Making do with what I have!

[Joe-R]

I'll second that!!!

Joe

 

[matta5]

Great idea to store extra heads, and sweet car!

 

[dlcwent]

Well hello Sean. I was looking around to see where all my friends had disappeared to and I found them all over here. And as I start looking around I can see why. I have a lot of catching up to do. I've only got through the first few pages. I can't wait to get caught up. You have a "few" things going on that are very interesting.

Also need more time to go back and check out the skylark build.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Great idea to store extra heads, and sweet car!

Thank you!

Damn I love that Buick...

Me too! I really cannot wait to get the new engine completed it is taking forever being that all the parts are cu$tom. At least it will be unique!

Well hello Sean. I was looking around to see where all my friends had disappeared to and I found them all over here. And as I start looking around I can see why. I have a lot of catching up to do. I've only got through the first few pages. I can't wait to get caught up. You have a "few" things going on that are very interesting.

Also need more time to go back and check out the skylark build.

Thanks for the kind words, I am keeping busy for sure. Just wait till Shane gets a little older he is ALL ABOUT building stuff all day everyday he is using his tools, fixing stuff, and just loves construction at age 2. He is really going to love helping daddy build the carport project, and then help me enclose in all the walls as he gets older.

Oh and do yourself a favor and click on the link in my signature it shows all the pages of my thread so you can just scroll all the way through for an hour LOL! Has been a busy few years, but I work too much to make fast progress.

 

[dlcwent]

Hey Sean, I clicked on the link in your sig line. It's still loading 10 minutes later. But I can see you've got a ton of pictures. I'm really looking forward to getting through your thread. And as hard as it is sometimes with a two year old, the joy outweighs the tuff times. I'm glad to know you're a proud dad. (You should be.) I had girls to raise, and was very proud of them also. And since they've grown up they have given me grandsons which I think the world of. I hope very much that some day in your travels that we meet. I'm doubting we'd be at a loss for conversation.

 

[dlcwent]

No garage work done but some Muscle car Education. He turns the pages himself and squeels at the cars he likes... So far he prefers the yellow, red, and white cars!







Its his favorite book! Big pictures!

Sean, just wanted you to know I thought this was just about as priceless as it could get. I'm grinning from ear to ear and it has started mty day off in a very positive manner.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Garage Journal is not just about the actual work space but also about the lifestyle and way of life. If we involve our wives and kids into the culture then it just makes it so much more fun... Today Shane came to me with an advertisement leaflet from the newspaper and said "wrench for Shane" so I went to the garage and got him a wrench... of course momma isn't happy about him running around the house with a steel wrench scratching everything he tries to wrench on but that just motivates her to buy him some plastic versions LOL! He has a ton of tools and he literally spends his whole day building things with blocks and using his tools.

When I was a kid my father was always building things and fixing things and although he never pushed me to get into it I really fell into the love of wrenching myself. I should dig up some pictures of the old Massey Furgeson backhoe we had growing up. I learned to operate it at a young age and dad had to fix it quite often... Speaking of which dad never had a garage to work out of for many many years but man he always got things fixed... I can just see him now walking up the hill sweaty and happy.... Something about an honest day for an honest pay that I will never forget...

And you know my dad could have had me doing a ton more work around the place as we had two houses and 4 acres but he let me enjoy being a kid and didn't make me do too much... Of course if I wanted spending money I would work for it but it was pretty cool that he let me have the time of my life growing up with freedom...

On the other hand my best freind grew up working for his father doing rebar and steel fencing but by age 20 he was so burned out he did not carry on the family bussiness and it fizzled away.... If he had started at age 20 instead of 13 then maybe he would have enjoyed it more and carried on the family company.

So in a word or closing:

Enjoy your kids, embrace their interests, and support them no matter what....

 

[dlcwent]

Sean, got through some more of this thread. And congratulations to you and Leanne on your pregnancy. I hope all is well. Thanks for sharing as seeing the pictures of Shane have brought many smiles to my face.

