Above 1200 Sq/FT Blackbyrds Basement

[Blackbyrd]

Almost had a rotisserie..... guy wouldn't work with me on price though and it was a long trip for me, plus bumming a truck and trailer. I'll keep hunting I'm so close now though I'm not sure it's worth it atleast hot for this project.

So I took a pause on car things to clean the shop, and re arrange my sound system components. Since it was all tucked away in the understairs storage, it was hard to get alexa to respond without being right infront it. So I wrapped it all to the outside wall and set the head unit on top of the cabinet which i should have done when i moved the cabinet in the first place. This allowed me to put the sub (,which needs repair) up off the floor.

I wish I could make this space more useful, but the engine hoist keeps me from doing much and it's a great spot to keep it outta the way. My ideal scenario would be something similar to a levrack in concept. Instead of sliding side to side I'd have it slide out. Get rid of the shelves on the wall and use the full depth of the space with a rack that can roll out from under the stairs. As many as I can fit.

The subwoofer itself isn't busted it still burps. It seems to be the amp? The lights come on but signal never makes it to the speaker. Found some cheapy replacement amps I've considered buying one as opposed to replacing it. Probably revisit that at some point. Now that the reciever is closer though I'm tempted to used the optical cable I have in the cieling to send signal from the TV so the TV sound would be a bit more dynamic but the speaker orientations aren't really in the right spot to do this proper.

I'll make a pass at cleaning up the shelves now that I cam organize them, I need to get rid of the led tubes... could probably sell them on market place I have about 20 or so.


Plan to get back under the car tomorrow.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Got to do something really cool today!

Buddy of mine picked up a firehawk and asked me to tag along. I got to drive it home from otherside of Knoxville.

Came with the birth certificate and all the SLP paperwork. Automatic navy blue metallic, mileage was up there.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Always loved the late 4th gen Firehawk hood! Have you seen the 3rd Gen tribute cars Hawks Motorsports is building now....and the price tag?!

I spend more time than I should browsing 4th gen F-bodies. Very torn on an early LT1 car vs LS1. 96/97 SS Camaro or Ram Air TA would be rad.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Get one!!!! I love 4th gens. I consider them the last real muscle car? Just enough electronics to be neat, but dumbed down enough they are easy to work on.

I'll have to look at that hawks car I've not seen that? They make some great stuff!

My first car was my brother's 93 camaro it was a v6 and before I really learned to love cars. I could tear one apart blind folded these days haha. I've owned 3 and parted out 2.

 

[bj383ss]

My best friend in high school ordered a 99' Firehawk new. It was Pewter, 6-speed, leather and cd changer. Loved that car. I was able to hang right with him when I had the Caprice at its best combination until I ran out of gear. His brand new factory hot rod against my cobbled together mess that was really all engine and nothing else.

Bret

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Get one!!!! I love 4th gens. I consider them the last real muscle car? Just enough electronics to be neat, but dumbed down enough they are easy to work on.

If space weren't an issue, I'd have one and a few other rides as well

 

[Blackbyrd]

Yeah I have a few I want myself..... I'm actually getting ready to buy an older truck myself. Wife got a 2 door this time.aeoind for her lease so..... the compromise was I'd get a truck.

I don't want anything new 04-08 ext cab silverado is really what I want. I had one before the GTO. Something I can haul stuff in or with.... and aquire car parts haha

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Yeah I have a few I want myself..... I'm actually getting ready to buy an older truck myself. Wife got a 2 door this time.aeoind for her lease so..... the compromise was I'd get a truck.

I don't want anything new 04-08 ext cab silverado is really what I want. I had one before the GTO. Something I can haul stuff in or with.... and aquire car parts haha

If you go back in my thread a ways, I had a 2007 GMC Sierra Classic (GMT800 not NNBS) Vortec Max...if it didn't have grey interior, I probably would have kept it. That was a fun pickup, had the LQ9 based 6.0l(flattop pistons, 10:1 compression, 345hp) and a 4L70E with the SF 9.5" 14 bolt(like the GMT400 454 SS pickups). I'd ABSOLUTELY love to find a super short bed extended cab GMT800. They put the 5.5' foot bed with the extended cab...they look kinda crazy, but very cool if you don't need all of the bed space.

https://images.app.goo.gl/z6Qcn5T5jDMtZS3h7

https://images.app.goo.gl/qFrAEGtT3LUtt5uh6

 

[Xti04]

Nice! Where did yall pick that up from over here? Baan out if town all weekend and just saw this. Those are such cool cars wish it had a t56

 

[Blackbyrd]

@Xti04 Rudlege I think? Private sell at a little shop across from the train yard.

