Above 1200 Sq/FT Cody's 33'x62' Garage

[madison069]

A little garden update, we’ve been hit with a bunch of cucumbers lately. I need to bring down my canning goods and start making some pickles.

Jalapeños are from the past two weeks and I’m about caught up with eating them. Working on eating the wrinkled ones first before they spoil.

Tomatoes sandwich is on queue for tomorrow’s lunch.

We had zucchini spaghetti tonight with meatballs, it was really good! Not many zucchini this year but enough to enjoy them.



Then I piddled on the camaro tonight. I pulled the distributor and moved it one tooth back as needed. Was able to get it done within 20 mins. Once I got it all back together it fired off quickly and I adjusted the timing. While playing with the timing and tuning some, I noticed the engine dropped in rpm and stumbled til it eventually stalled when the electric fan kicked on. So I started checking the alternator out and it was hot! So I pulled the belt and started it back up and it ran better but battery voltage was so low I suspected the ignition wasn’t up to par at the moment. I also noticed that the alternator had a vibration feeling like it was having a lot of friction internally. I really need to make my amplifier tool to amplify sounds at certain spots. I reinstalled the belt and put the voltage meter on the battery and watched the voltage drop from 14.1v with no fan and dropped to 12.1v when the fan kicked on.



So I stopped once I had that info and I was thinking about the alternator. I did some digging into my old paperwork for the camaro and found it. Apparently I bought a 63amp alternator back in the day, . I’m sure my fans are drawing half that just by its self.

Now I have a new CS130 alternator with a 160amp output coming in the mail. This is the alternator but I ordered it through summit after I found they sold the alternator. Makes me feel alittle better ordering it from summit instead of Amazon.





While I wait for the new alternator to come in, I’ll go ahead and pull the carburetor off to drill holes in the butterflies. I can’t get it to idle on the idle circuits, and the best vacuum I could muster from the engine was 11 in.hg. At this point I’ve exhausted all the tricks I know of, so I’ll be drilling soon. I also need to change primary metering rods springs to some lighter springs for the metering rods. Edelbrock comes out of the box with stiff springs that apparently won’t close the metering rods fully when vacuum is as low as I’m experiencing. Luckily I have a tuning kit for the carb already and I got the springs I need. My understanding it won’t affect idling but it will affect performance while accelerating.

Oh and I need to install my vacuum reservoir for the power brake, would be nice to have brakes when I take it for its maiden voyage.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

That alternator should do the job. Do you have a good heavy gauge ground and feed wire leading away from the alternator?

Man, that's definitely low vacuum. Does it have a lot of overlap in the cam grind? What's your idle speed?

 

[madison069]

That alternator should do the job. Do you have a good heavy gauge ground and feed wire leading away from the alternator?

Man, that's definitely low vacuum. Does it have a lot of overlap in the cam grind? What's your idle speed?

Yep, i put a 6ga wire on the power side when i installed the wiring harness to the 175amp fuse thats behind the passengerside fender. Now Im glad that was done. The ground wire is a 0/1ga from the block to the battery, some thick wire for sure but didn't want any issues and I had it on hand.

As for the vacuum, the cam is a Comp cam Extreme energy 274XE so it does have a lot of overlap. I was working at 900 rpm for idle but I might bump it up to 1,100rpm when in park. But, regardless i can't get it to go into the idle circuits to tune it with the air/fuel mixture screws, those screws does nothing currently.

I've been toying with the idea of pulling the engine out and going through it, along with putting a hydraulic roller cam in for an upgrade. If I did that I would change the cam to a milder cam for street.

My younger self was going to be racing this camaro so I was following a mechanic buddy of mine engine build who was a dirt trak racer and drag racer. Now, I'm just wanting to drive it.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Yep, i put a 6ga wire on the power side when i installed the wiring harness to the 175amp fuse thats behind the passengerside fender. Now Im glad that was done. The ground wire is a 0/1ga from the block to the battery, some thick wire for sure but didn't want any issues and I had it on hand.

As for the vacuum, the cam is a Comp cam Extreme energy 274XE so it does have a lot of overlap. I was working at 900 rpm for idle but I might bump it up to 1,100rpm when in park. But, regardless i can't get it to go into the idle circuits to tune it with the air/fuel mixture screws, those screws does nothing currently.

