BillyBob Pre-Restoration Log

TRUCK LINKS including vendor sites for old parts, custom parts, and tools as well as sites for classic car and truck organizations

STORE Operating in association with Amazon.com, books, recordings and tools can be purchased.

PLANNING for the restoration including project schedule and cost estimates.

TRAVELS WITH BILLYBOB With apologies to Steinbeck, this area of BillyBob's Garage will be used to log the trips BillyBob and I make together.

WORK-IN-PROGRESS was the restoration of parts of BillyBob that I could accomplish without a garage up until the summer of 2010 when I finally got enough warehouse space to work in. Now, it also includes the continuing work on BillyBob in the shop.

PRE-RESTORATION includes log entries of minor repairs and and adventures between time of purchase and the time when I started restoration, a piece at a time.

JR'S KORNER JR's Korner is the history of BillyBob before I got him authored by my brother, Wm. C. Kephart.

BILLYBOB MAINTENANCE Ever changing detailing, oil change, lube, etc. maintenance routines specifically developed for BillyBob, including required tools, materials and procedures.

STEALTH SHOP Urban residence design with large integrated shop and separate living quarters for a relative or renter.

7. What have they done to my garage, Ma?

Well, In March I tried to buy the townhouse of my dreams. The most important feature of this property, as far as BillyBob is concerned, is the large two-car garage which would allow me to start BillyBob's tear down and resurrection. Alas! It was not to be. I needed a mortgage loan in the worst way, therefore, I did not qualify for one. I had to give up the townhouse and reassess my financial situation. It will take me until spring 2002 to pay off my current debt and qualify for the kind of mortgage I'm looking for. BillyBob's refit will have to wait until then.

In the meantime, I'll have to keep him healthy as a daily driver. First item needing attention are those hydraulic brake lines of dubious quality. After the first of the year, I received the front and rear brake line flex hoses I had ordered from Golden State Pickup Parts. Golden State has a policy of charging your credit card as soon as the order is placed even if items are back ordered. Some items have been known to be on back order for months. I had good luck with this order, however, and the parts arrived promptly.

I stopped at the Chevron station to schedule the operation. Gary, the owner, told me to stop by early morning of the following week. He'd put it up on the lift and we would get a feel for the work involved before he started getting busy. I arrived at seven AM on the agreed morning. About fifteen minutes later Gary said he thought the existing lines probably weren't that bad. I had come this far and I needed new brake lines for my own peace of mind. I told Gary to go ahead and schedule the work. I left BillyBob off with Gary on the scheduled day along with the manuals I've accumulated and went on to the office.

Two days later BillyBob was ready to go again. Gary had replaced all the lines. He had also replaced all the missing support clips (Some previous owner had substituted coathanger wire, a technique I've used myself). Some of the wheel cylinder bleed valves had been frozen but they were free now and Gary had treated them with anti-seize compound for future maintenance. Gary told me to come back in a week for another bleed and we would be finished. At the time I didn't know that statement would be prophetic.

I can brake with confidence again! I got a letter from Gary a few weeks later informing me Chevron had decided to close the station down! Not enuf gas being pumped. Well, the ~!@#$% highway in front of the place was under construction for almost a year! I was hoping to follow Gary to wherever he was going to hang his hat, but he is taking a sabbatical. ~!@#$darn! I would rather change my doctor than change my mechanic, but I guess I have no choice. There is now a bare lot where the Chevron station stood . . . waiting for a small bank to be built on it. ARRRUGGH, Progress, Humbug!

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Issued Thursday August 20, 1998

Updated Wednesday April 18, 2018

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