One year later 40'x80'

[zmotorsports]

I've never been stranded due to a bad idler/tensioner and always carry spare belts but this was worth your sharing and Mac's reiterating.

I wish I could claim that. Back when I built my 1986 Suburban with the 1991 EFI'd big block in it, I had a tensioner break the center retaining bold and left me on the side of the road. Those old big blocks were somewhat known to have that issue but I didn't listen to my gut and on a winter snowmobiling trip it failed on me. Ever since then in that truck I kept a spare tensioner, bolt, belt and idler pulleys. In my current truck and Jeep I carry spare belt, pulleys and tensioner just in case. I look at it that if I carry a spare I'm less likely to need it.

Damn Murphy.

 

[fnieto]

I wish I could claim that. Back when I built my 1986 Suburban with the 1991 EFI'd big block in it, I had a tensioner break the center retaining bold and left me on the side of the road. Those old big blocks were somewhat known to have that issue but I didn't listen to my gut and on a winter snowmobiling trip it failed on me. Ever since then in that truck I kept a spare tensioner, bolt, belt and idler pulleys. In my current truck and Jeep I carry spare belt, pulleys and tensioner just in case. I look at it that if I carry a spare I'm less likely to need it.

Damn Murphy.

Dang Mike, I've really been lucky then, hell I've only had three flat tires my whole life hehehe! I can only claim being stranded once for seven hours on a brand new Harley road glide with under 2K miles on her. I will never give HD another dime after that experience. We broke down in White Sands Missile range in late May.....Not cool.
Like the saying goes, "better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it"

On a side note, I did an eleven mile hike today. the high was 68º.

I'm also well rested with 5 and a half hours of sleep to boot.

 

[Big A1]

Holy cow brother!!! You da man!!! I haven't hiked that much in many yrs! The terrain looks similar to where I used to hike when I was younger. My grandparents lived south of Albuquerque. Those were fun days! I love the mountains of northern New Mexico, but the hiking is hard on me because of the elevation change. I live somewhere around 500' ASL. I try to get up there a few times every summer to fly fish. I'm gonna take my older two this summer, just the 3 of us. I'm really looking forward to it!
-Andy

 

[fnieto]

Haha thank Andy,
I'm going crazy hanging around the house and shop unable to do something productive so a hike sounded like a good idea. The weather has been unusually cool for this time of the year although the wind was a bit much. Our home sits at 2,969' in elevation so some of my hikes have taken me up to to 8K. Those will have to wait as the trails are a bit more technical. This particular hike took me to round 4,744'.

New Mexico had so much to offer, I love riding my MC throughout that state. Have you been t the Gilla cliff dwellings just north of Silver City? Some decent hiking there for sure. I'm sure the three of you will enjoy spending time in northern NM this summer.

 

[Finallygotit]

Hello? Paco?? Anybody home? I know you're out there. Are you trying to ignore us?


How's the shoulder doing?

 

[zmotorsports]

Hello? Paco?? Anybody home? I know you're out there. Are you trying to ignore us?


How's the shoulder doing?

I was wondering about him myself. Been pretty quiet on this thread lately. Hope he's ok and out having fun, hopefully with a healed shoulder.

 

[fnieto]

Howdy fellas,

Sorry man, the left shoulder is healing well and have completed all required PT.
I start work (lite duty) next Monday for an estimated two month before returning to full duty.

I've been hiking a ton averaging 35-40 miles /week. This has been a blessing for me as I can easily get in trouble staying close to the shop.

 

[zmotorsports]

Howdy fellas,

Sorry man, the left shoulder is healing well and have completed all required PT.
I start work (lite duty) next Monday for an estimated two month before returning to full duty.

I've been hiking a ton averaging 35-40 miles /week. This has been a blessing for me as I can easily get in trouble staying close to the shop.

Good to see that you're doing well Paco. Glad to hear the shoulder has been healing well and you are going to be able to go back to work (at least I think I'm happy for ya with work being a 4-letter word).

 

[zmotorsports]

Now let's see some of those bad *** projects that I'm sure you've been working on...….

 

[Finallygotit]

Howdy fellas,

Sorry man, the left shoulder is healing well and have completed all required PT.
I start work (lite duty) next Monday for an estimated two month before returning to full duty.

I've been hiking a ton averaging 35-40 miles /week. This has been a blessing for me as I can easily get in trouble staying close to the shop.

Glad to hear all is well. Been a long road to fix that one.


WOW, that's a lot of hiking. I hope you're hiking in the very early morning. It's been a tad toasty to be doing that anytime after 9 or 10 AM.

 

[fnieto]

Heres some shots.

