1973 2.0L Rustoration, Restoration turned OT garage build Options

[Superhawk996]

So you aren't in Idaho anymore? Where did you land?

Exactly the opposite.

Left Detroit, left the auto industry last August. Moved to Idaho not too far from where I lived as a kid in the early 80s. I was in Detroit area for 27 years but if you love cars and wanted to work in the industry, that was where it was at.

[Superhawk996]

Framing as a one man crew is painfully slow.

Hoping to finish sheathing in a day or two. Floor trusses sitting on site - putting those up ought to be entertaining.

[Van B]

An entire career of finding the most efficient and effective means to produce something and now look at what has become of you lol!

Are you pushing the nails in by hand too?

[930cabman]

An entire career of finding the most efficient and effective means to produce something and now look at what has become of you lol!

Are you pushing the nails in by hand too?

I'm sure it's an adventure, and certainly a day and night from the motor city.

Pushing nails by hand, that's a new one

[mb911]

Looks great Phil.

[Jett]

Looks great!

[Van B]

An entire career of finding the most efficient and effective means to produce something and now look at what has become of you lol!

Are you pushing the nails in by hand too?

I'm sure it's an adventure, and certainly a day and night from the motor city.

Pushing nails by hand, that's a new one

He’s not responding because he’s probably out harvesting fresh lumber lol!

[Superhawk996]

An entire career of finding the most efficient and effective means to produce something and now look at what has become of you lol!

Are you pushing the nails in by hand too?

I'm sure it's an adventure, and certainly a day and night from the motor city.

Pushing nails by hand, that's a new one

He’s not responding because he’s probably out harvesting fresh lumber lol!

You guys are the best. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) @“Van B” comments did get me to stop and think about what I’m doing and why.

Turns out I’m not after build time efficiency but rather cost savings and the joy (and frustration) of the journey itself. Though I have to admit I would rather be playing in the garage, rather than building the garage. Some days that is sort of a tough pill to swallow.

Labor shortages are a very real thing out here. Builders are going like gang-busters and not terribly interested in a small build like mine without a significant price premium to make it worth their time. The other thing is that my location is off the beaten path and of course that means contractors want even more money. They basically end up paying their crew to commute to my house. So let’s call it 8 hours of pay for the contractor to net 5-6 hours of work from a crew member. At least this was the case with the foundation. I wasn’t about to attempt concrete work myself!

So it turns out that build efficiency isn’t the priority. Capital efficiency is. Was interesting to stop and reconsider if it would be smarter to just pay the labor premium though. I will have to revisit that as fall gets closer to see if I can make a final push and get dry’d in before snow flies.

[Van B]

Of course you know I’m giving you a hard time for the fun of it.

But on a serious note, when I’ve done construction projects in the past, I would hire someone for a day when I needed some extra muscle. But looks like you’re past those critical phases of the build now!

[Superhawk996]

Of course you know I’m giving you a hard time for the fun of it.

But on a serious note, when I’ve done construction projects in the past, I would hire someone for a day when I needed some extra muscle. But looks like you’re past those critical phases of the build now!

I seriously thought it was a funny and valid comment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) It did get me thinking which I really appreciate!

Most “muscle” is handled mechanically but won’t be an option for the second floor. Luckily the 2nd floor walls will just tip up (wall jacks) instead of having to be lifted 2 feet up onto the foundation.



However when I put up the first couple sections of wall, the neighbors tractor was broken (leaking radiator and leaking power steering). So I had to get a little more creative with ramps, block and tackle, and the Jeep winch.



Those early stages when the tractor was broken, before I fixed that issue, really slowed me down in late June - early July.



That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

[Van B]

Neighbor loaned you his busted tractor eh?

Neighbor: Hon, that engineer wants to borrow my tractor.

Wife: Your yellow one? I thought it was broken?

Neighbor: Did you hear the part where I said engineer?

Wife: Ohhhh.

[jd74914]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8vHhgh6oM0

[930cabman]

Neighbor loaned you his busted tractor eh?

Neighbor: Hon, that engineer wants to borrow my tractor.

Wife: Your yellow one? I thought it was broken?

Neighbor: Did you hear the part where I said engineer?

Wife: Ohhhh.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

Maybe we shouldn't laugh, it may be the case

[Superhawk996]

Neighbor loaned you his busted tractor eh?