I've been toying with the idea of pulling the engine out and going through it, along with putting a hydraulic roller cam in for an upgrade. If I did that I would change the cam to a milder cam for street.

My younger self was going to be racing this camaro so I was following a mechanic buddy of mine engine build who was a dirt trak racer and drag racer. Now, I'm just wanting to drive it.

More grounds = more better

I like to add in a couple of heavy gauge grounds, battery to chassis, battery to block, chassis to body.

Looked up the specs on Comp's website, looks like 11hg @ 800rpm and 14hg @1000rpm w/no load. So that part looks pretty close to dialed. Might have to swap in the L79(350hp 327) vacuum advance can in the HEI for better timing. I had to do that on a 305 that I built with HO heads and a reproduction L79 cam for an El Camino.

Sounds like you're on the right path. I've run a couple of the 1406/1405 Edelbrocks, but never went too deep into tuning them.

 

[madison069]

I have a 268xe cam on the shelf, but I worry about the lifters as it seems comp cam lifter’s quality has went to **** over the past 4 years. Plus now if I go through the hassle I rather just spend the money and get rollers for the peace of mind.

Currently I have the vacuum advance timing unhooked as I am working on setting the initial and mechanical advance. But you did bring up a topic that’s on my mind also, apparently the HEI distributor didn’t come with an adjustment advance timing. So to fix that I will need to change it out. You would think for $500+ distributor, they would have included one! I see now where my younger self got taken by the shiny ads in the hot rod magazines with my choices I made back then. Except the alternator it seems, I went cheap with that…..

 

[madison069]

To do a little work in the garage during lunch time I pulled all of the hardwares I had in the drawers. These hardwares are mostly in boxes so I’ll mostly likely keep it that way. But I’m noticing duplicates so I’ll combine the duplicates and reduce the foot print of the boxes. I also have two planos that has screws and nails sorted out that I think will go in most of these boxes. We will see.


Oh and I pulled the sanders and jigsaws I have. One of the sanders need a new pad. For now I just want to get the power tools in one spot so when I get to the power tools I’ll determine what gets put on the shelf for use and which will go in a tote for storage or sell.
To think only three drawers were hiding this stuff.

 

[bj383ss]

I have a 268xe cam on the shelf, but I worry about the lifters as it seems comp cam lifter’s quality has went to **** over the past 4 years. Plus now if I go through the hassle I rather just spend the money and get rollers for the peace of mind.

Currently I have the vacuum advance timing unhooked as I am working on setting the initial and mechanical advance. But you did bring up a topic that’s on my mind also, apparently the HEI distributor didn’t come with an adjustment advance timing. So to fix that I will need to change it out. You would think for $500+ distributor, they would have included one! I see now where my younger self got taken by the shiny ads in the hot rod magazines with my choices I made back then. Except the alternator it seems, I went cheap with that…..

Having had that exact cam and it was from 2004. It ate the back 4 lobes and flushed it all through my less than 3000 mile rebuilt 383. Like you that was my younger self and now I just want a stock 350 in my Caprice.

Bret

 

[madison069]

The new alternator came in, ordered at 10:27pm yesterday and was delivered at 1:05pm today, for free. That’s summit shipping when the part is available at their Ohio store.



Got it installed and it was charging with no issue and no drop major drop in voltage when the fan kicked on! No fan at 1,300rpm during fast idle it was reading 14.65v and when fan kicked on it dropped to 13.8v and was climbing back up.


Checked vacuum and it was reading 12 at 1,000 rpm so I’m getting the vacuum I should be getting. I dropped the rpm back to 900 and the vacuum was 11.


It was a nice steady vacuum so that’s comforting.

So I shut the engine down and let it cool off before I pulled the carb off .

While I waited for the engine to cool I played with the RYOBI tire inflator that came in today. Tested it on the camaro tires and apparently all 4 tires were at 17psi. I pumped them up to 30psi each and the tire inflator did well. I gave it a few minute of break between tires to keep it from over heating.


Had dinner and then went back to the garage to pull the carb.


After draining the fuel I turned it over and saw that most of the transfer slot was exposed.


This is what the transfer slot is supposed to look like when it’s properly adjusted.