Into the Santa Catalina mountains "Pusch Ridge wilderness"
You can see the city in the distance from this shot. I ended up three more ridges over before heading back to create the loop.

A rare site was an Arizona Coral snake "red on yellow kill a fellow" followed by a 14" Gila monster also known as a Mexican Beaded Lizard. BTW, the Gila monster is the only venomous lizard in the world. At around 8-9 miles in, I spotted three white tailed does. It was at this point when I lost my bearings and had to use the old school map and compass. No cell service.

This hike was actually closer to 21 miles. You can see the start of the loop that my GPS was paused with a missing portion of close to three miles. It was on this hike that I had to ration the 3 litters of water. I ran out with 1.5 miles to go in 105º temp.

Same mountains different trails. Again looking back after 4-5 miles in.

Thimbe Peak at Sabino Canyon.

On this hike I ditched the Camel back 3 litter hydration and bought a Osprey Mantis 24. I now carry 249 oz of water and a filtration pump. I drink at will and feel way better after a long day out. Next ups a Garmin InReach GPS with SOS feature as I hit the trails alone.

 

[zmotorsports]

DAMN!!! Good for you Paco. Hell many of the Jeep trails I go on aren't even that long and take me the better part of a day.

 

[fnieto]

Good to see that you're doing well Paco. Glad to hear the shoulder has been healing well and you are going to be able to go back to work (at least I think I'm happy for ya with work being a 4-letter word).

Thanks Mike, although I'll miss the 3-4 hikes per week, I'm actually looking forward to being productive again.

Now let's see some of those bad *** projects that I'm sure you've been working on...….

Those will have to wait brother. Most of my projects require heavy lifting on my part.

Glad to hear all is well. Been a long road to fix that one.

WOW, that's a lot of hiking. I hope you're hiking in the very early morning. It's been a tad toasty to be doing that anytime after 9 or 10 AM.

Thanks amigo, yup this time the right surgeon with awesome results. I'm actually ahead of schedule compared to the suffering from the first failed attempt.

I try to get out there by 5 am but when you do 15 and over your returning around 2-3 in the afternoon. Being the spontaneous knucklehead that I am, most of my hikes start well after 8 am when the temps are already flirting triple digits.

 

[zmotorsports]

Those will have to wait brother. Most of my projects require heavy lifting on my part.

OK. I guess I'll cut you a little slack then.

 

[fnieto]

I now carry this on my back. It holds two hydration bladders (185 oz) and two 32 oz. Nalgene bottles. Water filtration pump. I drink at will and feel much better after a long hike. I also started using electrolyte tabs. The down side, I now have 23 pounds on my back at the start.

Nothing worse than running low on water and having ample of water source to filter.

Heres a random shot of the FJ40 (black circle) at the start of a climb.

This was in the Rincon Mountain range known as Tanque Verde Ridge. Note to self: Anything with the word Ridge= PAIN hahaha.

The Peak in the background is Rincon Peak. I have scouted this and am planning this summit this coming fall. Any one interested?

Tanque Verde ridge was under 10 miles, but the climb was a workout. Check out those floors climbed. My 56 year old knee where pissed at me on the way back.

Last shot is Hutchs Pool in about 8-9 miles in the Santa Catalina range. With this kind of water source one can carry less weight in water and refill for the return.
This pool is close to 40 yards wide and 75-100 yards long. Its deep end is 8-10' during the dry season. I've seen turtles and small minnow as well as two legged creatures swimming in Hutchs.

 

[Finallygotit]

Paco, you are a machine! Between the fact that I am so out of shape and my knees are starting to sound like Velcro, I will take a pass on the Rincon peak excursion. When you get up there, look southwest towards Mt. Fagan and I will wave back at ya.

 

[fnieto]

Hahaha, my knees make a lot of rice crispy noise too brother but only hurt on the way down.
I've learned to premeditate with Diclofinac aka Superman pill! Take one at 4 am and I'm good to go for the day. When I forget...well its like Kryptonite.

I wish I had some company on some of these longer treks. I'll be waving your way Dan.

 

[rmack898]

Paco I'm glad to see you all healed up, getting the right doc is not alway easy.

The scenery on your hikes is amazing. Once I get my house/shop built I plan on getting two new knees installed, after that I may have to take a road trip and let you lead me on a hike.

Glad to see you back.

 

[fnieto]

Thank you Mac,

Despite the triple digits the views are truly inspiring. I hope your builds go smoothly and you get those new leg joints installed. I would love to guide some hikes.

 

[Big A1]

Hey Paco! Glad to see you're feeling better! Geez, you are the man! El Hombre!!!! Brother, I'd be struggling just to keep up for a quarter of those hikes! Pictures look amazing!

