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

[VWNate1]

That's a lovely photo .

I guess we age out, it was 100 + degrees here today yet I was out working in it for 6 hours before quitting .

I have thermometers inside most of my vehicles, after I cleaned up I got in my old VW Bug and it was 140* F, whew . cooled right off to 100* as soon as I opened the windows and began moving .

I hope your fender re spray job works out, I don't think the bed liner on fenders will work out but keep me posted .

[vintovka]

Being Sicilian i have a really low melting point that goes with my volatile temperament. My tribe were always near ocean dwellers and miserable when out of element. Barely survived Living in Las Vegas, N CA and E. LA. Love this sunny 63F weather and just finished a test cruise up and down 101 with a short side visit to gorgeous Cleawox Lake. Was testing couple issues including carb tune, new plugs and wires and sound system remote operation. All worked fine and really enjoyed tunes on th SD from Doors, Beach boys, Tull and even the whole of Guthries "Alices Restaurant Massacre". Even got some complements on the sound system but tough to admit it all cost much less than $50 total. Given AD cab engine and running noise those that spends thousands on systems leave me dumbfounded. Speaking of which I do NOT understand how a just tune up can change engine heating. Stayed right at 190 whole time and never needed the big Spal. New amp puts out consistent 14-14.3.

My original plan was to actually do the the entire whole 54 inside and out in bedliner. At the time no-one knew about the colored type so no luck there. Did have the entire bed walls, inside gate, inside fenders and out side lower fender skirts done along with the running boards, cab floor and back walls. So far it great for both wear, sound dampening and rust resistance. Think painting and the final door fix will wait till winter. Too much fun to stop now!!

Oh BTW Mr Mossberg is in 12 gauge and loves all my BAIKAL brand "MADE IN USSR" marked ammo in no 6 and 7.5 shot. It seems half again more powerfull than USA made and kicks rather muleish. Have like a ton with extra available.

[vintovka]

Liner on front and rear fenders skirts. It really works to prevent chips and stuff,

[VWNate1]

The main thing is : you're finally having fun with it .

I agree about the sound system, I usually get by with a decent radio, if I need more sound I just add a decent amplifier and better speakers .

I too love my own typ of music, I don't care what others think of my choices .

[vintovka]

More end project stuff. Rust here is serious threat to exposed steel. The ocean spray and 24 hour salt in the air can demolish stuff so fast its downright terrifying. I found a product called cerroseal somewhat effective at slowing corrosion. Water based and turns rust to a black magnetite coating that is touted as a primer. A good oil based paint seems to seal the deal. Heres some before, during and afters. Stuff paints on turns blue then black and takes black gloss paint. Not show quality just durable. BTW had it with our forum pic added so switching to imgur (despite their highly offensive nature). I do try to keep it off the disc faces as best i can but it seems not to cause problems.


AT 75+ this may be the last time i can get the wheels off and on by myself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


https://imgur.com/a/hLeOgVB

[VWNate1]

That stuff looks good, I hope it lasts .

Don't forget the spray some Lithium grease in the leaf springs to prevent wear & noise plus makes it ride better .

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by VWNate1

That stuff looks good, I hope it lasts .

Don't forget the spray some Lithium grease in the leaf springs to prevent wear & noise plus makes it ride better .

Did the grease thing long ago and prolly time to do it again. Long ago (10 years) I tried the rust stuff on a really corroded wheelbarrow as a test, It's still intact. Being water based i used a hand sprayer on much of the chassis like 6 years ago and its still working. Also good for those with rusty screen in hood vent and don't want to disassemble it and repaint. . Wipes off paint so there's that.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

We did lose the smarts we just realized we can hang a $50 bill in front of a 20 year old and get him to do a $200 job.

Now its $100 bill for what was a $50 job.

[vintovka]

Still battling with the stupid gauge maker.. THis concerns a vacuum gage that developed a huge leak that made the 350 run so bad i had to have it towed. I think they are convinced all rodders and restorers are stupid and won't carry a fight. They respond to complaints by automatically asking for same info over and over again despite being shown it has been sent multiple times. Even the CC company has expressed their concern so the clock is ticking. Will post pics and info next time around if they fail to resolve the issue.

In other project related efforts all the near new lights in the truck "house" have all gone out. Tough times climbing the 10' ladder all morning. 10' up seems a lot higher off the ground nowadays. All the failed led shop lights were from Amazon (hylocity brand chineseum crapola) and were installed about 2 years ago. FWIW Costco has a hidden deal on 2 pack Feit shop lights for $34 delivered. At least I think I can take them back if they go sideways.

[VWNate1]

I hear you ! my Sweet's house has central AC and I told her it'd $ave $ to buy a washable AC intake filter, guess who gets to climb that dang ladder every three months ? . I don't so much mind getting filthy washing the greasy dust out of it on her patio but I know most older folks die from falls in their homes .

I'm INSANELY JEALOUS of your killer garage ~ it's even clean and tidy .

