Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT Mick's Thunderbird Garage

[Toothaker]

A new serpentine belt?

Yes, I had them replace the A/C compressor belt and serpentine belt. I'm trying to not focus on how much all this would have cost if I'd done it myself. It helps to remember I've not had a truck payment in 10 years, and this is probably the third repair I've had to do on it in that time.

Thanks for rubbing salt in the wound, Dan!

Catching up on your thread tonight.

Your Tbird has a 429 motor??

Yes, with the D0VE-A heads and 10.5:1 compression. Mine has a stuck lifter or two, as there's a terrible lifter racket. I'm not driving it since it doesn't yet have working brakes, but I'm hoping the issue solves itself with some MMO or ATF or something. Wishes and dreams, I know. Actually I imagine some top end work will be needed.

My 1950 ford C.O.E. has a 429 all shined up sitting in it

Here is a link to that thread https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=221122

Yes, I follow along on that thread too. Your work is awesome, Don!

I drove the corvette to Colorado springs and rode that train back in 1985
It was a fun ride.

This was my wife's and my first time taking the full ride. In the winter they go halfway, and a few years ago she and I rode the train in December. It was absolutely beautiful, but the secenery is so different in the summer, it was like it was all new to us.

I've never just tinkered on a car before. I just dive all in when I start a car project

I wish I had that time and energy, Don. I'm doing the best I can!

Your car is looking pretty good. Did you get the bodywork on the right side done?

Not yet. I will be tackling the right side this fall and winter.

You turn 60 in a couple of weeks????

I turn 60 in about 8 weeks.......

So there ya go!

Lyndon
Another old fart!

Ok Lyndon, I was being intentionally vague. Four weeks to old fartdom.

When it needs a new alternator no amount of fiddling with connections seems to help.

Andy, standing there glaring at a balky engine didn't do any good either. I know, I tried that too.

Glad it worked out to be pretty simple for ya.

JB

Me too, JB. As I said above, if I had the time and if it had cooperated by dying at a more convenient time, I could have done it myself and saved a bit of money. Darn thing! My father in law had some sort of sign in his kitchen about cars and women... I forget how it goes.

Thank to all of you for following along and commenting here. I am really humbled because I know this thread isn't nearly as fun or educational as all of yours and all the other threads around here. Thank you.

 

[Toothaker]

Yes, I follow along on that thread too. Your work is awesome, Don!

Dang, Don! No I have not been following that thread. Reading it now. I know about and have read the Party Garage and Corvette thread, so I figured I knew what you were talking about.

You are a busy guy, Don.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Mick, try some CD-2 in the oil, see if that works on your lifter issue.

My first pickup was a '79 K10. It occasionally would get a "sticky" lifter, a little CD-2 in the oil and the noise would go away.

 

[Toothaker]

Mick, try some CD-2 in the oil, see if that works on your lifter issue.

My first pickup was a '79 K10. It occasionally would get a "sticky" lifter, a little CD-2 in the oil and the noise would go away.

I will try that, Outlaw. I have to be honest, I wouldn't have thought of using a sealant to fix that issue. It seems backwards somehow.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I will try that, Outlaw. I have to be honest, I wouldn't have thought of using a sealant to fix that issue. It seems backwards somehow.

Actually the stuff I'm referring to is an oil detergent.

MMO may give the same results...never used it for that situation.

 

[Toothaker]

Actually the stuff I'm referring to is an oil detergent.

MMO may give the same results...never used it for that situation.

Good thing I asked. There seems to be several CD-2 products. The first one I found was an engine stop leak compound, which I believe is opposite of what you are talking about, which is a thin cleaner, detergent based product.

 

[bj383ss]

Mick Rislone makes an oil supplement that is good for lifters as well.


Bret

 

[Toothaker]

Mick Rislone makes an oil supplement that is good for lifters as well.


Bret

Thank you, Bret. That's the brand name I was trying to remember.

 

[Toothaker]

Well, I had a very productive weekend, but no pictures. Sorry.

I did a lot of cleanup in the yard. I have a mulberry tree that had grown sideways into the street, and a viburnum that had taken over the side of the house. I got both of them trimmed, and filled the bed of my pickup with limbs. Mowed the yard, weeded the garden, edged the yard for the first time this year. Hauled all the limbs off to the transfer station. All that, in the 90°+ heat. While this may sound like a normal Saturday to you, this is a huge accomplishment to me. It sure does feel better to be feeling better.