Neighbor: Hon, that engineer wants to borrow my tractor.

Wife: Your yellow one? I thought it was broken?

Neighbor: Did you hear the part where I said engineer?

Wife: Ohhhh.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

Maybe we shouldn't laugh, it may be the case

Pretty much nailed it.

However, I’ve been borrowing it occasionally since 2008 so it’s not like they waited for me to use it and break it. I’m just fortunate to having had them be so willing to loan it to me for last 15 years. A little maintenance is a small price to pay.

More like it’s been used and abused hard for 40+ years and just needs TLC to keep going for the next 10 or more years.

But there is a little SUV in the garage that the sons took the whole I/P out in the process of fixing an heater core leak. Now the kids can’t remember how they took it apart. They are looking for some help with that one that I’ve been putting off. They did seem a little too excited to have us move onto the hill permanently. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[Superhawk996]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8vHhgh6oM0

That’s a favorite clip of mine.

Pretty much a summary of my childhood. When I was about 6 years old my parents gave me one of those old style store cash registers (1930s vintage) that was already broken. Man, did I have a field day taking that thing apart! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) Happier than a bird with a French Fry.

[jd74914]

That’s a favorite clip of mine.

Pretty much a summary of my childhood. When I was about 6 years old my parents gave me one of those old style store cash registers (1930s vintage) that was already broken. Man, did I have a field day taking that thing apart! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif) Happier than a bird with a French Fry.

I figured so much! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I started engineering school a bit after that show aired and thought it hit a little close to home too. And now I see the same thing with my 3 year old...he spent hours the other day taking apart two dead bolts. Tough when his mom is an engineer too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[Superhawk996]

And now I see the same thing with my 3 year old...he spent hours the other day taking apart two dead bolts. Tough when his mom is an engineer too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Sweet - give him some 914 lock cylinders next. See if he can re-key all your locks to the same key assuming your car is like most with mixed key sets (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

@jd74914

[jd74914]

And now I see the same thing with my 3 year old...he spent hours the other day taking apart two dead bolts. Tough when his mom is an engineer too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Sweet - give him some 914 lock cylinders next. See if he can re-key all your locks to the same key assuming your car is like most with mixed key sets (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) That's a great idea. Probably keep him busy all weekend with a little file set.

Now his 20 month old brother is more into machinery...kid can barely talk and still corrects people when they mix up skid steers and compact track loaders or other machine pairs. So proud! Bugs the shit out of my in-laws getting corrected by a toddler all the time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[Superhawk996]

Sort of in a funk today. The news yesterday of Brent’s passing is weighing on me. I hadn’t heard from him since September and feared the worst - only to have it confirmed.

I had barely been on this forum but for more than a few months and was struck by Brent’s thread. I really appreciated his fortitude taking on the restoration of a chassis that almost anyone else would have scrapped. More than anything I appreciated his can do attitude and knack for fixing parts rather than simply writing a check. Only a short time later Brent invited an internet whacko to visit him and see his project in person. His generosity with his time, experiences, and even a few parts never ceased to amaze.

Visiting Brent’s project 2019:



One of the last texts I had from him was that he was driving the 914 to some appointments. I’m so glad he was able to finish his project and was having a good time enjoying it.

When I was in the process of finally moving to Idaho in 2022, Brent convinced me to drive his car after some initial reluctance on my part. What an amazing experience to drive something that had been brought back from what had been a rusted hulk riddled with weasel urine! His generosity in sharing that driving experience is a memory I’ll always treasure.

Simply not enough people like Brent in this world.

[Superhawk996]

A few people know that Brent had wanted to build a bigger garage - don’t we all! He was a consultant of sorts to my garage build.

Brent had experience with the radiant floor heat install in his house and had created a really novel control strategy for his mod-con boiler. It was a real benefit to me to have been able to get his input before I did my radiant floor install.

Similarly Brent had some amazing wood working talent which was never really highlighted on this forum if only because of the subject matter here. Some of the cabinets he made from reclaimed lumber and architectural touches in his home were beautiful, amazing, and an inspiration to me.

As I continue to work on my current garage project, it will always be reminded of him and hopefully inspired to achieve the level of detail that Brent brought to all his projects!

Latest status of my garage build - looks like I’ll be working well into the winter.