How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Took advantage of our winter break this year to work on my c10. Because COVID shut down the tradeshow I normally have to do in Janurary, this was the first christmas break in years where I actually had some free time.

Where it started back when I first got the truck.
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When we first got shut down last year under shelter in place, I took advantage of the time and converted the truck from manual drums to 4 wheel discs. That turned out to be a bit more hassle than I expected but was worth the fight as the drums were absolutely terrifying to stop at any speed over 40. (note: I know they could have been rebuilt back to useful brakes but I just didn't want to deal with drums and manual brakes any longer). Also rebuilt the front suspension while I was at it.

The main take away from this was I'm too old continue working on cars with jack and jackstands. Over the summer I finally got to do the lift installed and it's the best decision I've ever made. Unfortunately it ate the budget for 2020 towards the bigger projects.

So I decided to take advantage of the time and rehab the 283 in the truck, clean all the front sheet metal and do a bunch of small punch list items while I was there. The main thing was the motor just leaked so badly, it really needed a good reseal. Here goes:

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Truck up on the lift. Could not be happier, I can't fathom going back to working with out it.
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Amazingly, no broken bolts, everything was dirty but in great shape.
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LOTS of pressure washing, easy-off, purple power later...
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Was super happy how well the firewall cleaned up back to it's original fawn paint.

Most of this got accomplished during my winter break. Then we all went back to work / school and 2 weeks later my oldest got Covid. SO we all separated to different parts of the house attempting to mitigate the spread. The upside was another week in the garage while we got tested (and all my employees).

before:
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Did all the normal stuff. Front and rear mains, water pump, timing chain, valve seals (all 16 just crumbled apart, that was one of the biggest issues) etc. Didn't do a full rebuild, it really didn't have all that many miles since it was rebuilt last, just a lot of time. Also converted to a Pertronix ignition and got all the sensors setup for the dakota digital dash. Also did a LOT of cleaning:

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By this point I had started feeling crummy and ended up testing positive myself. By the time we caught it was in our house it was too late. So I ended up taking a couple weeks off and did nothing but rest and stay locked up in my bedroom. Thankfully we all had it mild with more issues from a long term lingering cough/fatigue than anything during my infectious period.

Back to work!
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Built an adapter harness to connect to the DD box
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Success

Picked up the inner fenders / core support etc from sandblasting, snuck down to the shop to use the booth to spray
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and then put it back together
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(I realized after these photos my upper hose is backwards LOL)
Hit it with the buffer again too
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There we go. Making the best of the last year with some unexpected extra free time. It's first day back to the shop got put right back in use as my favorite photo backdrop too.
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/171444436.jpg

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Really, really, nice work. Love the guitar tailgate shot, too. I need to do that with a few of my gits.

What did you do for your manifolds?

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Thanks!! It gets used a LOT in our work photos. That means I can write all this off right? LOL

Exhaust manifolds is just POR15 cast iron gray. I've always had great luck with this as manifold paint. Looks good, holds up great.

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Beautiful work, she looks great!

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Nice work, it looks great!

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Thanks everyone!

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...3obtg&usqp=CAU



Your truck looks awesome.

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Wow, that came out great. I love a stock looking motor. That lift is pretty nice too. It looks like you cut recesses in the floor for it to settle into when its lowered, is that right? When working under the vehicle, do you sit upright on the floor or a roller stool or what? I'm curious about some of the physical advantages that go along with using that. Friends of mine have the big 4 post jobbers that have space for standing or parking another car underneath, but I've never seen one like yours in real life. Id like to know a bit more. Glad the Covid didn't hit you guys too hard too.

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

So I had a few limitations in my garage. Mainly I didn’t have enough width for a two post with out turning my garage into a 1 car garage essentially. Also with the rack on my truck especially I don’t have the ceiling height to lift much more than what’s pictured anyways.

After spending two years debating this scissor lift style was the one I kept coming back too. When not in use it’s 100% unobtrusive to the garage. The downside was it’s twice the cost of a 2 post and after having the concrete cut out, a hole dug, rebar and new concrete it’s like 6x the cost. I still think it’s the best money I’ve ever spent given my choices. I can work on the front and rear suspension easily (unlike a 4 post), I’ve got 25” between the lifts so I can still work in the middle of the truck. I could also get the super tall 4x4 style jacks and set it on those at 48” off the ground, drop the lifts and have full access if needed. I really couldn’t be more happy. (Except the damage to my wallet). Also unlike the jacks I can lift the truck to max height, then drop it with 1 button to lower it enough to open my garage door when I need to (retracking that tight to ceiling is my next project).

I ended up getting a rolling seat that sits close to the ground. It works great for me (though I’m only 5’8” so ymmv).

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

The GOAT!

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Nice work, congrats.

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Dadgum, that turned out great!

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Wow that turned out great,what is your ceiling heigth ? Allso what brake booster master cyl. are you using and did you use brackets on the mounting of them?:metal:

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Nice job, time well spent for sure....

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

nice work ! and i can not agree with the statement:
" The main take away from this was I'm too old continue working on cars with jack and jackstands. "

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Beautiful detail work!

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Thanks everyone!

The front disc kit and booster/master came from azpro but I used the captain fab bracket. Rear disc kit from https://www.littleshopmfg.com/

My ceiling in the garage is 9’4”

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Beautiful and Honored History link on Bob and his truck and namesake, thanks for posting. Oh, and the Guitars ROCK!!

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Looks fantastic.

I waffled back and forth for the longest time between the scissor lift and a two-post lift. There is no going back to NO lift.

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Thank you! It’s certainly a fun way to make a living!

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been doing this a long time with out one and it just sucks. A lift is so freaking nice.

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Wow. Engine compartment looks great.

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Hank great work on the truck engine, compartment, and dash. May I ask what lift you went with for your shop/garage

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

It's a Bendpak Midrise Lift. Really happy with it and the few little snags I hit Bendpak was immediate on the support and help. Very solidly built. Here's some pictures from the concrete side of the job. The concrete guys way over built this but I really didn't mind. https://www.instagram.com/p/CHJpUHCnuo_/

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Awesome work! Looks great... Love the engine detail... :ito:

Re: How I spent my Covid-staycation
 

Awesome work!! love the lift. i have a 2 post, but i also have 14' plus ceiling. never going back to no lift!