71 Road Runner Restoration Started

[roadrunnerman]

just to give you a heads up warning. After the surgery, get the prescription filled right away. When i got out of the operating room, we got the pain pills and headed home about 3;00pm. Long story short, I didn't take the dose of prescription right away and started feeling the pain about 9;00pm. Now I know how the cowboys from the old west felt when they got shot. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, but I was almost on the verge of tears. It was 1;00am before the painkillers finally made it in my system enuf for me to get some sleep. Also get some pajama/lounge pants and some sneakers with velcro strips. they are a lot easier to put on than jeans. Even if they do 1 shoulder, you will still need to have your wife help you in the shower. Just thought I would let you know ahead of time. Let me know if I can help you in any other way.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Shoulder Updates.

It's been a while since I have posted anything. I've been in a lot of pain. I finally got the MRI's done on each shoulder.

On my right I have 3 torn ligaments and a lot of fluid.

The left has a torn ligament, labrum and a little fluid.

God bless the wife. She has been a trooper for me. She has been doing a lot of stuff for me that I normally took for granted.

The orthopedic surgeon is wanting me to do 6 weeks of rehab therapy. If it doesn't help 100% then I'm looking at surgery on each shoulder, one at a time, with 6 more weeks of therapy in between. He may change his mind after he reviews the MRI on my left side.

The worst part (besides the pain and little sleep) is mental.
I have all of the goodies for the Satellite and can't do anything with them.

I feel like a dog who chases a parked car. Lol

Take care.

 

[Basket case]

well if the wife REALLY wanted to help........

 

[tallhair]

Man I'm really bummed for you. Prayers sent that it works out better than it sounds and that you heal well and soon whatever is required.

Keep the chin up .. sounds like you are positive and handling it well.

We miss you and the updates but want you healthy and feeling less pain.

 

[Ron 73]

Louis, our prayers coming your way to.. My wife is home after tearing her knee up and going to therapy 3 days a week, myself im dealing with some issues and sometimes it does get overwhelming but keep the faith buddy, it will get better, Sitting on our backside isint easy when your used to getting things done but sometimes its a necessary part of the program...

 

[roadrunnerman]

Know just what you're going thru. They tried doing the rehab therapy with me, but ended up doing the surgery anyways. I ended up doing about 3-4 months of physical therapy with mine after surgery. I couldn't wait to get out to the garage (my therapy). Just don't try and do too much at once or you will make it worse than before. Bless your wife for taking care of you. Sometimes we don't realize how much we need them till WE NEED THEM.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Can't sleep.

well if the wife REALLY wanted to help........

Good stuff !!!!! She has been mowing the yard, and we have about 1.5 acres of it to mow. So maybe...... Just maybe. Something tells me it wouldn't take too much convincing. She's a gear head like me. LOL

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Thanks everyone for encouragement. Right now I kind of wish they would just get the surgery done and over with. This pain really sucks.

We will get through this with flying colors. Not gonna let it get me down. Road Runner man you have been down this road and I appreciate your words of wisdom.

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You nailed it. These cars are my therapy. But I will follow the docs instructions to the letter. I understand the consequences if I don't.

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

Yes. It's really 3:30 AM .............

 

[747mopar]

Man that sucks to hear, hope for a speedy recovery. I'll be praying for ya

 

[hunt2elk]

Sorry to hear about your shoulder issues. For a person like you who works balls to the walls, the not being able to do the things you want must be just about as bad as the pain you are suffering. Just remember things will get better, and eventually back to the therapy sessions in your shop :VB toast:

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Therapy

Started therapy on Friday. Now I'm really sore after, but I know it has to be done.

As soon as I get well, the real "therapy" out in the shop can start back up.

Ron, we will keep you and your wife in our thoughts and prayers too.

Take care. That's all for today.

 

[Propwash]

Best of luck with your therapy! Chin up!

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Best of luck with your therapy! Chin up!

Shoulder therapy again today. More pain but I'm thinking that progress is being made. I actually feel a little better now, but no where near where I should be.

Thanks prop. Charlie Mike. (continue mission)

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One day at a time as they say. Thanks again everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Well tomorrow they are letting me come back to work on a limited part time desk job, which they consider "light duty". I still have my regular therapy sessions scheduled, so hopefully I can get back at it after a while. I'm glad because I am going crazy sitting around doing nothing. So far though I really haven't noticed that much of a change (especially in the range of motion), but it's still too early in the game.