I basically played with the carb and looked it over for awhile. Thinking about how does each adjustment works. I need to double check to see if I have a Edelbrock adjustment book cause I know I got a Holley one, but can’t remember if I had an Edelbrock one.

I want to do some more reading and thinking before I drill those holes. I even thought about putting the Holley 750 double pumper back on but im sure it needs a rebuild from sitting awhile.

 

[madison069]

Piddled with the camaro some more, and got to thinking, what’s the difference then drilling holes in the butterflies and just leaving the pcv port open? I figured what’s the harm in trying this out,

Got the carb reinstalled, plugged everything but the pcv port on the front and started it up. I kid you not, it actually idled on the idle circuit. I was able to adjust the air fuel mixture screw and actually got the engine to respond to it. Dialed it in and it seems to run pretty good now.

Let the engine cool off and got under the car to check things out, made sure nothing was loose. Transmission pan gasket was leaking slowly though. Changed transmission mount and changed a bolt on an exhaust clamp cause I broke it and just got a replacement in.

Lowered the car onto the ground and looked everything over, checked the oil and then started the car up. I then drove it out of the garage to let it idle outside. I feel like it still needs some tuning but it’s not dying on me. Which is something it did just putting it in gear and sitting still, it would just die in the past. Then I drove it back into the garage and did a small power break and it spun the tire alittle bit but it didn’t die on me. In the past because it wasn’t running in the idle circuit, it would die on me anytime it got out of idle or if the car was just sitting in gear. Now with the pcv port unplugged it’s running better. I’m still undecided if I will drill the holes in the butterfly but by leaving the pcv port open it proved the engine needed more air during idle when it was on the idle circuit.
But with the pcv port open, this will most likely effect the rest of the power band since this is unregulated air going in, while if it was the blades that was drilled it really won’t effect the air amount out of idle since the blade is opened now.

I didn’t change the step spring as I figured I’d drive it first to see how it acts before changing it.




It was starting to get late so I figured I’d give it shot tomorrow and drive it around the block.

 

[madison069]

It went around the block!


Maiden voyage is under my belt. It didn’t die on me going around the block, but it felt like I had a brake dragging. Also, I don’t think it ever shifted into third gear but it’s possible I didn’t get up to a fast enough speed for third.

I got it home after the block drive and I’ll check the brakes to be sure they are not dragging. It’s possible that the front alignment is off and causing my dragging feeling. I’ll put a measuring tape on it when I get some help to hold the tape.

I also want to double check my modulator on the transmission and make sure it’s hooked up. It had a strong first to second shift, just never did feel the third gear engage. Or it could just need to be driven some to get everything loosened up. It hasn’t hit third gear since 2006.

 

[madison069]

Got the car in the air and sure enough my front passenger side brake was stuck. I disassembled it and the caliper piston was pushed out some and it wouldn’t go back easily. I used a brake spreader and was able to get the piston back. Then cleaned the caliper bolts and touched up the brake contact points to ensure those were the problem. Reassembled the brakes and had good sliding on the pin so it wasn’t the pin area. Had my wife pumped the brakes and once the brakes engaged it never did release again. Now to order new brake caliper and hoses. Might as well do the driver side.

 

[madison069]

Came home from dinner and went in the garage for a drink. I found this on the bench and floor.


I guess it was an epic battle in the Master of the Universe world.


I’m going in the house and I’ll deal with this tomorrow

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Congrats on the first drive...time to start shaking it down!

 

[madison069]

Congrats on the first drive...time to start shaking it down!

First ride I was so focused on listening to the car and hearing a squealing noise with dragging feeling (the stuck brake) , waiting for third gear and so on that I forgot to enjoy it. I’m sure my next ride will be more enjoyable.

I got new calipers, new hoses, and new pads coming in. I also got an adjustable modulator for the transmission since I might need to adjust for low vacuum.

I’m not gonna enjoy registering the camaro, got to love when the tax man of Pennsylvania demand his cut of the car value. My title is still a Texas title so I’ll have to take the camaro to the registration office so they can verify the VIN. Insurance quote was $800 a year as per my insurance agent, on top of needing new tires still. I’m going to give Edelbrock tech line a call this week and ask them what I should do about the idle circuit deal. Might even call Holley and see what they provide as a solution.

I should have planted a couple of money trees instead of the cucumbers vines.