I look at and think "insulate the roof and install a heater......" .

I'm trying to remember where my big brother bought the LED conversion bulbs for his 50 year old florescent fixtures, they've lasted about 7 years now, I guess little made of Chinesium lasts overly long .

[vintovka]

Thanks for the complements BUT its really kind of a mess in my mind. I cannot recommend this type of garage at all for vehicle storage. Its basically a semi enclosed carport which cannot be easily insulated and acts like a giant water condenser in moist climates. This moisture will speed rust and why you need to think about your choice of materials and how to protect them. Forget chromed anything in one of these---- only plastic, painted or stainless will survive. Also Rain noise will drive you out and falling pine cones sound like explosions. Due to runaway inflation it cost the same as the really wonderful garage shown in this threads early pics. BTW the inside lights are all on a timed motion sensor which i really like and under 24 hr floodlight net camera which seem to amuse the deer and cougars. (see post 473)

Those who still have the $ to restore these old vehicles need to seriously consider the cost of protecting them from rotting away. This especially now they are easily approaching $40-75K in value

I think converting old florescent shop light to leds is best but not cost effective anymore.

[VWNate1]

Well ;

It's better than my 1923 'T' Model Ford garage that's tiny and I've never even had a Motocycle inside of, I hope it doesn't collapse before I die .

You're very correct about moisture ! I love a clean and smooth shop typ Concrete floor that if properly made had barrier sheets lain down before they poured the Concrete .

Thankfully it doesn't rain much here, even so I have rust issues .

[vintovka]

Its a dry summer day here. Only 58F with 91% humidity. A cleaned oil free razor blade will rust to pieces in 2 months outside. First rust occurring in hours.

[VWNate1]

And there you have it folks : why Oregon is so relentlessly green .

I love it there but unlike native Californians I don't want to move there .

[vintovka]

Well the sun has gone down on the bad gauge company. Been months. The item in question is made by GLOW SHIFT and they ghost you on service and complaints. This one has a wide open vacuum leak. Should have looked elsewhere. As you can see even the picture on the box does not match the item. I see they have pulled it everywhere i looked. If you have one beware that an instant leak may occur at anytime and run super lean or stop engine.

[vintovka]

Should add it has a full open to air leak, but permanently stuck/displays -25" HG vacuum as shown in pic. So much for accuracy and dependability. My engine ran so bad it misfired to point i luckily pulled over before damage. Plugs were like burnt white but not damaged. On the bench the gauge held NO vacuum at all using a hand pump. That it let go without warning is the most disturbing part . Bet their boost gauges are made the same.

[VWNate1]

Well ;

You gave them every chance to make it right and they demurred so it's open season on them .

Don't forget to make a post on YELP .

Your credit card company should back you up and reverse the charges .

Chinesium is always a crap shoot .

I'm still fighting a seller -and- E-Bay who keeps dropping the ball on a pair of shoes .

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by VWNate1

Well ;
.

Your credit card company should back you up and reverse the charges .

The CC company keeps saying the vendor has not responded to their inquiry. They have been saying that for 2 months now. I believe that the protection CC's used to offer may be a thing of the past. It appears stalling for 90 days is the tactic and becoming a standard practice. Will think long and hard before any big purchases.

[VWNate1]

That sucks .

I'm still trying to get E-Bay to honor their money back guarantee .

Keep at it, maybe ask for the next level supervisor, that's worked for me before .

[vintovka]

The CC company seems in league with the vendor. Wonder if they too are asian based. Hard to beleive banks are scammers too. Oh well

Seems best to just forget it and choose wisely when i get a new card (and fire wafd).

Like i said in another forum recently, Its just my daily driver. Set a new record today and its not even clean!. In one round trip to the post office got 6 waves, 5 picture takers, a number of honks and lots of smiles!!

This project is never done and thinking of what to modify or improve next!!

[VWNate1]

Sorry to hear this happened to you .

What other forum ? .

[vintovka]

Been busy with other things. Written off the GLOWSHIFT fiasco as a dead loss and will never buy another of their products - nor should you if smart. Attended nice local show featuring about 20+ cars and a free BBQ to boot. wonderful day as pics attest. Had the normal old town cruise with a real surprise. That surprise being i made it all the way thru the cruise - both ways- and didn't overheat. Think even our resident transvestite street violinist seemed impressed.

[VWNate1]

That looks lovely ! .

Do you want me to walk you through Citric Acid Cleaning ?. it takes time and a little effort, you'll need to lie down underneath the truck but its not costly .

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by VWNate1

That looks lovely ! .

Do you want me to walk you through Citric Acid Cleaning ?. it takes time and a little effort, you'll need to lie down underneath the truck but its not costly .

Thanks but mines all clean, cerrocoated and painted.

[VWNate1]

Yes, mine was too but when I took tje time to do this I was amazed at how much crud came out .

And, how much cooler it suddenly ran .

Often simply adding an electric fan does the trick .