A question for old guys

I’m 86 and walk with a cane but I still work on and under my old Fords. I have a large rug which I lay on the floor and kneel and lay on it. When I work under my V8’s, I use jack stands but I seldom use them for the T’s and A’s. The ceiling in my workshop is too low for a lift. When I find things that are too difficult for me, I call on my 60 year-old mechanic son-in-law who is always eager to help. The problem is that he is almost 100 miles away and only available on some weekends. When I suggest to my wife that I should sell the cars, she nixes the idea. I guess I’m lucky.
 
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Y-Blockhead said:
I installed a Mitchell O/D in my Town Sedan this past July... by myself. Social distancing and all that. :p

The videos and instructions said it should take an afternoon to install. It took me three afternoons (+four mornings :eek:).

My cardiologist strongly suggested I don't do that anymore. :rolleyes::rolleyes: At least I didn't set off my Defibrillator. :cool:

50904693508_c1c7a2c375_z.jpg
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George burns was asked what his doctor thought about him smoking cigars and drinking Martinis he says my doctor is dead,George lived to 100
 
Dean,

Ten years ago I was moving a bunch of heavy items while helping the folks move out their house after 53 years in the same place and engine blocks in the shop around here.

I found these hydraulic table lifts to be a great help.

This one lifts 27 1/2 high.
https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-61405.html
This one lifts high enough to load things into rear of SUV.

Minimum height is 9 1/4 but lifting an engine block 9 inches is quite workable.

If you need higher LIFT ...
This one lifts 34 1/2 inches
https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-60438.html

I know it is Harbor Freight but they were on sale for $120.

I have three in total now for use in different LOCATIONS.
I even found a used one that HF used in store for 1/2 of that.

These lifts have Hot and Cold running water...
AND FLUSH Toilets!

No $hite burning!
 
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I will be 80 later this year. Gotta get going this morning as I was informed yesterday that I am scheduled to have my Model A in a parade in about 3 weeks. I missed last year's due to the fact that I had both knees replaced last year.
 
rocket1 said:
George burns was asked what his doctor thought about him smoking cigars and drinking Martinis he says my doctor is dead,George lived to 100
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Thanks, Rocket. :D I needed that!!

Benson said:
I found these hydraulic table lifts to be a great help.

This one lifts 27 1/2 high.
https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-61405.html
This one lifts high enough to load things into rear of SUV.

Minimum height is 9 1/4 but lifting an engine block 9 inches is quite workable.
Click to expand...

I have one of these and actually thought about removing the handle and using it to wheel and lift my Mitchell O/D and rear end assembly under the car.
 
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Leonard,

A friend put his Coupe up on the hoist and the radiant heater burned a strip right down the middle of his newly installed top!! :eek: :eek:
 
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Benson said:
Leonard,

A friend put his Coupe up and the hoist and the radiant heater burned a strip right down the middle of his newly installed top!! :eek: :eek:
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Notice that I didn’t put the cars directly under the heaters. They recommend 6’ of clearance below the heaters, to eliminate cooking something. My shop prior to this one had similar heaters and I had no problems for 14 years. This is the second winter in this shop, and no problems so far. Thanks for the reminder!
 
I'm about to turn 75 and doing as well as anyone sounds like.

I've found "gardening knee pads" are a big help to keep from hurting the knees on the concrete garage floor. And I use a lift for working on the old British Triumph motorcycles but have no room for a lift for the '31 Tudor.

The best exercise I've found is hitting the honky-tonk music places in EastTennessee/SouthFlorida/Louisiana but not many are open now due to Covid :(

So, walking the Pyrenees shelter dog on the beaches here around Charleston, SC is good exercise now. And my sweet wife lets me drive her Porsche too, to keep a smile on my face :)
 
At 72, I know what I dread is creeping up on me. I know that because I now call stretching under the car and getting up as exercise. I intend doing what I am doing now for as long as I am looking at the green side of the grass.
Another about 9,000 mile tour coming up in June-August.
 
I'm still going strong at 80, although 4 compressed vertebrae in my lower back and a torn tendon in my right shoulder that can't be repaired limit me a bit.
 
I sure admire anyone over 60 that is able to do the things they enjoy. I used to laugh at people for taking a vehicle for service or work. Not so much anymore. Tell your grandchildren to never work in an assembly atmosphere, it will wring every hope and desire out of you. Sorry for rant and prayers for all.
 
Getting close to 75, and have slowed a bit. I did the bulk of a 6 years build a few years ago, but my last redo of my 51 Ford was mostly farmed out. I have a 29 closed cab with a stuck motor I am planning to get back on the road this next year, mostly by myself. I am waiting for a Burtz block, and hope to put that together mostly by myself. I can still get down on my back when it is not too cold. Two shoulder operations kept me going after long recoveries, but I am not 100% after a fusion in my good hand. Most important is to keep moving and try to do a bit each day.
 
I'm 86 and do about anything I want despite having arthritis in my back. I have no trouble getting under my fords but have some trouble getting up of the floor. I still walk behind a snowblower on a long steep driveway here in Michigan and I still split wood for the fireplace. You have to keep moving and that's what I do.
 
I'm 73 and I purchased a 4 post life and it makes life so much easier, and no it is now bolted down to the floor , it came with a lift kit so I can move it when I want to and it did not cost a arm & leg
 
bosticjb said:
I'm 73 and I purchased a 4 post life and it makes life so much easier, and no it is now bolted down to the floor , it came with a lift kit so I can move it when I want to and it did not cost a arm & leg
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How about a picture of your four post lift?
 
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