Yeah wish it was a 6 speed also, but I think he will be happy with the auto after he spends a bit of time with it. Even I didn't mind it after the trip home.

@OutlawDrifter. I'd love a 6.0 truck I'm starting the process of shopping, not serious until the end of the month though

 

[Xti04]

Across town from me. Im as far west in knoxville as you can get. Right near 40 75 split. I always hated having to make trips out to Rutledge and places like that. Never failed that whatever monstrosity I just purchased would have an issue in the middle of town and leave me stuck on the interstate where theres no good way to get things done safely

 

[Blackbyrd]

Oh I've been there. I'm about to give it and mine a bath and see where we stand officially

 

[Blackbyrd]

She cleaned up pretty good.... I'm thinking 8.5-9 on the exterior after a good cut and buff. All I did was foam cannon here no hand wash. Still got some hard water stains and desperately needs a coat of wax.

Completely stock, though I believe it's been painted at some point. It had an accident on its history but it was front passenger side stuff. Yet I found paint/clear runs on the spoiler and rear bumper. Perhaps they painted the whole car at that time? It's a 22 year old after all with 120k miles. Not bad work by anymeans just things a seasoned detail guy notices cause I'm a nitpicky a-whole. My lights in the shop don't hide flaws so inwas surprised to see nothing hidden. Door jams are good body lines are all tremendously straight. All in all for what he paid for this car he should be ecstatic.

And of course I took the opportunity for some gratuitous Pontiac shots. Though the Zl1 seems to be jealously lurking in the background haha

For me it was cool to see how far my car has come, and all the subtle changes I have compared to stock.

 

[Blackbyrd]

We always sneak away mid year to a place in Florida in the gulf. We both have demanding jobs and it's great to reset as a family. This is the 7th year of going to the same place. We always rent a house on St George Island. No touristy, no chains stores or restaurants, just houses with family's. We cook dinner, sneak out to a pub for lunch and get some fresh shrimp and oysters. Just hang out, my son is 8 this year a great age by I know these times are limited so I enjoy them.

So the dogs usually stay in the garage when we are gone, cause they get destructive.... we used a house setter but put all the cars on my side so they had space to romp.... it works but it's very tight.

Before we left i got my 4 link cradle for the 2nd gen powdercoated. It's currently mocked up. The mounting holes are drilled in but it needs a few things before I hit with some weed through primer and weld it in place..... still got a bit of stripping left before I can epoxy prime, but the cradle has to be put in first. I wanted to get it tacked in before I left, but felt I was pushing to hard so I called it quits. We left Saturday and I was trying to line up the cradle Thursday night...

I need some fire extinguishers and first aide kit. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Xti04]

Love st. George! First vacation I took with my wifes family was there. We were in Treasure island FL last week and talking about a trip to St George with the kids and dog. I remember the blue crabs being all over the beach and taking a few to the house and cooking them for lunch. Fishing frpm the old bridge alao got my wife hooked on saltwater fishing. As far as your first aid kit I build some pretty serious kits for all our cars, house and boat with my background as an ER nurse. If you want a premade kit that can cover most anything , my medic sells a pretty good kit. Best advice I have is taking a good first aid course and knowing how to use all the goodies inside. Fire extinguishers I have plenty of them in the shop, some from home depot and some big ones I got from the hospital.

 

[Blackbyrd]

I was actually certified once upon a time for first aid, was a life guard in college.

I just don't want to fall into thay joke of a the caveman in the garage who cuts his finger and uses electrical tape as a bandaid haha. I've found I've definitely Injured myself more than I care to admit the past few years wrenching. So I'm airing on the side of caution I dont exactly expect to have to treat compound fracture, but I've got some good cuts that have needed more than a bandaid......

I was introduced to St George by a friend, and it reminds me of growing up on houseboat with my family. Hard to explain but driving across that bridge feels like home!

 

[Xti04]

I was actually certified once upon a time for first aid, was a life guard in college.

I just don't want to fall into thay joke of a the caveman in the garage who cuts his finger and uses electrical tape as a bandaid haha. I've found I've definitely Injured myself more than I care to admit the past few years wrenching. So I'm airing on the side of caution I dont exactly expect to have to treat compound fracture, but I've got some good cuts that have needed more than a bandaid......

I was introduced to St George by a friend, and it reminds me of growing up on houseboat with my family. Hard to explain but driving across that bridge feels like home!