I'm with the others and looking forward to seeing some more of your work!

Take it easy!
Andy

 

[LXCam]

I’m happy to hear you’ve healed up so well bud. One of these days I’ll have to join on a hike...





To the end of your driveway

 

[fnieto]

Hey Paco! Glad to see you're feeling better! Geez, you are the man! El Hombre!!!! Brother, I'd be struggling just to keep up for a quarter of those hikes! Pictures look amazing!

I'm with the others and looking forward to seeing some more of your work!

Take it easy!
Andy

Thanks Andy,
I too am itching to get some shop work done. The "things to make " list is getting long.
Is really amazing how fast one gets back in shape so long as you don't hurt yourself in the process. If this old fat man can do it, anyone can!

 

[fnieto]

I’m happy to hear you’ve healed up so well bud. One of these days I’ll have to join on a hike...





To the end of your driveway

Hahah! hi Cam,
Thanks amigo, I hope your new employment is going well. My BIL who did two careers with the state (corrections) just retired back in June. I think he did 37 in total. You might have crossed paths as he was higher echelon working under the governor. Any way, I hope all is well with you brother. You should hike over to my smoker/grill for some eats man.

 

[LXCam]

Hahah! hi Cam,
Thanks amigo, I hope your new employment is going well. My BIL who did two careers with the state (corrections) just retired back in June. I think he did 37 in total. You might have crossed paths as he was higher echelon working under the governor. Any way, I hope all is well with you brother. You should hike over to my smoker/grill for some eats man.

Ya man, things are ok. Matter of fact just had a big boy meeting with a few ADOC mucky mucks so ya never know I might have.

Sooooo, what time is dinner??.


BTW, I'll be down your way probably next week. I need to kick off a small project in Marana and also need to head over to Yuma for a site walk. I'll text ya when I'll be around the area and see what your schedule is like.

 

[fnieto]

Cam,
I start work on August 5th (lite duty) but lets see if we can get together.

 

[Transcraft]

Nice shop great skills

 

[slodat]

How’s Paco?

 

[zmotorsports]

How’s Paco?

I'm wondering the same thing. Haven't seen or heard anything from him in quite a while. Hope he's just enjoying the shop and feeling better.

 

[Finallygotit]

I'm wondering the same thing. Haven't seen or heard anything from him in quite a while. Hope he's just enjoying the shop and feeling better.

 

[fnieto]

Hi fellas,
I sorry for the prolongrd absence. It seems 2019 has provided many twists and turns from good to not so much. I had been recovering from my reworked left shoulder and slowly getting things done in the shop despite the awful light duty scheduler of 4/10's. This less than ideal schedule left Sat, Sun and Monday's to get things done to include domestic chores. That said shop time was limited by comparison to my norm. I have managed to get some things done and the left shoulder seems as good as it gets but it will never be like OEM. At least I was able to sleep without the constant pain I was having prior to the rework.

Now for the rub, I seem to have managed to tear up my right shoulder even while on light duty. It got to the point where reaching for the stereo dial on the dash resulted in severe nauseating pain. My sleep was also suffering as no position could calm the constant pain.
During one of my left shoulder follow up's I mentioned the severe pain to my surgeon. He did a simple physical exam and said he suspected at least two tears but needed an MRI to specify the exact and extent tendons damage. I opted to forgo workman's comp as the last experience was a PITA and despite my winning the case resulted in a half year delay in correcting the problem.
In a matter of two weeks not only was my MRI approved by I had the scan done within this time frame. I saw the surgeon on the 3rd of December and was under the knife at 06:00 the next day. The first couple of days where horrific but once I got ahead of the pain I was able to deal with it. As some of you know, once the nerve block wares off life really ***** until you get ahead of the pain. I have never really liked how opioids leave me feeling so I tend to wait a tad too long until I finally take one. I stayed on them every four hours for three days then stopped and used Ibuprofen along with an ice machine that kept ice cold water pumping through a pad secured to the shoulder. This is what got me through the next few days.

A week later I was in for a follow up and to have the sutures removed. The surgeon then informed me on how extensive the damage was. He was baffled how I was functioning with four severely torn rotator cuff tendons and a dislocated bicep tendon being held on by a thread. He also opted to forgo the use of standard bone anchors and use a series of pilot holes through the bone to secure the tendons. This fellow also dabbles in fine woodworking and possess the eye hand coordination and common sense of a mechanically inclined craftsman.
He felt my activity level would pull the conventional anchors so opted for the custom work. This took a bit longer than simply drilling in an anchor but in the end should work better for me.