So I consider this a little good news...........

 

[roadrunnerman]

just make sure your work doesn't have you do more than what you are limited to.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

So far I have been a desk jockey. Nothing else. As bad as my shoulders hurt, I don't want to do anything to make them worse. I'm at the point now where I just want it to go away. I don't care what they do to make it happen. It may sound silly but I'd rather go do the surgery right now even though it will be painful too. I've been doing the stretching / isometric exercises, but I don't see any improvement.

I feel like a T-Rex with useless little stubs for arms !!!! LOL

The misses has been driving me everywhere. To appointments, work, etc..... God bless her.

Happy Easter everyone.

 

[71airgrabberRR]

New Leaf Springs Ordered Today

I couldn't stand it any longer. Sitting around with nothing to do leads to a person spending money ........

Just a few minutes ago I ordered a new set of rear leaf springs from Summit Racing for the Satellite. The set I ordered are Mopar Performance parts and are supposed to be exact replacements for the factory 383, 440, Hemi and 340 B Body cars.

It was a pleasant surprise to find these restoration replacement parts were made available again, and the stock spring hangers will work.

This set of springs has an additional leaf on one side. I'm pretty sure it's the same set of springs that were used if your car came with a "Track Pack" or "Super Track Pack" suspension upgrade when new.

Mopar part number P4452982 / 983 left and right $104.97 each. It gave me an excuse to use my "Summit Bucks". Lol

 

[roadrunnerman]

So far I have been a desk jockey. Nothing else. As bad as my shoulders hurt, I don't want to do anything to make them worse. I'm at the point now where I just want it to go away. I don't care what they do to make it happen. It may sound silly but I'd rather go do the surgery right now even though it will be painful too. I've been doing the stretching / isometric exercises, but I don't see any improvement.

I feel like a T-Rex with useless little stubs for arms !!!! LOL

The misses has been driving me everywhere. To appointments, work, etc..... God bless her.

Happy Easter everyone.

That's the way I felt. After a couple months of therapy, they decided that it wasn't doing any good and was actually making it worse. That's a good price for the springs. Did they come with the bushings?

 

[71airgrabberRR]

Springs in Spring...............

When we got home from my shoulder therapy today, the springs were sitting by the garage door. Yes, RR man, the front bushings were pressed in.

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Here is a picture to show the difference between the two sides, One has two "half leafs".........

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The factory part numbers are stenciled in blue. The blue color looks to be the same as corporate blue engine paint used on all engines from 72-78.

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Here is a close up of the front spring hanger showing the bushing installed. The rear end of the spring doesn't come with bushings for the shackle end.

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The nice thing is that these are factory "Mopar" items available new again. You just can't beat the price either. They are supposed to fit B Body cars from 68 - 72.

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Now only if my shoulders were healed......................

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Once again, the wife was a great help. There was no way I could pick these up yet.

Now if I can only talk her into glass beading some parts........................LOL

 

[Chase383]

I'll be interested to see how those springs hold up.

I've been toying with the idea of using them as well, after all I can drive the 5 minutes down the local Dodge dealership and order them. I've tried to search for people's opinion on them, and of course most are negative.

 

[rrTor-Red]

View attachment 182846I couldn't stand it any longer. Sitting around with nothing to do leads to a person spending money ........

Just a few minutes ago I ordered a new set of rear leaf springs from Summit Racing for the Satellite. The set I ordered are Mopar Performance parts and are supposed to be exact replacements for the factory 383, 440, Hemi and 340 B Body cars.

It was a pleasant surprise to find these restoration replacement parts were made available again, and the stock spring hangers will work.

This set of springs has an additional leaf on one side. I'm pretty sure it's the same set of springs that were used if your car came with a "Track Pack" or "Super Track Pack" suspension upgrade when new.

Mopar part number P4452982 / 983 left and right $104.97 each. It gave me an excuse to use my "Summit Bucks". Lol

Got a new set from Firm Feel which they said got them from Mopar performance. I decided to go with Spring n Things just because I dont want to change them out later. I want to do this once and drive my car. If anyone is interested in a new set, let me know. PM me here with contact info

Thanks