I blew out a tire on my roadbike on that bridge. A nice realtor from the island stopped and picked me up and dropped me off at our house. He said he picks up at least one cyclist a week who have an issue on the bridge. As far as my favorite stuff in my kit it has to be celox or quik clot. Not really something for your average cut but if you need to that stuff will stop an arterial bleed if you really screw up. Its not cheap but I used it on my son when he scalped himself a few years ago and that along with a good pressure dressing got him to the hospital to be put back together.

 

[Bob Heine]

Adam and @Xti04, thanks for the reminder. I have a garage first aid kit and the usual adhesive strips handy but nothing to effectively stop serious bleeding. Just yesterday I put a Pro Advantage strip on my finger and it came loose in less than a half hour. Second one got a few turns of 3M yellow masking tape (that stuff really sticks). Amazon is sending me QuikClot gauze, Clozex laceration bandages and Superskin bandages. The blood thinner I take makes even small nicks look like a scene from a Sam Peckinpah movie -- a nosebleed sent me to the ER.

 

[Xti04]

Adam and @Xti04, thanks for the reminder. I have a garage first aid kit and the usual adhesive strips handy but nothing to effectively stop serious bleeding. Just yesterday I put a Pro Advantage strip on my finger and it came loose in less than a half hour. Second one got a few turns of 3M yellow masking tape (that stuff really sticks). Amazon is sending me QuikClot gauze, Clozex laceration bandages and Superskin bandages. The blood thinner I take makes even small nicks look like a scene from a Sam Peckinpah movie -- a nosebleed sent me to the ER.

Good deal Bob! That celox powder definitely helped stop my sons bleeding. The impregnated gauze works pretty good. Go ahead and grab some 3m Coban to apply a pressure dressing. It sticks to itself but wont pull your skin off like tape will.

 

[Blackbyrd]

So back at this thing again..... but this time I'm really close. Trunk pan and rear frame are 100% prepped, axle hump and the rest need their final pass, with a little detour at that floor pan patch. My OCD won't let me leave it ugly on the underside so I've got some grinding and likely welding to do there.

I was really worried howni would get the tight spots between the rear frame and the trunk pan. I ended up using my bandfile with a scotchbright belt. Which honestly may get used it more than just that area it made quick work of it. I spent more time going over the pan with a wire wheel than I did using the bandfile.

While i was at it I mock fitted the 4 link cradle and drilled the mounting holes. Hopefully I don't find any other issues when it comes time to work onnthe area outside the frame rails.

This has been a huge pain and I'm glad this part is about wrapped up.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Well I had big plans of having the underside ready for paint this past weekend.

But I had a few good reasons for not making progress. I've added to the vehicle count again.......

This was kind of an emotional purchase, kind of a first for me? I usually set my sites on a list of items and become very rigid on pricing or what I accept for said price. I used to have a truck just like this that I turned into an SS clone. This 06 however.... despite only having a 166 on the body and motor has had a rough go. It has a half *** paint job and rims I don't particularly like..... but I accepted these flaws as a way to keep me from modifying it haha. If I had my way it would be lowered a bit more, debadged and a few other clean changes. But since they didn't take anything off when they painted it.... it's not worth chancing. It had a LKQ rebuild ****** and the 4.8. Cloth interior and something I won't feel guilty hauling junk around with. Something I've been unable to do myself for a while.... with the added bonus of reducing the miles per year on the ZL1.

It was extremely clean underneath and I actually thought it was rust free. Found one little spot on the rockers after I got it home dang it. But for a 20 year old truck and what I paid for it.... I'm happy to drive the snot out of it..... though you all know I'd be lying if I said I would do nothing to it........

That was the Saturday trip. The Sunday trip was a further haul almost to Clarksville for a set of wheels for the bird. I've wanted a set of these since I built the car in 06/07. At that point in my life they were just to expensive. Now they aren't even made anymore, but as luck would have it from time to time a set would pop up on marketplace. This is the third set I've tried to buy only to be beat to the punch our out offered.

Ccw sp500's 18x10 in the front 18×11 in the rear. I can pick them up one handed and hold them outstretched with ease. I need to weigh them but I think it's somewhere between 15 and 20lbs per wheel. I'll get my 295's off my current wheels and swap them after I change to longer studs.

The 2nd gen is 50% through its final pass, I've made progress just nit as much as I wanted. So back on that this week.

 

[Bob Heine]

Ccw sp500's 18x10 in the front 18×11 in the rear.

Wow, forged and polished inside and out. Very nice!

 

[Blackbyrd]

Wow, forged and polished inside and out. Very nice!

Thanks Bob! I can't wait to get them on the car.

 

[zmotorsports]

Congrats on the new addition to the fleet. I sometimes miss my lowered shop truck.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Thanks Mike I've enjoyed it so far though the blower motor and reostat went out on me yesterday. Good thing these are pretty easy to work on.

