014 in recognition of the 50th year of the Mustang. Fun doesn't begin to describe it.

Geoff289 that would have been a blast.

Certainly the Engine Casting Foundry was never one of the better looking parts of the plant and was always pretty shabby as most foundries built early to mid last century appear to be. I drove past a couple of weeks ago and it did look pretty derelict, but I'm not sure it ever looked much different. That part of Geelong was it's industrial hub for much of the last century but all lies derelict now - including International Harvester, the Grain Elevators, Corio Distillery etc.

The loss of the foundry and the associated knowledge and skills of the people who worked there will likely be the biggest hit to Australian manufacturing in the future.

Ralf99 a casting factory is never a pretty and you are lucky to be able to give us some insight on that. I did not know that there were that many industries in that area apart from the Woollen mills.

It is such a shame that that has happened.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Oh so correct. Many of the foundry pump moulds here at Thomson, Kelly and Lewis have either been destroyed or shipped to India. At the time that happened many said just as you state how much a loss it is.

HOTFR8 what a shame