Today I... "Redux Edition"

[mrbandit]

I hope everything is alright and that the transition is a smooth one.  You're going to love the summers down this way....said no one.

[ryeguy2006a]

I'll trade 2 months of hot summer for 6 months of cold winters! Oh wait, we are hahaha

[Casey]

No rust on cars almost makes it worth living in the south, almost...  It'd just be nice to go out on a date with my fiancée and not have all the straights staring.  "Oh no, two women holding hands and kissing!  Think of the children!"

[Nexus]

"Oh no, two women holding hands and kissing!  Think of the children!"

That made me laugh but sadly it's true!!
The most important people in your life care about you and that's all that matters!!

Ryan...congrats on the sale your car if I didn't already mention it!! Makes look forward to the next build!

Spring just showed up in Northern Ontario and I was able to get out on my bike twice so far!!

[FormTA]

Been beautiful that last few days here in Ohio.  Got to put some miles on the car. I blew a pressure line on the power steering but was able to fine one at a local parts store (I used the original 1998 trans am lines when I did the LS swap so parts are easier to come by).

[roadking77]

Nice view!

[FormTA]

I don't know how anyone can keep a car clean that the drive... I drove it every day this week 15-20 minute trip each way to work. The bugs that are now plastered to the front end and the amount of dust and the random bird droppings are enough fr me to just keep the car in the garage.... But, I built it to drive, not trailer to car shows so it's going to get worn. Here's to many more miles!

Side note, the attention, thumbs up and gas station conversations are kinda cool.






And one overall just for fun. (Yes, I still have to put the front spoilers on)



Long way from the a few years ago...

[b_hill_86]

Looks great man! I drive mine quite a bit too and yea, the dust and bug guts are plentiful. I also built mine to be a driver though and this it’s far from perfect.

I’ll have to live vicariously through you for a bit though.

[roadking77]

Glad you can enjoy it Luke. Thats a good example of why back in the day front end bras were so popular I suppose. I know I had one on my '82. Do you have a good wax job on the nose? Or maybe even ceramic coat just that part. I know when I drive mine I try to wipe the front down with some detailer wax when I get home to clean it up. I must have a hundred coats of wax and the bugs seem to wipe off pretty easily. There are times I wish I could drive my car to work. I am usually too tired when I get home during the week to take it out for a spin and so it gets relegated to the weekends. This is the second in a row with a washout of rain 

[5th T/A]

These cars were meant to be driven, it's good for you and the car. My feeling is if you never take your car out, you might as well just have a big photo of the car.

Black is a spectacular color when spotless, unfortunately it will show every spec of dirt and dust. I guess there are tradeoffs to everything.

[FormTA]

You're right. It was only perfect once and that was as soon as it was finished.  Looked like a mirror.  Now there are swirl marks and scratches but like you said why else build it?.

[ryeguy2006a]

You're right. It was only perfect once and that was as son as it was finished.  Looked like a mirror.  Now there are swirl marks and scratches but like you said why else build it?.

Luke, that's exactly how my Camaro was. My driveway is stone and I got several rock chips on the lower rear quarters and several random chips on the front. It hurt at first, but after a while I stopped caring. It was a blast to drive, but I said that the next one I get will be a super clean car from the desert and have a patina paintjob. Don't have to worry about that one haha.

[roadking77]

Luke your statement about being perfect when finished is spot on. Like Larry said, they are no fun sitting in the garage. I still shake my head when I hear about guys with 100 miles on a 50 yr old car. There was an article in hemmings about a guy that restored something beyond great. Make of the car doesnt matter, but it went on to say that he takes it around his neighborhood once maybe twice a year  I respect everyones right to do what they want with their own car, but dont understand just letting them sit.

In response to being perfect, I used to build a lot of restaurants. The final health dept inspection was always beyond ridiculous. If a light level was off by a hair or a 1/4" long bit of caulk was missing things would fail. I often thought how silly it was because at the time a new kitchen is being opened it is THE CLEANEST kitchen around, hands down.

[ryeguy2006a]

What a crazy roller coaster day yesterday. For those that don't know, I'm actively making the move from NY to VA. So yesterday my wife and I finalized the sale of our house, and simultaneously submitted an offer on a new house. Then in the middle somewhere I received a job offer, verbally accepted and submitted my resignation to my current job.   

