Old Age Caution
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
I am right there with you guys. I have air tools and battery powered wrenches etc. The lift also makes a big difference in my old age. I also added a few optional tools like back braces and knee pads. My floor is sky blue and shows the blood letting very well 
. I call my son for brute force jobs. Keep on wrenching. Jerry
. I call my son for brute force jobs. Keep on wrenching. Jerry
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,809
Likes: 2,400
From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
I don't know whether this thread makes me feel better from the "it's not just me" effect or sad from the "I can't just bull my way through it" anymore.
I bust my butt for 50 years to have enough margin to be able to be able to have the resources to do what I want, and I'm struggling with the wherewithal to be able to be able to do it at all. Depressing. My hands ache non-stop, my eyes won't focus like they used to, and my back says STFU to any real work attempts.
God, I'm depressed.
I bust my butt for 50 years to have enough margin to be able to be able to have the resources to do what I want, and I'm struggling with the wherewithal to be able to be able to do it at all. Depressing. My hands ache non-stop, my eyes won't focus like they used to, and my back says STFU to any real work attempts.
God, I'm depressed.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
About 1.5 years ago, the Muncie 4 speed transmission in my 56 Chevy hot rod needed to be rebuilt. NO problem..
I put the car on jackstands, unfastened the shifter, unbolted the 4 trans bolts, and pulled it out. Laid it gently on my chest...rolled it out from under the car... and off to the trans shop it went.
Got it back about 5 days later. Tried to reinstall it myself.
I COULD NOT "bench press" that 75# Muncie. Couldn't even come close to reinstalling it myself. I realized that if I didn't stop trying, I'd drop that oily trans onto my face and probably knock all of my teeth out. 
Called one of my 70+ year old buddies who has a transmission jack, and after he arrived, we had it back in the car in 15 minutes.
I got to thinking how weak I've become. I used to pull transmissions and reinstall them with ease..
I put the car on jackstands, unfastened the shifter, unbolted the 4 trans bolts, and pulled it out. Laid it gently on my chest...rolled it out from under the car... and off to the trans shop it went.
Got it back about 5 days later. Tried to reinstall it myself.
I COULD NOT "bench press" that 75# Muncie. Couldn't even come close to reinstalling it myself. I realized that if I didn't stop trying, I'd drop that oily trans onto my face and probably knock all of my teeth out. Called one of my 70+ year old buddies who has a transmission jack, and after he arrived, we had it back in the car in 15 minutes.
I got to thinking how weak I've become. I used to pull transmissions and reinstall them with ease..
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,617
Likes: 1,547
From: Olive branch Ms
Looks like most of you have 10 years on me but with bad rotators and rheumatoid arthritis maybe I've got more miles on me. Ever since I put the LS in my Pontiac it's had a piston slap that drove me crazy. Last year for the second year I said if you'll just make it til winter I'll fix it. I took it out this winter and I noticed the bolts were all too tight and too hard to get to. I've got to get my 61 finished so I can still enjoy it a few years.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,596
Likes: 8,418
From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
There is hope...
Last year I sold my Beck 904 to a guy who was buying up projects and living life to the fullest. He recovered from cancer where he lost 50lbs. and was told he wouldn’t make it. He did. Last time I was over there, he was upside down working under the dash. He had just finished pulling the engine from another car to change the clutch. He’s having a blast!
He’s 88.
Last year I sold my Beck 904 to a guy who was buying up projects and living life to the fullest. He recovered from cancer where he lost 50lbs. and was told he wouldn’t make it. He did. Last time I was over there, he was upside down working under the dash. He had just finished pulling the engine from another car to change the clutch. He’s having a blast!
He’s 88.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 776
From: Dadeville AL
I bought a 400 pound tractor implement a few years ago and was trying to load it onto a flat trailer with help from the young man who sold it. When it became obvious I was doing far less than my half of the job, I commented to him. "I'm just as strong as I always was, but stuff is a lot heavier these days that it used to be. .... For example, this 2,000 pound bush hog."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 6,501
Likes: 1,938
From: The Golden Triangle, Florida
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '20 thru '25
I bought a 400 pound tractor implement a few years ago and was trying to load it onto a flat trailer with help from the young man who sold it. When it became obvious I was doing far less than my half of the job, I commented to him. "I'm just as strong as I always was, but stuff is a lot heavier these days that it used to be. .... For example, this 2,000 pound bush hog."
Steve
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,234
Likes: 1,672
From: Long Island
I agree things did get heavier. I think it's the global shift of the earths axis 
...
I think some of the things take longer because the cars are valued more. In the younger days it was just a car and as stated we needed to get to work / school on Monday.
I find that I'm doing more precision work , with the fit and finish far superior to that of my youth.
In my youth very few parts were torqued and most parts were - it will fit.
There was less concern of scratching the paint or messing up the floor, just get it done.
For me I take more pride in my work, now, and take the time to do it right. So it does take longer. I also clean the parts and surroundings which as a kid we never did. We new the car was going to be used daily - rain / snow etc .
...I think some of the things take longer because the cars are valued more. In the younger days it was just a car and as stated we needed to get to work / school on Monday.
I find that I'm doing more precision work , with the fit and finish far superior to that of my youth.
In my youth very few parts were torqued and most parts were - it will fit.
