"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo)
07/20/2017 at 18:06 • Filed to: None
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"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo)
07/20/2017 at 18:06 • Filed to: None | 4
| 5 |
Fresno C&C Aug 6...
I had a local deposition that was set for all day, and it ended early. I should go to the office and diligently dig into mountains of bullshit there. But I can’t make myself do it.
I am sitting here with these thoughts about my projects:
1. Sunchaser. I need to go to the junkyard to replace the hood prop rod that Nikon lost. I am hoping most early 80s Toyotas used the same one, and I can find one.
I also need to go to this local custom audio shop. The guy who refurbished the stock radio put the aux input in the rear, where it is inaccessible. The guy who did the installation ran a cable under the dash that is going bad. There has to be a better solution.
2. T Bird. We are starting from the ground up. Tires and alignment are done. My son admitted that he is intimidated at the thought of wrenching on the car for fear of “messing something up.” Son, you have a 47 year old project car. You won’t be messing anything up more than it already is. He learned to check and fill oil and coolant last night.
I am going to break him of his fears by getting his hands dirty. I am no expert, but YouTube is helpful and these old cars are not that complicated. I met this Lincoln lady, who loved the Sunchaser and promised me Ford folks who will help.
I am going to buy a hydraulic jack and some jack stands and we are going to pull the wheels off and take a look at the brakes. I know enough to feel like we can tackle the brakes.
Next will be suspension. I am paying the kid for work around the house, and I told hom he should buy and install new rubber - all the weatherstripping is rotted.
My goal is for him to be able to daily drive it to school when he gets his license in November. It warms my heart to see how much he loves his car. Even when my dad and I were not getting along, we always connected over music, sports, and cars.
3. Sport Trac.
This was my dad’s car when he died in 2008, and it has always been destined for my kids. My dad and I shared a love of cars - he used to take me to the LA car show every year. But for various reasons, it has been staying in my mom’s garage. She uses it to leave at the airport and similar extra car duties. It comes home at the end of August. I have an urge to modify it, in honor of the old man, the lovr of cars he gave me, and that 64 Impala he always wanted
What should I do to it Oppo? I feel like I can’t just leave it as is, but admittedly, it is a limited palette. It is 2WD - Dad bought it for Home Depot runs and wanted leather seats more than 4WD.
4. Vespa. My problem child stalled project. My wife convinced me to replace the plastic panels around the headlight and instrument panels, but I have not done it. I haven’t even ordered the parts. Stupid Vespa.
Because Nikon was such a flake, I need someone to fix, media blast, and paint the metal body. I am resentful of this project at the moment.
I love it, but I hate it right now. Is this insane? Do I have too many projects? Too many cars? Not enough HOA? Guide me...
My X-type is too a real Jaguar
> ImmoralMinority
07/20/2017 at 18:15 |
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The sport trac will be a great parts hauler for the T-Bird. Since you are hitting the junkyard for the hood prop, go to a self service junkyard take your son and a small tool set spend the afternoon taking parts off the heaps in there to get the feel of it. You don’t have to buy the parts.
CaptDale - is secretly British
> ImmoralMinority
07/20/2017 at 18:45 |
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We had a Sport Trac. I really liked that truck. I wish they had real 4wd but they are still neat trucks.
I can’t wait to have space to to wrench again. I miss it.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> ImmoralMinority
07/20/2017 at 18:50 |
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Ha ha, the T-bird has the reverse swing/upside-down fuel and temp gauges like my Galaxie does. Ford, you so crazy.
Seconding the new rubber, though obviously it won’t be as important where you are. The dead rubber in the Galaxie - night and day. Before replacing, I was getting damp floorboards with a light spring shower. After - summer NC mountain monsoon 3" rain dumps, nothing. Which is to say nothing of the noise difference.
Dennis Carpenter is the name you should keep in mind for that. They’re the Ford-approved original mold-using guys. Expensive, but the seals were *right*.
AM3R, lost another burner
> ImmoralMinority
07/20/2017 at 18:56 |
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Man, your son is one lucky kid. I always liked cars and wished my first car could’ve been something cool I could wrench on and fix up myself, but my parents weren’t having it. Now, I still got a pretty nice first car, but I would’ve loved to have an old E30 I could’ve fixed up.
Also, jealous that the HOA doesn’t bother you.. they get mad whenever I have my car on jackstands for more than a quick wheel swap or something.
TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> ImmoralMinority
07/20/2017 at 19:55 |
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Hopefully your boss doesn’t find out, you might get in trouble.
Wait...