 

[madison069]

I put them in timeout.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

First ride I was so focused on listening to the car and hearing a squealing noise with dragging feeling (the stuck brake) , waiting for third gear and so on that I forgot to enjoy it. I’m sure my next ride will be more enjoyable.

I got new calipers, new hoses, and new pads coming in. I also got an adjustable modulator for the transmission since I might need to adjust for low vacuum.

I’m not gonna enjoy registering the camaro, got to love when the tax man of Pennsylvania demand his cut of the car value. My title is still a Texas title so I’ll have to take the camaro to the registration office so they can verify the VIN. Insurance quote was $800 a year as per my insurance agent, on top of needing new tires still. I’m going to give Edelbrock tech line a call this week and ask them what I should do about the idle circuit deal. Might even call Holley and see what they provide as a solution.

I should have planted a couple of money trees instead of the cucumbers vines.

See if you can get a quote from JC Taylor Classic Car insurance. I've got that on the Z28, Mach 1, and 49'. Average on all 3 is a little over $26/mo with agreed cash value. No haggling, no BS...it's insured for $X, guaranteed.

 

[madison069]

See if you can get a quote from JC Taylor Classic Car insurance. I've got that on the Z28, Mach 1, and 49'. Average on all 3 is a little over $26/mo with agreed cash value. No haggling, no BS...it's insured for $X, guaranteed.

Thanks! I’ll have to check them out

 

[madison069]

piddled around the house and garage yesterday.

I just picked up the stuff off the floor and put it all on the bench for now. I hate the fact that the wall is a steel stud wall so it's not exactly easy to hang shelves and cabinets on the wall


Did some canning due the number of cucumbers we had on hand. Half of the jars are dill pickles, and the other half is bread and butter. I packed those jars tight but for some reason the bread-and-butter jars showed to have a lot of space in the jars.



Worked on the electrical stuff that was floating around the garage, I packed most of it in the craftsman boxes that I had, just need to label them and put them on the shelves.

Starting point,


Current state,



I got a lot of cut off wires that are still good for small projects, but haven't decided how I will store them to make it easier to contain and maybe actually use them.

The Edelbrock tuning book came in the mail. Lots of good information in the book. Still need to do some reading.



That was pretty much it around the garage. Tonight, I get to load up landscaping rocks for a future project, ahh the joy of trying to save money on projects.

 

[madison069]

Yesterday was about saving money.

A neighbor posted on Facebook that she wanted to get rid of these white rocks. I’ve been needing to get a load of these rocks for some projects around the house. Problem with these rocks is it’s not easy to shovel them. So, me and the wife had to load them by hand into 5 gallon buckets. I had to load each one into the truck since I don’t trust my wife to not hit the side of the truck with the bucket of rocks.

4 truck loads later and I’m beat. I got more then I needed so that’s good as I can spread the rocks out in other area of the yard.


Needless to say, I’m feeling it this morning and almost forgot I was going to work today.

We made good time as it took only 2 hrs. to load it and haul it home.

Now to start the day job where I get to climb into a storm water tank and duck waddle some!

 

[bj383ss]

Yesterday was about saving money.

A neighbor posted on Facebook that she wanted to get rid of these white rocks. I’ve been needing to get a load of these rocks for some projects around the house. Problem with these rocks is it’s not easy to shovel them. So, me and the wife had to load them by hand into 5 gallon buckets. I had to load each one into the truck since I don’t trust my wife to not hit the side of the truck with the bucket of rocks.

4 truck loads later and I’m beat. I got more then I needed so that’s good as I can spread the rocks out in other area of the yard.


Needless to say, I’m feeling it this morning and almost forgot I was going to work today.

We made good time as it took only 2 hrs. to load it and haul it home.

Now to start the day job where I get to climb into a storm water tank and duck waddle some!

I have done that before.

Hauling rock for Outside work area. by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Bret

 

[madison069]

I have done that before.

Hauling rock for Outside work area. by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Bret

I think we all have at one point or another, be it rocks or a smoking deal on a tool.

 

[madison069]

Parts came in, I thought it would have been made in USA being new. Oh well.




I need to get these painted black before putting them on the camaro.