So now I'm dealing with inactivity and it's really got me down. The doctor knows all about my shop work and also appreciates my love for hiking as he himself is a trail runner. He has given me the blessing to hike so long as I don't use any treking poles, back pack and no technical type stuff that could result in a slip/fall. At the moment I'm not up to any of this as I can hardly tie my own shoes of zip up my paints. Tomorrow will mark three weeks post surgery and every day is a marked improvement but still a long way from independence. I start PT in late January so I'm hopeful he releases me to light duty so I can get some normalcy back in my life.

I would like to share some of the projects and adventures leading up to my current condition.

Merry Christmas to all and God bless you and yours.
Turn and burn!
Paco

 

[rmack898]

Paco,

Sorry to hear about your other shoulder needing to be fixed but glad to hear you got it fixed and are healing well.

Good choice on not dealing with WC and taking an alternate plan to getting the proper treatment in a timely mater.

Have a Merry Christmas.
2020 will have you back up to speed before you know it.

 

[zmotorsports]

Merry Christmas Paco.

Sorry to hear you've had to go through more surgery but glad you have that behind you going into the new year.

I wish you and your family the very best in 2020 my friend.

 

[fnieto]

As mentioned in post #752 the H2O pump began to leak in the Silverado a couple of days after my left shoulder rework was done. This was a blow when you consider all of the pre planned and service I had done to not only the vehicles but to other things such as HVAC filters, water filters, P-trap clean outs, dripping faucets etc. Just when you think your ready to be out of commission without any issues.... s*&t happens.

I was able to order everything needed for the Silverado water pump job to include all new hoses, idlers and idler pulleys (thanks to the recommendation of Mac and others). About three months after surgery I decided to tackle the job. I was extremely careful as some of the hard to reach hoses where stubborn to break free. I took my time and got through the entire job without pain.

Well, seem something changed with the settings or something else. Unable to post photos of any sort. I'm getting a message of "invalid file". Anyone have any ideas?

 

[fnieto]

Paco,

Sorry to hear about your other shoulder needing to be fixed but glad to hear you got it fixed and are healing well.

Good choice on not dealing with WC and taking an alternate plan to getting the proper treatment in a timely mater.

Have a Merry Christmas.
2020 will have you back up to speed before you know it.

Thank you Mac, I appreciate your wise words.

 

[fnieto]

Merry Christmas Paco.

Sorry to hear you've had to go through more surgery but glad you have that behind you going into the new year.

I wish you and your family the very best in 2020 my friend.

Hi Mike, it's been tough on my mental health more than my physical as I hate being sidelined.
Thanks brother.

 

[Finallygotit]

Holy moly Paco, when you do something you go all out, don't you. Sorry to hear about the other shoulder. Geeeeez.........

If you need anything that might require a good arm, PM me and I will drop by to help. I'm not that far from you.

Take care and Merry Christmas!

 

[fnieto]

Holy moly Paco, when you do something you go all out, don't you. Sorry to hear about the other shoulder. Geeeeez.........

If you need anything that might require a good arm, PM me and I will drop by to help. I'm not that far from you.

Take care and Merry Christmas!

Yeah, I'm not quite sure how I keep breaking my rotator cuff tendons. I asked the doc if I suffered from some sort of tendon disease, his repose was "your overly active". It just ***** getting old man.

Thank you for you generous offer, I do appreciate it.

Merry Christmas

 

[fnieto]

with the help of Git and bajascout, I think I might be able to post up some photos. It seems during one of my apple software upgrades the photo file format was changed HEIC resulting in a "Invalid file". I went back and exported all my photos to jpeg so hopefully I'm successful.

The Silverado H20 job a few months back.

I replaced the water pump OEM gaskets with an old school style gasket offered by Mr. Gasket. I didn't like the corrosion I found on the block caused by the newer style gaskets. What is GM thinking to promote galvanic corrosion?

Here you can see the new pump installed.

Belts, all hoses, tensioners, idler pulleys, reservoir cap and water pump/t-stat replaced.

Used the Astro cooling system service kit to pull a vacuum and check for leaks. I should have mentioned I flushed the cooling system prior to teardown. Many new pumps will not last if the system is not properly flushed of the nasty little particles that can degrade the pump seal.

Enough vacuum is used to collapse the larger hoses.

Using the same vacuum you can now pull in the new antifreeze. No burping of the system is required as all air is eliminated with this service tool.

All buttoned up.

 

[LXCam]

Dang Paco, I was hoping to hear you recovered so well ya went for a walk about in the Andes. I’m sorry things haven’t worked out so well but you’ll heal and be back in business in no time my friend. Here’s to a merry Christmas and a whole new year

And if you ever need help, just raise your hand.........oops

 

[GRN96WS6]

Did you rent that vacuum tool or own it?