Hopefully no more surprises

 

[Blackbyrd]

70% through the final pass for the underside hoping to wrap up tomorrow! I'm gonna drop the leaf springs to get the area under them and the rear frame a bit more while I'm at it. Hopefully this leads to finishing grinding the underside of the patch I did upfront and then prime time!

 

[madison069]

I just found this thread last night and was able to read through it during my nightly routine of reading!

Here in Pittsburgh the local call the lonely toilet with no wall a "Pittsburgh Toilet" as it's very popular around here to see them in the basement. It was for the men coming home from the steel factory to use when they come home all nasty and what not. Some basements had a shower in the corner of the room with no walls or curtain but there was always the toilet. Some embrace the opening style, and they even installed a tank sink on top to have a place to wash their hands without installing a cabinet sink. So, if you go to someone's house and you go in their basement, you better call out in case they are using the toilet.

I do like those early 2000 firebirds specially the Ram Jet. As much as I am a Camaro fan, the Ram Jet just has characters that the Camaro is lacking in its smooth body.

I remember the days of cleaning the underside of my Camaro for paint. That was a task I did when in high school during the night since my shop was away from homes and such. So, I was able to make a lot of noise while working at night. Only issue I had was I got a stye in my eyelid from paint dripping in my eye when I was painting the Camaro while on my back. I do not miss it at all, but I do know what efforts are being made when others do the same task. Like you said, 73 and 74 was the year they made the change in the rear glass. otherwise, the cab is just about the same from 70-81. It's the front and rear ends that really changed during that time period. This type of projects seems to take a long time. Life seems to find a way to slow it down. My Camaro has been a project since 1999, and currently I'm trying to dial it in and get it tuned. I'm almost at the point that I want to just scrap the carburetor and install a Holley sniper EFI. If only money wasn't an issue. That's really my only setback from driving it around the block, so I'll get the distributor pulled again and set the timing. But like you, I had to stop with the Camaro because I was just getting burnt from it along with, I got other projects I need to tend to while the weather is nice.

The Shop looks good! I like the gray color which seems more of a shop's color. I was wondering what's your take on that shop vac that's on the wall you got? I've been toying with the idea of getting a shop vac that stays in the garage for interior cleaning purposes and yours look like a nice unit!

I dig the new shop truck, but you and me both know you're not going to leave it alone. The rims look sharp! It's stupid with how expensive tires in 15 and 16" has gotten. I can't justify buying 15's tires when I can get 17" rims and tires for the cost of just the tires alone for the Camaro.

 

[Blackbyrd]

@madison069 thanks for stopping by! The 2nd gen project is has definitely been a ton of work! It's been 5 months just to get the underside to the state it's currently in.... it will get there. Just gotta keep pushing (almost said grinding hahaha).

So I learned something today haha I have a Pittsburgh toilet hahahah. Thanks for that now I can really confuse people when I explain by calling it that instead of my open air throne

Obviously im a big fan of F bodies, but the 4th gen bird has always been something I've loved. I'm still waiting on the studs I ordered so I can get my new wheels on!!!! I did t wanna wait and got them from an ebay vender and they havnt shone up despite being marked as shipped over a week ago. Who ships something fedex without tracking?!?

The wall vac..... functionality wise it's great. Use it primarily for detailing and it's got plenty of suction and came with a 35ft hose. The hose is my gripe, it needs a reel honestly and I've looked into it but man that's an expensive purchase. Not unlike the pressure washer setup, so it's something that while expensive makes the task more pleasant. Just not ready to pull that trigger.

I have a milwaukee m18 shop vac that gets used for work cleanup over detailing. If I'd bought that before the wall uni...... I may never have bought the wall vac. No power cord makes a huge difference in using one of those.

I got the main floor of the 2nd gem completely stripped, so a little fill welding and it's prime time. I am going to remove the leaf springs and strip the areas around them better so I can prime that also and just be done with it. Same goes for the trunk pan ive got about a 2 inch area where it meets the tail light panel I'm gonna strip also again just to he done with it.

 

[madison069]

Yep or also known as Pittsburgh Potty.

It could be worst by being out in the middle....

 

[Blackbyrd]

In truth, there was a full bathroom with a shower down there. I saw no use of the shower compared to the square feet it took up. Especially knowing what I wanted out of the space.

 

[Blackbyrd]

So I busted *** and hit it every night from Friday last week to Monday night this week. Took 2 nights off and got back at it tonight.

