There is a post on the board that mentions one of our beloved cars falling off a jack. After reading it, I had the urge to play mother hen http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Listen guys while working on these cars we have to be VERY careful. Any number of things can cause SERIOUS injury or DEATH. Believe me, I have came close, VERY close to serious injury more than once. Just a few months ago I did drop a frame rack (with a car on it) on my foot and broke a toe putting me out of work for two weeks. After what I have seen, that was minor.

1. ALWAYS use jack stands.
2. ALWAYS use jack stands.
3. ALWAYS USE JACK STANDS! (ALWAYS)
4. Always use goggles and particle masks while cutting or grinding. (EVERY TIME, don't "cheat" on small jobs)
5. Always use gloves while working with heavy and or sharp metal. (I have gotten used to this and it has saved me a lot of damage)
6. Take your time when working, take a good long look at what you are doing. (I once unbolted the rear U bolts on my truck not realizing THEY were holding the truck up! THAT was one of the closes calls I have ever had!)
7. ALWAYS use the proper tool (Don't use your hand as a vice while trying to unscrew a screw with the other)
8. Cover the gas filler with a wet rag if you are welding or grinding ANYWHERE near it. (I wouldn't be here to tell you this one if I had a story http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif)
9. Besure YOU protect your kids, be smart enough to understand YOU need to be EXTRA careful with them around. And for God's sake, show a good example.
10. Always be sure BRAKES are ON and car is in neutral while working on the motor. (Had a friend KILLED with this one. He started the car, a 72 Cadillac, with a screw driver on the solenoid wire studs. The car was in gear and it drove over him)
11. ALWAYS USE JACK STANDS, and when lifting the car be sure that the jack is located in a safe place and will not slip while lifting. (Had a car do that once, the jack slipped under the oil pan while it was ALL the way up! List of damage included: Both motor mounts, oilpan, fan, water pump, fan shroud, a/c fiberglass on firewall, broke the boss for the rear mount right off the tranny!)


The Trick to doing this is ALWAYS do it. NEVER think this is just for a minute or something like that ALWAYS do it. I have a habit of sliding the tire I remove under the car, in case the car does fall, it will land on the wheel under it. I have been doing it for years and I have never had to use it, but it is there.

You need to be EXTRA careful, now go have fun.

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1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

I agree, when I was 16 I had purchased a 78 grand prix and the oil pump went out. my dad was under the car changing it. now we were in the yard,read soft ground, with the only support being a bumper jack http://www.chevelles.com/forum/rolleyes.gif.I never will forget seing the car fall off the jack and calling to my dad and not getting a reply, luckly it only knocked the wind out of him and I was able to get the jack back under it. we both learned from this.

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Michael
T.C. member # 758
ACES member # 4292

69 malibu convertible
86 k5 blazer 4X4
01 gmc sierra

I always use jack stands. I was trying to get the car up onto the stands when the jack dumped it. Had one jack stand in place and the car came down on it and bent the frame real good. The car landed back on the jack with the sway bar. R.I.P powder coating.

Luckily I'm done working under the car, I don't trust it much right now. Jack stands or not.

Also, always use goggles when working under the car over your head. The rust just rains down. Well it does on my car anyway. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

Tim.

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Proud Owner: '69 Chevelle
Malibu: 350, PG, 3.36 open dif.

"ALL YOUR RICE ARE BELONG TO US!"

Chevelle page (http://www.wyatts-torch.com:8080/~dienadel/chevelle/index.html)

Thanks for the reminders, MARTINSR.
I would like to add, leave your manly ego outside the garage and get help when you have to lift something heavy. Also be super extra careful when you're taking the glass out or putting it in. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif

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Bob McCormick
69 Malibu project

Bob, THAT is a very good one! Just ASK someone for help, it is easy http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

I took a 3/4 ton Ford fleet side long bed off the truck BY MY SELF one time. No kidding, I stood on the tire, grabed under the wheel well and lifted the bed up and rolled it off the other side by my self! THAT WAS STUPID! I pulled a muscle in my leg and have never been the same. There was no one there to applaud, no one there to see this great feat. I don't even have a trophy on my mantel to brag about, NOTHING but a bum groin. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif

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1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

Here's another one. If you have to work in the engine compartment with the engine running, avoid revving the engine to wide open throttle by hand. One of my uncles almost died because he was doing this while leaning over the radiator when one of the fan blades let go. The blade caught him in the armpit and he damn near bled out before they got to the hospital. If you have to work under the hood on a running engine, try to avoid reving the engine any more than needed. If you absolutely must rev the engine, such as when checking total timing, try to stand out of the fan's plane of rotation. I know, it's hard to do when trying to use a timing light. But try and stay out of the way of the fan as much as possible.



[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 05-04-2002).]