Apparently I injured my knee, seems to be a sprain or something similar. So in the mean time, I’m cleaning a tar covered oil painting that’s been in my family as long as I remember. It’s an oil painting of a cover bridge called Miller. It used to be at the Horseshoe bend river by the Horseshoe bend national park in Alabama. It’s gone now as it collapsed in 1963 before they were able to restore it.
Here is an example of how much tar can build up if everyone in the house smoked 3 packs a day for 40 years in the same room.

Guess which half is cleaned?






I still got some more work, but it’s getting brighter and not the old brown tar color.


second pass I’ll use a soft bristle toothbrush to get in the crevices.

 

[madison069]

Cleaned the calipers of the shipping oil and was able to shoot a coat of paint on them. They should be cured enough to assemble on Sunday.

Used up the rest of this can of paint.


Slowly watching my paint can collection shrink. Would love to see them all go before I have to buy new paint.

 

[madison069]

So I couldn’t wait. I went ahead and slapped the calipers and hoses on the camaro.

First let’s test the brake fluid as per @zmotorsports suggestion. I knew it did, but as per the picture you can see it failed.

I went ahead and pull the banjo bolts off the old calipers and let them drain the old brake fluid out.

Then pulled the old calipers and hoses off. Here’s the new ones installed.



Since I had to wait til Sunday to get a pumper, I figured I’d check the brake fluids I have on the shelf. Here is an open bottle I bought maybe 2 months ago.

It’s reading 2%


Well, I figured that can’t be good for a fresh brake bleed, so let’s check the unopened bottle I had.



It’s reading 1%, which is ok but do I really want to use a bottle that’s reading 1% already?? Or should I just look at the less then symbol by the 1% and consider it an acceptable bottle of brake fluid to do a refill on the brakes on Sunday?


Anyone tested their fresh brake fluid to see if it’s good or bad? What were yall results?

 

[madison069]

So started thinking about the carburetor, and in the process of eliminating the unknowns I started thinking about the fuel pressure. I didn’t have a gauge on the fuel line so no idea on the pressure. Ordered a fuel gauge and installed it today. Well, according to the gauge I am running 8psi. Edelbrock don’t like anything more then 6psi and prefer between 4-5.5psi. A new fuel regulator is coming in the mail so I can drop the pressure down. I wouldn’t have thought a mechanical fuel pump would have over pressured a carburetor but it seems like a possibility. Reading reviews of fuel pumps it seems it’s not uncommon these days with the part stores mechanical fuel pumps so it’s something to remember in the future.

Other then that I’m just playing catch up with chores since I’ve been resting a hurt knee. Still sore/tender but I can’t sit forever.

 

[Swanny1953]

Just got caught up with this thread. I’ve been very happy with National Corvette Museum insurance.

 

[madison069]

Nothing much to report except throwing more stuff away, coiled up the loose scrap wires to place them in the totes with other wires. I did use the less then 1% tested brake fluid in the camaro. I first pulled the old stuff out of the brake master with a turkey baster.

Used the Mighty vac to pull the fluid thru the line. Hopeful tonight I’ll have a helper to pump the brakes. Fuel Regulator is supposed to be here tonight. Maybe I’ll get that installed tonight also.

I did pull my chain collection out and wrote down what I had before putting it back in my chain box.


Trying to decide if I want to build a power tool rack or buy a premade one. Seems like the premade ones are relatively cheap considering the cost of wood and time.

Oh and I did organize a cabinet and pulled the power tools out of it to put all of the new oil and the fluid around the shop into it. Trying to centralize all of my fluid in one cabinet so I’m not hunting for them.

Never ending process.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Maybe on your chains you could create a color coded chart for their lengths, and then spray paint the hooks accordingly. You do have extra spray paint, and then it’d be easy to grab however long of chain you need!

 

[madison069]

Maybe on your chains you could create a color coded chart for their lengths, and then spray paint the hooks accordingly. You do have extra spray paint, and then it’d be easy to grab however long of chain you need!

I like that idea! I'm also thinking of hanging them up unless I put the chains in their individual ammo can. Only one that might not fit an ammo can would be the 31' long chain. This way I could just pick up the can and take it to the truck or wherever it's needed. Then again, I haven't used a chain in years. Ever since I've switched to a braided sling on the hoist, the chain has been dormant. But I don't plan to get rid of them.

