1973 2.0L Rustoration, Restoration turned OT garage build Options

[Superhawk996]

Among that work, I had to get wood stacked for winter (5 full cords - not face cords (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ), and of course do my other job as chimney sweep.

Since I work so slowly it doesn’t make sense to rent scaffold or rent bucket / man lift equipment. This hillbilly scaffold got built instead (lumber later to be recycled into sheds / greenhouse). This had to be done on both gable ends and front peak to do sheathing and fascia work and took about 4 days to build (each).

There was a couple lost weeks to vacation in June and two weeks of 100 degree weather in July that really slowed productivity.

Currently the push is on to get the finish fascia installed so that I can get roofing contracted & done. So this is pretty much how it currently stands. Hopefully have a roof in a month. Got windows quoted, etc.




Overall, not too bad for a one man (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) show, just a little over a year since I put up the first wall. I try to keep some perspective otherwise I’d be overwhelmed with how much still needs to be done.

Going to be a busy winter. Probably end up doing cladding and some interior work over the winter.

[930cabman]

Haven't seen an update recently, is the barn getting closed in?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) Thanks for asking @930Cabman

Basically I’m a lazy POS. Not dried in yet.

I have excuses though.

Part of this deal of relocation was I get a garage, wife gets a patio. We live on a sloped property so there was nowhere that was flat and safe to walk without mole holes to twist an ankle in, and lots of dirt that turns to dust during this dry time of year.

May and June largely went to excavating the yard, and literally bringing in hundreds of tons of gravel fill that the rodents can’t burrow in. Though much of it was contracted, I was in the hook for “project management” duty as well as the mundane labor of laying drain tube, electrical conduit, and irrigation lines for future use. Basically the patio is another 10 phase project into itself.

Current state awaiting install of 12 pallets of retaining wall block / borders. Then need to decide if we are going to do artificial turf or pavers on top of gravel base.

I probably would not agree with the "lazy POS" reference as this is a massive project. Keep up the good work and be safe there in the wilderness

[Jett]

Among that work, I had to get wood stacked for winter (5 full cords - not face cords (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ), and of course do my other job as chimney sweep.

Since I work so slowly it doesn’t make sense to rent scaffold or rent bucket / man lift equipment. This hillbilly scaffold got built instead (lumber later to be recycled into sheds / greenhouse). This had to be done on both gable ends and front peak to do sheathing and fascia work and took about 4 days to build (each).

There was a couple lost weeks to vacation in June and two weeks of 100 degree weather in July that really slowed productivity.

Currently the push is on to get the finish fascia installed so that I can get roofing contracted & done. So this is pretty much how it currently stands. Hopefully have a roof in a month. Got windows quoted, etc.




Overall, not too bad for a one man (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) show, just a little over a year since I put up the first wall. I try to keep some perspective otherwise I’d be overwhelmed with how much still needs to be done.

Going to be a busy winter. Probably end up doing cladding and some interior work over the winter.

Nice!

[930cabman]

Are those working decks 2x4's with plywood?

[Superhawk996]

Are those working decks 2x4's with plywood?

@930cabman

Yes, basically but used scrap 3/4” T&G subflooring that was leftover from the 2nd floor subfloor build. 23” wide or so. I really don’t like working off the 10” toe boards at the edge of the roof; too narrow for my comfort.

2x4s limited to about a 6’ span.

Always have a harness on when I’m up there.

[mb911]

Looks fantastic keep up the great work.

[Cairo94507]

That is just amazing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[technicalninja]

That is NOT a "Hill Billy" scaffold!

That's "engineered"...

It doesn't incorporate a live oak OR barnyard animals in its construction.

It's not made out of stolen street signs.

No duct tape to be seen anywhere.

Not "Hill Billy" at all!

Actually, the scaffold (and the rest of the project) looks BAD ASSED to me.

That is a wonderful 3 bay shop!

It will look "Homes and Gardens" when you're done.

Very nice!

I'd spend more time in the shop than the house...

[Superhawk996]

I'd spend more time in the shop than the house...

I always have and have no intention of changing that behavior. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[930cabman]

I'd spend more time in the shop than the house...

I always have and have no intention of changing that behavior. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Not far off from correct, but with 6 grandkids including a 30 month old, I am often home on the floor with the baby playing blocks or destroying something so long as nana isn't watching. Lil Emmy Lou just loves her papa. Wouldn't change it for the world

Work safe especially when in the air

[Superhawk996]

It’s been along time since I’ve updated anything on my “build” page.

Unfortunately the garage build still dominates instead of the 914. 2025 was a really bad year for progress due to the passing of my father in law, disputes with the health department over tying the garage into my septic, and my own health challenges now that I’m officially an old man.

This is going to be a long series of posts to catch up. I’m also really missing Brent’s posting of wildlife so I guess I’ll throw some into this post in memory of Brent.

For anyone that doesn’t have the patience and wants the TLDR

Here’s the latest status. Roof went on in fall of 2024. Garage doors went up in late fall 2024. Currently I’ve been putting in windows that have been onsite and awaiting install since December 2024. Apparently I’m still inventing hillbilly scaffolding to do what needs doing.