I did get my cheap Chinese vise fastened to my cheap Husky tool cabinet on Sunday. I have expectations of making a very nice workbench, to which I will attach a nice old Reed vise. A guy can dream, can't he?

Thanks for following along.

 

[dchance]

It is good that you are feeling able to do all of that.

Dwight

 

[Toothaker]

Since Don Long asked, I thought I'd document the right side.

One picture is the fender and passenger door. There's damage that can be hammered out. You can also see the rust in the lower right on the door.

The next picture is the quarter panel in front of the rear wheel. It doesn't show the dent well, but it's about an inch in. Like the Bondo? Fortunately that panel is available as a repop.

The last is Bondo and rust around the rear wheel opening. Also available as a reproduction.

My plan is to learn by starting in the trunk floor, and in the floorpan under the driver's feet. I'm not going full Roadkill with this car, so I'll be spot painting as I fix a spot.


Sent from my mobile using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Toothaker]

I got a package today. I don't have the spot in the garage (shed) picked out yet. I wish I'd had a chance to get to know Mr. Church - 1/2 Cup better.

Thank you Andy.

 

[don long]

Toothaker
I looked at that damage and suggest that you dig ALL the bondo out of the 1/4 before figuring out what it needs for repair.
The door is just a hammer and dolly banging game. Not too bad

I will say that it is easier to repair a panel than to cut the car open to change one

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions!!

Don

 

[Toothaker]

Toothaker
I looked at that damage and suggest that you dig ALL the bondo out of the 1/4 before figuring out what it needs for repair.
The door is just a hammer and dolly banging game. Not too bad

I will say that it is easier to repair a panel than to cut the car open to change one

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions!!

Don

Don, absolutely! I was thinking that already, but words from a master are much appreciated.

The car has been repainted and they had some sort of bulk delivery from the Bondo corporation that they needed to use up. Both quarters are full of Bondo, and the left side has two layers of steel - they seem to have laid a quarter over the bad/rusted/dented quarter, smoothed the edges with Bondo and painted it. Not sure if I will grind or media blast to see what I'm up against.

I figure I'm several months from getting to it, at this pace.

 

[xtremek]

Sounds like you've got some fun ahead of you

 

[Toothaker]

Sounds like you've got some fun ahead of you

Indeed I do, Kirk.

Frankly, that the the reason I bought the car. I really enjoy learning new things. I am well aware that I could have bought an old car that was already fixed up. There are lots of them available, in varying degrees of restoration. This car needs body work, mechanical work, interior repairs which all give me a chance to do things. And frankly, as bad as some of it is, my contributions will make the car better than it is. And "better than it is" is the project criteria.

 

[Toothaker]

My week has been a bit like one of Andy's (Old Iron Farmer) weeks - that is a week of Saturdays. I took the week off to get some things done around the house and in the garage.

First, I found a nice place for the 1/2 Cup emblem that Andy made. I saw others had put their on the electrical panel, and I liked the idea so much I stole the idea.

I decided I needed a hose reel. Northern Tool had one on closeout, and I had a $20 off of a purchase more than $100, so it was right in my price range: cheap. I got some fittings for it.

And then I got it hung from the ceiling. That was a chore.

 

[Toothaker]

Today I dragged my lanky frame all over the attic, pulling tubing and getting everything connected.

The system is designed to be installed in a loop, which I did. It effectively shortens the distance to each drop, since the air has two ways to get to the T, which drops to the outlet.

Here you see the two runs coming off the manifold - one goes clockwise around the garage, the other goes the other way and meets it.

One of the two outlets. This one is on the West wall, the other is on the South wall between the garage doors.

And while I was at it, I pulled the last circuit. This will be a couple of outlets on the South wall,

I've found out that a new ache and pain in my knee is actually arthritis. I knew it would irritate it clambering all over the joists, but it had to get done.

 

[bdbecker]

I feel your pain. I'm a big guy as well and I hate attics. I hate attics even more in the summertime. But the good news is you've got your airlines done!

Also, I dig the old Asgrow seed sign. My Grandpa started out as a part-time seed salesman for a company called "O's Gold" while he was still farming in the 60's. He worked his way up to being their VP of sales in 1975. O's Gold merged with Asgrow in 1983, so my whole life I grew up around Asgrow hats, shirts, coffee cups, etc. He retired from Asgrow in the mid-90's, a few years before they got bought by Monsanto. I also worked in the Asgrow corn research and development fields during summers when I was in high school.