 

[madison069]

Fuel regulator is installed and now it idles with the PCV hose hooked to the carburetor.



That must of been my issue all along regarding the idle. Now it’s set at 4.5psi for fuel pressure and seems to idle decent. Probably can be tuned some more.

It seems the transmission pan is still leaking after checking the bolts to ensure none of them were loose. I’m thinking the steel pan might be warped and that thin gasket just can’t compensate for the warp in the pan. I’ll go ahead and order a cork gasket, or maybe a rubber gasket?

 

[Bob Heine]

I’ll go ahead and order a cork gasket, or maybe a rubber gasket?

Cody, I end up buying finned aluminum pans rather than fighting with the stamped steel ones. Speedway (and Amazon) sell a polished cast one for $60 and Jegs sells a fabricated aluminum one for $50. You've already put a ton of time and money into the car so eliminating a potential never-ending problem might be worth it.

TH350 Stock Depth Finned Aluminum Transmission Pan, Polished

www.speedwaymotors.com

JEGS 60161: Fabricated Aluminum Transmission Pan TH350 - JEGS

FAB ALUM TH350 TRANS PAN

www.jegs.com

 

[SilverJimmy]

Does GM or someone else make a torque limiting gasket, the ones that have inserts molded into them that don’t allow you to over tighten them? Seems I’ve seen that style advertised before.

 

[madison069]

Cody, I end up buying finned aluminum pans rather than fighting with the stamped steel ones. Speedway (and Amazon) sell a polished cast one for $60 and Jegs sells a fabricated aluminum one for $50. You've already put a ton of time and money into the car so eliminating a potential never-ending problem might be worth it.

TH350 Stock Depth Finned Aluminum Transmission Pan, Polished

www.speedwaymotors.com

JEGS 60161: Fabricated Aluminum Transmission Pan TH350 - JEGS

FAB ALUM TH350 TRANS PAN

www.jegs.com

Well I saw your post last night and it did cross my mind. I went ahead and ordered the new aluminum fin pan. It should be in this weekend.


I’m not sure if I’ll get it installed this weekend. I need to give the house boiler some loving before the winter hits us. I have a new aquastat to install and I’m sure I need to flush the system and bleed all of the radiators/baseboards.

Will see how it goes this weekend.

 

[madison069]

Does GM or someone else make a torque limiting gasket, the ones that have inserts molded into them that don’t allow you to over tighten them? Seems I’ve seen that style advertised before.

I know what you’re talking about. Was going to check the local auto store to see if they have one in stock.

 

[madison069]

Forgot to put this in the post, but it did cross my mind to reuse the lubelocker gasket. As long as I don’t see any defects in the sealing surface I don’t see why I can’t reuse it. As per their website it is reusable.

But I wanted a new gasket on standby incase there’s a problem with the line locker gasket.

 

[madison069]

As I continue to move things in their spot and getting better ideas of organizing the stuff, I just keep thinking I am not making much progress. Still purging and determining where things need to go. But eventually I need to start building or buying cabinets to store stuff and make the area look less cluttered. Just posting current photos.

Cooking stuff in the left corner, plan is to store this in a small shed or get a cabinet for it all. Right corner is press, power washers, gas cans that’s empty currently, and jacks and jack stands area. I’d like to clean up the jack and jack stand area. Maybe a cleaner way to store this stuff.


Small engine parts in white and blue cabinet, abunch of parts I stripped from junk mowers for future repairs. Champion cabinet holds automotive parts for Jaguar (mil), camaro, oil filters for all of the current fleet. Gray bins are from the boat, one is full of rod sleeves, other is full of deer sheds and horns which I might just finally let go as it was my dad’s collection. Black tote are rafts for river floating, cardboard box has a portable toilet that’s never been used. Tan cabinet houses my fishing supply that’s not in the boat.
Wood cabinet is all automotive paint related stuff with spray can paint on top.



Different angle but the shelves on the left is full of house related stuff, bench grinders that I’d like to build a stand for, and a bunch of random stuff. Oh and the red black containers are full of automotive related electrical stuff such as wires, terminal kits and so on. Drill press, dolly, creeper that’s converted to a seat, and a generator is there in the corner. Several stands on the wall behind the ladder. Gray cabinet houses cleaning towels I’m keeping clean from shop dust.

