I worked at the local service station from when I turned 16 all the way through college. I got to tinker on my truck all of the time. I always had the cleanest windows and my tires were always balanced.
Being able to wrench on it (with really nice tools) had a lot to do with me getting so many miles on the odometer. I wasn't always the smartest mechanic back then, though. When I was around 17, the nylon timing gear crumbled and the chain was so loose it was swinging out and wore a hole in the timing cover tin. After getting tired of continually replacing the electrical tape that I stuck over the hole, and putting quarts of oil in it, I replaced the gear and chain. Some time after that, I replaced the oil pump that had sucked up all those nylon chips. Running the motor with a loose chain (and low oil pressure) took its tole on the back cylinder. But just like any kid would do, I continued to drive the hell out it until I started working full time and could afford to get the motor rebuilt.
Here are some images of another familiar friend. My dad was great at adding his own notes which often helped me out.
Now I am freakin' out because I can't find the owners manual. I put it somewhere safe, but I can't remember where....
GMC