My son just came in ranting a raving that the old truck quit on him gassing up and it just clicks when you turn the key. He doesn't have time tofool with this old crap any more. His last trip in the Galaxie brought him home on a roll back from a dead condenser.

I can't see to drive them or really work on them any more, and no one else seems to get any joy from them either. I will be returning any parts to anyone who was helping me keep these things going further, and look in the classifieds in a week or so for both the truck and the car. I have to quit kidding myself that this stuff is anything more than someone's pain in the ass and just let it go.

I don't know what I will replace the interest in, but its time to just man up and quit burdening other people with this. My daughter totaled her car, soit is probably going to scrap. Most all of my old FE stuff has gone there too already. I won't be building any more FEs, or cars at all for that matter.

battery connection. Instead of ranting and raving at you, perhaps he should take a little initiative of his own and have a look. Your knowledge here constantly amazes me, and vehicle problems are frustrating, but you shouldn't have to deal with the brunt end of things. JMO as usual!

Hey Bill, just sit down for a bit and have a cold one or two.

Doesn't matter if it takes a bit longer to get things done - what's the rush. Good to have a nice FE hobby to keep you occupied. Kids nowdays have too many other distractions.

If you were closer, I would help you get the motor together. If you need more stuff let me know. Might have it laying around here. Is that troublemaker Tommy-T going over to your place again soon? LOL Shouldn't be too much work to get it all together. Any Forum members close by who might be able to give you a hand?

DON'T GIVE UP!! Just rant a bit here and get it out of your system.



Earl







Edit: for grammar

a smack up the side of his head. If one of my kids had come in bitching at me because he got a dead battery, he would be walking funny from the broke off leg is his a$$.

Kerry

...condenser, since many new condensers are junk right out of the box. The battery problem doesn't sound serious either. Bill, if I were closer, I'd come over and help out.

1954 Ford Customline 2-dr. sedan 390 4-speed
1955 Ford Fairlane Victoria 2-dr. hdtp, 292
1962 Ford Galaxie 500, 4-dr. sedan, 292
1968 Ford LTD 2-dr hdtp, 390 auto. (rough but driveable)
1970 F-100 360 auto (owned since 1985)

from the frame up, so he isn't without skills. He just hasn't been schooled on the little diagnosis stuff, fuel injection, etc usually means a tow.

But its frustrating for both of us, He's my point man for all of this. I hate it. I don't want it to be his burden.

When we tuned it up, lubed it and did some things the other day I asked if the battery terminals needed cleaning. It is one of those things that bites you when its 15° out with -10° wind chill, like it always has when you don't do what you know needs done. The "culprit" battery came back here fully charged, but I think its getting sulphated. It probably should be replaced. With clean terminals it still works though. I am sure its weaker.

He has calmed down too and wants to keep going with it, so that's up to him. I'm not going to push this hobby on anyone. I miss driving so bad. That old truck got me back and worth to work for 10 years with just maintenence and some upgrades here and thereand never stranded me. It has enough power to yank a bulldozer out of the mud, and the strength in the chassis to live to tell about it. I hope we can keep going, it will be really hard topart with either the car or the truck. I am working on a duraspark/MSD upgrade for the car as a stand in formy crank trigger. Afret, Tommy, all you guys, I am going to give this some more time. And I am looking for an eye surgeon to get some of my sight back so I can at least be more useful than a tit on a boar hog.

My son is going to read this, I'm sure, he lurks here. All I can say is I love you son and you don't have to live up to anything I've done. You do what you do well. It doesn't have to be feeding my old car/truck fetish. There's a lot of fun there, but it takes alot of work to get the joy. That is a decision to commit to only you can make.

Under the passenger's side floorboard is just a bad location for a battery. And for the judgemental types, I'm also rehabbing my house, got five cars to work on, and go to work at 3 in the morning. So if my leg's going in my ass, I'm 5 miles west of Bonne Terre, MO.

The poor guy went out to start it and go home and it did it again. It must be the solenoid or a bad ground. Its too cold to screw with sitting there right now. Sorry son.

