unimogjohn

Still Thursday. Update on the garage. Yesterday we started the wiring. We have everything planned out and now know where everything is to go. Tim, our son, has run a couple of the outlet circuits as well as the 220 volt line for the HVAC. He is doing a high wire act running line across the trusses. We plan to have most of the wiring routed by tomorrow PM. Found out that I do not have enough parts to mount the three fans. So much for buying used. Now I have to order additional mounting parts. The propane folks dropped by and marked the line from the tank to the house. It is only 9 inches down so I will be able to expose it if the electrical installers want it done. Also the propane company is coming by this morning to discuss the placement of an above ground tank and the cost to lease or buy it. The contractor stopped by and his workers put in a base for the railroad tie retaining wall. It is only going to be about three feet tall, just enough to stabilize the side of the building pad. Ties are hard to find these days, so treated posts may be the way to go. Waiting for the final grading to be done. Slow going. We have a garage 60's themed part for the neighborhood on Saturday. Alice wanted to have a party before I started to fill it with car stuff. On the car front I managed to mount the Senior Award backing plate on the 1923 McLaughlin Buick.

It is Thursday, May 14th AM. We have a short report from Greg. "David Coco, aka trimacar, showing his Cord at the Winchester/Shenandoah Region AACA meet. He didn't even stay to collect his award." =

It is Friday, PM, May 8th. Corvette Wayne stopped over this morning, and we spend a good hour mapping out how we should run the electrics. I think we have pretty well figured out what we are going to do. Tim, our son, will be here next week, and we will put him to work on the wiring and hooking up the fans, lights, etc that we already have. Progress. A couple of other garage items. I am going to put a wall unit, garage door opener on the 10 ft door. It is the one that will be used the most. I can always install more if need be. I have ordered a Liftmaster 8500. Lots of good reviews and relatively simple to put up. Here is what it looks like. The cost was $295 shipped to our door. I also called the propane company. They are going to come out next week and mark the propane line for the power company. They are also going to send someone out to discuss propane options, which include running a copper line from our existing tank (500 gallons), installing a larger underground tank (1,000 gallons) or putting in a new tank (250 to 500 gallons) for just the garage. Also going to talk to them about buying versus leasing the tank. Speaking of heating, I think I have decided on a 3.5 ton heat/cooling package system. It will reside outside the building and pump cool or hot air into the garage. The cost for the unit is about $2000, and I figure another $1000 to install it and run ducting inside the garage. One good thing about the package unit is that it takes up no space in the garage and you do not need a HVAC tech to install it. It is truly, plug and play. Here is a pic. Will talk to the contractor on Monday to see when he is returning. He is still on the hook for the ceiling installation, door knob, and final grading. I may hold up on the apron cement work, still thinking about it, but will make that decision when they do the final grading as will have them leave the appropriate depth for concrete and stone. Only three weeks to go before I can seal the concrete floor and put in the lifts. Until then I just have to cool my heels. I do not want to start moving stuff into the building only to have to move it out in a few weeks.

Ye's, Ebay is a good source for doubles or singles, but if you want new, you can look at Universal Tire. Looks like they have the one you might need. https://www.universaltire.com/wheel-hardware.html

It is Wednesday, May 6th, PM. Big day on the garage front. We headed up to Newark, Delaware, a little after 6 AM. Time to pick up the lifts. Traffic all the way up was terrible, bumper to bumper. It took forever. I think that we got there about 10:30 AM. After placing my order the fork lift came out and loaded us up. The trailer groaned as they were loaded on. We strapped them down as tight as we could and doubled up on the two post lift, four 2 inch straps. After a stop for lunch and another few hours on the road we made it home. A total of about 9 hours, and about 350 miles. While were gone the garage door contractors arrived about 10 AM and installed all three doors. They were done at 4 PM. They look great, and the fit and finish are very good. Yes, they are insulated. And Corvette Wayne came over and wired up the two panels. We are ready to put power to it, but that will have to wait until the final grading is done. Wayne is a great friend. Next week, our son, Tim comes to town. He is a general contractor, and we are going to put him to work running electrical wire. Oh, here is a pic of the 1923 McLaughlin Buick entering the show field. We had a pic taken of us in front of a vintage airplane. Normally you would see the driver, but our car is a right hand drive. So you see Joe (packick), and he looks like he is driving.

