help a kid fix his first old car.

Comming up on 11 years sober. Some of our bottoms have trapdoors! If you have the space and can hold out for the kid for a little while he'll come around again. He needes to see this thread to know that people are pulling for him that don't even know him. Nothing worse than being on a bender after having a little time sober. Keep us posted.

 

good luck with all of this stuff man. and what you did is a pretty noble thing man. i wish that guy the best on his car and sobriety.

JR

 

I don't know much about rehab, but I've learned a few things in life:

1. You're not done until you quit.
2. Some work harder than others, but there's no such thing as a self made man. I owe a lot to all the people who cut me a break or gave me a leg up some time. I'd be willing to bet I didn't always even notice, because someone wanted to help without my knowledge.
3. I owe that same treatment to other people, and always will.
4. You can't help someone who isn't ready to be helped.
5. Sometimes people just need to know you'll be there when they're ready to be helped.
6. There's an important difference between being a helper and being an enabler.
7. People don't fix themselves overnight. I'm still working on it myself. Chances are I'll never finish.

You're one of the good guys. Keep it up.

 

What a great set of posts...came in late of course. Try and find the kid, That will mean more to him now than any car troubles. He needs an extra hand extended for life not just for the current car trouble. Congrats to all that viewed this post and those that can or tried to offer support. if he's found or you need a helping hand wrenching on the car, I'd be happy to come on over to help.

B-Frz

 

hey, J.D. sad he's mia... my offer still stands, even more so now...i'll come down anytime for a 12 step call and/or to work on a car...stay in touch...
nic

 

Man, and things were looking so good. Sorry to hear the news, JD. I hope the kid comes around. I sure would like to help out; I will keep track of this thread and see where it goes. The best of luck. Mike

 

The latest ;

He was found ,and dragged kicking and screaming , out of some ****hole motel , and is now under the supervision of a friend of mine ( his sponsor ) and getting straitened out . It seems that he got kicked out of his house , and rather than going to his friends ( or sponsor ) for help ,he decided to take matters into his own hands .

Now I have to figure out if I should put any more effort into this. I guess I will have George check out his old ****** for starters.

more later, John

 

johndanger dont give up on him now. just give him a little time to clean up.the last thing he needs now is the thought that people arent there for him.just let him know that when hes sober and ready you have the parts for him to fix his car.

 

So,

Yorgatron , came bye today with his special super secret Hydromatic tools and gave the trans the once over , bands were way out of adjustment , but with the special tools he was able to get it into shape , and he gave it the ok to reinstall . A Hamb thrash may insue . Stay tuned.

 

are you thinking something along the lines of an overhaulin' Hamb style for this kid? cuz if you are i am in, i will try and help anyway i can. keep us up to date

thanx

 

Johndanger, my offer still stands for the monetary help. I wish I was closer to help in person, but work gets in the way of road trips, even when they are for a good cause. If you guys do end up doing a HAMB overhaulin, let me know what auto parts store you have nearby and I'll send a gift certificate for the event.

Take care,
Nik

 

john good on you for trying to help the kid out.
i think you need to help the kid get the transmission in his head fixed before you worry about the one in his car.
slips happen.they are not fiixed overnight.
he need to get to meetings each and everyday.
it took me years and alot of setbacks before i got sober.
been straight now for 12 years (the best 12 years of my life).
i could go on and on but i won't.
good luck
al sisson
mosheim,tn

 

HAMB THRASH? count me in...
i can see why the kid panicked,hell,i seen guys older than me freak out about a malfunctioning auto trans.
the band adjuster lock nuts weren't even tight!
the adjustment was WAAAAAAAAAAAY out of whack too,but there was
no burnt smell or clutch or band friction material in the pan.
just the usual amount of crud you'd find in any 50 year old box.
i need to be there when it's re-installed though,to make sure the linkage is set up right.

 

I'm down for a thrash. I am not that far away.
Ttio

 

yorgatron, good work, thanks to all that are trying to help this youngster. if any money is needed contact me. thanks for the show of Spirit.

 

Gotta say I am at the edge of my seat to hear what the kid thinks of all of the help he has been is offered.

By the way, thanks to all on this thread for proving that even strangers are good folks. Best of luck to the team helping him out, wish I could be there.

 

Good luck on this. I hope the kid can get back on track and enjoy his car.

 

So ,

He called me early this morning , and I told him to stop bye so we could talk .

He came over to the shop , and we had a nice long talk , it was hard to not to turn it into a Dad kind of talk and keep it a friend kind of talk but I think it went pretty good .

I gave him the rundown on the ****** , and told him of all the support from the Hamb . He didn't read it yet , but he couldn't belive there was a place or thing like the Hamb , and it took a bit of explaining to get him to understand how there could be an online global comunity , with so many like minded people that would even have a p***ing interest in his situation , not to mention people that were willing to send money , and drive all the way over here , to get his car fixed .

But , as we know , there is.

He asked me to say thank you to everyone that has been involved , and that he was sorry and that he feels like he let you all down , but he is looking forward to getting his **** together and back to work on the car , and would really like to meet some of you , and learn from and be apart of such a cool group of people.

We did a walk around of the car , and there is a lot to do.