There was less concern of scratching the paint or messing up the floor, just get it done.
For me I take more pride in my work, now, and take the time to do it right. So it does take longer. I also clean the parts and surroundings which as a kid we never did. We new the car was going to be used daily - rain / snow etc .
Last edited by BLUE1972; Apr 28, 2019 at 09:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10,596
Likes: 8,418
From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
2026 Restomod of the Year Winner
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
Yeah, right?
It’s kind of like clothes that stay in my closet too long. They magically shrink. It’s weird.
It’s kind of like clothes that stay in my closet too long. They magically shrink. It’s weird.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 686
From: Ho-Ho-Kus NJ
As I replaced a 50 year old part the other day I remembering thinking "Why am I putting anti-seize on the bolts. When this part fails in 25 years I'll be 97. Do I really think I'll be doing the work then?"
Joe
Joe
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 2,385
From: McKinney Texas
I’m 50 and feel 150 right now. First full day I have got to work on the vette, except for having to go into work for 1 hour at 7 am. Been doing stuff for everyone else or repairing stuff at the house and the Tundra for the last three weekends. Already I’m starting to forget stuff, arm cuts and can’t see up close. Looked 45 minutes for the trailing arm shock bolt I was missing only to look at 6 times thinking it was part of the steering assembly then finally realizing that was it. I guess I need more than 4 hours sleep a night and maybe go work out as my back is shot at the moment.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
I'm 78, and after countless builds and seven body-off restorations, my health took a big left turn two years ago, and I can't do any heavy car work any more - sold my '67 Corvette and '69 Camaro Z/28 (and my lift), and have picked up my long-time secondary hobby (guns) which is much better suited to my medical situation and physical capabilities. I'm training to be a "practical gunsmith". I can still shoot and drive, and the indoor range is only 25 minutes away. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
At 70 I still will tackle full restorations , but I have a fully equipped comfortable garage to work in . Back in the 60's when I still lived at home with my parents we had no garage so me and my brothers would do all of our car repairs in a grass field and only had a tripod for pulling engines and had to work in all kinds of weather . I can remember it raining while changing an engine and the water was running under the car under my back but I pressed on . On Christmas Eve 1965 I had a date with my now wife and worked on replacing the standard transmission in a 60's Dodge in a snow storm but I pressed on and made that date about 8:00 pm . There is not enough money to convince me to do any of that today . Spoiled I guess !
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 999
Likes: 97
From: Captain Cook Hawaii
I will be 70 in September, still working Line Maintenance in Kona on ETOPS for various carriers. I am old school and loyal; but that will soon be over. No young people to replace us older mechs.
I thought I was the only one with thin skin too. [Not so with dealing with pilots though] I cut the toes off a thick sock and pull that over my arm so the heel of the sock is on my elbow. Wet it down in the warm climates. I have two male 11 year old Red Jungle Fowls to remind me to "dress up." One other thing, " I try to not let "The Old Man In," but he keeps knocking....................
Aloha,
Rene
I thought I was the only one with thin skin too. [Not so with dealing with pilots though] I cut the toes off a thick sock and pull that over my arm so the heel of the sock is on my elbow. Wet it down in the warm climates. I have two male 11 year old Red Jungle Fowls to remind me to "dress up." One other thing, " I try to not let "The Old Man In," but he keeps knocking....................
Aloha,
Rene
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 1,927
From: Folsom CA
Sad but most everything above applies. There is a knee pad available made by Ergo Kneel. I won't even touch a knee to concrete anymore to get down and look where to place a jack or jack stand without first placing the ergo kneel knee pad down.
They are about 1 1/4" thick and mine is about 14 x 20". I love that dang thing. I use it whenever I need to kneel. Working on a car or fixing sprinklers. It has helped my knees a lot. Been using it for about 8 years now.
Company is out of Oregon and I cringe thinking of doing any low work without it.
All the little things we do now to survive that were not even an issue back in the day.
They are about 1 1/4" thick and mine is about 14 x 20". I love that dang thing. I use it whenever I need to kneel. Working on a car or fixing sprinklers. It has helped my knees a lot. Been using it for about 8 years now.
Company is out of Oregon and I cringe thinking of doing any low work without it.
All the little things we do now to survive that were not even an issue back in the day.
Last edited by Westlotorn; Apr 29, 2019 at 02:25 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,048
Likes: 6,558
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Originally Posted by kellsdad
"I'm just as strong as I always was, but stuff is a lot heavier these days that it used to be. .... For example, this 2,000 pound bush hog."
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,001
Likes: 1,056
From: Arlington TX
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 Restomod of the Year Finalist
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
At 70 I still will tackle full restorations , but I have a fully equipped comfortable garage to work in . Back in the 60's when I still lived at home with my parents we had no garage so me and my brothers would do all of our car repairs in a grass field and only had a tripod for pulling engines and had to work in all kinds of weather . I can remember it raining while changing an engine and the water was running under the car under my back but I pressed on . On Christmas Eve 1965 I had a date with my now wife and worked on replacing the standard transmission in a 60's Dodge in a snow storm but I pressed on and made that date about 8:00 pm . There is not enough money to convince me to do any of that today . Spoiled I guess !
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,163
Likes: 7,441
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Forget the creepers, jack stands, & floor jacks, You must get a lift