47-55.1 55 years ago I was given this USAF 54 3100

[dsraven]

It is recommended to at least flush brake fluid with every brake job, which is obviously more often with a daily driver who travels to work everyday, or sooner. Shops will say yearly, which isn't a bad idea in your climate. Brake fluid is cheap but getting it done right is harder if you can't get under there yourself.

[vintovka]

Thanks for good advice. As little as its driven i doubt i'll need another brake job in my lifetime. That said the outside humdity here seems never to drop below 70%-90%. Last week i dropped a brand new driver bit on the pavement at the new place. Found it a day later near rusted solid. As shown in previous posts i used the corroseal stuff on every exposed unpainted surface followed by rustoleum. I like idea of just replacing the fluid in the master cyl and will have that done soon seeing its been there now for near a decade since this project started. Its also seems the area with the most exposure to air. If i can get some help will wash the 54 and post pics at upcoming shows and cruises. Will also need to upgrage thread title to 60 years and shift to the geriatric AD owners forum.

[VWNate1]

You're most welcome Sir .

I too am a certified Geezer and I want to be able to enjoy my oldies as long as possible, routine maintenance is important .

[vintovka]

Well just got a new "ride" for next couple months . Came "free" with 6 hours of labor and 9 new titanium fittings!!! Guess jumping out of perfectly good aircraft, auto rotoring one or two plus a life time of back injuries have finally caught up with me last week. Actully couldn't even walk!! Think my time as a hazmat "moonsuiter" with SCBA did the worst years ago. Anyhow, been mentally piling up all the last projects for this fall while i sit out this years carshows, cruises and other fun. Still need to add the wood bedsides engraved with all the names and emblems of my old Fighter Squadrons on them. They say i can actually have their pics laser engraved added as well. May also upgrade the ignition system as well as still has an intermitant acceleration stumble too. Good news is the power running boards and all the grab bars will really come in handy. Truck is currently stored in its gargage with battery maintenance drip charger and lots of stabil in a full tank.

[Rickysnickers]

Hope you heal up correctly and soon.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Hope you heal up correctly and soon.

Thanks! Am really trying and the reward of getting back into the saddle is a great motivator. Getting better everday!!! May try to wheelchair the upcoming local show at the 3 rivers casino. Treating all this as a final wake up call to complete this and all my other bucket list projects.

[VWNate1]

Keep moving but don't overdo things .

Follow the PT regimen to the letter and you'll get where you want to be sooner and less painfully .

[vintovka]

Yes, very true, Never thought i would have to worry about throwing a rod (internally). New to serious back issues and want to warn eveyone if you feel somethings not "right" go see the doc ASAP. Sometimes the logic that something that requires "extra effort" lifting or twisting, plus the thought " i can do this" can be very counterproductive. Was Scary surgery but survivable. Bet i am preaching to choir on this one. Now Missing engine roar and feel of acceleration badly. Sorry about this narcotic enhanced spell chek rant.

[vintovka]

Still on mend. but walking and hoping to resume driving the 54 soon. Will miss 4th parades but surely will make veterans day. Meantime Been spending way too much time on net but ran across site called "Wallys Workin". Its about extreme restomoding a 54 COE from ground up using a motorhome. The body work on the cab may be very helpful to some. I like how he salvages as many original parts and his rust repair is admirable. Jump in where you like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjtg30VJtXk

[VWNate1]

I hope you're walking again soon, follow the P.T. regimen to a "T" painful and stressful but worth it in the long run .

I'm not keen on restomods, I think if they keep an old from being crushed for scrap that's a good thing .

[vintovka]

Thanks, Ill be fine just frustrated. Theres so many things i need/want to do on the 54 like bending the drivers side door hinges to get it to seal properly. Would be first time in more than half century. Also getting the passenger side of the hood to fender fit right would also be nice.

I like the Wallys site for the way he repairs rust rot and upgrades the running gear including the hood latch. The episode on modifying the original 54 COE parking lever into a auto trans shifter was amazing.