 

[rixtrix1]

Good advice on parenting. My parents didn't like most of my choices or support ed them early, but I found out decades later from family friends that my dad talked up my mechanical aptitude a lot . Providing my mom wasn't around.

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

 

[rixtrix1]

The first time I gave dad. A ride with the nitrous engine was hilarious. I had the car set up to wheelie about 2 feet high. I shifted into high with the front wheels up and the smile on his face was priceless. He even wanted to do it again. I then set it up to go fast knowing I'd get sent home. He would not ever ride along again. He did brag me up at the retire village they wintered at. He was 73 at the time. All the earlier misgivings were put aside.

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk

 

[sean Buick 76]

Thanks guys I didn't want to sound preachy but I sure have a lot of pride as a father.... Nice stories Ric I had some fun rides with my father too, should plan a ride with him in my car!

 

[sean Buick 76]

It's a good day!!! Rented out the house to a nice young guy and his German Shepard gaurd dog! Burn out time!!!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Sean, nice one..

 

[Grumblebum]

Man Sean, I finally made it through all of your thread. What a great read.

You are a wheeler dealer for sure.

Keep it coming mate.

Cheers GB

 

[taumac]

It's a good day!!! Rented out the house to a nice young guy and his German Shepard gaurd dog! Burn out time!!!

Nice!!!

 

[sean Buick 76]

The plot thickens! The young guy who rented my house hit a deer with his 2004 F-150. His radiator, grill and bumper are messed up and he is leaking coolant. It is freezing temps, he has very little cash, or mechanical experience. He needs to get to work about 1 hour drive away so I am lending him a vehicle to get there. Now I am completing 2 more night shifts then driving out with a new rad and the tools to swap out his radiator and get him back on the road.

I love how ford makes quick release fittings for the trans lines on the rad but doesn't seem to sell the tool to the public????I am not going to say anything bad against Ford but I will say that EVERY other car manufacturer in the world makes it easier to fix their vehicles.

Now that he is my renter he is pretty much family so I will get this sorted out and then set him up with a nice GM truck with a bambi catcher like this spare I have here:

 

[taumac]

The plot thickens! The young guy who rented my house hit a deer with his 2004 F-150 so I am completing 2 more night shifts then driving out with a new rad and the tools to get it done. I love how ford makes quick release fittings for the trans lines on the rad but doesn't seem to sell the tool to the public????



I am not going to say anything bad against Ford but I will say that EVERY other car manufacturer in the world makes it easier to fix their vehicles.



Now that he is my renter he is pretty much family so I will get this sorted out and then set him up with a lifted GM truck with a bambi catcher like this spare I have here:

So is the F150 totaled? I really think all manufacturers have their quirks about them. I've owned Ford trucks most my entire life and find it's all about the tools that I don't seem to have or should say right combo of tools. Oh yeah I have that Ford special tool just to take off fuel lines. Go down the tool aisle at parts store and I think it's the only one that uses it.


I think they make a universal set of quick disconnects and it's funny this ones part of the kit. LOL

That being said I've learned Fords but when I work on others cars I sit there and go WTF.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Thanks, no just the bumper, grill, and rad need to be replaced, The rad is the only immediate concern, so he got off lucky and you guys saw how a 100 pound deer almost wrote off my truck when I hit it going 60 MPH with a $3000 bumper.

Yes each company has its quirks but I am still looking for GM's weakness. Thanks for the tips I really hope I can get this rad swapped out.

Ford even from the 80s has been notorious for modifying things so you cannot use them... Try doing an engine swap with a 460 into a 351 truck, and you will be sorry you tried.... Try putting a 1997 F-150 5.0 auto alternator on a 1996 F-150 5.0 auto truck and see how they change the connections just to mess with you.