[5th T/A]

They say the three most stressful things in life is moving, changing jobs and changing marital status. If you can avoid the last one I think you will come out of this on top!

[FormTA]

Wow! Congrats Ryan! Keep us posted.  Glad you found a house. I'm secretly hoping it actually a huge shop with and attached house...

[ryeguy2006a]

Wow! Congrats Ryan! Keep us posted.  Glad you found a house. I'm secretly hoping it actually a huge shop with and attached house...

Thanks Luke! Our house is definitely going to have a garage, but will be a 2 car. The property we are (hopefully) buying won't lend itself to building a detached garage. Only .32 Acres. I don't want a huge full on restoration for my next project, so I'll have more than enough room to do what I want to.

They say the three most stressful things in life is moving, changing jobs and changing marital status. If you can avoid the last one I think you will come out of this on top!

Haha, I completely happy doing 2 of 3 on this list! We are both super excited as well as the kids. Looking forward to the new location.  Cue the sunscreen!

[roadking77]

Congrats on all of the new ventures you are about to heading into! I assume you are heading to Charlottesville?  Lots of history in the area, topography not much different than where you are now, albeit a bit warmer.

[ryeguy2006a]

Kerry, you are exactly right. Heading to a town just north of Charlottesville called Ruckersville. Wife and I are both working for the University of Virginia.

[roadking77]

Blue Ridge mts are beautiful. Get a nice family cruiser lots of beautiful scenery to take in. I have family roots on both sides from a bit south of where you are going to be.  Stay there long enough and thats a good school for your kids 

[RamblerRacer]

Congratulations Ryan. I hope your new sons go well for both of you. Exciting times.
JT

[FormTA]

Today I drove my car. Been driving it as often as there are days without rain.... I drove it everyday for a week and two days so far this week but it's supposed to rain the rest of the week.
Here are a few things I need to button up.

1) I really need to install my radio, I really miss my tunes.

2) I want to install my rear air shocks to lift my rear an half an inch or so. I like the PTF GT leafs but the rear is low even at the highest shackle setting. I have Hotkis 2" drop front coils so maybe using the PTF front springs it would have sat more level but my front is where I want it so the tail has to go up.

3) still need to paint and install my front spoiler and wheel flares.

4) Install chrome exhaust spliters (really dreading this one)

5) work out my AC system (it's a hodgepodge of 98 TA stuff).

And some other stuff, I'm sure.

[ryeguy2006a]

Looking great Luke! I was the same way, get it to the point of running/driving reliably and it's hard to tear into it again. That's why I drove my Camaro for a summer without much of an interior haha. Or side glass. 

[roadking77]

THEY'RE WATCHING! I am sure I am not alone in that I get ads on the computer related to searches I have done. A few years ago I enrolled in a program called 'porch' (2 full pages are needed for me to express my opinion on that fiasco) which is a job search through Lowes. I have never used it but get prompts to buy leads a dozen times a week. Without fail whatever type of project we are currently working on I get leads for those types of projects. i.e. If we are building a deck, I will get 3 or 4 that say so and so wants a deck built, same deal if we are painting or remodeling a bathroom. Kinda scary!
The plot thickens! We finished up early yesterday and by coincidence we were right beside Guitar Center. My son wanted to go in and look for a part. While there I picked up 3 diff. Gretsch guitars to try out. I have been thinking about getting one just because. This morning when I turned the computer on, a 1/4 page pop up ad comes up with Gretsch Guitars!! May as well live in a glass  bubble.

[Jack]

A lot of good development on here...
Kerry you have to remember that smart phones and most technology was invented by engineers that tried to make our life easier until the marking folks got a hold of the technology... that's when things went down hill.

[Jack]

Today I was out all day, on the hotest day of the year doing yard work... first time this year and the grass was over a foot long... I have another half day to do the front and side yards.
Before:

[Jack]

After:

[Nexus]

I was on grass duty today as well!!

