Probably most of us can relate.
I am used to doing most of my car work by myself, although my wife is
extremely supportive and does help bleed brakes, hold flashlights, etc.
When working on my VW bus I used to have to rebuild the engine every year.
I installed it by raising the bus a few inches, then lay on my back beneath
the bus, roll the entire engine up onto my chest and bench-pressing it up
to slide it in.
When it came time to swap front clips on my '53, my wife and the rest of
the family were in another state visiting relatives. I lifted the clip and
decided I could do this my self. WHAT A MISTAKE!!!
I stood in the center of the clip (no hood) holding it by the inner
fenders. I found the balance point and all seemed ok. I walked to the
front of the truck, lifted the fenders up over the tires and walked
forward. Everything seemed ok until I came to the frame (the radiator was
out). So I gave it a big heave, lifted one more time and kind of lunged
forward. The grill knocked me forward off my feet so I was lying across
the front of the frame with the grill (and most of the weight of the clip
on my back). I did succeed in getting the fenders over the tires, but now
I was pinned under the clip in such an awkward position I couldn't move. I
couldn't lift the clip; I couldn't slide it backwards and I was thinking
"The weather isn't too bad, perhaps I can just wait for a few days until my
wife returns."
I'm not sure where I found the strength to get the doggone thing off me,
but somehow I did.
Don't try replacing a front clip by yourself!!!
Jon Elerath
'53 (body)
'68 (engine/trans)
'77 (disc brakes)
'.....etc, etc.
jelerath@us.ibm.com
"Don Simmons" <tasimmons@cbnn.net>@autox.team.net on 12/04/99 06:06:31 PM
Please respond to "Don Simmons" <tasimmons@cbnn.net>
Sent by: owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net
To: "Alan D. Gingles" <agingles@nucleus.com>, <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
cc:
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] re: hit by a truck
I have a similar story. My younger brother bought a 1953 chevy when in high
school in around 1976(I bought it from him in 1978 and still own it)anyway
he was putting in a new open driveshaft,he thought he had a bolt in the
u-joint clamp holding it when it fell and struck him just above the eye. I
ended up taking him to the emergency room to get several stitches.He still
regrets selling it to me anyway. Just thought you might like to here the
story! Don Simmons 1953 3100
-----Original Message-----
From: Alan D. Gingles <agingles@nucleus.com>
To: oletrucks@autox.team.net <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, December 03, 1999 7:47 PM
Subject: [oletrucks] re: hit by a truck
>Hmmmm...when we were putting the '48 together my wife was helping me
install
>the hood. She was holding up the front as I installed the bolts. Thinking
I
had
>it all buttoned up, she let go...and took the latch assembly in the head
as
it
>fell. Pretty brave little lady, grabbed it again and held it till I got
the
>last hood spring bolt in. Only then did she say a few "choice" words!
>Only damage I received working on it was a split eyebrow when the ratchet
>slipped as I was under the truck cranking down the trans x-member bolts.
Owwww!
>It's not fair when you maim yourself! *LOL*
>
>Alan Gingles
>1948 Chevy 1314
>http://www.nucleus.com/~agingles
>
>Johngage@ix.netcom.com wrote:
>
>> This is a true story....so don't laugh too hard.
>>
>> Monday evening I decided to finish up the job I'd started the night
>> before..changing the oil pan gasket on my 59 3100.
>>
>> Well, everything was just about finished, just wrapping it up: Change
the
>> oil filter, put the headers back on, and put the starter back in.
>>
>> Well, I got to the starter....put in the first bolt, left it hanging and
>> reached over for the second bolt.
>>
>> I guess I didn't have the first bolt threaded as much as I
>> thought.....because the next thing I remeber is seeing stars! Ya, I
>> know...."Don't lay directly under the starter!"....I was over to one
side,
>> it must have bounced off the header or????
>>
>> A starter is nothing to be hit with...I've got a broken nose, and have a
>> cracked orbital bone (eye socket)....busted lip, black eyes and a cut
from
>> one corner of my eye to the other.
>>
>> Yes, I did finish getting it all back togethor...and then, after I
cleaned
>> up my eye...I weighed the *#@^%! starter...it weighs 35 pounds!! No
wonder
>> it hurt!
>>
>> Do any of you guys, who have been working on trucks a while, have any
>> similar stories?
>>
>> Not only is my face smashed...sooo is my pride. I've been workin' on
cars
>> and trucks a long time....never any bodily damage...other than busted
>> knuckles etc.....
>>
>> Just funny stuff...like mine...not : "The guy next door had the fan fly
off
>> his 73 Pinto and cut off his head."
>>
>> John Schulz
>> 59 3100 Stepside.....Christine?
>>
>>
>
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
|