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History does not long entrust the
care of freedom to the weak or timid. -- President Dwight Eisenhower
Lessons I learned as I go along on this process;
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Never transport a truck that weighs 6000 pounds on a
trailer designed to carry 3000 pounds, has a significant stressing
effect to the tires, springs, and nerves.
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Make sure to replace the gasket on the oil filter.
('nuff said)
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Label everything as you take it off, take photos,
make sketches, label everything!
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Ask for advice, there is a wealth of information on
the internet, I am constantly amazed at how willing others are to
help. I hold in high regard anyone who has restored a military
vehicle before the wide spread use of the internet. I was able to
find an obscure part for my truck in less than 5 minutes of
searching online, shipped to my house in three days. In talking to a
gentleman who restored a 1944 Dodge WC, he told of how he would
spend evenings on the phone, making calls all over the world just to
find basic parts, then wait weeks and months to find someone willing
to sell him one.
-
Take your wife to dinner and a movie....flowers are
nice, mine bought me a tire!.
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Do not hold your hand behind sheet metal when
drilling....
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Grab stuff when it is
available. It may not be there when you come back the next day, or
the next week. It is
always a gamble.
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Laugh at your mistakes, seek
medical attention, then
learn from your mistakes, you'll have plenty of time while
recuperating.
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A hot weld spatter when it
lands on your head makes an interesting crackling sound as it burns
into your brain.
-
I am convinced that there are
garage Gnomes living in my garage, their sole purpose is to leap
from their hidden hiding spaces, grab a screw or nut, and run off
with it. They must work in teams, because they are able to move
large pieces quickly and efficiently while I am not looking.(see
photo sent by a visitor to this site)
-
If you want to see a look of
total bewilderment, take a part, or better yet a description of a
part that you need a replacement for to your local auto parts store,
they will look at you like your a time traveler or from another
world. Then they turn and start typing into the computer looking for
a part, to no avail. Usually, I just ask to come behind the
counter and look through the bins of parts till I find what I need.
 If
you want to see a truly great film on restoration, please rent, buy, or
see the documentary, the
Restorer's.
"The Restorers
is a documentary film about warbird and vintage aircraft restorers and
the planes they resurrect from the graves of history. Their works often
haven't flown in over 50 years and are in the worst of conditions.
These individuals are similar to classic car enthusiasts. Their
obsession, however, is deeper and obscenely more expensive"
Thanks for
stopping by!
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