...just kidd'n! I'd be pissed if I even had to drive some '60's "junk" in freeze'n weather. It'd be great if you liked the same stuff as your dad. But you are your own person.

I can tell you this as a FACT...If my dad was still alive, I'd be enjoy'n whatever project we could do together. Just a ponderance...

You missed the point; that was my leg that was broke off.....And the reason one of my kids would have received the boot in the a$$ would be for bitching at me for something that wasn't my fault.

No matter who you are or what your circumstances are you owe your Dad your life and probably more than you will ever be able to repay, so just give him the respect he deserves.

Kerry

I can still whip his ass, We were joking about that the other day. He said you know how you always kind of look forward to the day you take a tussle on the "old man"? He feels like he got cheated, I had to fuckin' go blind

If he's a chip off the ol block, he will be just fine.  I have three boys ages 33, 31 and 27 and all three of them could whup my butt if they wanted to. There's just no substitue for cubic inches or youth....

Kerry

Cars and trucks from the 60's may break down from time to time and usually the fix is simple and cheap. Especially if you know something about these vehicles, are a bit resourceful and carry a few tools with you You really can't say that about the new $30,000+ vehicles on the road today. When one of those breaks, it ain't getting fixed by the side of the road and it sure as heck won't be cheap.
Breakdowns usually happen on Sunday, in the dark, when it's raining and you are broke. If I can slap in a spare condenser or file down an old set of points, or whack the starter with a tire iron and get her running again, well dang thats a good feeling. You won't get that feeling when your new thirty grand rig lets you down,no sir, you just get that sick in the stomach feeling because you know you are SOL and not only is that big fat car payment due next week, but now theres an even bigger repair bill due before before you can that computerized POS back from the shop.
Bill, pass on the skills and talent you have to your son, I know you have, but don't give up, it's worth oh I donno...$30,000 at least

These days keeping old stuff running is a dying art. He can do it. We put together a game plan for tomorrow. It is getting new cables, a solenoid, probably a battery if it tests out down, and we are going to add some grounds in a couple of places where I am concerned that rust has begun to compromise it. Its a lot of little things that can ruin the day. But those little things are a lot cheaper on a '65 for damn sure. We should have done these things the other day when we tuned it up and winterized it. We both know that, and the experience is a good one.

I miss wrenching and driving really bad. The condensor thing on the Galaxie was just his not having fooled with points forever like I have. As David above said, some pieces are bad out of the box. It was a $40 lesson for a $2 part, (which actually the one I had him put in there to get it to run again was an old one out of the drawer, who knows how old it is?) but its getting a better ignition, as I have good days and can see a little better at times I am building a duraspark distributor to drop in, and he's going to be there to see how I did it.

Thanks for letting us vent.

new or old doesn't matter. As has been stated already the older stuff is cheaper and easier to fix normally, and you can usually save a few more bucks because you can make the repairs yourself, either on the side of the road, or in the driveway, IMO.

On a side note: Looks like I'm going to the St. Louis supercross races so hopefully we can still make the deal on your heads and intake for the crank and pistons and whatever else we could help each other out with, I'm just nervous about my new (1996 lol) car at the moment hopefully I'll have it all ironed out by the time this all rolls around. Take care and keep your chin up.

1976 F-100 stepside
390/C6/9 inch
12.67 @ 105.4 mph
3900 lbs. of pump
gas burnin' pickup

Piss the old man off til he's willing to sell me the Galaxie will ya. I'll let you guys come and visit it. LOL

can actually fix it yourselfy & usually for not too much. What happens when the 'new shit' breaks down?? Usually more swearing & money involved there.

Knocked the left front wheel almost off, broke the CV axle, folded up the control arm, broke the strut and bent the inner tie rod end which pretty much means a rack and pinion. Just the parts list I came up with to make it drive again is over $1000, a shudder to think what labor would be. Thats not even counting any bodywork, thats just mechanical. I hope to get lucky and find another body to transplant this engine in.

She will be on foot for awhile. She is all right thank God.

I seem to recall you did some work to this Contour not too long ago...

