Cleaning Out the Basement

If you list a free item on Craig’s List that people want, keep a close eye on your email inbox. Within 30 minutes of posting an ad yesterday morning to give away a 1955 Chevrolet engine and transmission (see photo), a half-dozen people responded. One man offered to pick it up right away. At that point I deleted the ad.

The engine and transmission went to the first responder, a man named Mike. From a quick conversation by cell phone, I could tell he was serious about wanting them. I kept track of the other people who responded and let each one know where they stood in the process. Fortunately the list was manageable.

The engine and transmission are gone now. Mike wasn’t able to pick them up this morning as we had planned, but Bob, the man who pinch hit for him, was the perfect guy for the job. Other than a chain that he bought at Kitsap Lumber on the way, he brought everything he needed with him. He used every tool he brought.

You don’t just hoist an engine into a truck in a few minutes. For one thing the transmission was attached so the total load was at least 650 pounds. Major issues included working in a tight area, attaching the chain, balancing the load with the hoist arm extended, and positioning and securing the engine in the truck. It took us (mostly him) more than an hour of steady step-by-step work to get it loaded.

A simple mechanics creeper proved invaluable in moving the load once it was in the truck bed. I wonder how far we went over its load limit.

The engine and transmission are the original running gear from my 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. The engine has been rebuilt twice. Both times it wouldn’t hold oil pressure. I hope the third time is the charm for Mike. The tranny shifts fine but leaks fluid. I had both replaced with modern running gear. Then I stored them in the basement of my old house. That was in 2006.

In 2007 I sold the house. I promised the new owners I would remove the engine and transmission as soon as I could although I had no good place to store them. They have been so patient. I have been a slug. Every so often I would feel guilty about not following through. But only for a few minutes, rationalizing that there was plenty of extra room in the 1000-square-foot basement.

So why give the engine and transmission away now? After all, I made the decision not to keep my Chevy original years ago. Simple answer: karma. I had a feeling that an ad on Craig’s List would find a good home for them. It would be perfect if Mike already owned a car or truck to put them in, but he’s looking hard and I think he will find one. I don’t think he wanted them for a resale. If they are key to getting another 1955 or 1956 Chevy back on the road, that’s a good thing.

Ironically the family who owns my old house is planning a garage sale. They didn’t tell me if items in the basement will be included. If so the engine and transmission might have made an unusual garage sale “find” for someone.