A Baker's Dozen Resolutions for Rebuilding a 54 Chevy Truck
1. I will take photos of everything during dis-assembly and store those photos carefully.
2.I will label and organize all the parts I remove. Post it notes won’t cut it. I will use labels and tags that will not fall off because parts are oily and rusty and things get shuffled. When my wife isn’t looking, I’ll snag a box of Zip-lock bags from the kitchen. These work great, too.
3. I will not say, “Oh, I’ll remember where that goes.” I won’t. Trust me.
4. I will break big projects into little steps. This makes big things more approachable and keeps me motivated.
5. I will not order new parts too far in advance. It’s tempting to prowl through all those catalogs, but I will resist. The internal gas tank I bought last year did not survive my wife saying, “If that tank stays in the cab I will never ride with you.”
6.I will not pester the help/service desk at places where I order parts with stupid questions. I want to save their advice—and enthusiasm for helping me—for when I really need it. Most issues can be resolved by spending time on the net. A great place to look is, you guessed it, Stovebolt.com.
7.I will give the parts I no longer need to others who need them. This is the highest form of recycling and is enormously fulfilling.
8.I will not buy screws and nuts and bolts, piece by piece, from Lowes and Home Depot. Instead, I will buy them from a high quality bulk provider. Every city has one. I found one nearby and have enjoyed great savings.
9.I will share what I have learned with others. Believe it or not, I might be an expert in some area where someone is really struggling. I will help them out just as others helped me out.
10.I will keep my spouse generally, though not specifically, aware of how much this thing is really costing. Where possible, I will tie additional expenses to safety features that she values. Like seat belts. And power brakes. And doors. “I’m just thinking of you, honey,” is a great strategy.
11.I will not pour my old Mountain Dew into the snow outside the door of my garage. It stains the snow in ways I don’t want to stain the snow.
12.I will enjoy my project. I will enjoy it when a part fits. I will enjoy the solution I came up with when it doesn’t. I will enjoy putting my tools away after a long session in the garage. I will enjoy sharing and hearing stories. I will enjoy the fellowship of builders.
13.I will remember, finally, that these old trucks are elegant in their simplicity. And in an age when clutter and din are the norm, simple is sometimes best. Give me a curved fender over a straight one any day.
And if I could add one more:
14.I will not start a new truck project until I get this one done.
Thanks,
Iowa Old Bolt