Rebuilt the trans about 2 years ago, replaced the engine with a low mileage used one out of a wreck about a year ago, new radiator, AC compressor, drier. Put new struts all around, hubs, calipers, shoes and rotors six months ago. Just put new tires on it not even three months ago. And now its sitting out in the drive looking like a buzzard eaten carcass.

I've owned my 69 mustang for about 25 years and yes I've had to fix it lots of times.

but in that same 25 years i've owned a few new cars too, my current one being a 2005 Mustang GT and I think I have opened the hood like twice. and in the 25 years none of my other cars have broken down. at lease not to the point of needing someone to pick me up or tow me.

Thats not to say that old cars suck and new ones are great.. NO No No! it's just that a 40 year old car has stuff on it that is 40 years old, and probably wasn't built to last that long. the fact that they do is great..

But if you don't like working on cars, especially old dirty rusty oily, crappy electrical system old cars. then I think you should have the option not to.

I know some people that if you gave them a choice between a new GT mustang and a 68GT500 in good condition they would pick the new one.

See I think that just wrong, but they have their own life and they can live it their way.

Oh I think i was starting to drift off topic there




Thanks..
Ian D..

It is always hard when you can't do stuff yourself. The hardest thing is just asking for the help. The second hardest thing is the patients of having someone do the work for you. You hang in there Bill. I wish I lived around the corner from you. I would spin the wrench and pick the hell out of your brain. Yeah, you would probably get tired of all my questions, but I wouldn't get tired of answers! Hang in there bro. Your knowledge is greatly appreciated on this forum! John

1970 Land Cruiser, 351w, NP435
(locked up front and rear)
1965 Galaxie, 428, C6, 3.89 gear,
Detroit locker
1979 Spectra Day Cruiser
stock 350ci Brand X, Mercruiser..53mph on GPS

im 25 and anything my grandpa needed mechanically i always did for him. i kept his 79 f150 460 running wich never really needed much. then 2 years before he passed away he gave it to me. sounds like he needs patients and respect. im in san antonio tx i would help you with it if you are close by. i love old cars way less bull crap to worry about. im sorry that sucks though, unless he is not mechanically inclined at all.

.
1963 thunderbird 416 tri power c6 3.89
1979 f150 466 mostly stock' my grandpa's old truck
1992 lincoln t-car
2003 dodge ram 1500

It's natural. We all reach a point of frustration. I can't remember the last time I touched my Galaxie to do anything other than change the oil or back it out of the garage. Most of my car related motivation is spent on my Mustang. I see where your son posted, sounds like he's pretty busy. It's bound to happen then, everyone can only take so much. Stay cool, it'll all work out. I've long said, even if you're not into the hobby anymore, don't be a stranger. Don't let your knowledge sit and rot.

On a more personal note perhaps, I am curious as to what caused your blindness. I lurk here frequently, have for years, but rarely post. But I read many of the big name posts. I know it's none of my business, buy my curiosity won't let me keep quiet. You certainly can tell me to buzz off though! Take care!

Lucas
1965 Galaxie 500
2000 Mustang GT

I bought a 72 F100 that I rebuilt the 390 in that my two sons drove during high school. I would have died to have something to drive in high school. They complained all the time about this and that on it. So, one summer when they were at there grandparents for two months I sold it and bought an old cop car. They ranted and raved because I sold that pickup they had more fun in it. They drove the cop car for two years and complained about it constantly so when they were one was a junior and the other a senior I sold it. They came unglued and said that was the best car a high schooler could have had. I told them since they complained about everything I bought that I wasn't going to buy them anymore cars. They ended up buying their own then. Their 27 and 29 now and they still tell stories about the pickup and cop car.

Bob

My optic nerves never developed right, so my vision has always been different. Narrower fields, shadowy vision and multiple images. I had seven eye surgeries over the years to correct eye muscle imbalances, but my fields and vision brightness have always been out of kilter. I accomodated for years and lead a reasonably normal life. I have had a very good career in logistics, management, and a passion for my Fords. I also have the greatest wife and kids in the world. I have some experiences I can't say much about, but they are part of what shaped me and I'll leave it at that.