Brown filing cabinet has a lot of gloves, masks, spray chemicals, and battery chargers.
Gray filing cabinet has air tools, grinders and supply, clamps, and pipe wrenches.
Green cabinet is mostly fluid like oil and so on.


A bunch of empty storage related stuff.


Need to figure out how to store the electrical tools and put stuff away. The folding table is being used to stage for the camaro related projects, but my goal is to put that table away and put that stuff in their places.



I got a premade power tool organizer coming for all of the tools on the bench. I’d like to combine the MiG and stick welder into one cart. Along with make a designated welding table/area.


Those shelves are full of camaro and automotive related parts. The top shelf is small engines that’s good, just nothing to put them on yet.


The paint in the tote and buckets are drying. I put kitty litter in the tote and hopefully it’s ready for garbage day next week. The Evinrude motor needs attention and the plan are to use it on a buddy’s job boat. I’d like to organize the extension cord differently but I’m not sure how.

Either way, that’s the current situation in the garage auto area. I also want to move everything around to kind of make the garage flow a little better. Wouldn’t know the amount of junk I’ve thrown away already by looking at these photos.

 

[madison069]

Someone was moving out today down the street from me. They were tossing a lawnmower, two fans, a 8’ folding table, and a bunch of other stuff. I took the mower, fans, and table. After cleaning the table and fans they appear to be in great shape. I can always use fans and fans aren’t cheap these days. I’m sure my wife can use the table for her Cricut stuff so I take it as a win.

 

[madison069]

Got the power tool rack put together and up on the wall. Even got the chargers in place and plugged into a power strip so I can turn them all off when not in the garage.

 

[madison069]

As I mentioned before I needed to put a new aquastat on the boiler. The old aquastat had a sticky relay due to corrosion and I would have to go in the cellar every so often during winter to tap it so it would work. I figured I’d be proactive this year and install the new aquastat that I bought 4 years ago and beat the winter time. Old boiler that’s just chugs along with a part installed here and there every so often.



I got the new aquastat installed and boy did it look pretty.


Well, when I turned the thermostat on and got back in the cellar, it wasn’t working. Did some troubleshooting and found out the built in 24v transformer had **** the bed. Just my luck, trying to be proactive and it bit me in the ***. A new aquastat is $340 and apparently I paid $210 for this one 4 years ago, so that should give you an idea of how much it has gone up since 2020. A new external transformer is $47 shipped. I decided I’d just wire in a new external transformer due to the age of the boiler. Just ticks me off though with what I thought was a new working part, what if I had installed it during the winter when parts are in high demands. I’m sure I’d be really upset then.

Let move on to happy stuff.

So I pulled the new shiny transmission pan out of the box. Nice and thick.


I got a cork gasket so I’ll just put the rubber one on the shelf to be thrown away in the future I’m sure.

Pulled the drain plug on the transmission pan so it can drip empty to be removed tomorrow.


I plan to reuse the fluid so I used a clean pan to catch the fluid. I got a jug of transmission fluid that’s 3/4 empty so I’ll use it to put the fluid in and pour it back into the transmission when I get the new pan installed.


That’s it for the night.

 

[madison069]

Late start today as I was fighting a sinus headache this morning. But I got the transmission pans swapped.



The lube locker gasket was very thin, almost like a sheet of paper so I forfeited on reusing it and went with the cork gasket. I also torqued the bolts to 11 ft/lbs cause manual said to do 12 and I am concerned about the threads as I’ve already repaired 2 of them due to stripped threads. I also had to us a longer bolt for the shifter bracket due to the bolts provided was only 3/8” exposed without anything on it. But so far no leaks are seen and I’ll wait til tomorrow to call it good. I did crank the camaro up and let it warmed up some while checking the fluid level. Seems to be full.

I took the time to install the coolant overflow can, I have a cap coming for it. I’m tempted to order a new overflow can but it’s easy enough to swap out so I can do it later.



I’m also getting ready to install the windshield washer tank. Just waiting for a nut to come in that will attach the pump to the bottom of the tank.


It will go on the driver side in front of the inner fender as per factory location.



It’s a requirement for the washer system to be working in Pa from what the rule books says.

I also need to put the vacuum canister somewhere for the brake vacuum. Starting to get crowded under the hood.