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By MikeLongIsland - 16 Years Ago
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@47 I found myself stuck in the rat race, and realized I needed a project. So I think about what I have always wanted and decided a mid fifties pickup, low and behold, after months of searching i find the premier of the mid fifty's, a 1956 f100. I start researching (and this site is a wealth of knowledge), I rip of the utility bed, start cleaning the chassis, learn about an engine I knew nothing about (again where you folks come in), my son comes over to help once every 2 weeks (cause he is busy usually), I order parts, I look forward to the weekend so I can once again get grease under my fingernails, but yet something is missing. I finally realized what it is, when i was young, and one of the fellas bought a new hot rod or muscle car, all the guys met up in his driveway, not only helped, but offered what they had in their garage, thing got done fast those nights, well until the beer cooler started to get low, then things slowed down. It's a shame, you don't see kids playing in the streets anymore (fallen to the wayside of play dates), and everyones life seems too busy to just hang around and work on the rods. Hope this doesn't sound too much like whining, but the guys in the car club to wich i belong should realize it is just more than parking together on hot rod night !
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By mctim64 - 16 Years Ago
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I hear ya! The neighborhood I lived in even ten years ago had guys that would migrate to my house when they heard an engine start with no exhaust. Now I just get dirty looks.
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By paul2748 - 16 Years Ago
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Actually, this is not dead. A few friends of mine get together and work on each others car and members of the club we all belong to. We BS a lot. WE also go out to other places (usually car oriented). Since we are all retired, lot of it happens during the week. Some times we just go out to lunch if there is no car to work on. For instance, one member of out group (not retired) had to get some parts from a vendor located in PA (we are in NJ) so he asked a few of us to come along so we got to see the vendors collection (about 30 cars) as well as his parts (used) stash. We had a good time.
Why not call some friends and invite them over for a beer or two just to chat while working on the truck. They can lend a helping hand when the occasion calls for it, even let them do something even though you can do it by yourself.
THere is a lot of hustle and bustle (see how old I am?) these days and sometimes its hard to get guys together, especially on a Saturday where every one is trying to do errands they could not do during the week.
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By LON - 16 Years Ago
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Hey Mike , All you have to do is organize a "Work-a-thon " .When I need a hand with a major job ( Like lifting the cab off the chassis ),I ring around and see who is available( Make sure you have ALL the parts you need to finish the job ???) .If I end up with 3 or 4 helpers I supply the food (Pizza & beer ) or I get my lovely wife to do a BBQ. There is still a lot of us that will work for "Food & Beer ". One important thing I forgot to mention , Do NOT feed the helpers until the job is finished !!I did that once .Cost me a fortune in food & beer and got no work done !!!!!!!!!!!! Lon
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By Hollow Head - 16 Years Ago
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I quess... back in the old times, there were no computers to hang around with  . It's just too easy to chat with other guys via e-mail, so why bother to cruise down to an old buddy and have a beer or two with him when you can stay behind your computer and have a few more beers and not to drive on the streets and be scared about cops... That is sad, but true  . Well, without computers we all would have less "friends" all over the world...People, call your friends, get together and have some more fun. And don't forget the beer
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By pegleg - 16 Years Ago
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All One important thing I forgot to mention , Do NOT feed the helpers until the job is finished !!I did that once .Cost me a fortune in food & beer and got no work done !!!!!!!!!!!! Canadians?
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By MikeLongIsland - 16 Years Ago
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Well Fellas I am glad you agree, see ya's all Saturday Morning, this weekend it's install the power brakes and front disks, and possibly put the headers on,lunch will be served, and beer will be cold ! Supposed to be nice all weekend, so you can stay over and we can work sunday too, lol Mike 
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By PF Arcand - 16 Years Ago
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Mike: In any case that's a solid looking 56 you've found. I'd be glad to help for food & beer, but the N. West coast is a tad far to drop by from. However, I'm sure you will make valuable friends here, even though mostly from afar... (from near Vancouver B.C. Canada)
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By LON - 16 Years Ago
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Mike , You spring for the air fare and I'll be there .Do you have any spare beds ??? I would love to come and give you a hand .Maybe you would be willing to come to Australia for a couple of weeks ?? I have a 58 F100 that needs finishing .Let me know when you are coming ,I need a few things .?? Pistons ,rods,alloy heads ,new windshield . ??? Maybe there is an idea for a new TV show ?? Travel around the world ( USA, UK ,NZ ,Finland etc,etc) ,fixing cars & trucks & Y-Blocks ?? Sounds like Chip Foose may have some competition next year . Lon PS . Frank, you've dealt with Canadians as well .Eh !!
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By pegleg - 16 Years Ago
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Lon, AAAAAAAY! Anybody traveling to Long Island ( pronounced Longyyyland) to help Mike, don't try to get out there during the week, The traffic is bad enough that you'll have to turn around and go home before you get there. You have to go through Manhattan to get there or take a Ferry from Connecticut.
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By mctim64 - 16 Years Ago
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[quote]LON (3/17/2009)
Mike ,You spring for the air fare and I'll be there .Do you have any spare beds ??? I would love to come and give you a hand .Maybe you would be willing to come to Australia for a couple of weeks ?? I have a 58 F100 that needs finishing .Let me know when you are coming ,I need a few things .?? Pistons ,rods,alloy heads ,new windshield . ??? quote] Just stop by California on the way, Charlie and I have a few parts for F100s. Pay for the fare and we might come along and help. 
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By BFOOTER03 - 16 Years Ago
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Lon let me know when you start taking applications for your new tv series as I wil be applying. I may not be real easy on the eye but can turn a wrench love the sound of open headers. Mike nice 56 and I'm sure you will enjoy the journey.
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By Gordie T - 16 Years Ago
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Hey Mike; Last year when I went out west to Red Deer, Alberta to visit my daughter and son-in-law, I was very thrilled to find out that they belong to their own car club called The Hell Hounds. There was a group of guys and gals, ages 18 - 35, about 18 of them. They had 53 Dodge Regent, 53 Chevy Bel-Aire, 53 Ford, 50 Ford, 57 Pontiac, 57 Lincoln, 57 Pontiac Safari, 30 Model A, 62 Galaxie, 53 Caddy. The cars were all mild customs, to hot rods, lowered, shaved, chopped, and even different models put together. When we all went to breakfast at a local diner, with all the cars, it was like being back in the 50's & 60's. They even had their own wool cricket jackets with ensignia on the back. Every Thursday night, they would meet at a different driver's place and all work on the owner's car. There would be a few brown pops for sure. A lot of the guys are into the flat top haircuts, and the whole Rockabilly music theme. Some drive to Viva Las Vegas for the Rockabilly car show. It was so neat to see them all travelling down Alberta's roads. Remember, these are kids mostly in their 2o's. They are awesum kids. Love them all.
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By MikeLongIsland - 16 Years Ago
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Well I like the idea of the show, hmmm, just need a few backers for airfare, cameras, etc. I'd like to be the leadoff to the series, entitled the money pit. It seems everytime I attack a different part of the truck, I wind up on the net or phone to order another piece, This weekend the fuel pump diaphram let go, so I ordered a new one. While I was at the fuel system I decided to rebuild the carb. The inside of it looked like a mud bog, through futher examination I found the fuel take full of mud and rust, what a waste of 5 gallons of fuel,so I have a new fuel pump, and a new fuel tank on it's way to Long Island. Seems this truck is the gift that keeps taken, but alas I guess it is to be expected. I keep telling myself it's a real clean chassis. You think the speed channel viewers would like to see me in the driveway mumbling how much money I am spending? Cheers, Mike
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