[roadking77]

Thats a lot of work Jack. I cut our lawn once a week whether or not it needs it, weed wack every 2. We are mostly wooded so what little grass I have doesnt grow that quick. Wife tends to a lot of gardens though. We cut my mothers yard which is a couple of miles away so that means loading up the trailer and towing the mower back and forth. Her lawn is wide  open to the sunshine and grows about 5x as fast as mine. We cut it on Thursday and I was there yesterday and it needs cut again!  I have been sick for the last 2 weeks and still not feeling great, I think is allergies so working outside doesnt do me a lot of good right now.

2022-05-31_08-45-23 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

Just took this pic Sat afternoon after we finished up.

[Jack]

Hopefully you are felling better now Kerry, something is going around and I don't think it's allergies (or Covid) as most of my family is suffering from flu like symptoms.   

[roadking77]

Thanks Jack, I am beginning to wonder if its covid. I have an at home test, probably should have done it. Its all in my chest. I literally am having a hard time breathing. Went to go to work this morning and it was nothing but problems. By the time things were worked out I was whipped. Came into the home office and put the a/c on. Have been here since.

[roadking77]

To elaborate on my tribulations this morning 
The front pass tire on my truck has had a slow leak. I was meaning to look into over the long holiday weekend but, havent been feeling good so figured there is always another day. Today was then! Took the wheel off and did the soapy water test. Found a leak on the inside at the bead, discovered the rim was cracked. My son that drives most of the time blames the curb at starbucks. I believe he is correct as he seems to want to ram any curb he can find.
SO, take the spare down. It was flat, so pumped it up. Decided for the heck of it to do a soap test. LEAKED like crazy around the inside of the rim. I figure it was from rust. Plan C, ended up taking the front wheel off of my old truck (still sitting in the back) and installing it in the meantime. I found a NOS replacement wheel on the net and placed an order. Just another day in paradise.

[Jack]

Thanks Jack, I am beginning to wonder if its covid. I have an at home test, probably should have done it. Its all in my chest. I literally am having a hard time breathing. Went to go to work this morning and it was nothing but problems. By the time things were worked out I was whipped. Came into the home office and put the a/c on. Have been here since.

Kerry most likely not covid as I was having similar issues but assumed it was because of all the traveling and sleepless nights. During my travels I must have tested 10 times including two PCR's all came negative. My wife was having similar issues and she also went and saw her doctor, they tested for both covid and the flu, both came back negative.

[Jack]

Since we are talking about covid and testing, it was not fun coming back home without testing first and within 24H of the flight time. It was not fun finding a place that can do a rapid PCR testing and I did not understand why they are no longer requiring a test to leave the country but you need one to re-enter!!! I'm not going to vent here (I'll most likely get banned ) but wonder what would they have done if I had tested positive... 

[scarebird]

2 weeks ago the wife and I were returning from Barcelona.  You need a test on e calendar day (not 24 hours) before entry into the US.

 
 You get to stay wherever you are at till it is negative.  Travel insurance works here, though not all cover Covid *glares at Alliant*

[Jack]

The only think that I can say is that the rapid testing station at the airport had 8 booths at $90 euros each per test. Each test took about 30 seconds to complete. So even at 1 minute per test that is $43,200 euros per hour say 8 hours per day (it was more like 12 hours per day) that's $345,600 euros per day or over 10 million euros per month... Testing is not going away.

[scarebird]

We went to place in town maybe 10 minute walk from the hotel - IIRC it was €52.  Took an hour to get the results back.  I would guess they were cycling ten people an hour, staff of around 4-5.

Weird thing was when we got to the airport we had proof of vaccine and current test - no, you have to have them in electronic form.  State Dept. webpage said paper was ok but nope.   Iberia agent made quick work of the issue though and off we went.

As a side note if you do travel a bit a yearly lounge pass is a danm handy thing!

[scarebird]

Air Force 1 just flew overhead.

747-200's are noisy buggers compared to modern jets, so I poked my head out to see what was grumbling by.

[roadking77]

Years ago Air Force One was a familiar site in the skys somewhat close to where I live. There was some kind of talk about it having to fly every so often just because whether or not the President had a trip. They would use the airport in New Castle DE as a touch down spot because it was big enough, close enough to DC and had light traffic.

[FormTA]

FYI, there is no air force one. That is just any plane the president is on but generally a 747 200b.