 

[don long]

That's a pretty clean install there Toothaker.
The knee problem I can feel for you there. My pain wasn't arthritis I needed new knees!!!

 

[xtremek]

Looks like someone's been busy doing good work. Everything looks nice.

 

[Toothaker]

I don't have a lot to report, as my work has been keeping me busy. I've been traveling a lot. This week, I was in Iowa replacing networking equipment for a customer. Driving home from Fort Dodge, I passed by Perry IA.

(edited to add the pictures back into this post)

Here is the link to Joe's thread here in GJ:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337182

 

[Toothaker]

And just in case anybody cares, here are a few pictures of what I have been doing.

Not much in the way of changes or progress in my garage. I will be getting back to work on the car and garage soon.

 

[bdbecker]

I've driven by the gas station, but never stopped. I need to take my Dad up there - he'd get a kick out of it.

Next time you're in Iowa, at least wave to me when you drive by!

 

[Toothaker]

I've driven by the gas station, but never stopped. I need to take my Dad up there - he'd get a kick out of it.

Next time you're in Iowa, at least wave to me when you drive by!

I will! My next trip is to Waterloo and Des Moines. Either next week or the week after that.

 

[xtremek]

Those racks were a nightmare. Nice work.

 

[Toothaker]

I think I will start updating this thread again.

I got the shed finished last year. Poured concrete slab and a sidewalk connecting the garage man door to the patio. This was in June of last year.



We did find time to do some sightseeing in Southeast Kansas. We visited Big Brutus.



This spring the tulips came up next to the new shed.



and I finally have a workbench, now that all the lawn equipment is out of the garage.



I need to get the progress report done, or at least a current status report, on the "progress" on the Thunderbird. And I need to remember to take pictures as I go.

 

[xtremek]

Did you use Big Brutus to dig out the shed pad spot? I know, not even funny enough for a dad joke. Shed looks really nice, and I'm looking forward to seeing t-bird pics soon.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Glad to see you back around!

 

[Toothaker]

Thanks Kirk and Marc! I was wondering if anyone would talk to me after my absence from here. I've been trying to figure out why I've been away and why I now have time and interest in working on the Thunderbird and posting here, and I think I know why. I started a new job a month ago, and this one is far less stressful.

For many years I worked in the IT consulting industry, and if a customer had an issue I was expected to be available. I've basically been on call 24/7 for 10 years. A month ago I changed jobs; I now work for a John Deere dealer. I'm still in IT, but I'm an in-house techie. In fact, this was my biggest customer - I've been doing their IT networking stuff for 6 years, so I know their environment. In fact, the rack pictures above are at one of their (now my employer's) locations. And no, not green John Deere, yellow. Construction and Forestry, not Ag. Not that there's anything wrong with Ag. (My grandfather was the first owner of a tractor in Comanche County, Kansas, and it was a John Deere.)

I will post some pictures of the cool equipment.

I've also been dealing with a pinched nerve in my back, which is painful and the pain radiates down my leg. I finally went to the doctor, and she said it was a disc that wasn't as thick as it used to be which is pinching the nerve. I thought to myself, "well great. I'll never get the TBird running if I'm all laid up". I asked her if working around the house or in the garage was out of the question, and she assured me that activity wasn't bad. I just need to let pain be my guide, as some days I'll be able to do more than on other days. Well, that enthused me, and the other night I started working on the TBird again.

I thought I had a bad brake system, because the one time I drove the car, it was like I had my foot on the brake. That started the brake system work, documented earlier. Well, I found that I actually have a seized bearing in the drivetrain somewhere. I have the car up on jackstands, and I decided to put it in gear. That revealed the problem, as the rear wheels weren't turning except when I revved the engine.

So last night I started tearing into the rear end.




This bearing turns, so it's either the driver's side or there's a problem in the center section.

More pictures coming. I will be traveling the next two weeks, taking care of issues that have languished for too long at my employer. But I will keep posting as I have time and news to tell.

 

[Toothaker]

The branch next door to the corporate offices:

And the corporate offices behind the Vögele paver. This equipment changes regularly.

 

[Finallygotit]

Congrats on the new job Mick!! Good to see you back here.

 

[Toothaker]

Congrats on the new job Mick!! Good to see you back here.

Thank you Dan. I appreciate the warm welcome.