[Superhawk996]

My father in law wasn’t much for actual wrenching but he always had an interesting stable of cars. He didn’t really understand my fascination with small foreign cars but let me marry his daughter anyway. He always had Packards, Mustangs, and old model T for a while, and his GTO went to my brother in law so at least that is still in the family.

Here is a picture of him with my wife as a baby and mother in law pregnant with my brother in law. He was a character. He had the Packard in the background up to the mid 2000’s when sticking valves finally frustrated him too often and he sold it.

[mepstein]

It’s been along time since I’ve updated anything on my “build” page.

Unfortunately the garage build still dominates instead of the 914. 2025 was a really bad year for progress due to the passing of my father in law, disputes with the health department over tying the garage into my septic, and my own health challenges now that I’m officially an old man.

This is going to be a long series of posts to catch up. I’m also really missing Brent’s posting of wildlife so I guess I’ll throw some into this post in memory of Brent.

For anyone that doesn’t have the patience and wants the TLDR

Here’s the latest status. Roof went on in fall of 2024. Garage doors went up in late fall 2024. Currently I’ve been putting in windows that have been onsite and awaiting install since December 2024. Apparently I’m still inventing hillbilly scaffolding to do what needs doing.

Looks like you are on the home stretch. Congrats (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[930cabman]

I had been wondering of the progress at the new digs

Funny how life can get in the way often and being an old guy doesn't make things easier.

For me, I mostly roll with the flow and accomplish what I can. I built my first T1 engine in 1972, but have always been intimidated with a /6. i recently found a core and will be diving into it.

Many other things on the bucket might need to wait for the next time through

[Superhawk996]

I did learn that if I ever hit the lottery I will be suing the health department just for sport.

Basically due to them losing paperwork from 1993 regarding my original septic, I had to install a dedicated 1000 gallon tank for the garage and 222’ of new drainfield. It’s such a long story and it just makes me mad telling it so I’ll skip it.

Lots of digging trenches and dealing with rocks in 2025.





Only time will tell how many trees survive the install of the drain field. Likewise I’m not fully convinced this new vaulted drain field is going to last as long as the old school perforated pipe and drain rock but hopefully I’m dead and gone before we find out.

[Superhawk996]

Staying with the theme of trenches and rocks, electrical went in around late November.

Again, another long story of dealing with incompetent bureaucrats, the utility, and incompetent “licensed” electricians. Had to do a 400amp service upgrade in order to keep 200a to the house and add 200a to the garage. Luckily I avoided buying a new transformer.

Despite paying $4k to the utility for an “engineering study” the utility crew still showed up without enough wire to make it from the pole to the service panel. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

Why is there always a damn rock right where the trench needs to be. This one is much larger than it appears. They are often like icebergs and the tip you see is only just the beginning. The mini excavator couldn’t even budge this guy. Luckily I was able to sneak around it.



Word of advice. Licensing means nothing when it comes to electricians. The bureaucratic state electrical inspectors are equally or even more useless.

The lectrician’ decided that since he didn’t bring the right size wire to fit the breaker he’d just clip a few strands. Totally in violation of code. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)




Now you might think the state inspector would catch it. Nope. Instead he fails the inspection because I didn’t have a light fixture outside the entry door. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Just so many useless bureaucrats and bad contractors in this world.

[DennisV]

Here’s the latest status. Roof went on in fall of 2024. Garage doors went up in late fall 2024. Currently I’ve been putting in windows that have been onsite and awaiting install since December 2024. Apparently I’m still inventing hillbilly scaffolding to do what needs doing.

Looking great!

"always a damn rock right where the trench needs to be" should be a song.

[Superhawk996]

During the trip back to Michigan for my father in laws funeral I decided to swing by the Chrysler headquarters to see what sort of chaos was going on there with the decline of the auto industry.


I was not disappointed.

The parking across acres of parking lots that used to be full are now nearly empty. The parking structures were empty - on a Thursday at 2pm in the afternoon. A combination of layoffs, and work from home policies.



The old Chrysler museum was taken over and turned into the Alfa and Maserati offices back in the FCA era.



Of course these have been abandoned and the building is slipping into a state of disrepair.


If anyone wants a pretty decent version of what went on after Mercedes bought Chrysler and what was the beginning of the end, Taken for a Ride is a good read.

Here’s the backside of one of my old business cards from my time at Viper sitting on top of the book cover. Those were the coolest business cards I ever had. Does anyone still use business cards?

[Superhawk996]

My “free” image converter is killing me with ads. More later. The more you use it the more ads it serves (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

Here’s one as a placeholder in memory of Brent. He used to have a really sweet water bog feature to attract the Moose. Apparently I just have a couple Bugs awaiting work and a pile of wood. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

[930cabman]

Here’s the latest status. Roof went on in fall of 2024. Garage doors went up in late fall 2024. Currently I’ve been putting in windows that have been onsite and awaiting install since December 2024. Apparently I’m still inventing hillbilly scaffolding to do what needs doing.

Looking great!

"always a damn rock right where the trench needs to be" should be a song.

Have a look in the C&W history, I'll bet it's already nailed. Might be a dead dog, or a jerk boss in there somewhere