intimeold

Yes, I have toured the Harley-Davidson factory in York, PA; and the Mack truck factory in Macungie, PA The Mack factory was modern and spotless. Well managed and gave an excellent tour. On the other end of the spectrum; the Harley factory, was anything but clean. Then this was really crazy. One guy who had a job stamping fuel tanks; should be really thankful he has a UAW job. The tour guide was really good, and when we got to the fuel stamping press; we noticed the operator, apparently taking an unapproved break. Our group assembled in front of the press, the the tour guide; just pleasantly asked the operator to show the group how the press worked. The operator said a few choice words to the tour guide, this is the ugly part. The operator pulled out the race card, and abruptly told the tour guide to mind his own business. We as a group thought it was disgusting.

Exactly, This Morning would be a perfect example. Township road not plowed yet, Got about 1 1/2" to 2" of sleet on everything overnight. I the old days without AWD and radial snow tires; you wouldn't be going anywhere on these back roads, without chains. In the mountains of PA

We live in snow country. Yes snow chains are used; might I say by the smart people. Go to youtube and type in, Car Crashes on snow or ice. If those people had used chains; they wouldn't be on youtube. But be careful on hard pavement, will talk later on that. We all know that speed is a contributing factor in snow and ice conditions; one thing that snow chains force you to do, is slow down. If you have ever ridden in a car with snow chains, you will know why. Studded tires came out later, in automotive history; and studs work pretty darn god on ice. Not too much benefit in deep snow, though. Radial snow tires were a big step forward. I even have them on a Subaru; AWD with radial snow tires; I don't get that call from my wife "I slid off the road". Nice And I use radial winter snow tires on my other work vehicles after November 1st to April 1st. But the conversation is about chains: On our farm we have AWD and 4WD tractors now; but still have a set of chains made-up, just in case. But I personally haven't used chains on anything except garden tractor sized vehicles, for a long time; but I have them. Thank God. You put a set of chains on something; and you will find your traction in soft dirt, mud, or deep snow. Bear in mind I said, soft dirt, mud, deep snow! Never use chains on hard clean pavement; the chains defeat the contact patch of rubber your tires provide. Chains still have a place in extreme conditions. BUT, and this is a big But, People won't change their own flat tires today; what makes you think they would ever put chains on in a blizzard! intimeold

I won't be going there

The tread on the pictured tire; looks great for Snow-Country. intimeold

I see the mechanic Wuff Wuff, rode in the back seat

Looks like, off a modern pick-up truck

Sure seems like the transmission input shaft, or the throw-out bearing cone; is binding on the clutch or throw-out bearing. intimeold

Well the easiest would be a Spark Plug breaking down. Yes I know it is oily now; but maybe just maybe; this cylinder spark plug is the weakest. The moving on, be sure to check the wiring and distributor cap, rotor, etc. Then in addition to the above posters, a. A stuck or broken piston ring, too much clearance at the valve guide, usually intake valve, for this problem. I didn't see, that you had done a compression check; before you torn it down. This would confirm a piston or ring problem. intimeold

I agree with everything you have said; on these models

This is Not me but a family about 15 miles away. At one time they kept a 1956 Ford Crown Vic; in what should have been their living room. And NO garage door to get it out. As time has passed; I believe that couple has also passed away; and a cousin or brother ( also a car guy) removed that car from the house. Of course, the members here, that know me and I also have motorcycles. So I know of several motorcycles in the living rooms, so to speak. They will fit through a regular door way; sometimes the handle-bars have to be removed though, to get them out. intimeold

Good story, In the last pic, showing the 1955 and 1960; there looks to be some rust on the left rear fender edge. If so, and sorry to see that; but that is what happened to most cars back in those days. intimeold

When this car was destroyed in the fire; we all cried. And now! I am lost for words intimeold