Lets see, I got bit on the arm by a copperhead I couldn't see on a ledge out hiking and that made me really sick. Then I had a neck injury in a car wreck with a series of small strokes while still working that just gradually knocked me down. I had a belly wound that got a really bad infection that almost killed me that took a little more, and add to that the doc paniced and cut me open from sternum to belly button wide awake with no anesthesia. I spent 21 days or more with my belly laid open where I could see my innards (they had pretty much given me up for dead in the hospital) that I still have PTSD and nightmares from. I've had constant almost unbearable pain ever since, I think he probably nicked a nerve because ny heart beats funny sometimes. Then I had a head injury with a serious concussion that basically undid all of the surgeries on my eyes, which the incident didn't help the PTSD either. I was breaking up a fight between two full grown MR kids about 20 yrs old in a youth boarding home I was working in to try to help them out. I got kicked in the head repeatedly, you guessed it, right in the part of your head where your vision is processed. That pretty much did it.

On my last MRI, it was noted that I have a few more spots on my brain than I had 5 years earlier, simialar to MS, Lupus, and ALS, on the medulla and I shouldn't even really be alive. It was probably from the strokes, the infection and the concussion. They are watching that for progression, so far so good. I am going to keep fighting,its not in me to give up, though I am told the condition I am in is permanant and probably progressive because the nerves are degenerating. I have some vision left, but its like the commercial where the dog got into the antifreeze. Permanant vertigo, depression, PTSD, shadow vision, multiple images, etc. Its a bitch but there are people who are worse off. I have some good days, and some where I can't get out of bed. Then the other daya couple of weeks ago I got bit by the giggest damn Black Widow spider I have ever come across. I like to have never got her killed. I am getting over that right now, she got me pretty good. If I seem mean as a snake sometimes...

I got to where I had a strong sense of feel of what a car was doing. My visual condition would kind of be described as cat like. It was blurry, but I could see motion and react quicker than most. I was told that my vestibular system was making up the difference. Once it was damaged, and my visual fields and acuity dropped, and my brain started crossing visual signals I can hardly walk now. I am considered blind legally, and I have epileptic siezures sometimes. Between being blind epileptic and crazy I have a perfect trifecta. You have figure God has a sense of humor, so I guess I'll keep mine as long as I can.

Please excuse my multiple edits, my voice software keeps acting up. Anyway, porting, building engines and things kind of got hard wired into me, because i started doing it when I was little, around 4 or 5 when I put together my first engine without help except where strength was needed, a Ford Flathead. My uncle did the heavy torquing. By the time I got to 7 years old I could do that myself, that was a 312 Y-block and later that year an early Hemi. You kind of get a mental picture that translates through your fingers, its about the best way I can describe it. I am still trying hard to keep that alive, but its getting more difficult I have to admit since my head got screwed up. I can put in a set of spirolox with a blindfold on. I wear a blindfold alot because it helps my dizziness. So blindness is sort of a relative term, I guess. I've lost alot, but I have also gained alot. An appreciation for what I can STILL do is a big one. Like flying with instruments, you learn to trust your measuring tools, learn how to use them properly and use alot of discipline in every thing you do. It has to be exact, because I can't see it. People tease me about how fussy I am about things, but thats why. When I put an engine together I measure everything and fit it. So far they have all lasted a very long time. Luck or discipline, I'll take it.

They stain the driveway, need walked to stay well adjusted, and you have to understand their needs to get the expected results from them.

I am sick for my old cars. I want to drive them, nothing like 4 widows down cruising at 70 mph and just loving that thing they do for you. I also love working on them. Having a project going has been a 40 year endeavor for me. Put the old work clothes on, and dig in. That's fun. I am going to do it as I can (except the driving, my license is gone foreverfor not only my vision but I also have occasional epileptic siezures)

It hurts most because its been my primary interest as long as I remember. But I still get a kick out of having my son take me for a run, feel that rush and sound. I'll take what I can get.