When doing mechanic work way out in the country it really makes you more careful as you cannot just go to another store to see if they have it... This is one reason why people out in the sticks have spare vehicles.

Anyways thanks for listening I really hope to chime in with a good post on Monday saying he is all fixed an on his way.

 

[taumac]

Well that's good. Yeah I know Fords and there issues. It can get frustrating. Seems like you can drop a LS in anything and make it work easy. I actually wanted to switch to a GM while back. It's was like 2002 and it was choice of a F150/ Expedition or 1500/Yukon. I really really liked the Yukon/Tahoe but at time I couldn't afford the extra cash that they where bringing. It was like $5000 more than the Ford equivalent. I went with the Expedition but still 3 years old ran me $20,000 which is a lot for me to spend. My friend has a Tahoe at work and damn the thing is beautiful. I just can't afford the sticker price that's worth half my house. LOL. Well they all are up there these days.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Well that's good. Yeah I know Fords and there issues. It can get frustrating. Seems like you can drop a LS in anything and make it work easy. I actually wanted to switch to a GM while back. It's was like 2002 and it was choice of a F150/ Expedition or 1500/Yukon. I really really liked the Yukon/Tahoe but at time I couldn't afford the extra cash that they where bringing. It was like $5000 more than the Ford equivalent. I went with the Expedition but still 3 years old ran me $20,000 which is a lot for me to spend. My friend has a Tahoe at work and damn the thing is beautiful. I just can't afford the sticker price that's worth half my house. LOL. Well they all are up there these days.

Maybe I just have a bad Ford dealership here because they were not helpful at all... They would not sell the tools or even give me the part numbers that was frustrating.

Thanks buddy I just wish you were here to help me out with your special ford tool kit. I hear ya man, keep running the affordable vehicles no need to go into debt over a vehicle. Do you happen to know if I need a special tool to get the engine oil lines off the rad? 2004 F-150 STX 4.6. I know I need a special tool for the trans cooler line for sure.

When I started out with vehicles it was a 1980 Ford crown vic with 351 windsor and it was a great car.

Got the truck fixed, was pretty easy to work on... Smooth sailing once I found the right tools....

 

[sean Buick 76]

Found another treasure! The add said "old truck in my yard need it gone has no engine good for parts... No pictures" go see it and:





This 1990 gmc came with independent suspension but for real off road abuse you want some solid axles... Tons of work went into this and it's really well done.



Pulled it up onto the flat deck for safe keeping:



Then went and found a truck to donate an engine and trans... Found a great running 88 gmc with efi 350, 5 speed manual, and manual t case! $300 with bad body rust !

 

[rixtrix1]

Pure ambition!

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Love those old reg cab short bed stepside trucks. That's going to be a fun truck! Did you get the truck for free?

 

[sean Buick 76]

Love those old reg cab short bed stepside trucks. That's going to be a fun truck! Did you get the truck for free?

No quite free but VERY close!

 

[madoc1]

that's one hell of a score on both trucks. you must spend every bit of your spare time on cl or your version. not that it sounds like you have much spare time. where will do the swap? at the little house?

jim

 

[sean Buick 76]

that's one hell of a score on both trucks. you must spend every bit of your spare time on cl or your version. not that it sounds like you have much spare time. where will do the swap? at the little house?

jim

Thanks Jim, I am addicted to the classifieds so I stay off them for weeks at a time but then slip up once in a while when bored at work... Will do the swap at the little house once I get the carport built... Time to sell a bunch of vehicles off and then in spring get going on the construction...

 

[Terrick down Under]

That would fit my collection, except it is not white.
It certainly was a good score.

 

[jbmatth]

Yes each company has its quirks but I am still looking for GM's weakness.

From earlier, I have found the GM weakness, the duramax, everything that goes out in them is a 6-12 hour job and will cost $1,000-$3,000 to fix on your own or double or more to have someone do. Injection pump, injectors, and turbo all fit in that category, the water pump is a major pain, but is only a $100 part so that helps to make up for it. Saying that I'd rather work on mine than any rusty heap that you break every bolt off trying to remove. Love my GM's and Fords though.