 

[xtremek]

Congrats on the new job. Do you think they'll let you borrow some of the equipment for a test drive? When your back settles down, start doing a daily stretching routine, you'll be amazed how much it helps. I can't remember if you've replaced the soft lines or not, but before you go tearing the center section apart, try replacing the flex line. I had a brake sticking issue twice now, and both times it was the soft line collapsing internally. Outside looked a little weather checked , but not really something you would think was an emergency to replace.

 

[Toothaker]

Congrats on the new job. Do you think they'll let you borrow some of the equipment for a test drive? When your back settles down, start doing a daily stretching routine, you'll be amazed how much it helps. I can't remember if you've replaced the soft lines or not, but before you go tearing the center section apart, try replacing the flex line. I had a brake sticking issue twice now, and both times it was the soft line collapsing internally. Outside looked a little weather checked , but not really something you would think was an emergency to replace.

They seem prepared for my question when I asked that.

Stretching is absolutely the key thing, which I am doing. I am now convinced that Captain Morgan had sciatica.


I am replacing all the lines, hard lines and soft lines, throughout. I've got the front done, and I'll be doing the back half through this phase of the project.

I really appreciate the warm welcome.

 

[Toothaker]

I never worked in an auto parts store, so I had no idea what is involved. I do know that I used to wonder what the guy behind the counter was typing, and why he was asking so many questions. I used to think that he couldn't find the part. "It's just a [whatever]. How hard can it be?"

Now I'm learning that is wasn't that he couldn't find the part, it was that there were too many results, too many selections.

When I figured that I had a wheel bearing locked up, I ordered two. Then when I pulled the first axle out, I realized I had the wrong bearings. These are sealed bearings. Now, mind you, I did my research, and I found that the sealed bearings were introduced late in the 1970 model year, in preparation for the 1971 MY. And since my TBird was manufactured in July 1969, I was confident... well, I shouldn't be confident, should I?

The right bearings are on order. Anyone need some really nice Timken bearings? For what, I have no idea. Their dimensions are not right at all.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mick: welcome back and big congrats on moving to new job.
It sounds like hanging on an inversion table might work well to maybe give your back some relief. Have you tried one?
Check out the thread in free parking “world turned upside down if you want to read more info or pm me with any questions.
Good luck with T bird

 

[Toothaker]

Mick: welcome back and big congrats on moving to new job.
It sounds like hanging on an inversion table might work well to maybe give your back some relief. Have you tried one?
Check out the thread in free parking “world turned upside down if you want to read more info or pm me with any questions.
Good luck with T bird

Drives! How's things in the PNW?

Thank you for the welcome, and the reminder about the inversion table. I thought of that a while back, but I need to look into it seriously. One minor thing is that the inversion table that fits me will be expensive, as I'm 6' 6" ( a tad over 200 cm for our International friends) and I've learned that normal stuff (like a regular inversion table) might not fit me. Or I won't fit into it. Or something.

 

[Toothaker]

Congrats on the new job. Do you think they'll let you borrow some of the equipment for a test drive? When your back settles down, start doing a daily stretching routine, you'll be amazed how much it helps. I can't remember if you've replaced the soft lines or not, but before you go tearing the center section apart, try replacing the flex line. I had a brake sticking issue twice now, and both times it was the soft line collapsing internally. Outside looked a little weather checked , but not really something you would think was an emergency to replace.

By the way, it is Kirk, right? I have a new computer, and I can't find the cheat sheet I have that provided the first name of the various members. So I might have pulled the wrong name out of thin air. And in the case of Drives, that we call him Drives - member anonymity and all that.

 

[drivesitfar]

Mick: my 6’5 350 pound son used my old invertalign (Costco sold them so many available used in $100-200 range now) and I just sold mine and upgraded to teeterup lx9 (teeterup bot or maybe always owned invertalign ). Any you and your back will thank you if you just hang for up to 5 minutes a day. My mom had a back issue from lifting my 6’5 280 pound dad around (she’s 5’5 130) and even with mri doctor couldn’t find a thing wrong and offered her a cortisone shot. She opted to hang on my invertalign (6 years ago now) for 5 minutes a day and after a week off vicadin pain killers and after a month hasn’t had any issues since. Give it a try. I’ve been using mine since about 2006 and don’t need Advil for back pain now.
I’m 6,3 and 230 and plenty of head room so your 6’6 should be fine. Just work up to the 5 minutes of vertical hanging cause most people won’t and end up selling their new inversion tables.