I was finally able to get all the bearings and seals needed to replace the rusted bearings on the rear axle of the 1951 Chevrolet 2 ton truck. The old ones weren’t too badly worn, but the bad seal must have let water ruin the bearings. The bearings are big, as you can see in the picture below. There is a very old auto parts store nearby. I went there with$200, but they said the total for all these parts would be around $270. He took a long time finding them, and now, for all the trouble and time I spent getting them online, I should have just went back with a little more money. I plan to make a more detailed post in the future, because there was a bit of research involved, and if someone else needs those interchange numbers I found, it will be a help. I still need to rebuild the brake system. I can actually drive the truck around the driveway, because the driveline parking brake still works.
One thing I really like is getting new old stock, with the old prices penciled on the ancient cardboard box, and brand new parts inside.
Several years ago, at least, I started a fun advertising project. I drove a flatbed truck, and was going to use this giant paint can as a tool box and promotional stunt. I’m not driving the flatbed anymore, but wanted to finish what I started. This was a heating oil tank that was in the back yard of this house when we moved in. I cut it down shorter, so that it would be proportional to a one gallon paint can. I guess it’s not restored, but recycled, or repurposed as they say these days. I wish I had thought of this web address name years ago, but at least I have it now, and was able to map it to my sign site.
I like the name, and I like having the project finished. In the Bible, in the book of Proverbs, it says:”The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul.” It certainly is.
I’ve had the children help with various steps, below is a picture of my daughter Allegra learning to weld on the side of the can. She’s attaching the round handle holders. One interesting fact, the handle didn’t look right until it had two bends near each holder, instead of one. It’s funny what the mind remembers at a subconscious level. The can is about 4 or 5 feet tall, the graphics are completely hand painted.
