I don't have the illusions that I'm some kinda experienced shade tree mechanic. In fact, most everything about this project that I'm encountering on a day to day basis is some kind of first time moment. I hope this gives a little optimism to gals and guys looking to get into maintaining old cars and maybe they think they're not fit or smart enough or experienced to take on a challenge and learn something new.

I've decided for a car that needs everything phase 1 will be rebuilding the original M10 that sits underneath the rusted out bonnet. When I showed up to buy the car from the original owner he looked at me and said, "it's a solid car but she's locked up". In my newbness, I thought he was referring to the fact he was also missing the keys and the doors were locked. Yeah no, dumb dumb. The engine is frozen due to the fact it's been sitting for the past 44 years and no one's bothered rotating it let alone drain the oil, coolant, remove spark plugs, etc, etc. So here comes a series for firsts for me starting with removing an engine so I can dislodge 4 frozen pistons. These are few of those firsts along the way that I feel are worthy of note.

1. removing all 8 copper nuts that hold the exhaust manifold to the block. Took about a week with heat, JB Weld and patience. But I retrieved all of them.

2. removing 6 guibo nuts and uncoupling the drive shaft from the transmission. 3 bolts come through the front and 3 back out the rear but only as far as the transmission. not easy.

3. removing the large pin from the shifter assembly. 

4. asking my 8 y/o (almost 9) to work the jack trolley from the front of the car while I wrestled the transmission from the block. A core memory for both of us.

5. pulling the engine with a chain hoist and ibeam trolley. The i beam in my garage couldnt be more conveniently located where i only needed to back the car up a few feet to center the chain over the block. up up and away. My first time ever removing an engine from anything.

6. the oil sludge that i knew was sitting on the bottom of the oil pan from when i attempted to drain it and it took a screw driver to poke a hole through 2" of sludge before it finally came running through. So gratifying to scrape that out...but the smell I will never forget.

7. the particular hollow sounding thunk a chunk of wood and mallet make when they finally create enough force to drive a piston to move in its bore for the first time in over 40 years.

thanks to this forum for the tips on managing these firsts and the ones still to come.