It might be worth it to send an email to Fred Rawling. He specializes in used parts for the Buicks. Fred.Rawling@live.com If he does not have it, he may know who might.

Bernie, can hardly wait until you open that big box and show us what you have.

It is Monday, April 4th, early PM. Oh the indignity. Alice needs to use the new garage to set out and inventory a massive collection of donations for the big flea market on Saturday. We started yesterday and they finally finished this morning. Lots of stuff. But I did get the Jaguar in the garage as Alice will be using the enclosed trailer for the market on Saturday. Need any holiday nickknacks? But I did order the 2 and 4 post lifts. They are in so we will be heading up to Delaware on Wednesday to pick them up. Taking the open car trailer with a bunch of tie downs. FedEx dropped off two five gallon buckets of sealer for the garage floor. We have to wait a months to put the sealer on. It is water based and dries in 4 to 6 hours. We will use a couple of small sprayers to apply it. And while we were in Virginia Beach, Corvette Wayne came by and installed the meter and breaker panels. What a nice neighbor.

And more, including some of the 23 McLaughlin Buick being judged.

And here are pics that Joe/Packick took. He does a lot better job than me if identifying the cars.

more pics and yours truly with the award.

It is Sunday, PM, May 3rd. We made it home. Friday was really cold and stormy, but Saturday was perfect. Over 400 cars in the show. All decked out to the 9s. We arrived about 8:30 and judging started at 11. Everything went like clockwork. We had a great time. Lots and lots of beautiful cars. Here are pics of just a few. Joe will have more in another entry. Awards were at 4 PM. We received our Senior 1st Place National Award. Everyone really like the 23 McLaughlin Buick. The dinner after the show was very good also. No one left hungry. We picked up the trailer at about 8:30 this morning and were home by 1. We all are a little tired.

It is Friday, PM, May 1st. Cold and really windy in the morning. Surf is way up and the sea is really angry. We headed to the Military Aviation Museum to get the 23 McLaughlin Buick ready to unload from the trailer. With that accomplished we toured the museum for a couple of hours. After a nice lunch we just relaxed around the hotel. It was just stormy all day so we did not spend a lot of time outside. I did manage to walk the boardwalk about 8 PM for about four miles. It was fun walking with the wind, coming back, not so much. I was the only person on the boardwalk. Tomorrow is the big show. The weather is suppose to be OK. The trailer parking was getting a bit muddy so I am sure the wheels and tires of all the cars will be a mess. At least we will all be in the same boat. No rain expected and a high temp of 70. So it will be a good day. Here are some pictures that Joe took of the museum.

It is Friday, am, May 1st. We spent yesterday touring around the area. Decided to spend the afternoon on the water so we took a harbor cruise. Lots of US Navy ships in port or under refitting. A great couple of hours. Then we had a great seafood dinner and headed back to the hotel. A very nice day, but it rained for most of it. These are pictures that Joe (Packick) took. This morning we are going to head to the car show. Joe and I will spend the day cleaning the car, meeting friends, visiting with other owners, and touring the museum. There is enough to do to keep us out of trouble. Oh, the wind is howling outside our room glass door and the surf is up with huge waves. But no rain so far. Sure glad that we were on the water yesterday. I don't think that we would be going out today. The weather forecast for tomorrow looks good with no rain and temps making it to 70 or so.

It is Wednesday, PM, April 29th. We left home at about 10:30 AM, and made it to the show area about five hours later. A nice drive, and not too much traffic. The museum locale looks to be a great place. We dropped off the trailer and headed to the hotel. Nice place for sure, room is really nice. Staff is really friendly. Tomorrow we are off sight seeing and then on Friday Joe and I will spend the day at the show area visiting the museum and getting the car ready for the show on Saturday. We were told that 415 cars are registered. Here is the view from our room.