The full length has had its final pass, I decided to do a little more up the firewall, and the areas under the leaf springs. Which meant removing the leaf springs...... got to the last bolt on the front mounts and broke the clip.... tried for 45 MI uses to wedge it with a prybar

Ultimately gave up and cut the head of the bolt off. So ran a little short tonight got the firewall the way I want it and got the passenger side mount pocket stripped. Tomorrow I'll get the other spots I want and get my weld through primer on the rails.

Then mount the rear axle back under it to get her mobile. Plan is to primer it mid morning sunday.Sunday.

When this is done...... there will be a celebration!!!

 

[madison069]

Don't you hate those captured nuts.....

Looks good!

 

[zmotorsports]

Great work on the underside of the body. I've done several of those myself, bringing them fully to bare metal and they're not fun. On the street rods it ended up being multiple times because they were primed and sanded a couple of times before paint. I don't advise going to that length unless you plan on showing it on a turntable or with mirrors. Granted they look great at a car show with mirrors, but holy **** what a lot of work.

 

[Blackbyrd]

Captured nuts ****!

Thanks Mike I look very much forward to checking this one off the list!

We've talked about the resto/build process in the past and how some start without knowing what they want. I'm flirting a fine line between something showy yet not a trailer queen either. My plan for the under side is to use a bed liner material (brand undecided) once the wheel houses are done.

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks Mike I look very much forward to checking this one off the list!

We've talked about the resto/build process in the past and how some start without knowing what they want. I'm flirting a fine line between something showy yet not a trailer queen either. My plan for the under side is to use a bed liner material (brand undecided) once the wheel houses are done.

I've done them both ways. Sanded, then used a semi-gloss black for that "clean" or "OEM" appearance and something that is easily cleaned and then there are those full show jobs that were sanded, primed, sanded, primed, sealed and painted & cleared for that show worthy appearance. While the full show job was very rewarding and, in most cases, exactly what the client wanted, personally, I have found if the vehicle is going to be driven much at all then the full show job is way overkill and, in many cases, too stressful.

My 1940 Chev Coupe that was featured in Street Rodder magazine was a full show job and although I loved it when it was done and when showing it, I stressed over chips and/or cracks in the paint when I started racing it and driving it. My '71 Chevelle on the other hand, I took it to bare steel and applied a couple medium wet coats of semi-gloss black epoxy primer for that OEM appearance and I LOVED it. I wasn't afraid to drive the car and even got caught in a couple of rains storms in which it was a quick and easy cleanup when I got home. The street rod rarely came out of the shop if there was even a cloud in the sky and when transported to either shows or the races, it was in an enclosed trailer. It saw very few highway miles in the 11 years I had that car.

 

[Blackbyrd]

I treat most of my garage toys like you treated the chevelle. They are nice and cleaned up, but the fun is in driving them without the stress of "hurting" them. I'm actually excited about giving the zl1 a full detail job now that I can geek out over the process and not have to worry about getting it done over a weekend to take to work the next day haha. 1st world problems I know but for as much as I like to turn wrenches I equally like the detailing side.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I treat most of my garage toys like you treated the chevelle. They are nice and cleaned up, but the fun is in driving them without the stress of "hurting" them. I'm actually excited about giving the zl1 a full detail job now that I can geek out over the process and not have to worry about getting it done over a weekend to take to work the next day haha. 1st world problems I know but for as much as I like to turn wrenches I equally like the detailing side.

Washing/detailing/cleaning is therapeutic for me, great form of stress relief. Throw on the tunes and make them clean!

 

[zmotorsports]

Washing/detailing/cleaning is therapeutic for me, great form of stress relief. Throw on the tunes and make them clean!

I used to enjoy detailing much more than I do now. Now when I want to clean and detail one of the rides in our stable, I feel stressed because I know there is something more pressing that I should be doing. Especially with the list of side jobs I have and people keep calling asking where they are at on said list.

I wish I could get back to that relaxing mode in my shop but it's too hectic with "must do's" lately.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I used to enjoy detailing much more than I do now. Now when I want to clean and detail one of the rides in our stable, I feel stressed because I know there is something more pressing that I should be doing. Especially with the list of side jobs I have and people keep calling asking where they are at on said list.

I wish I could get back to that relaxing mode in my shop but it's too hectic with "must do's" lately.

Side money is good, just don't let it put you in that stress area! Other people's **** can wait!

Sorry for the derail Adam!

 

[Blackbyrd]

No apologies needed!

I've fallen into that problem a few times where a side gig takes the fun outta things. Hope you find your way back to enjoying detailing Mike

I'm like you Marc it's therapy.... garage therapy....... and LORD knows I need therapy of some sort hahaha