JB

 

[sean Buick 76]

I forgot to add pics of the roll cage it has! The interior is mostly removed but I have lots of trucks around I could steal seats etc from:

 

[taumac]

Wow, still amazed where you find these deals. I really like those trucks and that will be alittle bad *** toy. Someone put some nice work into the cage.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Tour of the shop that built my turbo Buick 350 (355 cubic inches) short block rated for 1400 HP

And the owners personal truck in action:

 

[GLTHFJ60]

This thread is incredible! Love all the deals you get, especially the ramp truck ford you built! I'm in the process (long process) of building one myself out of an 04 F550.

Keep it up!

 

[sean Buick 76]

This thread is incredible! Love all the deals you get, especially the ramp truck ford you built! I'm in the process (long process) of building one myself out of an 04 F550.

Keep it up!

Thanks! I used a truck with too short of a wheelbase so I am switching the deck onto a 2000 E-450 that I bought. Then selling the F-350 with a wooden deck. This one has the 7.3 turbo Deisel, larger payload, and the perfect wheelbase. I got the 450 for $1400 with loose steering and now we have completely re done the front end and it drives great now... Removing the cube, adding my deck and a alum cab protector from a semi. We also just got done doing an air bag system on the E-450 and we are going to remove some of the 12 leafs in the rear suspension so I can get it to squat down low for loading vehicles. I was finding the angle too steep on the 4X4 F-350 and the tilt only made it worse. So I am leaving the tilt mechanism on the old truck. Also the PTO winch is STRONG however it's a pain to use alone. So will use my electric winch to load with a wireless remote... I am learning as I go!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Thanks! I used a truck with too short of a wheelbase so I am switching the deck onto a 2000 E-450 that I bought. Then selling the F-350 with a wooden deck. This one has the 7.3 turbo Deisel, larger payload, and the perfect wheelbase. I got the 450 for $1400 with loose steering and now we have completely re done the front end and it drives great now... Removing the cube, adding my deck and a alum cab protector from a semi. We also just got done doing an air bag system on the E-450 and we are going to remove some of the 12 leafs in the rear suspension so I can get it to squat down low for loading vehicles. I was finding the angle too steep on the 4X4 F-350 and the tilt only made it worse. So I am leaving the tilt mechanism on the old truck. Also the PTO winch is STRONG however it's a pain to use alone. So will use my electric winch to load with a wireless remote... I am learning as I go!

Love the plan! My F550 is a crew cab 180" wheel base IIRC so it's also too short, but I'm going the route of extending the chassis. If you can do it on a semi, why not on a F550

Mine won't tilt, but it will have a winch!

 

[sean Buick 76]

Love the plan! My F550 is a crew cab 180" wheel base IIRC so it's also too short, but I'm going the route of extending the chassis. If you can do it on a semi, why not on a F550

Mine won't tilt, but it will have a winch!

Exciting, please post up updates on your thread or send me a private message with a link to the build it you document it on another forum?

 

[Bears Fan]

Sean, Love the old Chevy It will be cool to see what you do with it!

 

[sean Buick 76]

Winter was late coming this year, -20 degrees C (-4 F) and -28 C with the wind chill or -18 F...

Time to get this out and have some fun!

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Exciting, please post up updates on your thread or send me a private message with a link to the build it you document it on another forum?

When I get to it I can post it up in my GJ thread. Need to go through the engine before I get to extending the chassis unfortunately. 6.0Powerstroke that needs headgaskets

 

[dlcwent]

Another nice score on the chevy Sean.

That looks like one bad *** truck in the link you posted. I love hearing that turbo whine before he took off. I can imagine how much better it would be to see it and hear in person.

 

[sean Buick 76]

-27 right now.... Brrrrr