It is a milestone day, Tuesday, April 28th, PM. The big pour started this morning at 7 AM, and they are still at it at 5 PM. The crew of 5 worked hard all day making sure we have a great concrete floor. It really looks great. They are doing the final finishing and putting in the control joints before they go home tonight. Joe (packick on the forum) did our best work try to stay out of the way. We were the sidewalk supervisors. And I must say we did a great job. Here are some pics. They poured 28 yards of material and only had a little blob left over. They used every bit. Oh, Joe and I did some work. We beat down the two 8 foot cooper/iron ground rods for the electrical ground. Some of the work went pretty easy, but a few feet were really hard. We are both sore today.

It is Sunday, PM, April 26th. Yesterday I spent the day at Carlisle, PA at the Spring Show. Lots of people, parts and cars. Camaro Steve almost bought a 1953 Chev P/U. Close on the buy, but they were $500 apart. He is still negotiating. We bought a few little things, so the trip was worth it. Lots to do and see. And Greg has a weekend report for us too. "Got in some driving time this weekend. Walter Higgins had some work ready for me to pickup. Looks like the ball is in my court now. Decisions on metal work, tin attachment, etc. We left Warrenton at eight in the AM, drove to Kennett Square, Pa., made the pickup and meandered home. A couple stops and an out of the way detour due to a traffic accident saw us stumble in about ten that night. One stop was at the Kinzer, Pa collection of antique engines. I'd been told that I must see the Cooper engine, a photo and data page enclosed. Look closely and you'll see Barbara at the far end of it. Still in winter hibernation, we just had to be satsfied to see it slumber. Also worthy of mention was our lunch stop in Lancaster, a sit down family style feast. Then the detour took us North to Harrisburg and then into rain. Our cargo in the truck bed was the Overland back seat with some bare woodwork. Driving into rain, even though it was covered, we decided to drop it off at Rob's until better weather. This also gave me a chance to test fit that Corcoran side lamp that Barb snagged on Ebay for me. Today was pleasant. Some work on sorting Matheson engine hardware for plating, a little tin work on the Overland front seat, some play, and a little Studebaker time for a visit to my Mom. Things are looking up."

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, no we are not sleeping, just continue to ponder how the heck you do just fine and precise work. I know you have to do it, but just cannot believe that you will take it all apart again for final detailing and painting. I would be just to scared to do it Oh, the z's are the symbol for sleeping where we live.

Dale, you have done an outstanding job on the metalwork. Cannot wait until I see it buzzing down the road. Let the assembly begin!

Dale, I have not made any provisions for inside drains, nor will the floors be sloped. With that said, if I have to remove water I will have to "sweep" it out the bay doors with a squeegee or something like that. I will not have any bay door "lip" in the concrete so any water should have any easy time of escaping. Any washing of the cars will be done on the apron outside of the garage.

It is Thursday, April 23rd, PM. Still following along on the garage build? Well today we reached a milestone. The garage structure is complete. Of course we have the bay doors to put in and the electrical, but I have four walls and a roof. The crew finished prepping the pad for the concrete on Tuesday. They leveled everything, made sure we had five inches for the concrete and dug depressions down eight inches more for the two post lift beams. Then they put down plastic and wire mesh. All ready for the big pour on Tuesday. They also finished putting in the bracing in the roof structure to stop any tendency for racking. Looks great.

It is Tuesday, April 21st , PM. A very busy day. The last thing I have done is to hook up the open car trailer to take to Camaro Steve tomorrow. I want to help him load the car and tie it down. He is leaving next Thursday for Virginia Beach. We are leaving on Wednesday. This will be his first car show. The Camaro looks great, I am sure that he will do well. Good news on the garage front. The structure is done except for the running of the front downspout and some diagonal inside bracing. The worker bees said that it will be done tomorrow. They put on the back downspout this morning and finished all the outside trim. Tomorrow they are going to tamp down the garage floor gravel, and then pick up and install the wire and plastic for the floor. I also cut out and made a space for the breaker box. It is lightly installed. Should do the trick. Corvette Wayne is going to come over tomorrow and inspect it. If OK, I will make it permanent with some lag screws. I then have to remove a couple of wire access ports and drill a big round hole in the wall for the wires to pass through. And the best news ever. The floor will be poured next Tuesday. We agreed on 5 inches of reinforced with fiberglass concrete, and 12 inches under the pads of the two post lift. The apron will have to wait until the final fill and grading is done. Right now, I don't care about the apron; I am just happy that the floor is going in. When we get back from Virginia Beach we will be able to drive the cars in. Yahoo! Oh, and here are a couple pics of the front side curtains on the 23 McLaughlin Buick. The reason the windows look hazy is that David covered the plastic with a protective film. I am going to leave it on for now. Great quality and attention to detail.