It's also a good idea, when working under a car, to leave the jack in place in addition to using jack stands. I personally witnessed a case where a worker jacked a car up, put jack stands in place, pulled put the jack, and proceded to work under the car. The car slid back off the stands and came down. The A-frame came down on his face cutting off his ear and severely damaged his face. As both front wheels were off he was lucky enough that the jack stands, while laying on their sides, kept the car from completely crushing him. This happened 20 years ago, but is a day I will never forget. Again. ALWAYS USE JACK STANDS and also leave the jack in place.
Gordon VM
Restoration Motorsports http://communities.msn.com/Restorationphotos/shoebox.msnw

This is all excellent advice.
And if you happen to think that any of it does not apply to YOU, then read it again.
And if you still don't take it seriously. Then read it again.
This info could save your life !
Excellent job Martin. As they say, you can never be too safe !

I always use jack stands and then the jack for added security. Then I stand beside the fender and rock the car by pushing it side to side to make sure it is very stable.
Anyone who works on these cars with the use of jackstands should also have large blocks of wood to place under the frame, just in case.

my final 2 cents.....it's better to spend 5 minutes gathering the necessary support tools than to spend days/weeks in the hospital...(if you live). Don't be the one who says, "I should have......" after the accident happens.

Nate

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Randy Mosier:
[B] But try and stay out of the way of the fan as much as possible.B]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


Damn right on that one!! Had the car running once while checking something, and wrapped my fingers over the edge of the radiator cover plate. TING, TING, TING!! Luckily the fingertips were still there, just hurt like hell for awhile.


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Eric Taylor
72 Malibu 350
"Be normal and the crowd will accept you. Be deranged, and they will make you their leader."

DITTO TO ALL!!!!! I lost a friend I SHOULD have grown up with. He was useing concrete blocks and boards on a dirt surface. If you have to extend jack stand beyond 50% of it's length it is too small for the job. I own a collision and mechanical facility. Have mostly Very experienced techs. Seldom have to discuss quality, comebacks, attendance. The questions I ask of staff most often? Where is your?? eye, ear, body, breathing protection, and jack stands!!!!! I have sustained many minor injuries in 40+ years. ALL could have been avoided. Forest Gump was right!! STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES! Karl

I worked for a few years with my father, who was a commercial truck and construction equipment mechanic. The amazing thing is that years after he drills into me the need to properly jack and support vehicles I was suprised to receive a call that he was nearly crushed to death by a van shifting off of improperly placed jacks. I told him that at 75 years old he was entitled to retire from serious auto/truck work.

The safety goggles are a good one. Lazily, one time I had let my glasses be my goggles while doing some heavy grinding work. One hospital emergency trip later I cannot tell you how painful a metal shard into the eyeball can be - I'm just glad not to have suffered a significant loss of sight.

Thomas

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"Bomber" '67 El Camino, Beater comes back to life.
Was 350/TH350 14.90 @ 93mph, 360,000+ miles on car.
Now 406 roller, 340rwhp, more hp coming, 3.08 gears.
Street radials, left in drive, 13.20 e.t.@108.35 mph.
8/1/01 added Plum Mist '67 to collection
ProCharger D-2R 468 under construction.

Superior post MARTINSR! Probably your most important. I am relatively new to restoration and repair but I'm old to fearing heavy things falling on me. Too many times I have been made to feel like a sissy when I feel a car is unproperly lifted by more "experienced" car guys that don't seem to think that accidents happen to them.

Thank you Gordon for suggesting using a back up (floor jack & jack stands and/or extra jackstands) whenever possible. I always do this out of fear and I catch a lot of flack for it.

EYE PROTECTION! I got a TINY sliver in there from a brake lathe-holy ***** does that hurt! I wear protective glasses now whenever I work on the car. I heard a story at school where a guy got a wire from a bench grinder wire wheel in his eye.

Thanks BobMcC for the reminder on heavy lifting-anyone here who has had a hernia surgery knows now to ask for help-If you're not convinced, you can email me about recovery from hernia surgery-not fun.

Basicly, hear what MARTINSR is saying whether you are a beginner or 20+ year veteran: take care of the safety basics no matter how small or large the project is.

Thank you again MARTINSR for an excellent post!

Dan Latta
Student, Santa Monica College

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1970 El Camino
Student, Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
ACES #5204
SCCC #416
Watch the "progress" at:
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ElCaminosandChevelles/lst

Dan, never listen to ridicule concerning safety. My long-time "come back" has alwways been: "A real man knows how to protect himself from the dangers that are out there".
Gordon VM

I like looking them right in the eye and saying "There are two different kinds of men, the hunter and the prey" http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

I to got tagged by a fan once. Just got done doing some carb tuning after a carb and manifold swap and went to put the air cleaner back on. Got it on and tightend but i was reaching in from the front instead of the side so when as i went to step back WHANG, got the tips of 3 fingers. Learned a very valuable lesson.