There has been mention of a Hamb thrash , or even an " OverHAMBing "

Here is a list of things that I saw that need to be addressed , in ordrer of importance;

1. Tires , all 4 badly cracked and unsafe , one is flat .

2. Tail / brake lights , needs some simple rewiring and cleaning .

3. Reinstall trans , with proper adjustments .

4. Large rust-out repair drivers floor .

5. Door latch and window regulator lube/ repair .

the rest is cosmetic , and will be done if time permits , but since this is the Hamb , I think that the car should not be left to drive around as a stocker , and if I am gonna be involved it's gonna get at least the basic treatment .

6. Lowered

7. Nosed , decked , and door handles shaved.

8. Install gl***pack .

9. Primered.

The boss is out of town , but when he gets back I will clear a weekend and let everyone know , there are lifts , shop tools , welders , plasma cutter , air and lots of air hoses . So, just bring your favorite tools , or just yourself , and we will get to work . I will supply food and drinks , but for obvious reasons , no booze please .

With any luck we might get this thing in shape , have some fun , and maybe even learn something .

I'm looking forward to getting to work,
John

 

John- keep us posted on this. If a donation drive happens I would be more then happy to help this kid out. I wish I had this type of support when I was his age a few years ago tearing **** up. I am glad to see after reading all the posts that the negative turned positive.

 

cool...i'll be there. on april 1 there is a cruise from pacifica to S.C. i'm planning on going as are some of the fellas...i hope to see you and meet the 'kid'...
nic

 

what size tires do you need, im hopefully going to get www on my car in the next week so he can have the ones that are on my car now, 205/75/15 radials with a the thin white line probably 95% tread left. could also probably supply some gl*** packs and cash.

let me know

 

I just did a search on Craigs List, and found a flat 8 W/ a trans mission in Santa Cruz, Ca
There is even 2 pics of the engine & trans.
Info:
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/pts/138936243.html

If the link do'nt work, here's the guy's number & name.
"I have a 1954 pontiac straight 8 engine and hydromatic transmision. Complete and runs good. Call me for questions "

(831)-438-3666 Ask for Jim or John

I'm no way affiliated(sp) with the seller. I hope this helps.
David

 

Man this post hits me on so many levels.

I think that it is so *****in that we have a place like the HAMB to come to. We are all just normall dudes doin what we can to play with cars and live our lives. you put us all together and we do some insane stuff.

I am in Santa Cruz. I am a vw mechanic for what its worth I guess but I have been around cars especially old ones for a long time. I am down to help. If I can. I have a 7month preg wife and a 6 yearold though so sometimes time is not on my side. But I will do what I can to help. I read somewhere in here that the car is at Quality??? I see Dave down there from time to time. I will have to stop in soon and see whats up.

 

Any good Vo-Tech schools around? Talk to the teachers to see if they know any retired guys that worked on those cars. They might not be up to crawling around, but I bet listening to them tell "the kid" about the old days would make life interesting!

As a last resort, could he drop a newer engine/****** in it so he could drive it while he's getting the original stuff in shape?

Wish I weren't so far away

Helping kids is really great --

and sometimes they work cheap!

 

the tires would be great , but getting them up here might be tough , the local BigO tires will sell me a set for 220 bucks , mounted and balanced .

The motor and trans , is the same one I called on , but we don't need them , and can use me money for other stuff .

I hope to have a date worked out after this weekend , and I will start getting parts rounded up , and ready to go .

here is a Photoshop to get you in the mood.

 

I think I met you last week , I was the guy under the red Chevy's fender , hanging the Packard spears. We'd be happy to have you .

 

Ohhh!
It's been a damned long while since I went to a HAMB thrash!
Count me in!
If nothin' else I'm damn good moral support!

(but gimme a heads-up cause I need to find a bus line...)

****, call me and let me know!
Please!
415 931-8701

Thanks!
>Justin

 

well if you know of anyone going that direction between now and when ur gonna do this id gladly meet them somewhere, i'll do a post when they are off my car and maybe someone will come through, that is if u still can use them by then

dig that photoshop job, wish you were closer so i could lend a hand

 

"I gave him the rundown on the ****** , and told him of all the support from the Hamb . He didn't read it yet , but he couldn't belive there was a place or thing like the Hamb , and it took a bit of explaining to get him to understand how there could be an online global comunity , with so many like minded people that would even have a p***ing interest in his situation , not to mention people that were willing to send money , and drive all the way over here , to get his car fixed."

Experiencing a HAMB thrash might be just what this young man needs to "get his mind right". At least his eyes will be opened wide!

Please keep us posted, and what about some money? I'm sure there will be some expenses involved.

Good job!!!

 

I've been lurking this thread for quite a while and decided it's time to post.

I'm really impressed with everyone's at***udes and the offers to help in any way they can. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!...especially when this young man is willing to spend what few sheckels he has and is willing to ****** his knuckles.

I too wish I lived closer to participate in this project. Maybe I'll have the chance to do that here someday. I told my wife I wish there were some young person here that was interested in rods and customs for I'd help them in anyway I could. My son doesn't show much interest in the hobby and most other young men here are into mud trucks, rice burners, ATV's, etc... Overall, it seems young men ain't involved in cars as they were in my younger days. I'm all for giving this kat a chance and fair shot at something that might turn into a life long love and possibly a life changing experience.

Kudos to all here on HAMB for their positive at***udes. You kats are SUPER!