It is Monday, PM, April 20th. Boy, it was a long, hard day. Got a call from David Coco this morning. He wanted to come over and fit the top and rear passenger carpet. He arrived just after 1 PM and worked hard until about 5 PM. We only got about half done, but that is OK. He will come back in a couple of weeks to finish the fitting. But I am all set for the Virginia Beach AACA show. The side curtains look great and David is making sure they fit well. I did not have any of the fasteners installed so I had to do that before David could finish putting in the "lift the dot" fasteners. Before David arrived I pulled out the 23 and drove it into the new garage. I also had to whittle down the rods for the side curtains so they would fit in the doors. Seemed a better place to work on it rather than in the traileer. Here are a few pics of the car in the garage and David working on the side curtains. Only the garage front, only one worker today. But he got on all the trim and soffits. Only the gutters left to do and the building will be done. Still have not heard when the concrete, garage doors or final excavation work will be done. It is what it is. I am happy that the building is up. Great to have a place to park stuff, even if on gravel.

It is Sunday, PM, April 19th. Raining hard now and scheduled to continue the next twelve hour or so. Clearing on Monday until the PM when strong thunderstorms and much more rain are expected. But until then, we have a Greg report. "Wham bam weekend. Getting back into the swing of things. Saturday was busy. First order of business was a new battery for Barb's Subaru. This replaced one that hadn't much time on it and I had plans for the old one. After that exchange, her old one went right into the black Avanti 5054. Avanti 5054: With a hot battery installed, a quick lookover I tried to start the fresh engine after its winter hibernation. I had installed a fan clutch to replace the one cannibalized earlier, It didn't take much coaxing to get it to life. After a systems check (coolant, brakes, transmission, and a couple gallons of gas, etc) thought it time to try covering a little ground. To the main shop and back, it now has 1/4 mile on it. Sounding pretty good, it sounded even better when I found # 7 spark plug lead was dangling and reinstalled. Matheson engine: What Matheson? Oh that one. With some detail work yet to do, I've begun gathering the brass that was buffed. Those items hauled to Rob for delivery to his brass guy. Photo enclosed. Now to ready the parts that are to be dull nickeled for their trip to the plater. The make and break system tried out today with continued success. When the nickel returns I'll be running out of excuses to close it up. Photo enclosed. Today also busy. As scheduled, Walter Higgins was to stop by, dropping off the Overland front seat assembly that has been in his care. Now substantially sound, it's back home. I also found my old leading (make that body soldering) paraphenalia to cover the joints in the body platform sheet steel skin. Out of practice, but it got done and besides, like Bondo, most of it gets filed off anyway. Photo enclosed. Add Tinsnips Thetan Ogle to the mix. Seabiscuit the maroon Avanti: With a hit list of things to do, I began with the easiest to reach. The windshield wiper blades needed to be relocated for better parking when at rest. Played with them until satisfied, it was well timed. Got caught in a shower today. A good movie with Barb on Friday night, her pork chops on Saturday, what a good start to the old car season." =

It is Saturday, PM, April 18th. What a nice day, and 84 degrees. This morning we went over to next farm to see a brand new airplane. It is a special built STOL Super Cub. The owner is going to use it in competition in Alaska to see who can do the shortest take off and landing. The farm has an official grass landing strip. Its call sign is AICP, which stands for Ayers International Cow Pasture (owned by Henry Ayers). The airplane has a shorter body, longer wings, special flaps, long travel shocks and huge balloon tires. It has a special 4 cylinder engine also, which produces 240 HP. It is a screamer. On the garage front the only thing I did was install the shop sign and lucky horseshoe on the door.