[VWNate1]

I have spent two separate years in a wheel chair, you're going to be fine, just remember : don't be inactive .

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Hope you heal up correctly and soon.

Thanks. You don't know how much you really love working on and driving an AD till you can't. Its also a big motivator to get at it again!!

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Thanks. You don't know how much you really love working on and drivind an AD till you can't. Its also a big motivator to get at it again!!

Trust me when I say, I more than understand.

[VWNate1]

"If it drives like a truck, it's NOT a CHEVROLET ! "

[vintovka]

Good news. In order of importance. Firstly the 54 fired right up and was able to drive it a bit. Secondly I can walk again (but wobbly like a drunk) with a lttle help of a cane. Soon as i can it get washed up, oil changed, new power steering belt and and a tune up i will be back on road. Missed all the shows this year but shooting for the annual veterans day parade in NOV. All the access stuff like the power steps and grab handles have really paid off. Pics soon and thanks for all the kind comments. SHould add I met a poor guy during a post op exam. He barely gets around in a walker. He said he was told he waited too long and now spinal fusion is no longer an option. His pain his unbearable. Glad i did it.

[VWNate1]

Glad to hear this .

It turns out I have Cervical Stenosis, the pain is no joke .

I'm trying to get Kasier to go back into my neck, more surgery .

Drive it while you can ! .

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by vintovka

Good news. In order of importance. Firstly the 54 fired right up and was able to drive it a bit. Secondly I can walk again (but wobbly like a drunk) with a lttle help of a cane. Soon as i can it get washed up, oil changed, new power steering belt and and a tune up i will be back on road. Missed all the shows this year but shooting for the annual veterans day parade in NOV. All the access stuff like the power steps and grab handles have really paid off. Pics soon and thanks for all the kind comments. SHould add I met a poor guy during a post op exam. He barely gets around in a walker. He said he was told he waited too long and now spinal fusion is no longer an option. His pain his unbearable. Glad i did it.

Glad you are up and about!!

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Glad you are up and about!!

Thanks and me too. Actually Feel good enough to do some minor maintenance myself and will attempt an oil change this week end. If i survive that will give it a bath and take it for run around town. Fwiw i just renewed the registration and paid the insurance bill. Still Only $315. I wish i could get Haggarty to cover my other cars as they are twice as much with main insurer but i don't think they will as too new. Not much time left in the year for crusing and we already have had some short, but very violent rain squalls come in from the ocean. They say we are in for an unusually wet winter. Monsoonal was the word here in the PNW. On that note i was wondering how long that stuff like poppys patina lasts or does it just wash off? Comments and advice always appreciated.

[vintovka]

Well my great friend and master mechanic got busy on the 54 yesterday. Fixing a number of issues. Think it and I are physically ready to drive it in the Florence Oregons annual Veterans day parade this thursday. While fixing stuff he noticed my 5 decades old door dilemma. It has a gap of about 1/2" around the top front upper side of the drivers side door. The rest of the door is fine. Been using a double layer of weather strip to seal it in that area. He now says we can fix it with a 2x4!!! Says remove the inner window trim, roll down window, place one end of the 2x4 against the inner frame and the other on the outside upper frame and give it a tug to gently bend it in to fit. Will try it heavy padding next week. What do you think?

[VWNate1]

I think it's worth a try .

Over the decades I have used wooden supports and jacks to gently ease htings into square .

Mind the latch and striker ! it's easy to make the shut lines look good but not the latch & striker .

[dsraven]

bending the door a little to fix the wind gap is pretty common. maybe a little more than usual in this case, but worth a try.

[vintovka]

Thanks! Are there any how to videos out there??

[dsraven]

A body guy I know would put a knee into the door, grab the upper door part (window rolled down) and give it a pull. I have also seen guys do the ratchet strap thing on the part that needs to come inward while the door is kept open with a block in the latch end of things. More predictable than the knee trick.
Hope you get it fixed. Wind noise sucks.

[vintovka]

Think i will give the rachet strap method a i try as both my knee and arms have decided to go permanent leave.