Yes, accessories, were the icing on the cake, so to speak; on a car deal. And the buyers didn't really complain as much, as they would on the price of the car. The factory accessories were for the most part, good dependable and well built items. But dealers got greedy; yea imaging that! I saw and had to install after-market items, some items were actually, one step up from junk. One item in particular was the heated back window, grids. Here in snow country a good heated rear window is nice. Some companies were good; but other were terrible. And to put these on a new car, amazed me. The electric grids on some were really prone to just fall apart. The electric grid, had to heat up to melt the ice; over over time, usually a short time, the grids got brittle and fell apart. The the customer would come back; and say it didn't melt anymore. I suppose the newer accessories are much better; but when money is to be made; sometimes quality gets overlooked.

Craig, I always wondered that. I wasn't from that area; and never went back. That was in 1969. Yea, the Shelby data plate, was still there. And the engine in the shop, didn't look like it had any wreck damage, air cleaner to oil pan. Later on I was involved in several automotive and motorcycle businesses; and saw vehicles built just from the serial number. But back then, really times were different. intimeold

This is very old, in comparison to the sightings of some others; but I recall it as being striking at the time. It was definitely, 1969, as I was in College then; and in a salvage yard, somewhere in North-Central PA. I was needing a clutch, linkage pivot shaft for a 1962 Chevrolet. It had a 327 engine and standard transmission. Well anyhow! We got permission to tour the yard; and try to find the part we needed. Up on a grassy knoll, there sat a 1965 Shelby Mustang, white with blue stripe. It was hit hard in the right front; and the engine was out. But the car was surely fixable. Really not bad at all. The Shelby Data plate, was still on the car. That alone would be enough to build a Shelby around it. When we got back down to the yard office; I did ask about that car; and they said the engine was, over in the corner of that room. No wreck damage on it either. I only had enough money for the Chevy clutch part. Oh Well intimeold

I worked at a Ford Dealership in the 1970's and early,80's. A "brainy" general manager; had a white Escort painted Pink. Yea, I know he didn't really ruin a Good car. And it wasn't just a pale pink, like the above T-Bird, which sort of fits the T-bird. Well, it is early that I am typing; maybe I am asleep. It was more like the Volkswagen above. Oh that General Manager was stubborn too. After a few months on the lot, the higher ups, "said take that darn Pink thing to the auction". But the Used car manager was embarrassed to take it out in the automotive public. So more months went by; and finally the Body Shop got the order, to make it White again. intimeold

With the salt on the Winter roads around here; I've seen cars close to that, going down the road!

In todays world, with advanced welding technics, somebody can fix that. And the cost should be paid by the shop that broke it.

I really liked the Model T, w/mechanic

Well said, Taxes almost took the first 364 days of work

I don't know what they were on; but they look pretty good.

Chrysler Sno-Runner, circa 1980 This is not mine. But I do have a new one, still in the wooden, crate; can't get a good pic of it right now. Mine is Orange I

Go to a salvage yard "if you can still find a salvage yard", and look around on some cars or trucks. Brake, or clutch linkage covers may help you. I need a bellows for something and I salvaged an inner tie-rod boot, on a newer rack and pinion steering, to satisfy my need. intimeold

I can attest to the use of Black Pepper; for a stop leak. A few years ago I was driving a US Army Truck, and making a trip to an Army school, and the radiator was punctured but some road cinders. I am calling it a cinder, but was probably a piece of shale.; as the roads were snow and ice covered. The State Road crew was putting down some sort of anti-skid gravel. A piece found it's way through a grill opening and put a nice ding in the radiator core. It was about 8pm and blowing and snowing; and no help out on the road. I stopped at the only open grocery and got a can of pepper, maybe a pound; but I think less. The antifreeze was pizzing out through the grill, and within minutes after putting the whole can in the radiator, not the overflow tank,; the leak stopped. I continued on with my journey, about 85 miles and stayed at that school for a week; and drove that truck everyday to my motel, from school. Then drove back to my home base, about 150 miles; and no sign of a leak. Yes, Black pepper works in a pinch intimeold