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So sorry to hear.., That is upsetting. I try to do exactly what you said. My Dad tells me this every day. He also say's "Money aint worth a ****, if you ain't got your health" It can't buy you longevity. And I see this in him. He and I lost my mom back in November. He has all the $$ in the world he needs, but couldn't help her. Best doctors, nurses aids, everything. Now he's alone after 50 + years, and is depressed. Me and the family do the best we can, but what can you do? When half of you isn't there anymore, its just a hole. SO yes to what you said, ENJOY LIFE NOW FOR WHAT IT IS, NOT WHAT IT COULD BE.
Originally Posted by 7t9l82
lost my Dad 3 years ago at 89, and it was still way too soon. Mom is now 90 and Misses him a bunch they were together 64 years. She is with Me so She has Family close. It will never be the same.
Hang in there men. Losing someone you love HURTS MUCH....NO DOUBT! Believing and knowing there is a Heaven to keep them safe and young again takes away some of the sting.
As for the project......I was just about to reassemble the dash when the A.D.D. struck. So....I sprayed the black dye on the convertible top/two coats---since it was sunny and low 80s outside. It will take 24 hours for the dye to fully dry......I didn't lock the bow down---I have to adjust the guide pins and the bow trim strip.......
Now....about the dash....... ..........
I was justtttttttt about to put everything back together when the steering shaft squeeked while I was moving it.....then the A.D.D. hit....the next thing I know---the column is apart and laying everywhere...........
annnnnnnnnnnnnd........the collapsible "sleeve" was stress-broken all the way around at the top/but that's what a mig welder is for....................
Of course all the rusty ball bearings fell out when I pulled the shaft out of the housing......
All the parts need cleaning, polishing and/or painting.
I'll get all the parts locally....there's a great little company nearby that sells every spring and bearing known to man.
The shaft will get an "upgrade" to a SEALED lower bearing!
Last edited by doorgunner; Mar 17, 2015 at 08:02 PM.
So sorry to hear..., ENJOY LIFE NOW FOR WHAT IT IS, NOT WHAT IT COULD BE.
SPOT ON!! That's why I'm spending the first 3 days of this week caring for (and thoroughly enjoying ) my 2 year-old granddaughter while her parents are out of town, instead of working on the vette. The car can wait, she can't...
SPOT ON!! That's why I'm spending the first 3 days of this week caring for (and thoroughly enjoying ) my 2 year-old granddaughter while her parents are out of town, instead of working on the vette. The car can wait, she can't...
Paul
2 year olds really like steering wheels and Teddy Grahams...
but you might have to unplug the horn while you change the spark plugs.........LOL!
door gunner, at this rate you are going one step ahead and two back! STOP finding things. Finish what ya got so you can enjoy the warm weather ahead…
It's a good thing that it squeeked.....the upper half of the column had literally separated from the bottom half....and the lower bearing race had worn in half where the ball bearings rolled around.
I'm surprised that the top of the column didn't drop an inch below the steering wheel.
Besides......the hood is still at the painter...it's been raining nearly every day for a month...the last three days have been sunny...so this is the week for everything to be reassembled.....hood/steering column/dash/final adjustment on the "new" convertible top.
EDIT: And the door locks are an hour away waiting for me to get them this Thursday.
63130
Last edited by doorgunner; Mar 18, 2015 at 02:34 AM.
After looking at a few steering column diagrams, being a rookie I'm not sure it's a '68 column or even Corvette with that collapsible cage center section. There was definitely lots of moisture working it's way past the bottom bearing for the shaft to be pitted as much as it was......
Anyway.....I'm going check on the hood progress at the painter....then go to town and get the bearing.
.........another sunny 80* day!
Last edited by doorgunner; Mar 18, 2015 at 08:35 AM.
Rats! The vendor didn't have the bearing and I didn't want to wait another week or more for a bearing to arrive so I pressed a temporary bronze bushing into the lower column......cleaned and painted everything before the afternoon showers set in. I still have to mock up the column so I can weld the broken collapsible cage in place, but at least everything is rust-free........................
It's amazing how much pollen and how many bugs will show up when you go inside to get the camera. Here's the "new" '68 hood in the '34 truck bed.........
Right now it's a 5-footer....the painter wants to paint the rest of the car.....then buff out the specks and slight orange peel on the completed body...fine with me...at least I'll have a nice hood to look at while driving for now.
Last edited by doorgunner; Mar 18, 2015 at 03:29 PM.
It's amazing how much pollen and how many bugs will show up when you go inside to get the camera. Here's the "new" '68 hood in the '34 truck bed.........
At first I thought the hood had a poorly cut scoop opening. Then I realized it was the reflection of the truck window.
DG I am guessing here, but I think that is a 68 column. They had the collapsible wire mesh, I think. The 69-up have plastic and ball bearings instead. Lou.
DG I am guessing here, but I think that is a 68 column. They had the collapsible wire mesh, I think. The 69-up have plastic and ball bearings instead. Lou.
Thanks Lou. You probably saw the pic of the broken wire mesh....weird!
Last edited by doorgunner; Mar 18, 2015 at 10:34 PM.
I REALLY need to get in the garage and weld that metal cage back onto the upper column so I can get back on track with the wiring and dash re-install................................. ....................
YEP..................................... ....that's what I need to............do!
While the paint is drying I may as well post the repair pics......
The column is assembled/bolted to the firewall/the two halves are rotated and lined up with the dash mounting bracket and marked with tape........when I left go of the column to take the picture the two halves turned---good thing I put the alignment tape in place earlier..........
The wire cage halves are matched up and welded together.......
The welds are ground down...........................
A thick coat of paint is put on...................
Now I have to drive about 1.5 hours to pick up the repaired door/compartment locks.....may as well eat dinner while I'm there!
Last edited by doorgunner; Mar 19, 2015 at 01:05 PM.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
lost my Dad 3 years ago at 89, and it was still way too soon. Mom is now 90 and Misses him a bunch they were together 64 years. She is with Me so She has Family close. It will never be the same.
..........
) my 2 year-old granddaughter while her parents are out of town, instead of working on the vette. The car can wait, she can't... 
